New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
LYDIA WADLETGH BREAKFAST.
A REUNION OF TWELFTH STREET GIRLS.
SOME NOW GRANDMOTHER


The Lydia F. wadieigh Association gave its third
annual breakfast yesterday at the Hotel Man
haitian, the two hundred guests sitting down at
precisely o'clock to the elaborate repast.
At the conclusion Of the feast programme OF
wit and wisdom was entered upon. Mrs. Susan X
Bourne. the president. making a graceful speech
or welcome that was full Of pleasant "reminiscences.
Mrs Margaret E Sangster followed in an address
the theme of which the lasting influence OF
the teachers work. The tracks made in the soil
OF childs brain deepest and last longest
They are the highways that lead 10 mature life
and mark its direction she said. Her remark
that she never knew a Twelfth Street girl who
was eommonplace-they are all superior" excited
apprecatve laughter.
Mrs. Fannie s. Helmuth spoke Of the projected
industrial school for girls and expressed her hope
that it, too, might be named the Lydia Wadleigh
School, it would be impossible to emphasize too
deeply the influence exerted by the teacher whose
memory they met 10 honor
Professor Helen Gray Cone gave a touching trfb-
ute. and, as one of the Normal graduates recalled
the happy school days. ending by recting beauti-
full original poem. Mrs Mary S. Boyce an early
teacher In the Twelfth Street School, gave short
of school days. with interesting anecdotes.
The central point OF interest in the afternoons
programme however the remarkable speech
of Miss Julia A Willard. formerly a teacher in the
school, who is IN the city for the first time in
thirty-two years She was great favorite during
her term of service, and was known as witty
still has right to claim When she rose 10
speak the gathering sprang to its feet and gave
her the Chautauqua salute and the minutes follow
ing marked by manifestations of most
usual feeling. First a laugh then a sob. finally
sobs and laughter intermingled marked the path
way CT her speech AS she recalled Incidents heads
would nod-some Of them those OF grandmot hers
and whispers of assent rustic through the air In
closing the applause was prolonged and loud.
Mrs Jennie King Morrison sang two songs
Frrrx and arraIF 70
Among those caIed mon we've Mis-. Nj Bstts now
Mrs Gushing; Mrs Winser and Miss CoppernolL
President Hunter of the Normal College. always
Sangster's speech and emphasized her words:
What we wish strongly and work for thoroughly
your iesre to have the hrst girls high school
building in the city named for Miss Wadleigh you
will succeed" he said, and ended by promising his
has appointed a committee TO work for the same
object and the combined efforts they think viii
An interesting feature OF the reunion was the
and three teachers OF the Twelfth Street school
LYDIA F. wADLEIGH
Lydia F. wadleigh for whom the association is
named was a teacher under the Board of Eduea-
ton OF this city for thirty-two years Miss Wad-
leigh was the pioneer principal in the higher public
education Of girls IN New-York having opened the
Tweltth-st on February s IS5s. Miss Mary
Ranney. Miss Lavinia NJ Holman. Miss Mary Swift
first class graduated in 1859 and the last IN 1870
There were S0e graduates IN all. The nucleus OF
the present Normal College formed IN 1853. and
Miss Wadeligh became woman superintendent Of
that institution holding that place until her death
In 1883
Miss Wadleigh came of parentage noted for
physical strength, vital energy and mental power.
She was born al sutton. in Hampshire. on
February 8 1871 and was the eighth OF ten children
She was educated In the district the place
and afterward pupil assistant earned her tut
ton IN the New-HGmpshire Literary and Scientific
Institution where she was graduated IN lsu. From
that time until she became principal or the senior
departrnent in Twelfth-st. she occupied places IN
various schools and academies
The histologieal laboratory OF the woman's Med
ical College OF the New-York Infrrnary for Women
and Children bears her name. having been given as
a memorial 20 her by the aurnnse and friends OF the