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The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

Dedication of Electa Sylvester Memorial Organ at Methodist church

April 8, 1904 - April 15, 1904


PAGE 31

the M. E. Church at 8 o'clock this (Friday) evening. All are cordially invited.
The Electa Sylvester Organ was dedicated tonight. -Dickman Diary.
April 1, 1904- The Electa Sylvester Memorial Organ Dedicated Friday Evening
The dedication of the memorial organ which occurred at the Methodist Church on Friday evening last, was an occasion of great interest to many of our people and one that will long be remembered by those present.
The organ which was made to order by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont was purchased through our former townsman A. P. Wadleigh, now with Howard, Farewell & Co. of Minneapolis, and the great power of excellent quality of its tone were well brought out by Prof. Swasey of St. Paul, the organist of the evening.
An excellent musical program was rendered in which nearly all the local musical talent kindly assisted. The anthems rendered by the full chorus were an inspiration to the audience.
A vocal solo by Mrs. C. E. Zeisinger, besides being a beautiful piece of music artistically rendered, had an added interest in the fact that the words were a tribute to the departed one, written for the occasion by her friend, Miss James of Minneapolis. "The Homeland" a duet by Misses Alta Meachum and Hessie Lillie was in keeping with the spirit and tone of the occasion.
"The Peace of God" a quartet by Misses Husby and Busch and Messrs. John Bolton and Chas. Marshall, combined a lofty religious sentiment with music of impressive character.
A shot address was made by Prof. Mosher, who had charge of the program and who paid a deserved tribute to the memory of her whose untimely death in the Iroquois Theatre fire had started the movement which had culminated in this dedication service, the suggestion of purchasing a memorial organ having first been made by Rev. W. E. King at the time of Miss Sylvester's funeral, and promptly seconded by Mr. A. G. Laack and other citizens. Prof. Mosher closed by presenting the organ, in behalf of those who had contributed, to the trustees of the Methodist Church of Plainview, in whose behalf the pastor D. M. Johnston, accepted the beautiful gift in a few appropriate remarks.
Rev. A. D. Adams of the Congregational Church congratulated the donors and the recipients on the appropriateness of the memorial gift, as it would better than anything else perpetuate the memory of her in whose honor the gift had been made.
Presiding Elder Rule, who was present, was called for and made a very appropriate and touching address, referring to the "lost chord" which should be found again in the home beyond.
Prof. Mosher, in speaking of the people who had contributed to the purchase of the organ, emphasized the fact that the list was not confined to any class or creed, but embraced people of every church and of no church affiliation.
The beautiful silver name plate appropriately inscribed was a gift of Miss James, who came from the city to be present at the dedication. The organ cover was presented by Mr. Post of Minneapolis.
The subscription paper which as circulated principally by John F. Bolton and Iley A. Grove, was headed as follows:
Where it was the ambition and aspiration of the late beloved and much lamented Electa A. Sylvester to have secured during her lifetime for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Plainview, an organ, be it known that we the undersigned, her friends, desire to carry out her wishes in this matter and do contribute for this purpose the amount set opposite our names. The instrument purchased therewith to be known as the Electa Sylvester Memorial Organ.
April 8, 1904- Messes Vera Saxe, Rubie Lillie, Nettie and Meta Sylvester visited the Elgin Schools Thursday afternoon.
April 15, 1904- Mrs. E. L. Sylvester visited friends in Rochester Monday.


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* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."


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