Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-08-21

military institute was the dedication
OF the Stonewall Jackson memorial
hall. The speakers for the occasion
were Hon. John W. Daniel, of Lynch
burg; Rev. DR.. j. W. Smith, of Rich
mond, OF Jackson's personal staff, who
covered his body with his own as a
shield the night he was shot at Chan.
cellorsyille, and DR.. Hunter Mcclure, of
Richmond, who was chief of Jackson's
medical corps. The day was also alum.
nj day, and the schools sons came
from far and wide to do homage once
more at their alma mater. Col. Edmund
Iendleton, of Lexington, Va, one of the
graduates of the first class turned out,
was present and was the recipient of
much applause.
Stonewall jackson memorial hall was
filled with people long before the hour
set for the commencement of the dedi.
cation exercises. The crowd was
swelled by excursions from Lynchburg
and stanton, which poured something
like LOCO strangers into the town 10
participate in the exercises. The ros.
trum was decked with evergreen, with
a large oil painting of Jackson in the
center. Faced on the bank were the
lanes Of his staff in gold, with the
names of Smith and Mcclure on either
side of the painting. On the stage were
distinguished visitors, the board OF
visitors, Washington and Lee faculty,
institute faculty and alumni. The cele.
brated Stonewall brigade band of
stanton was present by special invi-
%tation.
The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. DR.. Hemphill, of Louis
vile, Ky. S. II. Letcher, president of
the board, briefly outlined the history
of the raising of the funds, and stated
that a large part of the money came
from Pennsylvania, and that jefferson
Davis made the first contribution. DR..
Hunter Mcclure then spoke upon "Per-
sonal "reminiscences of Jackson" The
exercises were concluded by the adj
dress of United States Senator John W.
Daniel, who delivered a mastery eulogy
upon jackson as a Soldier"
The Stonewall Jackson Memorial hall
looks out upon the parade grounds,
and is connected to the west wing of
the cadet barracks by u gothic arch, in
which, directly overhead, Is the Young
Mems Christian association hall and
library, capable of seating $50 people.
This room has a 32-foot pitch, and is
lighted by two large gothic windows.
The library is cut off by means of drop
roller doors. There are two entrances
to this room, which is really the chapel,
and perhaps the handsomest room in
the new building.
The arch is built of Kentucky blue
limestone, and has in raised letters on
the face, "Stonewall Jackson" and be-
low is a fi%ve-foot wrought-iron grill.
The foundation, which is of massive ma
tive gray limestone, in some places was
placed 40 feet below the surface and
grouted with tons of cement.
The rest of the structure is of red
brick, with buttresses and battlements
OF yellow terra Gotta. The exterior is
in keeping with the cadet barracks.
which is after the old baronial castle
There is a double entrance from the
nrch, through quartered oak doors, into
a lobby 50x16 feet, with red and pray
Tiled floor. The hardware here used Is
solid bronze. From the lobby there
are three doors leading into the main
hall; also stairways leading I'D and
down, trimmed and finished in quar-.
tered oak. The main hall is furnised IN
native pine finish, and is lO5x5o feet.
The acoustics are very fne, as a whisper
can be heard from one end Of the hall to
The other. The windows are of loaded
cathedral glass, in blue, green and pur.
pie on sides and rear with connie.
nentary colors. The ceiling is paneled
turned drops, from which are cleo.
Eric lights, supported by eight massive
ron columns. The walls are finished
adamantine plaster.
On the floor over the jackson hal, !.
The engineering department of Eve
On what is knowa as the first
iocr is the gymnasium hall which 4
.osx5O feet. The interior walls of this
laii have been left in the rough state
q f~ive-foot panel; the ceiling Is SIM
,orted BY massive iron pillars. Prov.
non has also been asade Tor . swimming.