The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-28
OAK GROVE EDIFTCE DEDICATED
WITH PRESENTATION OF
BIBLES AND FLAGS.

Before an assem- blage Of approx
mately five hundred people, represent
ing practically every section of Ches-
terrified county, the doors of oak
Grove public school were formally
thrown open yesterday afternoon with
the presentation of Bibles and flags
by the four fraternal organizations of
Swansboro.
The program, which was simple and
interesting. was carried out without a
hitch, each one taking a part in the
exercises doing his best to help make
the opening a success. The United
States flag. emblem of Virginia, and
seven Bihles--one for each room in
the school building-were presented
jointly by Liberty council, No. ID,
Junior Order Of United American
Mechanics. Washington Camp. No. 81.
Patriotic Order Sons of America
Progressive council. No. IL, Daughters
Of Liberty. and Camp No. 3. Patriotic
order of America
Montague Unable to Attend.
Congressman Andrew Jackson
Montague. who was to have delivered
the principal address Of the occasion,
was detained in Washington owing
TO some pressing engagement relative
to the tariff measure, and therefore
was unable to attend the exercises.
however ne St4tb Il tVAhSi NfN<Np' N''''fHss
his regrets.
Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton r. G. Stcarnes was also unable to
be present on account of some
previous engagement. but was re-
presented by Evan r. Chcsterman, mis-
secretary. He delivered brief ad-
dress In which he advised the children
to pursue their studies until they mad
acquired a good education He as
y. ~ oil RI TODAY
would have to obtain a practical edu-
-r.ati,ff,- at least. before their
studies should terminate and to go
out into the world to strive for them
selves.
Bibles and flags Presented.
with an excellent talk DR.. Douglas
Freeman, a member of the State
health department presented the
bibles in behalf Of the patriotic
orders. He advocated the reading OF
Bibles In schools and declared that
1T was his desire to have 1t read IN
/ the class rooms every morning neIore
the resumption of lessons, In pre-
sentlng them he said that he hoped
mat the children would profit by the
examples set forth in. them
The hooks were received IN behalf
If the school by Rev, p. G. Ian
I caster. pastor of Oak Grove Baptist
! church. He is also an advocate or
+ Rible reading in the schools, ana ao-
vlsed the teachers to which ne pre-
sented the books to make good use OF
/ them. =
/ r. r. Ivey. Of Petersburg. we'll
4 known ledge worker presented the
i United states and Virginia flags in be-
+ half of the Swansborians. II was re-
/ ceiyed by Rev. J r. Eggleston. pas
tor of Asbury Methodist church
/ Prominent Men Attend.
h Resides this part or the program
I several selections were rendered ny
I the Richmond Light Infantry Blues
band, america" and Star Spangled
I Rapner." were sung, and an ode was
rendered by the pupils of Oak Grove
I school The opening prayer was de-
liyered ny Rev. Charles Friend, ana
the benediction was pronounced by
/ Rev D. G.. Lancaster.
The stand from which the speakers
delivered their addresses was occu-
/ pied by those who participated in
| the exercises: Senator ]. B. Watkins,
h Representative w. w. Baker. Davis
| II. Bottom superintendent of public
! printing: Councilman Jacob Un1auf,
I and members of the Manchester dis
4 trict school board--W. r. Bryce. sam
/ uel Moore and John r. Robertson.
/ Committee Deserves Credit.
I This excellent school. equipped with
7 all modern facilities. save fire es-
cape, was secured through the untir-
ing efforts OF a committee appointed
three years ago by the Oak Grove
school and Civic league. Those who
+ comprise this committee are; r. @,
! Lowman, j. w. Brinser. c. n. At
( kinson, John S. Good f. p Seifert
and T NJ Redford.
i At the time this committee was
/ appointed the children OF Oak Grove
/ were receiving their education in an
/ old stable, located in an alley near
I Twenty-first street. At this time there
I was only one teacher In the building.
\ The members OF the committee after
wards procured better quarters at
4 Twentieth street and Albany avenue.
and then later to an old storehouse
I az Maury street and Petersburg turn
i pike.
/ Many Could Not Attend.
/ There about three hundred school
! children IN Oak Grove, but about only
one hundred and twenty-five were at
tending school in this district, owing
! to the existing conditions During
the three years the members OF the