Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-05-03

n RICHMOND PARTY,

1t was a real surprise to officers
and boys Of the Negro Rcformatory
Association when Il party Of twelve
on E3stcr-Mpnday headed by Mrs.
Ora b. Stokes and accompanied by
her distinguished HUSBAND, DR.. w.
II. Stokes pastor Of Ebcnezcr Bapt-
list Church Richmond Virginia made
trip TO the Negro Reformatory,
Hanover Virginia an Industrial
School for hayward Boys of the
State of Virginia for the purpose Of
distributing among the $50 persons
including boys and officers; 500
blocks Of ice cream and several
boxes of delicious cakes, purchased
by the officers and members of the
Neighborhood Association and other
doncrs of Richmond Virginia. The
President, officers and boys express
ed their appreciation not only to
members of the Party but to those
who did not come but who were in
strumental in donating the $4,000
which made such Il remarkable :ur-
prise possible.
Immediately upon tho arrival of
the party, the Battalion was formed
by Lieutenant l.. w. Driver AsSis-
tant Disciplinarian and Prof. w. b.
Layton who has served this institu---
ton faithfully for several years and
the boys went into the Academic
Hall Assembly Room where members
of the party were introduced to Off
GERS and boys by Mrs. Ora b. Stokes
The following members Of the Neigh
hor hood Association Of the party OF
Richmond made short and interest
ing talks; Mrs. Hanna Johnson,
chairman; Mrs. Maggie IL. Hill
Secretary. Mrs. Matte l.. Tyler Gen
cral Agent; Mrs. Harriet Thompson
Nicc-Prcsidcnt; Mrs. Blackwell an
efficient social worker of this organi-
Zation us we'll as Il member of the
Council of CoIorcd Women Of the
city OF Richmond; Miss Bertha rhomp
son, Mrs. Faulkner; Mrs. 4. G..
Thompson and Mrs. Harriet Blunt
who has had much to do in looking
after the personal comforts and hap
pincSs Of President II. J. Edwards
OF the Negro Rcformatory Associate
ion OF Virginia during his boyhood
days.
Rev. DR.. w. II. Stokes being the
only gentleman with the party was
permitted to speak last; we need not
known learned Divine in the direct.
ion of encouragement to the boys
YVES received with abundance of on
thusiasm and encouragement from
both officers and boys of this institu
ton.
The program for tho gtccts was
rendered with SUCCESSIVE boys un
der the leadership of M-s. b. V. Ed
words wife of the President sung
plantation melodies Il manner not
surpassed Ivy many institutions OF
learning. Each member of tho Neigh
borhood Association was delighted &c
he greeted by 200 happy and apprcci
ntiVe boys, and twenty-five or more
officers and teachers. They expressed
their delight at seeing the beautiful
farm OF 100 acres of wheat and an
equal amount OF oats and rye. They
found the early spring garden planted
They were glad TO meet Prof b. l..
BO%cman an active energetic farmer
being " graduate of Hampton Insti
tutc from the Agricultural Depart
mont rs well as from its Academic
Department.. They also met Mrs. B
l.. Bo2cman the wife of Prof. BoZc
man. y chance 10 peep in at Prof
BCZcman'S work was indeed an inSDir
alton to the party. The members
were especially pleased with appear
ancc on the grounds and living quar-
tcrs OF the boys. They all expressed
that they were glad to find he boys
doing Well, hut were sorry of the
conditions which caused them to be
there.
After tnu program the party was
served dinner in the Presidents
house, while the boys enjoyed the
ice cream which the party had sent
few hours ahead Of their coming
After dinner the party inspected The
boys. The boys OF Richmond being
especially sought for. They saw that
the boys and officers had been album
dainty served and that there was not
only enough but some to spare.
IhuS closed one Of the happirGt
days the institution has witnessed IN
four years. Happy because some body
thought it worth while t. make
others happy who might not have
been happy had not somebody
thought.
(M]ss) ANNIE e. EDWARDS.
Secretary.