The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-09-28
dapleton Opened Its Doors
On Splendor Scene
fine DISPLAY IS THERE
Addresses Delivered and the
AmericanFIag Made of Apples
An Attraction
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Mapleton, September 26.-Today
marks the opening of the second an
nual corn carnival and patriotic page
ant. The town is decorated with flags
and the few entries which were de-
layed by the rain were brought in this
morning SO that noon found every
thing complete for this afternoon S
program, which is entirely in keeping
with the times.
The pageant, which occurred dur
ing the afternoon, was participated in
by $50 people. 1t was under the direc-
ton of Joseph Dobie, Jr., and Miss
Whiting of Little Falls. This feature
took place on the stage erected near
the library corner.
The Spirit of America" portrayed
the first people who came to this
great land and to show how by years
of mingling and cooperation this
splendid nation is what it is today.
The coming of Columbus was the
first scene given by the Catholic So
ciety and it depicted the character OF
the fifteenth century in costume. This
was followed by the landing of the Pill
grims from the May Flower in 1920
and was represented by the Congrega-
tional Church society, which is an an
cestor of the church established by the
Pilgrims. he Indian scene was given
by the high school students, being
John Smith and Pocohontas. These
were quickly followed by the Spirit of
'76 and the signing of the Declaration
Of Independence, ETC., down to the
present day including the Red Cross
movement. Rev. Father J. L. O'Conner
Of Worthington delivered an address,
all of which took place on Main street,
beginning at p. m.
S Mapleton Corn Festival.
Today was anything but encourag-
ing to the people of Mapleton who
were ready to add the finishing touches
to the town that should so soon en-
terrain the people from all over this
section. But with courage worthy the
cause all worked with will never
stopping for rain until but few of the
simple things remained to be done be-
fore Mapleton could open her doors
and greet her guests. For days the com
mittees had been preparing, stringing
flags, corn, apples, chestnuts and
gathering what ever was deemed
necessary for decorations. Flags are
hung on all of the principal streets.
The stage from which the pageant and
public speaking is given is draped with
a large flag for the background. Flags,
flags every where one looks he beholds
the national emblem.
On East Main street large tent has
been erected near the floral hall for
the horse show, to which large num-
Der of entries have been made. The
Heather curling rink has been trans
formed into one of beauty by the deft
fingers of many willing workers. AS
one enters the plain but cOmmodious
building so often the scene of pleasure
during the winter months, they are at
tracted by the word Welcome" over
the doorway, and upon entering they
find themselves in neat dainty room
designed and decorated by Misses
Stella Mccarthy and Ards Gilmore.
The walls are covered with autumn
leaves and flowers. Small engravings
are hung here and there with dainty
curtains at the windows, a rug covers
the floor and it is furnished with
couch, rocking chairs, and cradles. 1t
is a place much appreciated by the
tired mothers and elderly people dur
ing the day. Passing into the main
room through the doorway two large
American flags are hung.
Either side of the door the walls are
ers and grass while pillar Of grain
adorns the side. AS one looks around
blaze of glory seems to greet them.
Every where is the sumac, red and
green. and festoons of bright berries
from beam to posts made of strings of
corn, acorns, apples, even sed pods OF
the wild cucumber which make charm
ing decorations against the lemon and
green drapery of the booth fronts,
white being chosen for the inside. Two
tiny flags are placed above each clus-
ter of red mountain ash berries. The
first booth at the right as you enter
contains crochet and tatting displays
consisting of shawls, yokes, doilies,
pillow slips, sheets, etc. Notably is
group of six handkerchiefs made by
the mother of Mrs. Lillian Barnes, a
lady seventy-five years of age, each
handkerchief has different design
and work representing battenburg,
hairpin, tatting, drawn work, crochet
and knit. The second booth is occupied
by J. r. Starkey with his bees and
honey. representing the apiary in
dustry from start to finish. Having
samples of strained honey, comb honey
ready for market honey. comb and
bees wax, as well as the bees working
in the hives. The decorations here are
red and white.
Red Cross Has Booth.
The next booth is occupied by the
Red Cross, here the decorations are
red and white and also a large Ameri-
can flag draped above President Will
SONS picture. form the back ground,
with mountain ash berries and leaves
used as a decoration upon the rails
'and posts. The Red Cross banner is
hung above in front exhibits OF work
nv Grapel and Sterling are grouped
with those of the Mapleton auxiliary
demonstrating the manv kinds of work
heins done by these live auxilifEes.
paiafnas, sleeveless. jackets, wristlets,
socks, shoulder wraps, mules leggings,
wash cloths, sponges. leggings, tray
cloths. ETC., are included. Several knit