The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-12
COMMENCEMENT AT PURDUE.
The Agricultural and Industrial School
Graduates a Class of Sixteen.
A Series of Essays Possessing More Than the
Average Degree of Merit-Closing Exer-
cises of the Kokomo High-School.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


LAFAYETTE, June 1.-The twelfth COM
mencement of Purdue was held at University
Hall, Thursday morning, from to IL
The hall was profusely decorated with flowers
and evergreens, and with the balcony, was
crowded to its fullest capacity. The class of
$50 marched in, to the music, and took
their places at the right Of the rostrum, under
the motto 1.-THE Present is Ours" In the CEN
ter was Governor Gray, President Smart,
President Waldo, of Rose Polytechnic, and the
faculty. and to the left, the Board of Trustees
and members of the Legislature. After the
invocation by Rev. j. I'll. Claypoel. the first
Grafton was given by Mr.. NJ. G.. Quick. of Co
lumbus. Ind, upon Historic Man" Next was
Arthur L. King. of Avilla Ind, who gave an
abstract of his thesis on 'Wnd mills, Their His
tory and Present Forms, Including Expert.
ments In Determining Their Efficiency"
This thesis was illustrated by a
series of drawings of wind-mills. old and new.
of all times and countries, and was an efficient
history of the growth of, this primitive power.
These scientific and mechanical subjects were
followed by an Grafton the Wonders Of the
Alphabet" by Miss Anna E. Baker, of Stockton.
Miss Baker took the industrial art course. She
is the president of the class, and speaker of
rare power and ability, who would find no diff
Guilty in making herself heard by an audience of
FIVE thousand. The essay proved an excellent
discussion of worded thought from the earliest
times.
Scott Mead. of Patriot, Ind, read an abstract
of thesis on Indiana building stones. as tested
by himself at the university, showing that the
magnetism limestone of the vicinity would
of safety. Mr. Mead takes the degree of me-
chanical engineering, and will at once take
position in the Panhandle railroad shops at
Columbus, o.
Mr. Edward Reser, of Wea Ind, takes the
B. S. degree with an Grafton on Social Equi-
poise," which was frst-class in matter and pres
entation. Mr.. Reser has entered architects
Office in Lafayette. Miss Mary F. Murdoch also
of Wea. gave an Grafton on Three Types of
Character" which she recognized in society. She
will follow music as profession.
Joseph Swearingen, Of Blountsville, Ind. next
read an abstract of the 'Bessemer Steel Indus
try Its History and Uses" Swearinger's forte is
mathematics; his average the highest in the
class.
Professor Osborn's biological department was
represented by an essay on the Histology of the
Digestive Epthelium of the Striped Gopher"
which was read by title only. The thesis was
by 0. F. Dragoo, of Macedonia. Ind; its author
is president of the scientific society of Purdue,
and enters on the study of medicine.
Maud r. Henderson, of Lafayette, is the
third of that Lafayette family to graduate from
the university. Her essay was on the Differ
ent Forms of Art Representation in Black and
White" and showed thorough knowledge of the
various kinds of engraving.
The agricultural department was represented
by a thesis the "Pond Soils of White Coun-
ty." By Samuel g. Virden. of Monticello, the
only man completing the agricultural course this
year. The essay treated of the formation and
composition of these varying soils, Astounding in
sterile blotches, once part of the old lake beds
of northern Indiana.
The methods of Testing Steam Boilers" by
James f. Bruff, of Lafayette, and "Steam 1ndi-
Gators" by s. B. Miller, of Charleston, w. Va,
were essays representative of Prof. Stahls work
in the course of mechanics and engineering, the
students spending twelve weeks upon the study
and making of the stean-ongine IL the steam
engine were blotted out of existence, these two
gentlemen could replace it for the world. with
the drawings patterns and actual engines made
In the Laboratories of Purdue.
Miss Bessie Baker, of Stockwell, sister Of
Anna and both daughters of DR.. Moses Baker,
gave an grafton in defense of Hero Worship"
which. like her sisters, was full Of martial fire
and spirit. George w. Ross, of Raub, Ind. dis
cLssed Science and Progress" contepdine that
the latter is determined by the designs, elements
and forces of nature. 1.-THE Hidden Sculpture"
by Ernest V. Claypool. of Chauncey, proved to
be discussion of the elements of character.
The author has been the editor of the college pa
per, The Purdue. and is studying for the minis
try. The essay was not clerical. but earnest and
full of manly conviction and feeling. Last
the list was Miss Maggie NJ Van Malta, of Fow-
Ter, Ind, with an Grafton on 1.-THE Purposes of
an Education" This was in the nature of a val
edictory, and its earnest words and ringing tones
reached the ear and heart of every one present.
After music. the degrees were conferred by
President Smart, who then introduce Governor
Gray, who pledged himself and them to the sup
port of the higher education as the hope of the
Commonwealth.
There was then brief reception ard hand
shaking, in Carlyle Hall, on behalf or the grad
yates and their friends, followed by banquet
of the alumni, in Irving Hall. where over fifty
of the hundred graduates of Purdue assembled.
Governor Gray responded to the toast Our
State;" Hon. B. Wilson Smith to sour Legisla-
ture; Dr. w. H. Peters, to "The Alumni Samuel
Hargrove, of Union to ssThe Trustees of Pur-
due" and S. Water. of the Daily Courier to the
"Relation of the Citizens of Lafayette to Pur-
due" in which it was shown that the school was
in the ward of Lafayette, but of the
State of Indiana; acting President Waldo. of
Rose Polytechnic responded to the toast 'Rose
Polytechnic" in happy vein. extending words
of greeting congratulation and invitation. Both
schools, he said. have a common interest and
purpose; both sprung from the benefceEce of
private citizens, who saw the needs of the State
and the demands of the times.
Alex Heron responded for the Board of Agri-
culture, and Worth Reed, class of 80, president
of the alumni, closed the two hours of social
cheer with some felicitous remarks, and the day
was done.
NOTES.
Purdue has 159 college students and 156
preparatory They represent hfty-six counties.
Sixty county superintendent visited the uni
versity with Superintendent Holcomb on last
Friday
By some lack of foresight the students of
Purdue are not allowed the use of the Lafayette
public library.
Professor Barnes has been at Harvard on
leave of absence for year. He resumes his
botany classes this fall.
The Purdue Cadets, forty in number under
Capt. George Ross, camped out for week at