News from Midlothian's The Weekly Argus
May 5, 1900
Contributed by Weldon Hudson
Public School Exercises
Our public schools closed last Friday and the first three days of this
week were given to closing exercises. Monday night was "children's" night
and the songs, recitations and drills by the children speak much for the
ability, tact and untiring energy of the teachers in the lower departments
of our school. An oration by Mr. Will Hays, "Night Brings Out the Stars,"
was a decided success. Was anyone at the concert? Well, if you had been seated
near the middle of the chapel you would have thought all of Ellis County
had been packed into that one room and Bro. Reese says that there must have
been one hundred and fifty turned away from the door unable to enter. Tuesday
evening before the sun went below the western horizon crowds of people began
to enter the chapel to have a good position for the exercises and by 8 o'clock
the house was packed. Among the funny things of the evening was a recitation
by Tennie Lowe. Tennie has a funny way of saying funny things and she had
a funny subject, "Jim Wolf and the Cats." Miss Maude Curtis recited "A Telephone
Romance" with telling effect and in response to an encore rendered "Miss
Kate Panola" in fine shape. The most solid piece of the evening was an oration
by Oran Works of Howard. The most catchy song was the quartet, "Poor Old
Joe," by Messrs. Roy Vance, Oran Works, Fred Oliver and Will Haynes.
The things that attract most attention in school concerts is the "drill"
and each night had its share. The crowning event came Wednesday. The house
was crowded to its utmost capacity long before the hour for opening and the
doorkeepers, much to their regret, had to close the doors against scores
of people. Shakespeare was the theme through the evening exercises. Miss
Etta Embry's essay was a revelation. To a mature woman's comprehension of
her subject was added the warm vital enthusiasm of a school girl's attachment.
In the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius, rendered by Fred Oliver and Roy
Vance, one could almost see these two famous generals of that faraway time.
The Shakespearean conference was Bohemian and laughable; the flower drill
was pretty and sweet - as little children always are. The impending storm
and anxiety it produced in the audience somewhat marred the last part of
the program - the conferring of diplomas by J. Henry Phillips. But he can
do things gracefully as he delivered diplomas to Misses Maud Curtis, Etta
Embry, Lottie Hawkins and Vela Wilson and Messers. Fred C. Oliver and Roy
C. Vance.
Other Items
Notice
Having bought the barber and laundry business of D. F. Cook, I desire
to say to the public that there will be no change in the conduct of either.
The same efficient service and courteous treatment will be extended as in
the past and every effort made to merit your patronage. /s/ W. F. Beck
On account of the Confederate's Reunion at Louisville, Ky. May 30th to June
3rd, 1900, the F. W. & N. O. Ry. will sell round trip tickets to Louisville
May 27th and 28th for $20.70. The Woodmen are making preparation for ceremonies
of unveiling the monument to their fellow brother U. B. Barton. The ceremony
will take place Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
Rev. S. R. Carruth has gone to Rockport to hold a protracted meeting. Rev.
S. C. Bailey will preach at the Baptist church Sunday at 11 o'clock and
evening.There will be special services for the young people at the Methodist
church Sunday morning.
County Election Returns : Only two small boxes left to be heard from which
will make no change in the result. County Judge - J. E. Lancaster; County
Attorney - Bowd Farrar; District Clerk - W. S. Kemble; County Clerk - A.
Lasswell; Sheriff - G. C. Sweatt; Tax Collector - Billie Bracher; Tax Assessor
- Pete Smith; Treasurer, A. B. McKnight; County Superintendent - E. D. Criddle.
J. D. Coglan and little daughter were here for a few days this week. We
understand that J. D. will have the principalship of the Palmer school again
next year. Mrs. A. Moss of Cleburne has been spending this week with her
granddaughter, Mrs. G. W. Carr. Rev. S. C. Bailey and family are again settled
in their pretty home in the west part of town. Scott Collier, who has spent
seventeen years in the mines of the northwest, spent last Tuesday here with
his brother, Prof. L. C. Collier. He was on his way over to Keene in Johnson
County to investigate the gold excitement there.
The Venus ball team went to Alvarado Monday evening for a game and came
back with one of their men badly gashed up by a knife. In an altercation
brought about by one of the "rooters" for Alvarado, Scott Bilton received
three ugly knife wounds. He is getting along all right, but the doctor had
to put in about half a dozen stitches to hold the wounds together (Venus
Times). Miss Lula Smith came home this week from Garrett where she has been
teaching. She will teach next year at Palmer under her old principal, J.
D. Coghlan.
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