Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-08
A HAPPY REUNION
And Cordial Welcome to H. Alex. Lones,
nf California


sixty five years ago. In the year of 1874
he removed to the city of New Orleans. and
in 1849-after brief visit to the home of his
nativity-he removed to California. In his
new home he prospered, and few years
since he donated a handsome lot to
the citizens of the civil dis
trict in which he had been raised, for the
purpose of having erected thereon a school
house. A handsome and commodious edi-
fee, well adapted in all its appointments
and surroundings, was soon constructed
and christened "The Lones Institute" Col.
Jno. J. Craig, who, for several years, re-
sided in the immediate vicinity of the new
school house, with commendable liberal
ity, on the 35th anniversary
of his marriage, presented the
trustees with fine bell Since that time the
"Lones Institute" under efficient and pop
ular management, has prospered beyond the
most sanguine anticipations of its patrons,
and its benifcent influence is felt and re
cognized throughout the whole neighbor-
hood.
the home of his earlier years and the
friends of his youth, and others, who have
recently been the benefciaries of his iber-
ality, at once determined to bestow upon
him beitting testimonial of his worth and
generosity. Consequently, yesterday was
designated as the time for reunion of his
family and friends and the Clones Insti-
tute" was selected as the spot. Every neces-
sary preparation had been made, and before
noon, on yesterday, near three hundred
persons, embracing the large
family correction of Mr. Lones,
the most respectable citizens of the
immediate neighborhood, as well as many
prominent citizens from Knoxville and
other parts of the country, had assembled.
The school-house, which is situated at
Marietta, few miles below Knoxville. was
tastefully and handsomely decorated In
the center of the west end of the room,
over the stage in large gilt letters was to
be seen the word Welcome" On the left
was written, 'Welcome-H. a. Lones to
his native home" and on the right, Long
live II. A. Lones, and may he ever be re-
membered in this community" Just before
II o'clock the bell pealed forth in rich tones,
that the ceremonies were about to COM
mence, and in few minutes the shool- house
was filled to its utmost capacity, wtile many
who could not be accommodated within
were compelled to remain without, and
crowded around the door and windows.
After some excellent music by the Sunday
school choir and a feeling prayer by Rev
Isaac Emory, Maj. Robt Fl. Armstrong de
hvered the address of welcome, on behalf of
the citizens, in the following beautiful and
appropriate words:
Happy the day and the occasion that
brings us together. Ladies and gentlemen,
girls and boys, old and young. What more
appropriate than the old friends, with their
| bright-eyed daughters and manly boys,
should assemble as we do to-day, and here,
on this spot of ground, dedicated to such
noble purposes, thanks to the generosity of
our guest, to give him a welcome to the home
o: his childhood, with hands and hearts. At
| ter long and prosperous life in distant
State, beyond the Sierras, he returns to
visit the scenes of his youth. Many a
! change he sees; many beloved one gone,
but let it be our pleasant duty to extend to
him such a greeting to-day, and while he is
in our midst, as will as much as possible
compensate him for what he may miss ct
us give him wreath of smiles for every
tear of sorrow, and with one accord say,
/ God bless him!
/ Permit me, therefore, to introduce to you
| Mr.. n. Alexander Lones, of California, the
| successful business man, the honorable gen.
! tleman, the true friend, the patron of edu-
cation, the generous donor of this lot upon
which is erected one of the most beautiful
school-houses of the county, and in the
name of those present and of the rising
/ generation, let us all here, to-day, thank
him
/ Mr.. Lones, with much emotion, acknowI-
edged the compliment bestowed upon him
and stated that, as he was not accustomed tc
/ pubEcssspeaking, he would call upon his
/ old friend Col. Jno. II. Crozier to respond
for him.
! Colonel Crozier, On taking the stand paid
handsome compliment to the Lones
family, extolling its worth, industry anu
enterprise, and concluded by remarkine
I that should ne undertake to give a detailed
history of It's numerous members, that like
Moses, he would shave to write not only
Genesis and an Exodus, but Leviticus
and a Deuteronomy"
After the address of welcome and the re-
plies, the aisles of the house were cleared
and the school girls advanced up one aisle
and the boys the other, to the front of the
stage, when handsome b0quet or exquis
ite flowers, was presented, by lovely lit
tie girl, to the nonored guest of the occa
sion. which compliment was, to the evident
satisfaction of the children, later in the
day acknowledged by filling all their avail
able recepucles with candy.
handsome gold-headed cane was pre-
sented to Mr.. LOnes by Geo. NJ. White
jr., in behalf of the Senior class of the In
stitute Mr. White, in a few remarks pre-
sented beautiful clock, the gift of Mr.
Lones, to the Institute, which was acknowl
edged by Col. Crozier, on behalf of tn
citizens. Judge J. F. J. Lewis and Mr.. j. A
Rayl being present, were called for ant
responded in touching and appropriate
speeches At l O'Clock it was announce,
that the refreshments were ready, and tn
assemblage repaired to the grove, where
sumptuoUs repast awaited all present Tw
long tables had been erected for the occa
sion, ana were bountifully supplied Wit
the good things" that had been prepare
by hospitable ladies of the neighoorhood
The dinner over-the merry peals o
laughter again summoned all present to re
assemble in the schoOl-room, when it wa
announced that Mrs. Lizzie Crozier Frenc
had consented to treat the assemblage t
some of her rare recitations. Mrs. Frenc
recited "The Naughty Girl to the infnit
delight of her audience, and being loudl
5 ej1cored reappeared, and TO the increas
ed delight of an amused
interested and admiring honse, recited ''Th
: One horse Chase"
: The recitations being concluded, the re
manning, hours of the afternoon were de