JlUGUSTANA OBSERUER

JlUGUSTANA OBSERUER
VOL. XXVIII
AUGUSTANACOLLEGE ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER21, 1929
Fiftieth Annual Presentation of
Oratório Recalls First Rendition
Augie Presents "Messiah" for AUGIE ORCHESTRA TO
PLAY FOR "MESSIAH"
First Time in April of
Year 1881.
Last Monday evening the AuWhen Dr. 0. Olsson left Rock gustana college . orchestra reIsland in 187!) íor a trip in Eu- hearsed witli the Oratório society
rope probably no-one knew what chorus whieh will sing in the
far-reaching efíects that trip presentation of HandePs "Meswould have on the musical his- siah" at Augustana on Dec. (>.
tory of Augustana, of the tri-eit- (ireat satisfaction was expressed
ies, and of the Middle West. A hv various auditors. In previous
study of the history of theHandel years the Messiah Orchestra has
Oratório society reveals an inter- heen w h o l l v r e c r u i t e d from
sources outside the institution.
esting story.
This year the plan is to use
Dr. Olsson was a great lover of about ten memhers of the college
m u s i c and was a thoroughly orchestra as a nucleus for the
,/>trained musieian in his own right. "Messiah" orchestra and to (ill
Therefore,when in London on this the necessary mimber by procurEuropean trip of 1871), he did not ing talent from outside the school.
miss the opportunity of hearing Tliose members of the college who
a performance of George Fredrich will play at the "Messiah" perHandePs oratório "'The Messiali" formance are Prederick Swanson,
at the Crvstal palace. II is letters Clara Florin, Rachel Branticon,
from London reveal the great in- Francis Sackville, Ray Anerill,
spiration he received at this ren- Leona Peterson, Mabel Peterson,
dition. in one he wrote "There violins. Erland Borg. bassoon,
is more Christianity in 'The Mes- Elenor Krebs, cello. and Harry
siah' than in numerous heavy vol- Olson. cornet. They are rehearsumes on Theology." Upon his re- ing twice a week in preparation
turn to Rock Island he zealously íor the concert.
worked for the organization of a
society whieh should present "The
Messiah," and in 1880 tlie Ilandel Oratório society was founded.
It is interesting to note liere. also.
that at this time the college orchestra was started, for the purjiose of aecompanving ''The Messiali" performances. Now, after a
Miss Lydia Olssou of líock Islapse of some years. the college land. assistant librarian at Denkorchestra will again play for mami Memorial library, Augus"The Messiah" at the fiftieth an- tana college, and Grace Stevens
nual performance at Augustana of Rock Island. a student in the
college. In April of 1881 "The Augustana academy. are in the
Messiali" was presented in Mo- Lutheran hospital, Moline. sufline and Rock Island for the first fering from injuries received last
time in this seetion of the Middle Sundav morning at 11 :4õ when
West. The following year Cari an automobile, after a collision
Swensson of Bethany college bor- with another machine at lhe
rowed the chorus and music and corner of Forty-third street and
directed a performance at Linds- Seventh avenue. bounded over the
horg. In succeeding years the curb and struck them as they
Oratório society was invited to vvere returning from St. John's
give "The Messiah" in Omaha. Lutheran church.
Minneapolis, and in numerous
Miss Olsson, besides minor inlowa towns. Thus "'The Messiah.'' with ils profound Chris- juries.received a deep sealp wound
tian message, became heard in ali and suffers from a general nervous conilitio.i caused by the shock.
parts of the Middle West.
Miss Stevens was cauglit hetween
Probably thousands of peo])le the render of the car and a water
are indebted to [)r. Olsson for the hvdrant, according to her mother,
privilege of hearing "'The Mcs- M rs. Clarenee Xorquist of 3922
siah" and oí receiving inspiration Kighth avenue. Rock Island. She
from it, due to his enthusiastic
incurred injuries to her right side
pioneer work in 181!) and 18S0.
and thigh and a deep cut on one
Proof of the good of his work is
knee. Both are being attended
found in the fact that -'The Mesliv Dr. Joseph de Silva of Rock
siah" has been presented every
year sincc. and will he presented Island, and their condition is im-
AUGIE WOMEN ARE
INJURED IN AUTO
ACCIDENT SUNDAY
for íniiiiv years to come.
('onlinuni
mi IKige
lliri'i'.
Geology Department Exhibits
Boné of Prehistoric Elephant
treat it M the inanner necessary
Well Preserved Fóssil Found for lhe preservation of íossils
In Peat Bog Near
Geneseo.
whieh have liceu exposed to the
air, and exhibit it in the geology
l a b o r a t o r v . along w i t h l h e m a n y
An enormous leg boné of a prehistoric elephant. recently unearthed near Geneseo by Mr. Fred
II. Wills of that city, has been
loaned to the Augustana departiiient of geology for an indefinite
period. as a paleontologieal 3pecimen.
The boné was turned up by the
Wills Construction Company, during the exeavation of the Big
Slough drainage Canal through a
peat bog six miles northeast of
Geneseo. It was scooped UJI by
a steam shovel, and diseovered by
the operator, who careíullv removed it and turned it over to his
employer, Mr. Wills.
The fóssil was brought to Augustana by Dr. Fryxell, who will
valuable fossils owned by the department. Mr. Wills has agreed
to lend the fóssil to the departínent for an indeíinite period, and
to give the college first option on
the relic in event he should decide to sell it later.
The bone is forty-two inches
long. Jts miniinum circumferenee is nieteen inches; its maximum, thirty-one. It is intact except for a chip whieh has long
heen missing at one end, and a
scar from the steam shovel. Dr.
Fryxell considers it, unlikely that
other bonés of the same animal
will be found, sinme large prehistoric skeletons were usually widelv scattered, separate bonés being
carried away by streams.
SPEEDS GIVE ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING TEA
No. 11
Students of Ten Seminaries Will
Attend Conference at Augustana
The Speeds held their annual
benefit tea Wednesday afternoon WOMAN'S CLUB PARTY
Sessions to Occupy Three Days
in the reception room of the girls'
PROVES HUGE SUCCESS
Beginning Friday,
new dormitory, the hours being
Nov. 29.
from three until six.
The Turkey-Time party held
Tahle appointments and re- by the Augie Woman's club last
At least ten Lutheran semifreshments
carried
out t h e
Friday evening in the girl's dorThanksgiving idea. During the mitory was enjoyed by about forty naries oí the United States and
afternoon hours vocal and piano co-eds. The party was very novel Canada will be represented at the
selections were given by Esther in that the "old-fashioned" idea Lutheran Inter-Synodieal Seminary conference. sponsored by the
IIali and Maxine Anderson.
was carried out during the entire
The proceeds of the tea will be arfa ir. Ali the girls were dressed Concórdia society of the Augusadded to the íund for furnishing in costumes whieh were in vogue tana seminarv, whieh will be held
the Speed room in the girls' new during their grandmother's youth, on Zion hill, Xov. 29, 30, and
Dec. 1. The sessions of this condormitorv.
old-time songs were sung and old- íerence will be open to anyone
íashioned games were plaved.
interested.
Margaret Swanson, sénior from
This conference will be the first
Moline, was awarded the prize for
gathering
of its kind ever held
the liest costume, and during the
games a príze was awarded to íor students of the various Lutheran seminaries. and is planned
Ksther Swenson.
with the hope that it will promote
After the social hour a Thanks- harmonv. coõperation, and friendWomen's and Men's Squads giving luncheon was served by
lv understanding among the inAre Chosen Nov. 13, 14
Alillicent Dahlsten, sénior from structors and students of the variRock Island, and Evodia Hult, ous institutions.
Respectively.
freshman from Portland, Ore.
The conference will open FriAn interesting feature of the
Students have heen selected for evening was the reading of a let- day morning, at 9:30 o'eloek,
membership on the Augustana ter whieh was sent to the Wo- when Dr. Paul Buehringg of Capip
women's and men's varsity de- man's club by Mrs. Andreen while tal university. Columbus, Ohio,
Ohi
bating squads. as a result of try- she was in Jerusalém recentlv.
will speak on the subject, "The
outs held last week.
Growth. Power, and Influence of
the Lutheran Church." For the
Trials for the women were held
aíternoon's activities, a sightseein the lecture room of the Denking trip about the tri-cities has
mann Memorial library Wednesbeen arranged for the visitors.
day afternoon. Nov. 13. while the
men met last Thursday evening.
Tlie onlv closed session of the
Judges foi- the debates were Prof.
convention will be the fellowship
A. F. Schersten, men's debate
banquet, Friday evening, at the
coach: Prof. A. F. Gustafson.
Tickets for the four one-act Fort Armstrong hotel. Kock IsEnglish instruetor; and Sigfrid plays to be presented by the de- land. For this occasion the comEngstrom, co-ed debate coach.
partment of oral expression in mittee has secured as its speaker
The subject this year for the the college chapei tomorrow eve- Dr. K. E. Flack. Ilamma Divinwomen's debate in the Illinois ning are going last, according to ity school. Springtíeld, Ohio,
Intercollegiate Debate league is, Henrv Stanley, sénior of Roc-k whose message will lie centered
"Eesolved, that chain stores are Island and business manager of about the topic ''The Lutheran
detrimental to the community." the production. "'The demand for Church and World Evangelism."
The question íor debate among reserved seats is especiallv great," In addition to this address an
the men's teams of the State says Stanley, "but there are still elaborate toast program has been
league is "Resolved, that the a number of choice places left." arranged. with greetings from ali
United States should ultimately
The plays to be presented — the seminaries represented.
adoj)t a policy of national dis- "Confessional," "Toast and Tea,"
The executive director of the
armament."
"Afterwards." and '"A Likelv National Lutheran Council, Dr.
Of the women's squad, Linnea Story"—are much varied in con- •I. A. Morehead, whose headquarCarlson. of Reed City, Mich., and tent and contain highly enter- Ters are located in Xew York city,
Irene Crosell, of Tampico, were taining elements oí pathos, coin- and who íor years has been active
varsity debaters last year. Those edy. love, and tragedy. The easts with ali Lutheran bodies, will
selected to complete the squad are composed of students oí the feature the Saturday morning
were Margaret Kdwins. oí Han- (lepartment. many of whom are program in his address on '"Lukow. China; Marie Ilankla. Ma- experienced amateur actors. Final theran World Consciousness as
garet Swanson and Iíowena dress rehearsals are being held to- Hxpressed in the Two World ÇonOdenweller, ali of Moline; Eileen night. with the assurance that ventíons oí Eisenach and CopenMcCarthy. oí Davenport, and evervthing will be proj>orly pre- hagen."
Dorothy Ilanler oí Rock Island. pared for tbe opening curtain 1o"Cont ributions of the Lutheran
lloward ('olson and Paul morrow evening.
Church to American Life, LiteraThe plays are únder the direc- ture. and Culture" will he the
Schweibert, both oí Moline, wero
members of last years teams and tioil iil' .Miss Iva C. Pearce. head tlienie oí the opening presentaforni the nucleus íor lhe men's oí the department, with Lowell tion, Saturday afternoon. by Dr.
teams tliis season. Memhers of Dunavin, júnior of Rock Island, (i. M. Bruce, Luther seminarv,
tlie House oí Representatives or- as st age manager, and Theodore St. Paul. Minn. Dr. S. G. Youngganized two four-man teams and Moberg. sénior of Aledo. as propConluilicd ali page I iro.
held their try-out in the forni of ertv manager.
a debate. Two other men from
the college also gave live minute
speeches. Those who were selected íor the debate squad are
William Berg. oí Tustin. Mich.;
Martin Ringstrom, of Bertrand,
Xeli.; Emmett Tonn and líoy Social Fellowship, Augie Spirit Membership of Gab Fraternity
Anderson both of Iron Mountain,
Are Main Ideais of
Totais 120; Includes Many
Mich.: and Harry Gersick and
Pug
Group.
Promínent Alumni.
William [Ierman, both of Rock
Island.
The men will meet the followKu Klux Klan rule prevailed
Gamma Alpha Beta was organing colleges of the Illinois Inter- for a short while at Augustana i/ed in 1917, with seven charter
collegiate Debate league: .Lom- back in 1916, although there is members, "in order to ])romote
ba rd, Loyola, Monmouth, Mt. no reco rd of any fiery crosses, the spirit of brotherhood among
Morris, Illinois Normal universi- Grand Keagles, or mi d n i g h t those students of Augustana colty. North Central. St. Viator, and lynchings, or any other bad lege desirous of enjoying the benWheaton.
eííeets. It is probable that not efits of congenial social companeven any of the dormitory sheets ionship; in order to provide for
SCIENCE CLUB TO HOLD disappeared—for the local K. K. social activities; and in order to
MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT K. was merely a group of fellows foster the true 'Augie Spirit.'"
with common interests who had Sevend of tliose charter members
lormed a social club.
are still known to Augustana stuA group of geologv students
Not long afterward they adopt- dents, among these being Prof. C.
will entertain the Science club at ed the Greek letters Pi (Jpsilon A. Fryxell, associate j>rofessor of
its meeting next Tuesday, Nov. Gamma, since the Klan did not economies and commerce at Au20 at 5:00 o'clock. Their topic, have a very savory reputation at gustana, and Dr. Paul Young"Byrd's Antartic Expedition," the time. The initials of the berg, campus physician for men.
should prove very interesting to Greek letters suggested the word A third charter member in the
ali who take the opportunity of
attending the meeting.
Conlinued on pnge iwo.
Continued on page iwo.
MEMBERS OF AUGIE
VARSITY DEBATING
TEAMS^RE CHOSEN
GOOD ATTENDANCE IS
FORECAST FOR PLAYS
TOMORROW^ EVENING
Pugs, Gabs, Local Fraternities,
Gain Prominence on Campus