Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-20
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diplomas doubtless impressed more than II dld
others. Yet, why not? The whole commencement
business is a lot OF inherited mummery, but II the
occasion calls for oratory and parting advice an adj
dress by someone whose advice is worth the having
saves the class from contention, distraction and
nerve-rackinE Plainly there il evolution in high
school commencements-from the performance in
which each graduate chad stellar role, to the seec
ton Of a few TO represent the many and now to the
single invited commencement orator II happens that
the last preceding innovation in the order Of the evo
luton. was coincident with the debut Of my own
Omaha High school class, a reminiscent description
Of which. though before printed, may repeat
TO illustrate the contrast.
For the commencement Of 1857 there we're thirty
Of us to receive our diplomas many that for the
first time II became necessary to select spokesman
for the class for places the program instead OF
giving everyone part. Three boys managed 20
get through the competition with class records and
commencement orations that would pass muster the
girls supplying the rest OF the entertainment 1t is
interesting TO note the after careers Of the rising
generation reflected In the subjects Wallace Broatch
who later went 20 Yale. and then TO West Point and
into the army, talked about The American Army
Augustus Detwiier. who studied at Johns Hopkins
and went through the medical school of the Univer-
sty OF Pennsylvania TO become a practicing phys-
clan. delved deep into THE Genus Homo" while J.
seizing upon the value OF Henry NJ. Stanley's
penetration Of darkest Africa and General Greeleys
arctic exploits, took for my subject Recent Elk
pioratons."
The girls essays on that commencement program
also worth mentioning. Iowa Ball discussed
Charts and Mary Lamb Brother and Sister"
Carrie r. Howell gave "A Study OF Ralph Waldo
Emerson" Mary Ludington told THE Story OF the
Holy Grail" Amelia Blumves essay was on our
Black Familiars, Md-winter Revery' Mabel
Balcombes The italian Influence on English
Poetry" and Emily Dorns The History OF Chemis
try a. Told BY the Elemental Genii" There
recitatons by Vena Wells and Nellie Bauserman and
plano selections by Nellie Meyer Anna McCague and
Carrie House. Tho diplomas presented by J. J.
Points, then president of the Board OF Education.
The graduating exercises took place at Boyds
opera house-that s the old Boyd then comparatively
new-whch held forth at the corner OF Fifteenth and
Farnam. our principal Prof. Lewis, presided
ter OF ceremonies. There two three little
flower girls, and no ban having been placed
floral offerings, the stage piled high with pro-
fusion Of bouquets showered upon the several par
Elephants. When took my seat after the climax
OF my peroration procession OF flower girls headed
my way. ala not know just what was the matter,
for everybody around me began litter and laugh
and the explanation followed. Here came borne
aoft in open box, a beautiful golden crook-neck
squash, artisticaly tied with and yellow rib.
bon. l had q suspicion where IL came from, Tor
certain folks told they going get even
with for prank / had once played and my
suspicious verified when found the card which
contained the looked-for and this particularly
appropriate verse;
Bs tr SS' he trss Or faS GTt away
never hurst a dear gazeile
TO glad glad me n with !, It's soft black ,Is eye
And love me- II was sure 70 die.
Although my contribution to that particular pro-
gram highly euogtstic laudaton OF Stanley
and Greeley for what they had done to enlarge tho
domain of known geography in equatorial and arctic
regions. all knew about their achievements had
been gathered from their books and from magazine
articles about them. I afterwards introduced to
Stanley London, merely formal presentation
and TO know Greeley fairly we'll at Washington
and during his brief assignment to command OF our
department here. Only a few months ago. l
across General Greeley street corner In Wash
ington, where stopped to chat, and he asked
many questions about Omaha and Omaha people.
strange thing is that both Stanley and Greeley
iyad in before they became wOrld-famous
though 1 hardly believe they ever both here at
the same time Greeley wrote this inscription
for autograph album:
The e'P paths 'V wRch i" lead to them do not
Senator Morris shppard of Texas has been visit.
ing in Omaha the last week bringing with him this
Bryan
Have you heard OF Mr.. Bryans recent great
financial loss?'
Here you or I look astonshed and innooenty ex-
claim: mo What has happened to him?"
why. he talked in his sleep for two hours the
other night"
Really distressing TO is the tragic ending of
Henry Beach Needham while making an aeropIane
trip In Paris recounted in the cable dispatches be-
came closely acquainted with Needham in 1905 when
he cooperating in the publicity work Of the
Taft campaign He short and oflslght build. He
a self-mhde newspaper man who had pulled him
self up by his own innate ability. lie among the
very best nterviewers recall in the profession he
seemed able to get his man down to the pth of the
form even better than the original He made some
special inquiries for in connection with the cam
paign ascertain the sentiment OF the laboring men,
business men and other groups and his reports and
recommendations were depended upon and acted upon
without the least hesitation
The sad fate Of Needham recalls similar accident
that befell Victor L Mason also engaged in the work
OF that campaign. who killed in arship acc'
dent In London As later got the story, Mason,
who by the way. a brother-in-law to Prof. Ed
ward A. Ross well known hereabouts for his one time
connection with state university had gone abroad
on a business mission. which he had completed. and
| was awaiting the departure OF his steamer. With
time hanging heavy he asked the proprietor OF the
/ hotel where he stopping what there was 10 do
day and accepted his suggestion that he attend
an aviation meet IN nearby suburban town Mason,
too was short and light OF weight and the aviator.
looking among the spectators for a passenger, IN
| vited him TO go up. Something went wrong It
evidently did IN the Needhams flight in com
| pany with the daring Canadian, and nothing re-
mained but 70 write fins TO the chapter
I&E ~.+0 II