Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-07-08
PLEASES
SPLENDID PROGRAM FURNISHED BY RED.
PATH CHAUTAUQUA SYSTEM.
Unfortunate Conditions Combine in Keep.
ing Attendance Below Paying Figure.
but Citizens Enjoy Hearing Some
Of the Best Talent Upon the
American Platform.

The Decorah Chautauqua, conducted
by the Redpath Chautauqua System,
closed on Sunday evening, after hav-
ing furnished week of delightfully."-
entertaining and instructive entertain
ment for the citizens of Decorah
Although the severe tornado of a week
previous and other unfortunate condi-
tions combined to reduce the atten-
dance below paying figure, yet those
who did attend were entertained at
each successive session by talent that
was high grade in every particular,
much of it the very best that is before
the people.
We have not the space to comment
at length upon each of the many ses.
sions since our last issue. The morn
ing lectures were delivered by H. L..
Lutz, and consisted of discussions of
economic and sociological discussions
which were very instructive and
listened to with interest.
Each morning also Miss Specht had
her Seton Indian camps open, and the
children of the city greatly enjoyed
participating in the camps. The little
fellows were logged out in Indian
costumes, and were told many stories
of Indian life and legend
Thursday afternoon the Stelzls gave
a splendid musical program, and H.
p. Miller. practical farmer of Ohio.
an interesting lecture ON animal
Husbandry In the afternoon and
evening there was an exhibit of the
arts and crafts of the Pueblo Indians.
with dances, etc. by them. In the
evening DIR. George Lamont Cole lec-
tured upon "The Ancient Cliff Dwell
lers.' which was very interesting.
Friday afternoon one of the treats
of the week was had in the lecture by
Capt. r. p Hobson on "The Defense
of America Capt. Hobson is a
powerful advocate of strong navy
and delivers a thrilling lecture. AT
the close resolutions were passed in
accordance with his wishes. The eve-
ming program was also splendid, in.
some fine selections by the
Orchestra and a pleasing
lecture by DR.. Thos. E. Will. Secre-
tary of the American Forestry associ-
alton.
Saturday afternoon the celebrated
Canadian basso, H. Ruthven Nc
gave recital He has a
splendid voice, and was universally
declared to be one of the best bassos
ever heard in Decorah. The lecture by
DR.. George r. Stuart, the southern
orator and humorist, kept the crowd
in an uproar of laughter from begin
ming to end. In the evening Mr.. and
Mrs. Mcdonald gave another pleasing
recital, and Ernest Harold Bynes. the
gave an interesting lee
ture.
The Sunday morning program con-
sisted of union service in which the
city churches participated. There
" ere beautiful solos by Mrs. Robt.
Simpson, Miss Pearl Pollitt and Mrs.
VIM. Hogle. and the sermon was de-
livered by Rev. DR.. Thos. E. Green.
being powerful and eloquent appeal
for cleaner and nobler manhood, and
for the highest type OF patriotism. In
the afternoon he delivered special
lecture prepared for Sunday after
noon which was u delight to his
audience. DR.. Green is truly one of
greatest platform orators.
The Sunday evening program, the
closing one Of the chautauqua, proved
the only disappointment of the entire
course. The opening concert by the
Barnards was splendid and greatly en-
joyed. but before they concluded a
severe storm came up. and many OF
TIC UCCOihihS "oiAiOV, AO'o
when the concert was finished. DR..
Thos. Brooks Fletcher was to lecture
on 1.-THE Martyrdom of Fools" and
chose subject particularly fitting, for
he proved to be thoroughly qualified
to speak from personal experience.
Showing his contempt that the people
preferred the safety of their homes to
a tent during a raging storm. he
started out with slurring remark,
and then launched into a rapid fire
tumble of words that not one tenth OF
the audience could understand and
few if any appreciate. When he
seemed to have been relieved of about
half of his burden, he suddenly stop
ped and said, 'well, guess it's about
time for me to get out of here," or
words to that effect, and grabbing his
hat from the piano, rushed off the plat
form and out of the tent. to the great
relief as well as disgust of the
audience.