Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-06-10
WHEFIING W va WEDNESDAY, MORNING. JUNE 1885.
NORMAL SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
At West Liberty Yesterday-Interesting
Exercises.
Special 10 tke ReqistT.


At West Liberty Yesterday-Interesting
Exercises.
Special 10 The Regissr.
WEST LIBERTY, June 9.-The commence
ment exercises Of the State Normal School
at West Liberty, we're held yesterday. The
weather was all that could be desired, par
taking mole Of the nature of an October
day, than the prescribed heated June
weather, during which the majority of these
celebrations generally transpire. The
little village early put on its
holiday attire, the united population
shining resplendent in their best Sunday at
tire. The influx OF visitors and guests be-
gan at an early hour and continued to pour
in till every available piece of stabing was
occupied by an infinite variety of equipage
from the farmers country wagon to the
dude rig of certain Of the Wheeling youth
who took advantage Of the occasion to min
gle amcug the bright eyed bellies Of Ohio
county. The commencement exercises
were held in the institute, q
spacious brick building situated
Just west Of the village. The school for the
past few years has been steadily deteriorst-
ing, owing doubtless to the competition Of
the lately added normal school addition to
Bethany College, and the ineAiciencY of its
former principals. On September !, 1884,
the school was taken charge Of by the pres
ent principal, ]. A. Cox. sn energetic young
graduate Of Bethany College, but has, since
be assumed control, been making steady
progress toward regaining its lost
vantage ground. The student roll for last
year held forty names, an average increase
Of twenty-five per cent over the preceding
year. The opening exercises were an
nounced for 10 o'clock, but long before the
appointed hour the building was packed to
sufocation by the friends and patrons OF
the institution. The interior OF the building
was handsomely de :orsted, the walls and
stage were gracefully festooned with masses
Of shrubbery, evergreens and natural
flowers.
At ten o'clock sharp the graduating class,
regents and professors, fell into line and,
headed BY the Opera House band, marched
from a neighboring rendezvous to the build,
ing and occupied the tier Of seats arranged
on the platform. The exercises were opened
with prayer by Rev. Graham, Of the West
Liberty Methodist Church. Prof. j. A.
Cox, who acted as master Of ceremonies,
introduced J. B. Shannon, Of Short Creek. a
member of the Junior Class, who made very
CT. di able address of welcome. Miss Clara
g. Lazear, of Wellsburg, member Of the
'radustipg class, acquitted herself very
nicely in an original GRAFTON, subject Merit
Wins the Soul" An Grafton BY Miss Lizzie
Egerter, of Wheeling, post graduate; sub
iect: "Our To.days and Yesterdays are
Blocks in the Walls of Time, was next on
the programme. The young lady, a petite
bl, nde, acquitted herself with great credit
al d developed considerable elocutionary
powers in her effort.
Miss Egerter graduated in 1884, but
took an additional course in order to avail
herself Of special privileges in fitting herself
as a teacher. "Our Native Land" an ova
ton, was ably delivered by II. G. Sagear, a
member Of the graduating class. An ova
ton delibered by Miss Jessie Hill of West
Liberty post graduate reflected great credit
on the flexible tones and pleasing address
Of the Gebutante. Facts are stubborn
things" was the well chosen subject OF
of C. NJ. Sigett, member OF the Junior
class. His fne delivery snd graceful ges
lures aided materially in making his etfor
the most commendable Of the exercises
Let There be Light" an original orator
By Miss annie Gardner, of West Liberty,
N member Of the graduating class was vel
received by the many friends of the pretty
brunette who we'll deserved the handsome
floral tributes given her BY admirint
friends. Hon. B s. Morgans, State Super
intenden, Of Schools, followed in few
well chosen remarks to the graduating
class after which the orthodox sheepskin'
were distributed. The effort Of Miss Etti
". Wallace, of West Liberty, the valedic
torian, was one Of the finest of the day, thu
sympathetic voice and gestures Of the lit.l'
lady winning her friends from the frs
among The audience. Prof c A Cox theI
conferred the degrees; Miss Wallace re
ceiyed first honors, while the second wa
divided between II. G. and Clara Lszear
fhe exercises then closed with the benedic
ton. Al three o'clock creditable per
torrance was given by the Junior class il
the School Hall, the programme is ap
pended;
hrst!on-" FiTmness" WIN. Cox, Wetzel count!
OIauOn-"Eow and Then" ............,..
Ella smith, Brooke count.
MUSIC.
Oration-"Speak as You Mean; Perform What
You PrumiS I;:. ;:,;los' Young. West Liberty
Oration-"The Bright side. "............
Mary McCOnn, ROney's Poin
MUSIC.
Grafton -" ChceriulneSs" "A. 8. ggs, West Liberty
CLASS SONG.
Presentation OF Fries, To Maggie Rdgely
For punCtuaiity in attendance.
MISC. BENRDiCTroS. MUSIC
The exercises OF the day we're closed by g
meeting las; night OF the Alumni, during
which an able address was made by Prot.
Hsgerman, Of Bethany College.