Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-04
WADLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
Closing ExercIses-A Day of Rare
Pleasure-PrOudT Teachers and De-
lighted Pupils.

Editor Morning Nes0s: 1t was my happy
privilege to attend the closing exercises of the
fall term Of the ''Wadley High School" >" which
came off on the 28th October. This school is
located at Wadley. Jefferson county, Ga. We
found it under the superintendent of two of
Jefferson's ablest teachers-Prof. ]. w. st.
Clair as Principal, and Prof R. P. Bird Asso-
ciate Principal The former is native of Old
Kentucky and teacher of some twenty five
years experience. The latter is a native Of
Liberty county, Ga, and also a teacher Of sew
eral years experience. Each of them are able
cultivated Christian gentlemen. and if the
lovers of higher education OF Wadiey and
vicinity do not cordially support these
gentlemen in their endesvors to sus-
tain and perfect this high order of
education, they Will be certainly blind to
their own interest and deserve a retrOgrade
toward the commonalities of low order of
education. We learned, upon inquiry, that
they had maintained a maximum OF eighty
Z rec students, and minimum of sixty eight
during the entire term. Having arrived on the
ground early. we had the chance OF seeing and
hearing all. Owing to the limited time ard pres
sure of other duties, the ex limitation
of the pupils was only partial; but
it was. nevertheless, ably and criti-
cally conducted, especially the classical
department, and, at its close, we were cor
vinced that in this school faithful and honest
work had been done. All preserved perfect
animation The afternoon was devoted 10
defamation, principally under the manage
ment of Professor BIrd. We we're
much pleased and highly entertsiued
greatly surprised at the rapid progress Of the
boys in elocution. To see so many boys with
50 short preparation mount the rostrum and
deciaim with ability, worthy of much older
heads, was really surprising; and not only evil
denced true genius and dramatic talent in the
boys, but also that their tutors had not been
idle but had labored with great zealousness
thus displaying qualifications commensurate
with their high standing as teachers. We must
say that, taken as a whole it was the best
school defamation we ever witnessed. We
were then duly notified that the evening would
be devoted to such entertainments as charades
tableauX vivants, songs, etc. Early in the
evening the hall was brilliantly lighted up,
and the people far and near began TO assem-
BILE. And such crowd why, where did all the
people come from was asked on all sides The
hall full-cOrridors full-windows and doors
full-and many still in the streets. The stage
was exceedingly well arranged and gay deco
rated by the committee consisting of Mrs. Mas
worthy, Mrs Bird, Mrs. St Clair Mr., Cook
and Mrs. Dukes, assisted by Prof Bird. They
deserve great credit for the skill and taste dis
played throughout the entire arrangement,
The performances began about half-past seven
o'clock, with music on the piano, accompanied
by the string band, under the leadership of our
young friend Sidney MunsOn, ESQ The first
play, Starting in Life" was well acted and
elected rounds of applause. The Apt Scholar''
was well received. IL represented girl or
the rural districts, sent off to board
ing school, and on her return is catechzed
by a lady teacher in the presence of
her mother, who was eager to show her off
to the best advantage, and succeeded to the
infinite delight of the teacher, who thought
there might not be danger of too much
brains rushing to the head" but that hers
would entirely corporate. We were next en-
ter aimed by the ''sOng in motion" which con-
sisted of a complete troupe Of little girls all
gaily dressed in white fancy costumes, and
sang and moved to time with the music. This
piece was loudly app!auded and again called
for. and was again produced, and if possible
gave even greater satisfaction The ''Sodier's
Return" was admirably performed. The negro
scene created great amusement as the char
we're interspersed with some very pretty songs
by the young ladies of the school, and demon
strated the act that they surely posse ssed mu-
sical talent Of no small degree Would that time
and space allowed me to give more minute !
description of this highly interesting occasion.
Suffice it to say that the ~ adley High |
School under its present efficient |
managers is destined to take rank second to
none IN the State. 1t IS located in good place,
surrounded by religious influences so stroog
No whisky is allowed to be sold within ten |
miles OF the school, The people are clever and |
generous, and the town is noted for its |
general healthfuness So with all these natural |
advantages, coupled with this good selection Of |
teachers, can see no cause why this school |
shall not reach period in advancement |
equaled by few and surpassed by none in |
Geo gIa. II the people are alive tO their own |
interest, the interest of their children, and |
their children's children, they will rally to the /
support of this institution in such a manner as |
to forever preclude the possibility of failure |
or retrograde. May heaven prosper it and the |
genial sunshine of harmony brighten It's path |
way and preserve it forever from decade.