Evening star., 1901-10-19
DIRNEY SCHOOL OPENED.
Program of the Exercises Held Late
Yesterday Afternoon.

hAtcEhooh.
Formal opening exercises were held late
yesterday afternoon at the new Birney
public school building, colored, on Nichols
avenue near Howard avenue, Hillsdale
They were of local character and were
attended by many representative colored
people Of that part of the District. Prof
Hosmer NJ. Johnson, the supervising prin-
cipal of the eighth public school division,
was the presiding officer. In the broad
lower hall of the new building a program
of interest was rendered, participated in by
the teachers and pupils of the school. Miss
Bessie Patterson, a pupil of the eighth
grade, performed on the piano. Prof. John
son called the gathering to order shortly
after ! clock, and the exercises were be-
gun by the singing of The Stars and
Stripes Forever" by the teachers and pupils
assembled. Prof johnson next made an
opening address, in the course of which he
referred to the fact that he was a COM
parative stranger to the people of Hills
dale, and that he was pleased to greet them
on such an auspicious occasion. He de-
tailed number Of improvements that are
yet to be made to add to the external ap-
pearance of the school house, and congrat-
ulated the people upon the acquisition of so
fine structure. He read letter from Mr..
w. S. Montgomery, in charge of the colored
public schools of the District, who was
prevented by an engagement from attend
ing the exercises, which stated that the
name Birney recalls the fact that he who
bore 1t was an earnest champion Of truth
and right and helped to hasten the day of
physical freedom to the negro racew
Mr.. Solomon G. Brown Of Hillsdale was
introduced by Prof. Johnson. 1.-The one
who signed the bill through which this
beautiful school building was secured" he
said, lies now cold in DEATH struck down
by an assassin. We mourn his loss' Mr..
Brown then presented to the school like
ness of the late President Mckinley. He
followed with the reading Of an original
he nrnc c{Syay, or
and Its educational system being the theme
Rev John NJ. Shipper Of Hillsdale made a
brief address in which he presented to the
supervising principal and the teachers of
the Birney uilding the greetings and good
will Of the people Of Hillsdale. He spoke
of the interest that should be maintained
between parents and teachers for the sue
cessful conduct Of the school. Rev DIR.
William H. Hunter of Hilsdale was the
next speaker. He told his recollections of
other days. when there were no schools
for the colored people. and contrasted the
difficulties attending the education of the
coiored man then with the great privileges
now enjoyed and typefied by the Birney
building and its splendid facilities.
Or. J. N. johnson of Howard avenue,
Hillsdale. who was next called upon by
periences in the matter of obtaining edu-
cation. Miss L. E. Ponnen, one of the local
teachers, followed with a song. The Holy
then spoke, testifying to the pride the COM
munity of Hillsdale felt in the work done
by the District Commissioners and the off,
cials of the public schools in providing
for the new building at Hillsdale.
Rev. Frank P. Lewis. pastor of the Camp
bell A. NJ. E. Church. Nichols avenue Hills
dale, who was the next speaker, gave ad-
vice to the pupils and complimented the
work of the supervising principal and the
local teachers. Mr.. John Dale was then
introduced and dwelt upon the efforts made
by the citizens of Hillsdale to have pro-
vision made for the new school house He
congratulated the people of the section upon
their success, and made complimentary ref
erence to Supervising Principal Johnson
and the corps OF teachers. The exercises
were brought to a close with the singing
Of America by the audience. The build
ing was then thrown open for the inspection
of the people of the neighborhood.
The Birney school Is now the main school
building in the Hillsdale section. 1t is an
eight-room structure. accommodates over
800 pupils in thirteen schools, comprising
the grades from the first to the eighth, in
elusive. The teachers at the Birney build
ing are: Miss F. J. Smith, principal; Miss
F. NJ. Coston. Miss E. v. Smith, Miss F.
B. Johnston. Miss NJ. c. Burke Miss L. A.
Robinson. Mr.. J. H. Lucas, Miss B, E. Nu-
gent Miss NJ. E. Morgan. Miss L. E. Pol
lon Miss M. E. Hite. Mr.. J. L. Mont
gomery and Miss H. j. Moore.