New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-24
DR.. VESTS ANNIVERSARY.
HE ATTENDS 4 RECEPTION HELD IN HONOR
OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY.

OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY.
Dr. Charles F. West who has for nearly forty
years been prominent In educational work cee-
bratei the ninetieh anniversary Of his birth yes
terday. All day long letters and messages poured
IN from his many friends and former pupils. and
In the evening a reception was given him by the
AlumnR Association u the Brooklyn Heights Sem
mary. Of which he for twenty nine years the
principal in the seminary. No 1876 Montague-st.
This began at $50 O'clock Dr West standing in the
front dra wing room TO receive and looking hale
and hearty and about one-half his age. Assisting
him was a com nittee composed Of the president
OF the club and those who had held that office.
II comprised Miss Nellie A Porter. Mrs Stephen
Valentine. Mrs James II Radcliffe. Mrs. Francis
Lyman Hne Mrs William y. Allen. jr.. Miss
Bertha NJ. West. Miss Bessie c. Simpson. Mrs.
William G. Beecher. Mrs. Charles Fl. Edgar. Mrs
William Thornton and Miss Sara p Cotton The
associate principals Of the seminary. Miss Clara r.
Cotton. Miss Katharine S. Woodward and Miss
Corneia II. Fulton. also stood in the group.
Pink roses were the flowers used in adjoining the
large drawing rooms. These had background Of
wild smilax and palms Or. West received many
bouquets. which were sent to him from all over the
country from former pupils and old friends. Sew
eral huge punches OF ninety American Beauties
each stood guard over the other lovely blossoms.
Flowers also surrounded the large portrait OF
the late Mrs Mary Brigham. TO whose efforts
much OF the success OF the school Is due Inc
supper-room all in pink Its chief ornament
birthday cake in the shape OF An open
book. Surrounding It ninety candles The
string orchestra stationed behind screen OF
pa ms al the rear OF the entrance hall
Regrets were received from Benjamin II Sili-
man. Mrs Gertrude Vanderbilt OF Flatbush, and
from a number Of Buffalo people among them
James O. Putnam. Mr. Modesett. Mr.. and Mrs
Noyes and Mrs. Jewett. Many others OF Dr. West
old friends sent letters OF congratulation. and
a. IN he
the evening.
Guests thronged the large rooms until late
hour The Clerical Society. o; which Or. West Is
q ay member. present in body. Snort ad-
dresses of nelghbory greeting, full OF Renaissance
and hunor were made by the Rev. Dr. Richard
Salter Storrs and Or. s.. Clair Mckelway Ihey
both spoke OF Or. Vests successful efforts for the
higher education Of women. both in Manhattan as
president OF the Rutgers Female Institute, and IN
buffalo where he founded large girls school
His work in the Heights Seminary here also re-
ceived due mention.
Or. West was born In Washington, Conn, ana
there attended one Of the od-fashioned schools
which a. he says taught the three RS besides
geography. and the joys OF being whipped early
and often" In 1875 DR.. West spent three months
teaching in similar school at $40 month ana
there won renown by soundly thrashing the big
boys who tried TO take him out in the yard and
duck" him He was graduated from Union IN
Ing % schools In Albany New-York and Buffalo.
came 10 Brooklyn IN 1860 and took charge OF the
Brooklyn Heights Seminary. He speaks or the
founding OF the Brooklyn Female Academy, which
is now the Packer institute. as the nrst great
movement in education in Brooklyn. He relates
how. when he living in New-York he used
10 take his pupils over TO Brooklyn Heights 10
gather wild flowers. lie says he was sorry 70 see
Brooklyn lose IT'S individuality as city.
some Of the guests last evening were Judge and
Mrs Willard Bartlett Mrs. Joshua NJ Van Colt
Miss Van Colt. Mr.. and Mrs George PaysOn stock
We'll. MIS-. II. r Clafiihn. Mr. and Mrs. Henry
sheldon. Miss Lucella smith Mr.. and Mrs John. 7
sherman, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Adams Mr.. and Mrs.
Mdrtus T. Lynde Or. and Mrs. Alexander J. G..
e. Abbott Mr. and Mrs. Tunls Bergen. Mrs. william
Packer Miss Packer M and Mrs. r &. Ladd,
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Haley. Mr. and Mrs. Fl. 5.
Iieitksep Mr.. and Mrs William p Mason, Mr.;
and Mrs James Lenerts. Of Flatbush Mr.. and
Low Mr. and Mrs. A. 4. Low Or. J. H
McCorke Mr.. and Mrs Henry 1de Mr. and
Mrs Charles Ide, Judge and Mrs. William
q. Choate. OF Manhattan. DR.. and Mrs John 3.
Halves. OF Manhattan;- Mr. and Mrs. Henry J.
Alfred T. White. Mr and Mrs Henry Earle. Dr.
and Mrs Charles A. Hull Mr. and Mrs George
stanton Mr.. and Mrs. John Stanton. Mr.. and Mrs
lon OF Manhattan: Miss Susie Woodford Mr. and
Mrs. John Van Buren, Thayer Miss Chatfeld. Miss
Sallie ingalls, Miss Florence Clemens. Mr. and Mrs.
Rodney 4 Ward Judge and Mrs. Hiram r Steele
Mr. and Mrs George II COutts Dr and Mrs Frank
?. Caldwell Miss Alice Campbell Miss Kittie Hill.
DR. and Mrs. Arthur p Kinsolving. the Rev. DR..
and Mrs :. y Mcconnell. the Rev. and Mrs l..
Mason Clarke. the Roy. and Mrs Douglas Adam.
pr and Mrs. Truman JAY Backus Or. and Mrs
the Rov Dr Theodore Ledyard Cuyler and Josiah
"A Partridge one OF RrookIvn's Oldest citizens