https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/files/original/2941202cdb14940478980298e614c4c4.jpg d12fd834e7627f8f5bf51050e97d92ae https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/files/original/1c069a26da3118314587c0f1327fd0f0.jpg 78eadc2b3ea04900c85f069c2690313c https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/files/original/ce7c11e1365db2598dc27f3cb56da5c7.jpg 26cdff5f57b440e8d1838fe8b149f329 https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/files/original/db6d0480908ea670818a01f8df9b3437.jpg f68ac715b6aac5c441d2d79cee84c9f2 https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/files/original/b84c1a8244050959c23509ceca4b0b92.pdf 6fe30343f3df5d4cec1c482907b8cd37 PDF Text Text PAGEANT OF THE NORTHMEN By Willard Dillman NORSE - AMERICAN CENTENNIAL State Fair Grounds, Minneapolis--St. Paul Tuesday, June 9, 1925, 8: 15 P. M. Music by Luther College Band CARLO SPERATl, Director The Story of the Pageant Hans Heg was doing the last of his evening's work. He was only ten years old, but limes were hard in Norway, and children would lend a hand where there was a chance to help. As Hans came out of his father's Inn with an empty water bucket, hi,r muther-1oolred -up -rrom her 1!pln11ing. She had brought her wheel out upon the stone walk, for the evening was mild and balmy. She felt a tugging at her heart as the boy passed her. She caught his jacket, pulled him to her side, took off his cap and stroked his hair. As she looked into his blue eyes, she thought she saw strange pictures of new lands. Her mother's heart would hardly let him go. He was hers now, but he would not be hers long. Other forces would pull him, other sights than the quiet scenes at the inn would fli! his eyes-strange visions in wild, unknown lands. Other affections would lay claim to his heart. She must hold him while she could. Behind lhe cabin ran a road. Away towards the left it came down out of the 1nountatns. Towards the right it wound away down the valley towards the river and the town. Along this road travelers were continually passing. Almost al! of the travelers on this evening seemed to be coming from the vailey and were bound ,award tnt, mountains. But sometimes a pair of reindeer hunters, or a group of i:saeter girls, or a lone traveler, or a doctor with his one-horse gig would be passing from the mountains down to,vards the town. One lime three travelers on horse­ back, bound toward the mountains turned in from the road, feeling that they had gone far enough for that day. They removed their saddle bags, gave their horses to stable boys, and went into the inn for the night. Even Heg, the boy's father, was among those who passed along the road that evening. He had gone to the lawn that morning and was returning home. He turned out of the road and stopped his horse in front of the inn. Some boys appeared and look charge of the horse, while Even took an armful of bundles from the gig. As he passed his wife, who had resumed her spinning, he greeted her with affection. Hans had now finished his evening chores. He brought out a book, seated himself on the stone walk, and opened his book at the page where he had left off the night before. He had read only a few lines when he found hard words. He went to his mother and asked her to help him with his reading. As soon as it grew too dark to read, they laid the book aside and Hans begged for folk Jore stories. The first story that his mother told him was about the trolls and nisse and witches and gnomes and huldre: The next story was about the fairies. The next story was about the folk dances which the young people enjoyed after their day's work in the field. But Hans was an eager boy, and he was not yet satisfied. As the lengthening twilight grew fainter he asked his mother for Just one more story. Then she told him the story of Cinderella, which is well known by the children of every nation. Oddly enough, when the last of the stories had been told, all of the people and the spirits about whom she had been teliing came out of the dark and danced In a great circle al'ound the inn. But neither Hans nor his 1nother could see them. These were ail the stories Hans could make his mother tell him that night, so he went into the inn and fetched his grandfather. Grandfather came out, not unwillingly, and sat beside the boy's mother. Grandfather had a vast store of the legends and traditions of his land. He told about the Valkyrie and the gods and goddesses. Then he told the weli known story of Harold the Fair-haired. Next he -told about F1·idthjof and Ingeborg and the Vikings. Next came the story of Leif Erickson and his Icelanders, and how they discovered the "land of vines." There was a story of Olaf Trygveson who brought the Christian religion to Norway, and another about Olaf den Hellige, who brolrn the last heathen idol. This was the last story that grandfather would tell. But the boy was still un­ satisfied, so he went into the inn and brought out his father. Even Heg sat beside the boy's mother and told him about Kleng Pearson and the Sloopers. He said that Kleng Pearson had a wandering disposition. A certain group in Norway had embraced the Quaker faith, and they were longing for a land in which they would not be ridiculed when they went \11 meeting. Kleng Pearson undertook to spy out a new home for the Norse QuJ-.,rs. The voyage of the famous sloop, Restaurationen, was lhe result of his labors. About half a hundred of the Nor­ ,vegian Quakers crossed the sea in this tiny ship, and were received in An1erica by people of their faith. ·when they arrived in New York, two of the passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Larson, proudly exhibited their baby gil"I, Margaret Allen Lar­ son, who had been born during lhe passage. Even Heg had barely ll11ished the story of the Sloopers when a new guest arrived at the inn. This man was Ansten Nattastad, who had been in America. turned in from the road, dismissed the gig, and joined the party on the stone He walk. l.!;vcn H.eg received hin1 with tho friendliness of the born landlord. Austen had a prosperous appearance, as if he had co111e from a land of plenty. rrhe stable boys and others regarded hitn with interest bordering upon wonder. They noted !1is .A.1nerican hat, his heavy gold watch cha.in and the fur coat which he wore i.>ecause he was proud of it. Mrs. Heg brought out refreshments, and they talked as they partoolc .l\lr. Nattastad described .An1erica, its distances, its bigness and it::; opportunities. llans listened with eagerness. The newco1ners borrowed a fiddle f1·0111 one of the natives and played an A1nerican tune. lt did not take the inn­ keeper and his family long to develop a strong desire to immigrate to America. As twilight closed, some belated travelers could still be seen making their way along the road. There was a clear space in the 1nidst of an A111erican forest. The forest was inhabited by Indians who were now just returning fro1n son1e hunting expedition. 'rhe men forn1ed then1selves in large circle; the boys made a smaller circle in ilni­ tation of their elders. The women began seWni; up tepees and building iit>eS. Shawana, an Indian girl, broke away from the women and came forward and sang a song she loved. She sang the song sweetly because she was thinking of her lover, Manawa, who, unfortunately, belonged to a hostile tribe. Manawa was just then passing, but of course he dared not show himself. When he heard her voice, he stopped and listened. As soon as she had finished her song, she gave a weird native whistle. She started at the sound and n1ade her way out toward him. But she was not unobserved. Three or four young n1en crept up to the lovers and dragged Manawa into the circle of hostile Indians. The girl pleaded with them, but to no avail. The chief condemned Manawa to be burned at the stake. They tied him to the trunk of a tree, piled fagots about 111111 and performed a wild dance. Shawana was in despair. But at this n1oment, she saw a white man ap­ proaching the camp. She knew from his dress that he was a missionary. She ran and met him, and together they hurried to the spot. The missionary, by reason of the awe he inspired, was not harmed by the Indians. He stamped out the fire and released the captive. 'l.'hen he joined lhe hands of the lovers and sent them away toward !lfanawa's people. The holy man showed the Indians the cruelty of their practice. He told them about the great spirit. He knelt in prayer, and the Indians, at first a few and then all, knelt in imitation. Into the midst of the unbroken forest, as the shades of evening drew on, came a. party of Norwegian immigrants. 'l'hey had just arrived fro1n the old country. Some of them carried bundles, others axes and spades, and a few had guns. These men were weary after their long day's walk. They had now come to the end of their journey. They looked lhe ground over, and some of them paced off dis­ tances. Then they sat in a group and shared with one another the food they had carried with them. After supper they lay down to sleep. Two or three of the last read from their psalmbooks and knelt and sa,id their prayers before lying down. When the men had all fallen asleep, spil"its of the wood appeared and danced among them. It was as if these spirits were giving expression to the dreams of happi­ ness that came to the pioneers during their first sleep in the new land of promise. As soon as they had finished their dance, the nymphs flitted away into the woods. When the newcomers awoke the next morning, they beheld the Indians wor­ shipping with fire. The Indians had heard that they were to leave these woods, and they were now holding a final impressive ceremony. The chief and the medi­ cine man knelt and bowed to the earth, then lifted brands aloft. TMs they re­ pealed several times. The chief depicted the imminent clepartme of his people. The 1nedicine 1nan invoked the blessing of the great spirit. Young 1nen took brands from the fire and threw them in each of lhe four dirnctions. Men and women were chanting weird lament. The newc01ners hardly knew what to n1ake of this. Those who had rifles held them ready. As soon as the Indians observed the newcomers they took up their guns also. The red m.cn and the white men ap­ proached one another with caution. But the Indian chief came forward with �Pageant of the Northmen========================== uplifted arm, indicating that there was to be no resistance. The Norse lowered their rifles, the Indians did the like. The white men and the red men exchanged ideas by signs. The Indians told how they were about to leave these woods; the Norse described how they intended to plough the ground, cut down the trees and build houses. Some of the newcomers opened their bags and gave bright colored trinkets to some of the Indians. The red men and most of the white men joined in a circle. The chief passed his pipe-stone pipe around. One of the Northmen, not to be outdone, passed his long-stemmed Norwegian pipe around. Already two or three of the newcomers were pacing off the land, as if eager to commence farming operations. By the time that evening came, the Indians and the newcomers were mingling on the friendliest of terms. This was to be the last night that the Indians were to spend in their old haunts. Indians and newcoiners were now surprised at an odd sight. Out of the east came three American pioneer covered wagons. These American fan1ilies were on their way to Oregon or California, and ,vere looking for a place to spend the night. Among the Americans were Joe Brown, \.Yilliam Smith, and Peter Lees, with their wives and children. Tho Northmen were not long in inviting these A1nericans to make their camp in their woods. The Ameri­ cans unhitched their horses or oxen and made camp for the night. After supper a large camp flre was built and the people of the three nationalities gathered around it. The woods rang with the songs of each of the nations. The last song that they sang was "Home, Sweet Home." Each one of the singers used his native language, but the air was the oid familiar tune that everyone knew. It was the next morning. The Indian women had already been at work pre­ paring to leave. Some of them were now taking down the last of the tepees; others were loading their utensils upon the ponies' backs or upon the travoirs which the ponies dragged. Slowly and sadly the tribe passed in single flie away toward the west. The Northmen and the Americans watched the exodus of the Indians with interest. As soon as the last of the Indians disappeared, the Ameri­ cans began hitching up their teams. They bade the Northmen goodbye and drove slowly away to the west. The Northmen were now left in possession of the forest. lt was not Jong before they had built a cabin. Around this, one day a few months later, they were gathered as if expecting something to happen. In the distance a party of addi­ tional immigrants was seen. With them came their wives and children, and the wives and children of those who had come earlier. Among the newcomers was Even Heg and farnily, and John Einong and family. Hans Heg and Gunhild Einong, each about ten years of age, came walking hand in hand. They played together and watched the grown-ups at their work. Some of the newcomers brought domestic animals, others brought tools and implements. They were received by those who were already on the scene with affection. It was not long until all joined in the work at hand. Some chopped logs, others were sawing. Ahnost in a twinkling a forge was set up and the blacksmith was beating upon his anvil. Cowbells were heard in the woods. Logs were hauled together to commence the building of a church. A lone Indian had remained in the woods and was watching the activities of the white men. Two of the newcomers walked up to the lone Indian and asked him why he stood in this manner. He explained that his people were ali gone, but that he hesitated to break away from the land where his forefathers were buried. Then he, too, walked sadly in the track of his people and passed out of the picture. Not many months had elapsed until a rude church had been built in the wilder­ ness. The Rev. Clausen, a young minister just ordained, was instructing a class of children. Men and women gathered for church. They took their places as a congregation; the minister mounted his pulpit; they held prayer and song. Just as the minister was conunencing his sermoon, he was astonished to see Ole Storlie and his wife, young pioneers, come in, late for church. Their faces beamed with joy as they brought their new baby to the minister to be baptized. Mr. Clausen was not annoyed at the disruption of his service. He saw only the ardent love of the young parents. The congregation gave loving attention as the first child born in the settlement received baptism. Before the newcomers had been able to establish themselves in comfort, a scourge of cholera assailed the colony. An immigrant mother and her two children were at work in the field, when they were stricken, one after another. As they staggered to their cabin, Hans Heg and Gunhild Einong passed on their way home from school. Hans ran and brought a doctor, Gunhild ran and brought a neighbor. Hans hurried and brought Rev. Clausen. The doctor gave medicine. while the minister offered spiritual help. Not long afterward, two men were seen digging in the woods not far away. Some of the neighbors had gathered. A large box and two small ones, all new and rudely made, were borne away from a cabin. The young minister led the procession. The immigrant mother and her children were laid to rest in the new land in which they had hoped to find long life and happiness. \Vhen a few years had passed, the people of the settlement had gathered one Sunday at the church for the confirmation of a class of boys and girls. The Rev. Hans Andreas Stub, the ne,v n1inister, recently arrived froin Norway, was in charge. As the candidates took their places for the confirmation, Hans Reg appeared at the head of the boys, and Gunhild Einong at the head of the girls. In spite of the rude surroundings, there was a dignity and solemnity about the ceremony. The pioneer days were not without their touches of comedy. Hans Hanson, by profession a dancing master, had arrived from the oid country with his flve daughters, the eldest of whom was named Caspara. The fame of the comeliness of these sisters had spread throughout the settlement. James Reymert and four other young men, mounted on sprightly horses, rode up one evening and 5topped at the cabin. The father appeared at the door with his rifie, as if anticipating mis­ chief. Young Reymert explained that they had come to court his daughters. At this the dancing master called his daughters out and introduced them. Very speedily the young men and women formed in couples. So favorably was the father impressed with these pioneer suitors, that he fetched out his violin and played. Two or three of tho couples danced sedately, while others talked by them­ selves. The young men, almost in chorus, asked the father for his flve daughters. He seemed to hesitate, then he gave away all but Caspara.. Then, being impor­ tuned further, he gave her away to young Reymert. The rustic wooers mounted their horses, and the daughters mounted, each behind the man of her choice. As they rode away the father stood in the cab•in door, fiddle in hand, and waved them a farewell. During the fifties a political campaign was being waged. Hans Heg was a candidate for state legislator on the Free Soil ticket. A platform had been erected, and the people had gathered for the debate. \'Villiam Riley, the opposition candi­ date, had just finished his speech. The chairman now introduced Hans Heg. The young man had not proceeded far with his speech against slavery, when a party of fugitive slaves arrived, bound northward towards Canada. They were timid and tried to conceal themselves in the edge of the crowd. Hans Heg seized the opportunity to make a hit at slavery. He invited the slaves to the platform, ex­ plained their condition to the audience, and invited them to sing some of their plantation songs. Just as they were finishing their last song, a party of southerners rode in; in pursuit of their slaves. They heard the negroes singing. They made their way to the platform and demanded the return of their property. The Norse Rettlers protested, but upon being shown papers duly signed, they surrendered the slaves. As the slaves were driven back towards the south, they could be heard singing a song that began, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." Hans Heg stirred his audience as he exhorted them and pointed to the slaves being driven back into bondage. Not long after this the happiest event in Hans Heg's life occurred. He and his childhood playmate, Gunhild Einong, were married. The wedding took place in a grove on Mr. Einong's farm. The great musician, Ole Bull, happened to be in the settlement at the time. He made the occasion still happier by playing his most dearly loved selection, "Saeterjentens Sondag." After the wedding thll young people danced the spring dans and the Halling and folk dances. There were refreshments, and there was nol.Jie singing. While the festivities were still going on, Hans and Gunhild drove away, to their new home in a gig. Not many years of peace and happiness were given to the young couple. All too soon the cruel Civil war broke out in the land. At the frontier store, the first postmaster, Peter Jacobson, was giving out the mail. He distributed something to each except to Luth Hansen, the tinsmith. Through youthful error, Luth had been imprisoned in Norway, but had now becon1e a Christian and wished to atone for his wrongdoings. He remained a pathetic figure while the others read their letters from home. The stage coach passed. As it halted in front of the store, the stage driver shouted in Norse and English, "Fort Sumter is bombarded!" As if giving expression to the thoughts in people's n1inds, young women in military colors were performing a drill. Hardly had the stage passed out of sight, when a mounted courier gailoped past, .shouting in Norse and in English, "President Lincoln calls for volunteers!�' Luth Hanson and some of the men in front of the store attempted to form a squad and march in military fashion. The 15th \Visconsin volunteers was a regiment n1ade up almost entirely of Norwegian immigrants. This regiment, with acting Colonel Hans Heg in co1n­ mand, was ready to go to the front. It was inspiring to see these stalwart young soldiers going through their final drill. \'Vhen the troops had been dismissed for the evening, a young corporal named Knute Nelson took his squad out for further drill. Luth Hanson, the tinsmith, awkward and unmilitary enough, wanted to enlist in Knute's squad. The young corporal invited him to drill with his men. General U. S. Grant and two orderlies rode up and were met by Colonel Heg and some of his staff. General Grant gave Hans Heg his commission as colonel of the regiment. The soldiers rose from their tents and gave three cheers for their new Colonel. It was not military, perhaps, but it was genuine. General Grant and Colonel Heg looked at some maps. Then General Grant and his orderlies rode away towar<I the south, while Colonel Heg rejoined his regiment. Two years later the 15th Wisconsin had become hardened veterans. They had already fought in several battles and many skirmishes. The dark battle of Chickamauga was in progress. Heavy cannonading and 1nusketry were heard, indi­ cating that the battle had arrived at a critical point. The 15th Wisconsin was being held in reserve at the left. Colonel Heg had shown notable courage and genius as an of(icer and was now acting brigadier general. A courier came gal­ loping from the right with a paper which he handed to Colonel Heg. The need for reinforcements must have been urgent, for Colonel Reg's regiment set out im­ mediately across the field and marched toward the heaviest of the firing. Soon all were Jost in the smoke and din of conflict. In his eagerness to carry the posi- �========================== Pagean t of the Northmen tlon, Colonel Hcg unduly exposed himself. from his horse. He received a mortal wound and fell Some of his men caught him as he was falling, carried him to a hospllal lent, and laid him on a cot. The battle was still going on. That the men of the 15th Wisconsin were doing their duty was evident from lhe fact that the firing, though still heavy, came from further away, showing that the enemy was being pushed from the field. Soldiers were placed at the head and foot of the dead officer's cot. Genernl Grant ancl President Lincoln appeared and stood behind Colonel Reg's bier. Back in the settle1nent, the women were working in the fields. A woman was in charge of the store ; women were driving lumber wagons. Some old 1nen and children had gathered In front of the store and stood expectant. Two or three wounded soldiers, one of them being Luth Hanson, limped homeward from the southward and stopped at the store. It was touching to see that the one with the missing arm helped the one with the missing leg. A detail of blue clad soldiers came marching from towards the south, followed by a caisson bearing a flag-draped casket. The remains of Colonel Reg were being brought back to the old home town. The colonel's young wife was broken with grief, but his mother had a Spartan strain in her blood. She stood erect and proud, as she gave her boy to his country. The wounded soldiers saluted the body of their colonel. The war was over at last. Young women clad in brown and gold, and young men carrying rakes and scythes, joined in a festival of peace and harvest to the accompaniment of half-solemn music. Brave Colonel Heg was in his grave but his spirit, like that of John Brown, went marching on. It inspired the immigrants and their descendants in all that they did during the long years of peace that followed. The spirit of Colonel Heg and his men was with the minister and the choir and the class of conflrmants that represented the sturdy religious feeling of the Northmen. It was with the college president and his men and women students In cap and gown. It Inspired those of Norse descent who worked in the fields of art and llterature, of Invention, Industry, and commerce. Colonel Reg's spirit inspired the volunteers who fought in the Spanish American war, decades later. It remained with the thousands who enlisted as soldiers, sailors, and marines in the vasl world war. It was with the noble women who served in the Red Cross and as war-workers. At last there came a day when a statue of Colonel Hans Heg was to be un­ veiled. His memory deserved this tribute, for this Immigrant boy had proved himself to be all that is highest and noblest in the citizen of a republic. As the people gathered for the occasion, they were reminded of all the strange characters _ihat had had an influ.e.nce__.up_on--the colonel's life. ln the mind's-,,y<> they could be seen taking their places around the pedestal. As in a dream, the ancient kings and vikings appeared and took their positions. They were followed by the sturdy Immigrants with whom the boy had come to America, and the slaves, and the soldiers, and the spil'its of the wood, and the spirits of war. All of the people with whom Hans Heg had lived and wol'ked and fought seemed to group themselves sllenlly about his statue, as if they wished they might pay Ms memory a final tribute. Principal Characters THOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floyd B. Olson Even Hcg, an inn keeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bernard Leftfleld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Sanna Gl'oseth Sigrid Heg, his wife. . . . . . . . Jen Heg, his fathel'. . . . . . . . . ................ . . . . . . . . . John Groseth Hans Christian Hcg, as a boy of ten . . . Rolf Haugen . . . . . . . . . . . Leikar Ring Saeler Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christ Wick, Leonal'd Hess Two Norse Travelers. . . . . . . . . Witches . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betsy Mausath, Ellen Cummings, Inga Sathel', Berit Schagel't Harold, the Fair-Haired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Waag Leif Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. T. Lode King Olaf Trygvcsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold Heiberg King Olaf Sten Helllge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0. B. Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Orden1an King Calbjom den Staerke. Indian Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. E. J,;ngeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. T. V. Thomsen Indian Chief's Squaw . . . . . Medicine Man . . . . . . . . . Manley Monsen Shawana, an Indian girl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Constance Thane A Missionary . . . . . . . . . A. C. Erdahl Immigrants: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . A. C. Gunurus John Luraas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magne Diste Knut Lura�s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gustav Diste Halver Luraas . . . . . . . Torge Lui-as and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Nestwald and Mrs. C. A. Jlfoglin Halvor Lonneck and his wife . . . . . . . . . S. H. Simonson and Mrs. S. H. Simonson Ole Kroken and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Larsen and Alpha Johnson Ole Kjonaas and his wife. . . . . . . . . . . . Leonard Hess and Berntine Mauseth Nils Tellefsjord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Bruhcin Ole Tellefsjord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Langseth Ole Tellefsjord and wife. . . . . . . . . . A. Langseth and Mrs. llfathilda Gausta Gille Danielson and his wife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Sathel' and Marie Ileque Hjalmer Kjellarviken and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . Ole Cammen and Carrie Peterson John Molso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christ Wick .A1nerican Pioneers: .Joe Brown and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. and Mrs. George Leach William Smith and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . John Semans and Mrs. Grace S. Forbes Peter Less and his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oscar Semans and Mrs. John Knowlton Peter Jacobsen, a postmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adels ten Berge James Reymert, editor of Nordlyset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. Marsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Ordeman Halver Thompson, a blacksmith . . . . Luth Hanson, a tinsmith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold lloiherg . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. llf. S. Oas l\11's. John Rineng. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. C. L. Clausen, a young minister. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. C. Erdahl An I1nn1igrant !\!other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elisa Pauline Farscth Rev. Hans Andreas Stub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. L. Andersen Mrs. Ingeborg Stub, his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miss Dahl . . . . . . . Lars Anderson Hans Hanson, a dancing master . . . . . . Caspara Hansen, his daughter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nora Harsfjerd Four other daughters . . . Alfrida Hoff, Agnes Sundheim, Ethel Sween, Betty Mei berg Four Young Immigrants, Heynart's Ccompanions . . . . . Gustav Dlnte, Anders Ulseth Hans Heg as a young man. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al'ne Ofstic Gunhlld Minon as a young lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mildred Sommer Ole Bull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elnar Larsen His Wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. E. C. Dorwin A Courier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anders Ulseth Knute Nelson, a corporal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colonel E. E. Johnson Capt. Rossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alvin Ronning General Grant . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... . . . . . . . Abner Osterhus President Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. Gretling Soldiers, peasants, wood-nymphs, fairies, daisies, slaves, Indians, spirits of war, spirits of peace. � $ The Story tn Outline * Scene 1. The characters in the pageant, accompanied by bands, pass in review before the audience. Scene 2. Hans Heg is shown as a boy of ten at his father' s inn, located beside a road in Norway. His mother tells him folklore stories. Scene 3. The boy' s grandfather recounts to him some of the traditions of his land. Scene 4. His father tells him something of how the earliest adventur­ ers went to America to live. Scene 5. Ans.ten .attestad, returning from -America, visits the inn. He encourages the Heg family to immigrate to the new world. Scene 6. Indians are shown in possession of an American forest' which is destined to become the home of the Norse settlement. Scene 7. A party of Norse, the advance guard of the immigrants, ar­ rivo,s, weary after their day 's tramp. As they sleep they dream that they are visited by spirits of the wood. Stene 8. The Indians are preparing to depart. They smoke the peace pipe with the newcomers. Scene 9. American pioneers in covered wagons, bound westward' camp for the night. The three races gather around a camp fire. Scene 10. The Indians take their departure. The Americans resume their journey westward. The Norse are left in possession of the forest. Scene 11. The first settlers are joined by a larger party of immigrants ' among them the Heg family. Scene 12. At a frontier church service, the first babe born in the setile­ ment is baptized by the young minister. Scene 13. During a scourge of cholera an immigrant mother and her two children are stricken. � cene 14_. Hans Heg now a boy in his teens, and Gunhild Einong, an . 11nm1grant girl, are eonfirmed. Scene 15. The five daughters of a dancing master are hastily wooed and won by five young men of the settlement . Scene 16. Hans Heg, now a candidate for the state legislature on the Free Soil ticket, makes use of a group of fugitive slaves to emphasize his arguments at a political meeting. Scene 1 7 . Hans Heg and Gunhild Einong are married by the Rev. Hans Andreas Stub. Ole Bull plays at the wedding. S�ene 18. While some of the settlers are gathered at the postoffice, a courier announces the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Later a stage driver brings the tidings that President Lincoln has called for volunteers. Scene 19. Hans Heg receives from General Grant his commission as colonel of the 15th Wiseonsin, a regiment made up of Norwegian immi­ grants. Scene 20. While encouraging his men at the battle of Chickamauga Colonel Heg gives his life for his adopted country. General Grant and President Lincoln pay homage at his bier . Scene 21. The flag-draped casket containing the body of the dead offi­ cer is brought home to the settlement. Scene 22. Young women and young men, at the close of the war join in a solemn festival of peace and harvest. Scene 23. Characteristic groups indicate the advancement accomplished . in America by Norse pioneers and their descendants. Scene 24. The people unveil a statue of Colonel Heg, immigrant sol­ dier and martyr to the cause of human liberty. •At the openh;,g of each scene its number will be projected on the screPn at back of stage area. �In Charge of the Pageant Johs. Groseth, Chairman of Pageant Committee Miss Elisa Farseth Carl Hanson L. Stavnheim Mrs. Wm. 0. Storlie Mrs. Nils Juell Mrs. T. V. Thomen Willard Dillman, General Director Thos. Russell, Assistant D irector and Master of Properties Miss Cecilia Donlin, Director of Drills James Shillok, Director of Lights Miss Agnes Bothne, Director of Music Capt. Bissennette, Director of Battle Effects Directors of Scenes Scene 1. Scene 2. Scene 3. Scene 4. Scene 5. Scene 6. Scene 7. Scene 8. Scene 9. Scene 10. Scene 11. Scene 12. Scene 13. Scene 14. Scene 15. Scene 16. Scene 17. Scene 18. Scene 19. Scene 20. Scene 21. Scene 22. Scene 23. Scene 24. Johs. Groseth, Harold Heiberg, Thos. Russell, Cecilia Donlin. Mrs. Sonna Groseth, Cecilia Donlin. Ruth Hagen, Elisa Farseth, Johs. Groseth, T. T. Lode. Benner Loftfield, B. H. Bertleson. Mrs. Sonna Groseth. G. E. Engeman, Constance Thanne. S. H. Simonson, Cecilia Donlin. G. E. Engeman, Constance Thanne. John Seamans, Harold Heiberg. George Leach, S. H. Simonson. Harold Heiberg. A. C. Erdahl. Elisa Farseth, A. C. Erdahl. P. L. Andersen. Johs. Groseth. Arne Ofstie, Agnes Bothne. Arne Ofstie, P. L. Andersen. Harold Heiberg. Alvin Ronning, Col. E. M. Johnson. Capt. Bissenette, A. Grotting. Harold Heiberg. Cecilia Donlin. Jobs. Groseth, Mrs. Wm. 0. Storlie. Johs. Groseth, H. Heiberg, Thos. Russell, Mrs. Daisy Ellen Hughes, Cecilia Donlin. NOTE-On account of the necessity of early printing, names of hun­ dreds of participants could not be included in this program. The committee asks pardon for their omission, and wishes to thank all who have helped in the pageant as actors or in any other capacity. • � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norse-American Centennial Papers (P0562) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context P0562 Description An account of the resource <p><span>Correspondence, minutes, financial records, reports, programs, clippings, pictures, pamphlets, and scrapbooks of an association incorporated in 1925 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to supervise the observance of the arrival of the first group of Norwegian immigrants in America. The collection describes in detail the management of the celebration and gives data on observances in Chicago, Canada, Boston, and Brooklyn. Letters and essays reveal the loyalty of Norwegian Americans to their cultural heritage and the rivalry among area groups of Norwegians in America. The celebration was initiated by the bygdelags. The chief officials were Gisle Bothne, S. H. Holstad, J. A. Holvik, Elisa P. Farseth, and Mrs. Wm. O. Storlie. Correspondents include Juul Dieserud, Knut Gjerset, Hanna Astrup Larsen, and O. M. Norlie. The centennial received nationwide press coverage.</span></p> <b>Funding:</b><span><br /></span><span>Funding to digitize the Norse-American Centennial papers provided to the Norwegian-American Historical Association through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, a component of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment, ratified by Minnesota voters in 2008.</span> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context p0562_03135 p0562_03136 p0562_03137 p0562_03138 p0562_exh_019 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. p0562 Norse-American Centennial Papers (P0562: Exhibition Materials and Memorabilia) Title A name given to the resource Program for the Pageant of the Northman by Willard Dillman, 1925 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Norse-American Centennial, Inc. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Dillman, Willard, 1872 or 1873-1949 Description An account of the resource Pageant of the Northman program. Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1925 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Undetermined http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/ The copyright and related rights status of this Item has been reviewed by the organization that has made the Item available, but the organization was unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the Item. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Programs Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. [Indicate the cited item here]. Norse-American Centennial Papers. Norwegian American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota. Text