Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-06-22

1t was our privilege and pleasure to
attend commencement exercises at
Greenwood on Friday night, the oh
inst and TO say that we were sur
priscd, pleased and gratilied is but a
reasonable expression Of the general
audience Of the entire exercises.
This was our first attendance OF the
many interesting entertainments Civ
en- at Greenwood in recent years,
which have become very popular and
never fail to draw a crowded house.
In mentally commenting on the neat
appearance of the school house, the
attractive decorations Of evergreen;
flowers, plants, notices, and colored
lights and the beautiful adornment Of
teacher and pupils, reminiscent
mood seized us carrying our thoughts
backward over long chcckcrcd his
tory Of This school of which permit us
TO give brief synopsis.
Greenwood is the elimination Of the
first efforts 10 establish educational ia
ciitics in this part Of Grant county
which had their origin in the slab
school house back in the 80 decade,
a full description Of which was Civ
en- in the Herald some time back.
From that period up to the last half
Of the 80 decade nomadic schools
were taught in five different loo houS-
as within a raids of two miles. Three
Of these houses had mother earth for
floors sometimes cleanScd with splint
broom, hoe or shovel, as the cxigen-
cies required.
In the latter period Joint district
was formed from the towns of Lima
aud Clifton and the site of Green
wood was chosen, where log house
was built in the latter town some time
previous for religious worship, and
known rs "Unclc Toms Cabin in
honor Of Thomas kirkpatrick. the
great singing evangelist ofthat period.
He was 4 nne singer very popular
and his services were sought for far
and near
The district at its first meeting for
organization instructed the board to
lease this building for q term Of ten
years and put in repair for school
purposes which they did, Miss Mary
j Egbcrt was the first teacher en-
ployed for three months for S33 Is
Ior the term, think. What think We
pedagogucs Of to-day Of that sum for
the wear and tear of your brains for
months.
The school bore this name until the
erection If the present neat little
house when il assumed the appropri-
ate name Greenwood. 1t is located
ON the corner of cross roads scparat-
ing the towns in the edge Of heavy
timber while TO the south which it
fronts is an extensive view Of open
fields From these primitive nomadic
schools have cminated many promi-
nent men and women who have and
are still filling honorable and respon-
~iblc positions in life.
Thcprogram presented upon this oc-
casion marks Miss Robinson high in
efficiency in hen chosen profession
both from the selections and their
prompt and perfect rendition, the
good ordcr,and pleasing demcanor Of
III w Init NNu0Ul TlihNNi ShANt'Nii u
training aud reflects great crdit upon
teacher and pupils
Each filled his roll admirably and
whore all did SO well il might seem
partial to discriminate but we think
some numbers were of such special
merit that we cannot refrain from
particular reference. The instru-
mental numbers of Miss Nettic Cush-
man were wen rendered and received
by the audience and showed her pos
scsscd oi merit worthy Of fuller deyci-
opmcnt
III e greeting song by the school of
,Old Friends and New was very fine.
A duet by the teacher and Miss Neltic
Cushman entitled "Out on the Lake
in the Moonlight" was exceptionally
well rendered and heartily eneored.
Miss Robson possesses fine contral-
to voice which she uscS very express
sivcly and has in good control Miss
Cushman has well modulatcd So
prano which promises well when ma
turcd and cultivated.
.Our Fathers Comieal Mule By the
class with an invisible alto was inn
mcnce and received uproariously