Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-06-21
Commencement Exercises of the Ian
caster High School

The interest of Lancas ter people was quite
generally alb sorbed in the school exercises
last Friday. The school for the past two terms
was quite successful and there was class of
ten graduates who were to receive their d.
plomas and give to the public their gradual
ing exercises. To add to the good appear
ance the chapel had been tastefully decorated
On the wall behind the dais in bold letters
constructed of sprigs of eyergreens, was the
motto, WORK AND WIN, and the figures
1877. On the north side of the room was the
adieu of the class that expects to graduate
next year to those now graduating
Speed. From '78 to IT." The chandeliers
and projections on the walls were festooned
with evergreens and flowers. Large pictures
had appropriate places on the walls. The
first exercise by way of entertainment was
BY the Harmonic Band. 1t is a company of
pleasant looking gentleman and with
their new and large instruments they
make good show even without music, which
IS much beyond our criticism. The opening
prayer was by Mr.. Eaton. The first school
exercise was an essayby Miss Laura Wood
house, subject, The Ideal and Real. She
made graceful appearance and her essay was
we'll recited. Mr., Charles Griffin followed
with an oration-The Arts of Defamation. He
takes good position on the stage and has a
good delivery, but seems a little timid. Seems
to saw, az don't know whether | am in the
right place or not" Well, modesty is not a
fault. An essay by Miss Jessie Johnson
came next. Her subject, The Crusades. She
spoke distinctly a word need not have been
lost by any listening ear. After her Miss
Carrie Barber stepped upon the stage and
| sang in her inimmitable way, The Sailors
Wife, with Miss Fisher at the organ Miss
Linda Moor, with an essay on Perfect Devel-
opement, was the next performer. She gave
us an example of developed determination
which was more than pleasing. Those not
acquainted with her were in constant fear
that she would fail yet she got through
| admirably. The Influence of the Press, an
grafton by Arthur Sherman, C anne next. 1t
is production worthy of head much older
than his. Ii is published on the first page of
this paper Itexpresses our sentiments on the
good ant the evil done by the Press. Miss
Sarah Moorehouse followed with an essay
her subject being, The Eddystone Light
houses She gave il in a manner to make a
favorable impression. The next performance
IS also published on the FIRST page of this pa
per. II was an Grafton by Henry Rothchild,
on the cost of knowledge. His oratory was
exceptionally good-the best of all. An in
terlude of music by the Band here "gave US
rest,' and prepared US for enj Dying the
pleasing manners and excellent essay on the
Advancement of Civilization by Miss Ellen
Woolsenholme. Some of the young ladies
who preceded her were rather statuesque.
| They held their heads as if afraid of hurting
the delicate ruches which encircled their
necks. Miss W. had no such fear. She
talked TO you, not over you. Frank Matthias
followed and showed us that be too could
with practice and study, become truly ar
orator. The Feudal System, was his subject.
| It twas handled we'll enough to have been the
effort of a graduate of law school. The
4 CLOSING 6AeEEtSE was the Essay stu
tory by Miss Ada Foster, on Woman's Cross
ana crown. 1t was really good and gained
both admiration and sympathy. Woman's
Gross seems to Re something of hobby with
Miss Foster, one in which she is, we think,
cultiyating aud laboring TO impress mistaken
views, and we would like to see her
turn her superior talents in another direction
Miss Barber treated the audience to another
song, and the Band played again. Prof
Davies then called upon Geo. Clementson,
ESQ, as Chairman of the School Board, to
present the diplomas. This was done by
calling the names and handing the roll to
each one as he advanced, Mr.. Clementson,
invited by Prof. Davies, made very appro
pirate speech The exercises throughout
! were creditable to all concerned,