Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-06-18
JUDGE SHANNON H0NORED,
The South Dakota University Con-
fers the Degree of LII. D. on
Canton's Honored
Citizen.

The Fifteenth Commencement of the
U. S. D., was one Of the most enjoyable
and entertaining ever witnessed. The
University has taken rank with the best
educational institutions in the country
! The Vermillion Republican gives an ex'
tended report of the proceedings, from
which we extract the following:
Gov. Lee was present and responded tc
call, in part as follows:
II am in a reminiscent turn of mind
and my mind goes back to the old log
school house with the dirt floor ano dirt
roof, and cannot, after listening to these
exercises, fail to compare those days OF
old with this. The class Of 1897 has a
right to be proud. Every graduate of
this school has right to high ambitions.
All of you should remember the labors
of the past through rugged roads and
rejoice that yours are brighter. l am
especially proud to see our young women
graduate. The work Of woman IS grow
Ing each year. You will be called to I'LL
high places. The sacred name of mother
will dearer in the future because its
meaning will be fuller. I am happy to
be here today. thank you"
Ex-Judge P. G. Shannon of Canton,
was present and spoke on request. He
said
1T gives me great pleasure to speak a
few words of greeting to you. Thirty
five years ago affairs were different here.
The Indians IN 1862 at Sioux Falls and
Yet in 1862 at the first session OF the
Legislature our common schools and this
University was provided for. Our early
settlers were true to the American ideals
of civilization. We owe debt to them.
! was present at the opening of the
University by the Board of Regents Sept.
II, 1883. D. NJ. Inman was chairman I
believe. DR.. Burdick, Mr.. Beedle, Mr..
Erickson and Mr.. Elwell Of Sioux Falls,
were the other members. Simonds. Gull
yer and Epstein were the faculty. We
had gala day, had Sioux City band
you know. Judge Copeland delivered
the address of welcome. am
reminded that this institution is fourteen
years old-fourteen years of men and
women. girls and boys. am reminded,
too, of the generosity of Vermlllion and
Clay county In rebuilding these halls
from the ashes of Oct. Is, 1898. The
state ows them debt of gratitude.
Degrees were conferred Oh the gradu-
ates in appropriate remarks by Pres
Mauck. Caroline Simpson and Alice
Hyde received the degree of B. A.; Thos.
McInerny and Elmer J. Wallace, B. L.;
Byron s. Payne and Robert W. Ellis,
B. s. Master of Arts was conferred on
Peter Louis Larson, B. A., U. s, D., 1896.
His major was Mathematics, his minors.
Ancient Classics and German. His
thesis was: ''Some Aspects of Recent
Astronomical Observations" A surprise
came to Judge Shannon in the form Of
an honorary LII. D., granted by the Re-
gents Of the University under the new
law. This comes as compliment to one
of the worthiest and ablest pioneers.
Judge Shannon was appointed to the
territorial bench by President Grant and
continued by Hayes. His work was of
the best and his opinions are read with
instructive interest by the bar of South
Dakota. Rev. P. A. Jordan of the class
of '96 pronounced the benediction.