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"A Vision of the Homeland" Visits Four Towns Thanksgiving Week |
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Rural School Messenger December 1916 |
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| When
school closed on Tuesday, the last day of the quarter most of the students
were soon on their homeward way, but the cast of the "Vision of the
Homeland". There were two automobiles waiting to take the group of
young people to Brashear where they were to give the play that evening,
underthe direction of Mrs. Francis, who teaches near there. The trip was
made in good time, supper being served at the hotel in Brashear. The play
was given on time to a very appreciative audience, and the players were at
home before midnight. On Wednesday the cast rested and made ready for the
busy days to follow.
These ten people were ready and waiting long before the 9:20 south-bound Wabash train came in on Thursday morning--Thanksgiving Day. There was a short ride on this train to La Plata and then the Thanksgiving dinner. Who would deliberately plan "gipsy dinner" for Thanksgiving? Well, no matter! A group of ten peopl can have a good time and enjoy a meal along a railroad track even if they have to do the cooking, for this was satisfactorily demonstrated. Plans had been made for a long time for the play to be given at Wyaconda on Thanksgiving night. There were a number former Kirksville students at Wyaconda, among them Supt. John L. Carter, Miss Flossie Deaver, Miss Cordonna Hays, and Miss Bess Smith. All of the teachers assisted in entertaining the members of the party. Much of the success of the play was due to the splendid music furnished by the Wyaconda orchestra under the direction of Miss Cordonna Hays. Wyaconda is noted for being the first consolidated school district in Missouri, as well as for having excellent school spirit. After seeing the play at Wyaconda Thursday night, Mr. Earl Brown, Superintendent at Rutledge, wished to have it given at that place the following evening. There had been no arrangements or announcements made previous to that time and Mr. Brown was a little in doubt as to whether it would be a wise undertaking since there would be some expenses that would have to he met. But, he was so much interested in the cause and so desirous of having his patrons see the play, that he telephoned to members of the cast at Wyaconda Friday morning to come to Rutledge. One of the members of the school board advised him not to undertake it, but after seeing the play said it was worth a hundred dollars. Other former :Kirksville students teaching at Rutledge are Misses Harris and Horn. The party left Rutledge Saturday morning and traveled most of the day in order to reach Avalon in time to give a performance that night. It is a big undertaking to bring ten people a hundred miles, ten of which is by automobile, but Mr. Stephen Blackhurst has done this twice successfully. He is in the midst of his first year as superintendent of a new consolidated school at Avalon and wished to have the play as a means of keeping up enthusiasm for consolidation. The return trip was made on Sunday. The people of the towns in which the play was given entertained members of the cast in their own homes, which was very much appreciated. These towns made some money for theeir schools, the gross receipts being about $85 at Wyaconda, $35 at Rutledge, and $65 at Avalon. -NORMAL SCHOOL INDEX.
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