The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-21
VISITORS TO TROY
THEY INSPECT WORK OF NORMAL
 SCHOOL.
Alumni Association Holds An Interest ing Session And old Students Hear Addresses--Fine Work
 Of Institution.

Troy. May 20.--tSpeciaL) )-The State Normal College was thrown open to visitors this morning for the inspec- of the manual training department.
 In the art room where Miss Will lette McMil1an is principal. a wonder full display of beautiful work in the fine art of drawing and painting met the eye. On the walls were nature studies in rich colors. drawings from casts and life, and upon tables and plate racks, were arranged the lovely . things in handpainted china, handsome vases, punch bowls and elegant white and gold dinner service with every thing that goes to make table service one of thesfine arts. Miss McMillan re- ceived many congratulations upon the successful work of her class. She is herself an artist of note. Her work attracted general attention at the Ala bama Agricultural Fair last fall where several prizes were awarded the draw ings she exhibited.
 The manual training department is under the direction of Prof J. ], Doster and a review of the work on exhibition there was a revelation in the art of what even little hands can be | taught to do. Professor Doster brings
 
 Columbia College. N. r., and the apart | ments of his class are a model work | shop with every tool and mechanism for the turning. polishing and carv- ing of woods. The work begins in the primary grades where mats are bags and doll hammocks are done in | cord-tying and baskets are woven of rafia and other materials. This ex- tends up the grades through the col | lege classes from the simpler articles | of pen racks and cloak hangers to ele- gant pieces of mission furniture. study l tables Morris chairs, tabourettes, ped estals, desks, book cases, tea tables and screens, and many beautiful pieces dec orated in the art of typography. The Venetian iron work received much attention also. Useful and orna- mental articles were wrought of this | in artistic design. The mechanical drawings displayed on the walls were also very beautiful.
 At 11:S0 o'clock the alumni had its annual program. Prof V. P. Mckinley | the president, was master of ceremo- nies and the program was opened by l a piano solo, Dance Napolitaine" rem | dered by Miss Chicora McCartha. | The orator for the day was H. L.. Upshaw, graduate of last year, from | Tallapoosa county. Dr. J. M. Mur- phree was historian. and Mrs M. A. | Ellison gave a reading, "The Ringing Garter Teacher" W. A. Grove, pro phet of the class of this year, disposed of the future of his class mates in c way to elicit continuous laughter. A vocal solo. Could r. (TostD, was sung | by Mrs. Key Murphree and the pro- ! gram ended by an address by G. A. Harris, a graduate of last year from l this county.
 Dr. Murphree in his address as his | torian gave some interesting facts in connection with the life of the col | lege. From the establishment of the 1 institution in 1886 until the present time there have been three presidents. Professors Dill, Eldridge and Shackel- l ford The first faculty was composed | of five teachers and today the corps of professors and instructors numbers six | teen.
 At first the roll of students was
 made up from Troy and vicinity, now | in one scholastic year have been rep resented forty-four counties of the State of Alabama and five neighbor- ing States, and during these years two hundred and nineteen graduates have | left the halls of the institution. many | of them to become teachers,
 The first appropriation made by the | State Legislature for the maintenance of the school was $500, in 1895 this was increased to $5.0O0. In 1901 to ST. | 500, in 1903 to $1O,O0O and in 1907 to | S15.000