Smyrna times., 1931-07-08
REUNION AT DELANEY'S
Happy Reunion on the Fourth of
Pupils From 1884 to 1890

from 1854 TO 1881 met Tor the nrSC
time in a body. Miss Emma Syl-
vester, now Mrs. Chris Martin, of
Goldsboro, Md, was the teacher
during that period. The class was
indeed happy to have Mrs. Martin,
or Miss En-" as they affection
ately called her, with them. Each
pupil brought his lunch pail and
had picnic in the grove. Ice
cream was served by the members.
The grounds were decorated in
keeping with the Fourth of July.
An interesting program was given.
Mr.. James r. Pryor presided as
chairman. Several songs compos-
ed by Mrs. Howard Cannon, form
erly Mamie Webb, expressing local
happenings and sentiments and
sung to familiar tunes were sung
by the assembly.
Mrs. Marten Recalls Changes
The chairman welcomed the
members and especially Miss "Em"
and asked her to say few words
to her class. Mrs Martin express
ed her delight at being able to at
tend the meeting and urged the as
sembly to continue the reunion.
Mrs. Martin said, There is moth
ing like keeping up old friendships
- ideals - sentiments are being
discarded and even old home ties
are being neglected. The greatest
happines and the real pleasure
comes from the renewed associa-
tions. Mrs. Martin spoke of the
passing of the one-room school.
While she felt pang of regret,
she expressed the feeling of hap
piness for the added advantages
that modern education is bringing
to the rural child. Mrs. Martin
closed by saying, THE State is
pushing onward and upward in ed
ucation; we are proud of our con-
solidated schools-they are for the
best and anything that is for the
best, one must be proud of and en-
courage. I am deeply grateful
for the tributes you have given me
to-day and this will be a bright
spot in my memory as long as 1
live" A tribute to Mrs. Martin
was read by the composer, Mrs.
Webb Cannon.
A Trihufe IN Our Teacher
Miss Emma you know we love you. or we
would not asked you here;
In memory of our childhood days. after all
these many years.
We owe to you quite many things, we
look back to-day.
You taught some of us to count and spell,
in that old fashioned way.
Miss Emma you know honor you, your
examples were so fine,
They have followed US along thru life, you
were indeed refined
You always held teachers place, was
modest and kind each day,
And treated every one the same, in that
good old fashioned way.
Misses Emma you know we cherish you.
your ideals were so high
You impressed them on us in our youth.
as the days were passing by, a
We often think about you, as we journey
on each day,
And have longed so much to see you, in
that good old fashioned way.
Now we're passing down lifes stream,
the shady side of life,
We are glad that we can meet again, and
tell you of it right:
So when we meet on yonder shore, we'll
look for those that day,
Who have passed on Just before us, in that
good old fashioned way.
July 4. 1881. M. W. C..
James w. Lattomus Gives Talk
The next speaker was Mr.. James
w. Lattomus, lawyer, of Whining
ton. Mr.. Lattomus paid the high
est of tributes to his teacher when
he gave the credit to her influence
and encouragement in giving him
the proper start in life. Mr.. Lat
tomus, in his talk, traced the his
tory of rural education from 1921
to the present time. He said that
there were no free schools before
1929. Up to then the schools
were very poorly conducted priv
ate ones. The instructors consist
ed of people, who having failed at
everything else, tried school teach
ing. In 1875 the state assumed
some responsibility and State
Board of Education was elected
with James Grove as superintend-
ent. In 1881 the present site of
ground was given by Mr.. Marin
and Oak Hill School was built.
Miss Allie Lamb was the first
teacher. Mr.. Lattomus too, sees
the passing of the one-room
schools, but also recognizes con-
solidation the way of progress. He
told the class that they should
continue their reunions until the
last white oak disappears and only
the overlapping trails mark the
site of Oak Hill
Brought Appealing Message
Mr.. Gus Lloyd brought an ap-
pealing message to the members.
Mr.. Lloyd said, "Of all the places
in this old world there is no place
where I had rather be than here.
This old sacred spot appeals to me
the most. / do not regret; / am
proud to have gone to little
country school" Mr.. LIoyd too.