The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-31
GALA DAY AT SPARKS.
Corner stone of Collegiate Institute
Laid with Appropriate Ceremonies.

Corner stone of Collegiate Institute
Triton, Ga, July 3O-Tuesday was
red-letter day in the history of
Sparks: a day that marks an epoch
of progress for Berrien and South
Georgia.
The laying of the cornerstone Of the
Sparks Collegiate Institute was at
tended by, making a fair estimate, not
less than five thousand people.
Excursion rates were made on all
roads connecting with the Georgia
Southern, north and south.
At 1870 the Masons, under whose
charge the programme of the day was
left, marched to the speakers stand,
headed by the Abel Band, detach-
ment of soldiers from the Valdosta
Videttes, followed by the speakers and
board of trustees of the institute.
Prof. C. M. Woodward, president Of
the institute. made the welcoming adj
dress in behalf of Sparks and the
school. He spoke enthusiastically of
South Georgia and her resources, and
in high terms of her people and the
future of the institute. and in high
praise of the citizens of Berrien and
surrounding counties, who had so gem
erously given to the institute build
ing. He was replied to by:
Judge w. A. Covington of Moultrie
in behalf Of the board of trustees OF
the school. made a witty and forcible
address in the interest of education,
and the prospects of this school, and
said it should be patronized by stud
entS far and near, as it was under one
of the best arrangements of any col
lege in Georgia.
Judge H. B. Peoples of Nashville,
introduced Rev. Alonzo Monk, of At
lanta, as orator of the day. DR.. Monk
spoke enthusiastically of South Geor-
gia's interest manifested in education.
CT her people and her stride forward
in the building of this college. He
came to help raise money for the
maintenance of the school, and started
off the subscription with a gift from
DR.. S. G.. Ethridge of Sparks, of $780,
followed by several $3.50 donations, and
! down to $50. He succeeded in raising
$4,000, of which amount was largely
subscribed by Sparks citizens.
Dinner was announced at 1870. Twen-
| ty beeves and a number of kids were
barbecued. Seemingly there was plen-
ty to feed several thousands. Three
large tables, 100 feet long, were sup
| piled with the best of eatables.
At 2:30 the corner stone was laid by
| the MdSOnS, IN solemn form, with
| Judge H. B. Peoples master of cere-
monies. This completing the pro-
gramme of the day, the visitors left
for their homes, after having spent a
most pleasant day in and with the
hospitable people of Sparks, though
many from neighboring towns re-
manned to take part in the organiza-
ton of the Knights of Pythias Lodge,
| at night.
The crowd gathered from Berrien,
! Colquitt. Dolly. Worth, Coffee, Brooks.
| Lowndes, Echols. and many from Bib
county were present.
! Everything passed off quietly, and
not an incident happened that could
mar the pleasures of any one
The college opens for the fall term,
Sept. 16. and it is understood from
| President Woodward that there will be
a large enrolment, and many stu
| dents from other parts of the state,
besides this section, will take advant-
age of this school. which will be sup
| piled with the best teachers of any
| institute in the South.