Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-06-22
HOUSTON COUNTY.
ERIK. Tenn. june Is. 1872

wv
ERIy, Tenn, June 10, 1872.
Ems. CHRONICLE: Knowing that
you take deep interest in Houston
county and in the cause of education,
we desire to call your attention, and
that of the readers of your popular
journal, to the public demonstration
and barbecue gotten up at Erin ON
yesterday, june l4th, for the benefit Of
Col. VIM. H. Fessy's school.
From a very early hour in the morn
ing crowds of eager spectators of both
sexes began to arrive, and by 8 O. clock,
which was the hour fixed upon for the
exercises to commence, there was a
larger crowd in attendance than ever
assembled at Erin before. We were
pleased to see that in this concourse of
the good people of Houston (Which
has been variously estimated at from
five hundred to a thousand) the gentle
sex seemed to predominant, and we are
vain enough to think that very few
counties in the State could muster a
better looking assemblage of the fair
sex generally, according to population,
than your young sister county of Hous-
ton produced on this occasion.
At the tapping of the bell we re-
paired to the school house to the cx-
animation and found the house crowd
ed to overhowing, about two-thirds of
the dense thrOng inside consisting of
ladies, very many of the sterner sex
CALAMITY relinquishing their seats to
them and contenting themselves with
seat in the shade on the outside.
The school house or church in which
the examination was held had been
previously decorated by the students
and female friends of the institution,
and most admirable good taste was
displayed in everything from the .fes-
toons of cedar wreathcd with wild
flowers that cncircled the entire inside
of the building, to the gorgeous stands
Of beautiful flowers that adorned the
pulpit and that part of the hall occu-
pied by the tidily dressed and happy
looking students of the school. On
one side of the pulpit, neatly displayed
on black back ground encircled with
wrcaths Of cedar and flowers, were OK
hibited specimens of the handwriting
of the scholars. On the other, SINH.
larly ornamented was diagram work
ed in colors. of the solar system, which
did great credit to the taste and learn
ing of Misses Bette Pollard and ella
Shelton, by whom it had been made
The first premium for the best spcci-
men of handwriting was unanimously
awarded by the committee to young
Mr.. Hick Griffin, and the certificate
was equally divided between the las,
mentioned young ladies, the committee
being unable to decide whose hand
writing was the best. The cxamiua.
ton resulted in a manner so satisfac-
tory 10 the patrons of the school as to
reflect great credit on the pupils and
on their teacher. Col. Fessy has only
been teaching this school for Eve
months and the progress and improve.
mcnt in the scholars has been almost
incredible, considering the length Of
time they have been under his tuition
The first class in grammar, the little
girls geography class, the class in nat
ural philosophy and in arithmetic al
acquitted themselves to the satisfac-
ton of their teacher and the patron.
Of their school, but worthy of espcc
ial notice was the admirable recitation
of the little girls in geography and the
explanation of the diagram of the so
lar system. Ii would have done m
| discrcdit to the highest institution o.
learning in our land. Col. Fcssy is al
excellent teacher, has had the expert
enco of lifetime, and adds to thor
ough and sound qualifications for his
position, the most admirable tact il
getting hold of the affections of hi
pupils, and teaching them how t.
THINK and understand what they learr
his motto being to inculcate ideas in,
stead of words merely.
After the examination the audionc,
repaired in procession to beautiful
grove in the valley above Hollister,
field near fine spring, where a tabl,
had been spread and a most bountifu
supply of barbccucd meat, cake, anC
the greatest abundance of prandial ap
planes very quickly satisfied the hun
ger Of the crowd, the ladies, of course
being first invited to the table, and tn,
gentlemen, with characteristic gallan
try, patiently waiting until the fair SC!
had been supplied.
p The thanks of the community ar
justly due to the committee of arrange
mentS for the zeal, energy and efficieu
, cy infused into the management Of thi
department of the ceremonies. Eve
rything went off pleasantly, not an in
appropriate or diSorderly occurrenc,
marred the enjoyment and harmony q
/ the happy occasion. After Dime
speeches were delivered by Gen. w. }
. Broaddus and II. IL. Buquo, ESQ
Gen, Broaddus, in his usual courtcou
anil genial style, delivered avery inter
cStins. efficient and able address nj
the subject of education, which di
credit to himself and the school.
At the close of Gen. Broaddu,
speech Esquire Buquo, being calle
70 upon, occupied the roStrum and mad
short, but very interesting specc
, suited to the occasion in which he ac
quilted himself creditably,
hn.r.nt-.n