South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-23
Pageant on Banks
of old st. Joe Is
Declared Success
Local People Present at Lee
per Park Early Missions
of South Bend"

A most interesting depletion. from
a historical standpoint of view, was
the pageant given Friday afternoon
on the banks Of the St. Joseph river
at Leeper park by the members Of
the Missionary department or the
First Presbyterian church The
pageant entitled, Early Missions Of
South Bend" was written by Mrs.
Emma Harris, we'll known South
Bend woman, who has won quite a
reputation for he: parlor story tell
ing OF Incidents relating 10 the early
history OF the city.
In the first episode a canoe comes
up the river. carrying Father Mar
quette and two Indians, who land
and make short survey Of the site,
but as Father Marquette. enacted by
+. NJ Hartman, Is seriously ILL., he
leaves hurriedIy for Northern Mich
igan, where he dies soon.
The second episode, taking place
in the year 1880. shows Father Ba-
din's camp. Father Badin was the
first priest ordained IL the United
States The part Of Waceta. the lit
tie Indian girl. in the third episode,
who comes to his camp in terror
after having been beaten by her
drunken father. is taken by Miss
Mary Hagopian, an Armenian glrl.
A year later Waceta is shown read
ing the Bible. having been taught to
read and write by Father Badin,
who is represented by II NJ. Shaw.
The preceding and subsequent events
have really happened. and form an
interesting and authentic history of
\ the settlement Of South Bend.
First Sunday School.
Episode four depicts the coming
Of Father Sorin to establish the first
permanent mission in this part Of
the country, which later developes
into Notre Dame university. +. NJ.
Hatch took the part Of Father Sorin.
Horatio Chaplin, taken by +. c.
Koos. comes TO South Bend in 1891
20 open the first store. which is fully
depicted in episode five. He arouses
considerable curiosity among the
women. who rush TO see his wares,
and is welcomed to the settlement
I by Alexis Coqui.lard, the latter role
being taken by Roderick McAlpine
The establishment Of the first Sun
/ day school. Of the Presbyterian de-
nomination, in Mr.. Chapin's store,
/ is represented by episode six. Eight
members comprised the original
sunday school. the girls wearing
pantaiets, fashionable i'm that de-
cade. The class sings the old.fash-
+ toned hymn. T Want 20 BE an An
gel"
/ The seventh episode shows the ar
rival of Alfred Bryant enacted by
/ Rev. Archibald Mcclure. to establish
/ the Presbyterian church. Rev. Bry-
ant assisted in the construction Of
/ the church which stood on the cor
\ ner Of Lasalle and Lafayette SITS and
/ in addition donated $3.50 10 the
\ building fund, which represented his
entire fortune, which had been in
herited by him. Among the gifts re-
ceived from the women members OF
| the congregation was a wedding ring
which had belonged 10 the mother OF
Mrs. Tyra Bray.
Cast of Characters.
q.
society in South Bend comprises the
action In episode eight The mem
bers, many of whom were descend
ants of the original members. wore
fashioned costumes and con-
Quoted the meeting as thought II
were happening in 1885. The first
missionary society was represented
by the following women, taking the
roles OF the charter members:
Mrs. Frederick Harris. Presi-
dent ......... Mrs. Eva Slower
Mrs. Horatio Chaplin. Secre-
tary .......... ThadesSa Taylor
Mrs. Joseph Bartlett. Treas
urer ....... Mrs L. A. England
Mrs. Tyra Bray. Mrs. 1. W. Staples
Mrs. Ellen Finley ......
........... Mrs. W. L. Martin
Mrs. ]. W. Zigler ........
......... Charlotte Partridge
Mrs. Robert Wade .....
............. Mrs Annie Brown
Mrs. Daniel Dayton ..
................ Mae Applegate
Miss Helene Westervelt represent
cd the Spirit OF Missions in South
Bend IN 1921 in the ninth and last
episode, which was beautifully con-
Ceived
IL was 20 be regretted that more
people did not avail themselves OF
the opportunity OF seeing the nag.
cant, the credit for the successful
portrayal of which is due Miss Arva
Yeagley, who gave unstintingly OF
her time and efforts in order thai
the pageant might be produced.
DISPUTE L. :. CLAIM