The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-18
|RDRWO0D !
SCHOOL [, HOUSE.
The One Hundredth Anni=
|, versary Of the School
Z Fittingly Celebrated =


che one-huEdr anniversary Of the erect.
hon Of Forwood School in District No. O.
Bsandywins hundred. were fittingly OBJ
served yesterday. About four hundred
persons were present at the celebration
and many were the pleasant memories re-
vivsd, Gray haired men and women told
Of their school days. The exercises began
ct 80 O'Clock when Robert G. Fraim de-
livsted an address. In the course of his
Es,payks he said that the deed for the
ground on which the school stood was
sSnAd and presented to the school commits
sioners, June II, 1899. Richard Justison
and his wife presented the ground forAha
school and placed it. in the hands Of Rob
srt ForY9sd John Forwood end Thomas
Bird, Jr The schcol-house was built
MIR. Justison contributing to the fund. A
dsed of trust was prspured at once by tho
trustees and duly delivered to Mr.. Jasti-
eon and his wife. The school was MAIN
tanned By private subscription up to the
time Of the passage Of the school law in
1883
Mr.. Fraim took up the condition OF the
country at the time the school was built,
and spoke of what it was to cut up build.
ing at that time for public education. He
rocounted the benefcont results therofrom
from the origin Of the school until the
passage Of the school law in 1888 During
the time the English government wos in
power there were no schools for the
masses. The Hon. Willard Hall, who was
United States district attorney for the Dis
trict of Delaware, sealing the necessity for
public education, drafted school bill
which met with much opposition on the
ground that the public did not wish to
pay for educating other peoples children.
Judge Hall modified bis bill by providing
for public school in each district of tho
state If the majority of the residents vot-
ed for it at an election. which was to be
held the first Saturday In April. Tho bill
passed and small appropriation was
made by the state for each school. Taxa
ton troubles arose, and in some districts
the schools were open only a few months
In the year.
This condition existed until 1856, whena
school law was passed. providing that all
districts must raise by taxation at least
SIS year, otherwise the schools would BIO
closed The regulations wore adhered to,
and now, under control Of state and county
auper'ntendents, the schools are In a
aourishing condition
al - fhn aIl ra5
Fraim read the following original poem:
One century has passed away.
:. Since four men on one bright Juno day
Net here and said there now must be,
A school in this vicinity.
One said. "who will give his land free,
To build a school house thereupon,"
Il will came forth the quick response,
From noble Richard Justi.on.
''In trust, III place this lot" said he,
with you three men now here today,
And join with you to here erect
A school house hero without delay.
Brave Robert Forwood quick replied,
~ llsaccept this trust from you"
Good John Forwood did likewise
And Thomas Bird said, 81 will too"
To carry out this good intent,
They very quickly did agree,
And to skillful lawyer went,
10 employ him. Professionally
They told him what they wished to do,
And ask him to at once proceed
To draw for them Deed OF Trust;
To this he cheerfully agreed.
"Your object is noble one,"
The lawyer said to them straightway;
''The education of the young
VIII you good men most rich repay.
'Riches may take unto them wings,
Aud very speedily fit away;
But education, once acquired,
Forevs rmore will with them stay"
A tablet should be placed within
This old school house without delay;
Inscribed in honor to those men,
And there forever 1t should stay.
Ebon N. Baldwin and William Tallsv
delivered addresses.
At the conclusion of the exercises re ..
freshments were served. Those present
paid well deserved compliment to the
Commissioners who had the school house
handsomely decorated With tho national
Colors'