Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-10-30
Columbus Dispatch.

Columbus Dispatch.
Yesterday dawned bright, clear and
bracing and Columbus from centre to
circumference was up betimes and on
the qui vive, for the opening of the
State Female College was one of the
grandest events that ever occurred in
the history of the town. Every train
during the previous part of the week
had brought not only scholars who pro-
posed attending the institution but un-
der the influence of the half rates gen.
erously made by all the railroads,
great many parent and relatives as
well. AS early as last Tuesday it was
found necessary to begin quartering the
young ladies IN the spacious Dormitory
OF the College although no arrange
ment had been made for their accom-
mediation there before yesterday. How
ever the girls very willingly put up
with what slight Inconvenience were
incidental to their early arrival and
their bright smiles and happy faces
added new attraction to the already
beautiful building and made President
Jones and his hardworked assistants
feel that life wasn't wholly devoid of
all pleasures.
Large numbers Of our citizens to say
nothing of visitors, have been "doing"
the College this week and early and
late the buildings have presented a
scene of life and activity but this was
not circumstance to the aspect Of
affairs down there yesterday. Girls of
all qualities, sizes and styles had pour
ed in and the spacious halls and CORR.
dors of the Dormitory resounded with
happy laughter and echoed and re-
echoed the tones Of their winsome,
joyous voices. There were blonde girls,
brunette girls, non-committal girls,
quiet girls, boisterous girls, tall girls,
short girls, thin girls, fat girls, ugly
girls, pretty girls, and in fact any kind,
size or description of girl known to the
trade. They frolicked all over the
Dormitory from the clock in the tower
down to the engine in the basement
and gave the old building such gen.
eral shaking up as it hasn't had since
the palmiest days of Miss Streets
school. Their pleasure and express
ions of delight were amply seconded
by the number Of relatives who &C.
companied them here and who were
astonished most agreeably at the mag
nitude of the college and the perfection
to which everything had been brought.
The Dispatch took in erythihg there
was to be seen and met nearly every
body, and not one disparaging remark
was heard during the entire day; only
praise in unstinted quantities for the
admirable manner in which the college
had been built, and was being man
aged by Prof. Jones. 1t will, of
course, take several weeks to pet
things into smooth working order but
the faculty are equal to the task and
will proceed with the work of organi-
zation without any loss of time.
Long before IL o'clock yesterday
the appointed hour-a vast crowd had
assembled at the College grounds aud
already filed the Chapel building to
overhowing. Every seat in the house
was occupied by ladies and girls and
numbers were forced to stand. The
arrival of Gov. Lowry under the
escort of the Columbus Riflemen and
Light Artillery Companies was the
signal for the exercises to begin.
After splendid overture by the
Mozart band and an opening prayer
by DR.. Dobbs, Senator e. T. Sykes
who had been chosen to deliver the
address Of welcome was introduced by
DR.. Jones. Capt. Sykes spoke of the
marked interest every citizen of Colum-
bus felt in the welfare of the College
and Its prosperity; paid a splendid
tribute to the noble women who first
originated the idea and who were pres
ent to see the institution so success
fully inaugurated and extended a cor
dial welcome to the high dignitaries Of
the State, to the board of trustees and
to all other visitors who were present,
on behalf Of the citizens of Columbus.
He spoke feelingly Of woman's mis-
sion and impressed upon his hearers
the necessity for her more liberal edu-
cation and wider field in which to
display her talents. He answered
completely all arguments that had
ever been offered against the college
and offered substantial reasons why 1t
should be literally encouraged by the
State In future. He presented some
very interesting statistics showing the
high position Mississippi held in the
matter Of public education as COM
pared with other States and in closing
paid glowing tribute to the Board Of
Trustees and the President Of the Col.
lege for the faithful and efficient man
ner in which they had discharged their
duties. Capt. Sykes address was well
received, very appropriate and brought |
forth abundant and hearty applause.
Addresses we're also delivered by
Senator McMsrtin, Col, j. L. Power
and Judge r. A. Hill,
After an exquisite selection from
the Mozart band Hon. Jas. I. Harrison,
Chairman OF the Building Committee
of the College. was introducnd and !