Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-22
MISS FOLSOM AT SCHOOL.
HER STUDIES IN BUFFALO AND
IN WELLS COLLEGE.
Mr.. Cleveland's Eloquent Tribute
to Her Father, the Late Oscar
Folsom, Pronounced Before the
Buffalo Bar in July, 1875.
Frona az Neao York SNn.

day experiences of Miss Frances Folsom,
the prospective bride of the President. In
the records OF both the Buffalo Central
school and Wells College her name is
Frank Folsom. At the Central school
her class record gives her name in that
way, and Prof. Spencer, the principal, and
Miss Ripy, one Of his assistants,
called her Frank, the girls called her
frankie, and other teachers called her
Frances.
Miss Folsom entered the Central school
in 1879, when sac was 10 years OF age.
She was qualified to pass the Regents
examination by instruction received In
private schools. In the first term her
studies comprised physics, algebra, and
Latin, and her term average was DO,
the basis of percentage being 80 points.
The second term was devoted to geometry,
chemistry, and a continued application
to Casar's Commentaries. She did poorly,
however, this term, and when she return
ed in the fall the instructors compelled
her to review the three studies, and SUBJ
stituted physical geography for chemistry
for regular study. This term Miss Fol
SONS average was 81. In the last term
rhetoric, advanced geometry, and
Caesar were the studies. Her term
average was 80. In February, 1882
she obtained an honorable discharge,
and went to Wells College soon after
( ward.
Miss Folsom was an acknowledged
belle after the first year, and was great
favorite with teachers and schooluates
alike. The boys IN school fairly 1dollzed
her, and she accepted their attentions
with grace and dignity. Soon afterward
her romantic acquaintance with the Rev.
Charles Townsend occurred, as reported
in the Sun several weeks ago.
When Miss Folsom went to Wells Col
lege at Aurora, on Lake Cayuga. she was
admitted on her Central school certificate.
She got along finely, not having so many
social obligations as she had in Buffalo.
The only other Buffalo young lady in the
school and she is there now was Miss
Jean Beatrice Weber, daughter of Con-
gresham Weber. The class which was
graduated in 1885 was as follows:
"Minnie Rachel Alexander, Bridgeport,
Ohio; Frank Folsom, Buffalo; Virginia
NJ. Kingstord, Oswego; Julia Walworth
Severance, Cleveland; Elizabeth Gardiner
Smith, Phelps, n. Y; Martha b. Wright,
Riverside, Cal"
AT the commencement exercises Miss
Folsom presented a sketch in place of the
class prophecy.
The Sun has already mentioned the
tributes paid to Oscar Folsom, Miss Fol
SONS father, by the bar of Buffalo on
July %, 1875. Among the speakers then
were Lieut.. Gov. Dorsheimer, the late
Judge Clinton, and Grover Cleveland.
The speech delivered by the latter is
interesting now, as showing how he
esteemed his BRIDES father. 1t is in full
as follows:
"MR CHAIRMAN: 1t has been said:
Light SORROWS speak - great grief is
dumb and the application of this would
enforce my silence on this occasion. But
| cannot go SO far, nor let the hours pass
without adding tribute of respect and
love to my departed friend. He was my
friend in the most secret and complete
sense Of the term. Il have walked with
him, talked with him, ate with MIN, and
slept with him-was he not my friend"
81 must not, dare not recall the men,
cries of our long and loving friendship.
And let not my brethren think it amIss
if l force back the thoughts that come
crOwding to my mind. l shall speak
coldly of my friend, but the most sacred
tribute Of sad heart, believe me, is I'M
spoken.
.In the course of life not entirely de-
void of startling incident, / can truly say
that | never was so shocked and over
whelmed as when heard on Friday night
of Oscar FolsOm's death. / had an en-
gagement with him thatevening, and was
momentarily expecting him when ! re-
ceiYed the intelligence of mis- injury; and
before | reached the scene of the accident
l was abruptly told of his death. l shall
not attempt to describe my emotions.
Death seemed so foreign to this man. and
the exuberance of his life was so marked
and prominent, that the idea OF his dying
| or of his death seemed to me incongruOus
and out of place. And before l saw him
| dead l found myself rejecting. How
strange he would look dying or deadv l
IL nfb r- In 81 ,1
( drama of life but. this, and for this he
seemed untitled.
"His remarkable social qualities won
for him the admiration of all with whom
he came in contact, while his great, kind
heart caused all to love him who knew
him well. He was remarkably true in
his friendships, and, having made friend
he 'glappled him with hooks of STEEL
Open and frank himself, he opposed
deceit. His remarkable humOr never had
intentional sting; and, though impulsive
/ and quick, he was always just. In the
/ practice OF his profession ana in the sOlu-
/ ton Of legal questions he first saw what
was right and just, and then expected to
find the law leading him directly there.
+ lit is not strange to find joined TO a
/ ovial disposition a kind and generous
/ heart; but he had besides these, broad
/ and correct judgment and a wonderful
]
| instances are numerous in my experience
/ where his strong common sense has aided
/ me easily through difficulties. Such was
my friend. The sadness of his taking of
/ has no alienation, | shall not dwell upon
| the narrowing circumstances. On Friday
afternoon Oscar Folsom, IN the midday
| OF life, was cherishing bright anticpa-
tons for the future. Among them he had
( planned a nome in an adjoining town,
/ where he calculated upon much peace
/ and quiet. lie had already partially per-
I fected bis arrangements, which were soon
/ TO be fully cOnsummated. Within forty
/ eight short hours he reached the town of
/ his anticipated residence. But God had
/ interviewed. The hands of loving friends
/ bore him to n home, but not the home he
/ had himself provided. lie found peace
| in the home that God provides for the
sons of men, and quiet-ah, such quietl--
/ in the grave.
81 know how fleeing and how soon for
! gotten are the lessons taught by such
/ calamities. The gay will laugh, the
/ solemn brood of care plod on, and each
I one as before pursue his favorite phan-
| TOM But IL seems to me long. long years
| Will intervene before pleasant memories Of
! his life viii be unmingled with the sad
admonitions furnished by the death OF
| Oscar Folsom.
~ 80 40 cberieh hin, Ia lo,,f,,,, ,-,,,,. ,,,