The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-12
Augusta Classical and Military
Academy.

WYNN, Oil ftAiiiIIlitteu anu HlSHly IttI1tN
tive picture was presented. 1t was jus1
in the sweet calm of the departing of &
summers days, when all nature seems
hushed, and is about to robe itself il
it's garment of night The clouds which
had threatened through the afternoon
had been scattered, and only here and
there remained some fragrants to catch
the redianre of the departing day, as the
sun sank to rest behind the hills, which
here form splendid back ground to the
picture before the visitors Nature has
here done some of its most lavish work.
In the rear are the hills already men
primeval oaks. The fields which slope
from the richly clothed woodland, fresh
in the new leaf of spring. are covered
with glorious carpet of green. To the
original oaks. which are so often seen in
this lovely Valley, and which seems to
have been left by the hand of man, in
the march of improvement. for some
noble purpose. In the one now seen by
the visitors, is one of the historic
structures of Virginia-the Old Stone
Church where, for more than a cen
fury, the good people of this section
have gathered to worship after the die
tates OF their own conscience. To the
rear and left are gently undulating
farming lands, now giving the promise
of abundant harvest, while immediate
ly in front are the lawn and parade
grounds, leading up to the coy and
well arranged school buildings. No
more inspiring spot can be found where
young manhood may be invigorated by
a pleasant climate, and learn from the
beautiful picture around him, those
lessons which enlarge and ennoble the
soul, and teach us to look up from
nature to natures God.
Prof. Rollers school is very popular,
and on this June evening, the people
from miles around had gathered to
witness the closing exercises of the
school. The corps of cadets were drill
ling on the parade, and dotted here and
there were groups of ladies and gentle
men watching their soldierly movements
Inside the building the accomplish
ed and worthy lady who presides over the
domestic arrangements of the school was
dispensing lavish hospitality to all
corners. Mrs. Roller is a help-meet for
the accomplished head Of this excellent
school, and to her good Judgment is
due, in no small degree, the eminent
success which has been attained by
Prof. Roller, for she has borne burdens
which would otherwise have been i'm
pediments to his successful work.
AT p. NJ. the entire company repaired
to the public hall of the school to wit
ness the closing exercises of the Cadets
literary Society. An address of welcome
in neat and appropriate terms, was de-
livered by Cadet M. A. Ashby, president
The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Crckenberger of
Mt. Sidney. Music was furnished by a
ton.
The programme consisted of decla-
nations and debate by the pupils.
The declamatiuns were good, delivered
in good style, character well conceived
and the subject matter thoroughly
studied. In this as we'll as in all depart
ments of the school, the boys gave evil
dence of careful training.
The question for debate,-"which has
been the most useful invention, the
printing press orsteam engine, was well
handled by the young gentleman as
signed to that duty. The boys went at
it with a will and each seemed deter
mined to win the day. Had we been
called upon to award prize to either
of the four young gentlemen in the de-
bate, it would have been a most diff
cult task.
After the exercises at the hall were
concluded, there was a lively skirmish
drill in field near by. There were
some old ''vets'' there, who, as the pale
moon marched in splendor through the
blue vault above, and they heard the
the cautious, bold movements of the Skin
mishers, as they moved from point to
point, imagined that cold jack might
have returned to the scenes of earthly
conflicts, and was again making his way
down the historic Valley of the Shen-
andOah. The battle was an exciting
one and showed great skill and good
training, and was highly enjoyed by all
present. This closed the exercises of the
school,
Prof. C. S. Roller, the principal of the
school, is graduate of the University of
Virginia. and has had a remarkable and
successful career as a teacher. He en-
ploys only graduates of our State Un1ver-
stiles and Colleges as assistants, and gives
his personal supervision to every detail
of the school. He is careful and pains
taking and has a high appreciation of
the responsible duties devolved upon him
in caring for and training those commit
ted to his care. We commend. with the
utmost confidence, this school to par
ents seeking a good home school for
their boys where they may be thorough
ly prepared either for the active duties
of life, or to enter the classes of our
best universities.
Distinctions were awarded the follow
ing young gentlemen:
w. A. Ashhy, p. Bnggs, W. E. Bowers.
J. s. Bowman. T. G. Bowling, H. w.
Bowling, 8. C. Byers, G. H. Burke, H. H.
Byrd, Edward G.. Byers, G. E. COpger
y. J. Christian, f. H. Crawford, G. A.
Crawford, l.. &. Doyle, J. A. Eggborn, T.
B. Effinger, j. ID. Forrer, G. j. Hansber-
ger. R. V. Hamrick, J. II. Hyde, 0. c..
Hnlvey. d. B. Kerr. E. B. Kerr, J. L.
Mauzy, J. p. Mitchell, r. G. Mitchell, B.
b. McCutchan, ]. Cyrus McCue, A. b.
Norton, Frank Richie, F. c. Roller, c..
s. Roller, Jr., W. C. Roller, T. j. Roller,
W. w. Snapp, U. S. Schreckise. G. A.
Sively, ]. G. Stull, W. b. Todd, G. b.
Williams, p. Woods, A. s. Yancy, ii. c..
Coffman, E. W. Parkins, c. Y. Parkins,
u. w. sWitzer, G. 7. Hamrick, ]. w.
Crawford, J. H. Hulvey, II. W. Brock,
d. l.. Andes, o. L. Sheets, s. Bowers, e..
G.. Christian.
The Curtis Case Ended.
Mrs. Lucy Curtis arrived in Stannton
Saturday last, happy in the possession of
her little daughter, Nellie There has