The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-05-25
MARTINS FERRY SCHOOLS.
The Eighteenth Annual Com
mencement Last Night,
THREE GRADUATES SENT OUT
Who Take Their Farewell OF School
Life Before a Large Crowd of
Applauding Friends - Their
Essays and Addresses.

Never in the history Of the Lafayette
Opera House, at Martins Ferry, has it
contained larger and more refined and
appreciatiye audience than witnessed
the eighteenth annual Commencement
Of the Martins Ferry schools, last night,
A more attentive audience has never
been seen on a similar Commencement
in this section. All who attended left
more than well pleased with the en-
tertainment, When the storm came up
about 1880, nearly every seat was Occu'
pied, and by the time it was over the
building was filled to overlooking, On
account Of the storm the exercises did
not begin until half,past s, and did not
last two hours.
The stage presented a handsome ap.
pearanCe. II was artlstCally decorated
with beautiful flowers and plants, and
on o large arch appeared the class motto,
The High School chorus occupied the
rear OF the stage, and seated in semi
circle In front were the Superintendent,
Edwin Il, Sparks, Hon, John Eaton,
Rev, H. N. Campbell, thethr graduates,
Misses Sarah Lewis and Matte O.
Mitchell and Edward Blumenbtrg, Prof.
j, W. scho6eld and the High School
teachers, Misses Ellen Boggs and Laura
Swartz. The two girl graduates were at
tired In white embroidered costumes.
The High School girls also wore white.
The exercises were opened by the
singing OF the greeting song by the High
School chorus, under the direction oil
Prof. J. W, SchoAeld-a most excellent
one, aud deserving Of all the applause It
received during the evening. Rev. IL.
N. Campbell followed with prayer,
Miss Sarah Lewis then read an excellent
essay, 1.-THE Laborer Is Worthy oil His
Hire" II was thoughtful, well written,
and reflected credit on herself and her
teachers.
Edward Blumepberg, one Of the grad
yates, followed with a violin solo, liar
agonessa."
The grafton OF Miss Matte g. Mitchell
came next. The subject was "Rome
was not built in day. audit was clear
ly and well spoken, and In every way on
able production, AT the conclusion o.
Mics Mitchell's Grafton tho chorus Gang
1.-THE HeaYipg BillQW,P after which Ed
ward Rlumenherg presented in u highly
interesting manner his thesis, "Tht
mechanical part Of music" Mr.. Blum
enherg showed o vast knowledge Of biz
subject for q youth, treated 1t intelli.
gently and In q manner which showed
he was en- rapport with his theme.
"Alay Day Sports" was then rendered
by the chorus, after which Prof, Sparks
introduced Hon. John Eaton, President
OF Marietta College, who, IN the absence
OF Mr., N. 4. SmYlle, President Of the
Board d Education, presented the
diplomas to the graduates aud delivered
the address Of the evening. He re-
GREETED the absence OF the president
but said 1t was not an unpleasant task and
that he undertook 1t with pleasure. His
address occupied about ten mtnptpg, and
was listened 10 with lntepee interest.
Prot. Sparks followed, thanking the
large audience for its presence and
saying that 1t had been ten years since
he participated In Commencement, but
that he had seen a number, and that he
had never seen as good order as on this
occasion.
After tho chorus rendered, HNow the
Twilight Softly Stealing" tho henedic-
ton was pronounced by Rev. Mr.. Camp
bell.
The first hpnara were carried of by
MI. Blumenberg and the second by Miss
| Mitchell.