Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-06-03
the CLOSING OF THE GRADED SCHOOLS
Ending with Memorial Day, the Closing Exer
cises Made Week OF Rare Enjoyment.

Ending with Memorial Day, the Closing Exer-
cises Made Week OF Rare Enjoyment
Seldom, if ever, has Walhalla had auch
% delightful week of entertainments. On
Thursday, May 2Sth, Patrons Day was
suitably observed by the whole school.
The day was divided into four periods,
each one of the four rooms success
sively entertaining the visitors. From
$50 to 10 16 a. m. the work of the seventh
grade in spelling, writing, reading, alge-
bra and arithmetic was given just as on
regular class day work, together with
duets, quartetts and grade songs.
From 10. 80 to II. 80 the third and fourth
grades entertained, giving interesting
reoitations, instructive compositions,
record for the school year and reading
lessons acted Twenty Froggies by the
third, and Maggie Tuiliver by the fourth.
"Ho, for Carolina" and other grade
songs were given.
The primary work of the school was
shown from 11.30 to 1915. Glass yells,
beautiful songs and individual and con-
cert reoitations were varied and partiou.
larly interesting. The uniqueness of
pleasing and gave delightful entertain
ment to those present.
The exercises ended at 2 p. m. with the
fifth and sixth grades, whose exercises
began at 1870. These grades, like the
seventh, exemplified the work of the
past year and showed method of instruc-
ton. The sixth grade prophecies fore
grades representative did we'll in rem
dering The Little Bootblack. The songs
and memory gems, by both grades, from
famous authors, were especially good.
Each grade did its full duty and the
teaching force should receive the SYM
pathy and hearty cooperation of all the
patrons of the school.
Commencement Day--Friday, May 29th.
At 1890 a. m. the children met at the
Graded School building and marched in
perfect order and correct time to the
Lutheran church, where they were seated
by grades. The double line, with first
grade in front, separated at the door, and
in single file marched down either aisle
1t was pl otty sight and certainly an
inspiring one, when we remember that
they are the hope (ohurch and State) of
the next generation.
Here they were assembled to hear the
annual sermon by DIR. Robt. p. Pell, of
Spartanburg, President of Converse Col
lege. DR.. Pell first entertained the
school children by two beautiful illustra-
tions-Christ as pupil and little girls
care of a tender and delicate plant. These
were 80 clear and told with
so much earnestness of heart and man
ner that the children were captivated
and delighted. Then followed the ser
mon, clear as crystal, forcible as correct
logic could.m it and so true that we
recognize it's truth everywhere about us
lin church. in State, in all physical. and
mental action.
The music by members of different
choirs, all combined for the occasion,
larly we'll rendered.
The Closing Exercises.
At 5 p. m. the closing exercises of the
school took place in the Court House.
The meeting was called to order by
J. M. Ward, Chairman of the Walhalla
School Board, who spoke of the work of
the school in it's relation to the Board
and made an earnest appeal for better
equipment.
He was followed by Prof. d. f. Nichol-
son, the superintendent, who, after MAX
ing few remarks expressing apprecia-
tion of cooperation of patrons, etc., made
his report by grades, as to scholarship,
punctuality and department..
Major VIM. j. Stribling in q natural
and happy manner introduced Prof.
VIM. s. Morrison, of Clemson College,
the speaker of the day.
Prof. Morrison's address was full, in
structive and interesting with subtle
humor pervading, strong illustrations to
clinch arguments and statistics of the
past contrasted with facts of the present.
1t was shown how the present popular
public school system was evoluted from
the "free" school, then free public
school and now it is properly called the
public school. The wonderful improve
ment that has recently taken place in
Walhalla was noted and tho greatest
achievement was, lin his opinion, the es-
tablishment of the Walhalla Graded
Schools. Prof. Morrison's address was
heard with great interest and the atten-
ton OF the audience was held to the end.
After the address prize of five dollars
in gold was presented to Inez Ward, as
her record for the year in punctualiGy,
attendance and scholarship was best.
Finally. Old Kentucky Home was sung
celved by the audience, who pronounced
the first commencement of the Walhalla
Graded Schools success.
The work in the school room during
the past year by Prof. Nicholson and his
capable assistants, Misses Kate Steck,
Susie Brunson, lula Jones, Mary Strib.
ling and Helen Moss, has met the high
est expectations of their many patrons.
1t is indeed remarkable that in the inau-
guration of new system in the educa-
tional history of the town there should
have been SO little friction. The pace
being set, everybody soon learned to
keep step. Whatever of friction may
have been incident to the starting of the
new system was speedily reduced to
modicum, and the year closes with the
hearty approval of the patrons. There
can no longer be any doubt as to,sthe
success of the Walhalla Graded Schools,
and the Board of Trustees are to be com
mended for their reelection of Prof.
Nicholson and his able corps of assistants.
Memorial Exercises.
Tho exercises began at 1920 a, m. by
the assemblage of the Confederate Veto
rams, pupils of the Walhalla Graded
School and the Sponsor with her Maids
OF Honor, at the Wagner monuments.
The procession marched to Mai. S. sPs
Dendv'a residence, thence back to the
monument and up Main street to the
Court House. The school children were
seated in front. Within the Bar were
seated the Confederate Veterans, the
Sponsor with her Maids of Honor, and
the speakers.
The exercises were opened with prayer
absence of Col. j. N. Brown, of Ander-
son.. Maj. s. p. Dendy was the first
speaker. He was introduced in an ap.
propriate manner by Maj. Wm. j. Strib-
ling. Maj. Dendy's speech was strong
and clear, with touches of pathos. He
gave the history of "The Bonnie Blue
Flag" and the occasion of the origin of
many of the Confederate songs. He
paid beautiful tribute to the loyalty