1917 Yearbook
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Title
1917 Yearbook
Description
St. Joseph's Literary Society
WHEN THE St. Joseph's Literary Society reorganized in September for its second year of activity it found scarcely one
old veteran on its roll. But this did not detract from the life
and vigor of the organization as was made evident in the very
first meeting by the spirited campaign inaugurated by factions from Moline, Davenport, and other sections, for landing
their favorite candidate in the presidential chair or other like honorable
office. With true American spirit, however, the members distributed the
honors so that Joseph Barnes of Davenport was elected President, while
the office of Vice-President and Secretary went to Henry Vander Vennett
and Emil Carpentier, both of Moline. These officers supported by such able
advisers as are E. Dorgan, F. Vermeulen, J. O'Donnell, acting as committee
men, stood for such ideals in literary, dramatic and oratorical lines, as
even a Longfellow, a Shakespeare or a Webster would not have disdained
to consider. Nor were these young bloods mere idealists; they were also
believers in deeds as later productions go to prove.
Beginning with short readings and written essays as a means for discerning the varied abilities of the members, soon the voices of eloquent
speakers and spirited debaters were heard ringing through corridors and
hall. Encouraged by this manifestation of ability the officers felt that they
possessed such talent among their members that, if let shine on the outside world, it might yet make some impression on the much heralded
greater luminaries surrounding them. •
This manifestation, it was decided was to take twofold form; the one
was to be the presentation of a play; the other an Elocution Contest in
which all members of the society might compete. "The Country Boy
Scouts," a three act comedy, was played to a packed house. Humorous,
lively and wholesome throughout the players entered into their parts with
a zest that would do credit to much older heads. The vivacity of J. O'Donnell in the roll of "Huckleberry", "the toughest boy in town"; the wit and
clever impersonation of Harry King as "the nigger who sees a ghost"; of
WHEN THE St. Joseph's Literary Society reorganized in September for its second year of activity it found scarcely one
old veteran on its roll. But this did not detract from the life
and vigor of the organization as was made evident in the very
first meeting by the spirited campaign inaugurated by factions from Moline, Davenport, and other sections, for landing
their favorite candidate in the presidential chair or other like honorable
office. With true American spirit, however, the members distributed the
honors so that Joseph Barnes of Davenport was elected President, while
the office of Vice-President and Secretary went to Henry Vander Vennett
and Emil Carpentier, both of Moline. These officers supported by such able
advisers as are E. Dorgan, F. Vermeulen, J. O'Donnell, acting as committee
men, stood for such ideals in literary, dramatic and oratorical lines, as
even a Longfellow, a Shakespeare or a Webster would not have disdained
to consider. Nor were these young bloods mere idealists; they were also
believers in deeds as later productions go to prove.
Beginning with short readings and written essays as a means for discerning the varied abilities of the members, soon the voices of eloquent
speakers and spirited debaters were heard ringing through corridors and
hall. Encouraged by this manifestation of ability the officers felt that they
possessed such talent among their members that, if let shine on the outside world, it might yet make some impression on the much heralded
greater luminaries surrounding them. •
This manifestation, it was decided was to take twofold form; the one
was to be the presentation of a play; the other an Elocution Contest in
which all members of the society might compete. "The Country Boy
Scouts," a three act comedy, was played to a packed house. Humorous,
lively and wholesome throughout the players entered into their parts with
a zest that would do credit to much older heads. The vivacity of J. O'Donnell in the roll of "Huckleberry", "the toughest boy in town"; the wit and
clever impersonation of Harry King as "the nigger who sees a ghost"; of
Date
1917
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/2150