News: Greenwood, Wis. Piano Contest (1911)
Contact: marsha@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Aker, Anderson, Andrews, Ayer, Baird, Bauer, Boeckmann, Boetcher, Bragstad, Braun, Bryden, Butcher, Chadwick, Chamberlin, Chamberlin, Clouse, Clute, Coates, Cummings, Davis, Ehlers, Elmer, Francis, Fravert, Froehlich, Grashorn, Griener, Gries, Haglund, Hamre, Hembre, Himes, Horn, Howard, Johnson, Kaufman, Kelley, Ketchpaw, Kippenhan, Kleinschmidt, Klinke, Knop, Kuester, Larson, LeGault, Loveland, Lyon, Masters, McCormick, Miller, Mink, Moore, Murphy, Noah, Norris, Pagelsdorf, Palms, Peterson, Potter, Rhoor, Richeleu, Rossman, Schwarze, Shanks, Sloniker, Snyder, Sorenson, Stabnaw, Steiger, Stoneberg, Swenson, Syth, Thwing, VanVoorhis, Vollrath, West, Youngs, Ystad
Source: The Greenwood Gleaner - July - Sept., 1911
Capital Prize
$400.00 Oakland Piano
Coupons Talk of Town and Vicinity
Many inquiries Are Received Daily About Voting, Working Getting New Subscribers
The candidates and others interested in the Gleaner Voting Contest will soon have the opportunity of seeing the piano which will be given to the lady having the largest number of votes. The Company of whom we are securing the piano write us that the piano will be shipped at once. When it arrives the fact will be announced so that you may come and view it. It will be placed in Rossman Steiger Co’s, show window.
To own a magnificent $400 Upright Piano will be the privilege of some lady in this section through the Gleaner contest. To secure some of the other big prizes offered will be the privilege of other young ladies in the contest and work is required to win, that’s all.
The Gleaner offers this great opportunity to its readers and friends. It’s yours. Votes are coming into this office by the hundreds and the contest is just three weeks old. The following gentlemen have offered to act as judges of the first count:
Dr. F. A. Boeckmann,
P. E. Peterson,
F. L. Norris.
The keys to the ballot box, which is now installed in the sanctum, are in the hands of the cashier of the bank who will have charge of locking and unlocking the ballot box at the time of the count. The judges are honest men of good standing in the community, and now will have charge of counting the ballots and awarding the prizes.
Nothing is more talked about in this community at present than the great prize voting contest inaugurated by the Gleaner and votes are in great demand. The town and county are being scoured for them and the merchants who are giving prizes are continually being asked for coupons.
Many people are willing to help their friends in this contest and are only waiting to be asked. The first candidate to ask, of course will be the one to get the assistance of friends. Those who desire to enlarge their count should get out among their friends and make their wants known.
The prizes that are offered are surely worth the small effort required. Let each contestant show the people that she has the determination to succeed in anything she undertakes and that she is out to win.
The list of prizes and rules and regulations will be found on another page of this issue.
The Gleaner has mailed letters, rules and regulations to all contestants to date, but if there are any who have failed to receive them if you will kindly call at the Gleaner office they will be supplied.
Remember to have your friends trade with merchants who are giving coupons.
GREENWOOD.
Stella Masters Gertrude Clute
Margaret Knop Vivian Kelley
Mrs. G. VanVoorhis Beatrice Howard
Nellie Youngs Rue Cummings
Hazel Bryden Helen Klinke
Bessie McCormick Lucile Grashorn
Maude Snyder Silvina Kleinschmidt
Pearl Baird Lila Shanks
Ella Larson Ida Vollrath
Esther Stabnaw
ROUTE 1.
Maud Miller Alice Gries
Myrtle Syth Marie Potter
Tillie Greiner Ruth Weast
Luthera Chadwick Clara Ehlers
Elsie Stoneburg Martha Pagelsdorf
Blanche Francis Lucina Kaufman
Adele Lyon Esther Pagelsdorf
ROUTE 2
Dora Horn Ida Hamre
Bessie Butcher Anna Fravert
Anna Froehlich Lydia Kuester
Laura Noah Gusta Schwarze
Bea Ketchpaw Selma Braun
Hilda Kippenhan Clara Coates
Setonia Braun Lena Vollrath
ROUTE 3
Gertrude Aker Olga Bragstad
Gladys Loveland Alice Richeleu
Ruth Thwing Julia Ystad
Anna Rhoor Elen Elmer
Eva Bauer Mary Chamberlin
Eva Clouse Dolly Ayer
Mary Boetcher Inga Hembre
Luretta Himes Mary Chamberlin
ROUTE 4.
Clella Andrews Mabel Rossman
Helen Davis Della LeGault
Amy Sorenson Mattie Anderson
Hildur Haglund Iva Moore
Mrs. Emma Murphy Mrs. G. Mink
Anna Schwarze Alida Swenson
Cora Johnson Helga Johnson
LOYAL ROUTE 2.
Fern Sloniker
TIOGA.
Mayme Palms
The Gleaner - July 20, 1911
First Count Is Saturday Night
Thousands of Extra Votes Will Be Given on the
Seven-Subscription Plan -- $10 in Gold to the One in the Lead
The big prize voting contest is attracting more attention every day, so as an incentive to all contestants we have decided to give these special bonus votes:
For every seven new subscriptions 4000 extra, making a total of 8200.
For every seven renewal subscriptions, 3000 extra, making a total of 6500.
For every seven back subscriptions, 2000 extra, making a total of 4800.
The above special bonus offer will hold good until the first count on Saturday, July 22 1911, at 7:30 P.M., at which time the votes will be counted by the judges, Dr. F. A. Boeckmann, P. E. Peterson, F. L. Norris, who will award the $10 in gold to the contestant who receives the largest number of votes up to the first count.
Listen! Remember, the $10 in gold is to be given the contestant having the largest number of votes on Saturday, July 22. The special prize is offered by The Gleaner and it will in no way affect the standing of the winner of the contest.
A few contestants have thought that the winning of the $10 would affect their votes for the piano. Not so. It will not. All votes found in the box on July 22, will be included in the final count, which will decide the winners of the piano and other prizes.
Remember that each subscription you receive – either new, renewal or back – you get a certain number of votes with each year and an extra bonus vote besides.
Remember to have your friends trade with the merchants who are giving coupons.
GREENWOOD.
Stella Masters Gertrude Clute
Margaret Knop Vivian Kelley
Mrs. G. VanVoorhisBeatrice Howard
Nellie Youngs Rue Cummings
Hazel Bryden Helen Klinke
Bessie McCormick Lucile Grashorn
Maude Snyder Silvina Kleinschmidt
Pearl Baird Lila Shanks
Ella Larson Ida Vollrath
Esther Stabnaw
ROUTE 1.
Maud Miller Alice Gries
Myrtle Syth Marie Potter
Tillie Greiner Ruth Weast
Luthera Chadwick Clara Ehlers
Elsie Stoneburg Martha Pagelsdorf
Blanche Francis Lucina Kaufman
Adele Lyon Esther Pagelsdorf
ROUTE 2
Dora Horn Ida Hamre
Bessie Butcher Anna Fravert
Anna Froehlich Lydia Kuester
Laura Noah Gusta Schwarze
Bea Ketchpaw Selma Braun
Hilda Kippenham Clara Coates
Setonia Braun Lena Vollrath
ROUTE 3
Gertrude Aker Olga Bragstad
Gladys Loveland Alice Richeleu
Ruth Thwing Julia Ystad
Anna Rhoor Elen Elmer
Eva Bauer Mary Chamberlin
Eva Clouse Dolly Ayer
Mary Boetcher Inga Hembre
Luretta Himes Mary Chamberlin
ROUTE 4.
Clella Andrews Mabel Rossman
Helen Davis Della LeGault
Amy Sorenson Mattie Anderson
Hildur Haglund Iva Moore
Mrs. Emma Murphy Mrs. G. Mink.
Anna Schwarze Alida Swenson
Cora Johnson Helga Johnson
LOYAL ROUTE 2.
Fern Sloniker
TIOGA.
Mayme Palms
________________
According to a recent law women will not be allowed to work in shops, stores, offices, factories, etc more than 10 hours a day nor more than 55 hours during any one week. It is also provided that “every employer shall post in a conspicuous place in every room where such females are employed, a printed notice stating the hours of commencing and stopping such work, the time allowed for dinner or other meals, and the maximum number of hours any female employee is permitted to work in any one day.
The Gleaner – August 3, 1911
Second Count Aug. 19 & Two Prizes Given
The time for the next count is fast approaching and with it interest in the result is growing daily more keen with friendly rivalry among the contestants for the first prize. New subscribers are coming in and the merchants are having wide and active demand for the merchant coupons.
If you are not a subscriber of the Gleaner, now is the time to start or if you owe now is the time to pay. You have a friend among the contestants who would be delighted with your votes.
Ten dollars in gold is worth considerable effort and the energy put forth to secure this lands the winner much nearer success in the finish when the piano will be awarded. There is nothing worthwhile in this world without thoughtfulness and energy and to become victor in this contest and receive the reward that goes with it, is certainly worthwhile. If your efforts heretofore have been spasmodic from now on make them continuous and determined. Enlist men as well as women folks in your behalf. They will enjoy the Gleaner and will be glad to help you along to victory. Speak to your friends and neighbors and see how quickly they will respond. One of the beauties of this contest is that none are disappointed; there are many prizes. It is the time when you can ask your friends to show their friendship in a substantial way by assisting you.
The count on August 19th will be decisive as to the $10.00 and $5.00, but its importance must not be overlooked for your stand on this occasion is a sort of barometer to your following of friends, and if you win it will be the result of yourself and friends.
The Gleaner has the laudable ambition to improve right along and to regularly go into every home in Greenwood and vicinity; to stand for and promote those things which will be for the good of the community and to wield as great influence as possible for the upbuilding of the town we are justly proud of.
For every seven new subscriptions 10,000 extra votes, making a total of 14,200 votes.
For every seven renewals 8,000 extra, making a total of 11,500 votes.
For every seven back subscriptions, 6,000 extra, making a total of 8,800 votes.
For every forty merchant’s tickets brought to this office and counted by the publisher of this paper or his assistant he will receive 500 extra votes. This will make a total of 1,500 in all.
These coupons may be collected from any and all merchants who are in the contest.
Remember the $10.00 in gold goes to the one who makes the greatest gain in number of votes, and $5.00 to the one making the second largest gain.
Others were nominated but as yet have received no votes. These young ladies should by no means be considered out of the running as all have been doing some work and they will make the contest interesting for those who have already a good start.
Remember that many of our leading merchants are interested in this contest and give 25-vote coupons with every dollar purchase. Also those who do not fully understand the rules and regulations of this contest can call or write us, and we will be pleased to go over the proposition with them.
Remember and have your friends trade with merchants who are giving coupons. They are as follows:
The Big Store
Rossman Steiger Co.
Arends Bros.
City Drug Store
E. T. Burch
Volk Bros.
Greenwood State Bank
Greenwood Heading & Lbr. Co.
The Gleaner – August 10, 1911
Beautiful Piano is now on Exhibition
At Rossman Steiger Co. Store and is Pronounced O. K. – Young Ladies Hustling for the Big Prize.
From now on we expect that the votes in the contest for the final count will be continually flowing into the ballot box. The beautiful piano which is the main prize in this voting contest has arrived and can be seen at Rossman Steiger Co’s. Store. It is a beautiful instrument, rich in tone and excellent in workmanship and will grace any parlor into which it may go. Many musicians have tried it and all are of one opinion that the girl who gets the instrument will have something of which she may well feel proud. All the young ladies in the contest still have the opportunity of getting busy and may in the final count, which will be made in September, be the leader.
This is a contest for high spirited, energetic and resourceful young girls and she who goes after it with the firm conviction that she will win, will be the victor. There are a dozen candidates whose count is nearly alike and we expect that now the goal is in sight all will attack the problem with vigor and vim and get all the votes they can. Remember that we give a bonus on every 40 merchant coupons brought to us and counted and that you or your friends can get these coupons by trading at The Big Store, Rossman Steiger Co., E. T. Burch, Arends Bros., Volk Bros., Greenwood State Bank, City Drug Store, Greenwood Heading & Lbr. Co. Ask for them with every dollar in trade. If you want to see this beautiful instrument come in and look at it. There is no question about its quality and it is fully warranted by the Oakland people. The following special bonuses will be offered during the coming week.
Until the next count we are going to offer the following big bonus.
For every seven new yearly subscriptions 10,000 extras a total of 14,200.
For every 7 year renewal subscriptions 8000 extra votes making a total of 11500 votes.
For every 7 back subscriptions 6000 extra votes making a total of 88000.
For every 40 merchants coupons brought to the publishers office and counted, 500 extra votes.
Remember you can get coupons of The Big Store, Rossman Steiger Co., Arends Bros., E. T. Burch, Volk Bros., City Drug Store, Greenwood State Bank, Greenwood Heading & Lbr. Co.
Remember to have your friends trade with the merchants who are giving the coupons.
Get busy and vote for your choice.
The following young ladies have been nominated.
List of Contestants.
GREENWOOD.
Stella Masters Gertrude Clute
Margaret Knop Vivian Kelley
Mrs. G. VanVoorhisBeatrice Howard
Nellie Youngs Rue Cummings
Hazel Bryden Helen Klinke
Bessie McCormick Lucile Grashorn
Maude Snyder Silvina Kleinschmidt
Pearl Baird Lila Shanks
Ella Larson Ida Vollrath
Esther Stabnaw
ROUTE 1.
Maud Miller Alice Gries
Myrtle Syth Marie Potter
Tillie Greiner Ruth Weast
Luthera Chadwick Clara Ehlers
Elsie Stoneburg Martha Pagelsdorf
Blanche Francis Lucina Kaufman
Adele Lyon Esther Pagelsdorf
ROUTE 2
Dora Horn Ida Hamre
Bessie Butcher Anna Fravert
Anna Froehlich Lydia Kuester
Laura Noah Gusta Schwarze
Bea Ketchpaw Selma Braun
Hilda Kippenham Clara Coates
Setonia Braun Lena Vollrath
ROUTE 3
Gertrude Aker Olga Bragstad
Gladys Loveland Alice Richeleu
Ruth Thwing Julia Ystad
Anna Rhoor Elen Elmer
Eva Bauer Mary Chamberlin
Eva Clouse Dolly Ayer
Mary Boetcher Inga Hembre
Luretta Himes Mary Chamberlin
ROUTE 4.
Clella Andrews Mabel Rossman
Helen Davis Della LeGault
Amy Sorenson Mattie Anderson
Hildur Haglund Iva Moore
Mrs. Emma Murphy Mrs. G. Mink.
Anna Schwarze Alida Swenson
Cora Johnson Helga Johnson
LOYAL ROUTE 2.
Fern Sloniker
TIOGA.
Mayme Palms
________________
The Gleaner – August 24, 1911
The Mystery Is Solved
Who is Ahead in the Gleaner Piano Contest? – It was Decided on the Second Count Held Saturday Evening at 8:30 and Miss Myrtle Syth Wins $10 in Gold, with Miss Della LeGault Making a Remarkable Showing in the Short Time She Has Worked and Winning the $5 in Gold.
Messrs. Boeckman, Anderson and Chamberlin worked hard in determining the standing of the contestants at the close of the second count. This was to determine who had the greatest increase during the last 30 days and the winners were rewarded in the above prizes. All votes have been recorded and everything is ready for the last and final count. The ballot box was again locked and is in this office at present but will be taken to the bank later.
The standing of the contestants is as follows:
1st count 2nd count total
Myrtle Syth 44,425 71,200 115,625
Della LeGault 24,775 51,300 76,075
Clara Coates 39,375 32,700 72,075
Helga Johnson 13,850 8,250 12,100
Olga Bragstad 26,750 2,300 29,050
Esther Stabnaw 1,925 2,450 4,370
Maude Snyder 4,575 3,125 7,700
Mrs. G. VanVoorhis 14,725 250 14,975
Ruth Weast 12,275 3,600 15,875
Gertrude Acker 1,550 75 1,625
Setonia Braun 1,125 400 1,525
The following bonus will be good until the last count on Sept. 16th and by studying this out carefully it will help anyone win the piano. Use every effort and make use of this opportunity to win.
For every seven new yearly subscriptions, 10,000 extra, a total of 14,200 votes.
For every seven renewal subscriptions 8,000 extra, a total of 11,500 votes.
For every seven back subscriptions, 6,000 extra votes, a total of 8,800 votes.
Special!
For every three 5-year subscriptions a bonus of 25,000 votes, a total of 40,000 votes.
For every two 20-year new or renewal subscriptions, 75,000,000 extra a total of 135,000.
Extra Special on Merchants Coupons: For every forty merchants coupons, 1,000 extra bonus votes will be given, making a total of 2,000 votes.
The Gleaner – September 7, 1911
Contest Will Close Tuesday Sept. 12th
A Few More Days in Which to Work for the Beautiful Piano – Last Struggle for the Capital Prize Now at Its Height.
There are now but a few more days in which the candidates engaged in the Gleaner’s popular voting contest have to work for the several prizes offered. The Voting comes to an end on Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 4 o’clock and immediately thereafter the counting will be commenced to see who shall be declared the winner of the splendid Oakland piano and the other beautiful and useful articles offered to those who are making an endeavor to land the premiums. It is not believed by those who have given the matter careful thought that any particular person has the grand prize cinched at the present, but there are several in the race who have a good chance to land it if they only hustle.
If you have not seen the fine piano offered in this contest go to Rossman Steiger Co’s store and take a look. Many of our citizens have examined the instrument as to its quality and appearance and there is yet the first one to say that it is not a fine one. It is of plain rich mahogany and a prettier piano was never unloaded in Greenwood. Musicians of the country have tested it as to its quality of tone and volume and every one of them say it is finer than silk.
There are three young ladies who appear to have the best of the contest, but none of them have a sure cinch on being the ultimate owner of the first prize. If one of these contestants who is away down the list should take it into her head that she was going to win the big premium she could easily do so. She would have to work to do it, but that was what was expected when the contest opened. Several bunches of seven new subscribers or of renewals in groups of seven would put the lowest candidate in the race up among the leaders.
For those who wish to vote without any competitor seeing them, the Gleaner desires to state that cash with your subscription, telling where the paper is to be sent and to whom the votes shall be given can be placed in an envelope and deposited in the bank. The judges will open these envelopes as soon as they start to count and will credit all votes including the bonus. In order to secure bonus votes on merchants’ coupons they must be counted at the Gleaner office before being voted.
Miss Myrtle Syth was in the lead at the last count. Several others are well to the front and are putting forth every effort on the home stretch to win the coveted prize. Either of these ladies can land the prize if they will take the time and energy to get out and solicit new subscriptions and renewals from persons who are already subscribers to the Gleaner. Every bunch of seven new subscribers means 14,200 votes and seven renewals will bring in 11,500 votes and the way to win is to get these new subscriptions and renewals, as they count up more rapidly and they carry with them the big bonus offers which contestants should be seeking.
Tuesday, Sept. 12th the voting will cease and the final count will be made that evening. This is but a short time ahead and it is worth the while of the candidates to get among the people and work like Trojans from now until ballot box is closed at 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the day mentioned. No ballots will be received after 4 o’clock under any circumstances, no matter who may have them or what excuse they may present for not getting them in at the proper time. The contest is on the square and there is to be a fair field and no favorites.
The ballot box has been placed in the Greenwood State Bank, according to the terms of the contest, where it will remain until the close of the contest Tuesday Sept. 12th and where all voting must be done.
The following will positively be the last bonus offer we will make during the contest which closes Sept. 12. All these bonus offers good until the close of the contest:
For every seven new yearly subscriptions, 10,000 extra, a total of 14,200 votes.
For every seven renewal subscriptions 8,000 extra, a total of 11,500 votes.
For every seven back subscriptions, 6,000 extra votes, a total of 8,800 votes.
For every three 5-year subscriptions a bonus of 25,000 votes, a total of 40,000 votes.
For every two 20-year new or renewal subscriptions, 75,000 extra a total of 135,000.
Special!
The three five year subscriptions may be for either one or two or three parties and the two twenty year subscriptions may be for either one or two parties.
The Gleaner – September 14, 1911
The Contest Closed; Miss Syth Winner
The Gleaner’s popular voting contest is closed. It has been a hot one too. There were probably a million votes cast altogether. Miss Myrtle Syth came out ahead, having 384,600. Miss Della LeGault came in next with 326,300 Miss Clara Coates was third, having 92,775. Following are the figures, according to the judges, Messrs. Boeckman Anderson and Varney:
Myrtle Syth…….. ……….. 384,600
Della LeGault…… ….. … 326,300
Clara Coates…….. ……….. 92,775
Olga Bragstad…….. ……… 29,350
Helga Johnson…….. …….. 24,025
Esther Pagelsdorf…… ……. 17,675
Mrs. Geo. Van Voorhis……. 16,400
Esther Stabnaw…….. …… 5,300
Lena Vollrath…… ……….. 2,475
Setonia Braun…….. ………2,000
The capital prize of course goes to Miss Syth. Of the other prizes Miss LeGault has first choice, then Miss Coates, and so on in their order until the prizes are gone.
The contest has been a strenuous one and has kept the Gleaner busy. Many new names have been added to our list, many back subscriptions paid and many subscriptions renewed, all of which we appreciate very much.
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