100 years ago
may 31, 1906
Graduating Exercises
The Twentieth Annual Commencement of the Marion High School took place last Friday evening.
The Auditorium was crowded with the people of the town and a number of out of town visitors who were interested in the members of the class and in educational affairs.
The class numbered ten: five girls and five boys.
The program was opened by "The King's Jester March" which was well rendered by the High School Orchestra, and it might not be out of place to say that Marion people are proud of the commendable work done by this organization under the leadership of Chas. Brooker.
During the class march, which was splendidly rendered by Miss Lola Hoch, the members of the class took their places in a semi-circle on the stage. Rev. Wharton then delivered the invocation.
The Boys' Club gave a selection which was enthusiastically encored. They responded with a short piece which was also well rendered.
The first oration on the program was then delivered by Earl D. Minton. His subject was "Business Independence." He gave voice to some strong fundamental truths which are of interest to young men. He advocated that young men should be independent in the business of today as the colonial boys were independent in their relations to British Government in the earlier day. They should be animated with the spirit which makes employers rather than employees. Such independent spirit is of value to the Government and a menace to monopolies. The oration was thoughtful and well delivered.
Miss Marguerite Saggau followed with a piano solo "Il Trovatore" by Verdi. It was a long and difficult selection but she executed it beautifully and sustained the interest of the audience to the end of the piece.
Miss Pearl Kuhn gave the declamation "Rizpah" by Vicker, which she delivered without hesitation. She has a most pleasing presence before her audience.
Clyde Clark then gave the second oration entitled the "Santa Fe Trail" which contained much that is of real interest to Kansans and was delivered in a clear, well modulated voice. He gave a short history of the trail and of its present land marks. His plea was for remembrance, and reverence of the men who first opened this high-way and made our present advanced stage of civilization possible.
Miss Nona Good's solo, "A May Morning" by Denza, was sung in her usual unaffected manner. Her tones were sweet, clear and pleasing.
An original story, "A False Alarm" by miss Align Frazer, was well written and one of the best delivered numbers on the program. It was of interest to Marion people, having for its foundation an Indian scare, of the early days, in which Marion settlers participated.
Athol Vadakin delivered the third oration of the evening entitled "Back Bone Beliefs." His delivery was distinct and his oration thoughtful and original. He likened the beliefs of the mind in the offices they perform for the mental man to the vertebrae in the part they perform for the physical man. He discussed five mental vertebrae which were: belief in absolute truth, courage, self denial or self control, industry and patience.
Charles Brooker gave a clarinet solo, "Coming through the Rye," which was well rendered and enthusiastically received.
Jerome McIntosh then gave a declamation, "To the Future" by Lowell. He delivered it in a pleasing manner and with composure.
The last oration of the program by Miss Matilda Wegerer, was delivered in clear tones and an easy manner. Her plea was for young people to have a definite purpose in life. The oration was well written and contained many well stated truths.
The Girls' Club gave a beautiful selection. It was rendered in a delightful manner which indicated much talent and practice. They were enthusiastically encored and responded with a short selection.
Supt. VanFleet presented the class. In a few effective words he recommended them as worthy of being added to the present list of 119 names of those already graduated from Marion High School.
Dr. Marner made a few appropriate remarks and present the diplomas to the class.
The program ended with the benediction by Rev. Safford.
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Cecil Coburn, Leroy Frazer, Laird Dean and Marion Lindsay are camping and fishing on the Cottonwood river this week, in the neighborhood of June Williams' place.
Fred Lewis has the distinction of being the only man working on the new Court House that has had a hand in the construction of the other court house buildings. He did most of the carpenter work on the original building which was first used jointly as a school house and court house, and afterward worked on the "repairs" or the present court house. He is now working on the new structure, and thinks that when Marion County outgrows this splendid new building he will still be on hand to assist in giving her more ample accommodations.
Remember the Fourth of July at Lincolnville. Band, speaking, glee club, merry-go-round, refreshments of all kinds, ball game morning and afternoon, fire-works at night. Everybody invited. In Sills' Park.
Will Currance and Siebert McBride have bought Freeland Bros. Rink Livery Barn and taken possession, and propose to keep up the high standard which the Rink Livery has attained. We understand the Freeland Bros. will devote their attention to veterinary work and buying and selling horses.
Mr. Tobias Martin, founder of the Orphan's Home south of Hillsboro, died at his residence near that town Wednesday, and will be buried tomorrow. Mr. Martin was a grand good man, whose unselfish deeds will live long in the memory of those who knew him.
Lenore, the two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Wheeler, stepped on a garden rake, while playing in the yard barefooted, Sunday afternoon, and ran one of the rake teeth through her foot. She is getting along nicely, and no further trouble is anticipated.
