Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-04-06
THE PUTNEY COLUMN
New SchooIhouse Dedicated with
Appropriate Ceremonies
Addresses by Mrs. James p. Elmer, Edaar
Burr Smith and Mason s. stone, Be-.
sides Pastors Of Local Churches.


sides Pastors Of Local Churches.
with services BETTING the occasion
the new school building at the ton of
kimball hill was dedicated formally
tuesday afternoon, the event MARKING
a distinct advance in the educational life
of the town. a large audience was pres
cnt, deep interest was manifested, and
much intellectual profit was realized
Many of the townspeople present mad
never inspected the new building, and
they were surprised at the completeness
and general excellence of the structure.
Those in charge of the arrangements for
the dedication, in which Mrs. J. f. WASH
burn handled the laboring oar are en-
titled to feel satisfied with the result of
their labors. 1t was an eminently fitting
thing to have the building dedicated in
the way that it was.
The program was given in the east
room on the second floor, the first speaker
being Rev. j. d. King, pastor of the Con-
gregational church. Mr.. King spoke of
the infinitely greater beauty of the sun
rise than of the sunset, carrying the illus
tration into the lives of people and point
ing out that the great hope of the world
lies in the children. 1T is only as we
give the land good schools" he said, that
we can have real patriotic citizens"
Rev. A. S. Buzzell, pastor of the Bap-
fist church, followed Mr.. King He said
that educators were coming to learn that
environment had something to do with
progress and advancement The environ
ments surrounding the pupils of Putney
in the coming days will constitute a ma
terial factor in their success. Mr.. Buzz
zell admired the beautiful structure, but
he looked beyond it and saw characters
moulded as symmetrical as the building
1t was a pleasure to all to have present
Mrs. James p. Elmer, native of this
town and for 80 years an instructor in
the Brattleboro high school. Mrs. Elmer
said she took more than a passing in
terest in the welfare of the citizens OF
Putney and was proud that they were
not content with the old order of things
The new school is a monument to much
earnest hard work and also stands fol
sacrifice on the part of some. She urged
the Importance of keeping open the hign-
ways of education, and suggested that II
the present instance there would come ad'
ded needs, among them a better town libra
~ and a school library, characterizine
these needs as the hunger which is sigT
of health. Mrs. Elmer regretted that the
opening of the new building probably
would mean a loss to the BrattleporC
school, saying in substance we II
Brattleboro have been privileged to know
of what kind the pupils in Putney are
AS exemplified by them we congratulate
YOU upon the character of the work done
here"
The next speaker was Edgar Burr
Smith principal of the Brattleboro higi
school, who spoke on Educational Prog
ress." He referred with a good deal o
reverence to the passing of the little rel
schoolhouse," from which there have gon'
out BOYS and girls to all parts OF tn
country, and mentioned the great advance
of some of the leading educational insu
buttons of the country, not only in tn
matter of attendance, but also In TN
quality of education. This advance Il
quality is not limited to the higher instl
tutions but reaches down to the prepare
tory schools, as shown by the fact tina
Is schools in Vermont are accorded Ger
tificate privileges, which means that thei
graduates are admitted to many OF tn
leading schools without examination. MI
Smith said that If there was one thing I
which he would urge this or any othe
town to give with liberal hand 1t wa
the institution of the schools.
State Superintendent of Educatlo
Mason S. stone of Montpelier was tn
last speaker He said that the progress
,siveness of a town was indicated by IN
condition of its public buildings, an
that the building was menument an
credit to Putney. This pulldlhg
going to bring out the best qualities
the bows and girls who attend here" sal
he. land it is well to give them that en-
vironment that is pleasant and cheerful
Mr.. Stone said that the poorest econ
omy was to engage cheap and lneincleI
teachers. Teachers should have person
oIitv which win enthuse children to as
nirations to the noblest things IN III
THE need of not more funds but bett'
application of funds was brought GU
The text books now in use tend to amer
ate boys from the farms. Nature
lust and true" said Mr.. stone an
nature training would make the Dogs al
girls lust and true as nature. we az
making a plea, feeble though it may D
that the home and farm and daily life
the child be more closely related to u
school life" ,
The dedicatory prayer was offered
Rev. Emanuel c. Charlton, pastor OF u
Methodist church, and was as ioilow
Almighty God Our Heavenly d rdtme
we numbly recognize our depehuen
upon Thee. AS our fathers led forth
Thv hand trusted in Thee, who art u
ever living fountain and source OF
intelligence, so We Thy servants q
string for ourselves, and for our ehii
rem, and for our childrens chlluIeh,
vine aid and guidance. In appreclati
of our intellectual faculties, and OF {
institutions established, erected, ana o
nueathed to us by our honored sire
for our mental development nere uee
safe to Thee as the fruit OF our toli a.
sacrifice, this building as s0i,,
which we pray that profitable instru
ton may be given, and the principles
sound wisdom be impaired as ornamer
of grace and crowns Of beauty Acce
1t and us. Watch over it, abide IN
And may thy richest blessings crown Q
efforts in the intellectual strength
moral beauty of our children. In Jesu
name. Amen" -
The musical numbers, with Whch
addresses were interpreted, were re
dered with good judgment and In a
that pleased the audience. There We
four solos by w. l. Martin OF Graft'
N. H., and two duets by Miss jennie
Pierce and Mrs Herbert L. Bailey OF Z
town, the Accomplishments being play
by Mrs. Henry Coe. In closing the au
ence Joined in singing America"
The first term of school In the n
building will begin next Monday. M
Mary w. Roundy Of Rockingham '
teach the primary school, grades l. 2
and 4. in the east room on the first TIC
Miss Bessie Braley will teach gra.
&. and in the west room on the n
floor. and Miss Jennie r. Pierce '
teach grades 8 and and the high sch
in the west room on the second hoor'
Death of Mrs. E. T. corser.