CLOSING OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 27, 1890.

Closing of the Public Schools.

   Never has a larger company given an entertainment at the Opera House than on Friday afternoon, when 700 pupils took in the closing exercises of the public school. All available space, aside from the aisles, was occupied by an interested audience. The programme was most acceptably rendered and showed careful study by participants as clearly as that much attention and training had been bestowed by the teachers.

   After prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, the entire schools sang The Red, White and Blue. "Knocking at the Door of Heaven," a recitation by Miss Jennie Wyant, and "How [He] Saved St. Michael's," by Prosper Gillett, were recited in clear, full voices and pleased the audience. The "Charge of the Light Brigade" which eleven Misses recited in concert was the feature of the first half of the programme, the unison of voices, prompt yet steady gesticulations and coolness of delivery were decidedly noticeable. Misses Bessie Lund and Nora Hatfield's "Beautiful Moonlight'' duet elicited an encore of merit, as did "Songs in Camp" and "The Polish Boy," two recitations by Miss Lizzie Salisbury and Master Lancie Camp.

   Miss Nellie Mulligan's finely executed solo on a violin received deserved recognition, and was followed by a class exercise upon the important question of "Woman's Rights," with the usual diversion of thought, and part first closed when Miss Grace Sturtevant recited "The Last Hymn" with occasional brief measures of song interspersed.

   Rising on their feet the schools opened the last half of the exercises by singing "The Star Spangled Banner" in a manner original only to youthful voices and pleasing to all. "The History of Our Flag" and "The American Flag," Masters Jesse Jennison and Earl Cummings revealed the possession of two voices that properly cultivated, should produce famous orators.

   Prefacing his address, after glancing over the sea of expectant faces, with the remark that before him he saw the future hope of our country, Benjamin T. Wright, Esq., briefly alluded to the symbolizing meaning of the stripes, stars and blue field of the American flag. Citing the enthusiasm, glory and honor of the soldier to be, the color bearer of his regiment when at the front, in speaking of that office hereafter to be established in the several schools of the district, in the names of Post Grover and the Women's Relief Corps, G. A R., the speaker presented a large flag to each school building. A flag drill and song "God Save our Country's Flag." Twenty two misses dressed in white, one half wearing red, the other blue sashes, with miniature flags, and "America" by the schools closed the profitable year of 1889-90.

   The list of graduates from the Schermerhorn street school are: Iva Kinney, Jennie Weyant, Mamie Clark, Eva Dearman, Grace Tice, Earl Cummings. Arthur Harrington.

   From Owego street school are Bessie Lund, Grace Sturtevant and Florence

Snyder.

   Pomeroy street school graduates Addie Hungerford. Kate Mulligan, Edith White, Belle LaDu, Libbie Finch, Vernon Hoxie and Almond Clark.

   Superintendent of Public Schools Frank Place stated that the Board of Education had decided to consolidate the higher 7th and 8th grades, and the cobble stone school house would be remodeled and comfortably arranged for those accepted in said grades.

   The primary grade will occupy the white school house on south Church street. He also said that the course of studies of the higher grades would be extended in order that those passing successful examinations in prescribed course would be entitled to enter C Academic of the Normal. Diplomas will doubtless be awarded to graduates in future. By adopting the above course one year's time will be gained to [each] scholar.

Normal Commencement.

   Following is the programme of the forty-first commencement of the Normal school:

   Final examinations began 1:15 P. M., Tuesday, June 24.

   Final examinations close 4:15 P. M., Friday, June 27.

   Text books returned 9:00 A. M., Saturday, June 28.

   Return fare paid to Normal students 9:00 A. M., Saturday, June 28.

   Sociable in the school parlors, 8:00 P. M., Saturday, June 28.

   Standing read 9:00 A. M., Monday, June 30.

   Class Day exercises 2:00 P. M., Monday, June 30. Class of January, 1889; Class of June, 1889.

   Sixteenth Public Exercises of the Alumni Association, in the Opera House, 8:00 P. M., Monday, June 30.

   Commencement in the Opera House, 10:00 A. M., Tuesday, July 1.

   Business meeting of the Alumni Association in room number 85, 3:00 P. M., Tuesday, July 1.

   Alumni Reunion and Banquet 8:00 P. M., Tuesday, July 1.

   Reunion will be held in Normal Parlors.

   Banquet will be held in the Normal Chapel.

   Following is a list of the graduates.

               NORMAL GRADUATES-GENTLEMEN.

   Edwin Cornell, Patria, N. Y.

   Louis Adalbert Durfee, Cortland, N. Y.

   Thomas Henry Doud, Cortland, N. Y.

   Edmond Willis Harris, Cortland, N. Y.

   Charles Dominic Hill, Turin, N. Y

   Leland Albert Johnson, Dryden, N. Y.

   Ezra Fred Knapp, Fabius, N.Y.

   Frank Keller McFall, Cortland, N. Y.

   Frederic Manly Payne, Morrisville, N. Y.

   Charles Luther Peck, Cortland, N. Y.

   Calvin Fuller Place, Cortland, N. Y.

   Melvin A. Rice, Jr., Cortland, N. Y.

   John William Strowbridge, Perry City, N. Y.

   Homer J. Wightman, South New Berlin. N. Y.

                           LADIES.

   Mary Gertrude Andrus, Binghamton, N. Y.

   Ida Minerva Atkins, McGrawville, N. Y.

   Ida Louise Banta, West Galway, N. Y.

   Harriet Louise Barber, Navarino, N. Y.

   Lillian Mae Burdick, Spafford, N. Y.

   Mertie Mary Bunnell, North Pitcher, N. Y.

   Lucia Anna Chamberlain, Cortland, N. Y.

   Minnie Almira Covey, Moravia, N. Y.

   Catherine Electa Cobb, Homer, N. Y.

   Fannie Elizabeth Clarke, Brookfield, N. Y.

   Caroline Cushney, Syracuse, N. Y.

   Helen Rebecca Dentruff, Cortland, N. Y.

   Martha Draper, Groton, N. Y.

   Melissa Egbert Fibert, Cold Brook, N. Y.

   Ellen Gorden, Elmira, N. Y.

   Fannie Almeda Greene, Olean, N. Y.

   Theresa Loveland Gartland, Elmira, N. Y.

   Florence Gertrude Gill, Pratt's Hollow, N. Y.

   Ella Charlotte Garrity, Cortland, N. Y.

   Joella Elizabeth Harris, Cortland, N. Y.

   Julia Peirson Hall, Binghamton, N. Y.

   Sarah Anita Hayes, Cortland, N. Y.

   Helen Laura Hemmingway, McLean, N. Y.

   Mary Gertrude Leete, Morrisville, N. Y.

   Mabel Little, Elmira, N. Y.

   Ina Caroline Mereness, Madison, N. Y.

   Mary Frances Mullin, Phoenix, N. Y.

   Anna Belle Mcintosh, Olean, N. Y.

   Ada Jane Perry, McGrawville, N. Y.

   Mary Doud Rogers, Cortland, N. Y.

   Nellie Mehitable Rogers, Gloversville. N. Y.

   Anna Marsh Reed, North Syracuse, N. Y.

   Estella Valerie Rockefeller, Harford Mills, N. Y.

   Lillian Belle Smith, Cortland, N. Y.

   Libbie Jayne Sweetland Dryden, N. Y.

   Anna Olive Stevenson, Scipio, N. Y.

   Sara Margaret Shay, North Manlius, N. Y.

   Louise Amanda Shay, North Manlius, N. Y.

   Mertie Louise Schouten, Cortland. N. Y.

   Elizabeth Jean Sandwick, Dryden. N. Y.

   Helen Elizabeth Scoville, Constableville, N. Y.

   Veda Elizabeth Snyder, Etna, N. Y.

   Adelia Nichols Tuttle, DeRuyter, N. Y.

   Jennie Ardell Watrous, South Cortland, N. Y.

   Mary Edna Wheat, Newark. N.Y.

        ACADEMIC GRADUATES—GENTLEMEN.

   Edmond Conger Alger, Cortland, N. Y.

   Halsey Mudge Collins, Cortland. N. Y.

   Lloyd Starr Ingalls, Cortland, N. Y.

        LADIES.

   Grace Katherine Duffey, Cortland, N. Y.

Floral Trout Ponds were located between East Avenue and Owen Avenue, far right center edge of 1894 map--two ponds, separated by two bridges, with a pavilion on the west side of the ponds.

THEY DID "WAKE UP."

   The weather was favorable and the attendance equal to the expectation of the most enthusiastic, last Friday, the date of Orris Hose picnic at the pleasant Floral Park. The drawing attraction of the afternoon was the single scull contest between Masters Irv Smiley and Al Calkins, who are spending a few months in this vicinity. Owing to the extent of the course [one of two very small ponds—CC editor] and the known physical abilities of the oarsmen [heavyweights] it was necessary to form and station a board of time keepers along the water's edge that all attempts at foul or entanglement on unseen obstacles be averted.

   At the appointed hour the two entered their boats amid a shower of smiles and torrent of audible applause. The race was won without accident by Smiley, though some of Albert's supporters are inclined to surmise that Irv was on the course during the noon hour and got the exact location of the current, consequently having the advantage of his opponent later on. However, defeat did not crush, to any extent, Calkin's physique as he showed at 5136 [321 lbs.] to the victor's 5040 [315 lbs.] avoirdupois ounces at the close of the ordeal. During the remainder of the day croquet, lawn-tennis, dancing and music afforded pleasure and occupation for the hundreds of visitors. By invitation the several department companies in full dress joined the Orris in the evening and marched to the park to the music of Hitchcock Mfg. Company's band.

   A satisfied community and an active adjunct of the company's somewhat increased bank account is the pleasant termination of the day's outing.

Driving Park, Cortland County Agricultural Society.

Races, July 4 and 5.

   Everything is in readiness for a grand and entertaining season of sport on the grounds of the Driving Park next week, July 4 and 5. Horsemen who are using the new track at day break and at nightfall pronounce the course to be perfection. There is no ancient accumulation of dust and refuse, but a clean, easy-going, smooth and extra wide circle. The new box stalls are situated near the south entrance, adjoining the premises of Mr. Wheeler. In the superintendency of the association's mammoth reconstruction of the park our townsman Mr. Patrick Dowd has displayed great skill and judgment in the management of the numerous details connected with the enterprise. The 45th Separate Company will fire a National salute of forty-two guns at day-break, thus it will be very easy to recall to mind the arrival of the ever glorious Fourth and the driving park opening.

Personal.

   Miss Edith Mahan graduated from Keble school Syracuse, last week and returned home on Saturday.

   Lieut. W. E. Davis, who graduated at West Point in this year's class, is spending a few days with his parents in Solon.

   Master Fred Hyde and sister Lovina, of New York, are spending the summer with their grandmother, Mrs. Elvira Hyde.

   Dr. D. E. Smith responded to a toast at the banquet given by the Psi Upsilon society of Syracuse University last Monday evening.

   Mr. McLaury, reporter for the Daily Message, thinks of leaving Cortland. Mr. Porter, one of the Normal students, expects to take his place in that office.

   Hon. William Clark and daughter, Miss Carrie Clark, and Miss Maria Heermans, of Denver, Col., are the guests of Hon. and Mrs. William H. Clark on Prospect st.

   Mrs. D. S. Lamont and children, of New York city, have been in town during the past week. We understand Colonel Lamont has hired the P. H. McGraw residence for his family to occupy during the summer.—McGrawville Sentinel.

   Hon. Austin Corbin, president of the Philadelphia & Reading road, has resigned and it is generally understood that vice-president, A. A. McLeod will be his successor. "Mac's" many friends in Cortland will be pleased to hear of his promotion.