Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-06-09
SCHOOL DAYS, FAREWELL
Commencement of the High School
Glass of 'SS.
Interesting Exercises at Harper's
Theatre Last Evening--Mr, Forbes
Able Address.

Last evening the annual commencement
exercises of the Rock Island high schoo
were held at Harper's theatre, and as IL
always the case on this important and
happy occasion, the house was complete
ly packed with the parents and other rel
atives and interested friends of the grad
yates. Fourteen years have passed
first class of graduates out into the world
or into higher pursuits and fields
of learning, and each succeeding yeaI
has marked If 1t could be, deeper and
more general public interest in the exer-
cises.
THE CLASS OF 'SS
was about the average, so far as the num-
Der composing il is concerned, but one
very interesting fact is that of the sixteen
who received diplomas seven were boys.
a greater per cent of males than has been
known before in a Rock Island high
school graduating class.
The stage presented striking and
handsome appearance to the immense
audience when the curtain rose at 8
O'Clock last evening. Seated in a semi
circle were the graduates. the young las
dies being dres sed in pure white, while
at the right were President Reimers and
Directors Welch, Thomas and Yore, and
on the left were Supt, Kemble, Mr.. Al
exander Forbes. of Chicago, and others.
In the center of the class circle was an
empty chair, beautiful in its appearance.
interviewer with simlax and containing
a wreath of lovely flowers, yet sad in its
Significance. The chair was in memory
of Miss Ella Mccartney. one of the
brightest members OF the class, and who
died during the Christmas vacation. This
morning the last tender office performed
by the class before separating, was to
take the wreath and place it on the
grave of their dead classmate in Chippi.
annoCk cemetery.
Suspended in large letters made of pink
cotton batting and striped with white was
the simple yet expressive motto of the
class, ID. |. G ;" while at the right was
the appropriate symbol. "A spade The
floral tributes to the gradutes were taste,
fully arranged on either side of the stage.
THE ENERCIsEs,
were presided over by President Rel |
mers, who announced the first num-
ing" and which was given by the pupils
IF the high school-about fifty in num-
Der. under Prof. Housels direction. Iu>
location by Rev. A. B. Medium fol-
owed, and then came another chorus by
he high school. Song of the Zephyr"
Hiss Minnie A Ransom. of the
graduating class, carrying the air.
Nils Olson gave creditabe adj
ress, The Relation of the Citizen to
he Public Schools, and Miss Clara Nor
is, though a purely American girl,
bowed mastery of the German language
4 handling her subject Der Graf Won
Iapsburg." A finely executed piano
Dlo, Caprice Hungrois. by Miss
Jamie Long came next. and then
Iiss Emile DeSanto read very
BILE essay entitled "Women's Pc.
ton in History" Another essay,
nd one that would have done credit to
erson Of mature years, was that which
,llowed, and which was read by Miss !
harlotte Custer, on "The Poet in His
'ry." A quartette composed of Misses L
innie Ransom and Clara Levey, and a
essrs. Nils Olson and Oloff Atkinson,
ing with pleasing effect, Greeting c
lee" h
MIR. FORBES ADDRESS.