Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-16
PILGRIMAGE TO
TOWN OF NORWICH
Founders Day Is Celebrated as
Part of Centennial Observance
on Original Site of the Uni.
versity
600 PEOPLE MAKE TRIP
Addresses Are Made by DR.. John X.
Cord Of Dartmouth and Admiral
George +. COlvOcoresses-Memo
Marking site Is Unveiled

Mortified. Oct. i3-Founders day al
Norwich University, which is celebrating
it's one hundredth anniversary was OBJ
served to-day with pilgrimage to the
town of Norwich where the university
WAS located from it's foundation until 1866.
Addresses were given by DR.. John Is.
Lord OF Dartmouth College and Rear
Admiral George y. Colvocoresses, L. 3.
N, retired. memorial marking the
original site of the university was un-
yelled. About 600 people, including about
$50 cadets made the trip by automobile,
the cadets having to go by train as it
was impossible to secure sufficient auto
mobiles. with Col. Edward a. Shuttle
worth, as marshal, there was parade
and review of the squadron by graduates
of "Od Norwich" four in number and
among them Rear-Admiral Covocoresses.
a member of the class of '06, who was
advanced five numbers in grade for
eminent and conspicuous conduct at
the battle of Manila Bay" The others
were Brig.-Gen John *. Roberts of
Washington; Town Clerk George Mes
senger of Norwich: John j. Dewey of
Quechee and Henry v. Partridge of Nor
witch. The latter is not a graduate of the
university but is a son of the founder.
formal evening parade then took place.
followed by retreat The corps was then
presented to the faculty and graduates. a
review took place and the corps passed
in review before the faculty and grad
yates.
DR.. Charles H. Spooner of Charlestown.
n. s., president emeritus of Norwich
University. presided over the speaking
exercises Dr. Lord spoke on The Times
of the Founder" referring to the ceebra-
ton week of the two institutions, Nor
witch of it's Tooth and Dartmouth of its
18th anniversary He spoke of the strange
coincidence by which Hanover and Nor
which were chartered on the same day,
July A. 1861 The remarkable fact was
brought out that in 1927 the en-
tire cost of board. room and tut
ton was s1l7. In closing DR.. Lord paid
tribute to the ability of the founder.
Rear Admiral Colvocoresses' subject
was "Alden Partridge, Educator" He
spoke Of the century just closed as the
most momontous in the worlds history
since the dawn of the Christian era and
recalled with pride what Norwich's
sons had done as up-builders of glory
and the prosperity of the country. 1t
was an interesting coincidence that
Capt. Partridges relief at West Point.
Major Thayer, was n country bred boy
from the same section of the country
and both attended Dartmouth before
entering West Point. I'm regard to a
national military organization the
speaker said the suggestions of Capt.
Partridge offered hundred years ago
might we'll be considered to-day by the
war department. Congress and the ma
tional guard in their deliberations about
CONSUMPTION and universal training. He
saw that West Point would never be
able to supply all the officers needed
for both regular army and the militia
and realized the great need OF technical
schools under military discipline. If his
ideas had been followed what a waste
of money and sacrifice of valuable lives
would have been spared the nation. AL
den Partridge was hundred years in
advance of his time. The necessity of
military training and preparedness has
not ceased.
The memorial is of brick with a light
granite base and the top bears on
bronze tablet this inscription:
This tablet marks the site of the
American Literary, Scientific and Military
Academy. Founded by Capt. Alden Part
ridge in 1919 and incorporated the
Norwich University by the General
Assembly of the State, of Vermont in
1894" Following a disastrous fire in 1865
the institution was removed to North
field. VT. The bricks in this memorial
were taken from the ruins of the old
south barracks.
Eight graves in the village cemetery
were decorated, among the number that
of Captain Partridge. 1t is understood
that the alumni of Norwich generally
are endeavorng to cooperate with the
members of the nominating committee
in the work of selecting president. \
movement also is under way to provide
a substantial increase in the salaries
of the professors The members of the
nominating committee. whose duty it -
to make recommendations to the trustees.
are Vice-President Frank Plumley, Mall
ward a. Howe. Norwich so, of Terre
Haute. Ind, and DR.. William h. Mayo.
All are Mortified men.