Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-04
Old Students and Young Together.
FIRST REUNION OF OXFORD NORMAL. IN
sTITUTE AND SOUTH PARIS HIGH A
GREAT SUCCESS.

L ihSi UT OAFOhD NOhMaAs IL
sTITUTE AND SOUTH PARIS HIGH
| GREAT SUCCESS.
The committee of the Alumni Asst
citation having in charge the first reunio
and banquet of students of Oxford No
NAL Institute and South Paris Hig
School, held Thursday evening, are or
titled to much credit for the amount Q
work put into it and the thoroughnes
of their preparations, as well as col
CALCULATIONS for the unqualified success
of the affair. Starting simply with tn
object of bringing together the NOR
recent graduates, who have taken tn
course since the school was got into it
present modern form, the scheme wa
finally enlarged to include all fOrme
students of the high school in Soutl
Paris, by whatever name known or un
der whatever auspices. Even NOR
responded than had been anticipated
but the arrangements were well carried
out, and everything went very smoothly
The Congregational vestry, which hat
been specially furnished and decorated
for the occasion, was the scene of al
informal reception for an hour during
the early evening, when old and young
graduates and former students gathered
there. The members of the committee
of arrangements received the guests,
and made all feel at ease. Exhibits OF
considerable interest which were ex
hibited on the tables were number OF
group photographs of students of former
years, photographs of the old and the
present school buildings, and the plans
of the new building now under con.
Struction.
Among those from out of town who
were here especially to attend this re-
union were X. j. Everett of Poland, a
former principal, and Mrs. Everett, Hon.
John A. Roberts of Norway and Mrs.
Roberts, and Frank Jackson of Lewis
ton. A number of the recent graduates
from West Paris and other parts of the
town were present.
At about 0 o'clock procession was
formed and proceeded to Pythian Hall,
where the banquet was served. Nearly
every seat was occupied at the tables
which filled the hall, the number being
not far from 1926. A local orchestra
dispensed excellent music during the
banquet.
The Pythian SiSterhoOd were the
caterers, and served menu of bread and
butter, cold meats, salads, pastry in
large variety, coffee, and ice cream. 1t
was most excellent repast, and all did
fall justice to it. All the windows were
open, and in spite of the high temper
ature the hall was not oppressively
warm.
The post-prandial exercises were pre-
sided over by Superintendent of Schools
Alton c. Wheeler, president of the
Alumni Association, who did this service
in very graceful manner. In opening
he explained how this reunion had come
about, and stated that he had several
letters of regret, only one of which he
read, from Hon. Edward L. Paris of
New York, student here in 1858. He
also said that it had been planned to
have history of the school prepared
for the occasion by Judge Wilson, but
had prevented his doing
it. The historical matter would, how
ever, be put in form as soon as possible,
and thus preserved from loss. He then
introduced the speakers.
The first speaker was r. j. Everett of
Poland, who was principal from 1877 to
1856. There were quite number of
Mr.. Everett's old pupils present, and he
vas given a rousing reception. He
spoke at some length, his remarks being
"reminiscences of his days
here.
Capt. II. n. Bolster, the next speaker,
claimed to be ''forty-niner" in this
school, having first attended either in
1913 or 1S49, Preceptor Kinds being in
,harge of the school during his first
erm. He had also figured for while
is one of the corps of teachers, having
,een instructor of the military depart
nent established by Principal II. E.
,wasey, during the palmiest days of the
oxford Normal Institute. Capt. Boil
ter INDUCED but briefly in "reminiscences
If that period.
Hon. John A. Roberts of Norway was
student at the old Oxford Normal In
titute for four terms during its period
# greatest fame under Principal Swa-
ey. He paid high compliment to Mr..
,waSey rs teacher, as well as to the
,ther teachers associated with him, and
elated many entertaining experiences
hat he had when he came, diffident
,oy, to this school.
Harry T. Jordan of Philadelphia made
short but raey talk, illustrated by
numerous stories, and expressed his
oyalty to South Paris and to the school,
md his satisfaction with the new school
house which is going up.
Miss Mary II. Taylor spoke as repre-
sentative of the class of 80, the first
lass formally graduated from the South |
Paris High School, and she gave some
satisfies of the class. 1t was composed
Wholly of girls, the only boy who COM
'leted the course having become abash-
d in the company of so many girls, and
lacked out even after he had his gradu- |
ting essay written.
Wendell Rounds, Bates College '04,
lad been looking up the record of those |
Who had gone to college from this school.
lie had found that in the past fourteen
ears thirty-five graduates from this
chool had gone to colleges in this and
ther states, and four more, in the class |
# 1908, were planning to take college
record which he considered |
cry creditable.
The last speaker was Walter l. Gray,
lever student of the school but for
everal years superintendent. He con-
.ratulated the people and the school es-
,ecially upon the fine new building
which is going up. He further said
hat even with the new school building
here are many things that the school
reeds for its full equipment, especially
or fitting up it's chemical and physical
He proposed to let money
10 the rest of the talking for him, and
aid upon the table a dollar for Judge
wilson and dollar for himself, to go in
o fund to be expended for the purpose
under the auspices of the
Alumni Association.
In response to an invitation extended
~ President Wheeler, this fund was
increased by further contri-
buttons after the close of the exercises.
The programme was not long, and the
assembly broke up about half-past ten.
The committee of arrangements con-
sisted of Miss Eva Z. Walker, '95, Mrs.
T. S. Barnes, 80, Miss Iva McArdle, '96,
Hiss Maud l. Carter, "a, Miss Mertie B.
Maxim, '94. Alton G. Wheeler, "a,
PRESIDENT of the association, gave them
his assistance throughout.