The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-23
sCHo0lH0UsE DEDICATED.
II PLEASANT EVENING SPENT
AT BEN ALI.
Many Gather to Enjoy Fine MAS
ical Program and
Dance.

A large crowd assembled at the new
schoolhouse at Ben Ali last night, the
occasion being the dedication OF the
new schoolhouse that replaces the old
one blown down this winter, and also
the raising of the fine new flag con-
tributed by the men of the Haggin
ranch.
A number of people from this city had
been invited to attend the ceremonies
and about fifty went out in wagons
and enjoyed very pleasant evening.
The exercises commenced with the
flag raising. which was done by Rear
Admiral Dewey" after the audience
had sung the "Star Spangled Banner
and B. F. Howard, County Superin-
tendent of Schools, had made brief re-
marks. The flag, as it fioated clear in
the breeze was saauted with three
cheers All then entered the school
room, which was adorned with flowers
and may safely be called the prettiest
school-room in the county to-day
Superintendent Howard made a. few
remarks, saying that the old school
house had been an eyesore and men
ace to health and comfort, but there
had been change for the better The
southeast wind had hit it a body blow
and another wind storm had given 1t
an upper cut and knocked it out COM
pletely. In it's place had arisen the
new structure that they were now IN,
costing, with its. tank, wind mill and
fence. only 50, 100. He was glad the
trustees had allowed Miss Mackey and
himself to run things. and had no
doubt they had been very willing to
do so.
Three rousing cheers were given for
Miss A1ackey. to whose energy and per-
siStence is due the fact that the new
schoolhouse is now ready for occupa-
tion, the old one having been blown
down on January 10th, only six weeks
ago.
The program was begun by the au-
dience, who joined in singing Amer
ica''
Mrs. Long bottom them rendered vo-
cad solo so cfarmingly that the audi
ence would not be satisfied until she
had responded to an encore. She was
followed by w. E. Lovdal. who gave
baritone solo in splendid voice, and
was heartily encored. Mrs. Copper
smith was next on the program, render
ing solo with her usual taste and
feeling and for an encore which would
not be denied sung Good BY, Sweet
Day.
r. T. Cohn next sang a fine tenor
solo, Because 1 Love You" and was
enthusiastically encored. George Low
dal brought the house down with a
coon song" and was forced to go back
and give, the audience another one, and
they were NOT satisfied until he had
sung a third.
Mr.. Ford was next, singing Mar
guerite,' his powerful voice making
the building tremble almost as much
as the roar of applause that followed
and for an encore he sang a selection
in Italian.
A vocal duet by Mesdames Copper
smith and Lcagbottom. Il Would That
My Love-: coon song" by Frank
Wright with an invisible chorus that
was a surprise to the audience and
was much appreciated and encored.
Miss Mackey was presented with a
beautiful basket of flowers and the
assembly gave her three hearty cheers
and called on her for a speech. She
replied that it was no time for speech
making, and that the first thing in or
der was to clear the floor for a dance
and afterward there would be refresh
ments.
The floor was cleared in a jiffy, and
the merry dancers tripped to lively. mu-
sic for a. while, after which they ad-
journed to an al fresco feast by the
light of the moon, Miss Mackey having
provided a most bounteous one, which
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. About
midnight the party broke up, and the
guests wendell their way to their re-
spective homes, agreeing that they
would like to- come often to the dedica-
tom of schoolhouses at Ben Ali