Monday, January 18, 2021

THE ALGONA CHAUTAUQUA OF 1911

Going through some things that need to be scanned for the genealogical society, I came across a booklet entitled, The Algona Chautauqua.  I had heard of a Chautauqua before and was aware it was a type of educational program, but thumbing through this booklet made me want to learn more.  

Chautauqua was an educational and social movement which originated in the late 19th century.  It was a method by which the average person could continue their education by listening to nationally-known speakers that covered a wide range of topics as well as enjoy some musical and light-hearted entertainment.  Scattered throughout were sermons or lectures with a moral or religious message.  These events were especially popular in small towns without access to the variety of speakers and entertainments in larger cities. 


The fourth annual Chautauqua which took place in Algona from June 24th to July 2nd in 1911 was just such a program.  Beginning at 3 p.m. each day with the exception of Sundays, the presentation would commence with a musical prelude which would be followed by a speaker.  After a break for dinner, a similar format was followed starting at 7:45 p.m. with musical entertainment after which the same speaker from the afternoon program would expound on another topic or a new lecturer or entertainer would present.  On Sundays a musical interlude followed by a sermon was added at 10:30 a.m. 

With no local venues large enough to hold the expected crowd, an enormous tent was erected on the playground behind Central School. Adult season tickets were priced at $2.50 and entitled the bearer to the entire nine-day experience.  Season tickets were available for children for $1.  You could also purchase day tickets for 50¢ each or single admissions for 35¢.  More than 300 season tickets had been sold in advance and the committee had hopes of selling another 700 at the opening.

The event schedule included 18 programs and 36 separate entertainments during the Chautauqua.  When the complete program was announced, the locals were delighted to learn that the Williams Jubilee Singers would once again be providing the musical productions during the first four days.  Their previous concerts here had been very well received and the planning committee knew they would attract a large crowd. This troupe of black singers was highly trained and extremely talented.  Their advertisement states, “Our selection of songs varies from the Opera to the Negro Boat and Cabin Songs” and included a large repertoire ranging from classic selections to plantation songs and even ragtime.  They had performed all across the United States and Canada with much success.


Speakers for the event included a United States Senator (W. S. Kenyon of Iowa), two state governors (Mississippi and North Carolina), a congressman from Indiana, a Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church as well as several other clergymen.  Other acts featured included a humorist, ventriloquist, and a lecturer.  Perhaps the most unusual speaker was Tahan, the White Savage, whose presentation almost did not take place.

Train travel in those days was not always the most reliable.  With all of their celebrities coming in by rail and sometimes scheduled to arrive only an hour or two before their scheduled presentation, it was common for one or more presenters to either arrive late or not show up at all.  Such was the case for Tahan, the White Savage.  He was expected to arrive on the 1:27 p.m. train on Tuesday afternoon, but the train itself was an hour late.  He was to give his presentation at 3 p.m.  When the train finally pulled into the depot, he was not on it.  The audience had gathered.  What was the committee to do?  Thankfully, humorist Opie Read had arrived in Algona early to have some quiet time to work on a book he was writing.  He was not scheduled to present until Friday.  Read was willing to go on and gave the same lecture he had the year before.  It was well received by the audience, many of whom had not heard it before.

And, just as Opie finished his speech, Tahan arrived on the late afternoon train.  He had simply missed his connection in Chicago.  The committee asked him to stay and promised him a spot if any other speaker did not show.  He agreed and when W. S. Battis, the interpreter of Dickins, failed to arrive on Thursday, the opportunity presented itself.  He appeared on the platform in full Indian dress and proceeded to tell his story.


Joseph K. Griffis was born in the frontier near where the city of Gainesville, Texas, is now located.  His father was a well-known United States scout known as “California Joe” and his mother was a quarter Osage Indian.  When he was two years old a band of Kiowas raided the Osage settlement where he lived with his mother.  She was killed trying to protect him.  It was the intent of the young warrior who killed his mother to kill him too, but he reconsidered and the child was presented to Kiowa Chief Zepkho-eete and his wife, Tsilta.  When she learned he came from Texas, she named him “Tahan” which means Texas man.  He was accepted into the family and raised with the chief’s other children.  As his life unfolded, at age 10 he was returned to an uncle in Texas but growing homesick, he returned to the Kiowas.  He served as a scout in the Army, was court martialed when he refused the order of a young officer to polish his boots, and sentenced to death.  While awaiting execution, he escaped from prison and wandered for three years, suspicious and afraid.  It was while he was in London, Ontario, that he was befriended by a member of the Salvation Army and became a Christian.  He learned to read and write, became a Presbyterian minister, and received a pardon from President Grover Cleveland.

Joseph K. Griffis a/k/a Tahan


The audience found Tahan’s presentation very pleasing and many complimentary remarks were received.  Senator Kenyon’s speech was also a highlight of the event.  Some other speakers did not receive such glowing remarks.  Thomas Brooks Fletcher spoke on the topic, “The Martyrdom of Fools.”  The Algona Courier described him as follows: “He is young, impulsive, and conceited and possesses a good deal of natural ability.  He talked fast and furious and worked himself into a frenzy and a sweat. . . His talk was at times highly dramatic and was interspersed with wit that kept the audience in good humor.  But he didn’t know when to stop.  He talked a good half hour too long and made the audience tired and added nothing to the essence of his lecture.”  The newspaper also panned the performance of Magician Hal Merton stating that “It pleased the children though it was not a very good exhibition of magic art and was scarcely worth what it cost.”  

Rounds Ladies Orchestra


The other two other musical groups, the Rounds Ladies Orchestra and the Castle Square Entertainers, were found to be quite entertaining.  The orchestra consisted of nine women who played a variety of instruments as well as performed vocal solos, duets and quartets.  The group was directed by Herbert O. Rounds and featured his wife, Flora Sprague Rounds.  The Castle Square Entertainers billed themselves as “a first-class quartette of popular entertainers with excellent voices, whose ensemble work has been perfected by several seasons of successful concert work.”  Their repertoire ranged from humorous songs to Irish monologues, and dramatic readings.  Both were well received by the audience, but it was mentioned that neither measured up to the Williams Jubilee Singers.


On the last evening, the Castle Square Singers closed the event with a concert of sacred music.  Members of the Chautauqua committee then addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for their patronage which allowed them to cover all of their expenses leaving a modest balance.  The audience gave the committee a standing ovation in thanks for the excellent experience and unanimously expressed their favor of continuing the Chautauqua another season.

The Chautauqua events continued on for many more years, coming to an end in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s.  Times were changing and the programs no longer attracted the crowds of the past.  But they were long remembered for bringing culture and high-quality entertainment to small town America.

Until next time,

Jean


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