Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-17
CHAUTAUQUAAWINNER
DECORAH'S FIRST CHAUTAUQUA DRAWS
OUT IMMENSE CROWDS.
The Fine Six Days Program Given by the
Redpath Lyceum Proved so Success
full. Way is Paved for Another
Chautauqua Next Year.

Decorah's first Chautauqua closed
Sunday night, with an audience in
attendance that taxed the capacity of
the big tent and the grounds around
it, thus demonstrating that the final
program of the six days was as inter-
esting aud sought for by our people as
the first.
This. our first Chautauqua, was
somewhat in the nature of an expert
ment, and it made good, and we
firmly believe that it is an established
enterprise and that the people will
freely and literally take hold of it
from this time on, at least that is the
way they talk and feel now Decorah
has proven herself chautauqua town
by the representative audiences
present every day aud evening, and
the management and talent were un.
animous in saying that they were
never more nicely treated and met
with more of an enthusiastic recep-
tion than here.
Too much thanks and credit cannot
be given to the business men, who
made the Chautar qua possible. by
their usual liberal subscriptions. Of
course the Chautauqua only drew a
few outsiders this year, and the busi-
ness men did not profit much finan-
cially by outside trade. But as we
stated above it was largely in the
nature of an experiment. and next
year the business men wont be asked
to subscribe for blocks of tickets
the people know what Chautauqua
is now and it's work and influence on
the public--so we bespeak now that
all our people will be willing and
glad to sign for one ticket or two and
not place the bulk of the load upon
the business men, as was as done this
year. But ON the other hand all
tickets could have teen readily sold
this year, at full price, but not know
ing how they would go, great many
were sold at half price. thus resulting
in loss to the subscribers.
Pres. Vawter and Manager Nc
Murray who had the affair in charge
are two exceedingly pleasing gentle
men to meet. They did all in their
power to please the people and gave
the program advertised, which helped
a lot to keep the peoples confidence
in the affair unshaken. We will not
attempt to DIVE II at any length on all
of the attractions given. 1t is seldom
that all the talent on the program
suits everybody, but everybody was
suited before the program was through.
The vocal and instrumental music
given by the Hesperian Male Quar-
tette, The Royal Hungarian Orchestra
and Sterling Jubilee Singers was all
pleasing. several different programs
being given by each on different days.
The lecture talent given us were
by men who have gained fame all over
the country on the lecture platform,
and they pleased, because they knew
the subjects thoroughly that they
talked on and it all proved very high
ly educating and entertaining.
Wednesday afternoon was given over
to the Hesperian Quartette and an ad-
dress by Gov. Hoch of Kansas. A
heavy rain for an hour or more inter-
fered to some exeut with the attend
ance at the opening. but the big tent
rapidly filled up as the rain ceased
falling and the time arrived for the
speech. The quartette rendered a
few of their best selections, after
which DR.. Willett in very happy
speech which was filled with witt
cisms, eliciting frequent applause
from the audience, introduced the
speaker. DIR. Willett's keen illusions
to prominent events in Kansas his
tory, were particularly happy and
were we'll received by the audience.
Gov. Hoch is pleasing speaker,
he has good voice and distinct
enunciation, he was easily heard in
every part of the tent; he had no
trouble in entertaining his hearers
who listened for two hours with de-
light TO his magnificent address which
was fitted to the occasion and to his
hearers. 1t was popular presentation
of some of the more prominent events
in the history of Kansas. In speak
ing Of the trusts and the action Of the
legislature, he said that binding twine
had been reduced in cost to the
farmers of that state from 16 to 8
cents. That oil had also been reduced
in price by the establishment of a
number of refineries in competition
with the oil trust.
kansas is state 400 miles long
and 200 miles wide; 1t reaches down to
China and up to the skies. There is
not single saloon in the state.