Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-08-13
Close Of the Normal.
FOUR HUNDRED TEACHERS present
DURING THE SESSION.


FOUR HUNDRED TEACHERS ,,PREsENg
DURING THE SESSION.
The session Of the Normal school which
has lasted four weeks closed last Tuesday
night. The closing exercises consisted O.
minutes addresses by Prof. F. V. N
Painter of Roanoke College, e. S. Shepp,
of Highland, Supt. Coons of Culpeper
Mayor Yost and Ex-Supt. w. A. Bowles
of Staunton. and concert given by anna
teurs of Staunton in honor of the mem
beers of the Normal.
The farewell exercises were opened witt
prayer by Rev. J. G. Dice, Presiding FL
der of this district.
The concert given blythe Staunton anna
tours Bumgardner. Miss Katie Nc
Guff1n, and Mr.. Jos. j. Shirkey5aro
| the enthusiasm of the audience and
| brought long succession of encOres. A
march composed specially for this Norma
by Prof. Paul was splayed and proved to
be most pleasing musical arrangement
and the Stonewall Brigade Band led by
Prof. Webb, came in for its we'll deserved
share of tie applause.
One OF the speakers told the teachers
that at the next Normal. three-grade
course would be followed so that no teach
er need 60 over and over the same course
of instruction, but could advance from
the Primary through the Intermedi-
ate to the final or third years course
and receive a certificate indicating that
completion.
Prof. Painter referred to the fact of
teaching itself being science, and hoped
that the teachers who could not, in the
nature of things go to schools while
teaching, would see the importance of
taking instruction for. their vocation in
their vacation.
Prof. Bowles referred to some prediction
made when the Normal was first thought
of. and showed that those who prophesied
other than good results had proved them
selves but Indifferent prophets, to say the
least.
Resolutions of thanks to the officers Of
the D., D. & B. Institution and to the peo-
pie of Staunton, for their kindness and
hospitality and for the interest manifested
In the Normal, were passed, and after
singing the ''Sweet Bye and Bye" the au-
ealeft the hall to the inspiriting
music.of the Stonewall Band.
The evening was a success and much
credit is due the officers and teachers who,
in twenty -four hours, planned a pro-
gramme so successfully carried out.
The session of the school just closed has
been great success, and has had two
features that the Normal Of last year did
not calisthenics, I. taught by Miss
Parrish of the Farmville Normal, and
music, taught by Miss Brimblecombe also
OF that school.
There have been 400 teachers, represent
ing 80 counties, in attendance this year,
making the largest Normal this summer,
save that at Salem which kept about fifteen
ahead of it. The reason was that at Salem
the citizens widely circulated the popular
news that they would only charge $40 a
month board. In Staunton the charge
generally was from SIP to SIS.
Prof. Frank M. Smith of Jackson,
Tenn, the superintendent of the Normal,
left for his home two weeks before the
close of the session, on account of sick.
ness, but was unable to reach there and is
now lying ill of typhoid fever at Knoxville,
Tenn. Prof. S. S. Parr of Indiana, who
succeeded in charge. was called home by a
telegram three days before the session
closed, and after his departure the Normal
was in charge of Prof. Painter of Roanoke
College.
The selection of the D., D. & B. Insti.
tuition greatly added to the success of the
Normal, it's spacious rooms and chapel and
beautiful grounds. making the conduct of
the school pleasure instead of labor as
it was last year. The officers of the Insti-
tuition showed every attention to the
visitors and did what lay in their power
to make their stay there agreeable.
The Normal has now become an annual
institution, we trust, of Staunton, and we
may add that our people are more delight
ed with the manner and bearing of its
members every year they come.
The following school superintendent
were in attendance on the session-Dr.
Buchanan, State Superintendent; W. E.
Coons of Culpeper, Mr.. Hulvey of Rock
ingham, Mr.. Hall Of Fairfax, G. T. Jor-
dan Of Augusta, w. W. Robertson Of
Staunton, H. Shelley Roller of Augusta,
M. Saville of Rockbridge, and W. A.
BoWles of Staunton.