977.3585 H629 Clinton Centennial, 18 1935 35- i 977.3585 H629 Clinton Centennial 1835 1935 The Story of the Pageant Downey Park October 3, 4, 5, 6 IlllNOIS HISTORICAL SORVEY VWPISflW WXRfTER WBLIC LIBRAR * HISTORICAL PAGEANT IN CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF CLINTON, ILLINOIS PRODUCED AND STAGED BY JOHN B. ROGERS PRODUCING CO., FOSTORIA, OHIO PAGEANT MASTER . . . F. P. GORMAN 1835— CLINTON CENTENNIAL— 1 035 "* ,* •->> -.w ~^- "^*^**. *" ^s m^ ■*^* _ %■- —— * o . i ■^« "4?^ OCTOBER 3-4-5-6. DOWNEY PARK THE STORY OF THE PAGEANT THE PROLOGUE Trumpeters and colors announce the arrival of Miss Clinton. Miss Clinton enters followed by her attendants. Address of Welcome by Miss Clinton: "Fellow citizens of Clinton and the United States. In the name of the inhabitants of this goodly town and in honor of our cele- bration this evening. I bid you all a most cordial welcome. Whether you were born within its ancient boundaries, interlacing your affections with those with whom you compose this incorporated Brotherhood, in the great family of the Union, or whether you have for- saken your home in some foreign countries, renouncing all allegiance unto it and having adopted this as your earthly home, here to abide as one of its children, seeking its Peace and its Welfare, as long as God in his providence shall continue you were, or whether you are a native of some other town, city or state, and are here present to enjoy with us the celebration, in the name of the town of Clinton. I extend to each and all of you the endearing address of Fellow Citizen, and bid you welcome to the Historical Pageant of Clinton." Miss Columbia attended by her 4 8 states arise and arc greeted by Miss Clinton. The Queen of the Pageant together with Miss Columbia, together with their at- tendants, are then escorted to the Court of Honor from which they review the pageant in State. Recorder of all deeds steadily pressing forward, the stark old man. INTERLUDE I PROPHECY OF FATHER TIME "I came. I know not whcncc I go. I know not whither. Eye of things created never Upon my coming looked, nor shall it see my passing First and last of all things I. For I am Time. Look ye upon the Dawning of Creation Called Universe. When out of the chaos, order is brought. You will see the birth of sky. flowers, land. And last — man. the Red Man." EPISODE 2 THE DAWNING OF CREATION In the distance ghostlike forms arc seen approaching, followed by many beautiful things. They lift their veils and behold, we sec the Dawning of Creation — the birth of land, sky, flowers and water — shaped and moulded into a beautiful harmony of movement. EPISODE 3 THE INDIAN Indian camp life and primitive occupations — just as everything is in perfect harmony with creation growing in its merry play, the voice of Man is heard. This breaks the stilled harmony of nature and in gross confusion the creation spirits run and hide under cover of 1835— CLINTON CENTENNIAL— 1 Q3 5 the forest. When the Land was first explored it was inhabited by the Red Man — where they came from in the beginning, how long they dwelt in North America, what peoples they replace, a matter much dispute. We see a typical band of Indians who were found in small villages and roving bands — a village visited by a roving hunting party. They culti- vated the soil very little and depended almost entirely upon the chase. Hunting and dancing constituted their enjoyment. 1 heir great interest in life was to procure food and de- vour it and to subdue their enemies. If a campaign proved a failure, the braves slunk back and moped in silence with a feeling of disgrace, often taunted by the squaws for lack of valor. If successful, the return was celebrated with a grand savage dance. We depict the primitive life of the Indian. INTERLUDE II PROPHECY OF FATHER TIME "And so they came into this land Adventurers bold on every hand, The early founders of our race. The men who took the Red Men's place." EPISODE 4 "CONQUERING THE BARRIERS" A symbolic portray of the heroic advancement of the pioneer Manhood and Pioneer Womanhood of Tarentum in the face of obstacles and the opposing forces of Nature. The Forest, harboring many lurking dangers, had to be cleared away. Floods from the Rivers had to be subdued. Mists from the swamp lands brought Fever, and following closely came Famine, with Death itself, stalking always in the shadows. Yet the advance- ment went steadily forward and the struggle of the early Manhood and Womanhood of America have been crowned ^Aith the noble triumphs reflected in the Clinton of today. EPISODE 5 THE FOUNDING OF THE TOWN OF CLINTON NOTE: Allen-Fell incident as recorded in History of DeWitt County: "This would be a beautiful site for a town and future county scat", said Allen to Fell in 1834. when on their way from Decatur to Bloomingion they beheld about midway between the two cities, the lovely mound on which stands the public school house of Clinton. "A capital idea," said Fell to Allen. A quarter section of land v.'as soon .-ntecd and the town of Clinton laid out in 1835. We endeavor to depict the laying out scene by the trappers and surveyors. NOTE; The first house was built by Wm. Anderson in the spring of 1836 on the corner north from the present Magill House. This later became the first hotel. On this place two women. Mrs. Anderson and her sister dug the first well. The second hotel was situated in the north part of the City, here Judge David Davis. Judge Frcal and Abraham Lincoln made their headquarters. EPISODE 6 THE FIRST PIONEER SCHOOL We depict a primitive outdoor school — with the village Bad Boy, recess and a spell- ing bee — finishes a busy day. EPISODE 7 THE FIRST PIONEER CHURCH SERVICE We endeavor to depict an out-door church service, with the pioneers arriving by horseback, and the old time circuit rider. OCTOBER 3-4-5-6. DOWNEY PARK EPISODE 8 ^^^^^^^-p^-^-^^^ THE MOORE-McGRAW-JOHN WAR- ^^^^HP^^L^ ^^H NER EPISODE ^^^H!^^aHH^.'>9lliH One day in the early forties John Mc- ^^^^Hp|P^ ^'^^^^(^^B^ m/m Graw and C. H. Moore were walking down ^^Hi^r ^^^^^h «H the streets of Clinton, when they espied a ^^H^P k'i^^^^K ^Bj stranger evidently taking stock of the town. ^^^■MHI jmgmmmmm^g^^^ with a view to settling. Political sentiment ^^^k'^JB'^WI^^^^^^^^B in Clinton was strongly Whig, and as Mr. wBMk J^r' ^l^^^^^H Moore and Mr. McGraw were Whigs they ^^BB ^BK .^^^^^IBT ^Hl agreed to quiz this stranger on his politics. BI^Hb ^^m ,»^H^^^^^I^P 9^B and if he were Whig they would portray BflBr aJ^^w^^^I^^Hk SB the town in rosy colors. Hltllllli' '^/SiS^^^^^^^Hr ™™* The man proved to be Dr. John War- ^^^^b vIBBvm ner from Mt. Pleasant. 111. (now Parmer ^^Hk ^^^V^^ City). His political bias proved satisfactory. ^BBiilriiiMiii M mB^^mB^i and he returned to Clinton with his family ^BBBBBl^^^^^^^^^^Hfe^k^ to reside. Years later Dr. Warner caused to ^^^^^^^Bj^^dflHs^^^^^BfeM be John Warner Hospital. ^^^^^^IP^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H bequeathed to the city. This Hospital has ^^^^IB^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B done ^^^^^^m J^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B 'Tads and Fancies yesterday. ■HHv^iiHiHHHHHHHHHHHiHi With Time have evolved in many ways. Customs and styles have seen many a change DR. JOHN WARNER In courtship and in dancing. Youth still supremely reigns. " "I've seen the Birth of Man. seen how through strife And strain and struggle. Man hath doffed the Brute And donned the Human. How with trail and tears, Man rises still and learns that he is soul I for I am time." EPISODE 9 THE FIRST WEDDING We endeavor to depict the first Wedding Ceremony performed in DeWitt County — with a soft shoe dance furnished as entertainment for the guests. A Virginia Reel is danced by the old fashioned people. EPISODE 10 The visit of Abraham Lincoln to Clinton, and his speech of the now famous words on the Court House Lawn. NOTE: It was during a speech in the old court house in Clinton. July 27. 1858, that Lincoln said "you can fool all of the people part of the time, and part of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." A locally famous male quartette. John Rogers. Richard Butler. Eugene Davis and John McPherson. sang during six Republican campaigns. 1876-1896. Their favorite songs: "Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground." "Wc Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him." and "Marching Through Georgia." Wc depict this Quartette in action. 18^15 CLINTON CFNTHNNIAL— 1 935 EPISODE 11 THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY Early in Clinton's history in covered wagons from Kentucky came the Hill family. In the home of Loisa Hill, the First Baptist Society was formed on Feb. 1. 1839. We depict this scene held during a husking bee, outside the Hill home. EPISODE 12 COMING OF THE ILLINOIS CEN- TRAL RAILROAD Clinton never received a greater boon than the coming of the Illinois Central Rail- road in 1851 and 1852. The completion of the road at once brought up the price of land. Swamps were drained, more and better houses sprang up. Railway transportation enabled Illinois to extend its commerce to all parts of the world. When the Illinois Cen- tral came to Clinton, a new and wonderful era began. Great was the excitement in 185 2 when word reached Clinton that the first train was coming from the north. Certain enter- prising citizens walked the painful five miles to the neighboring town of Wapella. bought themselves sticks of striped candy, boarded the train in triumph, and bumped back to Clinton at the incredible speed of fifteen miles an hour. Every man, woman and child turned out to meet the train. INTERLUDE IV PROPHECY OF FATHER TIME "War! War! War! The song of the shell, through stricken skies. It sings the dirge of Death as it flies — War! War! War' To man sings this merciless shell. It holds him fast in its martial spell — ■ War! War! War! Till mute he lies on the reddened clod Or hushed he falls to the fresh turned sod War! War! War! 1 he shells can no more say For the 'Peace of God' is here to stay." Scene showing Clinton's part in ihc Wars. Mr. Clifton H. Moore 10 Minutes Inlermission — OCTOBER 3-4-5-6. DOWNEY PARK PART TWO PROPHECY OF FATHER TIME "Now that the Book of Records is closed, And in it the deeds of old repose. Let us then turn to our enlightened age. And see the wonders of Today's beauties displayed. I've seen the Birth of Man, Seen how thru strife and strain and struggle. Man hath doffed the Brute and donned the Human. How with trial and tears Man rises still And learns that he is soul, I — For I am Time!" THE MASQUE — A mammoth spectacle symbolizing the spirit and growth of America, The Melting Pot. where people from all parts of the earth are united in a Union, one and inseparable. Character and dances and drills of many nations will be given, with correct costumes for each, from the smallest to the mightiest, America. The audience is requested to join the cast in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee." • All costumes, scenery, electrical effects by the John B. Rogers Producing Co., of Fostoria, Ohio. The Centennial Commitec. the Pageant Committee and the Director for the John Rogers Co. desire to take this means of thanking each and every one who helped make the Pageant a success, especially the cast who gave so unselfishlv of their time for Rehearsals and show. ' THE COMMITTEE. • CAST OF CHARACTERS Miss Clinton Miss Alice Wilson Miss Columbia Miss Ada Rose Myers Father Time Mr. Charles A. Chne Trumpeters A. J. Rudasill. Steve Lynch Queen's pages Betty Eloise Bunyard. Mary Margaret Ryan Solo Dancers Dorothy Jean Collins. Jane Ann Ketterson Fur Traders Phil Boesen. James J. Lang First Pioneer Minister Rev. L. C. Taylor John Allen Carl C. Walker Jessie Fell James R. Pennington John McGRAW Abner Pharcs C. H. Moore CM. Warner Dr. John WARNI;r John Warner. 3rd Civil War Veterans Dewey Griffin. Howard Thorp Spanish War Veterans H. S. Gowdy. H O Bogardus. Henry Brockman First Bride Mrs. Louis Crawford First Groom Louis Crawford First Minister Dale Querfeld School TeaCHI-;r Frances Foote Abraham Lincoln W. A. Vaughn Louisa HiLI Mrs. J. R. Pennington Narrators Mrs. Eva Ketterson. F. A. Piatt Legion Color Guards. .Merrille Mire. Stillman Nelson. Lester Langley. Ed. A. Pollock !835 -CLINTON CHNTENNI AL — 1 'J^ 5 h4 O o X o z o H o z 00 < o H ;%.m^*u,