LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Fourteen Graduate
Class ’95 Graduates with Honors – The Alumni Banquet

Morning Sun News, Thursday, June 6, 1895 pg 4
Transcribed by Lynn McCleary, September 25, 2015

Pictured a Sketch of Morning Sun Public School.

The annual commencement exercises of our public school are always one of the most pleasurable event of the year. This year fourteen young men and women finished the prescribed course and graduated with honor and the plaudits of hosts of friends. THE NEWS would like to dwell at some length upon each part of the program, but space forbids.

The class exercise was held Thursday evening, and as usual Landon hall would not hold all the people that came. The class and Principal Dornon were seated upon the stage which was nicely decorated. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. Alexander. The salutation,

Miss Inez Mellinger
greeted the friends present with warm words of welcome. Her oration was full of good thoughts and well received. Miss Mellinger has before this become recognized as one possessing excellent talent, both in thought as well as delivery. The ladies’ quartette consisting of Misses McLellan, Cunningham, Asper and Trumbull followed in a pleasing song.

Miss Zella Cavan,
was the historian of the class, and right well did she sustain its reputation. She brought out many pleasant memories of her classmates. In the parlance of the “print shop,” it was a pretty good “write-up”.

Robt. W. Johnson,
was the poet of the class, and where could they have found a better? His class poem was fine in sentiment, composition and rhyme. Critics say it would be pretty hard to beat. We thought so too.

H. C. Ochiltree,
was the essayist, his subject being “Each Man Builds Himself.” His was a production of merit, and worthy to be commended. At this point Messrs, Hawkins, Morrison, Cochran and Curran sang a medley that was greatly enjoyed – so much so that they by request repeated it next night.

The orator of the class was

Dudley H. Ferrell,
whose subject was “Success in Life.” His oration was full of good thoughts, well expressed, showing that he had studied his subject thoroughly. He spoke in a clear forcible tone.

J. Charles Trumbull,
was down on the program as the “Croaker” of the class, and right well did he croak. He liked the class to a lot of grogs, perched here and there about a pond and the way they did croak was a caution. He made some happy hits.

The prophet of the class was

Adam R. Hays.
Mr. Hays in an original and entertaining way pictured (in a wild stretch of imagination) the members of his class in some ludicrous situations about the year 1906. He provoked some hearty laughs during the reading of his production.

A solo by Miss Stella McLellan closed the program for that evening.

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Commencement Friday Evening

Rev. T. P. Robb opened the program with prayer. A well written oration on the subject, “True and False Honor” was delivered by

Louie R. Thomas.
Her manner of handling the subject was admirable. The matter was both original and thoughtful and well delivered.

Jas. R. Boal
Had chosen for his subject “Wisdom is Wealth.” His words were ell chosen, brief and to the point, showing how necessary was the acquiring of wisdom. “Chisel and Chiseler” was the subject of

Lizzie L. Curtis’s
Oration. Miss Cubit handled her subject in a masterly way. She spoke words of wisdom which might well have graced mature lips.

Milton Mehaffy
Gave good advice when he said “Never Despair.” He delivered his production with ease, in a forcible and convincing manner. Many bright thoughts were brought out.

“Hide and Seek” was the unique title of an oration by

Nannie J. Roberts,
And it was a highly commendable production, delivered in a nice, clear tone of voice that could be easily heard and understood, all in keeping with her oration.

Jas. R. Thompson’s
Oration was down on the program thus “????.” Mr. Thompson said the human family were very prone to ask questions, but told a great truth when he added that it was by asking questions that we acquired knowledge.

Robt W. Robb,
was the valedictorian of the class and he held his position with honor to his class and to himself. In the name of the class he thanked Principal Dornon and the board of directors for their untiring efforts in their behalf. He closed his oration with words of farewell to his classmates. All the graduates were heartily applauded.

The address to the class by County Superintendent Lizzie Hughes followed. Her words of praise for the high schools of Iowa and the advice and admonition to the graduates were timely and to the point and we hear the address highly spoken of on all sides. Everybody could heartily say amen to all she said.

At the close of the exercises Prof. Dornon in a few well chosen words presented the diplomas. The singing of the class song closed another annual commencement of the Morning Sun public school.

The male and ladies’ quartettes furnished some splendid music during the evening. The proceeds of the two evenings amounted to over $90.00.

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Alumni Reunion and Banquet.

A fitting close for commencement week was the annual alumni banquet given Saturday evening, at which about ninety were present. The teachers and the junior class were present to enjoy the happy function with the ex-graduates. At the table of honor were seated the toastmaster, H. E. Curran, Prof, and Mrs. Dornon, the class of ’95 and the representative of the class of ’96, Miss Leila Orr. Light refreshments were served and right merrily was the time passed. After the banquet a find literary program was carried out under the direction of Toastmaster Curran. ’85, Miss Susie Kilpatrick read a ode to the class of ’95, and fulfilled the expectation of her hearers as usual. J.A. Mehaffy responded to the toast, “The Beam.” Miss May Cubit in a well written paper told of the “Influence of Women.” Miss Stella Williams acquitted herself nicely in a paper subject “The Last Eclipse.” Miss Ina Thompson responded in her own original way to the toast “The World of Fashion.” It was a rich treat. Geo. Nichols talked about “Cranks,” treating the subject as none but he could treat it. Lots of spice in it. The next toast, “Farewell to Class of ’95, was responded to by Miss Leila Or, Dudley Ferrell responding for the graduates. Both were good and generously applauded. Prof. Dornon and Prof. Riggs of Mt. Pleasant, also addressed the banqueters. Mr. Curran made a capital toastmaster and was strictly “at home” in that capacity. The music of the evening was furnished by Misses Anna Morrison and Alice Boutillier, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Morrison and H. E. Curran. After the program the members and their friends met informally and discoursed upon the occurrences of the past years and the departing hour came all too soon. It is hoped that the enthusiasm and spirit o the lasses thus bought together will continue throughout the coming years and the means of holding many another delightful reunion of the nature of the last event.

The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, J. M. Delzell; vice-president, Mrs. T. M. Edgar; secretary, Miss Nannie Roberts, treasurer, ….. (article cut off)

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Page created September 25, 2015 by Lynn McCleary

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