The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-07
EXERCISES AT HARTFORD
Annual Commencement at the Sol
diers' Orphan School Witnessed
by q Number of Persons
from This City.

On Monday the commencement eXer-
cises of the Soldiers Orphan school
took place at Hartford. Susquehanna
county. In a way these exercises are
unique as there are no graduates. The
Hartford student, whether an "honor"
boy or girl or whether at the foot of
the class is graduated at the age of
sixteen, but the departure of those who
have reached the age limit, plays no
part in the commencement, as that
great annual event is distinctly an oc-
casion in which the all-pervading Dip
Iona does not appear.
The exercises Monday were marked
by the presence of many distinguished
guests, the members of the state COM
mission being in attendance.
A special car went up from this city
to Kingsley, leaving the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western station at 8
o'clock. Among the occupants were:
James Morrison and wife, William f.
Stewart and daughter, of Philadelphia;
Judge Darte, of Wilkes Barre; Senator
Steinway, of Cambria county; Mr.. Ad-
ans, of Susquehanna: Captain Skim
ner, of Fulton; Major Willauer, OF
West Chester; Colonel Z. II. Ripple, of
Scranton, and Mrs. Swentzel, the new
ly appointed inspector until recently
matron at the Scotland school,
Others were: William Emslie, post
department commander, Grand Army
of the Republic; Harry Yohn, Harry
Miller, and Mr.. Fleming, of Philadel-
phia. S. H. Stevens. Miss Stevens, Miss
Todd. Mrs. Mary M. Doster, Mrs NJ.
w. Davenport, George Geary and
| NJ
| Long, Captain Horn, Smith r. Mott,
post commander of Griffin post, and
| daughter: Mrs. Frank Reese and son,
Charles schlager, Mrs Samuel Bryant,
| all of Scranton.
| The party was met at the station by
| Superintendent Matthews with vehicles
sufficient to convey the entire number
over the beautiful hills to the school,
| about two hundred yards from which
the band met the visitors and escorted
them to the spot where "Uncle' John
| Anneman's artillery gave a grand
salute. The students were drawn up in
military lines on the campus, the boys
on one side Of the street. the girls on
the other, and they made a fine APP
| pearance indeed.
After a general inspection by the
l
joyed and the visitors We're entertained
by an excellent battalion drill, the girls
giving a dumb bell and wand drill, un
der direction OF Miss Deisroth. A banC
concert followed and this was truly {
remarkable organization as it is com
posed of students, some of whom are
scarcely three feet high. They al
play with most commendable effect
cd
denly flames were discovered bursting
from the boys dormitory 1t was ;
very hot day for a fire and the boy!
were arrayed in their new uniforms
but they hastily scampered in various
directions and in what seemed a mir
aculously short space of time ladders
were placed, and a bucket brigad
working with military precision sooi
put out the fire. 1t was a very eXcit
ing scene for the spectators, and no
until the ordinary routine of the schoo
was resumed did they learn that it wa
all a "show fire." which had bee
kindled with the express purpose o
having 1t quenched with theatrical ef
feet by the boys.
Exercises in the chapel were thel
held IN which the programme was IN
terspersed with speeches by the visit
ors who were delighted with the higl
order of talent evlnced by the pupils
Supper was served and in the evening
the school and the guests assembled d
the chapel where a patriotic operett
was charmingly rendered by the chill
. dren. Some members Of the visitin
, party returned at D. M, others re
= naming until the midnight train cam'
which was stopped at Kingsley throug
the courtesy OF Mr.. Bogart.