The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-04
The Virginia Military Institute.

Especial correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.]
LEXINGTON, July THE continued and heavy
rains have washed out the Roadbeds of the r. X.
and delayed the arrival of trains with Alumni
and visitors to the Semi-Centennial Celebration
of the V. NJ. |. There are two hundred Alumni
already on the ground. Some come from the
far off States of Missouri and Kansas Seven
hundred are on trains now overdue You meet
the alumni everywhere They are known by
blue badges attached to the lapel of the coat
printed in gilt letters Semi Centennial " NJ T.
Glass No In the blank is the year in which
the Alumnus graduated, and they run from 1889
to 1889. Col. Edmund Pendleton, who is the old
est living graduate, wears badge of 1889. The
next oldest badge we have seen is i843 and is
worn by Maj. J. b. Dorman, Of Stanton
There are present from Augusta county: Col.
]. d. Lilly, j. W. McCorkle and r.. T. Goodwyna
From Staunton; Imboden Hudson, Capt. ST un-
ders IS NJ. A., Wilbur Veitch, w. P. Tams, Jas.
Kerr r. P. Bell, Lewis Harman Jno. Opie Heber
Kerr and Alex. Hartman. We notice among the
visitors, the Misses McCorkle, of Middlebrook;
Capt. and Mrs. Wilson, of Fort Defiance; Miss
May McCue and Miss Fannie Tannehill, of Staun-
ton We met on the parade ground the Misses
Duval, of the Va. Female Institute, who reside
here during the summer
Gen. Francis H. Smith, who has been Supt. of
the Institute since its foundation, has rendered
his resignation, to take effect, January l. 1890.
The resignation which has been accepted by the
Board OF Visitors, is rendered upon the ground
Of advancing years. General Smith is II J ears
old and has devoted SO years of his life to the
arduouS and responsible duties of Supt Of the
" NJ. l. By his own personal efforts unaided by
the State, or others, than those whose sympathy
and aid were enlisted by his earnest efforts, he
restored the ruins of the Institute barracks
which had hean DESTROYED nv Gan Huntar f7,,r
ing the war, raised the funds for the prosecution
of the work, and placed the Institute upon its
feet once more By his single effort career of
successful work was started, which ELECTS the
admiration OF all who come here and see what
has been DONE
We were told by member of the Board to-day
that committee OF three had been appointed
to secure the names Of persons suited to the po-
81 ion, to be presented to an adjourned meeting
OF the Board. A great deal depends upon this
action, and the Board should consider well be-
fore acting
Col Smith, on retiring as Supt, has been elect
ed Emeritus Prof. of Mathematics and Moral
Philosophy, at salary of $500. An honor
which has been worthily won.
Hon. John s. Wiseis expected here to night. He
is on the belated r. & A. train, due at A. NJ, but
which is not now expected to arrive before IL
P. NJ.
Athletic sports, Artillery drill and practic,
fl ing by the Cadet battery have been the fea-
lures Of the day. Tomorrow is Alumni day.
Reunion of Alumni, Historical Sketch by Gen.
Smith; Alumni Address by Senator Faulkner, of
W st Va, with Alumni banquet at V~M. I. Mess
hall at night
July Liberalization Exercises, Early History
o the Institute, Sketch by Col. j. T. L. Preston,
the father of the " NJ. l. At night, grand dis
pay of fire works and Cadet ball.