The news & observer., 1897-05-28
COMMENCEMENT DAY.
At Buie's Creek Academy, Poe's, Harnett
County, n. G.

To the Editor: Thursday, May 20, was
commencement day at Buies Greek Acad-
envy. Ea11y that morning on every road
leading to the Academy might be seen,
for miles around, carts, buggies, wagons,
and carriages, loaded to their utmost ca
pacity with happy mothers, fathers, Sis
ters, brothers and maidens with their
lovers, vending their way to this one
spot of all others III Harnett county. The
beautiful and spacious grove surrounding
the academy was soon filled, Dut they
kept coming. 4 canvass which would ac-
commodate TWO thousand people had
been stretched and seats provided for the
occasion. 1t is needless to say that all
available space WAS SOON taken
At 10 O'Clock the exercises began,
which consisted of songs, declama tions,
recitations and dialogues. all of which
were rendered in u free and happy man
ner to the delight of the waiting au-
dience. Then came the orat0rical contest
by six young men, selected from the two
literary societies. These orations were
of their own composition and would have
reflected credit upon any institution.
Mr.. w. II. Hawley. of Giles Mills, WAS
the happy winner.
Eleven o'clock was the hour for the
literary address by Hon. n. b. Brough-
ton, of Raleigh, n. G. Hon. ID. II. Nc
Lean, ex-senator from Harnett county,
came upon the rostrum, and in a few well
chosen remarks introduced the speaker.
His subject How to Succeed or
Practical Education" was a wise selec-
tion, and was handled by a master artist
as every one knows who heard him.
From start to finish the speaker held the
audience in rapt attention. No synopsis
of the address can be given which will do
the speaker justice. but suffice it to say
that from almost every one was heard
such comment as. THE best address ever
delivered here" just what we wanted"
Practical, pungent and to the point"
Dinner being announced. baskets, boxes,
and trunks were brought upon the scene
and unloaded of their tempting contents
which would have challenged the appe-
tite of the most fastidious. The good old
fashion hospitality which is so charac-
teriStic of the rural people, and especial
ly of the Harnett county people. was
never more practically demonstrated.
Dinner over, the contest for declaimer's
medal was next on the program, and Il
spirited contest it was, resulting in favor
of Mr.. J. r. Cullom, Of Weldon, n. G.
Then came recitations, dialogues. &c,
which lasted till 10 o'clock at gnt. The
drill by As cadets from the school in the
afternoon was greatly enjoyed by all.
In all these exercises it was noticed
and remarked upon by the audience, UNI
der what complete control every pupil
was held by the Principal
The following were the graduates in
Commercial Department.:
W. G. Bell, Dunn: F. r. Beasley, Ben
louisville; J. ID. Fuquay, Earina; j. l..
Hail. Falcon; J. A. Long. Buie's Greek;
+. W. Page. Goodwin: c. 4. Cope, Dur
ham; A. r. Royal. Clinton; VI. ID. Smith,
Narina; c. III. Wellons, Four Oaks; r. s.
Tudor, Empora, Va
Nine years ago this school was organic
ed by Rev. J. y. Campbell, the present
principal with only - pupils. 1t has
heightened its cords and strengthened its
stakes-rcmOdeled the first house and
built new and larger ones-until to-day,
instead of the one room of small dimen-
Sl0llS there is an imposing structure OF
magnificent and vast dimensions into
which has been gathered during the last
soholaristic year 229 pupils, representing
nine counties and two States. Harnett
county, remarkable for its natural re-
sources is fast coming to the front in ed
ucational interest and development.
And the influences, intellectual and mo-
raj, which have gone out from this school,
the educational mecca of said county have
made their impress throughout our State
And all this, by the kind cooperation
of its patrons, has been done by the in
domitable courage rare taste, and super
ior intellect of one of our best educators
and christian gentlemen, Rev. j. A.
Campbell, the present principal.
The fall term opens August ,, 1897
\. l.. BELTS.