The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-05-27
/. A PERIOD OF
I ENJOYMENT
Closing Exercises of Hart
ford College.
Commencement BIG SUCCESS
Brilliant Close of a Most
Prosperous Year for
the School.

The twenty-seventh annual COM
mencement of Hartford College has
passed into history, and thus ends an
other year of excellent work and
great prosperity for the famous old
school. Many students remained until
the weeks entertainments were over
before returning 10 their homes, while
quite a number came back to greet
their old friends and enjoy the variou;
exercises. In order TO make sure
of getting seats the crowd began to
assemble very early each evening
so that when the hour arrived for the
performances to begin the church
was literally packed by a large and
appreciatiVe audience, while many
falling TO get in were turned back at
the door. The stage Was brilliantly
lighted and beautifully decorated
with ferns, evergreens and roses,
while the gay costumes and sweet
smiling faces of the ladies' added a
peculiar charm. BE it said to the good
taste and thoughtfulness of the Ia
dies, that all merry widow sailor
hats and other head-gear tending to
obstruct the view were left at home,
thus enabling every one present
to get a good view of the stage and
the speakers.
The baccalaureate sermon preached
ON Sunday, May II, TO a large and
appreciative audience in the Presby-
terrain church by Rev. Virgil Eigin, of
the Methodist church, marked the be-
ginning of the annual commencement
exercises. Rev. Elgin delivered an
able and eloquent address which was
highly appreciated. Delightful music
was rendered ON the occasion by a
select choir.
On Tuesday evening, May 10, the
declamatory contest was held in the
Baptist church. This was one of the
most spirited and sharpest contests
ever given by Hartford College. There
were seven well trained contestants,
five girls and two boys, who compet-
ed for the handsome gold medal of
fered by Col. c. NJ. Barnett.
The first to appear on the program
was Miss Hattie Glenn, who showed
careful preparation in her pleasing
recital of "The Old Settlers Story.
Then followed Miss Elsie Matthews
with "The Chariot Race" This is
a difficult selection and requires much
dramatic power in delivery, but Miss
Matthews rose to the occasion and re-
cited with force and telling effect,
pleasing the audience to the close.
The third speaker, Levi Coleman, In
clear, strong, resonant voice recit-
ed in dramatic and eloquent man
ner, 1.-THE Unknown Speaker. He
was heartily applauded by the au-
dience, and received one vote for the
medal. Miss Alta Likens was the
fourth speaker and also winner OF
the gold medal. She chose as her Sc
lection, 1.-THE Death Disk, and spoke
in a clear voice, exhibiting grace
in gesticulation, skill in enuncia-
ton and correctness of Interpretation
1.-THE Boat Race" by Miss Nora We'd
ding was exceptionally well given and
elected strong applause. She caught
the spirit of her piece, and from
start to finish showed marked talent
and charmed the audience with her
beautiful gestures and almost fault
less delivery. Ireland Harrison recit-
ed humorous selection styled IVAN
Bibber's victory He also showed
careful draining, skill and real abili-
ty, while his graceful appearance and
original style we'll merited for him
applause and bouquets. The last
speaker on the program was Miss An
ma Keown, who well maintained the
reputation which she so deservedly
gained as declaimer a year ago.
Her defamation. entitled Kentucky
is rather difficult to i'm
but Miss Keown won the
hearts of her audience by her por-
trayal of the childlike and pathetic
nature Of old "aunt Cloa," who spoke
the typical negro dialect of the ante
bellum days.
The judges in this contest, who were
Mrs. Laura Warmer, ]. c. Wagin,
and John B. Wilson. found 1t very
difficult task to decide to whom