The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-05-31
BellefOntaine
Commencement.

Bellefontaine High School, hopes that
each thread will become a skein of
wealth, ambition and happiness before
the relentless shears sever the yarn.
At commencement exercises held at
the Grand Opera House Thursday even
ing the coveted certificates of gradua-
ton. won only by years Of study and
labor. were presented to the class
members standing on the stage by At
torney John E. West. President of the
Board of Education.
Grouped in the center We're the girl
graduates in pink and white, with the
Principal of the schools, Miss Anna
Price. on the left. In the rear were
the boys Of the class. clothed in black,
and making the dark background to q
pretty picture.
In front Of the stage stood Superin-
tent J. W. MacKinnon. In little ad
dress, appropriate to the time and
place, he said that the 1904 class had
closed their labors; achieved the ulti-
mate triumphs. He said that Belle
fontaine's High School was now recog-
nized as one of the best in the State,
and that its graduates could be admit
ted to any of the departments of the
Ohio State University. The Superin-
tendent alluded to the necessity of the
CO operation Of parents in school work,
and urged the graduates to use their
opportunities obtained for greatest in
dividual good.
Attorney John Z. West was intro
duced by Superintendent MacKinnon
to the class. he. in an address. told
the audience of the needs of High
school. He stated that the present
graduating class had occupied all four
floors of the East school building and
also the cellar. he spoke of this class
being the largest in the schools his
tory. and said the class of 1905 will be
larger still. Other quarters are abso-
lutely necessary and he urged new
High school building
The speaker. then turning to the
class, remarked that he esteemed it a
special privilege to present to each a
diploma. and earnestly trusted that the
evening was only the commencement
OF search for higher knowledge.
Class members stepped forward as
their names were called and personally
were handed the psrchments by Attor-
ney West.
Then came the class song Of 1904
and there were tears in the eyes of the
fond parents, sisters. brothers and
friends as the thirty niue bravely sang
their battle hymn. What will the
future years bring forth for these lads
and lassies. earnest devotees of Miner
var Down through the struggles and
grspplings of life's battles we predict
they will each and everyone chant just
as staunchly as they did on the night
of the beginning of their conflict with
the world.
Wnen the curtain was rung up 81
8 ;15 the clsss, led by Superintendent
MacKinnon. followed by Rev. jesse
Swank, pastor of the M. E. chuich.
and Principal Anna Price. entered up
on the stage. They stood with bowed
heads while Rev. Swank invoked the
Divine blessing. The graduates ther
left the stage. seating themselves in
section d. The Junior class was in
section A.
Miss Lucia L. Parks salutatory OF
"United Italy was q graphic de
scription of the hbersting of Italy
from the yoke of bondage. Through
preparation and knowledge of her sub
ject made the sslutatory very interest.
ing.
Il A history of the life and sacrifices o
Charlotte Corday as told by Miss Ef
fie NJ. Miller carried her hearers bacl
to the history of old France and he
graphic description of the execution o
Cordsy brought forth great applause
N With piano accompaniment nicel.
, rendered by Miss Florence Kerr, G
Kinney Miller delighted the larg
audience with violin solo, Vsriatio
Dancla. The encore was 80 enthus
|, iastic that Miss Kerr and Mr.. Mile
5 were compelled to bow their thanks
J. Stanley Emers IN had the affirmt
tive and Gail B. Hamer the negatiy
of the debate, Resolved, that til
Government should Own the Raj
roads. Each handled his side {
+l,a ;ntarast,ra o,aof;a,, II, On rnaatarl
manner and aroused intense interest
the brillisncy :: of the argument
Facts. theories and figures fell fro
d both speakers lips in the most alb
II style.
N The applause greeting the conclusiC
re Of each argument made was tumul
s. uous and the most intelligent judg
q would find it hard to award the pal
[e to either of the debaters.
he "Mr. Dooley ON Football" one
g. Finley Peter Dunne's delightful Iri
h sketches. was delivered in dialect
= Paul b. Kemper. Tne speaker Ike
his hearers in laughter continually
his apt delineation of the Irish Philc
opher. Miss Elsie Marie Pstters
pleased by her rendition Of the dii
cult piano selection Norma, by Le
bach.
The labors and life of that gr,
English statesman Edmund Burke W,
told OF by Otho Glen Cslland in an o.
tion. He described Burke's friendst
for America and how he fought Ign
ance, Greed and Prejudice. Mr.. c
lands effort was one of the most cr
oF tka a.-an,ner and i,,lotnar Fr.