Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-06-04
MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY
The Commencement Exercises at the
Opera House Instructive and
Entertaining.

Owing to the rainy weather only d
comparatively small audience was
present at the appointed time to enjoy
the closing exercises of the Missouri
Military Academy. However, 1t shouid
be the regret of all that they did not
bray the external conditions and hear
this most interesting programme.
After an invocation by Rev. j. s.
shouse. William Drechiel rendered an
appropriate and beautiful selection on
the piano.
Then the first speaker of the morn
ing, William Lusk Boone, came for
ward and delivered in a strictly mill
.ary style an Grafton entitled, "The
Army of the United States" Going
back to the ante revolutionary period,
Mr.. Boone reviewed in turn the diff
ferent wars in which this county has
been engaged. The subject was hand
led in a most skillful manner, though
the speaker was the least bit stiff in
his delivery.
The next duty was an essay read by
Charles Poplin Harviell, subject, "The
Development of the Railway" The
production would be of especial use to
civil engineers and was extremely
practical throughout. MI. Harviell
read in a clear, interesting manner.
One of the most pleasing features oil
the mornings exercises was a vocal
solo by Miss johnson, of st. Louis,
who is visiting Miss Annie Mclntire, Of
this city. The selection was "Rodesto'
from Meyerbeer's lie Diable, and the
highly cultured voice of the young
lady showed to good advantage in it,
rendition. Her encore WAS a pretty
| little piece and was sung I'm a beauti'
full and artistic manner. She was &C
companied by Miss OLIVE Ewing OF
the piano.
Owing to hoarseness MI. WInfrel
Weathford was unable to read his ex'
cellent essay, "The Story of the Odys
sey," and secured M. ID. Lightfoot t.
read it for him. This was we'll don,
by Mr.. Lightfoot, and the essay wa
one of the very best Of the exercises
and one of which ME- Weatherfor'
may well be proud.
The next, an Grafton by Archibal,
Wilson Anderson on "a Century O
Progress" was easily the gem of tn
morning. Taking a retrospective vieN
of the century, Mr.. Anderson ha
written a most excellent Grafton, anG
aided by a good voice, graceful ges
lures and n fine stage appearance
made his effort a most impressive one
After Mr.. Anderson's magnificer
effort Mr.. Drechiel gave anothe
beautiful selection.
The other graduates and the sub
jects of their essays were:
"The Printing Press" John Sco1
Broome.
"Modern Navies," John Hicklin.
"Magna Charta," Donald Pritchar
Smith.
The address of Col. A. F. Fleet befoI
he delivered the diplomas to tn
graduates, was teeming with good az
vice and fine counsel, which it will |
well for the young men to folio
through life. 1t was an ideal admon
} ton and was most fitting for the tin
and occasion.
After the diplomas were given Il
following honors were conferred:
The three most distinguished ST.
dents i'll military science and tactic
I A. w. Anderson, j. s. Boone al
John Hicklin.
Buckner elocution medal, s.
Rathell, Jr.
Sallee drill medal, b. l.. Bonfoey.
HALEY physical development med'
NJ. d. Lightfoot.
Worrell scholarship medal. A.
Anderson.
Col. A. F. Fleet has made the M.
t. A. what it is, and he has ample eau
for congratulation over the excelle
showing made by the cadets. He i
Y polished and cultured Virginia gent
man, highly educated and well-ver
in all that goes to make a mar
!. scholar.
70 Mexico should feel proud that 6
possesses such a school with sucl
principal. Especially worthy of col
d, mendation has been the upright a
VI gentlemanly bearing of the cadets t
year. They are a fine lot of fello
and may the school be as prospert
ig and successful next year is the wish
". TEDGER