The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-31
PHILLIPS HIGH
is MONUMENT TO
GREAT EDUCATOR
CONTINUED From Page One.)


1883. During that year the school
was under the immediate direction
of the mayor and aldermen. Early
in the next year a board Of educa
ton was organized and its members
appointed by the governing body of
the city, policy now existing.
"The first high school class was
graduated in 1885, consisting of six
members" DR.. Brown continued
They were Andrew Barnes John
ston, Samuel Lowndes Earle, Will
liam Mudd Martin, Catherine Cecilia
Mary Elizabeth Hewlett. With the
exception of the first named, who
died in 1901. all are now Birming-
ham residents.
THE school moved to Park avenue
and Twenty-first street in 1890. Miss
A. B. Allen, Miss Carrie Braun ana
Miss Pauline Kohn were leaders
among teachers then"
A four-year course was established
in 1898 and a new high school build
ing (Which burned several years ago.
was dedicated April Il, 1905. -
of the Independent Presbyterian
church, gave the invocation and DIR.
James A. Bryan, pastor of the Third
Presbyterian church. pronounced the
benediction.
Educators Pay Tribute.
Prominent educators, represent
ing practically all the higher insti-
tutions of learning in the state OF
Alabama paid tribute to the memory
of DR.. Phillips Wednesday night,
when the exercises begun in the aft
ernoon were continued.
John Herbert Phillips was eulo-
gized as seldom man is ulogized. His
sacred memory, especially dear to
Birmingham school workers was for
ever perpetuated on the dedicatory
occasion as a man whose every eff
fort and entire life had been spent
in one tireless undertaking-that of
the advancement of education in Biz
mingham and in Alabama.
The program was especially suited
to the occasion. 1T is happy
thought" commented DR.. C. B..
Glenn, in charge of the exercises,
that not one single feature of the
program could we have omitted with
out detracting therefrom."
Invocation was by DR.. A. ]. Dick
inson, following which State Super
tendent of Education John w. Aber-
crombie outlined in brief "Birming-
hams Place in Education in Ala
bama."
THE Birmingham Schools and
Higher Education in Ala bama," was
dwelt upon in brief by the following
speakers: DIR. George H. Denny of
the University of Alabama, DR..
Spright Dowell of the Alabama Poly
technic institute, DR.. T. w. Palmer
of the Alabama Technical Institute
and College for Women, and DR.. H..
j. Willingham of the Florence State
Normal school.
Tribute. not only to the memory
and to the accomplishments of Dr..
Phillips, but to the wonderful prog
ress Alabama has made educationally
was paid by each of the speakers.
Birmingham public school system
was characterized as model. not
only for Alabama but for the entire
south. Spontaneous applause was oc-
casioned when DR.. Willingham COM
mended the public school board Of
the city of Birmingham on It's pro-
posed new negro school, and the gen.
eral policy of negro education now in
effect. DIR. Phillips. were he alive
would approve it, necessity and COM
mon justice demand it," he stated.
Hugh Morrow g On o Ai u
Hugh Morrow of the class of 1889
spoke on The Alumni" He COM
pared educational facilities of JEFF
ferson county and of Birmingham
now, with the time when as a lad
lie dtteliutu ScIooi CoIuuCteu OH Tie
second floor of a building where
now stands the Woolworth store.
should every person favored by
the great man whose memory we
reverence tonight, lay a flower on
his grave, truly would DIR. Phillips
sleep this night beneath an ocean
of delightful fragrance" Mr.. Nor
row stated.
Samuel l.. Earle introduced the
class of 1855, the first to graduate
from a high school In Birmingham.
He described himself as one of the
"ancients" but proud of his connec-
ton with the early history of edu-
cation in the Magic City.
DR.. o. IT. Corson of Oxford. O..
a lifelong friend of the late DR..
Phillips, delivered the dedicatory ad-
dress. DIR. Phillips" he said, was
known throughout the entire coun-
try, not only as a great educator.
but as Christian gentleman. He
lived life of absolute unselfish
service" DIR. Corson spoke at length
on education and religion as being
closely allied, fundamentally. he
said, as builder of character, the
only foundation on which modern
civilization rests. Education and
ponent parts of character and each
are necessary he stated, one to the
other.
Music was rendered by the high
school orchestra. and the teachers
chorus sang I'VE Are Coming Ala
bama," words by DR.. Phillips. DR..
Morris Newfield said the benedic-
ton, closing the exercises.
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