Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-08-25
PAGEANT WILL BE
BIG ATTRACTION
HISTORICAL PRODUCTION, FIRST
OF ITS KIND HERE, Is ON
COUNTY FAIR PROGRAM

Interest in the mammoth historical
pageant to be staged at the fair
grounds in Little Falls next Wednes,
day and Thursday evenings in connec-
tion with the county fair, is reaching a
high pitch. and indications are that the
production will be a great success.
Splendid costumes will be used In
this pageant, one of the biggest cos
tune houses in the Northwest supply
ing same. A spirit of genuineness
holds good with costuming throughout
the whole production.
The pageant opens with the singing
of the Star Spangled Banner and tab
leaux of the soldier, sailor, peace,
Father Time, History, Armored knight
and Cupid. Then come the first set
tiers, Indians, scouts and trappers,
smoking Of the pipe Of peace and an
Indian dance.
History is depicted in the following
scenes. After prayer the settlers re-
tire for the night, when hostile In
dian horsemen appear. Missionaries
accompanied by troopers appear and
frustrate the attack of the Indians,
whereupon all join in singing "My
Country IT'S of Thee.' Pretty dances
by girls garbed in French and Spanish
costumes and a solo dance follow. This
marks the first period or era in his
tory.
The second era opens in 1860 with a
picnic scene, the marriage Of an eloping
couple. Old time games are played In
this scene and the Virginia Reel and
minuet are danced by some forty girls
The picnic joy is suddenly turned into
a serious gathering when courier
rides up on horse and announces that
the troops have commenced firing Oh
Fort Sumter and war has been declar
ed. Then follow scenes Of the boys en-
listing, drill, farewell greetings ane
the march to the scene of battle.
Some beautiful tableaux open tht
third era, in 1862, and here the por
trayal of history is brought down tt
Morrison county with the arrival o.
Father Pierz and Alfred Brunson. Fol
lowing scenes depict the first mar
riage in the county, that Of G. K. S
Smith and Ellen Nichols; the story o!
the wounded Chippewa girl; impersona
tion Of the late Nathan Richardson ant
Lyman Aver; the failure of Jay Cool
in 1878; the Indians taken away from
Jonathan Pugh, our first sheriff; tht
romance Of "Hole-in-the-Day' anc
other interesting local events. The1
the picture moves down to the time OF
McKinley's assassination and to the
Spanish American war.
| The fourth era will be confined
largely to local history, up to the pres
ent time, including the late world wal
period. A large number of ex-soldlers
and sailors will take part in these
scenes.
Among the interesting scenes no'
mentioned above will be the old-fash
ioned square dance by old-timers from
this vicinity, with the old fiddlers, ac
cordeon players and callers. There VII
be the old-time stage coach and, o:
course, the stage-coach robbery. In al
several hundred people and thirty tt
forty horses will appear in the produc
ton, also the Little Falls band and ;
large orchestra.
This pageant is being put on unde'
the direction Of the United Productions
Company for the fair society. Mr.. Ed
ward Russell and Mrs. L. NJ. Dodg'
have charge Of rehearsals and Mrs. p
NJ. Redmond is gathering historical
data, assisted by c. E. Lucas, secretar.
Of the fair society.