Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-25
COM N ENCEM ENT.
Fairmont Public Schools Turn Out a
Fine Class Enjoyable Exercises.
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
FAIRMONT, w. Va, May 24.-The COM
mencement exercises of the public schools
were held tonight at the Normal auditor
ium and were largely attended. The hall
was profusely decorated with flags and
bunting. Seated on the stage were the
members of the Board of Education-Eli
Musgrave, M. N. Barnes and M. P. Wells,
County Superintendent J. M. Satterfeld,
Mayor F. P. Hall and Rev. N. B. John
son.
Miss Lenore Brahmn rendered the first
Grafton, being the salutatorian of the
class Her subject was "a Transforma-
tion," and she dealt with the new woman
under this misleading subject. Her ideas
were heartily applauded and apparently
endorsed. George Dowden followed with
an Grafton THE Effect of Inventions on
Peoples Lives, which was a masterful
effort. After music by Prof. Lyons's or
chestra, Miss BERTHE Colbert read an essay,
The Story Tellers, Old and New in
which she discussed all the literary char
acters of ancient and modern times. 1t
was we'll written and handsomely deliver
| ed
| Miss Ellie Amos followed with undoubted-
| ly the best production of the evening, and
| received round after round of applause
| Her subject was THE Greater Fairmont."
She began with the laying out of the viii
! lage called Middletown in 1919. the village
equi-distant from Morgantown and
| Clarksburg The first log house built was
| on the site of John B. Cranes residence
| and the second one across the street on
| the lot on which Ex-Governor Fleming
! has handsome home In 1882 the town
| as laid off and has since been increased
| five times in corporate limits. The next
| step, the fair orator predicted, would be
| the addition of Palatine and West Fair
! mont. Thomas Fleming. ST., was the first
| ferryman who carried passengers to Pala-
| tine. The new suspension bridge Joining
| the two towns had been followed by
great Improvements. The town now has
more paved streets than any city of its
size In the country, has an improved sys-
| tenn of water works, with street car
| line in sight B. A. Gleming according
| to Miss Amos IS the oldest merchant in
| the city. having been engaged for A years
| The Presbyterian was the first church and
| now the city has eight churches with a
| total membership of 1900 The town now
| has five public school buildings, twenty
| two teacheA>and over 1000 pupils. The
ravages of the various fires were briefly
outlined, and then the progress of the
municipal government from the first may
| or, S. Beeson. to Mayor Kendall and
Mayor Hail. The revenues Of the town
| under Mayor Kendall were $4,000 She
was heartily applauded.
| The next Grafton could hardly be heard
for the cheers. Miss Lourghs subjeoe
was Remember the Maine.' and Fair
! mont patriotism proved to be above par.
| The subject was one of a character not
suitable in any of the fifteen preceding
commandments. 1t was one of war and
Miss Tough dealt masterfully with the
subjects brought up. She commended
| McKinley's course, but was not applaud
| ed
| Ear, Morris followed with an Grafton.
Boys With No Chance" He is the To-
year-old son of Coleman Morris, and is
the first boy to ever graduate wearing
! short pants.