Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-06-11
COUNTY PICNIC FOR
RURAL SCHOOLS
HELD AT FAIR GROUND ON MON.
DAY. WEATHER PROPITIOUS
AND CROWDS LARGE.
GREAT PARADE MAIN FEATURE
Schools Represented From All Parts
OF County. Large Class Gradu.
ates. Pres. Brown Speaks.

'eai ago oupt, OLtllle lnaugrate6
the idea of holding an annual picnic
at Manchester for all the rural schools
OF the county. The suggestion was a
new one, the weather conditions were
unfavorable, and the attendance, al
though large, was not up to expecta-
ton. But Mr.. Ottilie is not the kind
OF man to be discouraged by obstacles.
he thinks they are made TO be over
come. This year he planned a SIM
liar picnic, but on larger and more
elaborate scale. The rural teachers
throughout the county entered heartily
into the project. and with their en-
thusiatic assistance a program was
prepared that far eclipsed anything
attempted last year.
Weather Man BaIks.
The gathering was scheduled to
take place last Friday, but once more
the weather man was In surly mood
For almost week before the day an
nounced he and his lifelong friend,
Jupiter Pluvius. conspired to Hood the
country with rain, until in many parts
the roads became well-nigh impas-
sable. Finally the County Superinten-
dent reluctantly announced post
ponement Of the picnic. Immediately
the weather Frightened, and the bur-
eau officials, who are constantly on
the lookout for tips as to what the
forces Of the air are brewing, threw
out hints that Monday was to be a
fine day. Mr.. Ottilie Immediately took
advantage of this amiable mood on
part of the weather man and sent
telephone messages to all the schools
setting Monday as the day.
All Things Are Lovely.
The prognosticators proved to be
right. Monday was fine day. The
sky was just enough overcast to break
the direct heat of the sun, and a re-
freshing breeze prevented all discom-
fort. The roads had become fairly
dry by this time, and all the condi-
tions were about as favorable as could
be desired. We would not venture
upon an estimate as to the number OF
people present., but it was observed that
the grandstand at the fair grounds
would not begin to accommodate all
the people who were on hand to view
the drills and the parade. The grounds
looked very much like Fourth OF
July celebration.
The Forenoon Program.
At few minutes after eleven o'clock
the people gathered in the dance pavi-
lion, where the forenoon exercises
were held. The large room was crowd
ed, and many did not even attempt
to get in. Supt. Ottilie opened with
a few remarks relative to the pro-
gram for the day and called on Rev.
w. ]. Suckow, who delivered brief
address of welcome. This was fol-
lowed by a well-rendered piano solo
by Miss Elsie Heiken, after which
the pupils Of the Springvale school
entertained the audience with num-
ber of songs, the closing number ,be-
ing composed by their teacher Miss
Frederick, for this occasion, on the
theme, Garry On" which is this years
motto for the county schools.
President Brown Speaks.
President Brown of Epworth Semin-
ary was then introduced as the speak
er Of the morning. He appropriately
chose for his theme "The Importance
Of an Education" While the theme
may sound hackneyed. the Doctors
speech was not. 1t was throughout
a vigorous and timely plea for sn
education that shall fit the boys and
girls of today, not to become mere
dollar-chasers in the future, but to
render the largest measure of real
service to the world. He pointed to
the fact that the recnt registration
of the young men of the nation mad
shown that in the United states. the
most enlightened country in the world
there were one and half million
Young men unable to sign their own
names to the questionaires. He Illus
trated the value of service by referring
to the friendly feeling all China has
for America because of our generous
attitude in connection with the Boxer
rebellion. citing remarkable exper-
ience of his own, while travelling in
tbe interior of China, as indicative or