The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-16
NORMAL CEREMONIES
Ground Broken for First Building
Of the School.
MANY ADDRESSES WERE MADE
Handsome Loving Cup Presented to
Mr.. c. O'Conor Goodrich.

The ceremonies Of the breaking of
ground of the Normal School building
took place on the heights overlooking
the city Tuesday at III O'Clock and
were very impressive. DR.. j. A. c.
Chandler presided. There were present
the board of visitors Of the Normal
School, DR.. Chandler. Hon. Geo. C.
Round, Hon. Alden Bell, Judge r. II.
l.. Chichester, Messrs. +. }. Smith.
Peter J. White; Mayor II. Lewis Wal
lace, President w. +. Bradley, Clerk
S. +. Eastburn. II. b. Lane, j. c. Mel
vile, w. s. Embrey, Arthur Brown,
Joseph NJ Goldsmith, j. W. Masters,
of the City Council: w. l.. Brannan
and Isaac Hirsh of City School Board;
Rev. K. A. Williams, Rev. John K.
Rosebro. ex-Mayor NJ. G. Willis, Col.
E. D. Cole, Capt. NJ. B. Rowe. st. Geo.
X. Fitzhugh. and a number of other
citizens and ladies.
Prof. Chandler called the 'asSemblage
to order and prayer was delivered by
Rev. John K. Rosebro. A short address
was made by DR.. Chandler, and he in
troduced Mr.. Peter J. White, chairman
of grounds and buildings. who outlined
the work already done, and in his re
marks referred to the fact that AZ
years ago, on this spot, guns belched
forth fire, and thousands of men were
engaged in deadly conflict. Then May
or II. Lewis Wallace threw the first
spade of earth, Prof. Z. II. Russell the
next. when Prof. Chandler requested
Hon. c. O'COnor Goodrich and Hon. K.
CT. Moncure. the members of the legis-
lature who were foremost in the work
of establishing the school, to throw dirt.
which they did. The ceremonies ended
with prayer by Rev. K. A.Williams and
the exercises were transferred to the
courthouse.
AT THE COURTHOUSE.
Considering the hour and other condi-
tons a goodly company assembled at
the courthouse TO hear the speeches and
testify their appreciation 10 the Normal
School trustees for their work in behalf
of this school, which means so much for
this city and all of Eastern and Tide
water Virginia.
DR.. j. A. c. Chandler presided. DIR.
Chandler is the superintendent OF
schools of Richmond. and President Of
the Normal School Board He made a
happy and felicitious speech on educa-
tional lines and with much hope for
the great success of the school. He
concluded by introducing Mr.. {.
O'Conor GOolrick as the founder OF the
Normal School here.
Mr.. Goodrich in returning his thanks
paid a deserved tribute to Hon. r. c.
! /. Moncure, Of Stafford, and Hon. Al
den Bell. Of Culpeper. for their great
work as members of the Legislature
on behalf of the normal, and concluded
| by urging united effort in behalf Of sue
cess of the Normal on the part Of all
our people.
Prof. f. II. Russell, the president Of
| the Normal. followed Mr.. Goodrich. MIR.
Russell always does well and when he
is speaking on education he is up to If
not above his usual standard. Mr.. Rus
sell. as did Mr.. Chandler, emphasized
the fact that our school would be IN
dustrial as well as classical.
Mr.. A. B. Bowering, the president OF
the city school board, and an enthusiast
tic school man. made a good impression
with very forcible speech. Hon.
Alden Bell made a handsome oratorical
effort, Astounding in apt and beautiful
/ illustrations and anecdotes. Mr. Geo. c.
| Round. of Manassas, who introduced
the first normal school bill in the legis-
| lature on March II, 1874, and who Is the
Oldest school trustee in the State, then
briefly, but very appropriately spoke.
He was followed by Rev. J. II. Hender-
/ lite. who spoke of the school as the
handmade of the church, and believed
that the Normal would be an uplift for
this city on religious lives and would
add TO the church membership and
church influence.
At this point Mr.. Russell made a very
beautiful and happy address in present
ing a magnificent loving cup TO Mr.. Z.
O'Conor GoOlrick. Mr.. Russell paid a
splendid compliment 10 Mr.. Goolrlck
and spoke Of his great service in behalf
of the Normal and said but for Mr..
Goolrick's tact, unceasing labor, ster-
ling integrity, fearless pluck and good
diplomacy we would not have the
Normal here. In fact, all the speakers
made Mr.. Goodrich the hero Of the hour,
and gave him full honor for his great
work in behalf Of the Normal.
Mr.. GoOlrick replied briefly, but very
feelingly. This was a real red letter
day in the history of Fredericksburg
and in the life of c. O'Conor Goolrick.
The loving cup is massive in proper,
tons. of solid sterling silver, mounted
on a handsome ebony stand and beautl-
fully engraved. on one side with, well
done. good and faithful servant; or
the other, Presented to c. O'Conor
Goodrich by his many friends on De.
cember IA, 1909, in appreciation of anc
gratitude for his work and service II
the Legislature of 10000 for the loca
ton of the Normal School at Freder
burg, Va
After a benediction by Rev. DR.. K
IL. McBryde, the services were con
cluded and all were charmed with the
occasion.