Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-06-12
OVER IN DAvIE.
The Closing Exercises of Mr.. Watkins
School at Cana.

Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
CANA, N. c., June 8,-Mr. J. J.
Watkins, of Davidson, known to
many of your readers, assisted by Miss
Andie Charles, of Pennington, has
Just closed the first session of a school
at this place. Through the instrument
tality of Mr.. E. Frost and j. III. Cain
a very roomy and neat Academy has
been built at Cana, which has served
to awaken a new impetus on the sub
ject of education in this neighborhood
and surrounding country.
On the 23rd Of May quite large
crowd assembled to hear the speeches,
essays and dialogues of the scholars
and the literary addresses which were
expected to be made by Rev. 0. F.
Gregory, of Charlotte, and L. B.
Bailey, Esq, of Mocksville.
AS it was understood early in the
day that the above named gentlemen
could not be present, many felt some
what disappointed, but Mr.. Watkins
seemed quite calm and proceeded with
his programme as though all was well.
The exercises were opened by a song
of welcome by all the school, which
was so well rendered that all were at
once made to feel that it included aS
and we appreciated our situation. The
programme proceeded with variety
of well selected speeches and compost
tions, though their delivery, owing to
the fact that many Of them had never
addressed an audience before, struck
the observer az little defective, but
we learned afterwards from expert
ence, that Mr.. Watkins had reserved
his forces, and it was at night when
we found ourselves overwhelmed with
appreciation and our critical eye
knocked out, and our sides almost
sore with laughter at the ludicrous
experiences and wonderful hail
breadth" escapes by the speakers and
actors in the dialogues. The writer
does not remember to have ever seer
better gotten up entertainment than
that he witnessed at Cana. 1t was in
everv way creditable to the teachers
and scholars and showed that the ses.
sion had been productive of good re
suits. / would be glad to mention
many of the dialogues but space viii
not allow me to do so. In the absence
of Messrs. Gregory and Bailey, ad
dresses were made by Rev. w. c
Wilson, of Mocksville, and Rev. S. F
sis Gan.ad Wede ef esfasa f hB5h without thp
notice, they were at liberty to take
acide range, and dwell upon what wa
best adapted to the occasion.
! Ths first speaker, Rev. S. F. Con
rad, spoke of "Our Possessions, Pros
poets, and Possibilities" Mr.. Wilson
spoke upon the problem, "What shal
become of the boy and what shall be
come of the girl" Mr.. Wilson an
swered his query by saying it depend
ed upon two things. The parent
End. The boy or girl. Many expires
sions of appreciation were made by tn
audience Of the speeches and it
hoped the cause of education was ma
terially advanced by the occasion.
The occasion, all things considered
was an enjoyable one, and many VIII
we're present this time have bille'
themselves for the next school closin
at Cana.
The next session opens the 4th c
August and any one wishing to ps
tronize good school would do well
address Mn Watkins at Cana, Davi
county. Miss Annie Charles has a a
tended several sessions at Thomasvlll
Female College, and is we'll versed
music and prepared to give instruction
upon the organ. =.