Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-06-27
SECOND ANNUAL COLLEGE COM.
MENcEMENT.


gone. These exercises have servc'
not only to highly entertain the
people. but to greatly increase thei
appreciation of our excellent insti.
tuition. The exercises, beginning
with the baccalaurcate sermon on
Sunday, June II. followed by the
open literary exercises on Wednes
day evening aud the students
reception given by Miss Flora Pol
ster and her brother Edw., Thurs
day evening, have been mentioned
before. These were followed by tn,
annual commencement exercises
OH Friday night. This event, which
is perhaps the most important, ant
around which clusters the creates
interest of the week, was one of
which the faculty, the students, ant
the citizens may we'll feel proud. Il
was grand success from begin
ming TO end.
The opera house was beautifully
decorated, the stage being deco
rated with the class colors-pink
and Nile green-the remainder of
the house with the college colors-
blue and white.
After music and Invocation by
Rev. Hardin, Miss Jessie Cooper
was introduced, who delivered the
recitation. "The Sioux Chiefs
Daughter" Miss Cooper has much
natural talent as an elocutionist
and she was apparently nt her best
The recitation was excellently rem
dered and was highly appreciated.
This was followed by Miss Flora
Polstcr's piano solo. Miss Polsters
ability as a musician. both vocal
and instrumental, is widely known
She has been a constant student in
the music department of the col
lege for the past two years aud has
become one of the finest musicians
in this section. Both of her sclec-
tions were greatly appreciated.
Next was introduced Walter Il.
Scott, graduate of the normal
department, who represented the
class. His subject was such as to
call for much original thought. In
this il was different from any of the
graduating orations and essays
given. Its composition showed
deep thought aud clear reasoning.
Mr.. Scott has considerable natural
ability as speaker and altogether
his Grafton was one which did
much credit to himself and TO the
institution.
This was followed by music by
the orchestra, after which came the
crowning event of the evening-the
address by the Hon. Chas. +. Scott
of lola. Mr.. Scott is college grad
uate, a state senator, and editor OF
the lola Register-a man of liberal
education, wide experience and
deep insight into human nature.
He is pleasant speaker and
handled the practical side of life in
a very able aud entertaining man.
ner. He dropped many thoughts
which will never fade from the
minds of those who heard him. II
was very able address and one
that was eminently appropriate.
The entire audience was enthusias.
tic in it's appreciation.
After Miss Polstcrs s vocal solo the
diplomas were presented by Presi-
dent Bowman. The exercises were
closed with music by the male
quartette and benediction by Rev.
l.. W. Foster.
The music of both the orchestra
and the male quartette was highly
appreciated.
President Bowman has received
much praise for changing the
nature of the program from the old
plan where every graduate. no
matter how many, might deliver an
oration, to the present plan of hav-
ing a class representative, thus Civ
ing more room on the program for
music and other attractive features.
One good Grafton can be appreci-
ated much more than eight or ten
good orations taken all at one time.
This plan does not detract one bit
from the appreciation of the other
graduates and adds much to the
pleasure of the audience. II is
hoped that high schools and other
institutions will adopt the same
plan.