The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-04-24
County Correspondence.
written for The Spirit Of Democracy
From Washington Township.
GRAYsvILLE, OHIo, April 8

GRAYsvILLE, OHIo, April 8, 1877
Ed. SPIRIT: The public schools of this
place closed on the 7th inst. There
seemed to be unusual interest manifested
to make the closing exercises that of
long and profitable remembrance. The
Harman Ridge School was invited to
participate In the exercises, to which in.
vitation it cheerfully responded. The
work of the morning began by erecting
9 table to bear the cake, pies, roast
chickens, &c, which those alone would
supply in such rich profusion on such
occasions who feel deep interest In the
cause of education. ,aa1 ag
After the dinner and treat were fitly
prepared our school formed in ranks and
went to meet the above named school to
welcome them to the exercises Of the
day. We then marched back to and
through the town and stopping in from,
Of Rev. Shirer's to sing Prayer Then
the procession marched back to the
school house where we had the good
pleasure Of partaking of the dinner which
was given in honor of the teacher and
scholars for the work accomplished in
the term Of school just closed. And
Mr.. Editor, allow me through your col
umns to express nv sincere thanks to
the friends of education who have con
tributed so much and 30 cheerfully to
advance the cause of education in our
little village a.t dIt7
One of the notable features of the oc.
casion was the banners and the mottoes
thereon inscribed. The motto of the
Graysville school banner was "Labor
for the good and the beautiful" The
motto of the Harman Ridge School was
"Eternal vigilance is the price OF liber
|ty." After the diuner was over the
crowd dispersed and went to their re
spective homes to await the exercises OF
the evening, which was to consist of Sc
lect reading, declamations, orations, es-
says, dialogues and vocal music. The
performers we're: s
Reading Class-Viols Okey, Jas. Viii.
son, John Finnev, David G. Eaton.
Music by the Schools: "Three cheers
for the Red, White and Blue" 81 a,a
Defamation Class-George Baker,
David Wilson, Samuel Devore, George
Crawford, Eaton Gatchell, Ianthus
Thornberry, George Gatchell, Frank E
Watson, Ross Slack. Charles Baker, Wm
F. Gatchell, Henry Knox Watson, Mol
lie e. Watson, Sammy Penn, Arminda
Finney, NARROW Bever, Charlie Baker,
Mary Fisher, Minnie Gatchell, Willie
Rucker, Hugh Crawford, Mamie Penn,
Cora Kendall, Emma Rucker, Mary j
Crawford, Mary Devore, Jas. Eaton oi
yIarman School, Samuel Eaton. John W
Z - wbrter S. Smith, Maggie Ea
ton, Martha Eaton. r5s
Music: "The Silently Falling Snow"
Essay Class-Eliza Crawford: ..Tne
advantages of an education;" Katy Wat
son: "Home." l<a'
Grafton Class-J H. Devore: Change.
H. L. Shirer. Bradford Devore
Music: "Fairy Moonlight"
School Charade-Masterpiece-J. H
Devore, D. B. Devore, A. L. Martin
Tillie Smith. =
Rival Speakers-H L. Shirer, VIM. F
Gatchell g ssif 80
Music: "Merry boys are we.
Valedictory-Tillie Smith.
In the evening the house was crowded
to its utmost and some were so uniortu
nate as not to be able 10 get in.. Taking
all in all, we can truly say the whole
term with the closing exercises the
school was grand success, May the
interest still increase until we can boast
of having no superiors if any equals ir
Monroe County.
A. j. WATSON, Principal.