The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-05-21
NORWEC|ANS GATHER
TO Celebrate THEIR
INDEPENDENCE DAY
IMMENSE CROWD AT THE OPERA
HOUSE SUNDAY-CHORUS OF
SIXTY VOICES-A GIFT FOR
UNFORTUNATE COUNTRYMEN.

Never was there a more successful
18th of May celebration held in the
northwest than that of Sunday when
thousands of Norwegians from all Sec
tions of the northwest gathered in Mi
not to show their love for the land of
their birth. The exercises this year
were of especial significance because it
was just a hundred years ago that
day that Norway succeeded in becom-
ing a free and independent nation.
Norway has always been an interest
ing and great country, but with the
throwing off of her fetters a century
ago, the country began to prosper as
she never did before and has been
coming to the front ever since until
today she is regarded as one of the
great industrial and commercial ma
tions Of Europe: Her people have To-
Gated in many foreign lands and par
ticularly are they to be found in
America where they are making good
They are among the very best people
of the old world to cast their lot here
and they quickly adapt themselves to
the ways Of the country of their ad-
option and take a prominent part in
the business, social, religious and po-
litical affairs of our land.
When H. A. Foss, chairman of the
day, called the meeting to order at the
opera house in the afternoon Sunday
ehere wasn't vacant seat in the build
ing.
Never has larger or better Choir
us sung before Minot audience than
that of the sixty voices from the COM
bine6 Norwegian churches Of the city
the First Lutheran, the Zion Lutheran
Hauges Synod and Bethania Luther
an. Under the direction of Prof. S. j
Rognlie the chorus sang two selec-
tions in Norwegian and the Star Span.
gled Banner. Prof. Rognlie also led
a large orchestra that furnished some
especially fine numbers during the
afternoon.
Mr.. Rognlie rendered two violin
solos and during the entire exercises
he showed himself to be most capable
in every way.
Miss Martha Reishus, who possesses
very sweet clear soprano voice, sane
"Mor," meaning "Mother," in Norweg
ian.
The address of the day was deliver
ed by Rev. Mr.. Lonne of the Bethanis
church. He outlined the historical
events that led up to Norway's inde
pendence.
Rev. Lund gave an address pertain
ing to the religious side of the day.
r. A. Nestos delivered an interest
ing historical address.
One of the most pleasing numbers
of the day was the delivery of an orig
inal poem by H. A. Foss, one of Amer
ica's most capable Norwegian writer's
Minot is proud of Mr.. Foss and thos'
only who understand the Norwegian
language can best appreciate his ef
forts. As many of our readers arr
familiar with the Norwegian language
we secured copy of Mr.. Foss' poem
which appears elsewhere in this issue
In it he sends greetings from Norweg
ians in America to their friends in tn
far off home land.
At the conclusion of the program,
collection was taken up for fund tina
will be given by American Norweg
ians to the Norwegian government OF
July 4, at the time the statue Of Abra
ham Lincoln is unveiled. The interes
on the fund only is to be spent and will
be used for the benefit Of unfortunate
Norwegians. Already the fund ha'
passed the $4,000 mark and will un
doubtedly be as large again by tn
time it is presented.
| The opera house was decorated will
the Stars and Stripes and the Norweg
ian National cOlOrS.