The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-09-15

Niuc~htWStNS men anu women o.
Pennington couple of months age
conceived the idea of getting up {
historical pageant in our town, they
We're aware that it was no small un
dertaking, but despite discouragfne
predictions of failure, they went tC
work to show that it could be done
Last nights performance fully justi
fed their confidence, for the produc.
tion was a decided success. About
1000 people from all parts of the
county enjoyed the opening night anC
words of commendation and appre-
citation were heard on all sides. Each
scene, as the picture was unfolded
was greeted with applause.
AS the prologue" of the "Farm-
ington Pageant" book expressed it:
This is a Pageant of history,
A story of centuries past,
tale of brave deeds and of legend,
Of great men whose names were writ
fast
In gold in the annals of fame.
The stage setting was splendidly
arranged. 1t covered a space of over
a hundred feet in width and depth on
the Ozark Athletic Field, set off with
forest trees. On this stage an ami
mated picture of real life was pre-
sented. The first scene was an In
dian village, with native festival in
progress. A number of braves are
seen dancing around camp fire, the
| squaWs and children squatting about
the tepees watching the quaint In
dian dancers. A scout comes run
ming in, gesticulating, and gives an
alarm: "The pale face! the pale facel"
The dancing abruptly ceases and con-
sternation marks the faces of all.
Spanish music is heard in the dis
tance and soon DeSoto and some of
his followers enter upon the scene.
They are received. with every ap-
pearance of misgiving, but advances
are made on the part of DeSoto and
his men; the pale faces bring presents
of trinket5 snd in sign language a
| friendly 2leiing is established, the
first Christian cross is raised and the
Spanish flag is hoisted, wfile Indians
and Spaniards unite in chants and
hymns. The scene fades away by
means of well arranged disappearing
lights, and an idyllic scene comes in
to view: "Evangeline and Basil, ac-
companied by an Indian guide, in
search of Gabriel"
A third scene follows, representing
the time of the memorable year 1903,
when the Louisiana Purchase was
consummated The Spanish flag
floats over the scene, and a beautiful
dance is staged in which sixteen
young women as Spanish signoritas,
in brilliant costumes, take part. In
this scene is represented an episode
of three national flags raised over the
country in as many days. Louisiana
Territory is ceded back to France, the
Spanish flag is lowered and the tri-
colors Of France are hoisted. 1t is
acclaimed with enthusiasm by the
French residents, there is rejoicing
and festive dancing, the "Marseil-
laise" is sung by Mrs. C. 0. Nelson
and large chorus joins in the mar
tial refrain. Then another change
takes place and the star-spangled
banner waves where the tri-color held
sway for breath of time. "Ameri-
ca" is sung by the large chorus, Mrs.
Nelson leading. Throughout the
scene were dances and gaines of the
countries from which the early pi-
oneers came, by gaily appareled
young women and bright-faced chill
dren, all of whom have been splendid
ly drilled in these exercises, present.
ing a beautiful, animated picture that
captivated the delighted audience.
The fourth scene opened with a
covared WAGON and +aar, Jr;,,o,, ,,+r
the stage. From the wagon Mrs.
Sarah Barton Murphy and members
of her family alight, are received with
joy by her son and other pioneers
from the surrounding country, and
welcomed to her new home. Mrs.
Murphy started the first Sunday
School west of the Mississippi river, |
and this event is portrayed, as are
also some of the amusements Of these
early pioneers of our town and coun-
ty, among them the old "Roger de
Coverly" dance, or as it is better
known to us, the Virginia Reel.
Following this scene were three
tableaux; the first representing Da-
vid Murphy presenting to the County
Court deed to the grant of So acres
as a location for the county "Seat of
justice" on which now stands our
Court House and a part of the town
of Pennington. This was in 1922.
The second is Pennington, sur
rounded by the other towns of the
county, each portrayed as beautiful
young woman by the following named
young ladies':
Pennington, Mrs. G. W. Patton;
Bonne Terre, Miss Claire Evans;
Leadwood, Miss Lois Goodin; Des-
!oge, Miss Thclma Grady; Flat River,
Miss Airline Sleeth; Rivermines, Miss
Mildred Keith; Elvins, Miss Elsie
f&eiehert; Bismarck, Miss Irene Bar
att; Knob Licly,e Miss Eloise Brown;
ibertyville, Miss Mabel Graham;
French Village, Miss Della AuBucllon;
}eLassus, Miss WilheImina Herwig,
md Doe Run Miss Sue Antoine.
The third tableau represented
of the Future. surround