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Students of 1876-77 and Commencement

November 10, 1905, V.XXIII, No. 25

CHAPTER 67.

Among the many Franklins who joined the society that year O.R. Carlo was prominent. He edited the Franklin Gem in a lively manner and was a noted comic singer. He made much sport for the society. J.F. Hamsher became a very prominent society worker. Mary H. Fielding, of England, was a fine essayist. A.J. Hoffman was a good worker. H.E. Neff was one of the noted Franklin singers for many years. At one time he owned an interest in the Normal. At present he lives in the Philippines. He was and still is a true gentleman.

Among the prominent Franklins who joined that year were Lizzie Price, Jas. S. Trimble, L.N. Ayres, L.C. Bretz, H.D. Bradshaw, C.H. Bradshaw, Nelson Carey, now Rev. Carey, C.D. Crites, Thom. Eqing, Uriah Fellers, S.F. Keller, Tillie Zeller, a fine singer, L.Anna Morris, H.M. Nedry, Ella Peterman, J.W. Lyber, D.A. Tothrock, B.F. Rhodes, W.L. Stark, S.B. Swisher, John L. Shultz, E.A. Uhl, Annie E. Uhl, Diantha Weeks, Libbie Weaver, Mary E. Young, C.F. Zimmerman, Jane Baldwin, Noah Blosser, Charles Boxwell, A.N. Charles, Maggie Cunningham, D.W. Fellers, G.K. Flack, Jennie and Sallie Fleming, Florence Gleason, J.L. Gintzell, F.D. Henry, L.A. Kerr, Simon Deister, Jennie P. Kline, Chancey M. Ler, J.G. Light, A.P. Miller, now Doctor Miller, Sarah McCreery, now Mrs. Doling, Jas. McAdams, Philip Pifer, a great worker, a wagon load of Rayls from Marion county, F.M. Saum, F.P. Shook, Carrie H. Sweet, W.W.T. Siddall, C.M. Slaymaker, Adelia Stotzer, a fine singer and good worker, Henrietta Smith, W.H. Shetler, Emma Stonehill, S.V. Sproel, Sophia Vance, Ella Wolfley, now Mrs. Rev. Bryan, Alice Watt, C.W. Johnson.

This year the Franklins enrolled Cora E. Houfstatter, now Mrs. Agnew Welsh, A.E. Winter, now Rev. Winter, and John Montgomery, now Rev. Montgomery, all three strong students. They were leaders in their society and they are still leaders. Mrs. Welsh is a leader in her social circle, Rev. Winter and Rev. Montgomery in their profession. For many years the Franklins at the annual Literary contest pitted Mr. Montgomery against the best Philo debaters and he was always equal to the occasion.

A.L. Ruffee, of Rootstown, O., entered that term. He told me he had but little money. He wanted work. I gave him the job of digging out the brush and clearing the field which was later known as Lehr's Ball Park and the Lehr pasture lot. He is now a noted physician in a city in Michigan. He had become wealthy. In later years he sent his wife and his sons to the O.N.U. He has also sent the writer a number of presents.

This year we find the name of B.S. Young, of Ada, O., in the catalogue as a commercial student. He had been my pupil while I was superintendents of the public schools. I always liked the boy although he was rather full of mischief. I will have occasion to speak of him again later on.

On the evening of June 14, '77, we had our first Alumni reunion. It was pronounced a success. I still have a program of the commencement of 1877. I have already spoken of each member of the class. There were nine members, four Franklins and five Philomatheans.

Program
9 o'clock, a.m.
Anthem, "The Heavens are Telling," Hayden's Creation.

Invocation.

Glee, Oh, Hail us Ye free,
What We Owe to the Master's Spirits, .....................M.Jay Ewing, S. Ada, Ohio
Enthusiasm.........................S.A. Court S Marion, Ohio

Music.

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining, .........................Mattie Gibson, T. Alton, Ken.
Beyond the Alps Lieth thine Italy, ..................Fannie Gal Braith, C. Mansfield, Ohio

Music.

Be Ye Resolute....................G.W. Hall, S. Auburn, Ind.
Our Future; What Shall it be? ........................Fred Maglott, C. Hasting, Ohio

Quartette.

Variety in Nature..............Eva Sisson, C. McArthur, Ohio

Program
2 o'clock p.m.

Music........................................Ada Cornet Band
Glee...................................................Choir
Man.......................U.G. Stringfellow, S. Rawson, Ohio

Duet

The Future of Our Country..........J.W. Zeller, C. Ada, Ohio

Solo

Address to Graduates..............Rev. E.A. Berry, Lima Ohio
Presentation of Diplomas by the President..........H.S. Lehr
Class Song...........................................Pontius

Benediction

Many incidents occurred during the school year 1876-7, but I will refer to but one more. A married lady had been sent to school by her parents. They requested that she should room at our residence. I did not know that she was married. Her husband was a drunkard and had threatened on several occasions to kill her. He had kicked her, struck her in the face, etc., etc. She was constantly thinking of her trouble and feared that he would come and kill her. One night she became a maniac. I shall never forget her flaming eyes. Miss Sisson, now Mrs. Maglott and another lady were in her room. They were mere children in her hands. They screamed. I ran into the room. I had read on such occasions one should look the mad person in the eyes. I did so. She looked at me for an instant, then screamed out, "Father, Father!" and threw her arms around my neck and begged that I would protect her. I forget part of the scene of that night, I shall ask Mrs. Maglott to write a description of that night. I know she must remember it, no doubt better than I do.

Many old students and many people from the country and from the adjacent towns attended the commencement exercises and the society contest. Both were unusually good and well attended. Mr. Zeller, the valedictorian, had a fine oration. He was complimented on all sided. It was one of the best orations ever delivered in the hall. Another school year had ended and ended well.