Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-05
A Novel Entertainment ut tho Male
Orpban Asylum.

Thursday at 5 p. NJ. number of
friends and several members Of the
Board Of Directors met at the asylum,
on invitation of Mrs. Gill, the superin-
tendent, to witness the "graduatiOn in
character as the president Of the So
ciety characterized it, of John l.. Culli-
gan. John has been in the asylum
seventeen years, is now twenty, and is
the only boy who came, thirteen years
ago, from the old asylum on Baker
street.
A regular printed programme was
carried out, and consisted Of singing by
tie boys, and. first, the presentation by
DR.. Parker, the president. Of hand
some gold medal, the gift of Mrs. Gillin
her own and her late husbands behalf,
in testimony of the admirable character
of John l.. Culligan.
In presenting the medal DR.. Parker
referred to the sad history Of many a
young man who spOils good begin
ming by giving way to bad habit or
passion, and thus wrecking the bright
est hopes. lie mentioned two striking
examples within his own knowledge.
But John was bright example Oi the
opposite kind. He had held cut faith
full to the end-to the last month; yea,
to the last day. His apprenticeship
ended Thursday. What an example
to the other boys was this.
The president also presented to John
a Bible, urging its claims upon him. On
the fly-leaf of the book was written /:
=" To John l.. Culligan, by the Board
Of Directors of the Male Orphan Asy-
lum, as a testimonial sf the high appreci-
alton awarded him by the superintendent
of this asylum, and also by the super
intendent OF the factory, that he had
been faithful in all things" The
president expressed the opinion that
few boys or men could get such tes-
timonial from those living under the
same roof for years, and that he him
self could never hope for such re-
ward.
Mr.. Thomas j. Todd, of the Board OF
Directors, then presented the " hero OF
the hour" with certificate signed by
the superintendent Of the factory and
Of the asylum, and also by the presi-
dent. certifying that he had faithfully
served out his time in the cigar-factory
and commencing him to all men in the
trade. In presenting this certificate
of character" Mr.. Todd made some ex
cellent remarks.
Finally Mr. Fossett, superintendent
Of the factory, surprised John most o.
all by taking from his pocket a new
watch and chain, and after pronounclne
happy eulogy upon the constant anc
untlring faithfulness Of the now dazec
young man, handed him the valued
present as a gift Of himself and the
bows in the factory. Besides all this
John gets sl00 from the asylum for
his excellent work.
Remarks were also made by Rev. Pike
Powers and Mr.. Thomas W. McCance
treasurer, highly commendatory of the
character of John Culligan. The en-
tertainment was enliyened by goOC
singing by the boys. The visitors ther
followed the boys to the dining-room
where a handsome collation. was served
consisting chiefly Of fruits and confec
tiOns.
Every one seemed delighted with th'
occasion, and no doubt the good effec
of this entertainment will be felt by th'
larger boys in tn. factory who are now
approaching their majority. 1t is vel
to say that the temptation presented t
boy to quit his trade when he car
make in Baltimore or Philadelphia sl(
to tl2 week, while at the asylum h
gets only his board and clothes, is very
great, and many cannot resist it. The
president promised that the next boz
who "graduated in character would
also have an ovation.