Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-06-10
Local
School Commandments.
AUGUSTA MALE ACADEMY.


the country around began to gather in the
beautiful grove of oaks around Augusta
church, near Fort Defiance. Carriages,
buggies and wagons rapidly deposited their
loads of people. Later, hacks and bug
gies from Staunton and other points more
distant arrived, among which. was coach
and four with the Stonewall Brigade Band,
and before dark every pew in the Old stone
church, all the seats in the aisles and all
the standing room around the doors were
occupied. The interesting occasion was
the closing exercises of the Jeffersonlan
Literary Society of the Augusta Male
Academy.
THE EXERCISES
were introduced by the Principal, Capt.
G. s. Roller, who announced from the
stand the occasion OF the assemblage, and
called upon Rev. Il. M. Boyd. who made
an appropriate prayer.
The President of the Society, Mr.. N. E.
Mechanical, of Bath county, after some
brief remarks, introduced Mr.. J. e. Alex
ander, of Rockbridge, who delivered a
handsome salutatory address which was
loudly applauded and rewarded by the ap-
preciative ladies with shower of bouquets.
The Secretary, Mr.. H. W. McElwee, CT
Allegheny. then announced the following
young gentlemen, who spoke in the order
named.
Chas. E. Kemper, of Rockingham, Final
Orator, subject, 1.-THE heroes Of the Lost
Cause" T E. Woods, Augusta, Elocu-
zionist, subject. 1.-THE Last man," W. H
Landes, Bath, Essayist, subject, 1.-THE
Future determined by the Past and Pres
ent:'' J. W. Hevener, Highland, Declaim-
er. subject, 1.-The Navy" Arthur Wilson,
Augusta, Essayist, subject. GA good cause
makes Stout Hearth S. H. Parkins, Au-
gusta, Declaimer, subject, "The Red
Kings Warning;;'' N. Parkins, Augusta,
Essayist, subject, "Honor and Shame from
no condition rise:'' F. H. Hull. Highland,
Disclaimer, subject, ''Tell's address to the
mountains" G. D. Curry, Augusta, Es-
sayist, subject, "Man an Epitome OF the
Universe" p. s. Roller, Harrisonburg,
Declaimer, subject, "Marco Bozzaris.''
DEBATE.
Resolved, sThat this Republic will final
" result in Imperialism The question
was argued in the affirmative by Messrs.
J. L. Rowan, Monroe, W. Va, and T. S.
Coiner, Augusta, and in the negative by
Messrs. G. y. Beirne, Greenbrier, W. Va,
and D. B. Payne, Allegheny, Va.
vALEDICToRY.
The society exercises then closed with
valedictory address which ian unusual
thing for farewell SPECIFY had an air OF
freshness about it that did credit to the
origina lily of the speaker. Mr.. G. D. Gill
keson of Augusta, and brought tears along
with the applause and flowery shower that
greeted the youthful orator. His alluslon
to the last valedictorian, young Hamilton,
who died but few months ago at this in
stitution was appropriate and tender.
DISTINCTIONS AND MEDALS.
Professor Roller then read a long list OF
distinctions including the names of those
who had attained a certain high grade IN
their classes. The length of the list was
very complimentary to the pupils and their
instructors but too much for our limited
space.
Five gold medals were awarded. -Four
to those students who had averaged nine
tenths on five studies. The recipients
were T. S. Coyner, J. L. Rowan. John A.
Hartman and G. D. Gilkeson. These were
presented by Mr.. A. G. Gordon, OF Staun'
ton, and Prof. Henry Harris, of the Yves
leyan Female Institute, in very happy lit
;oI cd IN
pleasant variety of the entertainment
The fifth medal had been voted by the
school to Mr.. Felix H. Hull, of Highland,
as the best student in the Academy ant
was presented by the Principal.
SURPRISES.
A pleasant surprise to the worthy prin
cipal came in here. when Rev. L. nj. Boyo
advanced to the stand and on the part Oh
the school presented him with handsome
gold headed ebony cane. The presenta
ton address was happy combination Of
feeling and humor in the course of which
his free translation of the Latin motto in
e7ergreens above the stand: Sad astra pei
aspeSa,n as Jordan is a hard road tx
travel" brought down the house.
Capt. Boiler responded in very appro
priate words, which seemed to come from
his heart and 90 right to the bottom O.
the hearts of "his boys"
The conclusion of this enjoyable Occa
sion was the humorous presentation of ;
pretty little cane by the school, through
Prof Harris, to Mr.. J.. W. Randolph O
Warren county, Va, for being the bes
original storyteller. 1t was received b.
the sprightly young man with smiles ant
bows, And amid much congratulatiol
and Misunderstanding, the large assemblag'
broke up at half-past eleven.
Wehave space to add but few word
in praise of all who took part in thes
very creditable exercises. The wonder tt
us, and all WAC did not know the schoo
SO well was, that as many as sixteen youn
men of so much talent and good scholar
ship, could be picked out OF school OF onl
fifty. Principal, assistants. pupils ant
patrons, are all to be congratulated on Oh.
school and the unmistakable evidences Of
the work that is there being done for tn
young men Of Augusta and the surround
ing country.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
at the Opera House last night was deci
ded success. The calisth enie exercise
were new and welcome feature and Mis-
Annie Fallon, who has only had her elias
i'm regular drill for little more than
month, deserves the highest praise TO
their success. The prizes were presente!
40 the scholars by DR.. R. S. Hamilton, tn
Superintendent. About fourteen hundred
persons were present. The following wer
awarded:
In Mics M RraWn's r0nm--Declama