Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-14
Iron mantels-Mayberry & Watson.
A GREAT OCCASION.
A Fuller Account of the Opening of the Girls
Industrial School-An Impressive
Scene Well Painted.

Montevallo, Oct. 1S-(Special Core
spondence )-Yesterday was proud day
for Montevallo. The occasion was the
opening of the Industrial School for
White Girls. The day was all that coulH
have been desired, and the spirit that per-
meated our people was in full keeping
and sympathy with the surroundings.
Everything was in readiness. All the
members of the faculty were at their
posts The old college building had been
renovated and renewed and with open
doors was extending a cordial welcome.
Lovely girls from all sections of the
state had been dropping into our town in
beves and groups for week or ten days.
Visitors, parents and guardians were also
on hand.
Early in the morning the citizens of the
surrounding country began rolling In in
buggles, carriages and wagons. Expec-
tation was ON tip-toe Governor oates
and several members of the board OF
trustees were in town. Other prominent
citizens of the state were present. 1t was
evident long before the hour appointed
for the opening that red letter day for
Montevallo was at hand. BY a. m. the
streets were thronged, and shortly after
that hour the throrgs of people began to
wend their way to the college building.
By 10 o'clock the large chapel was full,
and by 1890 1t was full to Overlooking,
standing room being at premium. Tire
OVef11OW numbered oUU OF 4OU, WDlle lHoSe
in the building We're estimated at be-
tween 600 and 700
At 1890 o'clock President Reynolds
raped for order. Seated on the plat
form were the members of the faculty,
Governor Oates, Messrs. Wadsworth of
Autauga, Plowman of Talladega, Eager
of Montgomery, Mcqueen of Jefferson, of
the board of trustees of the school, and
other prominent citizens. Immediately
in front of the stage, arranged In three
sections, were the pupils, the young Ia
dies of the school. while in their rear were
the citizens, ladies and gentlemen,
friends of the school, who had turned out
In large numbers to witness and take
part in the interesting exercises. Order
being secured, President Reynolds an
nounced that the exercises would be
opened with the singing of that grand
hymn of praise, "All Hail the Power OF
Jesus Name" and requested all to Join
in the singing. Miss Lee, the accomplish
ed instructress in music. presided at the
instrument. AS the swelling notes pealed
forth the entire audience rose to their
feet and joined in the singing with spirit.
At the conclusion of the singing DR.. Ea-
ger of Montgomery offered a fervent
prayer, invoking the divine blessing upon
the institution and the assembled au-
dience. A charming piano solo by Miss
Lee followed. President Reynolds then
introduced Rev. r. L. Alternately of
Montevallo, who delivered a chaste, beau
tiful appropriate ana cOfdldf ADDRESS or
welcome President Reynolds then intro
duced Aabama's distinguished and hon
ored governor, Hon. William c. Oates
president Of the board of trustees Of the
institution. Governor Oates addressed
the assembly in his usual happy and
forcible manner, delivering an able in
structve and interesting address.
Messrs. WadsWorth, Eager, Mcqueen
and Gen. r. M. Nelson of Selma followed
the governor in the order named with
pleasing, Instructive and entertaining
talks, all tending to show the great bene-
fits to be derived by the girls of our state
from an education secured at this school
"a school here it is proposed to train not
only the minds. but the hearts and hands,
and thereby fit the girls to meet the prac-
ticai duties and responsibilities of life
At the conclusion of the speeches Miss
Lillian Aldrich of Aldrich sang beauti-
full solo.
President Reynolds then made brief
talk. thanking the governor and others
for the compliments paid him and for
their KIND words in behalf OF the school,
He also thanked the citizens Of Monteval-
10 for their willing and cordial assistance
and. cooperation with him In discharging
the responsible duties imposed upon him.
He then announced that the enrolment
OF pup.R was between iG6 and 175--hc
could not give the exact number and OF
this number about i30 were hoarders.
DR.. Alternately pronounced the benedic-
ton, and the assembly dispersed.