Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-06-22
V. NJ. I. FINALS.

larger than for years, numbering III
and representing twenty-four States
South America and China
The reputation of the Virginia Mill
tary Institute is established throughout
the country and her graduates have
taken front rank both in peace and war.
Just as in the civil struggle her sons
took a leading part and reflected the
thoroughness Of her military training,
so in the present war with Spain they
will win for her fresh laurels
The closing exercises Of the Institute
are very attractive and are alwayslarge-
ly attended by visitors as we'll as by the
people of the community.
The public exercises began Monday
at o'clock with morning parade and
guard mounting, followed at II o'clock
by salute of twenty-one guns in honor
of the Board of Visitors. A large crowd
gathered on the beautiful parade
grounds in the afternoon to witness the
review of the battalion of cadets by the
Board of Visitors, the following mem
bers being present: Hon. S H. Letch-
er, Lexington, president; Colonel L. G.
Barley, Alexandria; Colonel H. I. Par
rish, Roanoke; Judge William F. Rhea,
Bristol; Alexander Hamilton, Esq,
Petersburg. Battalion drill followed
in which many difficult and pleasing
evolutions were gone through, much to
the enjoyment of the spectators.
GYMNASIUM DRILL.
The feature Of Tuesday morning was
the gymnasium drill by members Of the
fourth class, witnessed by large crowd
Of admiring spectators, who showed
their appreciation byfrequent applause
The exercises were held in the gym
nasium hall, and were introduced by |
horizontal bar acting, tumbling and
,ther difficult feats. Cadets Mont
Foote, Mcneil, Powell, Sulli-
AN and Wood, dressed in tights, were
he participants. Then followed calls
henic, dumb-bell and drilling exercises
" members of the fourth class. The
7. M. I. band furnished music for the
ccasion.
Artillery drill was held at 6 o'clock
nd consisted of maneuvering and fir
ng blank cartridges. Battalion parade,
which followed, was Immediately pre-
eded by the presentation Of swords
rom Companies G and d to their cap !
aims, Alexander Hamilton, Esq repre-
enting Company G, and in happyl
peech presented sword to Captain
,llett, and Captain G. B. Slemp made
be presentation speech in giving a
word to Captain Nelson from Com
any D.
The final german was held in the
gymnasium at night The hall had
cen beautifully decorated with red,
-hite and blue bunting, while a large
phere with colored electric lights adj
rned the ceiling. About fifty couples ;.
,ok part in the dance, led by Cadet
ercy Nelson with Miss Mary Lyme !,
wilson. l.
Wednesdays program opened with y
uard mounting at 9 o'clock, followed .
IL o'clock by signal, sabre, and 2
quad drills. A salute to Governor j. T
.oge Tyler was fired by the cadet :,
artery. This afternoon the battalion
as reviewed by the visiting alumni,
lie exercises closing with battalion r
rill.
Tonight at 10 o'clock the alumni .
'ception and banquet will be held in :
lie mess hall, to which number of
vitations have been issued. 81
The graduating exercises will take ,
ace tomorrow and will consist of the =
sledictory address by Cadet r. G.
oolsby, of Virginia, followed by the r
elivery of degrees and diplomas. The >
ackson-Hope medals will be delivered y
Y Governor j, Hoge Tyler. The corps :,
cadets will then be marched to the
srade grounds where promotions and
,pointments will be read. The final
Ill at 10 o'clock will close the COM
encement Of 1898.