Evening star., 1935-11-03

ldSAiCl, SldsS VIC SSiSASAAe. Lam =
Book; Richard K. Lyon, law prom
supervising principals who have pre-
sided over the destinies of the teach
ers and pupils of this district and its
environS, Bernard T. Janney. Ben w.
Murch and Henry White Draper. Mr..
Janney was of Quaker stock that.
from the vicinity of Sandy Spring,
came to settle in Georgetown. A man
of might and power in this COM
munity, he was giant physically.
About his administration Of this
school bailiWick many delightful
stories persist.
AS a young girl attending school
exhibit. 1 remember seeing band of
unlimited hoodlums disrupting the
even tenor of the occasion. Upon his
arrival, Mr.. Janney surveyed the scene
quizzically from underneath his
beetling eyebrows and quietly advised
them to leave the building in an or
derly manner, as it had not been
possible to invite them upon this
occasion. There was a disrespectful
response. Mr.. Janney, in full evening
clothes, said not a word, just reached
over the balustrade, took the leader
Of the gang by the nape Of his
neck and, holding him aloft before
him, deposited him almost pop-eyed
with fright and astonishment on the
street, to which his associates had
Eofnrn n 10 loo In, n.
vance of an Autumn wind. Mr.. jan
ney, not even referring to the Incl
dent, simply adjusted his dress cuffs
before greeting the distinguished guest
Of the evening who was to address us.
Mr.. Murch Deeply Loved.
Mr.. Murch, who succeeded Mr.
Janney. was New England born, bred
and educated, but from the time he
came to teach in the Curtis School
shortly after coming to Washington,
loved Georgetown deeply and de-
votcdly and was beloved of its citi-
zenry, adult and school alike. His
home on Thirty-fifth street was a
familiar neighborhood landmark.
O2dPClB IAIC PlCSCilI SupSl
vising principal of this district, which
now includes Cleveland Park and
Tenley Town, has his Offices in the
room which was originally set aside
for the activities of the Linthicum
Institute Left over from the early
days Of this occupancy are the tallest
set of wall bookcases I have ever
seen, whose upper shelves can only
be reached by q ladder. Mr.. Draper,
who is highly esteemed by his as
sociates, is the great-great-grandson
Of Capt. John Washington, and SO
from heritage as we'll as because of
his own affection for Georgetown,
where he and Mrs. Draper own a
carefully restored home, is in harmony
with its business, civic and school
interests. Nor are his interests Spe-
cialized only in this neighborhood, for
he is a member of the Washington
Board of Trade, a department super
intendent of the National Educational
Association and member OF the
executive board of the Washington
Society for Cripple Children.
Teachers Always Cooperate.
The Curtis School has always been
blessed, too, in the love of Georgetown
which its principals and teachers have
always had for this section whether
they have been native to it or only
affectionately adopted.
Miss Cora Ossire Is today the we'll
beloved administrative principal Of
the Curtis-Hyde group of schools.
With Miss Fanny Gilbert, only just
retired from a lifetime of teaching
service chiefly spent at the Curtis, I
recently spent morning at her home.
310O P street, to which she moved with
her family so years ago. From mahos-
any tiddle-backed chairs that would
make your collectors soul envious we
talked of those who once swayed school
room destinies at this school.
There is Miss Ella Chase, who as
teacher and principal of the Curtis is
revered by host of Georgetown people
for the influence which she had In
moulding their lives. Before her time
there was the romantic excitement
concerning Miss Laura Reed, who left
her school room one day spinster,
married Mr.. Bradley on his deathbed
and returned almost Immediately a
widow, rounding out long teaching
career as Mrs. Laura Reed Bradley.
Miss Eliza Darneille, worthy de-
scendant of a famous Georgetown
family; Miss Carrie Doerring, Miss
Blanche Beckam and score more
are also among those whose painstak-
ing love for their chosen profession
guided the destinies of boys and girls
toward heights they were scarcely
conscious they were scaling in their
school DAYS at the Curtis, the first OF
Georgetown's public schools to rank
with the best in America.