O. W. Coursey

              Figure

O. W. COURSEY MITCHELL. S. D.


A FEW PERSONAL COMMENDATIONS
Major O. W. Coursey captivates an audience the moment he steps upon the platform, and he domineers them by the strength of his thought and the grace of his delivery.

Kimball, South Dakota.

Mrs. Minnie E. Long, formerly County Superintendent of Schools.

Major O. W. Coursey is an interesting and inspirational speaker, and he carries his audience with him in his fluent and vivacious style.  He has traveled extensively and has been a close observer, and he gives an exceedingly instructive and interesting lecture.  The faculty and students of this school would be pleased to welcome him again.

Ellendale, North Dakota.

R. M. Black, President, State Normal and Industrial School.

Major O. W. Coursey is different.  Before a patriotic or a civic gathering, on an educational program or in a religious meeting, he is equally at home, and always a specialist.  He really merits the advertisement: The more you get the more you want.  Audiences always want more of Coursey.  They never fail, because he never fails them.

St. Paul, Minnesota.

Lloyd H. Rising, Pastor, St. Anthony Park M. E. Church.

That the speaker, Major O. W. Coursey, should have held the rapt attention of the faculty and students of the South Dakota State College, while I was president of that institution, for an hour and a quarter, at the convocation period, is the best evidence of his powers of graphic description.  Again, since I became president of the University of South Dakota, he lectured to the students of this institution with the same result.

Vermillion, South Dakota.

Robert L. Slagle, President, University of South Dakota.

I have known Dr. Coursey for many years.  During my long pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mitchell, S. D., he was a prominent and useful official, President of our Men's Forum and Leader of our Gospel Teams.  He is influential in the educational, political and literary life of the state and enjoys a growing popularity as a platform man.  His lectures and addresses have a high ethical and religious purpose.  He meets the demands of every situation and makes good.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

J. S. Hoagland, Pastor, Kingsley M. E. Church.

It is a privilege to endorse Major O. W. Coursey, Litt. D., who abundantly merits the high esteem in which he is held by South Dakotans, who, like myself, have learned to appreciate his sterling Christian character, his genuineness as a man among men, his ability as an interpreter of contemporary literature and current events.  Major Coursey has won unusual distinction as a writer and lecturer in his home state, where his services are constantly in demand.  His message is constructive and challenging.

Mitchell, South Dakota.

E. D. Kohlstedt, President, Dakota Wesleyan University.

Dr. O. W. Coursey has to my mind a finer grasp upon the history and literature of our state than any other living man.  Not alone does he know the worthwhile things about the Sunshine State, but he has such a delightful way of telling his audience what he knows as to charm all his listeners.  As a platform lecturer, he has spoken in every part of the state on all kinds of occasions.  He is a frequent visitor in Aberdeen and when here he is always in great demand.  I take great pleasure in recommending Dr. Coursey to communities and organizations wishing an outstanding lecturer for patriotic, educational, and other addresses.

Aberdeen, South Dakota.

H. W. Foght, President, Northern State Teachers College.

Dr. Coursey is a constant embarrassment to me.  I cannot regard with complacency my own meager performance when I see a business man, as he is, doing his full share at the daily round, and then doing enough in writing and lecturing for a full man's job besides.  There are mighty few like him, but we are glad he is!  His books are always worthwhile in matter and in style, and his lectures are wholesome, polished, and racy in interest and delivery.  The people who know him are seeing that his books are either all sold out or put in a second edition at once; and where he has lectured, he is recalled again and again.  He is a man who not only MAKES good, but who DOES good, wherever he appears.

Evanston, Illinois.

W. D. Schermerhorn, Professor, Garrett Biblical Institute.




NEWSPAPER COMMENTS

Sioux City Journal
—He is an encyclopedia of information on the islands (Philippines).


Aberdeen Daily News
—This was the best lecture delivered at the (Northern) Normal this year.


Kimball Graphic
—It was a common remark at the close that another hour would have been an additional treat.


Alpena Journal
—He held his large and appreciative audience for a full two hours and forty-five minutes, at close attention.


Sioux Falls Daily Argus-Leader
—His word pictures were brilliant and thrilling and were the marvel of all who heard him.


Alexandria Herald
—The lecture was both entertaining and instructive, and he held the close attention of his audience for two hours.


Ellendale (N. D.) Record
—He is a rapid-fire speaker, giving the audience no time to tire because of the close connection of interesting points.


Highmore Herald
—The address by O. W. Coursey was especially fine.  Many said they could have listened for another hour without getting weary.


Geddes News
—For eloquence and fluency he has but few peers, while the text of his lecture teemed with thoughts that inspired his hearers to higher ideals.


Marion Record
—His subject was handsomely treated, the lecturer combining in happy felicity the elements of the polished orator with the descriptive and entertaining speaker.


Lead Daily Call
—His power of description and beauty of expression are at least two-fold.  His consistent and forceful logic, and his sane and clear use of good English, are especially refreshing.


Mitchell Daily Republican
—He was somewhat hoarse and fatigued from the fact that the day previous he had delivered the same lecture three times to large audiences; neverthelss, he was qual to the occasion.


Rapid City Daily Journal
—In the evening Major O. W. Coursey gave an interesting address.  He is an eloquent, brilliant speaker, compelling the most minute attention of his listeners with the apt way he has of putting things.


Centerville Journal
—He is one of the ablest men on the platform today;—a deep thinker, a student of men and affairs and logical in the presentation of his ideas and conclusions.  Centerville showed her appreciation of his efforts.


Sturgis Record
—The Presbyterian church was crowded Sunday evening to hear Major O. W. Coursey's lecture on Abraham Lincoln on the Stage of Human Liberty. It was a masterful effort unsurpassed in the oratory of the state.


Salem Pioneer-Register
—Major O. W. Coursey who gave the commencement address was at his best.  The address was to the class and the audience—not over their heads.  It was the talk of everybody on the streets the next day.


Mitchell Gazette
—The graduating class of the Davison county schools was greatly pleased to meet their former superintendent, Major O. W. Coursey, who gave the address of the day.  The effort was worthy of the occasion and the man—eloquent, inspiring and instructive.


Parker New Era
—O. W. Coursey gave his sacred lecture, The Harp of Life, to a large union service at the Methodist church Sunday evening.  * * * He has a winning personality, is eloquent of speech, and has a fund of knowledge on a wide range of subjects that gives him strength on the platform.


Vermillion Republican
—Major O. W. Coursey, of Mitchell, addressed the students of the University of South Dakota today on the subject of The Three Fundamentals. It was an unusually interesting lecture, and the speaker made his arguments convincing by vivid illustrations from the lives of the world's successful leaders.


Kadoka Press
—The appreciative audience drank in every bit of this refreshing intellectual treat.  The Major's natural eloquence, his experience and tact as a platform speaker, together with his unusual command of English, make him stand out as an artist without a peer in the state.  That is why folks flock to hear him again and again.


Dell Rapids Tribune
—In a beautiful commencement address, last Thursday night, Major O. W. Coursey justified the action of the board of education in reengaging him for this year, after he had delivered a similar address here last year.  The large audience listened with rapt attention to the orator as he played upon their sensibilities of the beautiful and good in his splendid style.


Pierre Capital-Journal
—Major O. W. Coursey delivered a thoughtful and inspiring lecture at the Methodist church Sunday evening to a large and appreciative audience.  He took for his subject The Harp of Life, and many were the lessons that he brought to his hearers.  It was recognized at the beginning that he was at home on the platform, and should fair fortune bring him to us again as speaker, the people will not fail to show their appreciation.  The lecture was inspiring as well as intellectually stimulating.




HIS LEADING LECTURES
THE INDIVIDUAL TRIANGLE—This lecture has been delivered more than 250 times in South Dakota and adjoining states—on Chautauqua, before the state legislature, from the pulpit, for commencements etc.  It has never failed to please.  The lecturer is in receipt of a number of private communications from young people who have heard it and who have confessed that it has changed the whole course of their lives.  Many people have asked to have it brought out in book-form—a matter now under advisement.

THE HARP OF LIFE—Deals with life in general, life in particular, and the two combatting spiritual influences that seek to control it. Because of its sacredness this lecture is always used by the speaker for Chautauqua on Sunday; also as a baccalaureate address and for other popular occasions.  Said a worldly man who heard it recently: I shall find it easier to live better all the rest of my life.

VOICES OF THE PLAINS—A lecture dealing with South Dakota Authors—all of whom the speaker has known personally and intimately over a period of 40 years.  This lecture has been delivered five times, to date, in the speaker's home city of Mitchell, and three and four times in many other leading cities of the state.  In it the lecturer stresses the circumstances which cause things to be written, rather than the things written.  It stirs the soul of an audience.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN ON THE STAGE OF HUMAN LIBERTY—In this lecture the speaker shows how two classes of colonists, each speaking the same tongue, left their native land—England—and came to America; how they landed 13 years apart and a few hundred miles apart along the Atlantic seaboard; how each one set up in the New World its own set of ideals; how these two sets of ideals gradually came into deadly conflict with each other and brought about the Civil war; how God then rolled up the curtain over the Alleghany mountains, reached over onto the plains of Illinois, got a man from among the common people, Abraham Lincoln, and made him the leading actor of the Nineteenth century on the Stage of Human Liberty.

THE PHILIPPINES AND FILIPINOS—This lecture covers the History, the Geography, and the Sociology of the Philippine Islands.  It is replete with good stories throughout, and has been delivered from the Rocky Mountains to Chicago.  Mr. Coursey is the author of three books on the Philippines, the information for which was gathered by him in person while on soldier duty in the Islands in 1898-99.

PIONEER RECOLLECTIONS—A thrilling recital of Pioneer Days in the old Dakota Territory.  It covers the lecturer's personal recollections and observations.  He saw the Indians go and the White men come; underwent the hardships of the Dry Time, and spent the night of the Big Blizzard (Jan. 12, 1888) in an old school house, nearly two miles from home.  It is a soul-stirring lecture that one never can forget.



ON LYCEUM AND CHAUTAUQUA

Tripp Ledger
—The last number on the local Lecture and Concert course was delivered Friday evening by Major O. W. Coursey, of Mitchell.  He has spoken in this community several times, and his audiences continue to grow.


Wentworth Progress
—The Chautauqua, under the auspices of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary, closed Sunday evening with a lecture by Major O. W. Coursey.  * * * He delivered a lecture, the like of which has not been heard in Wentworth before.  Forceful, emphatic, and always sure of his ground, he spoke for nearly an hour and a half, only to have people complain afterwards that his talk was altogether too short.


Sioux Falls Press
—The last number on the Lyceum course at Rutland was delivered Tuesday evening by Major O. W. Coursey, of Mitchell.  He pleased his hearers immensely, and those in authority promptly engaged him to deliver their high school commencement address in May.


Frankfort Independent
—Major O. W. Coursey, teacher, soldier, author, and master interpreter of the symphony of life, delighted our people in the opening number of our Lyceum course, Thanksgiving night.  * * * We will welcome him again.

N. B.—Mr. Coursey is the author of nearly 20 volumes to date, and there are 33,000 copies of his books in the school libraries of his home state.