The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-07-02
Goddard Seminary.

The exercises of the graduating class
were limited to an informal presentation OF
the diplomas on Wednesday morning at ten
o'clock in the parlors of the school. The
principal, with emphatic words OF praise,
presented the class of 80 to the president,
Rev. w. II. Shipman, DID. The president
made few remarks, congratulating the class
upon the completion, with honor, OF its
course of study, referring especially to the
unusual circumstances attending the close
Of the school year. The ceremony, which
will be long remembered by those present,
closed with the fearful congratulations OF
the friends of the graduating class.
The important event of the week was the
funeral service of Miss Thompson, which
occurred after brief exercise at the Sem
mary, in the Universaist church. During
the funeral procession through the streets
of the village all the stores were closed as
a mark of respect, a testimonial which in
dcates how near this teacher had come to
the interests of the Barre people, AT the
church the flowers and white drapery
avoided the impression of mourning that is
common at funerals. Instead, the arrange
ments were conducted so as to encourage
cheerfulness and a sense of beauty. Among
the floral emblems were handsome repre-
sentation of the gates a Jar, sickle cutting
a wreath of flowers and fifty-five choice
roses, one for each year of the life that had
ended.
Inc Orue1 OF tA0TClSeS was dS lOllOWS.
Organ voluntary, Miss l.. NJ. Kendall; chant,
the choir Death is not Dying" prayer,
President Shipman solo, Calvary" beau
tifully rendered by Mrs Miller; reading of
Scriptures and address, Rev. Walter Dole,
the address being in sympathetic key that
met with response from the congregation,
who recognized the picture of life devoted
to duty and furnishing us with new faith in
immortality; selection, the choir, Only
remembered by what have done" address,
Rev. j. f. Rhoades, friend for years, who
spoke in terms of high eulogy; congrega-
tional hymn; benediction Rev. j. Harry
Holden. The bearers had been chosen
from graduates of the school, all of whom
had known and respected their teacher. The
interment was made at Wilson cemetery,
the family bural-pace.
Miss Persis A. Thompson was about
fifty-fve years old, having been born No
vember 26, 1884, at Milestone hill A gradu-
ate of Barre Academy in 1855, she began
teaching when very young, and continued
the work until the end of life, almost with
out interruption AT one period she taught
for few years each in California and Massa-
chusetts but she felt most at home in her
native state, where it was fitting that she
should end her days. Eighteen years ago
she was engaged as teacher Of English
branches in Goddard Seminary, but her
services since that time have been limited
only by her abilities. Seldom does man
or woman devote ones self to single object
with such persistence as Miss Thompson
displayed in her relationship with this
school. AS a manager of its internal affairs,
at a time when economy was absolutely
essential to the schools existence, as an
untiring nurse, when scholars were over
taken by disease, as the mother" as she
was called, of all that made their home in
the Seminary building, Miss Thompson
showed unselfishness, energy and strength
of character that entitle her to long and
grateful remembrance. The trustees have
decided to establish, as a memorial, the
Persis A. Thompson scholarship, to aid
needy and deserving students.