The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-15
SCHOOLS HoNoRED THE HERO.
EXERCISES AND A HOLIDAY IN
MEMORY OF WASHINGTON.

An Hour Was Spent in Every Grade
in the Public Schools Reading
Works of Washington, Discussing
the Great American and Relating
Anecdotes of Hfm-Account Printed
in 1900 of the Burial of the Gem
eral-Story Is Taken From the
Ulster County Gazette-Was Sent to
That Paper From Georgetown.
Yesterday was Washington day in the
schools, the memory of the great patriot
being hOnored by the children on the
hundredth anniversary of his death. 1t
was fitting that the pupils should be in
structed in knowledge of the great gem
eral, the hover of his country, the FIRST
President and man of all Others to whom
the American people owe their independ-
ence.
Memorial exercises were held in every
public school in the city. Both whites
and blacks devoted an hour or more to ex-
ercises in his honor the children being
taught to revere his memory and esteem
him as the greatest man the country has
ever known. About the life of Washing
ton there cluster incidents, trials, strug-
giles and adventures that make it one of
rare charm to children, and their venera-
ton and love for the hero is increased by
the ardent interest they take in anything
appertaining to him.
The Board Of Education provided for the
observance of the anniversary, ordering
that an hour be devoted to exercises
These exercises were settled upon by the
president Of the board and the superin-
tendent of the schools, the principal fea-
ture being the reading of extracts from
the last address of Washington. His
rules of good behavior were also read in
some of the grades. while to the smaller
children stories and anecdotes were re-
lated.
Supt. Ashmore took part in the exer-
cises at the High School Mr.. H. F.
Train, principal of the school. was i'll and
unable to attend Many of the boys and
girls did not take advantage Immediately
of the half holiday that followed in all the
schools, preferring to devote part of the
time with their teachers to prepare ton
for the term examinations which begin
next week.
Mrs. w. w. Gordon, one of whose an
cestors was from Ulster county, New
York has a copy of the Ulster County
Gazette, published at Kingston on Jan.
4, 1900 The old paper contains an ac-
count of the burial of Washington which
was received from the Georgetown cor
respondent of the paper. A transcription
of the story of the funeral will be interest
ing. 1t is as follows:
ION Wednesday last, the mortal part of
Washington the Great-the Father of his
Country and the Friend of man, was con-
signed 10 the tomb, with solemn honors
and funeral pomp.
"A multitude of persons assembled from
many miles round, at Mount Vernon, the
choice abode and last residence of the IL
lustriouS chief. There were the groves
the spacious avenues, the beautiful and
sublime scenes, the noble manslon-but.
alas! the august inhabitant was now no
morei That great soul was gone. His
mortal part was there, indeed; but, ahl
how affecting? How awful the spectacle
of such worth and greatness, thus 90
mortal eyes, fallen!-Yes! fallenl fallen!
In the long and lofty Portico where
oft the Hero walked In all his glory, now
lay the shrouded corpse. The countenance
still composed and serene, seemed to de-
press the dignity of the spirit, which lately
dwelt in that lifeless form. There those
who paid the last sad honors to the bene-
factor of his country took an impressive
"a farewell view.
ION the ornament at the head of the
coffin was inscribed surge ad judiciun-
about the middle of the coffin, gloria deo-
and on the silver plate,
General
George Washington,
Departed this life on the 18th of December.
1899, Act. g.
Between three and four o'clock the
sound of artillery from vessel in the
river, firing minute guns, awoke afresh
our solemn sorrow-the corpse was re-
moved-a band of music with nournful
melody melting the soul into all the ten
derness of woe.
The procession was formed and moved
on in the following order:
Cavalry,
Infantry, With arms reversed.
Guard,
Music
Clergy
The Generals horse, with lis saddle
holsters and pistols.
Coils. III I'M frs