Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-06-22
HICKORY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL.
Interesting Account of the Closing Exer
cises Last Friday.

cises Last Friday.
Correspondence OF the Yorkville Enquirer.
HICKORY GROVE, June 21.-One OF
the most delightful and enjoyable oc'
casions in the history of our village,
was the closing exercises of the high
school last Friday. For weeks past
work on the new school building has
been rushed so as to have the hall
ready for these closing exercises, and
the occasion has been the topic of the
town and country for miles around for
several weeks. Promptly at 9 o'clock,
the Blairsville band came in and furn-
ished music during the entire occasion.
The primary department., which has
been in charge Of Miss Matte Wilson
during the year, then appeared on the
stage, and one by one these little boys
and girls came forward, and with sur
prising ease and elegance of manner,
delivered their speeches and recita-
tions, much to the delight of their pa
rents, and especially to their faithful
teachers, who had spent so much time
and patience in training these little
ones.
At the close of these exercises, Rev.
J. H. Thacker delivered plain, prac-
tical address to the children, giving
them some sound, wholesome advice.
Representative deLoach was to make
this talk, but was absent because of
sickness.
The crowd then repaired to the
grove, where dinner was served in pic
mic style.
After two hours recess the audience
again gathered in the hall to hear the
closing exercises of the Timrod and
Eu-elpian societies.
Miss Bessie McGill read an essay
that would have, done credit to a
college graduate. Then Miss May
Slaughter gave a recitation which was
very much enjoyed. Then songs and
music by the entire society. Then the
young men of the Eu-elpian society
delivered their declamations, and if
any one is so skeptical as to believe
that oratory is a lost art in the south,
they should have been present and
heard these young men declaim.
Then Rev. Mr.. Reaves, of Yorkville,
addressed the societies. His address
was eloquent and scholarly, and was
pronounced by the entire audience as
one of the most highly instructive and
appropriate talks they had ever lis
tened to.
Prof. Slaughter then announced that
the annual concert would take place
at night, and small admittance fee
would be charged for the benefit of
the new schoolbuilding.
At an early hour the house was
packed and the concert was elegant.
For more than two hours the audience
was entertained with funny dialogues,
speeches, recitations, music, etc.
The people then went to their homes
feeling that the day had been well
spent and that their children had been
taught during the term by competent,
faithful teachers. The next term of
the school will open in September
next.
Miss Matte Wilson will leave for
her home in Virginia tomorrow, carry
ing with her the best wishes of a host
of friends and leaving behind an Zach
ing void' in the hearts of some of our
young men.
Misses Jessie and Minnie Neil, Of
Filbert, and Miss Mosely, Of Virginia,
were the guests of Miss Matte Bell
during commencement.
Misses Marie Carroll and Iva Whis-
onant, of Sharon, attendend the clos
ing exercises of the high school.
Mr.. Motlatt Simpson is at home
from Erskine college.