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Excerpts from Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
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OTTAWA
CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY.
June 18, to 28, inclusive, was a long-to-be-remembered period in
the annals of Ottawa, Kas. The galaxy of talent and the vast crowds
attracted thither on the occasion are of rare occurrence anywhere, and I
had made up my mind to become one of the many there assembled.
Accordingly, in the forenoon of the first day (June 18), I took
train for Norwood; thence, after some delay, owing to non-connection of
trains, proceeded to Ottawa, where I arrived in the afternoon in time to
be present at part of the exercises, but too late to hear the opening
address.
When I come to reflect it seems to me that now, in the early autumn
of my life, I do a good deal of traveling, and I confess I see ad
appreciate its value. It does
a man good to "rub up against the world," and without travel,
like a sword kept too long in the scabbard, he is liable to get rusty.
When a boy I often entertained a wish to travel, and now I have no
cause to complain on that score.
But to return to my Ottawa trip.
I found that city very pleasant, and Forest Park looking
resplendent in spite of the swollen river having encroached considerably
on its limits. There is one tree, an elm, in the park, beneath whose shade I
wrote some of my diary, that is five feet in diameter at the trunk, and
probably over a century old. They
are already making great preparations here for the "Fourth" and
the "Chautauqua Assembly" is creating no little commotion in all
quarters. Each church
denomination has its own headquarters on the ground in front of the
Tabernacle, as well as the Y.M.C.A. and W.C.T.U.
I purchased a "season ticket," price $1.50, which
entitles me to "entrance and exit at pleasure."
As you pass in at the main entrance to Forest Park, on the right
hand is the Assembly Hall; on the left, near the river, is the boarding
dining room, on the left before you come to the Tabernacle, between the
gate and the Tabernacle; then, farther on, is the little tent village,
ensconced in a beaufitful grove of trees, and near this are the Normal
Hall and Hall of Philosophy, which latter is located very near the river
bank on a rise of ground, beautifully situated, as the tent village lies
in front and Normal Hall near by.
On the evening of the 18th I listened to a lecture delivered by Peter
Mamreoff Von Finkelstein, a native of Jerusalem, and a man of, I
should think, about fifty years of age.
This lecture, for teaching and explaining the Scriptures, excelled
any discourse, I believe, I ever heard.
He was dressed in Oriental costume, as was also the party of
Syrians who accompanied him and who assisted in his lectures by practical
illustrations of Eastern and Biblical scenes, and in several tableaux.
Wednesday, June 19--Attended a discourse at the Tabernacle, with
Bible readings about Samuel. He
was a good boy, and early learned obedience.
The speaker said that if a child at five years of age did not mind
his parents or guardians he would never be obedient, and we should be
careful to teach our children lessons of obedience.
Rev. Sam P. Jones came to-day.
He is of medium size; fair complexion; quick step; dark hair; has a
moustache, and a keen eye. Rev.
D. C. Milner is a man of medium size, somewhat tanned by the sun, and has
a full beard, though not long. Mr.
Von Finkelstein gave, with some twenty others dressed in rich Eastern
attire, a most instructive entertainment to an immense audience.
His description of Jerusalem and its people, both ancient and
modern, was most graphic and edifying, and made the Bible dearer to me
than ever, if such could be possible.
To-night I heard Rev. S. P. Jones lecture on the subject, "Get
There." The audience was
large, and by his pointed remarks and truthful sayings he made
considerable impression on his hearers.
Thursday, June 20--This morning I met Rev. S.
P. Jones at the park gateway, and as I passed through I remarked to
the gate-keeper, "That's Sam Jones."
"Yes," replied some one, "that's the critter!" "Well," I said, "he is a peculiar man, but he
draws a large crowd." Listened
to several interesting lectures--Chemistry (with experiments), Energy and
Force, etc.--all most instructive, by Prof. James T.
Edwards, of Randolph, N. Y. Also
heard Col. George W. Bain, of Kentucky,
lecture on "Temperance." Col.
Bain has just come from Pennsylvania, where he had been lecturing on
"Constitutional Amendment," and reports 180,000 against it.
Anna and Mr. Tyler came into Ottawa
to-day by horse and buggy, and I saw them long enough just to chat for a
few moments. In the evening,
Rev. S. P. Jones, on "Temporance.''
Friday, June 21--Great crowd to-day, as weather is more pleasant
after some refreshing showers.
Dr. H. R. Palmer's (of New
York) musical class is no small addition in the entertainment of the
people. Heard Dr. Pentecost's
Bible readings, and Dr. Hays, of Kansas City,
lecture on "Church Organizations."
Two years ago (1887) I sent Rev. Sam P. Jones
a copy of my SOUVENIR. Now
to-day, at his room in the Assembly Hall, at 10:31 A. M., according to
prior arrangement, I had the pleasure of handing him another copy, which
he accepted, thanking me, and saying he would write to me and give me his
opinion of the book. Mr.
Jones then wrote my address in the back partof the volume.
During the interview I asked him if he was acquainted with T.
L. Flood, of Meadville, and he said he was.
I stated to him my object in writing the SOUVENIR, and what I
wished to do for the Lord, as I owed everything to Him, saying I wished to
"Get There"--that is to Heaven; yes, GET THERE.
I have heard Mr. Jones twice here, and have listened to him most
attentively each time, one reason being that I heard him lecture and
preach at Chautauqua, N. Y., in 1887, and I am glad of yet another
opportunity to hear him this afternoon at the Tabernacle. I
should add that Mr. Jones, in turning over the leaves of the SOUVENIR,
stopped at the portraits of Eliza and myself, and remarked of mine that it
reminded him of a friend, and of Eliza's he said:
"That is a fair, noble face."
I then told him that my wife had died July 4, 1888.
This, the fourth day of the Assembly, ended with a grand concert by
the Assembly chorus under Dr. Palmer, listened to by a large audience.
Saturday, June 22--Having some bank business involving the sum of
$3,000, and other private affairs to attend to, I took a run
"home," returning in the afternoon to Ottawa, and bringing with
me, from Mr. Tyler's, John Cavinee, who is
stopping at the same hotel. We
visited several places of interest in Ottawa, including the stand-pipe and
North Ottawa; also took a trip in the little pleasure steamboat "Gertie."
In the evening, grand parade of children, speeches, music, etc.
Sunday, June 23--Attended Sunday-school for adults at the
Tabernacle, Dr. J. L. Hurlbut being the
teacher, and his lesson "The Resurrection."
Rev. Wilbur L. Davidson, of
Cincinnati, filled Dr. William Butler's place
at the Tabernacle, latter being sick.
Prayers were offered up for him, and Mr. Davidson said he would see
him soon and let him know how the people of Ottawa remembered him on that
day in prayer. The subject of
Rev. Davidson's discourse was 2 Cor. iv:
17: For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of' glory. In
the evening the Young Men's Christian Association held a temperance
meeting, which was well attended. I
shook hands with the secretary of the association,
Mr. Maurice McMullen (Robert McMullen
(deceased), father of Maurice and a blacksmith by occupation, was a friend
and acquaintance of my father as well as a friend of mine, and I always
esteemed him a good man. His
widow is living in Meadville now), who was from Meadville, Penn.
Also attended song service at the Tabernacle.
Monday, June 24--Bright and early this cold morning I was in the
park, seated on the river bank, pencil and note-book in hand, and much I
wrote, which space in this volume will not admit of.
From many passing events and scenes I was always learning a lesson,
and everything seemed to me like an animated Panopticon.
To-day I rode over from the town to the park with Mr. McMullen, who
kindly invited me to a seat with him in his carriage. In the evening I returned to Mr. Tyler's, and found Rouelle
waiting for the mail at Norwood, but my business required me to go in
person to the farm, instead of writing.
Tuesday, June 95--Returned to Ottawa in time to hear Dr. Hays
again. I truly love to hear
him speak, his words are so full of instruction, and his delivery most
pleasing. After dinner I went
to the First National Bank of Ottawa to transact some business with Mr.
Freeman Tyler, his daughter, Anna E.,
being with us. Just before
Mr. and Miss Tyler's arrival at Ottawa I had attended a grand lecture at
the Tabernacle on the subject "The Pleasures of Our Country."
After dinner I heard Dr. P. S. Henson, of
Chicago, discourse on "Grumblers," his lecture being full of
instruction and amusement. He
maintained that the best cure for grumblers was work. In the evening Bishop John H. Vincent,
LL.D., the Founder and Chancellor of "Chautauqua," whom I have
frequently seen and heard, delivered a very fine lecture entitled
"Among the Heights," in the course of which he said that we, in
Ottawa, were 850 feet above the level of the sea; then went on describing
heights of land everywhere till he reached the Yosemite Valley, his
description of which, with its hills and mountains, rocks and waterfalls,
rivers and cataracts, was really sublime.
Wednesday, June 26--This is "Recognition Day."
Bible-reading by Dr. J. L. Hurlbut, of
New York. (Wrote to
C. R. Slocum, Esq., of Saegerstown, Crawford County, Penn., and to
my son, Fred F., at Meadville.) Heard Dr. Hays
to-day, and think him one of the most common and practical of preachers
that I know of; but I shall ever remember him with pleasure.
His subject today was "Systematizing the Pastor's Own
Work." In speaking of
the various churches he compared them to different railroads all doing
business of the same nature but under different organizations.
This afternoon they are getting ready (decorating, etc.), for
Bishop Vincent, whom I heard address the boys at Assembly Hall, and
afterward the girls (Mrs. Kennedy's class) at
Normal Hall. And now the
procession is formed, with the "Chautauqua Literary Scientific
Circle" in beautiful line; graduates, advanced Normal and Normal,
then mediates and intermediates and boys and girls from twelve to
fourteen, both white and colored. After the entire line was formed they marched, headed by a
band, through decorated archways to the several halls, and then to the
Tabernacle, where seats were reserved for all the classes.
Here was rendered an instructive and entertaining program,
consisting mainly of music. "Recognition
Address," by Bishop Vincent, and the conferring of diplomas upon the
class of 1889. In the evening
came the grand camp-fire of the C.L.S.C.
At the setting of the sun I stepped on board the "Gertie"
and enjoyed a delightful sail on the pond, which looks not unlike the
outlet of Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. I
sat beside the gentleman who lectured on "Pleasures of Our
Country," and I thought that even in this little boat-ride I was
enjoying one of the many pleasures of life for the small sum of ten cents.
About 9 o'clock, after the bonfire of the C.L.S.C. had died out,
all repaired to the Tabernacle, where was assembled the largest audience I
had yet seen, to enjoy the rendering of an amusing and instructive
program, of which the following is a verbatim copy: PROGRAM OF THE I B U! WAIT UNTIL THE GHOSTS APPEAR! "CATCH AS CATCH CAN."--Dr.
Milner. Opening Remarks
Dr. Hurlbut Peter Von * * *
Mr. Jerusalem Lecture
Sam Jones Class Song
I. B. U. Chorus Chemical Experiments
Dr. Edwards Cornet Soto
Miss Anna Park Lecture (with gestures)
Col. Bain Stereopticon Illustrations W. L. Davidson Solo
Madam Bianca Salveteri Romana Etc.
Carrington Lecture
Dr. Hays Speechification
Dr. Henson Song
I. B. U. Chorus Presentation of Diplomas
Bishop Vincent Instrumental Duet (with encore) I. B. U.'s WAIT UNTIL THE GHOSTS DISAPPEAR!
Thursday, June 27--The tenth day of the Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly
opened this morning under a sunny sky.
I attended Bible reading at the Tabernacle, and heard again the
stories of David and Samuel. Dr.
Hurlbut's description of the Psalmist and his abilities was most
interesting. I had, after the
reading, an entertaining conversation with a Presbyterian clergyman, who
owns three farms in Coffey County, which he is desirous of selling in
order to remove to the East. He stated that his sons did not care for farming, and that
like most young men in that region wished to go to the populous centers,
where they could make more money, saying, that young men of the present
day preferred speculating and trading to good hard farm-work. At 10 o'clock Miss Anna Park gave a concert in the
Tabernacle, which was followed by a similar entertainment at a later hour.
The motto of the Chautauqua Assembly at Ottawa is "Knowledge
unused for the good of others is more vain than unused gold."
Some people think the Ghost play at the Tabernacle last evening was
overdone; I think it would have been better left undone entirely.
The Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly should have complete control of its
grounds and entertainments, and should submit to no outside pressure.
I am writing this near Philosophy Hall, upon the river bank, a
favorite spot of mine, and when I reach home my thoughts will wander
pleasantly back to this sylvan nook.
The little steamer, "Gertie," has just passed, and the
waves she made are washing the bank at my feet.
I rode upon the boat last evening, and as we drifted I found a deep
and pleasurable satisfaction in the ever-changing scene on the shore.
The white tents with their background of leafy green, the children
darting hither and thither in their parti-colored dresses, all went to
make up a picture long to dwell within the memory.
Since sitting here within the shadow of Philosophy Hall a gentleman
from Connecticut and a party of ladies have come and stood by my side.
They are good conversationalists, and I enjoy listening to them. But a word about the concert this afternoon; a young boy and
his sister, from Missouri, played the violin remarkably well, and are very
attractive in their appearance. Solos
were given by two young men, and also by Mrs.
Carrington and Miss Park, chorus
singing by the choir filling the rest of the program. The weather has been extremely hot, the thermometer marking
94° at noon. One makes many
friends in the course of ten days, and I find myself when writing on the
river bank continually accosted by those with whom I have formed more or
less acquaintance since coming here.
The little steamer "Gertie," I think must be getting rich
to-day for she is now pulling out upon her third trip.
The captain told me a day or two ago that times were dull, but I
think he is now reaping a harvest. The
heat of the day has dried up the mud caused by the overflow of the river,
and the seats along the bank of the stream under the shade of the trees
are more accessible and far more comfortable.
I saw a lady to-day, sitting beneath the shade of a tree and
standing her things on a seat, making a pretty sketch of the Locust Street
bridge, which crosses the river just below the park.
It struck me this evening as I stood upon the Main Street bridge,
that I had never experienced such oppressive weather.
As is sometimes the case in Kansas, there was positively no air
astir, and the least exertion caused actual discomfort.
I have heard of hot waves in Kansas, and if this is not one of them
it bears a remarkably startling resemblance.
I expect to return to Mr. Tyler's
tomorrow, the last day of the Assembly.
Friday, June 28--This is "Grand Army Day," and the last
day of the Chautauqua Assembly, for which great preparations have been
made. In the forenoon we had
addresses by U. S. Sen. John J. Ingalls,
chairman of the day, and Gov. Lyman U. Humphry
of Kansas. In the afternoon,
addresses by Hon. Henry Booth, Department
Commander of the G. A. R., and Corporal James
Tanner, U. S. Commissioner of Pensions.
In the evening, camp fire and addresses by Ex-Gov. George
T. Anthony and others. One
of the speakers spoke of the time when Kansas was on the border of
civilization and had so many a hard struggle; he eulogized the people for
what they had done in bringing a fertile land from an unfruitful soil, so
that now Kansas can raise enough in one year to last her five.
Speaking of the war he said: "Kansas,
in proportion to her population, sent more men to the front than any other
State in the Union. More
soldiers went from her borders than there were voters in the State." The choir sang "Marching Through Georgia," and Miss
Park played the clarionet, thus adding musical features to the day.
Sen. Ingalls is tall, slender and a little gray, but withal fine
looking. The Tabernacle was
filled to overflowing by people anxious to hear his speeches.
He paid a deserved tribute to the G. A. R. boys, and to the State
of Kansas. He began quietly,
but soon, like Dr. Vincent, was "towering among the heights."
In the evening occurred another meeting that was interesting and
entertaining in the highest degree. There
were patriotic songs and speeches, and the day, and with it the Assembly,
closed crowned with success. I
was so delighted with the noted good men whom I had seen and heard, that I
bought their pictures of Mr. Corwin, the photographer, along with the
views of Ottawa. The
portraits were those of Revs. J. H. Vincent, D. D.,
T. De Wilt Talmage, D. D., J. L. Hurlbut, D. D.; Rev. Sam P. Jones; Dr. H.
R. Palmer; Rev. D. C. Milner, Mr. Finkelstein and Mrs. G. R. Alden ("
Pansy" ).
Saturday, June 29--This forenoon I visited Ottawa University, which
was built in 1866. A new one
has been commenced and is already up to the second story; the grounds, I
understand, comprise 400 acres. After
transacting some bank business I left Ottawa at 3:15 P. M. for Norwood,
arriving in the evening at the Tyler Farm in good health and spirits.
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