Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-05-28
Communication,
MIFFLINTowN. Pa, May a, 1884.

Ma. EDIToR:-Permit me to give to
your readers, a sketch of the exam
ination exercises at the McAlister-
vile Soldiers Orphan School, as they
took place on the Goth inst. In com
pany with Col James Paul, the chief
clerk of the Pennsylvania school de
partment, and Capt. Potts, of Harris
burg. We took passage in the stage
at Alifflintown, on the morning of the
day Just dated, and arrived at Meal
isteryille, at 8 o'clock a. n, found
everything looking nice and neat and
was received very kindly by the Fac
ulty The shildren were all looking
well and prepared for the day S work
After being entertained by the Fac
ulty and Prof. Wright, County Su
perintendent Smith came into the
room, and after the compliments of
the day were passed, he proposed to
go to work at once. We then pro-
ceeded to the school room and found
it handsomely decorated. The exer-
cises were opened with singing, and
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Ely, of Thompson
town, after which the address of well
come was delivered by James Miller,
Juniata county boy, in which he
did credit to himself and the school
The different grades were next call
ed up and sent to different rooms,
and were examined by Col. Paul,
Capt. Potts, Col. Mcfarland and Su-
perintendent Smith, and were pro-
nounced to be very satisfactory, the
pupils doing very well. This closed
the morning exercises, adjourned Tor
dinner, which was well appreciated
by both visitors and scholars. After
dinner, the examining board was re-
inforced by our worthy Chaplain,
Rev. Jno. W. Sayers, of Post Is,
Reading, Pa, and, at his request, the
boys were ordered out on the parade
ground, and drilled for at least a half
hour, which was well done, in both
march and evolution, and particular
ly the manual OF arms, which was by
command, and also by the tap of the
drum, in which Capt. Page deserves
great credit for his patience and per
severence, and too much can't be
said for the boys, their manners
and discipline. After the manual of
arms, and dress parade was formed,
it reminded the veteran of old times,
to see the Major receiving the re
ports of the Adiutant, dismissing the
parade, and to see the companies
marching off to their quarters. (The
school is divided into three compan-
ies.) The school was called and the
routine of examination gone through
with in the presence of large audi
ence of visitors, from the different
parts of the county. The examina-
ton closed about 3 o'clock, when
there was speeches made by different
ones. Chaplain Sayers addressed
the school and made many good hits
and suggestions in the manner of
running Orphan Schools and to the
outside croaker. Captain Potts was
called for, and made some good re
marks. He is alive in the work. Su-
perintendent Smith said a great |
many good things in favor of the
school, and Rev. bIr. Weind address
ed the school as to their moral train
ing as well as in their mental train
ing, then the writer was called upon,
and, as he is no public speaker, made
few remarks to the school in regard |
to parents wanting to take their chill
dren from school, and as they left
school they left good home. Col.
Mcfarland was called for, he re
sponded, for the twentieth time, at
the schools examinations. He didn't
like the idea of the boys getting tie
praise for their work, and the girls
left out and nothing said for them.
Senator Wright made few remarks
and then the closing address was
made by Samuel Kephart, of Cambria
county, which was well done So
the day closed, all well pleased. The
school is in fine condition. They
have a good matron. The girls all
look neat in their dress, and every
thing tidy and clean. The beds and
sleeping apartments, for both sexes,
are well cared for The health of the
scholars is excellent. The school
numbers 213, and all are able to
enjoy their meals, no sickness among
them, they all look well and are
clothed well and seem contented, the
principal and teachers and all con-
nected with the school take great in
terest in the little ones to make them
happy, and Mr.. Wright, when among
them, always has a kind word for
them. MRFLNrowN.