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|VGLUME ^VI DOU GLASYILLE, m GEORGIA, Y, JUNE 8, 1893, NUMBER if BRILLIANT Wef6 The Closing Exercises of The Collide, WEEK. The Building is Crowded to Overflowing Daily. THE MEDAL WINNERS SHOUT HISTORY OF THE LEOE AND FACULTY. COL- The Commencement of 1893 is the Grandest in the History of This Noble Institution—Eighteen in The Graduating Class. The grandest event in the history of our growing and plucky little city • ’tie cnn'ijpnuiit'.trtiig^i^inEr statistics, to the present, to Douglass ville, and Douglasville college; The progress for six years has been wonderfifl. Beyond conception. The Stride to the front rank is with out a parall4 in the state, if not m the: Fbr many.years ment of tire .town, Douglas had good teachers. With but very few excep tions the people of the town showed little or no interest in the advance- ment of their’children. In fact the teachers were,on almost all.occasions, hamli-capped by the “old fogy” no tions of their patrons; so much so that almost every step to reform and improved methods was discounte nanced da-new “fangled” and objec tionable. gif that if a good teacher happened to be employed hisencrvnr- ment to bring a school up to the stan dard was so poor, that they had to tamely submit to the environments or await to the inevitable. Fold his tent and depart fo near quarters. Thus were matters till about 1888, when Dr. T. R. White, whom we all know', conceived the idea of improv ing the situation. Being a man of great energy and reeling sorely the set alibut to remedy this evii. He had several children whom he wished friends, Messrs. John T. Duncan and p. 0. Peavey, who aided him to get a majority of the council. After this majority vote was obtained and a Option made by John T. Duncan and fculy seconded, the mayor then pre- Recitation, The M Ward. Instrumental Duef Duncan, Wat Recitation, Little Dialogue,. .Lois SaxmM Recitation, “Oh ye^ljTdl Mason SmitWg Sunflower Concert !jk Nine GirW y.j Instrumental J)uit. %itsre”s; gH§§K m Sacitr Roberts - -- Sbind i~SP hisville College, which dosed its ex- ereises last night. Did you attend? If not you have missed “a feast of « 0 educate > aud bein S impressed with reasons” that falls to the lot of the ordinary but once in a lifetime—“a Cow of soul” that sublunary mortals sc.Jom enjoy; beyond doubt the crowning glory of this prosperous and highly useful institution—an institu tion conceived, consummated, nur- tiirad and fostered by a few men, who in its erection have built for them selves mo.;aments more durable than -inoruunmts_aRL.J)ra3a. and piles—of stone. Wonderful, wonderful indeed ! Words are inadequate to convey the vast amount Of good this growing in stitution, not yet six years old, has fTready done, besides the good it it* ‘WiiculaieOr to lio-Lllts pr«lifcit.course of usesulihess but continues. The little leaven put in the heap six short J'ears ago has loaved not only the whole county', but men, women and children all round, about rise up, and for generations will rise up, to sing to its glory anthems of praise. * In this connection a small bit of actual history might well be told of this part of Georgia. Douglas as a county is but twenty-one—just at tained her majority. Carved from the counties of Campbell, Carroll, Paulding and Cobb. I Now, would you have the reputa tion of these four counties, enjoyed in former years in educational facili ties? If so here it is, in black and white, penned by the late Rev. Geo. White..then of. Marietta, but after wards of Memphis, Tenn. Daveibuit a Reci Jiaacs, Jgg The Old Maicij|9 Recitation, 8B_~ llll .x.uu>y; FRANKIE PHILLIPS. SEE SIXTH COLUMN FOURTH page. siding, fearing- the unpopularity of the cause, at first refused to put the motion. The doctor, though not a BlfSibcrJ^ ’ he _ con i u? 11. tfot— jfetced tktf Tiiayor to’put the This was done, and, very much to the surprise of the opposing mayor and his party, it was earned: Here Dialogue, MoTSW • ; ' < s 'Ti ieflfrirk Bmsn ejgef a’N imee |nean, E»n- ■ -1 a teen SlldJfeoper. - Bessie Waltoi^ Recitation, “AuK James. IS Recitation, “Origf! Lonhy New! Lullaby,....... ,R|| Watson airti Recitation “‘The -H kie Phillips “The Old Clock on the S Boys in ConcerJ. tj Valedictory, xHl S ATBBP AY -wRatlt ; jm* The children’s exl|||p^j; a j> e <w^y a y S interesting—special^^^^B^^ on Saturday night, con test of the “smajMflR^^^^HLie l j a ,p not having been er gave the kighes||^^^^^^K n d or ana Ruby Jam <ffBif|Hntion should be made o«EpiM||^Hj^ ar y Lou Camp, pystic Haines. 1 well, so did vmmef Jodie mm pM her voice. The giflaalJSaj following is the progra: “Our Folks”.... |... ; “My Mother at the Ga BSpne of mm The Graduating Class of the deep conviction that a parent should be the constant companion of child while at school, as wqll ad the at any other period, -he attempted;to COLLEGE BUILDING, In his “statistics of Georgia,” Rev. George White writes thus,.' § Of Campbell, “Education is neg- I lee Led. ” 1 Of Paulding, “Little attention is paid to education.” Of Carroll, “Sufficient attention is not paid to education. ” Of Cobb, “There are respectable schools at Marietta and Roswell.” Now Marietta is 22 miles, and Ros- we ll 49 miles from Douglasville. The latter at that time, and for a score of years after supporing the euphonious name of “Skin Chest nut.” Long after Douglas had a district existence the same could be said, of her efforts in an educa tional point, with pride we turn from flays of “skin chestnut,” and White’s DOUGLASYILLE, GA, set about to improve matters, long time his labors. was the inauguration of the cheap and efficient system that has so sigl nally characterized the Douglasville wl-lcge. . After this action 'of the council Hon. Joe James and others joined the doctor. So persistent and persevering were these few good citi zens in this glorious cause that at the election on ly three men in the whole town dared to cast their vote against issuing the bonds. Within the short space of six years the college has sent out graduates who, as to education, are the peers of any from the older universities, and hundreds of poor young men and women, unable to complete a regular course, have so far been benefttted by, partial instruction that they are mak ing useful and efficient teachers, be sides filling other professions with great credit to themselves and re flecting great honor to their benefac tor—the Douglasville College. Commencement Exercises. )W ...... ..WNeTjfe SfaiaaB “TomiateisTrayevTsLiiazie “A Little Pilgrim”...... “An Old Man’s Story”!. ... .Lila JUjHi “On the Frontier”. Kfllpl “Prayer and Potatoes’ ’. j " “Neddie’s Thanksgiving ties The rain on Friday night prevented the primary entertainment. The exer cises were held on Saturday at 10. a. m., and were highly entertaining. Eighty' five juvenles were on the stage in the class song. The exhibitan showed that Misses But the doctor worked and Reiman and Quillian the primary teachers have done much hard and faithful work, “The Freckle Faced Girl’ “The Old Man at the Church” “The Droning Singer”..Maiy J j “Good Night, Papa”. “Asleep at the Switch”..'SIHBwle. “The Children’s Telegram’j^^^^H “Fire Bell’s Story” “Nobody’s Child” IZiiKmmA “Little Mary’s Wish”... .WitSSEatto. “The Orchard Path”.... LBefc*ttipL “McLaine’s Child” MysflBKjpKk, MONnAY, 9 a. ' After a hard rain in i day was bright and cheer|nj|i i&llfl&a The following question was debated: “Resolved, That man is the sport of circumstances.” On the affirmative side were R. J. Smith, Ky., R. T. Anderhold, Ga., and D. B. Sherman, Ga. On the negative were J. S. Abercrom bie, Ga., O. R. Nance, Tenn., and C. A. RUBY JAMES, WINNER MEDAL IN CON TEST IN ELOCUTION BY SMALL GIRLS. Weddington, Ga. From the determined expression on the faces of the debaters and the eager: expectation of the audience it was evi dent that a hotly contested battle of ideas and eloquence was about to take place. For two hours and more the young men contested in masterly argu ment, each for his side of the question. may light the torch of fame On you r tomb, but succeeding generations will not keep it ablaze. Any life that does not grow in usefulness is a failure. American gold will not pass for virtue when you are gone, nor will it pass at par on the other side.” He pictured two girls, one in wealth and gaudy apparrel, without an aim of usefulness, the other a poor girl, rising out of poverty and ad versity to a mission of love and useful ness and life eternal. Mr. Witham paid a grand eulogy to the life of Miss Francis Willard, presi dent of the World’s Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, criticising what he called the milk and cider resolutions of the North Georgia Methodist Confer ence, on the temperance question, with which Miss Willard is so prominently connected. He paid a high tribute to Miss Laura naygoqd,' who went from Trinity Church, Atlanta, as missionary to Chi na. He spoke of the thousands in America and China who had alfeady called her blessed. He closed his won d erful address with some sound advice to the young people. After the address President Callaway said he had just heard the , best com. mencement speech of his life—that the address had impressed him most pro- foundly, and had inspired him to resoln.-, tions of greater effort in helping those who need help. He enjoyed the address the mote because Mr. Witham’s life and beneficence corresponded with his utter-v ances. Mr. Witham is the man who gave ten thousand ^dollars to LaGrange Female College. He seems to be one of those men like George I. Seny, whose libera and Alabama. He is also president of the board of trustees of the largest Sunday School class in any mission school in Alabama, where he now resides. Mr. Witham has been a friend to the poor and needy of both sexes. He has eaucated twenty-seven boys and girls College for 1893. For a It seemed, were ■ m yam. talked, aud talked and worked, un remittingly. Some three hr four months lie had the field all to him self—that is, no one came to his as sistance or relief. The whole town seemed to be indifferent. He appealed to the-council to aid him. In other words he had asked them to issue bonds for the pur pose of buildging a college and other purposes Opposition being so great that it took constant work at every council meeting for at least three months before lie could get them to agree to order an election. This was finally accomplished through his and was highly creditable both to the teachers and pupils. The drill and sunflower concert were exquisite. The children deserve special mention. They all did well. The following is the programme. — Song, By all,... .We are Nymphs of the Ocean Spray. . Recitation, Sellingthe Baby, Mamie Winn. Drill. Dialogue.. Daisy Loony and Ralph Hud son. Instrumental Duet, Ruby James and Kitty Duncan. Recitation, I want I want,.. Blanch Bag gett. Representation of the Months, Ten Girls and two Boys. Recitation, Balance Due, Tommie Selman, JEWEL COOP ER, ONE , OF MEDAL IN ORjHH The college hall wj pie eager to hear tlg|gj of the D 3mosthenfiB were three debaters <ffr opposite f m HSI jOO- Klbiate Frequent cheers greeted the speakers in the midst of a speech The battle wavered® As each speaker closed it seemed that his side had won There was not much of the schoolboy style, but real, sound, solid argument, after the style of some more mature minds. Your reporter has witnessed many champion debates, but never heard speeches to surpass Sherman and We d dington’s. The committee of five brought in the following decision: As to eloquence, affirmative 38, nega tive 34. As to argument, affirmative 45, nega tive 42. W hile the affirmative won the ques tion, it was barely won. Everyone knew the young men did nobly. MONDAY, 3 p. M. A large audience greeted Mr. W. S. Witham, who was announced to speak in the afternoon. President Callaway, in introducing the Hon. W, S. Witham, presented htim as a self-made man, who always does the right thing at the right time. One who does much in aiding the youth of the land in obtaining an education, as attest ed by his benifbiaries at LaGrange Fe male College and Emery College. “Mr. Witham,” said the president, “is not only the president of the exten sive Witham Banking System, but what is of much greater importance, he is |H|j ggresident of the Douglasville Bank. k Witham’s introduction, like his ,’ess, was unique and humorcus. His remarks put the whole audience in JsS roar ofjjtughter; having a sore hand, In a swingUJic said he would be com pelled to makeN^jone-handed speech; that his embarrassment must be excused, as he for many years followed an occu pation that had a tendency to make men timid—he had been a drummer. His remarks were rich, rare and racy, and abounded with both the scientific and humorous. Among many other wise things he said, “There is nothing worth remembering but the good you -dQj-SBlLnothipg worth remembering of !H^^2|od you have done. You ■ gifts keep apace with his money making. He realizes the fact that a man’s money is a curio to him if not used to benefit others, and a blessing to him and the world if used to help the needy and the struggling. After the address the large audience dispersed, both glad and benefitted. Wm. S. Witham was born at La -Grange, Troupe county, Ga., in 1852 and is now in his 41st year. In the battle for tortune Mr. Witham, has overcome all the obstacles that nat urally get in the way. At Ihe age of fifteen Le left Georgia for New York and found employment in a straw goods house at a salary of four dollars per week. He remained with this house for eighteen years, and filled every position in it—from making fire D, B. SHEBMAN, WINNER OF MEDAL IN DECLAMATION. whose parents were unable to meet the expenses of an education, and some of them were orphans. In 1892 he donated $40,000 to the LaGrange Female College to be devoted to the education of poor girls. The life of Mr. Witham has been one of self-denial. In starting out in life he made it a rule to live within his income, to save something of his salary, however small it was. In order to do this he slept in a garret. Ever since he com menced to earn so much as $100 per month he has given away to the needy and to church purposes more than he has spent on himself. He is a memb.e of the Methodist church, and attributes bis success to its influence, and to this motto! “There is nothing worth living but the good you can do. Nothing woi$4; remembering of one but the good&epli ‘' done.” -ft. Mr. Witbamtff* a strictly butines^aa^/ - yet, as this bpsrio*«> written sket^i j proveg^-H^ ruuhdAhne'to devote; spnpb Ji^5ff3 r tima--aird money to t?ie cause of |Cjjj3»*ianity. t We do. not , virtues of a man ' iro ’“b t ajsLxCTintiiur [Douglasville and Douglas .cotp^^^Hpr f watch and follow in the tracks wHeW'- | , . | subject of this sketch and tli^o Jfepe lie fpointed; out to them there will be noth- | ingbut sunshine and roses strewn along their pathway. ’ MONDAY NIGHT-, JUNE 3RD. The college was jammed aud crammed to witness the exercises of the young la- . t dies’ Les Fedeles Society. First was a debate ou the question: ‘Resolved, That the pen is mightier than the sword,” Affirmative, Misses Emma Phillips Carrie Kelley and Lee Nance. Negative, Misses Nannie Webb, Eva Weddington and Elma Wynn, The judges barely gave the decision to the negative, as shown by their fig ures, as follows: Affirmative 194, negative 198. It was evident to all that thecontest WILLIAM S; WITHAM. and sweeping out the store to the high est, and drawing the largest salary of any of the two hundred employes, After serving this home faithfully for over eighteen years he came back South and located at Anniston, Ala., and went into the banking business, establishing what is now known as the “Witham Banking System.” From this small be ginning he branched out until now he is the head of fifteen banks in (iq la C. A. WEDDINGTON, WINNER OF MEDAL IN SENIOR DECLAMATION CONTEST. was very close. After the contest came a beautiful in strumental solo by Miss Sallie Pool. Recitation, “The Bridge Keeper’s Story,” by Miss Nannie Ellis, which was beautifully rendered. Essay, “Farewell to the Senior Girls,” Miss May Parks. The college young ladies and young men then gave a play entitled “The Last Loaf,” which was highly entertaining and had a good moral. TUESDAY 10 A. M. Notwithstanding the heavy rain of Monday night and the prospects of a bad day, the people began to arrive at the college early and before the time for the debate arrived the building was crowded. It is well to state here that the audience that turned out to hear the exercises of last year were large but thoseof this year were larger. At each day the audience grew larger, to uncomfortableness, and the fact has now fully dawned upon the trustees and the people of Douglasville that ere another commencement rolls around continued on first PAGE COLUMN SECOND