Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-16
SCHOOL IN TRIBUTE
TO MEMORY OF HERO
Exercises Held This Morning and
Tablet Dedicated in Honor of
]. Ferdinand Spcer.

Exercises were held and n bronze tablet
dedicat . at the Monday morning eycr-
cises at the Wilmington High School, This
morning, in honor and memory of j.
Ferdinand Specr, upil Of the class of
90, who WIS killed in action at Madeleine
Farms, France, in the Meuse-Argonne Of
cnsive, October %, 1918. He served in
the headquarters company, 35Sth u. >.
Infantry.
Joseph TatnaIl president o the '09
class, made n few remarks on the life OF
MIR. Speer in school and on his acquaint
ance with him. He said that they had
gone through school together and that
they had spent many good times to.
gether
Mr.. Tatnall placed himself in the posi-
ton of Tom Brown, IN the last chapter of
the story, tom Brown at Rugby, ="
where Tom heard of the death of his old
headmaster while on fishing trip. He
returned TO the school where he had been
taught by the master and his memory ran
through the days when they had been side
by side. Even "A ] am in the school this
morning, my memories carry me back
through the five years we spent in this
school-back because of the loss OF
Ferdinand Speer," said Mr.. Tatnall.
Mr.. Speer's college career was cut at
Cornell by the death of his father and by
his being called home to take up the bust
ness. Then his business career was cut
short by his call TO the colors. Speaking of
sincerity, he said chat MIR. Speer was sin
cere in everything he Undertook that he
could not help being sincere, 90 give HIM
self or the cause of humanity Then Mr..
Tatnall quoted part of Iincoins Gettys-
burg address: THAT they shall not perish
from this earth, " when he spoke Of the
memories o Mr.. Spoer that would last
indefinitely.
In conclusion, Mr. Tatnan presented
the bronze tablet in behal Of the class
90, 90 Clifford J. Sctt, who acc pied in
behalf of the school
John 5. Resell, an intimate friend Of
MIR Spcor and his family. told Of some
of the life of MIR Speer and his attain
ments g. He said that when the news came
that he had been killed he was broken up
and waited in hone that there would be
no confirmation of the dread message. lie
said that he had received word that MIR.
Speer had been fighting for hours and was
completely fatigued but when it was
suggested that he take rest, he replied
that he would fight on. At that time, MIR
RosselPs son Paul was in the thickest of
the fighting with a corps Of Engineers and
he entertained fears Of his part.
MIR. Rossell then read q letter from
Mrs Speer, stating that il was the desire
Of the family Of MIR Speer to set aside
permanent fund for two annual prizes
of about 500 in value, one 10 60 to boy
in the school and one 10 60 20 a girl
These prizes are 20 be known as the -.
Ferdinand Speer Prizes"
After MIR Rossell had finished his trib-
ute TO MIR. Spoer, the student body arose
and stood for one minute in silent prayer
Miss Jessie Collision recited In Flanders
Field" and Miss Dorothy Sturgis render
ed II Have a Rendezvous With Death -
Among the guests present were: joseph
Tatnaln, Superintendent Of Schools Gift
ford j. Scott, DR. ]. Draper Brown. Fred
errick W. Kurtz, Mr.. and Mrs J. Harmer
Rile, Miss Helen Bradford, Raymond r
Hopes, w Carlisle Hcmple, Emil Topkis,
John S. Rossell, representing Mr.. Speer's
family, and MIR. Speer's immediate family.