The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-07
THURSDAY.
COMMENCEMENT DAY IN THE FEMALE
COLLEGE.
The Twenty.Finh hAnniversary.-.Bad
Weather...SpIendid Programme
Beautiful TabIeau.--DeiiS Mu.
sic -. Charming Singers -.- Worthy
ed Tencher.

BeautffuI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mu.
sic -. Charming Singers -.- Worthy
Tribute to the Memory of n Below
ed Teacher.
The twenty.fifth anniversary of the Due
West Female College, Thursday, July ], 1856,
was q day that will long be remembered. For
it Is not in the memory of the oldest inhnoi-
tant tnat there ever has been such rainy
and stormy day since the foundation of the
institution. The rain was so constant that
the hacks were transferred into street car
lines to carry persons to and from the hall.
Persons living on the southeastern and
northwestern side of town were preven ted
from reaching town by the swollen creeks.
But this was commencement day in the Due
West Female College and despite the weather
u large number Of the people of the town and
surrounding country assembled in Lindsay
Hall-the place 50 famous for its literary
treats.
The scene that first met the eye OF those
that oraved the storm was we'll calculated to
dispel the gloom that naturally followed the
inclement weather. The stage was tastily
and beautifully decorated with wreaths and
festoons Of evergreens cntwined about splen-
did landscapes, mountain and lake scenery
the result of the skill and genius of the art
stood boldly out from the back ground in
mt mory OF that blessed saint gone before,
Miss Elizabeth McQuerns: In the centre of
the tablet & was large silver tars cross ors with
and below the cross and crown: "Elizabeth
McQuerns. Our beloved teacher"
Also very conspicuous upon the stage was
ed so long and so well-draped in mourning.
Distinguished Guests.
Besides the students of the college, Presi-
dent ]. p. Kennedy and his able faculty, Mrs.
l.. M. Bonner, Miss LEGAL, Miss McDavid,
Miss Clarke Miss Leftwich, Miss Edwards oc-
cupied seats on the stage. We noticed also
the following prominent gentlemen on the
stage: Rev. w. NJ. Leftwich, D. D.. Chaplain
Of the Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
Tenn; Hon. ]. NJ. Bright. LII. D., OF Fayette-
willie, Tenn; Capt. +. w. Dawson, OF the Ne,Us
snd Courier, Of charestop . s; G.; ksv $.
Ptof. W. II. McCaslan, o. Tickens, S. C.: MIR.
II. e. Moseley. President Of the Columbia,
Newberry and Spartanburg Railroad, of Pros
perity, S c.; Col. George Johnston, of New
berry, s. c.; Mr. T. II. Magill, Gf Charlotte, N.
G.; Rev. j. Lowrie Wilson, ID. D., Capt. NJ: l..
Esq. T. 5. Perrin, ESQ, Sf ihe S Mes,enSer, of Of
IAbbeville, S. c.; Prof McCaslan, OF Georgia
Rev: Or. Latham. Rev. W. NJ. Grier, ID. d., Rey.
II. r. Sloan, D. D., DIR. j: l.. Pressly, Lulah, $.
C.; Rev. A. s. Sloan, Molino, Tenn.
The Beginning of the Exercises.
The exercises of the day were opened with
prayer by the Rev. W. NJ. Leftwich, d. D., of
Nashville, Tenn.
After this Bellinf Grand Automatically
-IehoYah-was sung by the whole school, as
sisted by that admirable company Of singers
the male voices of the Due West choir under
the leadership OF Dr.; Edwards, and Mr. W. P.
Wideman, OF Troy, S. C., and Dr. j. W. Wide.
man, or Due West. The accompaniment to
this was by three pianos and an organ.
The salutatory was written by Miss Lutte J.
welcome. This essay was read in an admira-
West. W. ''A'''' " '''' "0' A' ''''' '''
When this young lady was called up to re-
ceive her diploma President Kennedy spoke
as follows: ~ feel that ought to say that
this Is one Of the seven stars OF heaven drop
ped down to cheer us in our work. She Is the
seventh sister that has received Il like testi-
lnonia from this institution, and can truth
fnlly say that she Is rs good as she is beauti.
Then followed the grand overture of Rossini
-Tancredi, performed on three pianos and an
organ by Miss Letial, Miss BrIcc, Miss Left
wlch. Miss Blake, Miss McDavid, Miss league
"They Never Fail Who Die in Great
Cause" WIS the subject of Miss Lizzie NJ.
Belk's essay, OF Lancaster, S. c. 1t was read
Miss Hammack, Miss Anderson, DR.. Wide
man and Mr.. ]. II. Edwards then sung one of
the prettiest songs of the day, "Moonlight
VIII Come Again." by Thompson, which was
Miss S. Leona Blake, of Greenwood, S. c.,
the poctcss of the class, in poetic lines wound
around the old familiar theme, Yesterday,
To-day and Tomorrow" was really touch
Mr.. j. r. Blake, OF Greenwood, S. &.
This was followed by pretty instrumental
piece by Miss Brown!ec, Miss Hannah, Miss
j. McDavid, Miss Anderson, Miss Brce and
Miss Dale-Jean Paul's "Jolly Blacksmiths"
on three pianos.
The handsome and gallant Bonham, of the
Carrie Calhoun, OF Due West, S. G., ON the
subject. Never Stoop to Conquer"
Life Has No Power-vocal trio Qsellissario)
--Donnizette. This piece was admirably
snng by Miss Leftwch, Miss McDavid and
The essay of Miss Claudia Ellis, of Due
West, s. c., was written upon The Great un-
1t was read by Prof. J. II. Miller.
After this essay Miss McDavid. Miss Mar
tin. Miss Lindsay, Miss Holland, Miss Lee
and Miss LEGAL rendered Goldbeck's 'Marche
des Jeunes Danes"
"Hope~Ils Unlversality" was the subject
of the essay Of Miss Emma l.. Fleming,
of Ora, S. G. Prof Paul l.. Grior read it. TO
day was the first time Mr. Grier has ever ap.
peared upon the stage as reader, but by the
clear and distinct manner in which he read
placed himself alongside OF the best readers
who appear on the stage here.
The music after this essay was quite COM
plication. "Ring the Lilly Bells by Sudds
was the name Of the PIECE zee. :, IT. Iva, was mad made up
Hammack; a Duet by Miss Holland and Miss
Dear; solo by Miss Claudia Ellis; and a full
chorus by the school. II was rendered with
life and spirit and was heartily enJoyed ~,
Miss Eula l.. Haddon, of Due West, $. e. Her
essay was read by Capt. Bonham.
Whispering Winds by Wollenhaupt, one Of
the most difficult pieces on the programme
was performed by Miss Leftw ich, Miss Blake
and Miss Lindsay. on three pianos, in man.
rer that showed skill as well as careful prac
Tie next essay was written in French by
Miss Magpie Lee Halle. OF Flat Rock, 5. e.
Subject, At imperatrice Josephine This es;
say wss enjoyed by all present IL was READ
by Capt F. w. Dawson, the brilliant Journal
ist OF South Caroliua the editor OF the NcNS
and CU,rlcr. When Capt. Dawson appeared
upon the Stage he was greeted BY 4 round OF
APPLAUSE. Here we had 4 change in the pro-
grimme. The noble words OF this essay
stirred the heart Of that true-heartcd French
man and accomplished musician, Prof. De
Camp of the Grcenviile Conservatory, and he
sung in compliment to IT. the Marseillalse
Hymn The rendition Of this pat riotic song
:. as superb and brought down the house.
The next piece of music was vocal solo by
Verdi, sung with great sweetness ana expires