Madison Public School

Contest Winner

MADISON WINS
 
"About three hundred people assembled at the opera house last Saturday night to hear the rehearsal contest, which was to decide who was the best elocutionist in Monroe county, the winner to contest for a gold watch at the teachers association of north east Missouri, which meets at Monroe City this year.  
 
The exercises were conducted in a most excellent manner by Prof. W.C. 
Williams of the Madison Public Schools. The judges selected by Prof. 
Williams were Prof. Williams were Pro. J.M. Cottingham, principal of 
Moberly Public Schools, Miss Margaret Waller of Madison and J.H. Whitecotton, a prominent lawyer of Paris. Promptly at 8 o'clock the 
exercises begun with song, "We are Sailing" by six small boys, followed 
by a recitation "How Ruby Played the Piano" by Jewel Dawson. The next 
was "Roderick Lee" by Miss Lilly Huston. Then little Dixie Osborne 
recited "The Raggedy Man", after which Miss Nell Pinkerton sang a 
beautiful solo, entitled "Tit for Tat". Miss Ruby Allen followed with 
"A Vivid Illustration". Miss Carrie Strawn then recited "High License 
an Abomination." The next was Miss Ulah Maupin, who in a charming 
manner recited "Alta Wayne" after which Misses Virgie and Nell Curtright sang "Pollie and I are Sweethearts." After this Miss Edna Young recited "The Widows Child." Then a quartet "When the Wind blows," was sung by two small girls, and two boys. Then came the decision of the judges. After careful (.rest of article missing)."

 
"Last night McCarthy hall was filled to its utmost capacity. The 
occasion being the Declamatory and Rehearsal contest of the N.E. Mo. 
Teachers Association. Those who took part in the contest did credit to 
themselves and to the various counties which they represented.  
 
Two gold watches were awarded. Walter D. Crouch, of Carrollton, won the watch on declamation and Miss Ulah Maupin, of Madison, on rehearsal. Those who failed to secure a watch gained a prize as no faithful energetic labor is lost, and in order to so creditably take part in the contest they must have put in many hours of hard work. Their failing to win should not keep them from doing their best in every thing they 
undertake in life."

Source: Undated articles; original source unknown - reprinted from the Monroe City Democrat. Extracted from the newspaper article collection started in 1879 by Mrs. Nannie Brown of Madison, Missouri; provided by Kathleen Wilham.