Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-05-19
Rally Day

Whatever else may be said OF
the educational rally day-the mo.
tives which prompted our people
to 1.-THE results that may follow,
&c. -one fact is conceded by all: il
was a success from a social stand
point, and enjoyed to the fullest
extent by the greater number Of
those who attended. There were
perhaps five or six hundred in the
throng, and a close observer could
not fail to note a popularity of
bearing, greeting and department,
born, perhaps, of an unseen in
huence-a trend Of thought, a
nobility of purpose or pleasing, yet
responsible, awakening-a some
thing which differentiated it from
the ordinary county court, picnic
or circus assembly. The day was
an ideal one, and the weather man
could not have bettered his work
by a special order. In view OF the
fact that no shade is yet afforded by
the locust grove in the courtyard,
there was no arrangement made
for an open-air meeting, yet, so
soon was the old hall Of justice
packed, and so loud was the clam
or of the hundreds excluded, that
it became necessary to carrv out
the available chairs and benches,
and impose upon the speakers the
unpleasant task of delivering their
messages in open air.
At 1890 DR.. Blain was introduce
ed by Supt. Jones, and occupied
perhaps an hour in presenting the
claims of the educational cause.
and those who were enabled to
hear and follow him. were both
pleased and profited. His delivery
is much better adapted to indoor
speaking, and 1T was with reluct-
ance that he consented to the
change Of programme, as to this
feature.
Hon. Harry Tucker, whose fea-
lures and figure are familiar to
most Highlanders, was then pre-
scented by the same official, and de-
livered one of his characteristic adj
dresses the second educational
talk by him in this county. Mr.
Tucker, though somewhat hoarse,
succeeded in making himself heard,
and was given the closest atten-
ton, throughout his talk of more
than an hour. He paid high tri-
butte to the ladies Of Highland, and
poked fun at the county officials,
under the mistaken idea that dis
elimination was made in favor of
male teacher, but every point was
driven home with convincing force
and power.
Shortly after one o'clock the
morning session closed, and a feast
Of a lower order began. Out Of
Difference to the opinion of many
housewives, the plan for table
dinner served on the grounds. had
been abandoned, but a few town
folks Joined with the visiting
brethren and spread their boards
on the cOnrt-lawn, while others re-
paired to their home, taking with
them such numbers Of friends and
visitors as they could entertain. In
this way, it is hoped and believed
that all were fed, though no syms-
tematic plan had been formulated
by the committee in charge,
At two o'clock All organization,
to be known as The Highland
School Improvement League. was
effected, the officers being, Jared L.
Jones, president, VIM T Gwin,
secretary and DIR | Fl Trimble,
treasurer. About thirty members
were enrolled at this meeting.
While this work was progressing,
the stream of humanity flowed to-
ward the base ball diamond in the
field south of town, where Monterey
and Mcdowell were to cross bats
at 2:30. The clouds looked threat
ening. and the crowd began to dis
perse rather early in the good
natured contest, a result of which
is given elsewhere.