Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-07-09
cHAUTAUQUA WELL ATTENDED
Lectures and Entertainments Fully
Up to Standard.

While some of our neighboring towns
have been complaining of the attract
ions, lectures and general arrangements
furnished by the Redpath-
Chautauqua System, Cresco has but
very little to complain about. With
the exception of little delay in rails
ing the tent for the opening session
and lack of enugh seats the two first
days the arrangements have been quite
satisfactory. Opinion seems to be
somewhat divided as to the quality of
entertainment furnished compared with
that of year ago, but we believe that
some of the best attractions are yet to
come, and criticism should be withheld
until the event is ended. 1t is impos-
sible to have everything suit, for what
makes hit in some communities falls
fiat in others. We believe that the
general average will be fully up to the
standard of last year.
We were unable to attend the open
ing session, but from all reports DR..
Cadman's lecture on abraham Lin
coin" met with great favor. His
coming this year was looked forward
to with much interest by the friends
he made here last year, and his lecture
Monday added to his popularity.
We confess to some Disappointment in
the entertainment furnished by Sarah
Wathena Brown and the Chicago Boy
choir. Solo harpists generally get
above variations on the old standby
tunes, and the boys had very ordinary
voices, sang together badly at times
and were at their best in their last
selection.
Rev. Allen A. Tanner on Tuesday de-
livered fine lecture entitled "The
Man in Overalls," in which he present
ed powerful plea in defense of ''The
Man in Overalls." He is no extremist
but from the standpoint of the labor
ing man and woman he sees reason:
and excuses for the various sins O.
commission and omission with whicl
they are charged. Mr.. Tanner did no
assail the employers of labor but urge'
at their hands more recognition of tn
abilities and services of their employ
ers and greater respect for them a
men and women.
On Tuesday evening, the Common
wealth male quartette gave highl
enjoyable concert. The members Q
the quartette all possess good voice
and their solo and quartette work wa
all of high order of merit. Follow
ing the concert, Congressman Landi
was introduced, but before he go
down to business, his audience com
menced to melt away. His voice an
presence were not calculated to hold
crowd with a lecture of commonplace
and it was generally understood tina
his lecture was a plea for ship sui
sidy and sort of stand-pat tari
address entirely out of harmony wit
the progressive spirit which dominate
the Chautauqua movement everywhere
Wednesday the town was full Q
people to see and hear VIM. j. Bryar
The big Chautauqua tent seats 200
persons and every seat was taken an
many were compelled to stand through
out his address. Mr.. Bryan was me
at the depot with an enthusiastic crow
who had secured the presence of tn
band for the occasion, and after shor
rest at the hotel proceeded to tn
Chautauqua grounds, where he was il
troduced by Rev. Gammons. Afte
asking for similar audience to NEE
Gov. Shellenberger, another Nebra!
khan, who will be here Sunday h
launched into his address. 'The Primo
of Peace" which is at once plea fl
religion, defense of tiff it can |
said it needs any-and a showing of i
need by the human race. Mr.. Bryan
delivery is so fine and his words {
simple and convincing that the tin
occupied in its delivery passed so ra
idly that it hardly seemed possible th
about one and one half hours had pas
ed. Following the lecture, Mr.. Brys
was taken to Austin on a special to d
liver an address there in the evening.
On Wednesday evening the Col
Steele Entertainers pleased lare
audience. Mr.. Steele has finely CT
tivated bass voice and his selection
take wide range from humorous
grave and from popular to classica
The reader, Mrs. Cole-Steele, made g
instantaneous hit with the audience
the afternoon and in the evening h
every number met with hearty a
plause. She was equally good in evel
reading and in one would hold her hea
ers tense with emotion and in the ne,
would keep them in continuous laug
ter with an humorous selection.