Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-25
SAM HOUSTON NORMAL.
Dedication of the New Memorial Hall at
Huntsville-The Exercises.
Marvellous Growth of the Institution Since the
beginning of its Career-Description
of the BuiIding'
Special to the Gazette.

Special to the Gazette.
HUNTSVILLE, TEX, Sept. 23.-Just one yea,
ago the corner stone of the new sam Houston
normal building was laid and to-day the dedic a
tory exercises came off in the beautiful new
normal hall. the building having been completed
just in time for this purpose Fully loco people
gathered in the hall at lO:30, when the exercises
began with the singing of the doxology by all
present. Judge Norman G. Kittrell, the orator
OF the day, then delivered an eloquent address,
paying glorious tribute to the memory OF Gen.
Sam Houston.
Col. sexton of Marshall. one OF Houston's CO.
laborers, made brief talk.
The presentation Of the new ouildlng to the
8, ate of Texas was made by Hon. A. F. McKin-
ney, president of the local board, and was q
Hon. ". p. McComb of Montgomery, repre-
sentative in the legislature, respondeded on be-
half Of that body.
Professor Il. G. Pritchett then presented the
Sam Houston memorial window and also the
window erected in honor OF the teachers who had
died while connected with the institute: re-
sponded to BY Rev. J. D. Ray. after which Pro-
fessor II. F. Estill made the presentation OF the
Peabody Sears window, DR.. BALDWIN respond
ing. he exercises OF the day were presided
over by DIR. j. Baldwin. the venerable president
of the institute for the past ten gears.
The twelfth annual session OF the normal be-
gins tomorrow morning Nearly three hundred
students have already arrived
The Sam Houston normal was established by
located at Huntsville, the home and burial place
of Gen. Sam Houston. The building which the
school has used for the last eleven years is an
unpretentious, two story brick structure with
mansard roof. Teachers have been trained here
in the past who are now doing noble work IN
the upbulding OF the state. But the supply was
not equal to the demand, and they could not be
sent out fast enough. Recognizing this fact,
the last legislature appropriated $40 600 for the
erection of an additional building suited to the
pressing needs of this school. This measure was
passed mainly through the influence OF Senator
L. A. Abercrombe OF this city, who has ever
been q stauuch friend of the institute.
The new building is located Just In front OF
the old one on an eminence that commends
picturesque and wide view OF the town and sur
rounding country. It is Isl feet long by " wide,
and has on the first floor three recitation rooms
2Sxs5 feet, two rooms 2TxiO and large recep-
tion room and Office l5x3l feet The FROM en-
trance will be by the way of 8 handsome porch.
and reception rooms, and what is the grandest
part of the building, the Sam Houston memorial
hall, 96x1 feet. This is wthou. doubt the
haddsomest and best fitted up hall in the state,
the 70 f being designated with view of obtain
ing the highest possible acoustic properties. IL
is constructed in Gothic style, and the windows
are all of genuine cathedral glass. But the hrst
thing to attract the attention OF the visitor as he
enters this hall is groupe OF three memorial
windows, occupying the centrel recess in front.
The middle one is kn own as the Sam Houston
Memorial Window " being both q historical and
monumental window to the memory OF Houston
and other heroes of Texas independence, be-
sides commemorating MANY of the events in the
early history OF the Lone tar state. 1t is a
beautiful work of art. and was erected by con.
tributions from the students who have attended
this school during past sessions. In an arch in
the upper part is the coat OF arms of the state
of Texas, and surrounding il the famous motto,
''Thermopyla had her messenger OF defeat, the
Alamo had none" In the center of the massive
window is the following commemorative Of the
father or Texas independence:
sam Houston. born in Virginia March 2,
1893, representative from Tennessee, governor
a1ar- ha NnG
of Texas, president OF the republic of Texas,
United States senator. governor of Texas, died
in Huntsville, Texas. July Is. 1863
placed the names of the famous battles OF the
revolution Gozales, San Antonio, Alamo, Con-
cepcion, Refugio, Velasco. Lipanti, Coleta and
panel for the battle which decided the fate of
Texas-the battle of San Jacinto, with date, etc.
Then the famous war cries. Remember
Goliad.' Remember the Alamo are IN
scribed, The whole is dedicated I'm memory
of the Heroes of Texas Independence" This
window was designed by Prof. Fl. G. Pritchett,
the Democratic nominee for state suDerirten-
dent of public instruction. Strange as 1t may
seem, In all the state institutions of Texas, not
a single monument of this character has ever
been erected in memory of Houston or other
heroes of Texas independence. This window,
will be an appropriate tribute to our
glorious history, considering the position OF the
state normal among other institutions OF the
state and the historic name it bears.
The window on the right is memorial to
George Peabody the philanthropist, and it is
a Just recognition of the aid which the institu-
ton has received from the Peabody fund The
third window is memorial to the three mem
bers of the faculty who died while connected
with the school, presi 'ent Bernard Mallon,
Professor Charles P. Es.ill and Mrs. A. A.
Reynolds.
The past history of the S. Il. N. I. has been
remarkable one, beginning its career in 1880
with ITO students and sending forth thirty-seven
it has gradually Increased that mum.
Der until at this, the twelfth annual session,
there will be present fully 400 students,