Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-05-18
CLOSE OF THE SCHOOLS.

anQ tHe city mas great reason u
congratulate herself on the fiual
success. It should be remembered
that owing to the financial condi
ton of the school funds, we had no
high school for several years. As
a community we cannot forget the
number of empty houses during
that period. Few of our people full
ly realize the work the superintend
ent and his able corps of teachers
have accomplished in bringing the
schools to the present high state OF
excellence in 80 short a time.
Muck credit is due the seniors in
the amount and quality of work
they have pressed into two short
years.
Their course in English Litera.
ture, which numbers over twenty.
six standard works, and the mum.
Der of thesis they have prepared
from these works, deserve the high
est eulogy. 1t was in considera'
ton of such work that the teachers
aud school officers were justified in
making the closing day of school
work one grand holiday.
The lower grades spent the after
noon with their teachers and par
ents on Old Camp Logan. Where
could they have found more beau
tiful spot?
As the classes that were gathered
there opened their program by all
uniting in singing that grand old
song, America" it was an inspira-
ton to US ss we thought of the old
soldiers that had met there in for.
mer years.
The seventh aud tenth grades in
elusive picniced in the Territory at
Rock creek, the Promenade and
Pine Bluff-the most romantic
scenery about Baxter Springs.
The browning event was the COM
mencement exercises Tuesday even.
ing. May IA, at the NJ. Z. church.
The church had been beautifully
decorated by the juniors, assisted
by some of the teachers during the
day. The auditorium was we'll
filled before the entrance of the gu.
perintendent with his class.
The piano solo by Miss Bessie
Dent prepared the audience for
close attention.
After the invocation by Rev. A.
Cullison, pastor of the church, mu-
sic was rendered by Baxter's popu-
lar male quartette.
Harry Blair March gave the SAL
utation, followed by an Grafton en-
titled New England Character
istics." It proved he had thorough
ly studied his subject and it was
delivered in a clear and dignified
manner which won the applause of
all present.
Miss Grace Doty gave as her
theme "Deeds, Not Years, the Meas.
ure of Life" It was copiously IL
Illustrated by the deeds of Colum-
bus, Martin Luther, Washington,
Franklin, Lincoln and others.
Every sentence showed her strong
appreciation of biography which
is the key to all history.
Miss Hattie Ethlinde Large gave
az the subject of her GRAFTON, "Self
Made, if Ever Made" Her produc-
tioa was worthy of a college grad
uate. Every sentence wac coined
from the purest metal and had the
true ring in it. 1t was ample proof
that her work in the field of litera-
allure has had its full effect upon
her formative mind and that her
reading had been extensive.
Susie Louise Smith's theme was,
"Things Out of Hope Are Accom-
plished Oft by Venturing." She
illustrated her subject extensively
from history. Like the preceding
speakers. her delivery was excel.
lent and the enthusiasm that
frightened the expression of her
countenauce added much to the
subject matter.
&. The most popular theme of the
evening was by James Howard
Carney, on "The Kansas Voluu-
teer." Mr.. Carney's story of the
Kansas soldier was well told, and
every Kausan az we'll az every SOL
der fully appreciated its merits.
He closed with the valedictory, ex-
pressing gratitude, regrets and
farewells-all well timed.