The Weekly Argus, May 1900

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.

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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.

News from Midlothian's The Weekly Argus

May 5, 1900

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