The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-04
VOLUME xXxvII---NUMBER 10.
THE FIRST WARD SCHOOL,

tsFdaJ-Seh0oI Opens.
Wheeling's public schhols commenced
another scholastic year yesterday, and
they never opened under brighter aus
pices, or gave better promise OF good re-
suits than yesterday.
Professor W. II. Anderson is again Mt
the head as superintendent, and he has
just about the same corps OF able teach
ers he has had the past year. all the
principals are retained, aud the only
changes made in the teaching force are
in some OF the Hover divisions. The
attendance yesterday was quite large
for the opening day.
In the afternoon the new and hand
some school building in Washington
district was formally dedicated TO the
grand use for which it was built. The
exercises were simple but very appro-
PIRATE, and were both interesting and
enjoyable to the large number OF teach
ers, pupils and citizens who were pres.
ent. The other schools in the citywere
dismissed in order that the teachers and
pupils, such OF them as desired, might
have an opportunity to inspect the splen-
did building and attend the dedication.
All the principals OF the other schools
were present, accompanied by ma jor-
ity OF their teachers. There was u
quorum of the Board OF Education, n
gratifying turnout OF the citizens Of
Washington district and former grad
yates OF the school. The older pupils
made up the balance OF the throng that
filed every seat and space in the spac.
ious grammar room, and overilowed
into the adjoining class rooms Super
intendent Anderson and Miss Harper,
the efficient principal, took their stand
in the handsome rotunda, and as their
friends and patrons entered and passed
up the ornamental staircase they re-
ceived from them cordial welcome.
Everyone was delighted with the
building, which has been described Mt
length in these columns before. They
found everything as described-ConI-
plete, modern, handsome and conven-
tent. Tho teachers from the other
schools became almost envious US they
looked in upon the elegant quarters their
sisters have.
About $3.50 o'clock the bell rang for
the assembling OF the audience in the
grammar room. The exercises opened
with the singing OF "Auld Lang Syne"
by n chorus Of young lady pupils. Pray
er was offered by Professor Blaisdell,
President OF the Female College. after
which another song, "Tell Me Where
the Fairies Dwell" was sung.
Commissioners A. G. Harrell gave
short history Of the, schools of Wash
ington district, consuming n large por-
ton Of his time in reviewing the fight
made for the present superb building in
place OF the old one.
The present building is the third
school building that has stood on that
lot. The first was built and occupied in
1910, soon after free schools were estab-
lished in Wheeling and Ohio county
aud when that portion OF the town was
known rs Irwin district. 1t stood right
On the corner OF Main and Fifth streets,
On the site Of an old planning mill. 1t
was succeeded in 1867 by the four-story,
poorly built structure that was torn
down to make room for the present
building.
There was present in the audience
Yesterday Mr.. j. NJ. Ewing, who was one
of the trustees OF old irwin district, and
who had with him the copy Of an ad-
vertisement that was inserted in The
Argus and another paper published here
Mt that time. He found it in an old
portfolio. 1t reads us follows:
"To CoNTRAcToRs,-Ap plan and speci-
fications for Irwin district public school
house may be seen ut the store OF Thos.
Johnston, jr., and sealed proposals will
be received by the undersigned, Trustees
OF said school district, until Saturday
next at 3o'clock p. IN, for the erection
OF said building.
[signed] "l. G. Culbertson, W. p.
J. NJ. Ewing.
"Wheeling, august !, lS4S."
Mr.. Harrcii was followed by the Rev.
Benz. Chew, graduate Of the school
(lSS3) who gave u history OF the Alumni
in a pleasing way. There was another
song, "Far Away" and then Mr.. Ross
Chew recited "The Old School House,"
a very apropos selection.
The dediCatory address was delivered
by the Rev. NJ. +. Dryden. II was Wig
orous and pointed, showing the value OF
public schools, the dangers that beset
them and other free institutions of this
country, and how through proper teach
ing OF patriotism and morality in the
public school to overcome these dangers.
1t was one Of Mr., Dryden's happicst
efforts. He was followedby the Rev.
Nfessr. Jones, King and Dorubtaser,
DR.. ulrich, DR.. j. II. Pipes and others,
who made short addresses congratu-
lating the city, the district, the people,
the teachers and the scholars on the
acquisition OF such u fine building.
The dedication from beginning to end