Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1924-10-02
Home Coming AT Smiths

dppOiutSu lUT the great uoiuC SOhi-
ing of Smiths school in Bloom
township. The morning dawned
with sunlit sky. The gentle
zephyrs waited from the western
point of the compass and the trees
with their gorgeous and brilliant
colors of gold and crimson, made the
day auspicious for the occasion. The
natives of the district, as we'll as
others from farther away, began to
arrive in the early forenoon, the
cars being parked on the spacious
lawn in front until at noon 157 had
registered their names on the black
board, while there were perhaps so
more who failed to register on ac-
count of lack of space, the board be-
ing full.
At 12 O'Clock the good people and
cooks began to carry baskets Of der
licious viands which they placed on
a substantial table constructed of
two inch oak boards IL inches wide,
making a commodious table four
feet wide and at least 100 feet long.
The menu consisted of SO pies and
same number of cakes less one, be-
sides meats, sandwiches, salads,
jams, jellies, pickles, coffee, tea,
watermelons Oh fish story! No not
that, for fish was about the only
edible product not represented on
the festal board. The dinner was
served cafeteria STYLE and we will
match the Blue Rock ladies against
the world when it comes to eats.
After dinner, 16 former teachers
together with Mr.. Stanley Huffman
the present instructor, were arrang-
ed in group and their picture talk
en-; also the eight children of the
late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Harlan, all
of whom went to this school, sat for
a picture, there never having been
death in the family of children,
which is unusual. Not many fam
lilies are so blest. There was also a
group picture taken of scholars.
Mrs NJ. d. Thompson of Kansas, the
oldest pupil of the school, was pres
ent. She attended the school in the
year 1817.
After this, the program consisting
of speeches and talks, interspersed
with vocal and instrumental music,
was started in the school room
which was crowded to its utmost
capacity, chairs having been placed
in the aisles and every particle of
space being utilized. One teacher
who taught the school 40 years ago,
with an enrolment of 50, suggested
that all who went to this school as
his pupils stand up and be counted,
when to the great astonishment OF
all present Is arose. Then Judge
Weber responded and wading into
oratory and eloquence made the
principal address, at the close of
which he asked his pupils to be
counted, and 81 arose. Better than
33 1-3 percent in each instance
were still there after lapse Of As
or SO years, which is certainly
proud record for the district and
community
The assemblage being reluctant
to disperse. some remained almost
until evening Altogether the oc-
casion was a great success in every
particular, and day never to be
forgotten, especially by those in any
way connected with the school in
the past so years.
Following is list of teachers pres
ent: j. NJ Stewart, John D. Bark
hurst, L. j. Weber, Mrs. l.. j. Weber,
Amanda Finney, Mrs. E. E. Richard
son, John Shell, Jennie Culver, AL
lie Culver, Lula Huffman, Edna
Jones, John Daily, Pearl Inlay,
Sadie Lyons, Bernard Roberts, Stan
lev Huffman-J D. B.