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St. Ansgar Centennial History

1853 - 1953

 

Part 11


 

Entertainment-Lyceum

 

Chautauqua

    The earliest records preserved hinting at the great interest in music, dramatics, and literature which was to be shown in St. Ansgar in later years, are items in the Register of 1876, and in the Enterprise of 1878. The former refers to a singing school which was in progress under the direction of J.W. Evans and the article -- in the first edition of The Enterprise mentions the "entertainments and evening pastimes" -- in the form of literary clubs, a dramatic club and a singing club-"which our busy little town has scared up." An article in a later paper of the same year is high in its praise of a home talent concert, which had been presented, and of a play given by the Amateur Dramatic club.

    The 1879 and 1880 editions have many references to Miss Nellie Tarrant's "classes in voice culture to be held at her millinery shop," and to concerts which were presented by her and by her students at McCarthy's Hall. One of the programs consisted of solos and quartettes and concluded with the Juvenile Operetta "Red Riding Hood's Rescue," in which Emma Martin (now Mrs. S.J. Peshak) was Red Riding Hood and Isaac Fulton was the Wolf.

    Later, in the 80's and 90's, and in the first two decades of the 20th century there were classes in organ, piano,

Helga Olson. Concert Pianist, studied in Europe, instructor at St. Olaf College, had a studio for many years in Minneapolis. She was the daughter of the Rev. J. Olson who succeeded the Rev. Clausen.

violin and vocal music conducted by Minnie E. Bundy, M.N. Clausen, H.P. Blakkestad, P.L. Peterson, Helga Olson, Harriet McKinley and Selma Houg. Miss Olson, an outstanding pianist who later studied in Europe, and was an instructor at St. Olaf College and at the McPhail School of Music, taught in St. Ansgar for many years and presented many fine concerts here. A notice of a musical entertainment to be given at the St. Ansgar Academy in June, 1890, in which both Miss Olson and Mr. Blakkestad, violinist, took part, mentions that "after the entertainment, a strawberry festival will be the next in order."

    Also, in the 1890's, the Ellsworth family came to St. Ansgar and held weeklong musical "conventions" which began with a concert given by the family and closed with a recital-concert presented by the class.

    1903 found a Ladies' quartette organized in St. Ansgar -- one of the first of many similar groups. Members of the quartette were Anna Lovestrum, Josephine Vacha, Clare Moe and Gurol Hylden, with May Peshak as pianist. They sang at many gatherings in the community and in nearby towns.

    Also, in 1903, the Lecture Course was initiated in St. Ansgar under the direction of a committee composed of Prof. J.P. Lund, Prof. J.P. Tandberg and O.O. Donhowe. This annual course and the Chautauqua, which followed a few years later, continuing until the late twenties, brought talent of the highest order to St. Ansgar.

    Outstanding among the lecturers were: the Hon. J. Adam Bede, Congressman from Minnesota; Col. George W. Bain, called the "Silver-Tongued Orator of Kentucky;" Ernest Harold Baynes, a naturalist famous for his articles in leading magazines -- Harper's, McClures and Scribners -- who illustrated his lectures with stereoptican views; Dr. Frederick Cook, the Arctic explorer; and Glenn Frank, a noted social reformer who later became president of the University of Wisconsin.

    Other lecturers were Mark Sullivan, the columnist and editor of Collier's Weekly, who had just returned from a trip to Mexico where he had been sent by President Wilson to get a close-up view of the bandit-general Huerta, who was causing an uprising there; Judge Kenyon, a U.S. Senator and successor of Senator Dolliver; the Rev. Frank M. Bristol of Washington, D.C., who was President McKinley's pastor; and Robert E. Goldsmith, Editor of Harpers, who gave his famous lecture, "The Bluebird of Happiness," based on "The Bluebird," a drama by the Belgian poet, Maeterlinck.

    Musical entertainment included such famous artists as Skovgaard, the great Danish violinist; Castellucci and his Italian Band; the Royal Scottish Entertainers; the Waikiki Singers and Players, who had represented Hawaii at the San Francisco Exposition; the Kaffir Boys, a group of junior voices from Africa, trained to sing in English without being able to understand or speak the language; and a similar group known as the Roney Boys, a group of poor boys picked from the streets of Boston and trained by their leader, Henry B. Roney.

    Other celebrated entertainers were Bess Gerhart Morrison, a nationally known reader, who was in St. Ansgar five times to fill engagements; Germaine, the Magician; and a number of dramatic groups including the Mallory Dramatic Co.

    In St. Ansgar, as well as in other towns throughout the country, the Lecture courses and the Chautauqua gradually gave way to moving pictures, to radio, and to television.

    The pattern of music within the community, however, has remained much the same. Private instructors, as well as the greatly enlarged school music program, offer both individual and group training in instrumental and vocal music, withconcerts and recitals presented regularly. Several very successful minstrels have been presented, sponsored by Lions and others.

 

The St. Ansgar Band

    The history of the St. Ansgar band dates back to 1879, when word went out that St. Ansgar was to have a brass band. From old files of the Enterprise, we learn that a band

Probably the first St. Ansgar band. Left to right: Nick Miller, Lars Peterson, Hansen, Otto Helfritz, (?) Back: Oscar Anderson, Ed Christensen, (?), Rudolph Helfritz.

was organized in 1880. For lack of better facilities, it practiced in the old depot.

    In 1886, twelve new uniforms were purchased, proceeds from a concert helping to pay for the same.

    Jan. 2, 1893 brought the opening number of a series of musical and dramatic entertainments, given for the benefit of the band, under their own auspices. O.H. Koch was musical and stage manager.

    In March 1899, the band sponsored a minstrel show, probably the first ever witnessed in St. Ansgar. In the Enterprise, we read that "many people here have never seen a minstrel." Proceeds were $77.

    Apparently, the band suffered some reverses. In October, 1904, we read, "St. Ansgar used to have a fine band."

Another old time band. Left to right: Robert Lubiens, Charles Enneberg, Andrew Moe, Carl Hansen, Mick Miller

At this time, Prof. Mellem, of the Seminary faculty became leader and the situation improved.

    In 1908, a portable bandstand was built.

    Perhaps the highest point of achievement for the municipal band came into being under the leadership of Dr. O.E. VanDoren, for ten years director of the State University band, who through the influence of Dr. R.W. Rogers, was persuaded to come as guest conductor in the summers of 1922 and '23.

    In 1923 they played at a Legion convention at Mason City, the big event of which was a band contest. Bands competing were from Davenport, Cedar Falls, Ames, Hampton, Clear Lake and St. Ansgar. Clear Lake won first; St. Ansgar won second honors
St. Ansgar Band of 1922-23
and a check therewith for $200. It should be noted here that the competing Clear Lake band was made up of professionals; St. Ansgar's were amateurs.

    R.V. Leach, regular band director for a number of years, organized the first Junior band. It appeared in concert in February 1923.

    In the same year Mr. Leach resigned, and was followed by Mr. Johnson. The latter stayed but a short while and Mr. Dillon of Northwood finished the season.

    The next year, Harry Keeler of Mason City was secured as leader. He served for several years, ending his work here in 1928, the year of the 75th anniversary celebration.

    In 1929, St. Ansgar was without a band. In 1930 an arrangement was made whereby a school band director was to be hired, the town band to turn over to the school their instruments and their splendid library of music. Accordingly, R.C. Baskins was elected the first band director in our school system.

    Since that time, the school band has steadily grown, in numbers as well as in the quality of music rendered. Today, the band numbers 60 players. The present director is Merlin Johnson, whose work is of a high standard, his band having rated superior in the 1953 state spring contest.

    Oct. 27, 1927, the library had its formal opening with a program at the High School. Miss Julia Robinson, executive secretary of the Iowa Library Commission, gave the address of the evening. After the program, a reception was held at the library.

    August of 1928 brought the resignation of Iola Lund, and Mary Ellen Lund was elected to succeed her.

 

Libraries

    The St. Ansgar N.E. Library Association was organized in February 1872, with Knut Assorsen as presidentand C. Rustad as secretary. Lars Moe, A.D. Bundy, Christopher Hanson, and Bent Benson were members. Quite a collection of books was donated to the library, which was then in Lars Moe's store.

    Martin Moe was elected to serve as librarian.

    Shares were sold at $2.00 each. In 1882, they voted to dispose of the 100 shares and gave their 300 volumes to the Seminary. The organization was then disbanded it had existed for ten years.

 

THE NISSEN LIBRARY

    In 1925, Mrs. Karen Nissen bequeathed to the town of St. Ansgar a liberal sum to be used for a public library, the same to be called the "Nissen Library." A location was procured on Main St., just east of the Champlin oil station and work was begun.

    The first trustees were Mrs. Vida Hess,
Karen Nissen donor of Nissen Library
Mrs. Robert Lubiens, Mrs. Minnie Lund, Paul Rosel, and Albert Halvorson. Frequent meetings were necessary for organization. May 24, 1927, the first order for books was mailed. In September 1927, Miss Iola Lund was elected to be the first librarian.

    Oct. 27, 1927, the library had its formal opening with a program at the High School. Miss Julia Robinson, executive secretary of the Iowa Library Commission, gave the address of the evening. After the program, a reception was held at the library.

    August of 1928 brought the resignation of Iola Lund, and Mary Ellen Lund was elected to succeed her.

    Disaster fell in September 1929, when the filling station near the library exploded, causing the death of Mr. Parker, the owner, and the destruction of the library. The books were moved to a room in the Klindt Hotel.

    At the next meeting, architect's plans for a new building were discussed. After various suggestions as to a location, a lot belonging to R.C. Mueller was selected.

    In a meeting with the Town Council, it was agreed that the council rooms, a rest room, and the library be housed in one building. Plans went forward, and in 1930 the present library was erected. Everyone worked diligently to raise money for new books. Vanishing teas were very popular, as well as flower shows.

    During 1931, the Study Club, the Progress Club, the First Lutheran Aid, the Lions club, the German Lutheran Aid, and the Commercial club all contributed to the library fund.

    Miss Anna Olson was elected librarian in '31 and served twelve years, and much of the success and growth of the library was due to her interest and activity. Mrs. Florence Halvorson was elected to succeed her.

    In August 1949, Mrs. Halvorson resigned, and the following month Mrs. Sherwin Kittleson, the present librarian, was elected.

    The library now numbers about 5,000 current volumes.

    During the year of 1952, the Nissen Library loaned 8221 volumes, and served 4,451 children and adults.

 

Clausen Memorial Park

    When the town was platted, three squares were reserved for public purposes, one of which is the present park north of the main business street. In the early days, the park was enclosed with a board fence to keep out cattle.

    Little use was made of the park until the early '90s,when a group of ladies met at the home of Mrs. L. Moe and organized a "Park Society," the purpose of which was to raise money for park improvements. In 1892, a pavilion was erected in the center of the park. It was covered with a shingled roof.

    It served its purpose well, until the spring of 1940, when it was tom down by order of authorities.

    In 1953 the St. Ansgar Lions club launched a new band shell project to be completed in the park. It raised money through a subscription campaign, a minstrel show and a street sale. Ben Mouw and Harold Wall played a very important part in making this project successful in time for the Centennial celebration.