The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-19
Interesting Exercises
Held Yesterday In
Many Places.

Appropriate exercises commemorative
of the centennial of General Robert T..
Lee We're held in all the public and in
many of the private schools of the city
yesterday. The celebration was an effec-
tive lesson in history and n stimulus to
the young to emulate the ilustrious man
whose fame is greater thirty-seven years
after his death than when in the zenith
of his splendid career.
The exercises by the pupils of the
Richmond High School in the assembly
room OF the school at / 2. NJ. yesterday
were highly creditable. The room, which
is far too small for the school. was
crowded to it's capacity. 1t had been
decorated with fine taste for this oc-
casion, and presented a most attractive
appearance. The program had been
made up with care and was finely exc
cuted, Without disparagement of other
participants the biographical essay on
Leo prepared and read by Miss Morris
was the feature, but the music was
probably tho most popular part of the
program. Songs of the war period.
either martial or sentimental, We're sung
with spirit and with excellent effect by
the large chorus, led by Mr.. James c..
HARDWOOD, principal OF the school, who
presided during the service.
Prominent Visitors.
Among the guests were Mayor Carlton
Mccarthy, the Rev. James Power Smith.
d. D., members of the School Board. the
superintendent of schools: Mr.. r, G..
Stearnes, secretary of the State Board of
Education. and Mr.. c. p. Walford, of the
city board. A number of lady visitors
also enjoyed the exercises.
Over the rostrum was portrait of
General Lee, draped with Confederate
flags, and to right and left We're the
dates, 1S07-1901 Ferns and palms and
patriotic bunting adorned the stage. To
right and left were large United States
flags. On the walls are many pictures. and
conspicuous among the mural ornaments
We're the pieces of sculpture recently pre-
scented by The Times-Dispatch the fine
bust of Jefferson being one of the most
striking pieces.
on the blackboards. crayoned in
large letters in ornate text type by
Binford Walford were appropriate
quotations. done with a ska that
would have been credit to any artist.
These included gems from Ben Hits
famous eulogy of Lee, one of which
is: Tic was Caesar without his ambi-
ton, Frederick without his tyranny,
Napoleon without his selfishness. and
Washington without his reward" Other
quotations on the board We're General
Lee and others.
The proclamation of Governor Swan
son relative to the centennial was read
by John Simpson, after which the
school sang VII. spirit and fine en-
semble, ",rhe Bonnie Blue Flag"
An extract from the Lee Memorial Ode
was we'll rendered by five of the young
ladies and warmly received, after which
the entire school Joined in singing VIZ
gnia." Father Ryans poetic tribute,
Tho Sword of Lee" was well recited
by Miss Maggie Bryant, after which the
school sang Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. the
Boys Are Marching" Stanley Blanton
rected General Lees farewell address
very crcditably, and Robert Brock re-
cited a poem suggested by the address,
"Tenting on tho Old Camp Ground" was
sung by the chorus, and then Miss Rinds-
berg rccited General Lee at the Battle
of the Wilderness very effectively. The
mixed chorus rendered a medley of war
time melodies. including stanza each
from Annie of the Vale" Hard Times"
and "Lorena," and the popularity of these
old songs was demonstrated by the en-
thusiastic applause they evoked.
INcn IOliO"tu -hlSS Sloiil7 SfAs7N'S. W
Lee, which she read from the rostrum.
Her review of the life of the great chief
ton was discriminating and admirably
written one. and deserved the commcnda-
ton and applause 1t received. The exer-
cises closed with Dixie
MI HARDWOOD, tho principal. and his
assistants. who prepared tho entertain
ment, shared with the participants the
OF those present.
At Nicholson School.
Nicholson School celebrated tho APP
proach OF General X, Il. Lees birthday
afternoon with interesting ex-
ercises. Principal NJ, l.. Bonham, Jr.
had charge Of tho program, and 1t was
executed In q most excellent manner.
There were songs and music by the pu-
pills, and several OF them gave Interests
Ing and we'll delivered recitations.
When these exercises were over an
eloquent address was delivered by Mr.
Alfred b. Williams, editor of the News
Leader, on the life and character of Gen-
oral Ice, The remarks OF Mr.. Williams
were listened TO with marked attention,
and when he concluded he was roundly
cheered,