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Subject: [PAMONTGO-L] News Article from Pennsburg in 1901
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 11:47:58 EDT

Town and Country (Page 1 of 2)
Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Saturday - March 30, 1901

CLOSING DAYS AT SEMINARY

The closing days of the winter term are memorable ones for the students and
patrons of Perkiomen Seminary. Off all the many important events of the year
probably none surpasses in interest the Annual Prize Contest in Elocution and
Oratory. The Preliminary contest was held on Monday, March 18th, on which
occasion twenty young men and women competed for positions in the final
contest. The final contest was held on the 22d of March, the last Friday of
the term, and never before was it more thoroughly a success. From the moment
Miss Anna REIFF and Miss Elva SCHULTZ opened the evening's programme with
Lustspiel until Dr. HEYSHAM awarded the prizes, interest never for one second
flagged. For two hours the house, where standing room was at a premium, was
entertained and delighted with music, recitations and orations. One of the
features of the evening was the rendition of a number of beautiful selections
by the Seminary choir. The different parts rendered during the evening
reflected great credit upon the heads of the different departments and were
vigorously applauded by the large audience. It was pleasing to note the great
interest taken in this contest by the students of the institution and all
seemed highly pleased with the general result. Miss Sadie MCLEAN, of
Hoppenville, was the first of the ten contestants on the programme. She
recited "The White Angel of Conemaugh," interpreting it with spirit and
speaking with ease and clearness. William H. ANDERS, of Kulpsville, then
delivered an oration, "America's Destiny in the Philippines." Mr. ANDERs was
at home on the platform and was highly appreciated by the audience. Miss
Jennie PAULEY, of Philadelphia, in her recitation entitled "Jamie," touched a
sympathetic chord in the heart of everyone by her natural impersonation of
the ever loving mother. At this point a vocal duet, "I Feel Thy Angel
Spirit," was rendered by Mrs. C.B. WEIRICH and Mr. DETWEILER. Then Wallace M.
KEELY, of East Greenville, pronounced the oration, "Knights of Labor," which
was delivered with fire and clear enunciation. Miss Lottie BURGESS, of
Harwichport, Mass., with "King Robert of Sicily," made a most favorable
impression upon all. She recited with excellent interpretation a long and
difficult selection and richly deserved the honor bestowed upon her. The
audience was next carried off to that old country store where "Old Seth
Peter's Report of Daniel Webster's Speech" was given, by H.C. DETWEILER, of
Quakertown. His impersonation of the character and language of "Seth" made
the chapel resound with laughter. It was a clear proof of Mr. DETWEILER's
ability. Miss Bertha RENNINGER, of Perkiomenville, recited the deeply
pathetic tale of "The Singing Baby." This was a difficult piece and Miss
RENNINGER rendered it in a very creditable manner. Here Miss Edith Overholt
MCCAIN rendered a violin solo, "The Gypsy Dance," accompanied on the piano by
Prof. WEIRICH. Then Arden BARDWELL (picture), Castalia, Ohio, delivered the
oration entiled "America." Mr. BARDWELL has an easy bearing on the platform
which, together with his clearness of speech, his well appointed emphasis and
commanding figure, ingratiates him in the hearts and minds of the audience.
"Perdita," recited by Miss Irene HARTZELL (picture), of Tylersport, received
just praise and reward. Miss HARTZELL recites with feeling and her movements
at all times are graceful and natural. The last speaker of the evening was
Harry J. GOAS, who delivered "Emmet's Nindication." The speaker was forceful
and was thoroughly acquainted with his oration. The judges, Miss BUNNELL,
Professor of elocution, Ursinus College; Dr. Natt M. EMORY, Professor of
English, Lehigh University, and Rev. Theodore HEYSHAM, Ph. D., of Norristown,
now retired. Meanwhile the audience was entertained by a number of selections
by the Ladies' Chorus, by the Mandolin Club and by the Gents' Glee Club, all
of which were roundly applauded and encored. The judges returned after being
out a full half hour, and Dr. HEYSHAM, speaking for them, made the following
award of prizes, for the young men, first prize, to Arden BARDWELL, a gold
medal awarded by W.C. GRETZINGER, Registrar Bucknell University; second
prize, McCarthy's History of Our Own Times, to Henry DETWILER, awarded by the
Seminary; for young ladies, first prize, to Miss Irene HARTZELL, a gold
medal, awarded by Miss Annie ALLEBACH, of Green Lane; second prize, Irving's
Life of Washington, to Miss Lottie BURGESS, awarded by the Seminary. The
awarding of the prizes gave universal satisfaction. The contest was
pronounced by all present one of the most successful in the history of the
Seminary, and its success reflected much credit upon the teacher of Elocution
at the Seminary, Miss HARTZLER, of Harrisburg, who had entire charge of the
training of the contestants.

THE INTER-CLASS DEBATE

On Friday evening, March 15th, an event occurred which will be a memorable
one in the history of the Senior and Junior classes - the annual inter-class
debate. On the above mentioned evening the Senior class, with B.A. SCULL as
the bearer of the banner representing the Senior class colors, marched into
the chapel followed by the Junior class. When they had occupied their
respective seats the Senior class sang a song to the air of "The Old Oaken
Bucket" as a challenge to the Juniors. Frank MULLEN, President of the Senior
class, presided. After a few introduuctory words, the Secretary of the Junior
class, Miss Amy SCHULTZ, read the question, "Resolved. That the Filipinos
should be given their liberty at once." Shirwood KINGSBURY, of the Junior
class, opened the debate for the affirmative side. He made a very strong
introductory speech, throwing into it much spirit and enthusiasm. He was
followed by Harry GOAS of the Senior class who presented the negative side of
the question in a quiet, masterly manner, and proved his arguments by
numerous quotations and references. Elam HESS, of the Junior class, closed
the debate for the affirmative side. He presented his arguments in a clear,
logical manner, which demonstrated his thorough comprehension of the
question. Harry HIBSHMAN, the last debater, plead for the retention of the
Philippines in a calm, dispassionate tone, and with well chosen language that
carried conviction with it. The judges Albert KITTLEMAN, Esq., of Quakertown;
Jacob HILLEGAS, Esq., of Norristown, and John KAUFMAN, Esq., of Pennsburg, in
a vote of two to one, decided that the Junior debaters presented the better
arguments. This announcement was immediately followed by a song from the
Juniors and their yell. Great excitement prevailed in the ranks of the
Juniors, while the Seniors bore their defeat with a calm, dignified air. For
several minutes the walks of Perkiomen echoed and re-echoed to the class
yells of Seniors, Juniors and Preps.

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