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"Amid the beauties of Sinnissippi Park, with the blue sky mottled by white, fleecy clouds as a canopy, with the green foliage of the forest as a background, on a grassy, velvet-like carpet, the history of Rockford and Winnebago county, covering the period of a century or more, was depicted on June 15-16, 1915, by the class of 1915, assisted by the Juniors. More than 20,000 people, including many visitors from neighboring towns, were delightfully entertained at the three performances. The natural amphitheater was taxed to its capacity.

The Spirit of Rock River, impersonated by Joel Seedoff, first appeared and described before each episode, in clear, distinct, and oratorical manner, the scenes that were to follow. The pageant opened with the appearance of the Winnebago Indians. John Daley took the part of a Winnebago chief and James Marston was a second Stephen Mack. After much talking, smoking, dancing, and preparation, [they] left to stain their tomahawks with blood.

The next scene, supposed to occur several weeks later, depicted the return of the Indians as captives of Colonel Stillman (Stanton Wettergren). Blackhawk (Ralph Lounsbury) delivered his farewell speech; the Winnebago chief gave the band of his daughter, Ho-none-gah (Ila Sadewater), in marriage to Stephen Mack.

The following scene pictured the appearance of Germanicus Kent (Howard Main) and Thatcher Blake (Merle Wilson), attracted to the rich and fertile valley by the symbolic characters: Rich Lands (Bernice Hand), Water Power (Elizabeth McEachran), and Forests (Maqorie Thompson), all of whom were seen gayly dancing in their native environments.

Next, the pioneers appeared, on horseback, afoot, and riding in a prairie schooner. Then appeared Alice Knight as Prosperity, Hazel Tait as Equality, Amy Anderson as Peace, and Inez Garrett as Religious Liberty. Following these came the immigrants--Irish, Swedes, Germans, and Scotch Highlanders, each playing upon their national instruments and giving their native dances. The original settlers welcomed the newcomers, Miss Sill, founder of Rockford College (Dorothy Johns), followed by characters representing various phases of culture-Music (Ruth Householder and Frances Finley), Literature (Bernice McNair, Edna Anderson), and Art (Mabel Carlson and Edith Olander). During the scene supposed to represent the time of the infringement suit of McCormick against John H. Manny, Abraham Lincoln appeared, represented by Stanley Putnam. A stirring warlike scene followed, representing Camp Fuller, and preparation for the Civil War. The pageant concluded with a symbolic tournament, in which Norman Sterling as Knowledge, Lowell Bartlett as Sobriety, and Milton Hult as Unselfishness, overthrew Everett Allaben as Ignorance, Ralph Lundgren as Greed, and Wallace Wetzel as Intemperance, rescuing Rockford, impersonated by Olive Sterling."

--Vernon Alberstett.

--From the Rockford High School Steen, 1916, p. 83

Courtesy of the Rockford Public Schools, Board of Education

"Presented at Sinnissippi Park by the Rockford High School

Cast of Characters
I. Prehistoric Period
        Sprit of Rock River - a man
        Wood Nymphs - (Forests, Rich Lands, and Water Power)
        Three girls- dancers
II. Indian Period
        Chief Blackhawk of the Sacs and Foxes of Revolt
        Chief of Winnebagos
        Ho-no-ne-gah - Indian Princess
        Stephen Mack
        Colonel Stillman - a man and his band
        Eight men
        Indians
        Sacs and Foxes (30)
        Winnebagos (25)
        Women and Children (10)
        Horses and Dogs
III. Pioneer Period
        Germanicus Kent
        Thatcher Blake
        John Driscoll
        His two sons
        Horse Thieves
        Twelve men, twelve women, eight daughters, children, and animals
IV. Early Immigrants
        Four Heralds (girls)
        Irish
        A Priest, men, women, and children (20)
        Eight dancers - four men and four women
        Swedes
        Pastor Peters, men, women, and children (25)
        Eight dancers (girls)
        Germans
        Men, women, and children (l8)
        Eight dancers (girls)
        Highlanders - 6 men
V. Beginnings of Rock ford College
        Miss Sill
        Six Symbolic Characters (girls)
VI. Industrial Growth
        John H. Manny
        Ralph Emerson
        Jesse Blinn
        Abraham Lincoln
        John Nelson
VII. Civil War Period
        Officer from Washington
        Colonel Elsworth
        Postman
        Company of Soldiers
        Company of Zouaves
        Fifteen women, six children, and ten men
        Fife and Drum Corps
VIII. Later Immigrants
        Italians: Men, women, and children (20)
        Eight dancers
        Poles: Men, women, and children (20)
        Eight dancers
        Lithuanians: Men, women, and children (20)
        Eight dancers
IX. Symbolic Tournament
        Lady Rockford
        Three Good Knights mounted
        Three Bad Knights mounted
X. Finale
        Procession of all characters
        Between 600 and 700 people

PAGEANT ORGANIZATION


[Miss Czarina Giddings
Modern History and German Teacher
Rockford College graduate]


Director: Miss Czarina Giddings
Assistants: Messrs. Kittle, Collins and Essington
Costumes: Miss Virginia Wolcott, Sewing Dept.
Symbolic Characters: Miss Hazel Putnam
Dancing Girls: Misses Corcoran and Salstry
Historic Costumes: Misses E. Vincent and Pierpont
Rented Costumes from Pritz Schultz Co., Chicago
Music: John T. Haight
Dancing: Gertrude Ione Hill and Avis Coultis
Properties: Miss Sarah Thomas
Property Construction: Miss Louise Pellens
Log Cabin - prairie schooners, wigwams and signals
Animals: Mr. A. C. Morris
Seating: W. H. Haupt
Soldiers: Frank T. Shrum
Finances: C. L. Bailey
Military Equipment of I. N. G.: Dr. C. J. Sowie and Col. R. J. Shand
Supt. Parks: Paul Riis
Mrs. Laura P. Holland: Original History

Citizens Who Were Financial Backers
Fred E. Sterling
John V. Riley
Thomas Barney Thompson
Adam Gschwindt
W. C. Sparks
G. J. Boehland
Mayor W. W. Bennett
Levin Faust
R. G. Jones

MUSICAL PROGRAM for the Rockford Historical Pageant


[Mr. John T. Haight, Band Director
Commercial Department
White Water Normal graduate (Wisconsin)
"The wise and active conquer difficulties
By daring to attempt them."]


Call by Flute
Indian Love Song
Dance of Natural Resources
Waltz - Sweet Evening Bells
Friends of Long Ago (when Pioneers enter)
The Star Spangled Banner
Before the Civil War
Soldiers Farewell
Assembly
Review March
The Star Spangled Banner
Parade
The Vacant Chair (While Soldiers are off at war) Rally 'Round the Flag (for return)
Star Spangled Banner
Waltz - Sweet Evening Bells
Men of Harlech
Illinois

MEDLEY: OVERATURE by the BAND
Sun Dance - 1st strain and trio
From The Land of The Sky Blue Waters
Friends of Long Ago
National Airs
        Swedish
        German
        Irish
Star Spangled Banner
Waltz - Down on the Farm
Factory
Rail Road Gallop
Soldiers Farewell
Sounds of Battle
Assembly
The Girl I Left Behind Me
The Vacant Chair
America
National Airs
        Italian
        Polish
        Russian
The Star Spangled Banner
Illinois"

This information came from a manuscript written by Czarina Giddings. The full text is located in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Rockford Public Library. Czarina Giddings was a teacher of Modern History and German at Rockford High School. She graduated from Rockford College and her picture came from the 1916 yearbook. The pictures of John T. Haight and the band came from the 1915 yearbook.




[The Rockford High School Band]

Nicknames of the Members of the Band and What They Play
Sheldon Knight "Shel" Piccolo
Clarence Carlson "Swede" Piccolo
Rodney Cummings "Doc" Oboe
Raymond McNeany "Ray" 1st Clarinet
Robert Brogunier "Bob" 1st Clarinet
*Jesse Johns "Jess" Clarinet
*Herald Schabacker "Scratchy" Clarinet
*Leland Regan "Regan" Soprano Sax
*Dewitt Bennett "Bennett" Alto Sax
*Norman Lillis "Norm" Alto Sax
*Conrad Carlson "Coonie" Tenor Sax
*Carl Norberg "Cully" 2nd Clarinet
*Harry McCansland "Harry" 2nd Clarinet
Hubert Lewis "Hub" Solo Clarinet
*Homer Mitchell "Mitchell" 1st Cornet
Guy Buchanan "Rusty" 3rd Cornet
*Neal Brasure "Runt" 1st Cornet
Darold Rinedollar "Neal" 3rd Cornet
Raymond Wilcox "Cook" 2nd Alto
*Elmer Cook "Coffy" Solo Alto
*Myron Thayer "Thayer" 3rd Alto
*Ellis McAssey "Mac" 4th Alto
Norman Nelson "Normie" 1st Trombone
William Michaelson "Bill" 2nd Trombone
*Reyner Eastman "Eastman" 3rd Trombone
Lester Blewfield "Gus" Baritone
Calvert Wilson "Cal" Bass
*Antony Ingrassia "Tony" Bass
Kurtz Ballon "Kurtz" Bass Drum
Harry Dannenberg "Danny" Snare Drum
Frank Stenholm "Stenny" Snare Drum
Mr. John T. Haight Dasn't Tell Most Everything

*Indicates new members.

"THE BAND was organized to aid in developing and maintaining a better school by helping out in the athletic contests, giving concerts, and also by playing for other school affairs.

In 1907 Mr. Haight and Mr. Norris organized the Band. It consisted of eighteen members, and they all worked hard to give it a start. Since then it has grown and is known all over the country.

The year's work is generally about the same. They played at football and basketball games, and at the track meets. After this came the concert, which is lots of work for everyone, and then in May, on Exposition Day, they played at Fair Grounds Park, and marched in the parade. This year they also furnished the music for the pageant, given by the Senior Class.

There has been several additions to the band this year, among which are a xylophone, two saxophones, and one cornet. They all add a great deal to the effectiveness of concert music. Several new members were added, and they are all doing good work.

This year the band got together at the East Side Inn to hold its annual banquet. Speeches by the members and alumni were enjoyed. All of the boys look forward to this event with great pleasure, as it is the only time they get together for a good time.

The concert was a feature of the year, and was by far the best ever given. The boys were so enthusiastic, which, as you know, goes a long way to make a thing a success."

S.A. K. '15.

--From the ROCKFORD HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL, 1915, pp. 88-89

Courtesy of the Board of Education, Rockford Public Schools


[Drawing by H. Mitchell from the 1915 Yearbook]


Besides pageants, one important function of the marching band then (as well as today) was to help provide school spirit at sporting events such as football and basketball games. The school fight song helped bring this spirit together amongst the fans and each song is unique to each school. Something would be missing if there was no band to perform the school song at football or basketball games. Here is a copy of the song from the 1915 yearbook:

                      





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Copyright 1999 Rockford Public Schools. All Rights Reserved. All images are the property of the Rockford Public Schools and may be used only with permission.