The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-08-16

now the Austin George house and
then in the Edmunds large ramb
ling house. the home OF the Normal
Principal Welch. which is now the
site OF the Roosevelt School, where
they lived for many years and
I which was the scene OF many nota.
/ Bile functions. One was a lawn so
Cial for ST. Luke's Church. an eX.
ample OF the Ward layishness.
There were hundreds of Chinese
/ lanterns strung about the grounds.
a locomotive headlight borrowed
from the Michigan Central, ana
torches about the bandstand which
Mr.. owen had borrowed from the
city west park from which the band
played for dancing in a pavilion
specially erected, as was the tent
where Colored Ministries. all local
talent. put on show. while in the
mineral well office the inimitable
viii McAndrew put on a conyuls-
ing Mrs. Jarley's WaXworks. For
tune tellers and bonbon vendors
were many, and all the town at
tended. much money being added
TO the church Golfers. At another
indoor social for ST. Luke's. the
original Hing Lee. an attendant at
that church, dressed in gorgeous
silken native Chinese costume,
played the Chinese guitar. Many
musicales, especially as Miss Abba
owen began teaching the violin,
were also held there.
Mrs. owens endearing personal
ity. remarkable executive ability
and interest in music and the dra-
matte art found many expressions.
An ardent member of the board OF
the then struggling Ladies' Library
Association, she directed many en-
tertainments for its benefit. THE
Deestrick Skule," in which 200
prominent citizens took part and
Charles f. ST. John, Mater world
famous astronomer. was the "skule-
master" packed the opera house
for two nights. other shows. "A
Trip Around the World" and
Fate and notable masked con-
cert. where all performers wore
masks until the last chorus, were
notable. Mrs. Owen also had charge
OF the Normal alumni banquets put
on by the Library Board for years.
Sne was also on the committee that
utilized a gift of Frank A. Todd
to adapt the home of Mrs. Mary \.
Starkweather who gave il, for IL
brary purposes.
The owen family moved 10 Chi
cago for two months OF the World
Fair in 1898 and on return Mrs.
owen staged a successful "Mid-
way in Prospect Park. For the re-
lief fund for sufferers from the
Johnstown flood, in which the two
lovely Richards sisters persisted
Mrs. owen put on the comedy,
" Married Life" with clever young
Ypsilantians as cast. in her own
home, Mr.. owen having a stage and
scenery specially established for
the performance, which was such
a hit that two more performances
packed the opera house and one
was given in Belleyille, making
over 5000 for the fund.
Mrs. owen was one OF the early
group of Ypsilanti chapter. OAR,
OF which her daughter Abba was a
charter member. She served long
on its executive board and was its
musical director, besides accompan-
list for the opening song, Amer
ica," at each meeting. A chair in
the Memorial Hall at Washington
Is named for her as gift from the
local chapter. She and her grac-
ious mother, Mrs. +. VI. Foote. were
also for many years active in the
fpsilanti Home Association.
Her children. all Of whom have
preceded her TO the better land,
were also active in city affairs.
Richard served as postmaster and
Eber. trained in the law, preferred
he home farmland and won prizes
Tor poultry. Miss Abba gave freely
Of her talent, and no entertainment
was complete without violin solo
rom Miss Owen. Scores OF Ypsi-
anti young people learned to love.
and play the violin through her
teaching and her annual recitals
packed the auditoriums.
No mention OF the Owen family
should omit reference TO the miner
al well developed with its many
products by Mr.. owen. and the
all OF which brought