Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-06-03

~ 8&~0 a6..sh
A few blocks north of the
Court House and public square
IN the cultured town IL Oxford
stands an old fashioned, Two
story dwelling. WIN ne stately
white pillarcd possieo. 50 dear
to the old time southern heart.
adorn-ng the front in classic
beauty. The fragrant wild
honeysackle and yellow jasmine
chamber over the breezy treisSed
galleries IN all their native lux
uriance, while stately magnolias
aud graceful forest trees shade
the sract,us lawn and terraces
10 " atspicsl sntebellgm South.
ern residence. and does not diff.
ter materially from the other
houses built by the first settlers
Of the town, when every citizen
deemed q good dve acres sur.
rounding his mansion, as ALSO
lutely essential To his existence.
Aside from the interest this
house swaseDs rs n representa-
tive of \ dead and gone era in
our nations history, IL claims
attention as being the birth
place OF Miss Sarah NcGehee
is~sm. Professor Of Eloculion in
the University Of Mississippi.
and youngest daughter OF DIR. r.
y. isom. one Of the leading ply
sicians OF the State.
Miss Tsom's mother was Miss
Sarah McGhee, q descendant of
one of South Cardinals oldest
and most aristoeratic families.
Mrs. fsom was noted as an "a.
complished lady aud ideal hos
tess; her gracious manner and
warm hearted. kindly hospitali-
ty, for even the stranger within
her doors, eudesring her 10 all.
Miss Isom's father, q stately.
benevolent gentleman of the old
school, is Oxford's oldest and
most loved physician. His rare.
old time courtesy. is a living re-
hinder Of the departed glory of
the Old South.
From him Miss Isom inherits
a strong and vigorous 'ntsiiect.
aud the instinct for quick and
decisive action. which is the key
to success in life. In complex
ion and features she also bears
. striking resemblance to her
father.
Amid charming ard ccngeuial
surroundings Hiss Isoms child
hood was passed, her poetic ma
ture receiving an added stimulus
from the sympathy and wise
guidance Of a loving mother,
who directed the giriish tastes
aud hncies in the right channel.
After completing the literary
course in Augusta Female Col.
l-e~, Staunton, Va, Miss fsom
attended the Phila, School of
Oratory: entering isS.S. and
graduating from that institution
With the first class honor. This
fact, that Southern girl should
achieve such a signal distinction
in so renowned an institution.
somewhat appeased the strong
sentiment OF prejudice, which
then existed throughout the
South in regard to woman's sp-
pearance in public as a reader.
In 1884, Mis-. fso'n began teach
ing a small class in eloeution
in Oxford. her native town and
home. Step by step, with small
encouragement and much To dis
hearten. Miss Isom continued
her work with a 6delity and real
which never knows fail Grada.
ally the prejudice gave way 10
genuine appreciation. and in
1879 the chair Of Elocution was
added To the curriculum Of the
University and the Board ol
Trustees elected Miss Isom 10
ill it. This she has done up "a
the present time with an efiiei
eney and success only equalet
By her wou,anly grace.
Miss Isom's summer vacations
are spent in Northern cities and
Europe, in the study Of he
chosen profession The mos
eminent eloeutionists and TRACE
disns Of the day have been be-
instructors and have each ant
ali pronounced her the Possesses
Of the highest order Of dramsti'
talent.
/ The Hottest conception Of tra'
art, is Unborn with Miss Isom
and 81 real is her sympathy viii
the author, that her renderin,
OF the simplest poem or darkes
tragedy is characterized by q
adaptation te each. which
supesb, Asa reader and impel
senator Of Sh&kespeares play
Miss fsom il without q pee
Her conception OF the grea
; dramafist's wit and hnmor are 4
true to nature ne hes rroet ftf'
like portrayal % the trsgie. 5
: vivid is her imagination thai 9
. feel the truth Of the old Arabia
: proverb. sfse orator makes b
{ aadience have eyes To see |
! veil - ears To hear In b.
own grand VAC she brings u
poets thoughts before her hea
ers ~ realistic pictures.
4 Miss Isom Is the staunche
: Of Soathroas, and her loyalty
{ her native State vas shown