Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-23
PAGEANT SHOWS
JOY SET FREE BY
ALLIED VICTORY
Elaborate Spectacle Presented at
Long View Park Witnessed by
Throngs Of People.

With the ideally beautiful setting
of Long View park as the stage and
natural amphitheatre surrounding
it the victory pageant presented
last evening under the direction of
the Community Service league with
the assistance OF other patriotic or
CARNATIONS, was given a presentR-
tion that surprised and delighted
the great concourse of people that
Lad gathered from the tri-cities and
surrounding community to witness
the spectacle, and which in itself
presented an interesting sight. The
pageant was marked by the elabor-
ateness of it's productions, by the
beautiful effect of the many color
ed costumes and by the talent dis
played by each of the actors IN
depicting the spirit Of the play.
Much applause greeted the open
ing of the first episode as Miss
Ruth Blakemore, representing the
spirit of joy danced gracefully into
tN open stage and beautifully in
Yerpreted the Joy in the world be-
2 fore the coming Of tyranny with the
world war. She was assisted by
groups of small girls, who went
through their dances with dainty
grace. Included in this part Of the
first episode was a solo dance Dy
Miss Florence Lewis and Miss Flor
ence Levenstein who have been
much before the public as dancers
during the past winter and sum-
mer. This was followed by the SOLO
dance by little Miss Emerald Soho
walter, who ably portrayed the hap
piness of children in the world.
Dance I'm Costumes.
Then came the representatives OF
the various nations, each giving the
folk dance of the country they I'M
personated. These were all in cos
tune, the majority of them in bright
coIors signifying that sadness had
N@pt touched their lives. All through
tn episode Joy was supreme ruler.
A Nchange comes in the next cpl
sode, when tyranny impersonated
by E. E. Wilson, represents war
and resulting trouble. Rushing in,
he binds in iron chains in turn, Bel
gium, Roumania, Montenegro and
Serbia, leaving them helpless.
France comes to the rescue, calling
for aid. Greece, Japan, Portugal and
Poland answer the call for help
putting down this horrible mon
ster who had so cruelty dealt with
her sisters. Tyranny's reply is the
placing of his iron heel on Belgium.
In sorrow and suffering the ma
lions call to America for assistance, !
Miss Marguerite McCabe imperson- |
ating the part. A trumpet is sound |
ed. summoning soldiers to down the |
huge monster and for workers to |
do their part in the war. They came |
in overwhelming numbers.
Episode three was the most spec
tacular of the evening. Mrs. Clyde
Marshall, as Victory, came majes-
ticaIly into the scene, entering
through the ranks of the American
soldiers. Slowly and with dignity
she advanced toward tyranny, who
afraid of her advance, stumbling
and faltering leaves the scene. Bel
GUM. the most securely bound ma
ton is released by the capable
hands of victory, and all the ma
tions are freed from the chains
which bound them helpless. Back |
comes joy, her arms laden with |
flowers which the children shower |
OF the Americans.
y The tableau which closed the
pageant portrayed the thanksgiv
ing which followed the overthrow of
evil in the world, and this was fol-
lowed by a procession Of the entire
cast.
Credit Due Promoters.
Much credit for the success of the
pageant belongs to Miss Marian
Clarke and other workers who
labored hard in drilling the cast,
and to several of the playground in
structors who trained the children
in their dances. Through the kind
ness of Walter Rosenfeld, Bleuer's /
band played the dance music and
during the entire evening. Repre-
sentatives of various local organf
cations also ably assisted in max
ing the affair the most successful
open air performance given in the
city. are included in the organiZa~
tions are:
Soldiers, marines and sailors
American Red Cross-Overseas
and Red Cross nurses; canteen; 10
cal Red Cross nurses.
Y w. c. A.
Munition workers.
>Land workers.
X M. C. A.
Knights of Columbus.
Salvation Army.
Boy Scouts.
Spanish war veterans.
Helen Gould drill team.
Cast Of Characters.
The pageant was interpreted by
the following cast of characters,
each of whom took the part assign
ed in a manner to elicit the enthus-
iastic appreciation of the spec
tators:
Spirit of Joy-Miss Ruth Blake
more.
Tyranny-E. E Wilson.
America-Miss Marguerite NC
Cabe.
victory-Mrs. Clyde Marshall.
France-Miss Clara Blakemore :
French maideIs-Virginfa Bat
ties, Nell Elwell, Marjorie Demp-
sey
Great Britain-Miss Gertrude