Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-13
LARGEST CLASS IN
HISTORY OF Obs.
GRADUATES OF 1914 APPEAR IN
CAP AND GOWN AT THE CLOS
ING EXERCISES.
HOUSE is FILLED
Friends and Relatives Throng Theater,
Forrest Ensign Urges Purity
Of Mind and
Lives.

The forty-sixth annual commence
ment of the Ottumwa high school was
attended by a house full of friends anc
relatives of the graduates Thursday
evening at the Grand Opera house
The stage and boxes, as we'll as the
gallery were decorated with twisted
ropes of orange and black crepe paper
caught up in loops with daisies, the
class flower. Potted ferns were at eacn
end of the stage near the boxes.
A greater attraction than the beau
tiful decorations, the sweet songs and
address, was the class itself. This was
the largest number of young people
to finish high school in the history OF
Ottumwa and the appearance OF the
class Of 1914 in their caps and gowns
made them the envied Of their audi
ence for there were nearly 100 young
men and women who completing their
school days, entered upon life's duties
outside the class room. A larger num-
her present In the opera house would
be hard to place. They were all will
ing and anxious to honor the class.
Singing Is Pleasing.
The curtain rose to reveal the large
high school chorus In place, the
seniors distinguished from the singers
of other classes by the black cap and
gown, which was worn this year for
the first time in this city, by the
era duates. Miss Katharine Powers,
supervisor of music, conducted the
chorus, the opening numbers being
"Toreador Hola" and "Wiegenlied,'
The high school girls glee club follow
ed with two very alphabetically Civ.
en- numbers, "The bridal of the winds
and "Blow soft winds. The high
school boys glee club, another musical
organization, gave two very pleasing
selections. Mature lullaby" and schu-
bert's "Serenade." The first half or
the program concluded with the chorus
Of peers from Iolanthe, the words OF
which we're intended as satire on the
British parliament, given by the en-
fire chorus in a spirited manner. The
chorus work throughout was excep-
tionallv good and was warmly applaud
ed.
The first number of the second half
Of the program was Miss Lillian Des'
kin's brilliant Interpretation OF the
"Polka de Concert" by Bartlett. Miss
Deskin was insstently encored ana
responded with the "Sextette from
Lucia" Miss Madeline Edgerly &C
COMMANDED the 1914 Girls Glee club in
their charming selection, Rock a-Bye'
Lady" The solos, "Rose OF the
world" and Goodbye" two beauti-
full songs. were given by Howard Phil
Inns with feeling Interpretation. me
accompaniments were played by How
ard Gibbs. A few moments later the
curtain rose carrying on high a large
orange and black 1914 pennant Miss
Louisa Van Dyke played a march by
HolIander as the senior boys ana
girls bv twos entered from opposite
sides and climbed to their seats. This
has always been one Of the prettiest
features of the exercises, and was I'M
usually impressive as the graduates
entered in cap and gown. Superin-
tendent H. E. Blackmar presented Pro-
lessor Forrest G.. Ensign, dean or men
at the State University and the speak
er of the evening
Urges Purity OF Lives.
The address was one of the most
ENJOYABLE and Interesting ever dellv-
erred to a graduating class of this city
and the interest was evidenced by the
keen attention of both students and
immense audience Mr.. Ensign urged
nurity of mind and lives on both men
and women, that clean living may CO.
operate with education so that there
IN an honest
with a lantern in the market place
of the world, as did Diogenes or old.
The great opportunity to rise III
America, where all may work TO the
greatest heights, was touched on by
the speaker and mention made OF the
great advances in the recent years.
1.-THE work of the two sexes Is dehn
tie" he said, 1.-The woman's task being
to conserve the attainments OF the
more inventive men. Courage was
urged for the sacrifices which are nee
essary for the furthering of education
and efficiency was declared as an IN
tensely important factor IN success
Mr.. Ensign spoke most approv1ngly or
tho movement to fit each student 1or
his life work. no matter what, IN the
school education. In closing he re-
ferred to the German motto. "lch
Diem" meaning IT serve formerly
worn by kings on their shields, as
noble and fitting life motto Tor those
so gifted by education and similar ad
vantages. as graduates starting out
in their life work The applause when
followed the speaker, whose outlook IS
one of unusual and humorous sympa-
thy, indicated the pleasure in his ad'
dress.
Principal F. NJ. Hammitt then pre-
ean+ed the class for graduation to
President M. B. Hutchinson, who con-
graduated them on their graduation
and record and proceeded to present
tho blue-ribboned diplomas.
Tho singing of the class song by the