Madison
Public School
The School
Entertainment
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"The teachers and scholars
of the Madison public school did themselves proud in their closing
entertainment at the Opera House Tuesday night. There were between
four and five hundred (patrons) of the school present, and (unknown) of
the whole number we have yet to learn of anyone of them speak otherwise
than in the highest praise of the
entertainment and work of the school year just closed. The entertainment
consisted of songs, recitations, charades, marchers and drills and wound
up with the "Courtship of Miles Standish," which had been
specially arranged for the occasion.
The first on the programme was music by the Madison Orchestra. This is a
young organization, but under the skilled leadership of Prof. Calhoun,
of Paris, has made rapid progress, and furnished most excellent music -
music worthy of their teacher and leader, and showing strong
capabilities in the membership of the Orchestra. Then came Miss Jessie
Farrell with a splendid recitation called, “The Whistling Regiment,”
which was well rendered and received, and brought forth many muffled
exclamations such as “splendid”,”excellent”, etc.
The tableaux, “The Little Gleaners”, composed of about twenty sweet
little girls and handsome boys, from Miss Lizzie Gwyn's and Miss Vada
Lenhart's rooms, showed careful preparation and reflected credit upon
both pupils and teachers. The recitation of Miss Brenda Leftwich,”The
Bridal Feast”, was a good selection, and if we may judge from what
others say, Brenda did the selection justice (unknown) credit. (…Missing
next line…) Jim Baker, Fred Baker, Sam Wade, Edwin Buckner, C.
Atterbury, Maurice Leftwich, Shelby Farrell, Roy Michaels, Obe Farrell,
Paul Woolome.
Prof. Calhoun then favored (the) audience with a beautiful (unknown)
solo, “Sweet Marie”, that was simply grand and deeply appreciated.
The song – “Baby, Baby”, was beautifully sung by Mattie (Eubanks),
Jessie Firch, Norma Atterbury, Minnie Hulen, Jessie (Mitchell), Lessie
Davis, Sallie Leftwich, and Eunice Boyd, all dressed in white and each
carrying a doll and candle. They had been carefully drilled and did
remarkably
well.
Miss Bertie Sumpter recited “Sister and I”, in her usual delightful
manner, and received the hearty approval of the audience. The tableaux,
“Rock of Ages”, was the most sublime and impressive scene of the
evening. Eight little ladies, Mary Craver, Nell Eubanks, Bessie Thomas,
Ruby Quisenberry, Bertie Dixon, Myrta Mason and Lulu Owings, represented
angels, seven around and one clinging to the foot of the cross while Norma
Atterbury and Sallie Leftwich sang “Rock of Ages”, behind the
curtain.
The characters in Miles Standish courtship were as follow: Miles
Standish , J.W. Atterbury; John Alden, Claude Smith; Priscilla, Maud
Roberson; Elder, Antonio Snidow;
1st Messenger, Ralph Leftwich; 2nd Messenger, John Carter; Indians, Lute
Donaldson, Harry Snidow, Geo. Forsyth, Claud Davis; Council, Harry
Atterbury, Olga Meals, Com Combs, Bertha (Noel), Lonah Todd, Lillian
Giddings; Wedding Guests, Daisy Brown, Jessie (Unknown), Ellie
(Unknown)
Source: Untitled, undated article
from unnamed newspaper. Extracted from the collection started in
1879 by Mrs. Nannie Brown of Madison, Missouri; provided by Kathleen
Wilham.
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