Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1916 — Centennial News Letter. [ARTICLE]

Centennial News Letter.

Centennial pageantry makes its bow in Indiana, in company with blooming flowers, leafing trees and greening meadows, in this lyric, spring time month of May. The initial step is taken by Evansville, .May 10-1 I, in a great pageant which will take two nights for its presentation. It is distinctly a state pageant, as Vanderburg county will next year observe its own centennial. it opens with the Mound Builders who appear with uncertain steps, dim lights suggesting the mystery that bangs over the early history of this country. In brighter light there follows the portrayal of Indiana's authentic history. The second night begins with the story of ille Civi 1 war. The crown:ng and probably tire most original feature will be found in the forge fire of modern industry. The lighting effects will be most striking and effective. Airs. Albion Fellows Bacon and Carl Dreisch, both of Evansville, are writer and director respectively, of the pageant.

I All roads lead to Bloomington, May 16 10 18, When the pageant of i Bloomington and Indiana university will b'e presented in beautiful setting on the picturesque campus of the state university. State Pageant Master W. C. Langdon is the anthor and director, ably supported by Prof. I C. D. Campbell, head of the music j department of the university, who has composed the pageant music. The pageant opens with a burst of music and a blaze of color, introducing the Pioneers led by the spirits of Hope and Determination. The first episode pictures the settling of Bloomington, followed by the opening of the seminary. The episode portraying the founding of the uni- ! versify is striking in conception and will he most impressive. The story follows of the struggle in Indiana for education, led by Caleb Mills, against the forces of ignorance and conversatism. The incidents of the storm period of 1861-65 are brought out, followed by the presentation of the new regime. The city of Bloomington aitcl tile university are emerifig into the spirit of the pageant most enthusiastically, and everything points toward a most success-

f«l presentation. Closely following the Bloomington -pageant comes that of Vincennes, May 18-19, prepared by George S. Cottman of Indianapolis. In a sense this is primary and fundamental. As far as the history of the state is concerned, it is to Vincennes that all roads lead. The history that clusters around the old French fort, and the romance that lingers thereabout, must he reproduced before the real [ state history may be properly shown. I This is the task toward which Mr. Cottman is successfully addressing himself, aided by the co-operation of the people of Vincennes. The pageant will be presented on the banks of the Wabash in a setting of great natural beauty. On May 15 in connection with the National Conference of Charities and j Corrections, the Boys’ Industrial | school of Plainfield will present, the pageant “Indiana,” of which W. O. Conway of Indianapolis is author and director. The peculiar, impelling force which has achieved and made the state what it is, has been personified and made the central figure of the pageant. The production should be a potent inspiration to the hoys, an interesting experiment from the point of view of the conference, and an effective advertisement of the centennial to the country at large. 25c boys’ stockings, two for 25c, when you’re Hamillized.