Excerpt - Washington Academy and Medora Conger

CONGER, MITCHELL

Posted By: Joanne Breen (email)
Date: 5/3/2023 at 15:33:24

Excerpt from the History of Alumni of Washington Academy – Read before the Alumni Association of Washington Academy by Junius A Fisher, June 10, 1879

The first commencement was held June 17th of the same year {1874}. Miss Medora Conger, scientific, R E Lackey and J C Warnock were the graduates. These in their order.

From Miss Conger’s Christian name, Medora, we used to think she had at some time breathed forth harmonies fit to be sung by a choir of muses, with Apollo as precentor. But our etymology was at fault. However, she was a critic of music and art; and by no means dilettanti. Miss Conger stood first in a class of one, but was prepared to defy competition. After retiring from the schools, life ran smoothly enough for a while. Then there was an episode. She went to Corning, was appreciated and reciprocated the appreciation. The two plenipotentiaries met. A perpetual alliance was agreed upon, and a day appointed to take the oath of confirmation, which as to ben the end of all strife. One bright day in August, ’76, when the chariot of the sun had passed, the meridian hight, and the vesper bells were calling the people along the shores of western Europe to their devotions, she became Mrs. W O Mitchell. Hence, Mr. Mitchell is our brother-in-law, as it were. He is an honored member of the Corning bar, and Mrs. Mitchell hold a like place in Corning society.

Published: Washington Gazette, June 20, 1879.