People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1895 — Washington's Birthday at the College. [ARTICLE]

Washington's Birthday at the College.

The celeoration of Washington’s birthday was begun by the students attending in a body at which was celebrated by the Rev. Benedict Boebner, who also preached a most eloquent sermon in which he showed the propriety of Catholics paying honor to the memory of George Washington. After mass the Rev. Professors, visitors and students went to the armory, where all were pleasantly entertained by a well arranged series of games, races and contests. At 2p. m. an exhibition drill by the college battalion took place in the armory. The Boebner Columbian Guards, which is a squad of the select men of the battalion, opened the exercises by giving a fancy drill. This was followed by a drill by the Seifert Light Guards. The entire oattalion then participated in in the dress parade. The college band furnished excellent music during the intervals and also at the parade. At the conclusion of the exercises Very Rev. Dinnen of Lafayette, in a few well chosen words congratulated both band and military on their performances. Father Dinnen was followed by Messrs. E. P. Honan and Sayler of Rensselaer, and Mr. Jacole Shloer of Hammond. In the evening the Columbian I Literary Society gave a program in the auditorium, which consisted of music by the college band, college orchestra, recitations, songs and a debate on the question: “Is Washington more Deserving of our Gratitude than Lincoln?” A very exhilerating feature was the reading of the paper, “The Columbian,” by Editor James Fitzpatrick. The audience which consisted not only of students of the college but also of quite a number of ladies and gentlemen from Rensselaer, showed that they fully appreciated the program.