The evening Republican., 1902-06-21
The Whining ton Public Schools.

Wesley Henry, followed by voca
solo by Olivia Butlerand violin soil
by Isaac Scott. Lavinia Landmar
read an essay written by j. Anderson
which was followed by vocal and in
strumental selectiOns: flute solo, ,Jer'
one Anderson; piano solo, Margare
Postles; duet, Gertrude and Blanche
Jefferson; violin 500, Arthur Har-
man; piano solo, E,telle Dillahay;
piano solo, Charles Thomas.
Jerome Anderson presented the
school with picture aud said in
part:
"Dear Principal, teachers and un-
dergraduates OF the Howard High
School. As president Of the class OF
1902, it becomes my pleasant duty to
present to you, before we leave these
beloved walls, a memento that will
keep us forever in your memory and
prove an inspiration to each succeed
ing class to go and do likewise.
This picture which we have select
ed to hang upon the walls of this as
sembly ball, is that of Phyllis Wheat
ley, who was stolen from Africa and
sold in Boston slave market. in the
year l76l, to a kind lady, who was
Mrs. Wheatley. AS she sat with u
a crowd of slaves in the market naked
save a piece of cloth tied about the
loins-her modest, Intelligent bearing
so attracted Mrs. Wheatley that she
selected her in preference, to all the
Others. Her selection proved a good
one. for, with clean clothing and care.
ful attention. Phyllis soon began to
show a great desire for learning.
Though only eight yeals old. this
young African, whose race all the
learned men was incapable of cult
ure, within little over a years time
so mastered the English language as
to be able to read the most difficult
parts of the Bible intelligently. Her
achievements in two or three years
drew the leading lights of Boston to
Mrs. Wheatley's house and with
them Phyllis talked and carried on
correspondence concerning the popu-
lar topics of the day. Everybody
either knew or knew of Phyllis, She
became skilled in Latin and trans.
lated one Of Ovid's stories, which was
published largely in English maga-
zines. She published many poems in
English, one Of which was addressed
to General George Washington.
After her emancipation, which oc-
cured when Phyllis was twenty.one,
she went TO Europe, where her
wonderful poetic gifts created even a
greater sensation than in America.
Her sad, sweet poems continued to
attract attention until the time Of
her death, December 5, 1884.
Her iife-.a most exemplary one
as pure as the poems she wrote, will
forever he honored and praised by the
race which she loved so devotedly.
Miss H. B. Kruse, the principal,
received the token with few re-
marks, after which theeXercises were
closed with recitation by Mary
Shockley.
Class night exercises were held in
the High School last evening.
The exercises opened with an
overture. by the orchestra, after
which John A. Kienle, president OF
the February class, extended his
greeting. The address was brief, but
well delivered. lie paid high trib-
ute to the teachers Of Wilmington
High School.
Class history next was in order.
J. Christy Conner gave humor-
Gus account of the February Il IS,
and aired the eccentricities and ply
steal makeup of its members atcon-
siderable length. Asa chronicler of
modern history, Mr.. Conner proved
a success, as did Miss Leola Lee,
who reviewed the happenings of the
June clase since its members enter
ed the doors of the High School.
Howard R. Hartman sang ''Th Q
Armorers Song, from Robin Hood,
and he received liberal applause.
Glass President Kienle next pre-
sented the class banner to Everett
Britton, 'O3. In doing so he said
the old banner, which was so dear
to the hearts of members, compris
ing class 'O2, should serve to in
spire members of class 'O3 to higher
scholarship. The banner was re-
ceived with few appropriate re-
marks.
An amusing feature of the exer
cises was the preparation Of a clas
day speech by Harry P. HI mmond
assisted by William G. Drap4 or a d
Herman B. BOthum. |
Class prophecy next was read b7
Miss Bella A. Speer, who took al 90
into the future and found members
of her class in all walks OF life, from
that of milkmaid to ballet dancer.
The class present, which was pre-