Americans Want Opera, Not Jazz or Tin Pan Alley

1920--

OPERA IN SIOUX FALLS

From 43 towns special trains brought cattlemen and their and families to Sioux Falls, S.D., one November night, to hear Grand Opera. Sheep herders, farmers, Indians joined the procession moving toward the hall where the music was to be given. Flivvers and big cars added their occupants to the happy crowd.

And they were happy, and they enjoy their feast of song. For months intensive preparation had been going on for the great day. Lectures were given. Boys and in school studied the stories of operas. Phonographs were bought or rented, records were purchased and listened to with attention. Do Americans like good music? They do. Would they rather have it than cheap, vulgar stuff, jazzy, tinpanny, and ear-wearing? They would.

There are people who are bored by heavy music. That is but natural. But much music which has been foisted upon audiences as "classical" in years past has not been very good music. It has not been human. Just as instinctively will people steer clear of ponderous books and problem plays, which may have their merits for the intellectual few, but are not food for the uncultured many.

When was Shakespeare, well presented, given to an empty house, an unappreciative one? The untutored man may not get so much out of his Shakespeare as the cultured one, but his mind goes straight as a homing bird to the great humanity of the greatest poet.

As the music-managers learn this vital truth about all art, and begin to apply it to music, they find that the composers and opera-builders who understand humanity, its emotions, its springs of action, reach human heart in the same way. Give people tuneful, human music, and they will come, as in this case, 450 miles to hear it.

--Olean Evening Herald, Olean, New York, December 1, 1920, page 2, editorial.

Dangerous Man Resists Arrest, Armed with Winchester, Two Revolvers

Edgermont, South Dakota, 1909--

A DANGEROUS MAN.

Armed with a Winchester and Two Revolvers, He Resisted Arrest by Officers.

Edgermont S. D., Aug. 16.— The authorities here have in custody an apparently dangerous man, who recently was captured at Ardmore after an exciting chase.

The prisoner, whose name is unknown, had been working on the ranch of Albert Seske, near here, but left suddenly, taking with him a Winchester rifle and some other property belonging to his employer. Learning that the fugitive was at the ranch of a man named Bell, Frank Heppner was deputized to proceed there and arrest him.

When the officer arrived on the ground, the fugitive stood him off with a couple of revolvers and the stolen rifle and compelled him to return empty handed.

The fugitive proceeded to Ardmore where he finally was captured by George Sweet, a local officer. The prisoner will now be compelled to answer in court to the charges of grand larceny and resisting an officer, both of which are penitentiary offenses.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 26, 1909, page 7.

Brakeman Killed on Train, Under the Wheels

Huron, South Dakota, 1909--

MANGLED UNDER CARS

Brakeman Charles Hannigan Killed on the Northwestern Near Huron

Six Cars Passed Over His Body Before the Train Could Be Stopped

His Wife and Three Children Are Living at Henry, South Dakota

Saturday afternoon at a little before three o'clock Brakeman Charles Hanningan fell from the first car of a fast moving freight going south and was mangled to death under the wheels before the train could be stopped. He has been in the employ of the Northwestern railroad here for the past two years, and leaves a wife and three children who are living at Henry.

This is one of the unaccountable casualties that often happen when least expected. The details of the accident may never be known as no one saw the dead man fall from his place on the top of the train. When last seen he was on the head end of this car. In falling he struck the air line and severed it, which set the brakes and stopped the train. It was not until the train crew investigated the cause of the brakes being set that the accident became known. In looking over the train for the break the body of the unfortunate man was found under the sixth car.

Hannigan was braking on an extra freight going south, and this train had proceeded about a mile east of town when it was brought to a sudden stop and the cause of the halt was learned. The body was brought back to the city and taken to the undertaking rooms of August Tams. The left side the head was almost crushed in and the face was badly cut, the left leg was nearly severed at the hip and the left side of the trunk and up under the left arm pit was, likewise, crushed in.

The dead man was probably about 35 years of age and is survived by a wife and three children who live at Henry, S. D., and also by three brothers of the same place. Notification was sent to them soon after the accident occurred.

No blame for the tragedy can be laid at the door of anyone. It was merely one of the many inexplicable fatalities that sadden the lives of the railroad people and all others who know of them.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 26, 1909, page 8.

Strenuous Yawning Dislocates Her Jaw

South Dakota, 1909--

A Badly Crippled Woman

Watertown, S. D., Aug. 7 -- Mrs. August Zamow, wife of a farmer residing near Grover, in Codington county, ten miles southwest of this city, met with the unusual accident yesterday morning of sustaining the dislocation of her jaw through an extraordinarily strenuous yawn.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 8.



City Brief – Keeping Drinks Cool With Hail

Sheriff Huntley went to Bonilla Saturday morning, near which place he has a farm, but no crops, since July 30th. On Sunday, August 1st, he was in that neighborhood and called on a friend. After entering his friend's home he asked for a cool drink, and was told there was some ice cold pop in the house. The sheriff said that would do, and going to the refrigerator he was shown pop bottles lying in a bed of hail stones. "That's the kind of ice we have up here," remarked his friend.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 8.

Intermarriage in 1909, Black and White Together Poses Problems

WHITE AND BLACK.

Not Permitted to Mix In South Dakota —Go to Sioux City to Evade the Law.

Sioux City, Ia., Aug. 9.—In order to escape the penalty of the South Dakota law which prohibits inter-marriage and cohabitation between whites and negroes, James T. Watson, colored, and Miss Marie Dickman, white of Yankton, S. D., came to Sioux City on August 2, secured a license here and were married by Rev. M. G. Newman, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal church.

On their return to Yankton, however the two were arrested on the charge of illicit cohabitation and August 10 has been set as the day for the hearing. A letter has been received at the office of the clerk of the district court from Joseph Janousek, county attorney of Yankton county, asking if such parties had secured a license and whether they had been married here. Although no return has been filed on the marriage license it has been found that they were married in Sioux City.

The statute under which the arrest was made is a new one and the case has attracted considerable attention at Yankton. The county attorney in his letter requested that some one in the office of the clerk be sent to identify the parties at the trial.

Miss Dickman goes by the name of Goodwin also.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 7.

Railroad Workers: Sick Children and Some Die

Huron, South Dakota, 1909--

Among the Railroad Workers

Happenings in Shop and Home

Engineer Vance has been on sick list for some days.

E. G. Ball has been constructing cement walks at his residence, 611 Frank.

Miss Linnie Kesler was quite sick the last of last week.

The Infant child of Conductor Gross, who has been quite ill is said to be entirely out of danger.

Little Howard Rilplogal, the infant son of Walter Riplogal is under the care of Dr. Foxton. He is suffering from bowel trouble, as are so many little ones this weather.

Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Ball, parents Mrs. G. R. Dickson and E. G. Ball are visiting at the Dickson home. They arrived Monday evening from Egan, S. D., where another daughter lives. During the last year Mr. and Mrs. Ball have traveled in the southern and eastern portions of the United States and after a short visit here will probably tour the western states.

No. 16 came running two sections this morning, owing to the many Elks en route to their convention.

T. F. Keater has been laying for several days.

Mr. Joseph Thorsness has taken a 30-day leave of absence and gone to North Dakota, where he will, perhaps run a threshing engine.

Harry, the little nephew of Mr. Koerner (the foreman of the Co. blacksmith shops) was drowned while fishing with a crowd of little boys Monday forenoon. Harry has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner for two years since the death of his mother and they have come to look upon the boy as almost their own. He was a bright and winning little fellow and will be missed by his little playmates. The sympathy of all is with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner in this affliction.

Margarette Adell Dickson, only daughter of George R. and Margarette B. Dickson, passed away Saturday morning, August 14th, aged seven months and four days. The little one was suffering with ilio-colitis aggravated by the intensely hot weather and the fact that she was teething; she lingered but a few days after the illness manifested itself. All that loving hearts and helpful hands could do, all that medical science could lend was taxed to the uttermost but the mission of the little life had been fulfilled and the angels whispered softly, in her ear — "Child, thy Father calls thee, stay not here," as they gently bore her, robed in shining white to their blissful realms of light. At two o'clock Sunday afternoon funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Rifenbark, who spoke most beautifully from the text — "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The choir rendered "Sometime we'll understand" and "Safe in the arms of Jesus" while a friend sang "Beautiful Baby hands." Sympathizing friends filled the house with blossoms and beautiful floral emblems were received from both the B. of L. F. & E. and Prairie Rose No. 5.

God never does nor suffers to be done aught but what we ourselves would choose if we could see the end of all events as well as He.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Dickson wish to tender their heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors who assisted so kindly, and aided in so many ways during the last illness of their beloved little daughter and especially to express sincere gratitude to Prairie Rose lodge, to the B. of L. F. & E., and to Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Eldridge, Mrs. Thorsness and Mr. Kester particular for their untiring efforts in her behalf.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 1.


DEATH OF BABY GIRL.

Seven Months Old Child of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson Died Suddenly This Morning.

Margarette Adell Dickson, aged seven months and four days, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson died suddenly this morning at 8:35 o'clock of ilio-colitis. The little one was taken sick on Monday morning, but yesterday was thought to be improved and today appeared to be almost recovered, when at eight o'clock she was taken with convulsions and died in a short time. She was a happy natured child and one that everyone loved, and the sincere sympathy of all will be extended to her parents.

The funeral services were held from the house at 617 Frank street at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Four young ladies acted as the pall-bearers.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 26, 1909, page 4.

Comment: Even though the article of the 26th says she died "this morning," obviously the funeral was a Sunday past, and the first article says she died August 14. So it just took a little while to get this formal obituary in the paper.