Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-07-22
CHAUTAUQUA---WHA
IS It AND WHY DOES
II HAVE THE NAME
THE WORD, SUPPOSED TO HAVE
TAKEN ORIGIN FROM OLD
INDIAN CHIEF

TAKEN ORIGIN FROM OLD
INDIAN CHIEF
What is a Chautauqua? This query
is very common among many of the
local people at this time because of the
fact that a Chautauqua is to be held
here beginning Thursday. August 6.
The word Chautauqua is of modern
origin. Only the very latest additions
of the dictionary contain the definition
for the word.
The word Chautauqua does not en-
brace word meaning only. but pre-
sents an idea as well. And the Chau-
tauqua idea is a new idea. Not so
many years ago, possibly less than
twenty the first Chautauqua was held
near small lake in New York.
This lake was known as Chautauqua
Lake. 1t was in the grove near this
little summer resort that a few of the
prominent people of the state were
taking a summers outing. Being
people of culture and refinement they
conceived the idea of securing the SER
vices of some talented men and
women to come to the resort
and give them a lecture course in the
open air, on such topics as ethics,
literature music. etc, together with
the rendering of classical music and
the giving of reviews of some choice
books of the day. The talent was
secured and the program given. 1t
IL L Cha n
qua assembly
Back of the word Chautauqua there
is story that portrays its meaning
Ii is said that in years gone by band
of Indians lived along the border of
the little Chautauqua Lake, Git was
not so called them. The chief Of the
tribe was subjected to almost endless
nagging and quarrels from his squaw
The old chief tired Of the incessant
quibbling with his wife, after years of
effort in trying to please her. Finally
he became determined to end II all by
drowning himself in the lake. In the
heat of one of her lectures the old
chief ran to the border of the lake
jumped into his boat rowed out to
the middle of the lake and leaped
over DOdIus II II luiilpitu NiioN INV
last sentence he uttered as the
waves swallowed him up was Ssh
you-talk "a way" (Chautauqua).
From the idea originated in the
little assembly held on the border of
Chautauqua Lake similar summer
meetings are now held in every state
in the union during the summer sea-
son. In many places groves and lakes
are not available for holding the meet
ings and this handicap caused the Ly-
ceum bureaus, who book the talent of
the country, to buy large tents, equip
them with chairs, seats, stage and
everything for the convenience of the
patrons. This paraphernalia is moved
through the country from town to
town and the entertainers travel from
place to place giving the patrons ofthe
Chautauqua the best things they are
capable of.
A Chautauqua is not a carnival. 1t
is a summer school. Its relation TO
carnival is very slight. Chautauqua
brings to a town the finest and highest
class of lectures, musicals and enter
tainments that can be found In the
country. This does not mean high
class as the cheap Snowman and
rowdies would refer to it either. Every
thing about the weeks entertainment
tends to the uplift of ideals, morals
and anticipations. 1t is the lectures
OF several courses and the best enter
tainment of the country condensed in
to one weeks program, under one
tent and at a price many times less
than would be possible under any
other circumstances. Bedding will be
given the same productions and the
same care will be exercised in giving
them that the largest cities in the
United States receive. The Chautau-
qua is something that everyone should
attend. The benefit to the individuals
in the community and to the com
munity itself is one that cannot be es-
timated Don't forget that the season
tickets may be purchased before the
opening of the Chautauqua cheaper.
than AT any future time during Chau-
tauqua week.