The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-02-14
Songs, Addresses and
REGULATIONS Make Up
The Program.
Notable Event, One That
lnculcates Spirit of I
True Patriotism.

Nearly HOO young patriots-boys
and girls of the city public schools
assembled at the theatre this forenoon
to observe Lincoln's birthday. The
program was very appropriate and
greatly enjoyed.
Honored guests of the school child
rem were members of Alexander Wilkin
Post No. 10, G.. A. r., and large
delegation from the Women's Relief
corps, also the members of the board
of education.
The theatre was filled with an in
teresting lot of boys and girls whose
patriotism overfiowed and rousing
cheers were heard as the veterans were
seated in the boxes and the post flags
were unfurled at either side of the
stage. The theatre trembled as the
happy crowd gave vent to their feel
ings.
Children Marched in Bodies.
The children marched in bodies from
the nearby school buildings, and car
riages were provided to bring those
of the West Mankato School and the
smaller pupils of other distant schools.
The stage and audience room except
the first rows in the parquet, which
were given to the women of the re-
lief corpse, were crowded by the en-
thusiastic young people.
1t was splendid demonstration Of
patriotism and an occasion of greater
Importance and interest because of the
fact that it was the first time in TWEEN
ty years or more that the children of
all the public schools of the city were
assembled in one room.
The program was thoroughly enjoy
ed. James NJ. Mcconnell, superinten
dent of schools introduced those who
took part. '..
Sang Dixie Land.
The entire number of school children
rose and sang Marching Through
Georgia" and Dixie Land" giving eX
cellent rendtions of these war time
songs under the direction of Miss
Pitcher.
The address of welcome was deliver
ed i'm charming manner by Miss
Birdie Tompkins of the high school.
Miss Tompkins was plainly audible
in every part of the theatre and gave
il splendid oratorical effort. Her man
ner was very natural and pleasing
and her address one of fine thought,
the tributes to the martyred presi-
dent. the old soldiers and the wo-
men of the relief corps being one of
the finest parts.
Response by Judge Cray.
Hon. Lorin Cray, veteran of the
civil war made response on behalf
of the G. A. r., post and the w. r.
dent. and the old soldiers and the wO
c.. Judge Cray adjourned the session
of the district court that he might
participate in the exercises. His ad-
dress was IL mastery effort that in
spired much patriotism. He describ-
ed many of the important engagements
and events of the war in which he
took part and told of them in
splendid way that made them not
ONLY interesting to the veterans but
attentively listened to by the school
children Judge Cray gave a beau
tiful tribute to Lincoln.
columbia the Gem of the Ocean"
was sung by the school chorus and
followed by one of the novel numbers,
selections by quartette of little
people on violins, directed by Miss
Julia Hub This was composed OF
Misses Erma and Eva Paegel and Ly-
dia Trenhauser and Master Ernest
SLIDER, all of whom proved their rare
accomplishments considering their ages
Stories of the War President.
Anecdotes of the war president were
told by pupils of the Pleasant Grove
school. Master Ralph Hammet rela-
ted an interesting incident connected
with signing the emancipation procla-
nation. Work Enough for Twenty
Presidents" was the subjects of Earl
Scberer's story and that of Harold
Northrup was "Lincon's Compassion.
Master Phil Works told of Lincoln's
way of answering an inquisitive visi-
tor. Miss Hazel Stewart related the
tory of Lincoln's visit to the five
points house of industry in pleas
ing manner.
One of the enjoyable musical mum
bers was the selection "The Man Be
hind the Cum sung by the Union
School Boys Chorus, and directed by
Miss Beatty. This chorus is a per-
has its regular officers and times
of meeting. There are many good