Blue Ridge School
ORATORICAL CONTEST, COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AND EXHIBITION.
LARGE CROWD OF INTELLIGENT PATRONS IN ATTENDANCE. INTERESTING EXERCISE.
A PROGRESSIVE VILLAGE.
May 1895
As a live progressive community truly appreciative of superior educational advantages, Blue Ridge modestly steps forward and takes a position second to none other in Collin county, the larger towns not excepted. The county-seat, Farmersville, Plano and some other larger places may have better facilities in the way of buildings and capacity for receiving pupils, but when it come to a real "show down" of genuine earnestness and eagerness of patrons to trample underfoot penurious selfishness and improve their schooling facilities by themselves assuming the additional cost thereof, this little village easily outclasses all competitors great or small and takes rank away in the van. The term just closed under the principalship of Prof. C. F. Trotter so ably assisted by his sister, Miss Hattie, met the unanimous approval of every parent and pupil and as a result of its repute as a school of thorough, rapid advancement, young men and young ladies from the surrounding community and distant parts of the county came here until there was an enrollment of 170 pupils who recited to only two teachers.
Now the citizens wish to incorporate and have petitioned the commissioners for the present school building and grounds; and a chartered company will improve their present facilities and retain Prof. Trotter at the head of the first class school if they meet with success before the commissioners' court. This they will probably succeed in doing.
The school has been having a series of monthly Demorest contests but on Thursday night May 9, Prof. Trotter offered a special prize, a beautiful silver medal to be competed for. Contestants were, Misses Nellie and Fannie Norwood and Margaret Webb and Messrs. Geo. Sims and Levi Dorn. Supt Shepherd and Walter B. Wilson of McKinney and Prof. J. H. Hill of Chambersville were the Judges.
The program was opened with a song by the audience, the great crowd singing, with vim and inspiration followed by invocation by Rev. Norwood. After another song, the dramatic piece "Guilty or not Guilty" was pathetically rendered by Miss Nellie Norwood. George Sims, a young man of good delivery then aroused the patriotism of his auditors with an oration on "Independence Day." "Little Jim" a touching piece was rendered by Miss Margaret Webb in a way that feelingly touched the stoniest heart.
Levi Dorn, a young man of undoubted oratorial promise, followed with Webster's famous "Address at Bunker's Hill."
A miscellaneous aggregation of wit, humor and philosophy, entitled "Man's Soliloquy" was appropriately rendered by Miss Fannie Norwood and was greeted with vociferous applause at its conclusion. This concluded the contest exercises and while the judges were preparing their decision Miss Mattie Webb kept the audience in a convulsion of applause with the recitation "Nobody's Child." Prof. Hill in a neat speech announced the decision of the judges and presented the medal with fitting words of advice to the victor, Miss Fannie Norwood and at the same time commending the unsuccessful competitors for their efforts and conjuring them to be not discouraged, that it is nobler to fail in trying than to let the opportunity go by without an effort. Prof. Hill (who in addition to establishing his reputation as a speaker won other honors on this trip to Blue Ridge by carrying off the checker players' championship with him.) was enthusiastically applauded.
The exercises, which were conducted at the Methodist church, were then concluded with the song, "Goodnight."
The commencement exercises were conducted next day, Friday May 10, in the Baptist church before a crowded audience, which gathered notwithstanding the busy season, with the farmers. Three young men and completed a very creditable course and were to graduate on this occasion. Their names are W. L. Glenn, W. A. Hart and J. T. Forbes. Mr. Forbes who had gone to his home in the southern part of the county, for some unknown reason was not present. The exercises were opened with a song by the school followed by invocation by Rev. Hunter. A declamation by Miss Ora Tilton was well received; as also a lullaby sung by a number of little girls with their dolls under the direction of Miss Trotter, an essay was gracefully read by Miss Hattie Trotter, who charmed her hearers with her elocutionary powers and the apt language employed in elucidating her subject. A duet, "Ashamed of Jesus," by T. S. Hamm and C. F. Trotter, was next listened to with much admiration.
W. L. Green followed with his graduating oration entitled, "Science," dealing with his subject in a way calculated to cause even the learned to start at the marvelous facts depicted.
"History of Education" was the subject of W. A. Hart's graduating oration. He began with the earliest knowledge of education among the Egyptians, beginning with the very dawn of the historic morning and held the spell-bound attention of his hearers as he traced each successive advance, step by step, down to our present time.
At this point in the program Prof. Brooks of McKinney was to have delivered an address but he not being able to be present, Supt. W. W. Shepherd took the rostrum and for about 40 minutes enthused his hearers with new zeal in the cause of education in a plain, practical and entertaining speech.
A double quartette rendition of "Rock of Ages" closed the commencement exercises of the Blue Ridge school term of 1894-95 which by far excelled any preceding in the history of the school.
The exhibition to have been given at night would have eclipsed anything ever before witnessed in that portion of the county had not a violent wind and threatened rain dispersed the mighty multitude that gathered on the school campus to witness the program. Seats from the two churches had been moved out to assist in seating the people, and the Blue Ridge Silver Cornet Band was on hand to discourse sweet music. But the elements were to unfavorable; the lights were fanned out and the people sought shelter from the threatened rain in their houses and to the regret of both the participants and auditors the program was cut short.
Unfortunately the pages of Blue Ridge's past history have been too liberally besmeared with the stain of many crimes and atrocious tragedies that found their inspiration in deadly feuds springing up during the relaxation of law in the late civil strife. Several years since the actors in these deplorable scenes had either died or moved away and their places have been filled by an entirely different population, morally speaking. In 1890 the death blow to recklessness was delivered, so responsible citizens state, when saloons were voted out of Blue Ridge. When whiskey was voted out the saloon continued open, in spite of public sentiment against, it as a pool resort. Finally this pool room became so obnoxious, the boys collected and actually chunked the proprietor out of his house and business. Two years ago the drug stores closed out their stock of intoxicants and now you cannot even buy a dram of "snake medicine," in Blue Ridge with an M. D.'s prescription. But his mitigating act of lawlessness on the part of the Blue Ridge boys has had the effect, in a measure, of disassociating the name Blue Ridge from the term "tough" instead of confirming them as synonyms, and now her citizens rank among the most moral, sober, and cultured to by found anywhere in this county.
Blue Ridge is a little village of about 200 souls nestled in the heart of a high, rich farming belt, of county, 17 miles northeast of McKinney. Originally there was little prairie to be found here, but now most of the timber or brush land as it is called had given way to fertile fields of grain and cotton. Not a stump is even visible in many of these fields, and well regulated farms, well stocked and with substantial buildings succeed each other with almost unbroken continuity.
The nearest railroad point is Leonard, 10 miles to the east. There are six stores, viz: G. F. Warden, general merchandize, W. A. Moyers, gen'l, J. W. St. Clair, Grocery and hardware, Mount Riley, grocery, Bob Jones, grocery; R. L. Hayter, druggist, Post office, Barber shop, School house and Masonic hall, two churches, Methodist and Baptist. The other churches have classes organized and also has an Epworth League. The little village also has three black smith shops, a corn mill, and one of the best cotton gins in the county; J. A. Barnett, proprietor and W. A. Smith, secretary. This gin, which is lighted up with electricity, put out over 500 bales last season, more than any other one gin in the county.
Five physicians make this their headquarters and practice over a wide scope of surrounding territory. These well known physicians are Dr. A. L. Webb, W. M. Thomas, F. C. Grounds, W. A. Houser and Dr. Funk. Like McKinney, Blue Ridge is not blessed with an abundance of water, but unlike McKinney she sports an excellent silver cornet band of 16 pieces.
The enterprise of Blue Ridge citizens is attested by the fact every business house in the place, except two, and a number of the residences have been built during the past eleven months. Socially the people are of the most intelligent and sturdy character whose hospitality is of the genuine southern "cordial" which takes treat pride in making welcome the stranger whose pathway happens to fall through their little village.
LARGE CROWD OF INTELLIGENT PATRONS IN ATTENDANCE. INTERESTING EXERCISE.
A PROGRESSIVE VILLAGE.
May 1895
As a live progressive community truly appreciative of superior educational advantages, Blue Ridge modestly steps forward and takes a position second to none other in Collin county, the larger towns not excepted. The county-seat, Farmersville, Plano and some other larger places may have better facilities in the way of buildings and capacity for receiving pupils, but when it come to a real "show down" of genuine earnestness and eagerness of patrons to trample underfoot penurious selfishness and improve their schooling facilities by themselves assuming the additional cost thereof, this little village easily outclasses all competitors great or small and takes rank away in the van. The term just closed under the principalship of Prof. C. F. Trotter so ably assisted by his sister, Miss Hattie, met the unanimous approval of every parent and pupil and as a result of its repute as a school of thorough, rapid advancement, young men and young ladies from the surrounding community and distant parts of the county came here until there was an enrollment of 170 pupils who recited to only two teachers.
Now the citizens wish to incorporate and have petitioned the commissioners for the present school building and grounds; and a chartered company will improve their present facilities and retain Prof. Trotter at the head of the first class school if they meet with success before the commissioners' court. This they will probably succeed in doing.
The school has been having a series of monthly Demorest contests but on Thursday night May 9, Prof. Trotter offered a special prize, a beautiful silver medal to be competed for. Contestants were, Misses Nellie and Fannie Norwood and Margaret Webb and Messrs. Geo. Sims and Levi Dorn. Supt Shepherd and Walter B. Wilson of McKinney and Prof. J. H. Hill of Chambersville were the Judges.
The program was opened with a song by the audience, the great crowd singing, with vim and inspiration followed by invocation by Rev. Norwood. After another song, the dramatic piece "Guilty or not Guilty" was pathetically rendered by Miss Nellie Norwood. George Sims, a young man of good delivery then aroused the patriotism of his auditors with an oration on "Independence Day." "Little Jim" a touching piece was rendered by Miss Margaret Webb in a way that feelingly touched the stoniest heart.
Levi Dorn, a young man of undoubted oratorial promise, followed with Webster's famous "Address at Bunker's Hill."
A miscellaneous aggregation of wit, humor and philosophy, entitled "Man's Soliloquy" was appropriately rendered by Miss Fannie Norwood and was greeted with vociferous applause at its conclusion. This concluded the contest exercises and while the judges were preparing their decision Miss Mattie Webb kept the audience in a convulsion of applause with the recitation "Nobody's Child." Prof. Hill in a neat speech announced the decision of the judges and presented the medal with fitting words of advice to the victor, Miss Fannie Norwood and at the same time commending the unsuccessful competitors for their efforts and conjuring them to be not discouraged, that it is nobler to fail in trying than to let the opportunity go by without an effort. Prof. Hill (who in addition to establishing his reputation as a speaker won other honors on this trip to Blue Ridge by carrying off the checker players' championship with him.) was enthusiastically applauded.
The exercises, which were conducted at the Methodist church, were then concluded with the song, "Goodnight."
The commencement exercises were conducted next day, Friday May 10, in the Baptist church before a crowded audience, which gathered notwithstanding the busy season, with the farmers. Three young men and completed a very creditable course and were to graduate on this occasion. Their names are W. L. Glenn, W. A. Hart and J. T. Forbes. Mr. Forbes who had gone to his home in the southern part of the county, for some unknown reason was not present. The exercises were opened with a song by the school followed by invocation by Rev. Hunter. A declamation by Miss Ora Tilton was well received; as also a lullaby sung by a number of little girls with their dolls under the direction of Miss Trotter, an essay was gracefully read by Miss Hattie Trotter, who charmed her hearers with her elocutionary powers and the apt language employed in elucidating her subject. A duet, "Ashamed of Jesus," by T. S. Hamm and C. F. Trotter, was next listened to with much admiration.
W. L. Green followed with his graduating oration entitled, "Science," dealing with his subject in a way calculated to cause even the learned to start at the marvelous facts depicted.
"History of Education" was the subject of W. A. Hart's graduating oration. He began with the earliest knowledge of education among the Egyptians, beginning with the very dawn of the historic morning and held the spell-bound attention of his hearers as he traced each successive advance, step by step, down to our present time.
At this point in the program Prof. Brooks of McKinney was to have delivered an address but he not being able to be present, Supt. W. W. Shepherd took the rostrum and for about 40 minutes enthused his hearers with new zeal in the cause of education in a plain, practical and entertaining speech.
A double quartette rendition of "Rock of Ages" closed the commencement exercises of the Blue Ridge school term of 1894-95 which by far excelled any preceding in the history of the school.
The exhibition to have been given at night would have eclipsed anything ever before witnessed in that portion of the county had not a violent wind and threatened rain dispersed the mighty multitude that gathered on the school campus to witness the program. Seats from the two churches had been moved out to assist in seating the people, and the Blue Ridge Silver Cornet Band was on hand to discourse sweet music. But the elements were to unfavorable; the lights were fanned out and the people sought shelter from the threatened rain in their houses and to the regret of both the participants and auditors the program was cut short.
Unfortunately the pages of Blue Ridge's past history have been too liberally besmeared with the stain of many crimes and atrocious tragedies that found their inspiration in deadly feuds springing up during the relaxation of law in the late civil strife. Several years since the actors in these deplorable scenes had either died or moved away and their places have been filled by an entirely different population, morally speaking. In 1890 the death blow to recklessness was delivered, so responsible citizens state, when saloons were voted out of Blue Ridge. When whiskey was voted out the saloon continued open, in spite of public sentiment against, it as a pool resort. Finally this pool room became so obnoxious, the boys collected and actually chunked the proprietor out of his house and business. Two years ago the drug stores closed out their stock of intoxicants and now you cannot even buy a dram of "snake medicine," in Blue Ridge with an M. D.'s prescription. But his mitigating act of lawlessness on the part of the Blue Ridge boys has had the effect, in a measure, of disassociating the name Blue Ridge from the term "tough" instead of confirming them as synonyms, and now her citizens rank among the most moral, sober, and cultured to by found anywhere in this county.
Blue Ridge is a little village of about 200 souls nestled in the heart of a high, rich farming belt, of county, 17 miles northeast of McKinney. Originally there was little prairie to be found here, but now most of the timber or brush land as it is called had given way to fertile fields of grain and cotton. Not a stump is even visible in many of these fields, and well regulated farms, well stocked and with substantial buildings succeed each other with almost unbroken continuity.
The nearest railroad point is Leonard, 10 miles to the east. There are six stores, viz: G. F. Warden, general merchandize, W. A. Moyers, gen'l, J. W. St. Clair, Grocery and hardware, Mount Riley, grocery, Bob Jones, grocery; R. L. Hayter, druggist, Post office, Barber shop, School house and Masonic hall, two churches, Methodist and Baptist. The other churches have classes organized and also has an Epworth League. The little village also has three black smith shops, a corn mill, and one of the best cotton gins in the county; J. A. Barnett, proprietor and W. A. Smith, secretary. This gin, which is lighted up with electricity, put out over 500 bales last season, more than any other one gin in the county.
Five physicians make this their headquarters and practice over a wide scope of surrounding territory. These well known physicians are Dr. A. L. Webb, W. M. Thomas, F. C. Grounds, W. A. Houser and Dr. Funk. Like McKinney, Blue Ridge is not blessed with an abundance of water, but unlike McKinney she sports an excellent silver cornet band of 16 pieces.
The enterprise of Blue Ridge citizens is attested by the fact every business house in the place, except two, and a number of the residences have been built during the past eleven months. Socially the people are of the most intelligent and sturdy character whose hospitality is of the genuine southern "cordial" which takes treat pride in making welcome the stranger whose pathway happens to fall through their little village.
