 The examination exercises were held in the beautiful grove which the Academy building is situated. The programme was a follows: Song - by the school Prayer - by Rev. J.J. Reed Geography - 1st, 2nd and 3d classes Natural Philosophy English Grammar Elementary Arithmetic Advanced Arithmetic Elementary Algebra Arithmetic Reading Compositions Awarding prizes for the greatest improvement in penmanship Address by Col. Hawkins, superintendent of the schools in the Chickasaw Nation Address by Rev. J.J. Reed The pupils were dressed in white with a red ribbon at the waist. They looked very pretty and charming and captivated many by their artless manners. The parents of the pupils were nearly all present and paid the strictest attention to the exercises and seemed delighted with the progress of their children. A notable feature of the day were the address of Col. Hawkins and Rev. J.J. Reed. The latter gentleman is assigned to evangelical work under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church in the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. Col. Hawkins spoke at considerable length, stating facts. Rev. Reed followed in a short address which was full of salient points. Between three and four hundred people were in attendance and the best of order prevailed on the grounds. We mention the following well known citizens of the Territory. There was a general turnout of the people of Panola county. From Pontotic County: Capt. Tandy Walker, Judge Isaac Perry, B.F. Perry and family, Hockalochuby and family, Kutchuby and family, Jas. Perry, G.W. Hawkins and family. Tishomingo County: Judge Robt. Harris and family, Sheriff McKinney, Thos. Johnson, National Secretary Pickens County: Joe Hardwick and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Bozarth, Choctaw Nation; Mrs. Strap and family Panola County: Samuel Love, Supreme Judge, and family; B.F. Colbert and family, Mrs. Frank Gooding, Dan Collins and family, Joe Potts, Dave Colbert, Henry and Wyatt Love, Chas. Eastmore, John Webb and family, Lem Kemp, Constable; John Mauphin and family; Joe Kemp, Sheriff; Judge Mashburn and family, Benjamin Kemp and family, James Reynold and family, Simon Kemp and family, Col. Lem Reynolds and family From Caddo: McColough From Texas: Prof. Somerville of Denison Public School, R. Polk Burhans, Alex Rennie, Arch Lanford, John Colbert, Dr. Jones and family, Ed Sea and family From Chicago: J.A. Manning Gov. Overton sent his regrets at not being able to attend. THE DINNER Mr. and Mrs. Boyd had made ample provision for the large number of visitors. A beef was barbecued. Six large tables loaded down to the gaurd with meats, chickens, vegetables, cakes, jellies, fruits and other viands were spread in the spacious dining hall. When the guests had taken their positions at the table, and Mr. Boyd pronounced the words, "help yourselves," there was a tremendous clatter of knives and forks, and the quickness with which the edibles disappeared, made the cooks in the kitchen look aghast. We don't think there was a delicate stomach present. The young ladies of the Academy appeared in the roll of pretty waiter girls. For a period of two hours there was a steady stream of people pouring in and out of the dining hall. Over three hundred people partook of the hospitalities of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. There was a notable character present to whom we were introduced by Dr. Jones. Aunt Salle Alberson, who, to the best recollection of her people is one hundred years old. She is a remarkable example of longevity. The old lady's eyesight is almost perfect. She can thread a needle, her teeth are in a good state of preservation, her hearing is excellent and she is more sprightly than a majority of the city-bred ladies at forty. She works in the garden, tends the chickens and frequently walks four or five miles. We made an effort to draw her out, but the room was full of people and the old lady did not seem disposed to talk. She came to this country about forty years ago with her people. People gazed on her with wonder, and as she sat in the old arm chair, we could not but think that her memory was busy with other scenes than the one before her. In the reception room we inspected some very elegant specimens of needle work by Misses Lula Harris, Lucy Hawkins, and Georgie Collins. Wax work by Lucy Hawkins, Mary Hawkins, Sophrenia Walker, and Susan Kutchuby. The young ladies are twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen years of age. It was our great pleasure to make the acquaintance of Miss Anges Frizell, who is teaching at the Academy. The lady is a graduate of St. Joseph's convent, near the city of Baltimore, Maryland. To this lady we are indebted for a great share of the pleasure of our visit. Miss Frizell is a lady of superior attainments and elegant culture, and as an instructor, has no peer. She is indispensable to Prof. Boyd, and will remain with the school. The pupils all love her dearly, and when the day of parting arrived many affecting scenes were witnessed between teacher and pupils. THE GREAT EVENT of the commencement exercises was the evening entertainment. The exercises were as follows: Instrumental Music Red Riding Hood, Operetta Vocal Music The Everlasting Talker Instrumental Music The Bound Girl Vocal Music The Wonderful Scholar Instrumental Music Aunt Bethia's Journey Vocal Music Duchess of Mansfieldt Music Tableaux Sleeping Beauty (in three scenes) Crowning of the Prince Miss Anges Frizell with only a few hours preparation gave an entertainment that has never been surpassed in the Territory. A portion of the front piazza was allotted to stage purposes. The front of the stage was very prettily adorned with floral tokens, arranged with taste and ability by Miss Frizell. The stage was concealed from view by red curtains. A few feet from the front of the stage a beautiful white gauze studded with stars answered as drop curtain. Miss Frizell presided at the piano. The vocal and instrumental music was exceedingly fine. Miss Eula Colbert, who carries off the palm as the most beautiful young lady attending the Academy, was a splendid fairy queen. Every attitude was grace, every look was life and spirit. Fair queen, we bow to thy overpowering beauty and matchless grace. Notwithstanding the hasty preparations everything passed off without an embarrassing feature. Miss Frizell may justly feel proud of her success. The exercises did not close until nearly midnight. "Home, Sweet Home" was sung by thirty voices. Night was at its meridian. The sky had that soft luminousness which may often be observed near midnight at this season, and "the large few stars" beamed mildly down. The scene was most impressive. The audience was seated in the grove in the shadow of the forest trees, and then all the pupils sang, as I have not heard for years, and while they sang, the sad years went over me in one deep, strong wave and I was in the company of the dear ones of old times, never to come back again - never - never. How many are gone to God with whom we used to sing "Home, Sweet Home" in the Sabbath evenings. And so it has come to pass that songs which we then loved as full of hope and cheer, are now inexpressibly sad, and we almost weep to hear them. Our party was detained at the Academy until the following day, the horses straying away in the night. Our best wishes for Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, the teachers, and pupils of Bloomfield Academy. Respectfully, R. Polk Burhans  Bloomfield Academy History  Chickasaw Roots Native American Roots Schools Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message.  |