The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-02-20
SCHOOL REUNION,
A Pleasant Celebration of st. Valen.
tines Day

BY Scholars in Bethlehem Township
AnEvent That VIII Long be Remem-
bered.
What is known as the Stump School
District Of Bethlehem township, held its
second annual reunion on St. Valenti mes
day, In the district school-hohse. about
two miles cast of Navarro, being one of
the oldest settlements in the township
About thirty-fve of the old fifty.
miners, as we'll as large number who
were educated in the same district from
that time up to the present, and also a
large number of the ox.teachers, gathered
together and took possession of the school
after the good, oldfashioned style.
John Viii timer, president, and A. j.
Rohn, secretary of the association, were ex-
ofliclo committee of arrangements After
partalling of bountiful dinner which
was spread upon table the full length of
the school house, the president opened
the exercises with an address in stating
the objects Of the meeting and extending
hearty welcome to all those who had
come together to renew their minds and
memories and old associations.
A. J. Rohn called the old roll, to which
quite q number responded, and also read
the minutes of the previous meeting, pre-
facing the same with very many inter
esting and spicy remarks. Sarah Keen,
the corresponding secretary, reported
that she had heard from quite number
of the old scholars but was unable on ac-
count Of the large program arranged, to
read the letters to the association.
The old McGuffey's fifth reader was
then called out from its resting place, the
dust gracefully brushed off, a large and
interesting class arranged themselves as
they were won't to in olden days alg
the black board and at the suggest IN,
with quaint humor of bachelor mem
ber of the class, they read in exquisite
manner, paragraph after paragraph Of
The Last Man, and number of other
selections from that most excellent COL
lection Of literature. Only two Of that large
class were able to read without the aid
of spectacles
David Whitmer then recited with all
the fervor of his youth, ithe famous poem,
TRY, Try Again" He displayed to the
pleased listeners that he had indeed the
excellent virtue called perseverance. Mrs.
Lizzie Whitmer then recited "The Splde or
and the Fly'in clear, distinct and natural
manner.
George Biddel, who WAS easily the
monkey and clown Of the occasion, recited
in inimitable manner, "Riohard and
Robert" and prOpounded to the audience
the classical and famous conundrum
which is said to be older than the New
Testament, "If a grass widower marry
a grass widow, what will their childrsn
be?" 1t was little too ancient for the
audience and he had the exquisite plasure
of answering in his own inimitable way
that "the children would be grasshop
pers."
The famous and classical poem, "rhe
Well of st. X" was then recited by
Mrs. J. Myer.
Mr. Daniel Keehn read an essay of his
own composition showing that while he
might not be up to the fads of pronuncia.
tion in every particular that he still was
mast er of the Kings English and that
the cordinal virtue, truthfulness, lie at
the bottom of all useful citizenship.
Mrs. Cogan then gave an exhibition OF
the old kindergarten system by teaching
her dolly lesson in the A B C's, but
when she got through with the lesson
her paby was asleep, and humorously re.
quested the audience to be quiet and not
wake the baby.
The president, John Whitmer, then
recited "Charles Demoores Remorse, u
with much feeling, showing that he had
studied the old classic perfectly.
Mrs. Alice Whitmer very appr 1priately
recited the Psalm of Life.
Charles Krichbaum, an ex-teacher, also
read "a selection from the old reader.
The dramatic performance Of the day
was performance by squad of soldiers
dressed up with appropriate costumes fol-
the rendering of the poem In old Nc
Guffey's Second Reader;
ooh, were you ne'er a school boy
And did you never train
And feel that swelling of the heart
You ne'er can feel again?,
Didst never meet far down the street,
With plume and banners gay?"
The bayonets of these soldiers were
smeared with the blood of the geese and
white feathers still clung to these terrible
weapons. AS the poem was reoited the
drill was gone through at each climax In
the poem.
Following this short addI essees were
made by Thomas Thorpe, G. Camp, an
ex- teacher: Rev. Mong, Thomas Krich-
baum, an ex-teaoher: by Samuel Reed OF
the cityEof Canton, one Of the old scholars
Of the school: by Charles Krichbaum,
an ex-teaoher: by James j. Grant, Of
Canton, it being his old home school. He
spoke very feelingly and never better In
his life. Louis Ayler read patriotic
selection.
After the transaction of the routine
business and the resolution to hold
another reunion on the 14th day Of Feb
ruary, 1897, all the scholars engaged in
spelling contest Messrs. j. j. Grant,
Thomas Krichbaum and Samuel Reid,
of Canton were among the last in the
contest. Thomas Kriohbaum finally
was victor, he and j. j Grant being the
last to stand the avalanche Of words.
Among the foreigners were Mrs. Emma
Konig, Of Ligonier, Indiana.
All in ALL it was very delightful re-
union and 1t is to be hoped that there
may be more reunions of this kind, be.
cause the coming together Of those OF
experience are always able to discuss the
needs Of the common school system which
mas dana INV tho ouaalxarg