Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-25
F|FTY-ONE GRADUATES.
Wheeling Public School Commence
ment Exercises Last Night


by the Graduates, Including Reel
tations, Essays and Orations.
The Distribution Of Diplomas.
The Medal for Proficiency in
Science Of Government.
The twentieth annual commencement
of the Wheeling public schools was
held last night at the Grand Opera
House. In spite of the intense heat,
the building was packed to the doors,
and standing room was at premium.
A sufficient number applied for reserv-
ed seat tickets 70 fill the theatre twice
over. The exercises were very cred
liable to the pupils and to the schools.
The stage presented a very pleasing
appearance when the graduates were
seated. They were fifty-one in num-
Der. They executed very pretty
march in coming upon the stage and
taking their chairs. The Opera House
orchestra made the music, which was
very pleasing. The young ladies were
all dressed in white and looked very
pretty seated in a semi-circle, with a
floral frame of potted plants
and flowers. On the right,
chairs were occupied by Super
intendent w. H. Anderson, who
had charge of the exercises, and Presi-
dent Jefferson, of the Board of Educa-
ton.
The exercises were opened with a
fervent prayer by the Rev. Dr. d. A.
Cunningham. pastor of the First Pres
byterian church. Following is list OF
the graduates: g. ...---
Washington-Ha W. Browning,
George G. McClaskey Lila J. Rabel.
Madison-Edith Beck, J. Ellis Dunn,
Frances Blanche Emery, Harry w. Gee,
Edwin McNichol, Estella Mcguire,
Laura Alice Rice, Nellie ]. Rose, John
Johnston, Edna Stephens, Frances
Summers, Nellie Uthman, Bessie A.
Wincher.
Clay-Agusta Bonheim, Mai Britt,
Harvey Carter, Evelyn Ewing Jepson,
Isadore Metz, Charles l.. Miller, Mar
garet Kennon Carter, Ralph G. Pryor
Grace Reich, Mary Richardson.
Union-Ella B. Chew, Anna R. Dun
ming, Edna Shreve Green, Charlotte NJ.
letters, David A. Ellingham, Ada V.
Quinn. Count Lee Radcliffe, Jessie
Schrader.
Centre-Charles J. Carney, Marie
Adele Hammond, Agillia Franzell Com
erford, Annie Marie Weitzen.
Webster-Harry Elson Brunette,
William C. Knowles, Jessie Anna
Shields, Meta Isham Holiday, Lydia NJ.
McNash.
Ritchie-Reed Bryscn, Eva Laura
Crago, Ella NJ Decker, Flora Hagedorn,
Lee Roy Crago, Cora Reitz, Gertrude
Ildil ~ app.
The salutatorian of the class was Mr..
Harry W. Gee, of Madison school. He
spoke of the gratitude which the gradu-
ates felt at the encouragement which
parents and friends manifested by their
presence He briefly reviewed the cares
and the triumphs of school days, and
made some pardonable boasts about
the standing of the class of '97 in COM
parison with its predecessors. He
welcomed the audience as friends Of
the class. friends Of the public schools,
and friends Of education in general.
When he concluded he was warmly APP
plauded.
Harry w. Browning. of Washington
school, read a humorous paper upon
Three Events in Boys Life" He
spoke of the happiness felt when don
ing the first pair of long pants with
capacious pockets; of the superlative
bliss when performing the osculatory
exercise with the first sweetheart; and
of the pride felt in the achievements Oh
the base ball team. He dwelt at some
length also upon the duties and diff
culties encountered in the school room,
and of the qualification felt when they
were successfully met.
Heroes and Heroism" was the theme
Of an original Grafton by Hervey NJ.
Carter. of Clay school. 1t was a splen-
did effort in subject matter as well as
in delivery. He asserted that charac-
Ter lies at the foundation Of true hero
ism. and the keynote to character is
the willingness to bear burdens withou
complaint. He referred also to the
failure of the world to appreciate deeds
OF heroism, and gave many examples
of tardy recognition of true greatness.
Miss Ella B. Chew, of Union school,
recited mo 5, Collect Street" 1t was
a humorous descriptive piece requiring
considerable dramatic ability, and Miss
Chew gave it in a very creditable man
ner. meritng the appreciative applause
which was bestowed upon her.
Of a pathetic character was the Sc
lection Her Ladies' Picture" recited
by Miss Agillia Franzell Comerford, Of
Contra schnnl She nnssessed a clear