The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-06

High School Commencement Exercises.
1t can be truthfully said of the commence
ment exercises of the Ottawa High School,
held in the Opera House on Thursday evening,
that they marked an important step in the
progress of that institution. The exercises
cvinced degree of proficiency and scholarly
attainment seldom witnessed outside the large
centers of education. 1t is highly gratifying
to the patrons of the school that the efforts
made by the trustees and teachers have not
been in vain. The high schools of this state
which are able to fit out their pupils for ii COL
lege course are indeed very few but the Otta-
wa High School does this and does it well.
At the commencement on Thurday evening
the school graduated the largest class that
ever received diplomas at one time in the
northwest, consisting Of $50 boys and Is
girls, as follows
Classieal-William Horace Day, Edgar G..
Dyer John Raymond Hoffman, Toni Ravens,
Julia Estella Steerc.
Latin ientjfc-Daniel r. Burke, Horace
Dunaway, Jennie Edith Dunavan, Sadie Vietta
Hathaway Mary Elizabeth Jaeger. Mac j.
Kilelea, Julia Anastasia Leonard, Nellie o.
crts, Mary Burma Rhoads, Cornie E. Simon,
Lizzie S. Stockslegcr. Silas Hardy Strawn,
Thomas Henry Trunor, Fannie NJ. Trimble.
Modern Ldng,tdge--William Joseph Burke,
Frank Calvin Eells, George Maines Eells, Ell
nathan Maurice Hathaway, Fred. Adolphus
Hathaway, Herman Matthias, Sarah Emma
Sattinger.
Business Eaglih-De Witt Clinton Barnes,
Albert Edward Buffers, Ozias Sceva Chapman,
Jennie Frances Clark, Howard Newell How
land, Joseph John Parker.
The class is remarkable for the number of
young men it contained, the first time in the
history of the school when the boys in the
graduating class were not largely outnumber
ed by the girls.
At S:l5 the curtain was rung up, disclosing
the class arranged in four rows, the girls and
boys alternately. 1t was a beautiful sight,
and the class were the cynosure Of 20OO eyes
critically turned upon them. On the right
was noticeable handsome floral horse shoe
with an anchor in the center, the gift of Dun.
can McDougall, president of the Board of
Trustees, to the class. A beautiful arch span
ned the stage on which was lettered the mot
to: "Speech is silver; silence is golden" On
the left of the stage sat G. w. Tufts, A. NJ :.
Principal, and Buel P Cotton, A. B., while OPP
posite them were seated Messrs. d. McDou
gall and T. d. Catln, the latter having been
invited to confer the diplomas.
Willis's orchestra was present, of course
and after rendering some Of its choice selec
tions, the salutatory was delivered by Ton
Rivens. A year ago tonight, she said, there
"a tta nd N n
high school pupils called by the simple name
of "Juniors," while now they stand before
you as Graduates" the last time togethe
as a class. Next fall our places in the school
room will be filled with other joyous and hap
py faces, and from the dear old place where
we have spent four of the happiest years o
our lives, the class of 'S5 will have passed
away forever. First Of all We greet you, on
dear parents. Through your kind help W
have reached this goal Of our ambition. Fo
your Kind care over us we can never repa!
you, and can but pledge you our esteem ant
affection for your old age, with the determine
ton to become such noble men and women a
to bring you honor and credit. Next COM
our teachers. You are the friends We love
Through your energy and help We have sue
cessfully completed our work. The speake
thanked the members Of the Board Of Trus
tees, cordially greeted the Alumni, and wei
coined the "Juniors" of the D. Fl. 8. TO whom
the class resigned the name of Seniors;
and last, but not least, we welcome you
friends and citizens who aided us by generou
hearts and willing hands. We will try 4
convince you, tonight, that your kindnes
and good will have not been wasted or mis-
used.
The next speaker Wa Maurice Eloathal