The Book of the Pageant by Peru State College Library

( THE

HISTORICAL PAGEANT PERUj

Nebraska State Normal Library PERU , NEB . PRESEN T ED AS A FE AT URE OF THE SEM I -CEN T ENN IAL CELEBRATIO N OF TH E F OU NDI NG OF THE PE RU, NE BR ASKA, ST AT E N OR MAL SC HOOL

N ORMAL ·woODS J U N E 5 th, 1 9 1i 8: 15 P. i\•1. Tlte price

~l tb is

book is

h.um ~v-Ji-vc

mtls

(

SpC1

THE H I STO R I CAL PAG E ANT OF P E R U

forf

FOREWORD

P'l-7

An attempt is herein made to portray in a series of appearances and dialogues, the story of Peru, from a remote geological period down to the first commencement (in 1870) of the Peru State Normal School. Two methods,-that of the symbolic spectacle and that of the historical drama-have been employed in the different phases of the work. Roughly divided , the parts of the narrative appear as follows: I. Creative Geological Forces. II. Indian Life. III. Pioneer Settlement, closing w ith the outbreak of the Civil War. IV. The Founding of an Institution of Higher Lear ning and its Establishment as a State School for the Training of Teachers. Recognizing that the influences of natural environment have had much to do in shaping the life of community and school, t he authors of the text have endeavored at all points to lay stress upon the importance of these nature forces. Especially in this thoug ht embodied in the symbolic character significantly named The Spirit of the Place, conceived as a superhuman intelligence living on f r om age to ag e, fo r eknowing and in part _determining events. The composition of the lines of the pageant tex t is in the main a joint labor of various members of the E x ecutive Committee. Part I was w ritten by Miss Rose Clark; the lyric of the Indian Song in Part II, the interlude between Parts I and II , and episode II of Part IV, by Dr. House; the first episode of Part III, and the Chorus of Youths and Maidens, by Miss Esther Clark ; the second and third episodes o f Part III, by Miss Bowen ; and Part IV, except episode II , by Miss Mutz. The music and the dances of the pag eant are taken from a variety of sources. A list of the pageant songs and the v arious numbers g iven w it h musical accom paniment, togeth er with the sour ces of the s ame, is here appended:

P'f c.~

Âˇ PART I Pro logue-Prelude of das Rhe ing old March of the Ice Giants-Adapted from Stabat Mater Dance of the Cyclonic Winds-Valse in E Chorus-The Heav ens A re Declaring

Wagn er Rossini Mo szkowski Beethov en

PART II M edicine Man 's Prophecy -From an Ind ian L od ge

M acD owell

PART III

T he Spi1Âˇit of the PlaCI'

The Song of the P rairi e S choon e r O n e Day Nearer Home Ol d Folk Songs S o n g o f t he River

3 oq. '& o

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

1 THE HISTORICA L PAG EANT OF PER U

Gold Dance-Arr. of Dance of Pierrot Hinman Interlude between Parts III and IV Chorus of Youths and Maidens-Bridal Chorus from the Rose Maiden Cowen

To the islands of the west . Silence-in the sultry air, Silence-in the murky sea, In the stillness and the weirdness of the far-flung central sea.

PART IV By the Side of the Deep Rolling River-Ballad written in the year 1865 by Professor D. B . Worley, later of the Normal School Faculty. Dance of the Grasses-My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice from Samson and Delilah Saint-Saens Wood-pewee Song From Twenty-five Bird Songs for Children Dance of the Roses-Arr. of Fairies' Revel • Adler Dance of the Violets and Ferns-To Spring Grieg Song o£ the Wood-thrush-Down in the Forest Something Stirred Ronald

Creatures, strangely shapen, sprawling, Crawling on the sodden strand; Through the ooze and through the shallows Dragging sluggish lengths behind: Monstrou s, clumsy, slow -brained, voiceless, Lumbering through the leaden w aters, Crawling on the. marshy shore, In the stillness and the weirdness of the silent, brooding shore.

PART I

The Building of the Place Introductory Note For untold ages the forces of nature were at work preparing the region about Peru for man. During a part of this time an inland sea covered most of Nebraska. Rivers from the highlands to the east and west p"r oured in their waters, loaded with sand and silt, till the bed of the sea was covered many fathoms deep with these sediments. The Spirit of the Place in the Prelude, tells of the mystery of that remote time. · Long after ~he sea had withdrawn, a continental glacier came down from the north. This was an immense sheet of ice, thousands of feet thick and hundreds of miles wide. It carried with it boulders and finer materials which it had scraped from the land in its slow passage. In eastern Nebraska, the glacier melted away, leaving its debris of sand and boulders. The chorus of the Ice Giants is an attempt to voice the wild majesty of that terrible force . The cyclonic winds, blowing over the glacial debris, picked up the fine material (which had been sorted somewhat by the work of glacial streams) and deposited it in uneven depths over eastern and central Nebraska. This wind-laid loess ·is our most characteristic soil. The dance of the winds symbolizes these gifts of soil to Nebraska. Thus the sea, the glacier, and the winds have helped to prepare Peru for the coming of man. PROLOGUE

Spirit of the PlaceSilence broods upon the waters Of the turbid inland sea; Silence, from the eastern mountains

•

Rivers of the eastern highlands Gnaw the roots of ancient hills, Roots of ancient Appalachia. Gnawing age-old granite peaks, Grain by grain and bite by bite ; Gnawing at the solid granites, Laying low the jagged heights; Gnawing, gnawing, grain by grain, Gnawing, gnawing, bite by bite, Till the running water, laden With the plunder of the east, With the "plunder of the west, Bear the burden to the sea, To the mystery and the stillness of the far transgressing sea. Thus the mountains are removed ; Thus the mountains are removed , And are cast into the sea, To the mystery and the st illness of the f artransgressing sea. Sand and clay and mud and pebbles, Sorted by the rivers' flow, Settle through the quiet waters Into strata firmly laid. Sandston e , from the mountains' granites, Shales, from muds of weathered slopes, Limestone, from the bones and seashells Of the life within the dee p. Strong foundations! Strong foundations! Laid by death fo r life 's abode; Death of t iny, dartin g c r eature, Death of clumsy half-brained brute, Death of towering mountain summit ;

THE HISTORICAL PAGEA1 T OF PER U

Strong foundations for the prairies, Strong foundations for the plains,. Laid within the silent waters of the fartrangressing sea. Ages pass. The earth waves, swelling, Fold the mountains of the west, Lifting high the deep-laid strata From the shelter of the sea. Then emerge the strong foundations, Then appear the stretching plains . Oh, the wideness and the freedom of the farflung central plains! New life swarms the sunlit meadows, Evolution's steadfast gain, Brain more subtle, movement freer , Heel that lifts and cloven hoof; Life becoming more abundant, Life's horizon wider grown! Life advancing! Life triumphant! In the fulness and the freedom of the widespread central plains.

THE HISTORI CA L PAGEA r T OF PERU

THE HEAVENS ARE DECLARING The heav'ns are declaring the Lord 's endless glory; Through all the earth his praise is found. The seas re-echo the marvelous story; 0 man, repeat the glorious sound. The starry host He orders and measures, He fills the morning 's golden springs; He wakes the sun from his night-curtained slumbers; 0 man, adore the King of K i ngs! What power and splendor, and wisdom and order, In nature's mighty plan unrolled! Throu rr h space and time to infinity's border, What ~onders vast and manifold! The earth is his and the heav 'ns o 'er it bending, The Maker in his works behold! He is, and will be, through ages unending, A God of strength and love untold! (End of Part I.) INTERLUDE

Suspense

(Enter Ice Giants .)

Spirit of the Place-

They singSONG OF ICE GIANTS In the cold north lands engendered, Where the snows lie firm and deep, Strong the mass, bold the thrust, As their crystals close encreep. Till the giant phalanx formsThe awful spawn of cold and storms! Like a continent we move, Loosened from its moorings oldGroove and grind! Rasp and tear! Break the living rock's proud hold! Pluck out boulders in the strife! Southward wage the war on life! Down 'neath our feet The earth, numb with cold, Is lying asleep. Life shrinks from the chill. It is mute , it is still. Then slowly retreats from the out-posts of cold. Push forward! Press on the blue banners of ice! (Enter C y clonic Winds in rhythmic dance . Winds and Ice Giants then group themselves and sing.)

Still in silent vastness stretching Lies the far-extended land; Somber, dark, the murky river Rolls adown a lonely strand. Teemin rr earth desire unsating; "' . Towering hills impatience batmg; Brooding sky .expectant waiting For the loosening of the band. Lo , the proud ecstatic moment , Most august since time began! Royal visitant appearing, Climax of the cosmic plan! Friendly forest branches shiver, Sentient broad-blade grasses quiver; Gladly g leams the buoyant river ,Comes the lordly master-Man! PART II

Indian Life Introductory Note The beautiful ceremony followinrr was practised w ithin the confine s of Nebraska thou rr h amon rr the"' Omahas rather than the tribes ' "' It took "' place on the eighth day a f te r b 1rth, " of southeas tern Nebraska.

T I I

THE HISTORICAL P AGEANT OF PER U

serving to introduce the child to the cosmosÂˇ and because of the sense o_f kinshil? with nature and the tenderness f~r th~ child, seemed peculiarly fittmg to the general spirit of the pageant. (An Indian village. Enter Braves followed by P.riest. with Babe emerges from lodge.) '

J t

THE 1-IISTOHICAL P AGEA NT OF P ERU

(The Medic ine Man rises. from circle and sings .) SONG S on of mystery deep, To thee we raise our cryThe cry of thy kinsmen and race. Long, long be thy day; May thine arrow be true; Thine the strength that endures for aye.

Mother

Priest-(raising right hand to sky)Ho! Ye Sun, Moon, Stars, all ye that move m the heavens, I bid you hear me ! Into your midst has c.ome a new life. Consent ye, I implore! Make its path smooth, that it may reach the brow of the first hill!

Dark shadows may dim The sky before thy face. Thy people may wail in despair, Thy foe lie in wait, Death shall front thee amainEye to eye shalt thou face him there.

Ho! Ye Winds, Clouds, Rain, Mist, all ye that move in the air, I bid you hear me ! Into your midst has come a new life! Consent ye, I implore Mqke its path smooth, that it may reach the brow of the second hill! Ho! Ye Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Lakes, Trees, Grasses, all ye of the earth, I bid you hear me! Into your midst has come a new life. Consent ye, I implore! Make its path smooth, that it may reach the brow of the third hill! Ho! Ye_Birds, great and small, that fly in the air, Ho! Y_e Animals, great and small, that dwell m the forest, Ho! Ye Insects, that creep among the grasses and burrow in the ground I bid you hear me! ' Into your midst has come a new life. Consent ye, I implore! Make its path smooth, that it may reach the brow of the fourth hill ! Ho! All ye of the heavens, all ye of the air, all ye of the earth, I bid you all to hear me ! Ir}to your midst has come a new life. Conse~t ye! Consent ye all, I implore! Make Its path smooth-then shall it travel beyond the four hills!

Calm be! Firm stand! Wait! Rise! Fig ht! Dare! (Exeunt all.) End of Part II. PART III

Pioneer Settlement EPISODE I

The Coming of the Pioneers Inroductory N ote The settlement of Peru began in A pril, ' 55, when A. M. Medley with his wife and five children made his home on Honey Creek. In the f all of the same year, the Rev. J. W . Hall and the Rev. W. S . Horn came to Peru precinct, the former l ocating on H oney C reek, and the latter on Joy Hill, w here the home of Mr. William M cAdams, his rrrandson, now stands. Besides Mr. Hall and his w ife, there were ;even children: W Âˇilliam, Lewis, C harlie , John, Frank, Martha, and Mary. Mr. Horn's family consiste d of h imself and Mrs. H orn, w i th Will , Nancy, Tom, and Henry . B oth M r. H all and ~r. J:Iorn were ministers of the gospel, a nd to the ir energy and devotiOn _Is due the foundin rr of the Methodist Church of Peru. Bet~een the years ' 55 and ' 59, settlers, many of w hom are still living in Peru, came from Iowa, Illinois, _India~a, K entucky, Missouri, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and Wisconsm ; a nd_ Peru became a t hriving li tle village w ith its own steamboat landmg, stores, a n d m ill. LC . . . The pionee r episode of the pageant m akes no, claim t? authentiCity beyond t h e use of the nam es of the settlers of 55 for It s c?aracte rs. T he aim is simply to p o rtray a typical pioneer scene expre~si_ng s om ething of the courage, hospitality, and dev<?t ion ch~r~cte nsti c of t h e early settlers of Nebras k a , and still present m the spint o f the state. (Enter the Rev . J. W . Hall and f am ily and R ev. W. S . Horn and fami ly, meeting . They s in g .)

THE H ISTO R I CA L PAGEANT ~F PERU THE • HISTOR I CA L PAGEANT OF PERU

SONG OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER

~v:er the prairie as over the sea

ail~rs of untracked wastes ar~ Seeki?::.,cr the land that is WI.de we, And t h and free,I s o ! for the prairie schooner ! Spread the white sail f Westward ho! and we~llo our ox-team fleet , Danger and hardsh · ,never retreat, And it's ho 1 for th:p w~ :e ready to meet,. praine schooner 1 . Mr. Horn-Well, here you are Dr· . hill there where ours are (C . IVe your oxen ricrht over the B · rosses stage ) Th · · ::. e spr:y, now. Where's your ax W"ll ;> . Is Is a good place, boys. Will- H ere, f at h er, I brought • itI aloncr · T om-Come ·on you b ::.· have t~ ~ring some' water. oys, and help make the fire. Somebody 'll Wilham-I 'll cret it Wh , b • ere s the bucket;> J oh n -Th.Is country's a crood d 1 l"k . like farther on. b ea I e home. I wonder what it 's Charlie-Pretty level I k Tom-I bet you I·t•s' 1 reel on, after you leave the river. , · eve ; and n th · . Don t you remember that hi A . o mg much growmg either. school? g men can Desert we learned about at fohn-I hope we' re croincr to sta . where. It's no creek I teil "' h y . nght here by the river someWilliam-Better'look o~ot~ t at Big M~ddy isn't. R~dskins'll jump out of some ~~e, John, With your Big Muddy. The thmg you know. these hollows, and scalp you first . f?hn-No , sirree, Bob! Not . . JUst like to see them try it once With this g ood old rifle handy, I'd Martha-Don't you th . k . ·, m Its lonely he · h N ancy- Y es, but I think it's th . re m t e woods, Nancy? Martha-So do I y k e prettiest place I ever saw freedom and says it 's. croi~~ t nodw father calls Nebraska the iand of 0 0 a lot toward making all men free some day . b b Mrs . Hall-I wonder what the you suppose they are think· f y are doing at home tonig-ht . Do M H mg o us:> ~ rs. orn-Let's not t lk b . to the plow they mustn't t~rn ~a~~t it. When folks put their hands Mary and Henry ( h" . · Indians. Give us so~t~~~ mg wildly up)-Whoop! Whoop! We're Mrs H Th g to eat. or~ere, there, children. N You Play. a qmeter game? ot so noisy, please. Can't Mary - W e •re JUSt · playing Indian C ' M rs. Hall- Yes, yes W . . · . an t we have a piece? per's ready. · ait JUst a mmute. Come, everbody. SupMrs. Horn-Come here t h 0 mot er, Henry. the blessing ? Father, will you ask (All bow their heads for a mom t) Tom-I'm hu ngry as a bear. en .

j F rank-Plenty of bears in the woods already, Tom, without you,and w olves, too, I reckon. Will-(starting)-What 's that, now? (Enter A . M . Medley from the woods .) Mr. Medley-Good evening, strangers. My name is Medley. I saw your fire and thought I would stop and make you welcome to Nebraska. Mr. Horn-That 's right neighborly, sir. Won' t you sit down and take a bite with us? Mr. Medley-Not tonight . I must hurry on home. But we'll see each other often if you settle hereabouts. Mr. Hall-Where are you located, Brother Medley? Mr . Medley-] ust down the creek, a mile or two. We came out last spring. You'll find it good land here in the valley. John-Are there any Indians in these parts, sir? Mr. Medley-Not so many now, my boy. You see most of them moved away to the reservation last year. But there are still a few around. Well, good night, everybody, I must be moving. (Exit.) Mr . Hall-There's a good neighbor, Brother Horn, if we decide to stay here by the river, as the children seem to want to. How fast this part of the territory is filling up!" Mr. Horn-Well, one thing I'm determined on wherever we go. We must begin to plan for a church first thing . It's mighty easy for folks in a new country to for g et, unless they have the means of grace. Mr. Hall-Yes, and a school house, too. It's a great thing to build a state, and the chief corner stone is education . Martha-Father , can' t we sing tonight, while everythincr's so • b quiet? (All sing.) ONE DAY NEARER HOME O 'er the hill the sun is setting, and the eve is drawin g on; Slowly sinks the gentle twilight, for another day is gone ,Gone for aye, its race is over-soon the darker shades will come; Yet 'tis sweet to know at evening, we are one day nearer home! " One day nearer! " sing s the sailor, as he glides the waters o'er, While the light is softly dying on his distant native shore ;Thus the Christian on life's ocean, as his light boat cuts the foam, In the evening cries with rapture, "I am one day nearer home! " "Nearer home !"-yes, one day nearer to our Father's home on high, To the g reen fields and the fountains of a land beyond the sky ; For the li g ht is growing fainter, and the lamps hang in the dome, And our tents are pitched still closer, for we're one day nearer home!

Mr. Hall-You'd better go to rest now, all of you. I'll stay here awhile by the fire. (Ex eunt others.) I cannot sleep toni g ht . This responsibility of choosing the place for a new home is too disturbing . Shall w e s top here by the riv er, as the others seem to wish? Or shall

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

we press on to the untried .. mountains? Let me sit here a~~a~~~· ko~ farther yet to the Colorado In It out, while the others sleep. (Enter Prairie.) Prairied A queen am I these a- ld That love the' splend"' 0 fa~ purple blooms My regal pomp; my o;e~lmt ~ sunlight's _smile, WM hose horizon knows no bo~n~ ~~;n kplam, en, daunted by th "I s y. The shrinkina- hum e s~ ence that drives back Have left my "'lands an e~rt upon itself, They ca11 me Desert ~nclai~ed, a useless void. That hidden lies w~th~owmg n<;>t the wealth I In my and soil. But you my · Sh ' pioneers, hearts unafraid un not the loneness of m ' The ample space that ff y endless miles, Come, flood my des t o . ers room for all. And let my unfenc er With your harvest seas Build here your ho~tastu~els graze your herds . Wake aU my stillness st anth ethyour cities' din 0 e t rob of life I bid no weaklin t · Of idle h '_ gs 0 a play-day task alf formed purpose. but t St~ut hearted, granite willed 'a o men With sturdy manhood ' . ' nd bold, who come I pledge a land of ~ams_t my menace staked promise Wide and fair ' (Exit. Enter Gold.) · GoldCome, follow ye Luck ca11s y~u c orne, stake your · Where fortune's A nd danrrer adds In the 1" h . I e t at IS

~ ~ e dventuring heart!

P · an away 1 all on a rrallant. h" . "' quest, h , w Im IS your t d , man ood s test, o en eavor s zest reckless and gay.

~:~:eullard

souls plo_d on if they will sweat of a patient toil· Be yours the thrill of th d ' . A continent's wealth f e anng deed, A d or your labor' d n scor~ to measure life's dail s mee ' In grudrrma- rrifts f h . Y need "' "' "' o t e sod. Come, follow th G ld S . ' Where, jealous!~ s~ut s shining lure The hoarded t p ' H . reasure of nature 's store I as w aited a thousand aeons and m

!r;::

F~r ~~~g~~:~~ t~~st a~d _rich-veine~r~re Come follow! Co_m:e~o~{~~~ h~~~e follow! (Exit.

Enter River.)

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

RiverAmong the mountains where I woke to life, The clouds and untamed winds my playmates were, And I was free as they. In reckless sport I leaped the hurdles of my headlong course, And sang my gladness to the listening sky. But when I passed the Rockies' granite gates, I found a new world and a purpose new. Where plowing ice had ground the powdered rock And winds in play flung wide the bedded loess , I took my burden up, my river's task Of shaping from the idle, empty plain A sheltering valley for the home of man . And now, brave pioneers, my gift is yours; For rivers have been always friends of man. My woods your warmth and shelter shall provide; My fertile soil make answer to your plows; My brooding rains I'll call to feed your crops; I'll turn your mill wheel 's ponderous, creaking weight: And bear your commerce on my ample breast. (Sings.) SONG OF THE RIVER I leap from the rocks, and I plunge down the gorges; Through deep cloven canyons I flee,A song in my bosom, the song of the river, The song that's the call of the sea. I cleave the wide lowland, I carve out the valley, Man's home in the ages to be,A song in my bosom, the song of the river, The song that's the call of the sea. Then onward I sweep to my home in the ocean, On, onward, exultant and free,A song in my bosom, the song of the river, The song that's the call of the sea. (Exit.) Mr. Hall-What strange visions of the night! The whole west offering gifts! How like a queen the Prairie speaks! And yet, how like a stranger! hiding a threat behind her promises. She is tomorrow's land , I think, and not for us. The Mountains, too, are callinawith the lure of gold, and many men, no doubt, w ill go to seek thei~ hidden wealth. But to me the River 's voice is kindest of them all. He offers us an open highway to the world, and wooded slopes with fertile bottom lands , the things we know and love. I am decided. Our place is here upon these friendly banks. I'll call the others now. It 's almost morning. We'll move a little farther on and begin the day in our Nebraska home . (Exit.)

TH E H ISTORICA L P A GEANT O F PERU

EPISODE II

The Day of the Mill Introductory Note The scene recalls the first standing by the river was /ears of Peru, when the old mill yet tance, and by the friendly In~·e byf sehttlers_ from a considerable disD . h rans o t e reo-ron unng t ese years Peru wa b • • railroad ," and the John B .s ~n the lme of the " undero-round f rown mcrdent ha d b arm, only a few miles south of town. ppene on the Kennedy (Street leadina to mill by th e nver. . ) b (Enter Hank and Bud.) Hank-Hi there, Bud r Want t .d says me 'n you can go alon~ t d o n e down to Brownville? Pa Bud-Aw, shucks! I ha~e ~Y· the mill, I s 'pose. Ma just t ld o spend the whole mornin ' down to wait till it's ground. Psha; 1 ~e t? t~ke a s~ck of corn down and Brownville way, so's some of th wrsh? they d start a mill down wouldn 't have to hang round a ese ~o:ks ud go there. Then a fellow Hank-Well , if you can 't a:e; or one sa~k of meal. fun goin ' alone. (Indian on , o~ guess I don t want to, much. No Looky, Bud! There comes oil B y atpears, carrying grain to mill.) too. He'd take your sack along r~fr b ooth! He's bound for the mill, for you _folks since your rna sa;ed thaet,-:-you know he'd d? anything Bud! I 'll run fetch the sack. t srck pappoose of hrs. Try it, (Exit.) Bud-How, Bear Tooth? Where aoin'? B ear Tooth- Yes, get meal. b • Goin' to mill? 'd bBud-:-hSay, Bear Tooth, would you take I e mrg ty glad. a sack for us folks too? (Re-enter Hank dragging sack ) B ear ToothYes f lk · . . ,-your o s Bear Tooth's f . d B u d - H ere rt rs. Dro h nen . come back, will you Bear tot t~ 'sacck here by this bush when you 0 ·can go. ' orne on, Hank, while I see if I (Exeunt Bud and Hank) . (Dunng conversation other h" . from mill.) . s, w rtes and Indians have passed to and

(E~ter Martin Stowell and William Hall-yes , srr. I tell ou th . Hall.) much longer are we North y es_e thmgs have got to stop How erners goma to st d b · run t h e country? I say these K b an Y and see the South decent man to swallow ansas outrages are too much for a Stowell-You're right b . , . for me if I have to see w~ ~ you re nght. It will be a heavy day as long as I can hold a o-un rb ; we~~lNorth and South; but I'll fi a ht incoming state. b ' e ore let slavery take root in another

(Enter Tripp.)

THE H ISTORI CAL PAGEANT OF PERU

Tripp-Good morning , Mr. Stowell. I see you have a paper there. What's the news? Stowell-Bad news from Kansas Territory, nei g hbor ,-or I call it bad news. Seven men shot down in a border battle between the " Friends of the South," as they style themselves , and a party of abolitionist settlers from New England. H all-" Friends of the South! " They ' re nothing but a gang of ruffians,-half of them belong down in Missouri and ride over the. line when there's a chance for a fight. And the skunks will try every dirty trick they know till they get Kansas in as a slave state. Tripp-Well, why shouldn 't Kansas come in that way, if they can line up more votes for sal very than for abolition ?-I tell you, I'm for letting every man manage his own house and his own state, without any interference from outside busybodies, like those darned Yankees you're talking about. Hall- You are, are you? Well, by George, I'm not-not if a man can't manage his house or his state without bein g a beast in it. Tripp-Beast nothing! You know a nigger can' t take care of himself, anyway. He 's any amount happier and better off with a master to look after ·him and give him his thrashing when he needs it. Stowell-Can you believe that one man should own another? Tripp-I'm not the only one around here who thinks so. (Wagon drawn by mules appears . John Brown leaves seat, walks up to group.) John Brown-How are you, friends? It there a blacksmith hereabouts? One of my mules has cast a shoe. Stowell-Yes, I hear him at work now. Sonny, just ask Mr. Anderson to step this way . Are you traveling far , sir? John Brown-Yes, I've a long way ahead of me, and I must push on. Here he comes. Can you put a shoe on this mule for me? Anderson--'Why, yes, I guess so. It's almost dinner time ; but if you're in a big hurry, I guess maybe-(Catches sight of a black head peering out of the wagon.) What 's that? What have you got in that wagon of yours? And who are you, anyway? John Brown-Friend , if you must know, I'm John Brown of Kansas,-Osawatomie Brown. You can see what I'm doing,-helpin a • b these poor, half-starved black boys out of slavery. Now wrll you stand by me and help us along? Anderson-Not me . I'll never shoe a mule for anybody that's stealing another man 's niggers. John Brown-See here,-! admit I'm a nigger stealer, if you choose to call me that. But the mule's done nothing, and he 's the one that needs the shoe. Don 't take it out on him. · Anderson-Listen here. Everyone of your mules could die ricrht where he is, and you with 'em, before I'd lift my hand to help you, :ou damned nigger-thief. (Exit.) 1 ohn B rown-I don't doubt I shall die some day as a nigger-thief. I'm willing to go that way. And the proudest funeral escort I could have would be poor little, dirty, ragged , bareheaded and barefooted slave boys and girls, led by some old, gray-headed slave mother. (Joins moving wagon . Exit.)

T HE HISTORICA L P AGE ANT OF P E RU T H E HISTO R I CA L PAGEANT_ OF PER U

(Woman runs after wagon with pan of doug~nuts.) Woman-Those poor lambs shan't leave here Without a bite to eat, I don't care whether they're white or black. (Exeunt all.)

Gillespie, William M. Gruwell, James Hartmus, George B . Hacker, Francis A . Little, Robert Miles, William W. Martin, John C. Medley, Francis M. Miller, James C. McGill, John T. Prince, Israel M. Pollock, William T. Stanley, Francis M. \1\!inkelman, Lorenz Gillespie, John Tidwell, Robert Scott, George D. Marsh, Joseph L.

EPISODE III

The Day of the Steamboat Historical Notes The steamboat "Emilie," with her captain La Barge, is still well remembered in Peru, where the boats plying on the Missouri used to count for much in the town's social life. Nemaha County was prompt to respond to the call for volunteers, after the outbreak of the Civil War. Company C, of the First Nebraska Infantry, was organized here, and mustered in at Omaha, in June, 1861. According to the official roster of Nebraska Volunteers, the members of Company C enrolling from Peru, Mt. Vernon, Brownville, and Nemaha City are as follows: Captain Thompson, ]. D . N . Majors, Thomas ]. Griffin, Thomas H. First Lieutenant Ma iors, Thomas ]. Be;ger, Reuben C. Griffin, Thomas H. Second Lieutenant Berger, Reuben C. Griffin, Thomas H. Polock, William A. Majors, Wilson E. First Sergeant Polock, William A . Griffin , Thomas H. Buckley, Stephen F. Winkelman, Lorenz Caldw ell, Ephraim K. Serg eant Burns, Edw ard S. Smith, Edward D. Gillespie, John Noyes , Rene] J · Lull, Hoyt M. B utle r, Levi B . Doolittle, Geo rge D. Ro rrers, Joseph M . . E. Ma"'jors, Wilson

Tucker, William H. Blanchard, Daniel L. Buckley, Stephe? F. Caldwell, Ephraim K. Gruwell, James Hartmus, George B . Medley, Francis M . Sprague, George W. Winkelman, Lorenz

Musician Belden, George P. McMoore, John Clarke, William Theodore Mahle, Gottlieb

Wagoner Bennett, William S.

Quarter Master Sergeant Graves, Elmer A.

Private

Commandry Sergeant McGill, John T . Hughes, George W . Corporal McPherson, Charles E. Lull, Hoyt M. Butler, Levi B. Rogers, Joseph M. Doolittle, Georg e D. Majors, Wilson E . Tucker, William H. Shaw, Samuel Arnold , Forney R. August, Charles Blanchard, Daniel L. Buckley, Stephen F. Caldwell, Ephraim K. Chase, Dewitt L. Conover, Kenneth E.

l I

Arnold, Agus~us P. Arnold, Leomdas Arnold, Forney R. Aubery, Andrew ]. August, Charles Axhelm, Adam Blanchard, Daniel L. Boyle, George W. Brown, John W. Buckley, Stephen F. Burgess, Basil Caldwell, Ephraim K. Callen, Hugh T. Campbell , Robert M. Chamberlain, James F. Chapin, Edwin M. Chase, Dewitt L. Conover, Kenneth E. Dickerson, Ira L. Doolittle, G~orge D. Ennis, George W · Frick, Charles

Gibson, Robert Gillespie, John Graves, Elmer A. Green, Fordyce B. Grice, Samuel R. Griffin, Thomas H . Gruwell, James Hacker, Francis A. Hardin, Walter J. Harrison, Charles Hartmus, George B . Hazard, Radamus Hester, Robert Hill, George W. Hughes, Georg.e W. Humbert, Louis Jeffers , Isaac Johnson, Edmund L. Kalsen, Peter Little, Robert Majors, Wilson E. Martin, John C. Mason, Thomas Mauck, Isaac McCauley, Francis ~· McCauley, Thompkms B. McDonald, William H. McGill, John T . McKee, William McLeod, Thomas D . McMoore, John McPherson, Charles E. Medley, Francis M . Miles, William W. Miller, James C. Myers, David Meyers, Davidson Myers, George W . Neeley, David Noyes, Rene I J. OBrien, James W. Palmer, Frederick M. Pollock, William T. Prince, Israel M. Proutz, Francis L. Ralston, Alpheus B. Ray, Charles H. Riley, Patrick Sayle, John W. Shaffer, John W. Tidwell, John W.

Skinner, William H. Snyder, Henry Sprague, George W. Standley, Francis M. Stanley, Samuel Stewart, John M. Stillwell, William Thomas, Charles M. Thomas, William M. (Village street leading to river. ~

Tipton, Thomas C. Tucker, James H. Tucker, William H. Walker, Daniel Wells, Jeremiah R. Wells, John D. Williamson, Henry Wilson, John W. Winkelman, Lorenz Steamboat whistle heard.)

'(Enter Hank, Bud and Sonny.)

Sonny-H1, boys! That's the "Emilie"! Captain La Barae said he'd let me sail down as far's Brownville with him next time he touched here. Hurrah! (Exit.) =->~ 9 Hank-Say, Bud, last time the "Emilie" tied up, there were two army officers on board. Do you s'pose we'll see any tonight? Let's ask 'em about the war. (Exeunt.) (Enter Lizzie Karns, Cassie Goudy, Margaret Lowrie, Martha Dem~n.)

--..1'-0J..,..vL"izzi.e K_arns-~, g~rls, I ~o hope theY:'ve brought the new dress goods th1s tlme! I m JUSt dymg for a pmk calico dress and rna's pro~ised me one if it isn't more than forty cents a yard. ' JC9 ".' Cassie Goudy-0, dear! My cousin Sue in Boston wrote about the lovliest sprigged de laine she had for evening! I wish we could get such things out here. :.::O'::J... ~arlf~r~t ~o';rie-Never mind, Cassie. That young officer from -' the Em1he d1dn t know whether you were wearing a Boston dress or ~ P.eru one, last time t,he boat st<?pped here: Don't you hope they'll mv1te us down? They ll surely t1e up all mght, it's so late now. . Cassie-0, g~rls! Think of the chance,-just the chance, of dancmg the lancers w1th an officer in uniform! (Exeunt.) (~nt~r Miss Lou Bishop and Miss Lizzie Skates.) \.-. Miss. Lizzie Skates-Dear, dear! Just watch those hoydenish young thmgs! In my day girls did not dream of beina seen alone in a pla~e ~here they might meet young men. What ca; their mothers be thmkmg of? \, Miss Lou. B.is,hop-What, indeed! I remember perfectly that when I was L1zz1e s age I was always in the company of my mother or my aunts on the street. This western freedom is most distressing jn some ways. (Exeunt.) (In the meantime Stowell, Hall, Horn and other citizens cross .o~ way to river. Re-enter Stowell and Ho;n with Captain La Barge, F1r~t Officer Scott surrounded by the girls, other townspeople followmg.) ~-> Horn-Well, Captain La Barge, how are enlistments going farther up the river? Are the companies filling up? La Barge-So far as I hear, Mr. Horn, Nebraska is making a splendid showing. You have a company here, haven't you?

THE HISTO RICAL P AGEANT OF P E R U

THE HISTORICAL P A GEANT OF PER U

Stowell-Twenty-five of the finest young fellows in the neighborhood, .~ Captain. Peru, Brownville, and the country hereabouts are giving their full share. La Barge-Well, you may keep your boys with you quite a while yet. Who knows? ~ ,, Martha-0, Captain La Barge, Mr. Scott says you' re going. to <-v iRvi te us down to dance tonight! Are you really? 0 , that's too kmd of you. La Barge-I'll tell you,- I'll do it, if you'll not dance all the time with the youna fellows , but give me chance once in a while. Lizzie-That's a promise! That's a promise! We'll not let you forget that, Captain! (All exeunt. Pause of a few moments.) (Townspeople cross again to boat. Music.) (Enter Lizzie, Cassie, Margaret, Martha, Tid Dustin, Dan McCann, "Aus" Medley, and Scott, bringing the fiddler.) Tid-Moonliaht on the grass is a whole lot better than a boatdeck a~d all the ~est of 'em around. Don' t you say so, Margaret? Margaret-It don't matter to me much where I dance.-Come on! (The four couples dance Lancers.) (Enter young Thompson riding.) \~ ~ Thompson-(Dismounting, throwing bridle to Tom.)-It's come, boys -w' re ordered to Omaha at once. ' Margaret-0, no !-not to the war.I Thompson-Yes, as soon as we can get away. (Exit hurriedly to the boat.) (Enter crowd from boat. Younger men hurry off.) Mrs. S. P. Majors-It's very hard to let you go, my boy. T. J. Majors-Don't y ou mind, mother. We'll all be bac~ before you know it. (A moment's silence.) I must go, mother. (Ex1t.) (Exeunt all but Mr. and M r s. Majors.) S p Majors-Well, mother, I remember when the boys marched away .do~n to Texas in '44. Our sons have a bigger thing and a better to fight for , and I'm proud to have them go.-But we'll be lonesome,

J ..

mother. marches (As the two sit in reverie, a company of young soldiers them, with flag, fife, and drum.) across stage behind End of Part III. INTERLUDE SONG OF YOUTHS AND MAIDENS Lo ! the day is breaking ; War's dark night is gone; Hearts to peace awaking Greet the glad new daw n. Facing the morning, Hail the blessed daw n!

THE HISTOR I CA L PAGEANT OF PERU 20

Other Studen t s

From the night of sorrow Hope now leads us on; 'Tis the better morrow. Hail, 0 hail the dawn ! PART IV

The School Introductory Note In 1865 a Methodist school was established in Peru, which later, by action of the territorial legislature, was incorporated as a seminary college. It was hoped by the trustees of the college that the Methodist conference would recognize and assume control of the institution, but after deliberation it was deemed unwise by this body to give support to a school of higher rank than that of an academy. At the first meeting of the State Legislature, in Omaha, in 1867, the representatives from the first district, Col. T. J. Majors and Major William Daily, presented the college to the state for a state normal school. The offer was accepted and an appropriation of $3,000 made to equip the building. In the fall of that year the first term of the Peru State Normal School began, with Professor J. M. McKenzie and his wife as the first faculty . Three years later, in 1870, the first class of two members, George E. Howard, now Professor of Sociolog y in the University of Nebraska, and Anne Moorhead, now Mrs. Joy, was graduated . The scenes which follow , while historical in the main facts, do not portray in every detail events as they actually occurred. They attempt instead to give a composite impression of the ideals and aspirations of the pioneer community and the simple life of the school's first years, with its makeshifts and privations . STUDENTS

THE HI STO R I CA L PAGEANT OF P E R U

ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL FIRST YEAR (1867-8)

DURING

Nor mal Students Sophia Allen Almeda Bagley John H. Dundas Lottie Giles D. F . Hayden Melissa Huntley Leonard Kinsey F . M. Lamberton James Lamberton Mattie Lamberton Wilson Majors Curtis Meader Zada Miller Harvey Minkler Anne Moorhead Alie My ers

Albert Neal Jennie Richardson Henry Roberts Hattie Slaughter John Soliss Thomas Stringfield Annie Swan Emma Swan Illinois Tate Emily Taylor E. W. Tinkham Maggie C. Tinkham P. W. Warner F . M. Williams J. W. Williams W . H. Winters

THE

Jame s Barnes Katherine Barnes . Henry Baker Anna Ball Winnie Beson Eliza Black Edgar A. Burch Edwin L . Burch William Combs John C. Crook William Crook Clayton Cowles Lauriston Cowles Minick Campbell James Culwell Charles Dundas Lucy A. Dundas Richard Daily Alice Daily Tilford Dustin Richard Gaede Alice Glasgow Geor g e Horn Henry Horn Calvin Hutchins on John Loveless

Elizabeth Loveless John Majors Joseph Miles Mary L . McKenzie Henry Noble Harry C. Porter Frank Porter Robert Paxton Hiram- Peery Martha Parish John Swan George Smith Flora Smith Florence Smith Edora Smith Albert Smith Sara E . Saunders Moses Thompson George Vausykle Herbert Stanley Charles Sprinkle Melvina Skeen Margaret Swartz Alex ander Wright Judah Wells

EPISODE I

Choosin g the Site for the M ethodist Seminary (En t er Dr. Neal , on horseback, hi s medicine case hangin g b y a st r ap from his shoulder, a bundle of s takes in his hand .) Dr. Neal- Yes, this is the place. What a view! Ah! Think of it,-a school ,-rig ht at our doors. Our children are at last to have the opportunities s o long denied them in this great new country. It w a s a lucky day when William Daily broug ht u s word of that fine young man , McKenz ie, and his earnest w ife , dow n at Paw nee City. I wonde r why t hey do not come . Brother Burch said they 'd be here by midaftern oo n. H e re they are now. ( Enter Brother Burch and Profes sor and M rs. McKenzie .) Mrs . McKenzie, I hop e y ou didn 't find the climb up that hill too tiresome. M rs. McKen zie-No, indeed, but lon g enoug h to convince me that we were ri g ht in buyin g land here on the hill. Our boys and g irls w ill do bette r w ork up here where nothin g can di stra ct them . Pro fe ssor M cKen z i e-Ye s, and it w ill not be so easy for them to spend m oney for unnec essary t hin gs. I s this the place y ou think the buildin g should b e put? Dr. N eal-Ye s , this is the spot I h a d in mind. It s eem s t o me th e view is p a r ticularly g ood,-the long re a ch of rive r line, w ith t h e

THE H ISTO R I CA L PAGEA 1 T OF PERU THE HISTORICA L PAGEANT OF PERU

bluffs of Iowa and Missouri beyond, and on this side a fine stretch of Nebraska prairie. How does it strike you? Brother Burch-! have seen many fine views up and down the old Missouri but none more beautiful than this. Prof~ssor McKenzie-What a wonderful new country this is! The people who have settled here are of such fine , sturdy stock. You found that true when you went about getting subscriptions for the school, didn't you, Brother Burch? . Brother Burch-Yes, take such men as Brother Black, S. P . Majors, D. C. Cole, William Daily, and a score of others who have made sacrifices to have a school here in Peru. They'll stand back of you, Professor McKenzie. They are staunch Methodists, and we all hope the Church Board will soon assume control and help assure support. Dr. Neal-l brought the papers to you today, Brother Burch. I believe everything is all right. Brother Burch-Yes, this is right. Well , what do you say? Shall we look about still further? Professor McKenzie-So far as I am concerned, I vote we stay right here. This hilltop will be an inspiration to us and to the young people we teach. Dr. Neal-This has been my choice from the.first. Brother Burch-Then let us set the stakes. (In prayer.) Look down upon us and bless us in this great work we begin today, Heavenly Father. We are a handful of people in a new land, and there are still many hardships to face and sacrifices to endure. We do not know what the future may bring forth, but we seek through this school to train our children in the ways of truth and right, that they in turn may live good lives and help to bring about thy kingdom. Amen. (Exeunt all.) (Spirit of the Place stretches out hands in blessing and dedication.) EPISODE II

Transfer of the Seminary to the State of Nebraska (Enter the Church, attended by Faith, Hope, and Charity. Enter the State, attended by Power and Justice.) The Church-Hail, most noble and exalted presence! Sole equal of myself among the social institutions of mankind! To thee I bring a gift of price-a school of higher learning, founded in the hearts of self-reliant and aspiring people and dedicated to the Most High God and to the children of the Future. Take it, I pray thee, to thy fostering care and keeping; nourish it with thy full substance; and use it to the furtherance of thy loftiest aims . The State-With deepest gratitude do I accept thy proffered gift, my sister and august coregent of mankind. Nor do I lightly thus receive it from thy hand. This school shall be to me a cherished treasure. Worthy by reason of the pure ideals that gave it birth, sacred by its early association with relig ious thought and aspiration, it shall have the strong support of recog nized authority and power. Its record

shall be one of f c.me and honor, its achievement, lastino- o-ood and farex ten d ed blessing to the race of men. t> t> (Ex eunt.) (Bell "r ings.) N ote-This is the same bell, purchased in 1866, with the proceeds of an historic chicken pie social, that has been and still is runo- at halfpast nine o'clock every night of the year. t> EPISODE III

Early School Life Scene-In Front of the First Building (Enter Illinois Tate.) Melvina-(Off stag e, calling from window.)-'Noy, 'Noy, 0 Illinois, wait a minute. (Enters hastily.) Are you going dow n-town? Do bring me a bar of soap. Of course there's not a sign of any in my trunk. Illinois- Yes, of course I will. Is there anything else I can get for you? Melvina-No , I guess not. 0 , 'Noy, aren 't you glad to get back to school? Illinois-Indeed I am. That teacher's course means lots to me; I must beg in to earn money as soon as I can. Melvina-'Noy, do you know Lucy Dundas is coming this morning, and two of her brothers? Lucy is going to room with me, and the boys are g oing to batch down on first floor. Illinois-Do tell me what the boys a r e like, Melvina. I hope they 're real boys,-of course when I say " boys" I mean s omething besides just hair and feet! Melvi na-You'll find them real enough, ' Noy. They can cut up capers to match Wils Majors and Curtis Meader any day. 0 dear, I must g et back or the room won' t be ready . Don't forget t h e soap, Illinois. (Exit Illinois as two boys enter with axes.) " Wils" Majors-Hello, Melvina! All ready for school to begin? Melvina-Do I look it right now? But j ust wait another hour and I 'll show you. You won' t know me. Curtis Meader-Where's Professor McKenzie this morning ? Oh, here he comes now. (Enter Professor McKenzi e.) Professor McKenz ie-Good morning, Melvina. Wait a minute. Good mornin g , boys Boys-Good morning, Prof essor McKenzie . Curtis-We came to s ee if you'd like some h elp with that clearing today. ( Almeda Bagley cross es stage back with water pail. ) Professor McKen zie-All t he help w e can g et, boys. This underbrus h near the building must be cleared aw a y as soon as poss ible. Cut down ever y thing but the marked trees. They 'll help to make a fine campus som e d ay . I'll come out presently and l end a hand t oo.

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF P J<::;RU

(Enter Henry Roberts carrying saw and saw horse. Curtis and Wilson retire .) Professor McKenzie-Well, Henry, I'm glad you're ready for work this morning. Our woodpile is getting low, and we need plenty, now that the students are back again. You understand that this work pays your tuition. (Henry assents and turns to go.) (To Melvina.) When do you expect the Dundas boys and Lucy? Melvina-They ought to be here any minute now. They planned to make an early start so they would be ready for school tomorrow. Professor McKen~ie-That's the right spirit. (Calling after boys.) Boys, Mr. Dundas is bringing his children over from Auburn this morning. When they drive in come over and help make them all feel at home. (Boys assent. All exeunt.) (Enter Mr. Dundas, Lucy, John, and Charles, m lumber wagon, bringing household effects.) Melvina-(Running out.)-Hurrah! here you are! (Boys jump out, help Lucy down.) Lucy Dundas, I'm just too happy for anything to think you are going to room with me for nine whole months. Aren't we going to have a good time, boys? Mr. Dundas, you look as if you were going to set up housekeeping. John-Most of that's for our establishment. Mr. Dundas-Well, let's get to work. Melvina, you seem to be captain here. Shall we unload these things, or see Professor McKenzie first? Melvina-Oh yes, take them out, I'll call Professor McKenzie. (Exit.) (Boys enter from woods, and Melvina returns with Professor McKenzie.) Professor M cKenzie-l'm glad to have your fine family here , Mr. Dundas. Will you come in while the young people look after unloading? (Re-enter Illinois Tate accompanied by Emma Swan.) Emma-Can I help any place? (Enter Mrs. McKenzie and Almeda Bagley.) Mrs. McKenzie-We've just finished baking some cookies. You must be hungry after your long drive. (Wilson looks disappointed.) Wils, surely you are not hungry! You haven't been up since five this morning. Wilson-No, but I've been chopping wood. (Melvina hums a tune.) Mrs. McKenzie-Melvina, why don't you all sing? M elvina-Oh yes, we'll teach you folks that new song we learned last spr ing . You're not real Peruvians until you've learned it. (They sing.) BY THE SIDE OF THIS DEEP ROLLING RIVER By the side of this deep rolling river I have wandered for many a day, When the roses so brightly were blooming, And the woodbirds were singing so gay.

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

With a beautiful maiden beside me, Whose voice had a magical sound, I roamed ' neath the shade of the maples And gathered the blossoms around. (Professor McKenzie and Mr. Dundas return. At close of sona Mr. Dundas b~d~ children goodbye and drives off with farewells b~ all. The remammg boxes, bags, etc., are carried into building.) EPISODE IV

The First Commencement Place-Normal School Campus in Front of "Old Building" (Enter students, placing chairs for stage at left and at right for ~oard of Education and Mrs. McKenzie. Enter townspeople, seatmg themselves on the grass or standing. Enter Board of Education and take seats. Enter students and teachers in procession, followed shortly by the two graduates, Anne Moorhead and George E. Howard ; Rev. Hiram Burch, Professor McKenzie, and S. P. Majors, President of the Board. Professor Perry Martin rises and directs the singing.) HYMN-HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION Rev. Mr. Burch gives invocation: " The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned To hew the shaft and lay the architrave, And spread the roof above them-ere he framed The lofty vault, to gather and roll back The sound of anthems; in the darkling wood, Amid the cool and silence, he knelt down And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks And supplication." The Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Address by Professor McKenzie: This is a proud day for us assembled here, and one long to be remembered . You recall how, five years ago, we opened a little school in a humble building down on main street; and how, later, after months of labor and effort, yonder building was erected. Three years ago, when our enterprise was given over into the hands of the state, it was decided to make it a Normal School. To many of you the training of teachers was a new idea. But I say to you that those men who had the task of organi zin g the new state wrou g ht better than they knew when they laid the foundation of an effective educational system by establishing such a school. For, the time is c oming when to entrust young children to the hand of an untrained teacher will be as blameworthy as to call in a quack phys ician to decide the issues of life and death. These years have brought many problems of organization. Courses have had to be created to fit the needs of a training sch ool ;

T HE H I STOR I CA L PA GEAN T OF PER U

TH E HISTORI CAL PAGEANT OF PER l

I , too, have always been near by, brooding over you, to teach you things of head and heart not learned of books. All hereabouts my spirits dwell. You know the in well,-the trees, the birds, the flowers , the . butterflies, and grasses. They cannot let you go without their greeting. What ho! my spirits all! (Enter Grasses.) (The call of the Wood-Pewee is heard m the distance, and later near at hand.) Pewee, Peer! Hear me , Hear! Dear me, Dear !

for this is a new and untried field of education. These have been years of labor, of mingled despair and hope ; but today all the discouragements are forgotten in realization. We give to the state the first full fruits of our labor, these two graduates, Anne Moorhead and George E. Howard. Not only have they measured up to the requirements of ~he classroom, but they also possess the ideals of a high and noble calhng. For the ideals of a teacher, my friends, point to a life of labor and selfsacrifice for the uplift of mankind. The whole thought of a true teacher is concerned with the work of leading men to see the true glory of an honorable, clean, intellectual life,-a life that will make our earth an Eden and society a brotherhood of high minded, unselfish men and women. These two whom we now send forth are the first of a long line of young people who will go out from this school, noble of soul and staunch of purpose because they, too, have been vouchsafed such a

(Enter Wild Roses , followed by Butterflies. Enter Violets and Ferns and other Butterflies. They dance.) (Singing is heard from the woods.) Down in the forest something stirred. It was only the sound of a bird. (At the close of the song the dancers beckon, and the Spirit of the Place stretches out his hands to the two graduates .)

VISIOn.

(Presentation of diplomas by Mr. S. P. Majors.) By virtue of the power vested in me as the Chairman of the Nebraska State Board of Education, I hereby present you, George E. Howard and Anne Moorhead, with these diplomas. They shall be to you a recognition of authority and a badge of achievement. And moreover, on behalf of the Board I represent, and in my own person, I wish you both long life and happiness, and a career of highest usefulness to this state and to society at large. (The audience disperses and finally the two graduates are left alone on the stage .) The Spirit of the Place-(summoning them)-Children, children of Peru, come hither to me! (They climb the hillock and stand beside the Spirit of the Place.) Spirit of the PJace-(Revealing himself to these two.) For ages long this place has been my home. Through aeons have I watched the work of ice and snow, the winds' mad play, the dash of rain, the river's ceaseless shift and flow; All working mightily to model these fair hills and people them with trees, and birds, and flowers, to make a home for man. Âˇ Âˇ I brooded here when savage man held sway, and saw him grow in wisdom of the things of earth and sky. I watched on yonder hill when the men of your own race found here a goodly spot to make their homes and rear their children. Now a new era dawns, for which you two stand symbol. You are the first of a great throng who in years to come will seek this place for knowledge in the service of mankind-the first sent forth to train the youth of this new "state. The school has nurtured you with care.

Spirit of the PlaceCome, my children, children of Peru. The grasses wave greeting, the flowers beckon, the butterflies hover about, and the .birds call joyously. Go forth on your mission. They would accompany you to the edge of the forest; there to bid you good speed, to send you forth with memories sweet and enduring as these wood clad hills which shelter them and your Alma Mater. (The beckoning flowers dance ahead, the butterflies flutter to and fro, and all with the two graduates go in a long procession to the brow of the hill. There the graduates turn and wave farewell. The Spirit of the Places stretches out his arms in benediction over them and the place.) (The end .) COMMITTEES F. C. Smith, chairman Rose B. Clark Esther A. Clark M. C. Lefler Elva Rulon

Executive Abba Willard Bowen Mamie Russell Mutz H. C . House Finance 0. M. Good R. W. Kelly

TH E HJSTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

S . W. Hacker D. W. Hayes

Publicity Lr. Harajian

Leroy Clements Robert Sandberg Donald Blankenship Charles Spacht Verne Chatelain Irvin Caldwell

Stage Setting H . P. Carter

L. F. Garey Chas. Palmer E. Fisher

B. Lewis R. W. Kelly W. N. Delzell Roy Cowell Mamie Russell Mutz Emma Knight Mrs. H. Bedell Mrs. J. D. Lewis Mrs. G. E. Ellis

Properties F. C. Smith John Longfellow

Marie Ballard Ruth Cone Esther Stahlhut Jessie Downing Lillian Dwyer Ruth Redfern Eunice Edwards Beatrice Walton Flora Warner Lora Detlef Josie Hansing Hedviga Koci Verna Snell Flora Oleson

Transportation D . Donovan Supervision of Grounds W . L. Davenport C. F. Beck Costumes Elizabeth Cleland Alice Barclay Mrs. W . R. Hull Mrs. Polk

H. C. House R. H. House G. H. Aller C. L . Aller R. M. Pease

Cyclonic Winds Elma Dillon Ruth Peterson Bertha Walker Ruth Leisure Lura Gardner Adele Krenzien Ruby Damme Amelia Chard Catherine Kelly Rena Gash Lou Hibler Nellie Kelly Mary Ogg Mrs . M. C. Lefler

Lighting 0 . J. Palmer C. Russell F. Cooper Dramatic Adviser ... ... .. .... . . .. .. . ... .. .. . ... .. . . Iva Maud Dunn D.ire~tor of Dances .. . ..... ... ... . . .. . .. .. .. .... ..... Jessie Downing P1an1st · · · · · · · · · · · · .................. . . .. .. ..... ... . .. Rita Thomas Choral Director . ... . . ...... . ...... . ..... . ......... Homer c. House

PART II Indian Life Indian Mother .. . ................. . . . . . . . ... .... . ... . Marne Mullen Priest ... . .. .. .... . .. . . . .. . .. ... ... · ... ·. · . . · · · · ........ W. R. Hull Medicine Man ... .. ..... . ....... . ...... .... ......... . . Rollin Pease

Book cover designed by Victoria Wilkinson. Flora Crumley, exe cuted by Iris Jackson.

Arthur Bell J. P. Clark Francis Cooper Roy Cowell Loy Hacker Grant Kingsolver

Poster designed by

PERSONS PRESENTING THE PAGEANT PART I

The Building of the Place Spiri t of the Place . .. ..... .. .. ...... .. .. . .. . ... .. .. . . .. . M. Arthur Longfellow John Miller G. Talbot Hunt Fred Kuhlman William Novak Oscar Oakes Home r Schw entker Cassius Kennedy William Kuebler Leo nar d Dudek

Ice Giants Floyd Hays L. F. Garey Wade Caldwell 0 . M . Good C . L. Meek Wilber Emmert Louis Wirth A . Lewis Tyler Harold Chatelain Fred J ederman

c.' Lefler

Braves 0 . J. Milstead Charles Palmer Lee Parriott Clarence Russell Arthur Schneider Dean Smith PART III

EPISODE I Pioneers A. M. Medley ... . .. . . . .. . . ....... . ..... . . ... ...... John Lon gfe llow Rev. J. W . Hall . . .... . ... . . . ... ... ..... . ·. . ... . . . ...... H. C. House Mrs. Hall .. . ... . . .. .. ........ . .... . ..... . ..... . . Mrs. H . C . House William .. ......... .... .. . .. ...... . ..... ... ...... .. .... F. C. Smith Lewis .. . ..... .... ......... .. . .... .. . .. ........... . ... . James Vance Charlie ....... . ..... . ................ . .. . ....... . ... . ... 0 . M . Good John .. .. ...... ... . .. ...... .. . . . . ..... . ....... . . ... Harold Chatelain Frank .. .. . .... . . . .... ... . . .... . . ... . . ... ... ... . . ...... Hugh House Martha . . . ....... . . ... . . . . . ....... . . ........ ; ... . ... . ... Mary Clary Rev. W . S . Horn . .. ... .. . . . ... ..... ......... . ....... . ... R. W. Kelly

1 THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU 30

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

Mrs. Horn ..... . ... ........ ... .. . .. .... .. ... .. . . . Mrs. H. W . Bedell Will ...... . ................. .. ........... . ...... Arthur Longfellow Nancy . ... .. ....... . ...... . . . .... . .......... . .. . .... Helen Donovan Tom .. . .. ....... ... .. .... . ............. .. . . ... ... ... Kingsley House Henry .. . .... ......... ......... . . . . . . .... ... .... . ..... George Clary

Symbolic Figures The Prairie .. .. . ........ . . . .. ......... .. . ...... .. .. Iva Maud Dunn The River .... .. ..... . . .. . ....... .... . ... .. . .. .. .. . . Charles Spacht The Gold . ....... . . . ...... . .. . .. ... ....... .. ....... Raymond Carter EPISODE II

The Day of the Mill John Brown . ................. . .......... . ....... . ...... E. L . Rouse Martin Stowell .. .. . l N th th" j . ... Rev. L. A. Jones William Hall .... ... \ or ern sympa izers 1 .. ..... F . C. Smith Tripp · · · · · · · · · · · · ·: · · ·} Southern sympathizers Anderson (blacksmith) Hank ........ .. ..... ( Bud ..... .. ......... ( Sonny . ...... . ...... )

Boys of the village

f ·· ·0 · J.

Mil~tead

l ... . J . D.

Chfton

{ ...... . . . Otis G~eg g .. ..... Noel Wnght .. Fulton Davenport

Bear Tooth (an Indian) . ... .... . .. .. . .. .. ... . ...... Grant Kingsolver M rs. Gil Glas g ow .... . ............... . . . ....... Mrs. R. D. Overholt and characters from preceding episode.

Slave Boys Sam Majors Richard Young Gl endon Yo ung Harold Duncan John Adams William Burgess Herbert Allgood

Joe Standley Orville Conkle Ben Ringswald Cecil Pierce Merle Barnett Lorin Standley Robert Majors

~n::.f~aLe

....

T.......~~~~,~~l:R~~ ..

Eos Brown

;oung. People ...

Martha Denham .··· of the Victor Jones Tid Dustin· · · · · · · · · village ..... Cassius Kennedy Dan McCann. ··· ·· · ..... . ... Louis Wirth A. N. Medley ·· · · · · · .... " Deacon" Bates Fiddler . · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · : : : : : : : : ... . " Friday" Carter Caller of Danc:;.;ci ·ci~~r-;c·t~~~ · £;~~; ~-r~~~ding episodes.

Soldiers • Carl Miller Charles Palmer Merle Pawley Herbert Patterson Herman Rhodus Lawrence Rouse Clarence Russell Warren Stephenson Scott Tyler Hoyt Smithers Stacy Vance Elmer vVilson

Belden Cole Vernon Curry Bryan Emmert Carl Flau Will is Furman Wayne Good Lavell Horton Loy Hacker Earl Harlow Walter Johnson F. W. Leger Milton Landolt Richard Meissner Cho rus of Youths and Maidens · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·w·· · · . · ·; ..G. 1 ... Men's Glee Club and omens ee Club ... .. . . . . . A~~~~rina elsewhere in the cast. Bearers ;f the Fruits of Pea ce Leona Roby Reine Jamieson Emma St. John PART IV EPISODE I

. th Site for the Methodist Seminary Chooszng e Earl Crai g Professor Mc~enzie · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·.·.Mary Boyd Mrs. McKenzie .. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ...... . .. .. . . ... P. B . Cope Rev. Hiram Burch.· ·· ··· ··· ·· ···. ·.·.· .· .·.·.·.· ... . ... .. ....... L. F. G arey Dr. J . F. Neal. .. . ··· ········· ...

EPISODE III

The Day of the Steamboat Captain La Barge (Of the Steamboat " Emilie ") .. .. .... . ... C. F . Beck John Scott (First mate) ... . .. .. ...... .. ... . ........ Francis Cooper Captain J. D . N. Thompso n (Of Company C., First Nebras ka Volunteers) ................. . ............. Arthur Schultze S . P. Majors ....... ... ........... . .. . ................ Frank Majors Mrs. S . P. Majors .... . .. . .. .. .......... .. ... . . . .... Mabel Chapman T. J. Majors ..... . .... . ..... .. ........ . ......... Elmer E. Michaelis Miss Lizzie S kates . ........ . .... ..... . .. .. . .. . .. .. Mrs. T. L. Fis her Miss Lou Bishop ...... . .... .. .. ... . . . .. . . ..... . ..... Sadie Glasgow

EPISODE II ~

r of School from Chur ch to State Control ransfe Mrs . Earl Fisher The Church ... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · . . ·{· ·. ·. ·. ·.. .. Bertha Wild. Faith ... · · · ··· ·· ···· } Attendants ....... Susan Harman Hope ..... · · · · · · · · · · · ..... Mar g aret J ones Charity .. · · · · · · · · · · · . . ... . . . ........... 0. J. Palmer The State .. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · { .... B. C. Hendricks . Pow~r ... . · · · · · · · · · · · } Attendants .. . ... Ray Robertson Justice .... .... · · · · · · 1

EPISODE III

School Life James Dundas . . .. . ........ .. . ...... . .. .. .. . ....... J. A . Stephenson John Dundas . ...... } Sons of James Dundas Verne Chatelain Charles Dundas. . . . . 1 . . Arthur Longfellow Lucy Dundas .. . .... . . ..... . .. . . ..... . ... .. . ..... . . . . . Ruth Leisure Melvina Skeen .. ... . .. .... .... . .. .... . . .... . . . ........ .. . Lena Pool Illinois Tate ..... . ... ... . . . .. ..... . . ..... . ... . . . . ... . ... Mary Ogg Emma Swan . . ......... .. . . .. . . ... . ..... . .. .... ....... Ruth Redfer n Almeda Bagley .. .. . . . . : ....... .. . ........ ...... ...... India Hulbert Henry Roberts .... ..... ....' . .... . . . . .. . .. .. .... . ....... John Miller Curtis Meader ..... .. .. . ... . .......... .. .. . ..... ... . Leroy Clements Wilson Majors . .. ...... ....· .... ... .... . .... ... . .. Francis Anderson

f ... ..

EPISODE IV

The First Commencement Anne Moor head ..... .. .. .... . . . ................ . .... Harriet Jordan George E. How ard .. .. . .. . . . .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .... . . ..... Worth Conkle First Board of Education S. P. Majors .... ..... .. . .. . .. ... ... ... . .. .......... ... Frank Majors D. C. Cole . ... .. ... ...... . . . .. . .... . . ... ... . . ..... . Franklin Dallam William Daily . .. . ....... . . .. ..... . .... .. ... .... . ..... Ben Hoadley J . F. Neal. ... . . ... .. . ...... . . . .. ... : . ..... ... .. . .. .. ... L. F . Garey A. B. Fuller . .. ..... . . .. .... ........ . . . ... ..... ... . Perry Martin ... .. . .... ... . . . .... ... .... .... .. . ... ..... Earl Norris Mrs. Black ..... . . .... . . .. . . .. . . .... ..... . . .. ..... . Mrs. F . C. Smit h Normal students and others represented by persons named in other parts of the cast. Other Students and Town and Coun t ry People Mrs. J. M. Howie C. L . Meek Gaylord Chase Leona Vance W. W. Barnes Mrs. 0. D . Mardis Dr. Shellhorn James Delzell Mrs. D. Donovan G. E. Ellis Mrs. C. L. Meek and children Ted Cowell

Vivian Bishop Mrs. W. W. Barnes Mrs. 0. J. Milstead and son Mrs. Shellhorn Mattie Bloss Mary Tynon Floyd Doane Louise Neal Mrs. R E . Dallam Mrs. J. P. Clark John Shellhorn Zora Tennant

Grasses Flo A nderson Ella B ickert Esther Delzell Agnes Korbel

T H E H I STORICAL PAGEA NT OF PERU

THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT OF PERU

Jennie Miner Ruth Peterson Ruth Vernon Irene Berne

Mary McKenney Cora O lson Iva Seid Erdine Barnard Myrtle Chappell Ruth Henderson Ruby Law rence Emma Breneman Edna Douglas Bernice Hatfield Nell Houdersheldt Celia Lorance Lillie Parson Frances Watt Mary Clary Doris Fry e Rachel Hayes

Hel en Courtw right Pearl Hodges A lma Ludwig Mildred Monia Margaret R yan Hi ldegarde Y ~ 1 _ yec.

Ros es Margaret Kamradt Nell McAul ey G ladys Patterson Myrtle Weatherhogg Cath erine Corey Hazel Frye Josephine Holmes Deloma Lambert Edna O wens L o rena Travis Ferns

Anna Amende Ramona Schwer Hallie Weaver A udrey Chase Alice Barnett Helen Chase Eleanor Harajian Marjorie Rouse Gladys Sears Eleanor Wilson Katherine Bishop

Mildred Stickler Emma Kelly M a y Stitt

Viole ts Marrraret Vance Eliz~beth B oellstorff Hel en Eppler Josephine Kolar Katherine Ellis R uth Meek Wanda Sears

Butterflies Mildred Neal Florine E lliott Don na Jane Del zell Frances Kelly R uth Haraj ian Katherine Landolt Dorothea West . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . Jeannette Mey er Vo ice of t he Wood -thrush · · · · · · · · · ·