Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-05-06
GOLD HILL ACADEMY.
Interesting Account of the Closing Exer-
cises Last Week.


cises Last Week.
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
FORT MILL, May 3.-The first an
nual exhibition of Gold Hill academy
commenced on the night of the 26th of
April, and closed on the night of the
2sth. The weather was favorable and
the patrons of the school had built a
large and comfortable arbor and COW
cred it over with canvas.
On Wednesday night was the con-
test by the primary and intermediate
departments for silver medal. Quite
a crowd was present. The small chill
dren acquitted themselves very credit
ably. Everyone was agreeably sur
prised. Louis Bales, a son of Mr..
James Bales, won the medal.
On Thursday night, the debate CIV
en- by the society took place. Again
we were greeted with large crowd.
The crowd was so large that the de-
bate was held under the arbor. The
question, "Resolved, that we Live in
Free Country" was very we'll dis
cussed and decision was rendered in
favor of the affirmative. Prior to the
establishment of the society, eight
months ago, no one of those who en-
gagged in the debate had ever had any
experience whatever in debating. This
debate goes to prove what can be done
with the right kind of boys when the
right kind of efforts are put forth.
Friday was commencement day
proper. By $50 a. m, quite a crowd
had assembled to hear the boys de-
claim and to hear the girls recite.
Exercises began about 10 o'clock with
a song by the school, after which the
Rev. R. A. Yongue offered prayer.
Then began the contests for two gold
medals. One to be given to the boy
that delivered the best defamation one
to the girl that recited the best. These
exercises were interspersed all the way
through with music furnished by the
Gold Hill Cornet band, which added
very much indeed to the enjoyment of
the day. These exercises continued
till o'clock, when it was announced
that there was dinner on the grounds,
and in order to dispose of it the crowd
would be dismissed for one hour.
Everybody was invited to dinner.
Special care was taken to see
that no one went without dinner.
l would like to give the good women
of Gold Hill the praise that is due
them for their elaborate prepara-
tions; but as the crowd amply showed
their appreciation at the bounteous
tables, will let that suffice for the
present.
After dinner and rest of one hour,
the crowd again assembled at the ring
ing of the bell. The contest soon end
ed, there being only six on the pro-
gram after dinner. The committee,
which consisted of County Superin-
tendent Carroll, Rev. Tongue and Mr..
w. H. Stewart, then retired to render
their decision. They seemed to delay
quite awhile. While they were out
trying to decide, the band entertained
the crowd by furnishing music.
The committee reported back to the
teachers that it was impossible for
them to decide and use only two med
ais. Finally, they decided by award
ing the declaimer's medal to Mr.. Moore
Coltharp, and the reciter's medal to
Miss Hassie Smith.
Then came the literary address,
which was delivered by Mr.. w. H.
Stewart. He began by saying that he
was utterly surprised aud was not pre-
pared to do justice to the occasion.
He was surprised to 6ud such school
in Gold Hill neighborhood. If the
writer of this article was not closely
connected with the school, he would
tell you some things Mr.. Stewart said
about the teachers and the work done
by them. The address was splendid.
1t was enjoyed by all present and very
highly complimented. To fully ap-
preciate bis addresses we must hear
them delivered in that happy style
which is peculiarly Mr.. Stewards own.
1 would give synopsis of the address
but space forbids. The silver medal
and the declaimer's medal were then
delivered by the Rev. Mr.. Tongue with
some very appropriate remarks. Next,
Superintendent Carroll made some
very pleasing remarks and fattering
compliments about the school and its
future and delivered the reciter's
medal.
MIR. w. H. Stewart then rose and
said that in order to show his nppre-
citation of the work being done by this
school, and in order to encourage the
boys and girls, he would give a
gold medal to the boy that delivered
the best defamation next commence
ment. 1t is. needless to say that he
was very heartily cheered by the audi
ence, especially by the students. Then
Mr.. Carroll said that he wished to give
gold medal to the girl that delivered
the best recitation. 1t is again need
less to say that the girls gave him a
very hearty applause, as did the audi
ence.
Then the Rev. Mr.. Yongue, who is
man that believes in keeping in the
front ranks, and when he sees good
thing push it along, arose and said he
also would give gold medal to the
best reciter next commencement, He
was also very heartily applauded.
Mr.. w. H. Crook then rose and said
he did not believe in leaving out the
little fellows. So he gave a medal to
The best speaker among the small ones.