The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-01-15
PRESBYTERIAN LADIES
PUT ON MINSTREL SHOW
Many Surprises Sprung at Entertain
ment Friday AfternOOn-Sevefal
Appear in Black Face.

church entertained the members of
the Progressive Club and the Sunshine
Band and the ladies of the congrega-
ton Friday afternoon in the church
parlors. A note Of orange predomi-
mated in the decorations, of the rooms
and together with potted plants and
shaded candles made CHEEKY setting
for one Of the jolliest parties ever
given by this organization. One hum
dren and seventy five ladies were pres
ent to enjoy the afternoon. They were
greeted at the door by Mesdames
Faris, Murray, Walrath and Thoreson.
A little "get-acquainted stunt" was
followed by two splendid piano num-
bers by Miss Thorstad, whose playing
is always q delight to her audience.
Dorothy Schroer gave much apprec-
lated reading in negro dialect.
All the different women's 0rganiza-
tions have worked very hard the past
year, and have had very little real
fun, and as this meeting marked the
close Of another year the Aid decided
to give out few free laughs, and to
say they succeeded admirably is put
ting it mildly indeed. They had secur-
ed the services of "Erastus' and Sans
Coontown Four Hundred" a minstrel
show of note. The personnel of this
company is as follows: Sam, the in,
terlocutor, and his able second, Eras-
tus, who fairly scintillated in his orig
inal responses anent local characters.
These two were brilliantly sustained
by Old Black Joe, and his wife Aunt
gether with their four piccaninnies,
o1os,
the reader! Ernest Davis, the celebrat-
ed tenor; Lucinda Gates, the colored
coloraturo, with Eliza Bones, the i'm.
pressario, who played upon the feel
ings of her audience and the piano at
one and the same time.
Every number was heartily encored,
and the members Of the troupe re-
sponded graciously. The reporter es-
pecially noted the excellence Of the
rendition Of "Kemo Kimo" by Lucinda
Gates, who charmed her audience with
her delightful personality no less than
by her singing; the heart breaking
tenor solo, "Carry Me Back to Old
Virginny," by Ernest Davis, the Choir
us Of which was ably wept over by
the rest of the group assisted by ban
dannas; the duet, "Nesting Time IN
Minot," sung by these two celebrities;
"Old Black Joe," sung by the original
and consoled by his lachrymose con-
freres; Angeline's two exceptional
readings, in which the audience were
duly impressed that all coons look
alike; the piccaninnies' ramble; Tur-
key in the Straw and the Cake Walk;
three original songs the Trustees
Plant, Compliments to the Ladies,
and the Invitation to Eat. Any time
this aggregation of entertainers care
to return to Minot they are assured
that the S. R. o. sign will be hung
out early.
A surprise number on the program
was the appearance Of Cobb, who was
supposed to be overseas. Cobb is|
what might be called a SWELL dress
err and puts up q great front. From
his well brushed hair to his lavender
socks he was what the society column
would refer to as "genteely dressed"
He paid some very pleasing compli-
ments to the ladies, referring sadly
to the oft reiterated fact that mo one
loves fat man." told some funny
stories and read from his well-known
book, Speaking Of Operations"
The afternoon proved the truth of
the old saw, "A little nonsense now
and then is relished by the best Of
men," Very delicious refreshments
were served, buffet, after the close Of
the program, and the hostesses receiv-
ed the congratulations of their friends
whose universal verdict was, "A per-
fectly splendid time was had by al"