School: Class of 1904, Unity, Clark Co., Wisconsin

Source: Marathon County Register (Unity, Wis.) 06/03/1904

Class of 1904

Unity, Clark Co., Wisconsin

Transcribed by Stan Schwarze.

The Commencement exercises of the Unity High School were held at the opera house last Friday evening.  The hall which has a seating capacity of 400 was filled to overflowing and over 100 could not even find standing room and were compelled to remain outside.  The windows and doors were opened and thus many were enabled to listen to the splendid program.

It was nearly eight o'clock before the large crowd was sufficiently settled and the program started, and it was nearly eleven o'clock when the double quartet finished singing the farewell song.

The first number on the program was Sousa's March - El Capitan, which was rendered by Mrs. D. H. Shepardson and Mrs. E.W. Schmitz, the number was rendered in a manner which showed careful preparation.

The salutatory was delivered by Miss Emma Cook and that it was well received by the audience was evidenced by the very liberal applause which followed.  Helen Keller was the subject of a well prepared essay by Miss Evelyn Hutchins who delivered the same in a very entertaining way.

An essay on "The Mission of Flowers" by Miss Kate Ayer was original and interesting and the free and easy manner of delivery showed that the young lady was entirely conversant with the subject at hand and that she did the same justice, was the general sentiment of all.

This number was followed by a vocal selection by the double quartet.  "The Tribulations of an Editor" was the subject of an essay by Claud B. Nelson, which to anyone outside the "Mystic Art" must necessary be a difficult one, requiring study and research.  To one who has been through, or is still in the mill, it was clear that much of both had been employed in his excellent discourse, his efforts were appreciated by the audience.

"The Man without a Country" was the subject of a patriotic discourse delivered by Miss Agnes McNeight in a full clear voice and in a manner which held the earnest attention of her listeners.

"The Plain People" is a subject that will always appeal to the sympathies of most any kind of an audience and especially when presented in the forcible way in which it was delivered by Miss Lela Hutchins, she was greeted with liberal applause.

"The Songs of the Nations", a stirring patriotic oration by Charles Hulce was the subject of one of the most interesting number, made especially so by the singing of the national songs of the different nations, after a short discourse as to origin, significance, etc.  The songs which were sung by representatives of the different nations in their mother tongue, were as follows: American - Star Spangled Banner by Amy Cain, German - Der Wacht am Rhine by Miss Justman, Mrs. Kops, Miss Groelle, F.A. Schmitz, French - The Marseilles by May and Cora Allaine, Norwegian - Nave Elsker Detta Landet by Borghild Nelson, Ester Johnson, Julia Sorenson, English - God Dave the Queen by Alfred, Herbert, Cora, Mable, Thomas, Henry and Alice Binning.  Through the audience there was a liberal sprinkling of each nationality and as the song which was once so dear to them ended, they were moved to long and earnest applause in which they were joined by the entire audience, this number was a unique and pleasing feature of the evening's entertainment.

"Woman Queen of the Home" by Dolly A. Ayer, and "Gene Field - The Children's Poet" by Emma I Cook were two subjects that appealed to the better nature of each individual in the audience and the two young ladies had no difficulty in holding the attention of their listeners during their discourse.

"Joan of Arc" was presented by Everett C. Hirsh in an oration, delivered in a manner which won for him the admiration of all.  The Junior Address was delivered by Miss Kate Pyatt.  Miss Pyatt is a very entertaining speaker and for the exceptionally able manner in which she delivered the address on this occasion she was the recipient of the hearty congratulations of her many friends.

The most amusing feature of the evening was the Presentation of Mementoes by Miss Nora Schmits, who prefaced her remarks with a neat little speech in which she requested that the cap of seriousness and dignity be laid aside for a few moments and the spirit of fun prevail.  She ten called up in their turn each one of the nine graduates and taking some peculiar feature of their cahracter or conduct as a test, proceeded to make them feel like 30 cents.  At the close of her remarks she presented the victim with an appropriate memento which provoked hearty laughter and applause from the audience.

Charles Hulce covered himself with glory in delivering the Valedictory, his clear voice and easy manner of delivery were subject of much favorable comment.

The singing of the Farewell song by the double quartet, which had furnished some excellent music between numbers, closed the exercises.  The graduates received their friends upon the stage for about an hour, after which the floor was cleared and dancing was indulged in.

The decorations consisted of a background of American flags neatly arranged.  Over the front of the stage was the motto, " In Unity there is Strength", in red letters on a white background, many rich ferns and flowers were tastily banked on the front of the stage, the decorations were not elaborate, but were neat and tasty.

This, the nineteenth graduation class, containing nine members, is the largest ever graduated from this school.  That good work is being done was exemplified by the members in their effort before the public last Friday evening. 

That the patrons of the Unity High School are interested in the work being done there, was again evidenced by the largest crowd of interested spectators ever assembled together in Unity, and these people were there to speak their approval of and for maintaining the Unity High School.