The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-23
4 Memorable Day and Happy Occasion
REUNION OF p. b. TOMSON'S
FORMER PUPILS.

The sylvan shades of Cooley's grove.in south
eastern Shalersville, were very welcome ex-
change for the heat and dust encountered by
he friends and former pupils of P. B. Tomson
in journeying to that cool retreat, Tuesday, the
18th inst where they assembled 4C0 strong 20
him on his 49d birthday, and pass
the time in merry reunion. Beginning in the
early forenoon. it was near the mid d-day hour
when the last load of visitants arrived, although
very few came after IL O'Clock. In view of it
being the busiest season of the year to the /
farmers. who were in the midst Of haying and |
the number present was truly re-
and as the assemblage grew in /
hourly increase, until every seat had its occu-
pant. and the t-celess space around was filed |
with standing spectators, one could understand |
something of the friendship existing for MI. |
Tomson. that causcd SO many of those an ong
whom he has lived and labored for the past |
twenty-four years 20 neglect the urgent de-
mands of business in order to be present. And
it was an inspiring sight for anyone to witness.
for to causes foreign to the occasions that call
people together in mele temporary recreation
it owed its origin.
The enjoyment of that day was of the kind
that endures throughout the remaining span of
lies short years and is ever a.csr present like
the bright remembrance of a happy vision.
People were there who exchanged their beart-
felt greetings aiter years of separation, and
who forgot the troubles and responsibilities of
the present in the pleasures of a reyivifcd past
when they were schoolmates enjoying the hours
of youthful experiences, whose record consti-
tutes the brightest pages in the history of every
life. Mingled with these recollections were
crate III remembrances of him who patiently
instilled into their young minds the truths of
learning. and directed them in paths of useful
ness. and all were glad that the reunion was
appointed for the day that marked his natal
anniversary, for it was peculiarly appropriate
and rendered the occasion doubly interesting.
The first object commencing itself to notice
as one .ercd the grove was the commodious
stage erected at the foot of gentle elevation,
on which were placed long rows of seats that
rose in gradual ascendancY. as they recaded
from the front The .ront of The stage was sur
mounted by a high arch, handsome in floral
trimmings. over which appeared the initials
"P. B. TT while below were suspended the
figares 81 66,'' and "lsS1,'' of evergrc, make.
Fastened to large tree at the rear of the stage
was an elegant fame enclosing white back
ground on which "a Happy Birthday % p. B.
T.' appeared in a delicate shade of red 1t
| was very pretty and quite artistic. and was the
| gilt of Miss Abbie Cooley. To the leI5 Yves
placed cabinet organ Ilrnishcd by the Disci-
| pie Church of Shalersville; to the right mag
nj &c ent upright piano from N. E. Olin, musical
dealer of Kent. The stage was resplendent in
| flowers, whose iras srance and beauty mingled
| their charms with each other in delightful COM
| binatiop. Conspicuous among these bright
faces from Flora's realm was large bouquet of
Bachelor Buttons in different olers. beautifully
arranged presented by little Bessie Proctor. of
RaVenna. a portion of which were worn with
charac ,ristic chcerfulness by Mr.. Tomson dur
| ing the day. for we omit I'd to state what we
now say in confidence to our readers, that he is
one of the most confirmed and at the same time
good natured and che ,riul old bachelors with
out the pale of Portage Beneiicts. And it is
| proper also 20 add in this connection that were
/ he to express his age by ten years less. no one
unacquainted with the fact would doubt him
for an instant
| While the balance of the people enjoyed
| themselves, busy hands were working at the
| tables which soon CLEANED with snow white
spreads. in turn covered with an accumulation
of choicest viands. 70 enumerate which would
| excel any one of the famous tasks of Heracles
Everything being in readiness the assemblage
was called % order 10 listen to the first tr ng
on the program, and shortly after II O'Clock the
ROLL CALL
| of $50 names was commenced. The very first
call failed to elicit response, and as the
/ teacher proceeded it was soon apparent that
| absent marks were the rule and present ones
the exception. Commencing with the first
school he ever taught. he followed the terms in
their order with but single exception. that
being the one taught in Lenawce Junction
Mich, in the Spring of 1o,7, and of the e.!
names enrolled on the schedule, los answered
| bu 1atio ara1i ifod
accordingly. while 4jt spaces were filed with
the marks that call for written excuses
This part of the program. while awakening
many welcome recollection as the names OF
schoolmates were heard whose memories had
gradually faded feom lives busy with the mul.
tiplied affairs of maturity, was not without its
saddening influences at the mourpful evidence:
of change. and seldom is a realization of times
mutations SO forcibly impressed on the mind.
at the conclusion of the roll call. Mr.. Tomson
stated that he had taught 3s terms of school, ex-
tending over period of "a years, commencing
| in 1 Sc. The entire number of his pupils dur.
ing that time aggregated GOO. and the following
| report shows the business occupations of those
living. SO far as attainable:
Males: IL Banker, so Farmers 10 Machinists
II Mechanics, 6 Teachers, Z SB illci Musicians
II Merchants, IA Railroad Men, l Artist,
Travelling Men, Butchers, 5 Painters. 8 Man
ufacturers, Clerks, Spo ;ulalors, Barber,
Lawyer. 2Saloonkeepers.
Females "a Teachers, Is Skilled Musicians.
| 8 Dress Makers and Milliners. Clerks, Ste
nographist. As Farmers Wives. Maehintsts
Wives. Mechanics Wives, Merchants
Wives, Barber's WIFE Doc. or's Wife.
OF this number. 81 males are married, l2z
| under the age of 80. unmarried, and II have SC
closely observed the Instructions of theil
Mas er" as to follew him in the paths OF
| singleblessedness.
OF the opposite sex. So are mai ficd, II under
| 80 have not yet crossed the ltue, and 20. whose
| ages vary from 80 years, upwards, have else
followed their ,cacher's example.
Then follow 4 the reading of the death roll
and short. touching obituary of each decedent
| Thirty three names were included in this sad
list, and the mois: eyes of many at; ested
their deep felt sorr1w as the names of those who
| have entered the great schcol ON high were
read
Letters of regret were then read from Mrs
Eva Reese Smith. Ashland, Mo-; Miss Corrie
| SaWye-, Angola, Ind. Student of 1gola Normal
| College; Mrs. Jennie Morgan Buck. Windham
| o.; Mrs. Phebe Beckwith Fraser. Hope, Mich
Will ID. Rogers. Lenawee Junction, n itch. q
graduate Of Adrian College; George H. Furry,
Oakland, CAL, Clerk in Auditors Office. Alneda
comfy; Mrs. Jennie Davis Fargo, Cayahoga
Falls; W. E. Lumley, President of Hickman
| College, Hickman. KY; j. c. Tomson. Elmont.
Kas, nephew of P. B. Tomson; Mrs. Ada
Keimes Armstrong. Chicago; Mrs. Ella Carver
Meekham. Randolph; Ma, r. Salisbury. Vice
President of the Sacramento and Chicago Fruit
ExportingCo. Sacramento MRS. N attic Bartlett
Clements. Rayenna. An interesting letter was
also read from Chas. B. Webb. proprietor of
the Garret.sville Jou. lal. in which he said he
much regretted his inability to be present. as
he taught school for a number Of terms in the
district honored by the reunion. The letters
were admirably written end couched in Ian
guage that rendered every sen >nce a work of
art. With the chain of scholarship. pleasing
originality aud the deeper significance of the
minds profoundest thoughts, they were we'll
worthy of the close at-ention given their read
ing. and impressed everyone present with n
more thorough appreciation of the occasion.
At tie conclusion of this part of the program.
an invitation was extended the hungry to draw
near and paI Jake of the ma orial delights of
the food-laden tables. end judging from the