The Bismarck tribune., 1925-04-29
N0RSEMEN TO
HOLD LARGEST
MEET OF YEAR
Centennial at Minneapolis
10 BE Biggest Gathering
in II. S. in 1925

The Morse American Centennial
celebration and exposition at the
Minnesota state fair grounds, be
tween st. Paul and Minneapolis, OF
June 6 to Q. will be the largest
| gathering in America in 1895.
Those in position to know are now
varlously estimating the attendance
for the four days celebration at
from 100000 to 100000.
Prof. Gislc Bothnc, dean Of the
scandinavian department., University
OF Minnesota, who is general chair
man OF the Centennial committee, re
turned recently from a trip into
Canada with the information that es-
Inmates made by the Canadian Cen
, tennial committee indicate that be-
tween 10000 and $4,000 Morse Cana
dians and other Canadians will at
tend the celebration.
Special trains are being arranged
for to carry the crowds from all
points of the compass-from Winn-
peg and Vancouver, Can, from Bis
marck, Mnot, Grand Forks and Far
go. N. d., Chicago, Ill.,, Madison,
Wise, Sioux Falls, S. d., Decorah,
In. and other cities. Automobile
caravans arc also being planned from
many sections within reasonable
driving distance of the Twin Cities.
The railroads Vest of Chicago nave
made 4 rate of one and one third for
the round trip. Eastern roads are
expected to make "A similar rate.
A worl ID S fair will virtually be
crowded into the four days celebra-
tion. The celebration has been Of
flclally recognized by four nations
the United States Dominion of Can
ada, Norway and Iceland, and these
countries will all be officially repre-
sentcd.
President Calvin Coolidge will
speak before the grandstand on Mon
day afternoo June s. On the even
ing of that day designated as Gov
ernors' Night" it is expected that
alt SIX governors of Morse blood will
be present and make short addresses
They are: Gov. Theodore Christian
son, Minnesota; Gov. j. j. Blaine,
wisconsin,; Gov. Carl Gundcrson,
South Dakota; Gov. A. G. Sorlie,
North Dakota; Gov. J. f. Erickson,
Montana, and Gov. II. l.. Whitfield,
Mississippi.
The opening day, Saturday, June 6,
will be devoted to the national con-
ventions of the about 80 "Bygdelags,"
Plantations of Morse immigrants
and their descendants from the var
ious "bygds" or counties of Norway
These have memberships ranging
from 300 to 5000.
Sunday, June z, will be devoted to
religious services and concerts. Pas
tors of various denominations will
preach and the music at these ser
vices will be rendered by some Of
the leading musical organizations in
the country, including the interna-
tionally famous Academic choir Of
so voices from Oslo, Norway, the
equally famous St Olaf Lutheran
choir, of Northfield. Mimi, the Luth-
err College Concert band of rs nieces
from Decorah. Ia, the st. Olaf Col
lege band, Concordia college choir
and band. Moorhead. Mimi, Augsburg
Seminary chorus, Minneapolis, and a
male chorus Of 500 or more voices
from the Norwegian Singers Associa-
tion. There will also be special con-
certs and free open air concerts by
these musical forces.
The exhibits will be large. varied
and highly interesting, including an
tique Morse jewelry. woven tapestry,
furniture, musical instruments,
household utensils, needle art, be-
sides exhibits showing the contribu-
tion of Morse Americans to the de-
velopment and history of America in
many fields. educational, religious.
industrial and historical There will