Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-06-09

The collegiate year closed on Friday,
June 4th, and the last day was the
most interesting of the year. The
various exercises consisted OF prayer
by Rev. DR.. Mays, and reading of an
essay by w. NJ. Lindsay. The morn
ing was taken up by awarding the
medal given by n. l.. McCanlass, for
the best speaker in the Junior class.
This class spoke on Thursday, and
were all called on the stage Friday
morning. The judges before named,
decided that j. l.. Clark was the sue
cessful man. So the beautiful gold
medal was presented to him with n
few appropriate remarks by the Rev.
Mr.. Pope. Then followed speeches
from the Senior class, consisting OF
w. G. Bayless, j. w. Goddard, J. w.
Smith, NJ. w. Shields, u. #.
Johns, ID, II. Cooper, and
r. X. smith, the last named being the
valedictorian. Their Orations were all
well composed, and were well deliv-
tred. After their speeches, the degree
of A. b. was conferred on all of these
gentlemen, with some remarks from
the president, DIR. Goforth. In the
afternoon awarding diplomas from the
societies took place. The graduates
from the Columbian Society were d.
II. Cooper, w. G. Bayless, NJ. w.
Shields and J. w. Smith. The diplo-
mas were presented by NJ. b. McMa-
han, of Newport. Mr.. Bayless deliv-
cred the valedctofy of the society.
The members OF the Philamathian
were u. II. Johns, J.W. Goddard and
II. II Smith. Mr.. Johns representing
them in few parting words. Hon. J.
NJ. Thornburgh was then introduced
by =. NJ. Sherman, who delivered
the literary address to thetwO societies.
His speech was delivered in an elo-
quent manner. 1t was admitted by all
to be grand thing. he had the at
tention of the largest collection of citi-
zens and patrons of the school that
ever assembled at the college since its
foundation.
The educational mass meeting that
was to come Off at night, was called i'm
mediately after Col. Thornburgh's
speech.
The meeting was called to order by
DR.. Goforth. DR.. Mays was chosen
chairman.
Rev.I. b. .Kimbrough was called upon
| to make remarks. He stated that
he had been working for about five
months to raise money enough to erect
new buildings. The trustees had asked
! him to raise S25 900 and that he had
| $l5,0 900 oft secure, and hoped in a short
| time he would have the rest; stating at
the same time that young men were
| flocking to this place for an education,
and that there must be room made for
| them.
| Gen. ]. a. Cooper was called upon
| to make some remarks, which he did
in earnest appeals to the people of this
! portion of the State to awake to their
duty. Young men are calling for ad-
mittance to this college, and they must
| have room.
! DIR. Mays made a few remarks, ad-
vising the people of Messy Creek to
look well to their interests, lest some
| town in East Tennessee should want
| a college worse than them.
w. g. Bayless wanted all present to
subscribe for the Echo.
DIR. Goforth then read the standing
of each student in school, after whicn
the meeting adjourned.
Among those instituting the com.
mencement were Colonel Sam. p.
WINS, the lively and accomplished ed
! itor of the Athens Post; Il. r. Rus
sell, Athens, Ga; ]. A. Cooper; Miss
Katie Russell, of Georgia; Miss
Briant. of Athens; Miss Allen, New
port; Miss Alice Woodsides, of Dan
ridge; Tempal Harris, of Danridge ;
Professor Carriger, of Morristown ;
Mrs. Colonel Mines; Mr., Dyer, editor
of the New Market Nel0S; Miss Meek
of Rutledge, and great many more
who the writer is not acquainted with,
and that would be too tedious to men,
tion. The people of Messy Greek are
alive to the educational interests OF
the day. All who were in attendance
on these exercises were well cared
for. One will not know how courteous
all are in this place until he visits It,
! rhe doors of Mai. Mountcastell, S. @