Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-26
SIXTY GRADUATES
In This Years Class in the Wheeling
Public Schools.
The Commencement Exercises Held
In the Grand Opera House Last
Night-Excellent Performances of
the Graduates, Two from Each
School-The Theatre Crowded to
the Doors.

The nineteenth annual commence
ment of the Wheeling public schools
took place last night in the Grand
Opera House, and attracted an audience
of relatives and friends of the gradu-
ates which crowded the theatre. The
stage was tastefully decorated with
potted plants and large silk flag. The
members of the class, sixty in number,
were seated in a semi-circle, and looked
very attractive, the pure white gowns
of the young ladies contrasting pleas
antly with the dark suits of the young
men. On one side of the stage sat Supt.
w. H. Anderson, and Dr. C. F. Ulrich,
President of the Board of Education.
In the audience were the other members
of the Board, and the corps of principals
and teachers.
The wisdom of the rule of the Board,
limiting the number OF performers was
again demonstrated in the exercises.
The orations, recitations and essays
were all very creditable. and the audi
ence bestowed its applause upon the
performers without stint. The pro-
gramme was ilterspersed with musical
selections by the Opera House Orches-
ira. The exercises commenced prompt
ly at eight o'clock and concluded about
eleven. The list of graduates has been
published in the Register.
After the overture by the Opera
House Orchestra, the exercises were
opened with a fervent prayer by the
Rev. DR.. A. B. Riker, pastor Of the
Fourth Street NJ E. Church. The sal
utatorian was Miss Rebecca Elizabeth
Drake, of Washington school. she
chose for her theme "A Word to the
WISE" and crew a contrast between
education and wisdom-the one a mat
ter of text books, the other OF Judg-
ment. Her Grafton showed careful and
intelligent preparation, her choice OF
sentences being itself an evidence OF
literary wisdom. Her greetings TO par
ents and friends were spoken in very
pleasing and graceful manner, and she
was warmly applauded when she con-
cluded.
The next number was a we'll compos-
ed and admirably delivered Grafton up
on Meaning of the Four Centuries,
by Miss Emma Beall, of Madison school,
Looking backward, she dwelt upon the
marvellous growth Of America along all
lines of development nd progress, CIV
ing the reasons which brought about
present conditions. She took decid-
edly optimistic view of the future, pre-
dieting new and greater achievements
for the nation in educational, scientific
and material matters.
AN Incomplete Revelation was
recitation delivered by Miss Pearl 4.
Bowman. of Webster. The selection
was excellent, and although Miss Bow
mans voice was mot strong, it was
clear and well modulated, and she mer-
tied the round Of applause which she
received.
THE Fireman's Story" was recited
by Lambert 7. Boyd, of Clay. 1t was d
dialect tale of humorous character,
with an obvious moral, and was inter-
preted in an intelligent and pleasing
manner and well received.
William Emery, of Madison, reclted
Glow We Tried to Whip the Teacher.
T. was humorous description OF very
common incident in school life in the
rural districts and fairly .convulsed the
audience with laughter.
Frank jones, or Cay, gave evidence
CT considerable elocuticnary ability IN
his recitatio-, Imitation He haa
gn excs,len. voice, and his gestures
were easy, graceful, and appropriate.
Miss Carrie Kalbtjzer, Of Washing
ton. followed with a recitation IN tle
German language, entitled Die The
lung dsr Erde." Her delivery was nat
ural. and she was accorded fiattering
reception.
Industrious Namea" was the subject
CT an grafton by Edward C. Leirer, of
Richie. He spoke generally OF the IN
fuence of eminent men and patriots
upon the times in which they lived; and
then took up such names as Washing
ton, Lincoln, ard others winch are
part OF American history, and drew
some lessons from their lives.
Something New was the theme dis
cussed by Care Hamilton McGrana-
han. Of washington, in decidedly orig
rnal and pleasing manner. The rev
woman andr4ae1oh enc, and her male
ccmpan.cn. were taken up and discuss
ed in a humorous ven. This was enc
of the best numbers on the programme,
a-d was received with many marks OF
appreciation by the audience.
Miss Sa,lie c. Meek, Of Union, read
an essay en- American characteristics y
1t was very patriotic paper, recitng
the achievements CT Americans in sci
ence ard invention. Their material ad-
varcement, their educator and culture.
She took up their characteristics, and
commended Americans for their patri-
iot.sm. their love OF liberty, Their en-
ergy and agGre5s,veness.
Miss Lillian A. Murrin, of Webste9,
reo.ted "A Guardian Angel" She
made a very judicicus selection, fact
which was sttssted by the applause
which followed her effort.
The next number waS the chorus
Summer" arranged from Wagner's
Tanrhaussr. which was sung with vim
ana spirit by the class, under the dlrec-
ten Of Mss Lucy Robinson, the efficient
Superintendent OF this department in
.he school work. 1t was a very p,eas-