The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-06-13
From T~turaday'e DAILY.
Normal sAhmni Honorsa Veteran

80 $500.
Teacher.
Mrs. Defranss Swami, who retires
this week as a teacher in the nor
NAL school after forty years Of faith
full and efficient work there, was
honored at the annual alumni rncep-
ton at the normal school last night.
Letters had been sent TO many of
the members of the alumni associa-
ton informing them of Mrs. Swans
retirement and announcing that a
gift would be presented ito her on
this occasion. The former graduates
responded heartily and gave their
approval of the idea in their gener-
Gus help for securing the gift. The
movement resulted in Mrs. Swami
being presented with a purse. of.
money last night which she was
asked to spend in the way she
would most enjoy.
The program of the evening was
opened with a short talk by Hon.
Jean A.. Flittie, who told of running
away from his home twenty-five
years ago with about three dollars in
his pocket and, coming to the. nor
NAL school in Mankato. His remin-
~iscenses We're humorous and were
interesting. He told of Mrs. Swans
Illustration of his first attempt at
Irritation and his first conception OF
the idea that "spooning'. was a
thing to be carried ON in only the
proper place and at the proper time,
which was not during geography rec
itations. 81 am indeed glad to be
able to express my regard for this
fine and kind teacher and | esteem
her ability as an instructor. She is
the last teacher to leave the school
of those who were here when a
a student. With the retiring of Mrs.
Swami the last link which binds me
to school days here is broken. We
wish that her remaining days may be
full of sunshine and happiness. The
growth OF this normal school has
been watched by Mrs. Swami. Forty
years is a long period of time and
a teacher who has kept in a grow
ing school for that many years must
have had a constant growth and
have been a great, teacher
Miss Gertrude Drake of the class
of 1891 was i'm the school when
there were just three teachers. I'VE.
are sad in the thought that Mrs.
Swami has retired" she said. I'VE
have no memories of this school in
which she has no part. We are glad
that President Cooper and the other
new members OF the faculty are here
and we are interested in them and
hope they are interested in us. We
assure them of our loyalty to n
alma mater"
Professor Lyle Soaring, a son of
President Soaring, a graduate OF the
normal school, and a member CT its
present faculty, presented the alum
mis- gift to Mrs. Swami. THE alum
nj wished to express in some out
ward way" said Mr.. Soaring, Their
inward respect and love for Mrs.
Swami. Circulars We're sent out to
the former graduates of the school
telling of this occasion and the re-
sponses were gratifying. Those from
whom we received replies expressed
their pleasure in being able to as
sist in making this occasion a hap
ply one for Mrs. Swami and many
wrote of Mrs. Swami telling of their
regard for ner. Some of the things
that were said in the letters are
these.
" Thoroughness; the desire and
determination that each of her pu-
pills should get to the bottom of
things
Great helpfulness; faithful and eff
ficient services
Dear Mrs. Swami, we all loved
her
She has well earned all we can
ask for her. Always an Inspiration
Shall always remember her with
the kindest of feelings
One of the strong pillars who
have achieved success for the school
and %broadened and benefited those
in her classes
One of the pleasant memories of
my normal school life are the mo
ments spent in her class room
Has devoted her whole life to a
great and noble work
Shall always carry with me the
remembrance of her many kindness
rs to me-
Il shall always remember her as
a brilliant and enthusiastic instruct
or, thoroughly devoted to her work
and n who could inspire interest
in her work."
Mrs. Swami expressed her pleas
ure at receiving the token of es-
TEEN very feelingly and then went
on to tell some interesting things of
the growth and development of the
school. 81 came here in August,
1875, when Mankato was a town of
1000 population. l had not known
that there was such a town until
about three months before | came.
The school then occupied only the
main pare of the building and only
the two upper stories of that, the
first floor being used as lumber
rooms and janitor's quarters.
There were five members in the
faculty then and they were all new.
all strangers to each other, and all
came from different parts of the