Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-05
Public Schools in Alexandria County.

Carne began al $50, on Thursday
morning, the examination of Jefferson School,
coored, at Fort Albany, j Ohm r. Johnston,
ESQ.,, Trustee for Jefferson District; George r.
Adams, ESQ.,, Trustee for Arlington District,
and Mr. Richard w. Johnston being the only
other visitors present. Most of the older pupils
had left to work in the brick yards, &c, and
those who remained did rather badly, being, in
the opinion of the Superintendent classed too
high The Superintendent then rode over to
Freedmen's Village, with the gentlemen above
named, and found the children of Arlington
School No. 2, assembled in the church there
under their teacher, Miss Lavenia Lane, with
many of the most respectable colored residents
of the neighborhood Here an examination
took place which reflected the highest credit
on the teacher, the reading, especially, being
very fine. The Superintendent give his medal
to Abraham SyphaZ, very bright little boy,
nephew to the colored delegate TO the General
Assembly from the county,
Then aSpelliug Match between all the color
ed schools 10 the county took place, the prize
being silver medal, given by Major George
Dutfey.. For this, Abraham Syphax was the
successful competitor. The Superintendent
compllmeDed the teachers and pupils and con-
graduated the people of the village on the pro-
gress made by their children, giving them some
good advice about work aod study.
After dining with Mr.. Johnston. Supcrin CO.
dent Carne and MIR. Adams started for Balstou,
arriving there at 23O They found consider.
able and highly respectable audience assent led
in the beautiful new Presbyterian Church, and
Ioo fn tho = D,,r
No. 2, with their teacher, Mr.. James f. Glenn.
ents, came 10 procession and occupied The front
seats. They were thoroughly examined, and did
programme being as follows l, Dialogue on
the Utility Of School Exhibition, by George A
Ball and James H. Birch. . Chorus by the
School-Ieachiug Public School. 3. Socrates
Shocks; recitation, by Frank g. Schutt 4
Early Rising; recitation, by Robert Lee Veich
+. The figures, concert piece, by Misses
Susie Collins, Stella Schutt, Emma Collins
Emma Mortimore, Isabel Robertson, Blanche
Schutt, Ida Marcy Airline Corbett and An
uie Collins. 7, A New England Tragedy; reel
tatioo, James l.. Robertson. s. Young Ameri.
ca; recitation, Willis a. Law. 9. The Coming
Centennial; recitation, by Willie S. Cameron
10. Farewell Song H. Conclusion, James H.
Birch Some OF the speeches we're exceedingly
well delivered, and the music reflected great
credit on Miss Fannie SypheSd, who kindly as
sisted in getting it up, and, herself presided at
the organ. Premiums were given by the teach
err to Miss Ida Isabella Robertson aud George
Ball, as the best scholars, and briet addresses
were delivered by the Superintendent and Mr..
Adams
Alter nights rest at the hospitable resi-
dence of the last named gentleman, the Super
intendent proceeded to Carne School, No. l,
Halls Hill, where he was met by Henry
w. tebrey, esq.,, Trustee for Wash
lngton District and large number of the peo
pie OF the neighborhood. The examination
which took place showed the incoutes,able su-
perlorlty of this school, very few failures, in-
deed, appearing. Both the Superintendent
and Messrs. Adams and Fcbrey compIi meuted
the teachers, Mr.. Samuel L. Stalcup, and his
pupils, upon their proficiency, and the Super
lntendent, pralslng the Dlce, new school house,
urged the boys to plant trees around the lot
aud the girls to arrange flower beds about it.
Miss Noble Walters was awarded gold medal
given by George Ott Wuuder, esq, the Clerk
Of the District
After dinuing with that gentleman, the party
went over to Sumner School, (colored) taught
by Miss Jennie Arnold, where very 6ne ex-
animation took place. Here the Superinteud-
ent gave bis medal to very black little boy,
Benjamin L. Brice, who was pointed out as
the best, as he Was, undoubtedly, the smartest
pupil There was, evidently, 10 mixture OF
white blood iu him, to account for his talent
A premium was given by the teacher to Edward
Hollis, who read we'll 10 the Third Reader,
though he could read only words of two sya-
bles ten months ago.
The last visit was to Columbia School House,
in Arlington, where the spelling match for Mr.
Dutfey's gold medal took place. All the schools
were soou spelled down except Mr. Stacup's,
which kept two young ladies, Misses Molie
Walters and Jennie Birch on the floor three
quarters of an hour, when, at last the former
tailed and Miss Birch received the medal. The
Superintendent complinenled all the spoilers,
and took occasion to express regret that Co.
lumbia School was closed FOR want of patron
age, telling the parents that unless divisions
ceased among them, their children could never
be educated He pointed to the triumphant
success of Carne School as an evidence of the
results to be obtained by getting good teacher
and keeping him. Mr.. Adams freely ackuowl-
edged that Arlington was beaten, but hoped
better things for next year. aod he and the
other trustees present offered $50 gold medal
for spelling prize for the mex, year.
The Superintendent is highly gratfed at the
results of his examinations. Io the colored
schools, especially, the children once dirty and
ragged, now come nicely dressed, and their
parents who formerly, appeared to have 20
care for them, now crowd to the examinations.
He regards the improvement amyng the color
ed children as the harbenger OF much greater
prosperity to the country, and points to the
fact that though Sumner School stands just in
front OF a vineyard none OF its pupils have been
known to steal single grape as an evidence
that the teachers are doing good work among
their race
FAUoUEER COUNTY ITEMS john II. Rixey
died at Fauquier Springs at a. w., Friday, in
the 56:h year of his age. The deceased was
native Of CuIpepcr, graduate of the Univer-
sity of Virginia, and by profession lawyer.
He represented Culpeper county 10 the Legls-
lature for several years previous to his removal
to Fauquier, and after his settlement here as
proprietor Of the Warren Green Hotel, was
elected Mayor of our town Mr.. Rixcy possess,