Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-04
CONCORD NORMAL COMMENCEMENT.

Clks-lk was YOuE COAlSS pVAANAN
privilege TO attend the twentieth annual
Commencement of the Concord Normal
School last week, and he greatly en-
joyed the entertainment. On Sunday,
June %, Rev. c. Il. Shackelford, P. f.,
Of the n. E. Church, New River Dis
trict, preached the Baccalaureate ser
mon in the college chapel. The high
expectations Of every one were graft
fed, for the address was eloquent and
specially suited TO the occasion.
On Tuesday at p. m. we again as
semhled TO witness a contest for the
gold medal offered to the best essayist
among the boys. Five young men from
different sections Of our Mountain
State, ACQUITTED themselves nobly, but
the prize was borne away by Mr.. A. Nj.
Kincaid, OF Fayette county. Alter an
intermisSiOn Of few minutes, enlivened
by delightful music, another contest
was waged upon the stage. This time,
five trained declaimers, one by one,
came forth and made the chapel ring
with their melodious voices. This time
inc LUGuAl Vas Nv al0CA W @NAs w. -
Hank, OF Summers county.
This closed tho programme for the
afternoon, but at p. m. the bell sent
forth 3 summons loud and clear to re-
assemble for the exercises Of the Alumni
Reunion.
The house was packed 10 its utmost
capacity, fer the persons whose names
aDpearee on the programme were well
known alumni of the school. After a
piano duett by Misses Adsir and Nc
Mutt, Mss Bessie French, in a we'll
written essay full OF love for her alma
mater, delivered the welcome. Follow
Ing this was piano solo by
Miss Eula Meadows. Miss Minnie
Reid, one OF the NormaPs most
gifted young writer's, then read an
essay on "Our School Days" After
vocal solo by Miss Hattie Campbell,
Mr.. C. NJ. Anderson, of Charleston, w.
Va, was introduced. His subject was
Reunions. Mr.. Anderson is very
forcib.e speaker aud made deep and
lasting Impression on all VINO heard
him. The next thing on the programme
was q piano duet by Misses Dillon and
Beckett, which was followed by brief
addresses by Rev. c. I. kirtner and
MesSrs. Joe Settle, Zeb Herndon and d.
O Barker. The exercises were closed
with a vocal duet by Misses Roberts
and McCreery.
Nine O'Clock on Wednesday morning
found the chapel filed again with eager
listeners to the oratoricsl contest. The
contestants were Mr.. ). L. Mcdonald,
Mr.. W. W. Hall, and Mr.. w. c. Barker.
The Judges like the audience found 1t
difficult TO determine where the medal
should 90. When the judges retired TO
render their decision each OF the con-
testants had one vote, but after consul
tatlon the medal was awarded TO Mr.. j.
T. Mcdonald. OF Logan county.
The graduating class, composed OF
Messrs. j. E Mcdonald, II. A. Fry, l..
$. ShireS, w. c. Barker, l.. W. Swope
aud w w. Hall, next appeared upon
the stage, and State Superintendent
Virgil A. L. Lewis, after some whole
some advice, awarded them their diplo-
mas. Hon. l.. Z. Summervlle, mem
Der OF the Board OF Regents, for the
Normal Schools, was then called upon
for a speech. He declined TO make a
speech, but in few we'll chosen words
expressed himself we'll pleased with the
Concord Normal School. He said that
there is no school in tbs State making
more rapid progress.
Mr. Jas. NJ. Killey, Of Putnam coun-
ty, followed with a very interesting
essay on the early history Of Concord
and the school, closing with Longfel-
lows Psalm Of Life.
In the afternoon Of the same day,
the annual address was delivered by
the Hon. Melville ID. Post, Of Wheeling,
w. Va. he is known as one OF West
Vlrginia's greatest orators and most
gifted sons and be sustained mis- repu-
tatiOn CALAMITY. 1t is no exageration
TO say that his Grafton would have oetn
an honor to Clay or Webster. Mr.. Post
is q young man-Only twenty-Iour years
old-by reason Of which be is called the
boy orator" Of West Virginia.
On Wednesday evening the young la
dies essay aud recitation contests furn-
ished the closing entertainment. All
the young ladies were warmly cheered
and received showers of bouquets from
their admiring friends, but Miss Daisie
McNutt aud Miss Maggie Daugherty
were the luck contestants and bore
away the medals. 1t is only justice TO
the young ladies' to say that they all &C
Quilted themselves cSaditably, and the
judges expressed regrets that they could
not give q medal TO each Of them.
There was another contest which,
while not public. deserves mention here.
Miss Roberts announced TO her music
class several months ago that gold
medal would be given TO the one that
made the most rapid progress In music.
THIS medal was awarded 70 Miss Annie
Adair, the youngest Of the four who
entered the contest. The contests be-
ing over, Mr.. Alex Meadows, Of Monroe
county, was called upon for q speech.
He is one OF the few men who can make
a speech on any and all occasions. he
spoke In glowing terms OF the Concord
Normal school, ana declared himself
we'll pleased with the progress his own
daughter had made in the Normal the
past year.
The hour for parting had at last come,
aud a sad expression was on every
students face when Mr.. L. W.
SwOpe, the valedictorian, APP
peared upon the stage TO deliver
the farewell address Of graduating class.
His address was full OF tender words
and good wishes for his teachers and
fellow students. The music which &C
comUanied all the exercises has been
purposely omitted 10 order that it might
receive a more special mention. Those
who attended the commencement are
certainly due Miss Mabel Roberts ana
her class a vote OF thanks for the ele-
CANT music rendered by them during the
exercises. Miss Roberts is native OF
Vermont, highly cultured and thor
oughly educated in music aud art.