The news & observer., 1897-05-21

| in VIM. Dean Howelrs farce, Miss Mar
| garet Mccall showed that she possessed
| her share of the talent for which her
| family is remarkable The Delsarte
drill, which came between the farce and
| the paly. charmed all who love poetry
| Of motion.
Among the interesting exercises of this
occasion, the memorial services in honor
of the late Major Finger were among the
most appropriate. He was long the Tres
| ident of the board of trustees, and was
one of the men who launched the noble
ship on its voyage. 1t was fitting that
his service should be thus commemOrated.
came too late to hear the speeches.
They pleased all. That of ex-Superlli-
tendent Scarborough was exceptionally
discriminating and appreciative. Pro1.
j. Y. Joyner read the resolution adopted
| by the faculty. and prefaced them with
a short eloquent tribute. Ex-State Sen
ator w. p. Shaw, of HertfOrd county.
member of the board of trustees, read the
resolutions adopted by the board, ana
spoke with feeling and with eloquancc.
regret that only a few extracts from
Mr.. Shaws tribute can be given here. lie
said among other things:
"Since the last convention of the Board
of Directors of this institution on the
18th day of December last. the death an
gel. to whose uplifted arm no dilatOry
motion prevails. has cast his unerrlng
blow. capsing an eventful admonition
and warning An evtn which awaits us
all alike is suggestive of the momentous
inquiry TO which no human tongue can
voice the reply. who will he next: and to-
day standing here where we have been
accustomed to meet annually for five
years. to witness the commencement ex-
ercises of this school of learning, | look
around imtuitively for the familiar. cheer
full face of one whose presence will never
again grace this hall-for Hon. Sidney Nj.
Finger is dead.
.One year since. sitting on this rostrum,
we saw the Jrapery fall away from be-
fore the elegant portrait of the States
honored and beloved son. Zebulon Y.
Vance. and through our tears gazed on
it and weEt for the sacred memories OF
him who sleeps amid his own native
mountains in the land of the skies.
To-day we stand at the CLOSE of an
other honored and useful life and l trust
it will not be long before the portrait of
our friend and associate. Major Finger,
of this school commenced with its in
ception and closed with the going out of
the light of life. will grace these walls.
Major Finger was born in the county
of Lincoln which county has furnished
so many noble sons to honor her name and
the State as well. both i'm peace and in
war. At the time of his death. which oc-
CURED at his home in the town of New
ton in December last. he was i'll the 6Otf
year of his age.
From early manhood his noble traits
of character. generous impulses and ac-
knowledged ability attracted the attention
of the people. and he successfully MAIN
tanned their confidence and esteem until
the day of his death. His domestic life
was truly an ideal and beautiful one. In
early manhood he married Miss Rhine.
who was Il devoted and accomplished
hclpmeet. who through a long period OF
wears shared the joy and sorrows. the
tr.umphs and trials of her distinguished
husband. still surviving him to look back
upon the beauty and happiness of their
model household. and to mourn i'll silence
her sad loss In her retirement we VIII
not intrude save TO express our sorrow
and extend our heartfelt sympathy.
I'VE have already been told of the ser
VICES rendered by Major Finger to his
State. Six years he was an honored mem
ber of the Legislature. For a long period
he was chairman of the Board Of Ddrec-
TORS Of that splendid charitable institu.
tion. the Western Hospital at Morgan
ton: eight years superintendent OF the
Public Schools OF the State. q the hrst
chairman and afterward member of the
BOARD of Directors of rhe State Normal
and Industrial College.
"How successful and we'll he filled
these important positions ! shall not now
attempt to relate. His valued services
rendered the State are part OF the ns-
tory Of our times. His name is so closely
united and blended with the cause OF ed
ncation that it has become household
word in every part of our grand old com
monwealth.
..When the death summons comes TO
one ripe in years and labOrs OF a wei
snent and useful life. in some respects
such a departure seems to call FOR nelther
tears nor mourning, especially when atnc
summons comes to one with an humble
we'll grounded hope in a future and better
life Il, come. but death would seem TO De
rather the crown Of such life. Yet 1t
s. meet and proper that We should pause
= mid iife's cares and conflicts to pay
merited tribute to virtue. and keep fra
grant and green the memory OF departed
worth. It was my privilege to have
known Major Finger long and favraDly
we'll. For his manly virtues ! learned to
honor his friendship. For his worth !
revere his memory.
.srhere was much i'm the life and char
acter OF Sidney NJ. Finger which deserves
| in the highest degree to arrest our atteh-
ton and change the usual exercises OF
this commencement occasion. He loved
this school, and if the souls Of the de-
parted dead ever visit and lnger aDou,
the places and scenes they love- 'trns,
the spirit of Major Finger hovers about
MS here today.
His own people among whom ne h'eo'
and who knew him best, who stood by MS
open grave and viewed him III dea'h'
have already voiced his praise III a man
so, which fa, ont StrinS the ordinary