Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-23
SEMI-CENTENNlAL
TO BE CELEBRATED
State Historical Society Suggests
that Spectacular Celebration
Be Held Next Fall.
FOLLOWED BY SOME OTHERS


To commemorate the first move
ment toward organizing Nebraska
into a state, a big celebration and
pageant Is to be held in Omaha I'M
der the auspices Of the Knights of
Ak~Sar-Ben in the fall Of 1915. The
executive committee OF twenty-five
appointed from the committee OF 100,
at a meeting at the Fontenelle hotel,
made a definite line OF recommenda-
lions for this semi-centennial celebra-
ton In the following resolution:
i. That a spectacular celebration be
held IN the city Of Omaha In the fall OF
1915 to commemorate the first steps to-
ward statehood. which were taken in this
city during the summer and fall OF 1895
by the state legislature then in session
m this city. and later by the election Of
United States senator's and members OF
congress In the same year; that the prin-
cipai features OF the Omaha celebration
shall be a historical. spectacular street
pageant under the supervision ana con-
trol OF the knights OF Ak-sar-Ben; that
such additional features be added to the
street pageant % may be found expe-
dent. such IS a panorama In the Audi
torium Illustrating the growth and de-
velopment OF the state, together with mo-
ton pictures illustrating the present state
Of our principal industries and civiliza-
ton; the production IN one Of the theaters
Of q historical drama during the period
OF the celebration. and other similar fea-
lures TO be worked out by the local COM
mites.
To Celebrate fn Schools.
n That under the supervision of a
committee. o. which the superintendent
OF public instruction Of the state shall
be the chairman. celebrations be held on
the first day OF March, 1917, In the
schools throughout the state; that such
contests be arranged as win best servo
to secure historical sketches of pioneer
life and OF the elements OF progress,
which have made up the last fifty years
history OF this state; that county super
intendents OF schools be invited 20 CO.
operate. to the end that at each county
seat In the state on March 1. the day OF
the admission OF Nebraska into the
union, such celebrations and contesta
may be held as will best serve to COM
memorate this occasion.
want All 60 Join.
q. That In the spring or early sum-
mer OF 1871. at date to be selected by
local committees. q celebration. literary
in character. be held at Lincoln, Neb.
that the state university. the state His
torical society and other Institutions and
societies be invited 70 cooperate ana
assist In this celebration; that reunions
Of soldiers, state officials. university
students and others. who have had
prominent part In the upbuilding OF Ne.
oraska. be arranged as part OF the
proerami that musical program. and
oratorical and literary productions. and
reunions OF pioneers be central features
Of this celebration.
"a That the governor OF the state be
urged to invite all citizens 10 participate
in these celebrations. and by proelama-
ton to designate the several dates OF the
celebrations to be held.
The following committees were APP
pointed TO arrange the details and FIX
tho dates OF these celebrations and 10
report later ut general meeting OF the
committee Of 100 appointed by the state
Historical society:
on arrangements for the Omaha eele.
bfation;
ourdon w. wattles, A. T. Reed.
Gilbert Nj. Hitchcock, Rome Miller,
Il. ~ Buckingham. w. II. Buchoz
Casper E. Yoat Norris Brown.
on arrangements for the school and
county celebrations;
Prof. A. o. Thomas. lincoln.
Ross l.. Hammond, Fremont
Judge Paul lessen. Nebraska City.
on arrangements for the Lincoln eeIe-
bration:
Or. II. b. Lowry. II. n. bushnell.
A. J. Sawyer. Col e. r. Slzer.