The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-10-06
PROGRAM GIVEN
FOR THE GIRLS
Supt. And Mrs. Mcnamara
Considered Very Capa-
BILE People

at delaware wednesday, the first
/ time for many in the party, a num-
ber of Mt. Vernon men and women
were thoroughly astounded and de.
lighted at what they saw and more
| than flattered by the cordial recep-
tion they received at the hands of
Supt. and Matron Mcnamara. Com
posing the party were: Mr.. and Mrs.
II. c. Devin, Miss Marsh, Miss Bessie
Devin, Miss Iona p. Arndt, Mrs.
Ben Ames, Mr.. and Mrs. William A.
Ackerman, Supt. and Mrs. P. c. Zem-
er Probate Judge and Mrs. p. l.. Will
kins, Mrs. p. J. Parker, Mrs. l.. j..
Duke, Miss Eleanor Hobbs, Mr.. and
Mrs. H. II. Miller, Miss Marie Har-
rington, Probation officer Patrick
Purcell and Miss Mary Purcell.
Upon the arrival of the party at
the school, a warm reception was
rendered it by Mr.. and Mrs. McNa-
mara who proceeded to escort the
individual members over the grounds
and through all of the cottages and
departments. Dinner was served at
noon in the administration building.
In the afternoon, the girls of the
school, to the number of 51S and clad
in white garments, were assembled in
the chapel, together with the officers
and teachers. Supt. Mcnamara pre-
sented Probation Officer Purcell and
requested him to preside over the
meeting. Addresses were given by
Probate Judge Wilkins, II. H. Miller,
Supt. p. c. zemer, H. G. Devin, w. A.
Ackerman and G. F. Colville.
A delightful program of music in
terspersed the speech-making. Vo-
cal numbers were rendered by Mrs.
Miller, Mrs. Wilkins and Mr.. Purcell,
with Miss Marie Harrington at the
piano. Miss Eleanor Hobbs gave a
reading which met with decided ap-
proval on the part of the girls of the
school, while Miss Harrington was
well received in piano solo.
The girls of the school, in turn,
sang several patriotic songs with a
sweetness and, at the same time,
vigor that betrayed thorough train
ing along patriotic lines by the offic-
ials of the school.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mcnamara were en-
thusiastic, as were also their young
charges, over the entertainment ten
dered the school and were extrava-
giant in expressions of appreciation
of the interest manifested in the in
stitution by the people Of Knox coun-
ty. Mr.. Mcnamara stated that he
had never known such a day of real
pleasure for all concerned.
Members of the Mt. Vernon party,
which included the board of visitors,
reported Thursday that the girls all
seem happy and well contented in
their surroundings. Those who had
visited the school In years gone by
could not but note the changed at
mosphere. AS one person said, "All
semblance of penal institution has
vanished and it seems like a real
school home"
The girls are now free to go and
come as they please, always upon
their honor, however, and they seem
to appreciate the liberties given
them, while at the same time mani
Testing toward them great amount
of respect.
The relations of Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Namara with the girls was a matter
of much comment among the mem
bers of the visiting party. These two
heads of the school always referred
to their charges as my children" and
the children seemed only too willing
to have such parents. They feel free
at all times to conlide their troubles
to Mrs. Mcnamara who is in truth a
real mother to them.
Mt. Vernon people who visited the
school Wednesday could not but
think that there could be no improve
ment in the matter of the heads of
the same. Mr.. and Mrs. Mcnamara
met with their approval at every
turn. The party returned in the
evening, proud of the school and sor.
ry that it had not known of it's great
ness before.