The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-05-30
s.FoR HEROIC SERVICE"

Raleigh Times, 23rd.
At the Baptist Female University
last night there was a very unusual
presentation. After the annual con-
cert, which closed the commencement
exercises, the Presldents Rev. DR.. X.
Z. Vann, stepped to the platform, and
IN simple but eloquent language, told
of the terrible visitation of smallpox
upon the institution last February,
when one CT the servants in the col
zege carried the dreaded contagion into
ats very walls. One young lady had
severe case OF smallpox, and one or
two others had varioloid, but all re-
covered. The entire institution, con-
tanning over two hundred girls, was
..uarantined for month and the girls
endured the confinement like soldiers.
When the news of the dread disease
became known two OF the young lady
students volunteered to nurse the girls
who we're sick with the disease. For
a month they were shut in the rooms
of the building in which the sick were
confined, and ministered to their wants.
going voluntarily into contact with the
most loathsome OF diseases to save the
l:yes OF their friends. 1t was the same
spirit that upheld the martyrs in the
days of old. DIR. Vann called Miss
Bessie Love and Miss Miriam WEIGH,
If Waynesvilie, n. c., to the platform
and bestowed upon them each beau
siful gold medal, presented by the stu.
dents aud faculty OF the institution, in
token of tel, brave deed. On one side
of the medal is engraved the name OF
she young lady, and the college mono
gram, on the other is marked "For
Heroic Service February 1901" The
medals were pinned on the young
ladies by Miss Leila Highsmith, one Of
the young ladies who bad the disease.
and who probably owes her life to
their nursing. The audience that
filled the chapel and all the halls ap-
pauded them wildly.
DIR. vANN's REMARKS.
DIR. Vann, in the course of his speech
ct presentation, SAID:
"Not many years ago the governor
of Tonking province, in the presence
OF French army corps, called before
him Sister Marie Theresa, and address,
ed her in words like these, Sister Marie
Th aresa, you were wounded on the
battlefield of Balakiava, while caring
sor our stricken soldiers. You were
afterwards wounded at Magenta, in
the front battle line. You followed
our armies to Syria, China and Mexico,
rendering all womanly service and sac
rlhce. AT The battle of Reichshofen
you were borne from the field and laid
down to die in heap of wounded SOL
d,ers After your recovery, when a
she'll fell among group of wounded
soldiers who were under your care, you
seized the death missile with its blazing
fuse, bore it twenty yards away, dashed
it to the ground, and we1e yourself
nangIed by the explosion. You have
Continued to the present hour in your
heroic service. Sister Marie Theresa,
XII eel ard receive the cross for tried
.alor. No soldier i'm the army coulo
wear it more worthily. Soldiers, pre-
sent arms And as the gallant French
men executed the order, the tri-colors
of France were dipped In reverent
salute.
miriam WEIGH and Bessie cLove,
\ four months ago when the shadow of a
great horror fell upon our school, and
one Of your iellow-students was stricken
With smallpox, when no nurse could
be procured, and the stricken girl with
her roommate, was imprisoned, in all
likelihood for a mouth, without sug-
seatinn from any one, you volunteered
TO give up study and pleasure and free
dom that you might immune you--
selves and nurse the stricken ones
Your teachers and fellow-students fclt
that deed like that was worthy 81
something more than RAISING words OF
thanks. And SO they have sought In
some manner, however inadequate, to
express their high appreciation of your
, sacrifice. They have therefore had
made for each Of you medal OF gold.
l think it fitting that one OF the suffer
ers blest by your gentle ministry,
should present these tokens, and
Shalt ask Miss Lsiia HIghsmi:h to per-
form this pleasant service. Here Miss
H.Shsmlth stepped forward and pinned
the medals On the young ladies) In
comforting these medals we have be.
slowed on you the badges of kpightly
wo,nsnhood. they are MEMORIALS Of
our grateful regard. May they also b<
"A lifelong inspiration to high womanly
service
-