The big Chariton Chautauqua of August, 1902

The launch of August, 1902, brought with it the promise of Chautauqua --- a week-long celebration of oratory and elucidation scheduled for Aug. 16-24 that would draw thousands to the Lucas County seat.

The setting was the park surrounding Columbus School just southwest of the square where a giant tent had been erected amid shade trees. Columbus had received its new name ten years earlier, during 1892, but still was known by most as just the south school.

The principal draw would be Nebraska's William Jennings Bryan (above), twice failed candidate for the U.S. presidency who would have another go at it during 1908. Also on the agenda, in addition to a number of now forgotten preachers, were Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Robert E. Lee's nephew and a U.S. commander during the Spanish American War; and Ballington Booth, son of Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth and until an 1896 spat with his father, commander of the Army in the United States (he subsequently with wife, Maud, had founded Volunteers of America).

Music was provided by the Slayton Jubilee Singers, a veteran troupe whose program mixed spirituals, popular sentimental songs of the day and minstrel show elements --- all designed to appeal to what sometimes is described as "plantation nostalgia" among white folks in places like Iowa.

For $2 if an adult ($1 if under 15), you would have been entitled to attend every presentation during the week if you had sufficient stamina. Admission to individual programs could be obtained, too: 50 cents for big ticket speakers like Bryan; a dime for the least interesting.

Here's the text of a Chautauqua preview story, published in The Chariton Patriot of Aug. 14, 1902. According to later reports published during and after the event, Chautauqua 1902 was a rousing success. 

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The Lucas County Chautauqua Assembly opens Saturday evening. The managers have been working hard the past week making the final preparations. The school park of the south building where the assembly is to be held is being rapidly put in readiness for accommodating the large crowds of people who will attend. the lawn has been nicely mowed and raked. Around the west side is stretched a wire fence eight feet high. In the center, in a clearing, which is surrounded on all sides by beautiful shade trees, has been erected a large tent with a seating capacity of 2,500 people.

The speaker of the evening on opening day will be the celebrated evangelist, known to everyone, the Rev. Sam P. Jones. The subject of his lecture will be, "What I Know of Hell." F.R. Crocker, president of the Chautauqua, will deliver the address of welcome. Dr. John Merritte Driver, D.D., will respond.

Sunday, the second day, will be devoted to religious services in the morning, a lecture in the afternoon and religious services again in the evening. The morning service will be preached by Dr. Driver. Rev. M.G. Munn and Rev. F.B. Palmer will assist in the services. At 2 o'clock there will be a sacred open air concert.

At 2:30 Henry Watterson, the able Kentucky journalist and editor, will deliver his great lecture, "Abraham Lincoln." The sermon the the evening will be preached by Rev. Thomas J. Wright.

There will be no morning session on Monday. In the afternoon at 2 o'clock the Slayton Jubilee Singers will appear. At 3 o'clock the audience will be entertained by Prof. A.W. Hawks, who, it is said, is one of the most popular lecturers and entertainers on the American platform. In the evening at 7:30 the Jubilee Singers will give another concert after which Dr. Driver will deliver his lecture, "The Anglo Saxon, or the Future Rulership of the World."

Tuesday is known as "Bryan Day" for on that day the leader of the Democratic party will appear before the Chautauqua and deliver his lecture, "A Conquering Nation." The hour of the lecture is 2:30 p.m. The Slayton troupe will sing just before Mr. Byran's address. The evening program consists of singing by the Slaytons and the lecture, "Sunshine and Shadow," by Prof. Hawks.

The Modern Woodmen of America will take possession of the Chautauqua and the town on Thursday. They will be entertained by the Jubilee Singers and listen to an address by that able member of the order, Lieut. Governor Northcott of Illinois. The lecture in the evening will be by Dr. Driver. His subject will be, "The Romance of a Nation's Birth."

Friday's program will consist of music by the colored singers and an address by Dr. Driver. The program for the evening will be announced later.

Saturday will be another great day, for Gen. Fitzhugh Lee will be here and deliver his lecture, "Peace and War in the United States and Cuba." General Lee commanded the corps of which our own Company H was a part in the recent conflict with Spain and he will doubtless have something of particular interest to say to the Iowa soldiers who were with him in Jacksonville in 1898.

The morning of Sunday, the last day of the assembly, will be given over to religious exercises. General Ballington Booth, commander of the Salvation Army, will appear in the afternoon. He will lead in a song service and deliver a lecture. It is thought by many that General Booth's lecture will be the most interesting of any delivered during the week. The assembly will close Sunday evening with addresses by members of the Chariton association and a lecture by Rev. L.B. Wickersham.