The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-04-06
INDIAN WOMEN DESCENDED
UPON THE KATO MUSIC CLUB

INDIAN WOMEN DESCENDED
UPON THE KATO MUSIC CLUB.
Indian women of the northern tribes
| descended upon the Mankato Music
club during the regular meeting at
the normal school yesterday after
noon, and their entry into the peace
full meeting caused quite sensation,
as their approach had been unsuspect-
ed. Clad in Indian costumes, with hair
dressed la Indian, compilations a la
Indian, and even a papoose a la In
dian, only intimate friends would have
recognized these handsome Indian
| women as associate members of the
Music club. With noiseless moccasined
feet the tribe entered, war yells,
and Indian grunts hearlding their ar
rival. and after keenly scrutinizing
the faces of the audience they seated
| themselves upon the platform, and
Immediately commenced working,
beading moccasins and weaving bask-
cts. The stage was decorated with
Indian blankets, and with the tribe Of
Indian women and children grouped
upon it, gave very appropriate back
ground for the Indian program, which
was in charge of Mrs. H. A. Patter-
son, who had cleverly arranged the af-
fair into a most novel and interesting
entertainment.
Mrs. c. J. Holman, as chairman of
the committee Of club women who have
undertaken to raise the standard of
moving picture shows attended by
| children, appeared before the club,
and asked for the patronage and CO.
operation of the club members. She
spoke of the great success of the first
childrens' matinee given at the Grand
last Saturday, and told of the better
grade of pictures which were being
secured, mentioning the fact that the
feature picture at the matinee next
Saturday would be Sleeping Beauty -
and that an educational film would
also be shown. Mrs. Holman spoke in
appreciative praise of the hearty CO.
operation with which Manager Harry
B. French had met the ladies, and of
his courtesy in not advertising the
Sunday show during the childrens'
matinee. >... ...
Miss Evelyn McGovern opened the
program with the martial Indian
IuSlOQy, he WdIIlOI, pldyOu do q
piano solo with spirit and effect.
Mrs. H. A. Patterson gave splen-
did talk on Indian music, which was
illustrated with a, the piano solos,
played by Miss Johnson of the normal
school faculty, After hearing the
songs explained by Mrs. Patterson,
the music of the same proved much
more interesting. Among the illustra-
tions were "The Song of the Birds
Nest" "The Tryeting Love SongI
1.-THE Omaha Indian Funeral Song;
and the "Indian Love Song each of
which brought out to a marked de-
gree the characteristics of the Indian
music, and was received with appreci-
ative grunts by the Indians present.
Mrs. G. E. Wise read an interesting
paper, telling of "The Sunrise Call, y
and the invocation to the Sun God Of
the Indians.
Miss Ruth Harris of st. Paul, a
charming and talented young singer,
and voice pupil of Mrs. Eleanor Poeh-
Ter, sang the Indian solos, and was en-
Enthusiastically received. The selections
sung by Miss Harris were "Incantation
Over a Sleeping Infant" and "The
Blanket Song of the Indians
Mrs. Paul Barney related some
amusing and interesting Indian
myths, including the story of STAND
ing Rock" which revealed the sad
tragedy of the wife of an Indian
chieftain, who turned to stone from
grief when her husband married a
second wife. This tale was received
with solemn grunts of sympathy from
the Indian women.
One of the Indian women, whom it
was suspected was Mrs. J. M. Nc
Connell in disguise, explained with
realistic grunts and gesticulations the
history of several Indian relics, in
Guiding Little Crows saddle blanket,
and large parchment of Indian ''his-
tory" the symbols Of which were
geometrical designs painted in black
on curious paper, frail with age. The
program closed with group of two
solos, sung by Miss Harris, ''The In
dian Lullaby" and "By the Waters Of
Minnetonka."
Following the program those in the
audience and the women of the tribes
of the North greeted each other, and
joined in few moments social chat.
Close investigation revealed the fact
that the club women who so faithful
ly represented Indian women were
Mesdames J. M. Mcconnell, w. d. Will
lard, Fred Manderfeld, J. R. Brand
rup, Theodore Williams, Charles Wyatt
and R. S. Willard