The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-06-20
Wake Forest Commencement.
Special Correspondence Of the Gold Leaf.

Wake Forest Commencement.
Special Correspondence Of the Gold Leaf.
The 55th annual commencement exer-
cises of Wake Forest College began on
Monday, June 10th, and continued until
June 18th
1t was without doubt one of the grand
est ever known in the history OF the col
lege. 1t would be impossible to do justice
to the gentlemen of the graduating class
pointed parts but will say that they re-
fected great credit both on Wake Forest
College and the discipline OF the faculty.
The exercises of the week opened Oh Mon
day at $50 a. m. by the class day exercise.
&. Dowd, Of Charlotte, N. e., president, OF
of Magnolia, N. g.. introduced Mr.. e. T.
Bailey. Jr., OF Raleigh. n. g., the class
historian, who presented the history of the
class since their entrance into college: Mr.. |
orator, delivered the class Grafton. Mr..
+. NJ. Huffman, Of Scotland Neck, n. G., !
as class prophet, prOphecied as to the flu |
ture of EACH member of the class. Mr.. w.
G. Dowd, as president OF the class, deliv-
cred very touching address to them;
was delivered by Hon. &. NJ. Cooke, Of
Louisburg, N. c.. who spoke on the public
school system of North Carolina Mr..
Cooke sustained his high reputation as
public speaker his address was excellent.
Wednesday morning at 11:so oeloek the
thesian Literary Societies was delivered by
Hon. VIM. l.. Wilson, of West Virginia.
This was the finest speech that the writer
has ever had the pleasure to hear. Presi-
dent g. E. Taylor in short speech said
that it was the best ever known in the his
tory of the Wake Forest College, and one
of three of the best that he had ever heard.
Mr. Wilson spoke OH American citizenship.
After he had taken his seat Governor
Fowle was called for. He responded
heartily, and made very pleasant talk:
difficulties that he had experienced in
reaching North Carolina; but that he
| would like to remind him that North Car
olina was only relieving Virginia of per-
ton of the waters that was then flooding
time that the Old North State had barred
her bosom for the aid of her sister State
| Virginia, who were closer to each other
than Pickett was to Pettigrew. Loud ap-
plause.] He said that he heard Mr.. WILL
sons speech on the tariff while in Senate :;
that he had more than once quoted from it
during the late campaign. He expressed
his pleasure at having the privilege to
speak at commencement of sueh.a dis
tinguished college as Wake Forest. Zap
plauseI which was the most prosperous de-
nominational college in the State if not in
the South. Applause. He said that as
Governor of North Carolina there was a
i great responsibility resting on him. That
there were two things which he hoped that
all present would aid him in accomplish
ing in the next four years. First, to make
the penitentiary self-sustaining second, to
perfect the public school system in North
Il Carolina.
At $50 a'clock p. M the baccalaureate
sermon was preached by Rev. j. w. Carter,
Virginia. 1t was most excellent and in.
teresting discourse. DR.. Carter is one Of
the most able preachers in the South.
Thursday morning at 1:30 O'Clock the
regular commencement exercises were
opened with prayer by Rev. DR.. Carter.
eigh, N. c Oraticn-Hand Immemor-A
Tribute-T. NJ. Hufham. Scotland Neck
IN q. Oration-Pain-T. S. Sprinkle,
Forsyth county, n. C.. Oration-Trium.
plant Republicanism-M. s. Carr, Greene
county, n. 9; OratioH-Uncle sam-Lee
American Farmer. l.. Fleming, Green.
Vile, n. e.. Oration-The Homestead
LAWN. G. DOwd, Charlotte, y. &. Val.
edictory Address-H. A. Foushee, Rox.
bOro, n. Z.
The speeches were pronounced by all to
be excellent The largest crowd was
present that ever attended a commence.
ment at Wake Forest College. The hall
/ would not begin to accommodate all
There was probably larger crowd on the
: campus than in the hall.
After the exercises diplomas of full
graduation were awarded by President C.
E. Taylor to the following gentlemen
A. NJ, d. A. Davis, w. w. Early, h. A
, FOushee, J. r. Hunter. F. l.. Merritt, H
n. Shaw, J. II. Simmons. G: 9; Wells: A
, B., N. L. Carr. w: C. Dowd, E. L. Middle
Watkins: B. L., A. L. Belts, j. A. Bird.
ges, +. NJ. Huffman, G. L. Merrell, NJ. l..
r Hickman, Lee Royal, q. J. Thompson. r.
w. Watson. b. s., e. L. Bailey, Jr., j. L.
Fleming. &. P. HaIrill, T. S. Sprinkle, J.
+. Tucker.
DR.. Taylor addressed the class in a very
pleasing and appropriate speech.
Rev. J.. D. Hufham in behalf of the trus-
+ tees thanked the students for their gentle.
manly department during the past session.
He announced that the trustees had con
Poteat; that Prof. A. L. Purinton hav.
ing accepted position in the University
of Tennessee had offered his resignation as
professor Of chemistry; and that they had
accepted the RESIGNATION with many re-
which Prof. Purinton had filled the
. chair of chemistry during his stay at Wake
Forest College. He Furthermore stated
7 that they had elected Chas. E. Brewer. a
, graduate Of Wake Forest, but now a
student in the Johns Hopkins University
to fill the vacancy, and that he had &C.
cepted the position. He read letter from
the professor of chemistry at Johns Hon
kins stating that Mr.. Brewer was fully
, competent to fill the position to which he
had been called. Much to the pleasure of
the students DR.. Hufham also announced
that chair of physical culture would be
established next session.
, At $50 p. nj. Voelker's orchestra. of
Richmond, that had made music during
the commencement, gave a very pleasant
concert after which the society hall. read.
ing room and library were thrown open
and the young ladies and gentlemen en-.
gagged in social pleasures until o'clock a
m. This time was spent in a very pleasant
manner, and when the time to separate ar.
1 rived the events of a most pleasant Occa.
sion we're recorded in the memories of all
4 Wake Forest College belongs to the Bap
: fists of North Carolina and it is one Of
q which they may we'll be proud. 1t is in
: tended to meet their actual needs in the
education of their sons. There is ground
a for great thankfulness that ALREADY q larcf
: work has been done but it is hoped thal
what has been achieved in the past is but 3
: fOretaste of far wider and more efieien,
, work in the future. President Taylor /.
! truly the right man in the right place
] During the past year he has been untirine
in his efforts to advance the interests OF
Wake Forest College. W.. n.