Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-07-18

written about the RandOlph-MacOn
Academy at Bedford City, Va. The
special correspondent of the Shen-
andoah HERALD heard this much
talked of academy was to be
dedicated on the 4th of July, and
no concluded he would 90 down
and see why this particular school
had attracted so much attention.
he reached the academy grounds
on the afternoon of July 3rd, and
and was surprised at the large
number of visitors he found already
there. He noticed many distin-
guished men walking over the
grounds. Among them were Prof.
Remsen of the John Hopkins
University, Prof. Holiday of
Hamden Sidney College, Prof.
Pargean of Richmond College, the
entire faculty Of RandOlph-MacOn
College, DR.. Moses D. HOge, DR..
VIM. Z. JudklnS and Rev. j. L.
Whitley of Richmond. DR.. VIM. X.
BOYLE and Rev. a. DaYisOn of
Baltimore.
An examination of the academy
and its grounds showed why so
much interest was felt in it. The
whole enterprise is on a scale so
magnificent, and it promises to do
such good work in the cause OF
education, that the Randolph
Macon Academy may we'll be call
ed the Buggy of the South. The
grounds contain 40 acres of beauti-
full rolling land which will be
handsomely fenced and will be
beautfed by an artificial lake,
trees, flowers and fountains. In
deed one fountain is already throw
ing its limpid water into the air. a
few miles away, the majestic Peaks
of Otter tower high in the heavens.
The academy itself is so tall and
grand that it seems to vie with the
small mountains that are around
it. The plan was furnished by
Mr.. VIM. VI. POindexteT, of Wash
lngtOn, who won the large prize
offered by W. W. Smith the enter
prisiDg president Of Randolph
Macon College for the best design.
The main building has a front OF
POS feet and is 3 and 4 stories
high, In addition to this, there is
a back building lOOx4O feet and
wing SOx4O feet. All the arrange
ments and equipments are the best
that modern skill has been able to
devise. The purest water from the
great Peaks spring is brought in
pipes 8 miles to the academy, and
is furnished both hot and cold
throughout the building. The
heating arrangements are similar
to those used in the capitol at
Washington, and are considered
the most perfect for heating ami
ventlating known. The sanitary
plumbing is the best in use, and
the entire building from basement
to garnet is brilliantly lighted by
300 Edison incandescent lamps
The main study hall, the recitation
rooms, the dormltOries, the parlOrs
and reOding rooms are all to be
furnished in the best manner.
On the morning OF the 4th visi.
tors began to arrive at $50 a. M,
and continued to pour in from all
directions till the buildings and
grounds were thrOnged. At half
past eleven o'clock the dedication
exercises began. The large study
hall was full to overlooking. Some
of the distinguished guest upon the
rOstrum we're Prof. ira Remsen of
the John Hopkins University,
PrOfs. Thornton and Stone of the
University of Va, Prots. Moreland
and Brown of the Washington and
Lee University, DR.. Parger Of
Richmond College, DR.. Dreher of
Roanoke College, Prof. Mlee, of
Emory and Henry College, DR..
Moses d. Hoge of Richmond, Dr.
Cox, DR.. Boyle and Mr.. Armstrong
OF Baltimore, Drs. LeOnldas ROsser,
JnO. E. Edwards, Paul Whitehead,
j. J. Lafferty and many others.
The exercises were opened by
DR.. W. w. Smith, who spoke
briefly of the completion OF the
academy and of the excellent man.
ner in which the architect, the
builder and the wOrkmen had dis
charged their duty. Then the
Hon. w. w. Berry, on behalf OF
the citizens of Bedford, made
brief but modal cordial address of
welcome to the visitors, which was
responded to by Capt. J. II. II.
Figgatt, of Finc4stle, in a peculiar
ly happy manner. The hymn,
commencing, "COme Father, Son
and Holy Ghost" was read by DR.
A. E. Dickinson and sung by the