MARION PROGRESS
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A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF McDOWELL COUNTY.
established 1896. MARION, N. C, THURSDAY. MAY 11, 1916. VOL. XX—NO. 37
V
teachers FOR NEXTTERM
Mr. S. L. Sheep Succeeds Mr. I.
C. Griffin as Superintendent—
Resolutions—Fine Record.
At the regular annual meeting of
the Graded School Committee held
on May 5, the Committee was re
organized by the re-election of the
following officials: Chairman, Mr.
B. B. Price; Secretary-Treasurer,
Dr. Geo. I. White. Supt.' I. C.
Griffin, having tendered his resigna
tion as superintendent of the Grad
ed School in order (hat he might
accept work elsewhere, the follow
ing resolution was offered by Dr.
Geo. I. White and unanimously
adopted by the Committee:
Whereas, Supt. I. C. Griffin has
tendered his resignation as super
intendent to the Graded School
Committee, and
Whereas, The Committee is un
willing that Supt. Griffin should
give UD his position as superintend
ent without some adequate expres
sion on the part of this Committee
for the faithful services he has
rendered the Graded School, there
fore be it Resolved,
1. That the Committee deeply
regrets the resignation of Supt.
Griffin:
2. That he has been a faithful
superintendent and friend of the
school and that he has discharged
with ability and zeal the duties per
taining to his office;
3. That the Committee hereby
commends Supt. Griffin to the peo
ple whom he will serve in the fu
ture and wishes for him much suc
cess in his new field.
4. That the Committee wishes
to call attention to the progress the
Marion Graded School has made
during his administration of five
years as indicated by the statistics
attached hereto and now in the file
in the Secretary’s office.
5. That a copy of this resolu
tion be spread on the minutes of
the Graded School Committee and
published in the Marion Progress.
The Committee, upon the strong
recommendations of Dr. J. Y. Joy
ner, State Superintendent of Pub
lic Instruction, and Prof. N. W.
Walker, State Inspector of High
Schools, and other well known
school men, elected Supt. S. L.
Sheep, of Helena, Ark., to succeed
Supt. Griffin. Teachers for the
ensuing year were elected as fol
lows:
First grade—Section A.—Mrs.
W. P. Craig.
First grade—Section B.—Miss
Elizabeth Swindell.
Second grade—Miss Margaret
Winslow.
Third grade—Miss Kate Mae
Streetmach
Fourth grade—Miss Eva Keeter.
Fifthgrade-MissMartha Decker.
Sixth grade—Miss Ethel Craw
ford.
Seventh grade—Miss Mary Mc
Coy.
High Shool—Miss Elsie House,
English and Physical Geography;
Miss Grace Finley, Latin and
Mathematics; Mrs. J. L. C. Bird,
History, Household Economics,
Arithmetic, Writing; Miss Clara
Laidlaw, Commercial Subjects.
Miss Hudgins who has been a
teacher in this school for fifteen
years, from the date of its organi
zation, resigned her position. Her
forthcoming marriage to Col.
Witherspoon of Murphy, has al
ready been announced. The Com
mittee in recognition of her long
and faithful -services, presented
Miss Hudgins with a set of Riley’s
Poems handsomely bound, at the
commencement exercises.
Miss Ellen Carson, who was the
assistant teacher of the first grade
last year, did not apply for re-
election. She will go to college
next year in order to complete her
course.
Miss Nettie Brogden, who had
charge of the department of Eng
lish in the High School, has accept
ed the principalship of ia High
School in the eastern part of the
state. Miss Elizabeth Swindell,
who takes Miss Carson’s place,
comes to us from the Peabody Nor
mal College, Nashville, Tenn. Miss
Kate Mae Streetman, the new
teacher of the third grade, is well
and favorably known. She gradu
ates at the State Normal College of
Greensboro in this month where
she has made an excellent record.
Miss Mary McCoy is a well known
teacher of McDowell County, hav
ing had charge of the East Marion
School last year.
The new superintendent, Mr. S.
L. Sheep, of Helena, Ark., was
superintendent of the Elizabeth
City, North Carolina, schools for
a number of years. He is well and
favorably known by the entire
school profession and comes to us
with the very highest recommen
dations.
FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS, 1911-16.
Enrollment 1911-12: Boys 186,
girls 145; total 331. Enrollment
1915-161 Boys 236; girls 236; total
472. Attendance 1911-12: Boys
138, girls 128; total 266. Attend
ance 1915-16: Boys 163, girls 178;
total 341. Enrollment high school
1911-12 Boys 25, girls 31, total
56. Enrollment 1915-16: Boys 46,
girls 57; total 103.
Teachers and grades. 1911-12,
nine teachers and ten grades; 1915-
1916, tweve teachers and 11 grades.
PHYSICAL GROWTH.
Buildings: In 1911-12, 9 class
rooms, heated by stoves, building
worth approximately $5,000; 1915-
16, 12 class rooms, all heated by
steam and lighted by electricity,
approximate value $25,000.
Grounds. Only those who have
witnessed the improvements made
on the school grounds have any
idea of the progress made along
this line.
RATING OE THE SCHOOL.
In 1911-1912 only a ten grade
school, and all grades were condi
tional upon entrance to a standard
college; 1915-16, a standard State
high school requiring 14 units for
graduation, and all full graduates
accepted at any standard college
without examination or conditions,
and every graduate prepared to
earn a living.
For 1915-1916 departments of
Household Arts and of Commer
cial Courses and of Teacher Train
ing are successfully maintained
and operated. Graduates from the
Commercial and the Teacher Train
ing departs have been successful
in their chosen occupation.
The Southern Railway officials
advise that in deference to the pro
tests of various towns along the
line, the schedule of No. 35 will
not be changed. It had been plann
ed to change the schedule so as to
have this train arrive here about
6 a. m. instead of 12:35 a. m.
GRADED SCHOOL CLOSING
Interesting Commenc@ment Exer
cises on Thursday^and Friday
Nights—Nine Graduates.
The Marion Graded School held
its closing exercises on the even
ings of May 4th and 5th. On
Thursday evening the annual con
test for the reciter’s and declaim-
er’s medal took place. The four
girls contesting rendered their se
lections with such great credit to
themselves that the consensus of
opinion in the audience was that a
decision could scarcely be reached.
The judges had a hard task before
them, but their purpose was a de
cision and the ballots showed two
votes for Gertrude Jones, one for
Mary Griffin. Following is the
program:
Lillian Michael—Heard on the
Beach.
Mary Griffin—The Clatter Pate.
Gertrude Jones — Making Up
Stories.
Sarah Hudgins—Daisy’s Music.
The declaimer’s contest was of
equal interest. The six boys con
testing won at once, not only by
their manner of delivery, but also
by their appearance upon the stage,
the approval and close attention of
the entire audience.. All the young
men spoke with a decision, a force
fulness and an earnestness that
showed careful training, and re
flected great credit upon their
teacher, Miss Hudgins. The bal
lot of the judges showed two votes
for Chas. A. Laughridge and one
vote for Grayson Neal, Below is
the declaimer’s program:
George Streetman—Regulus to
the Roman Senate.
Ernest Corpening—Blennerhas-
sett.
Charles Laughridge—Emmett’s
Defense.
Joe Story—^The Death Bed of
Benedict Arnold.
Richard Atwell — Signing the
Declaration of Indedendence.
Grayson Neal—AncestraMdeals.
Three choruses, directed by Mrs.
J. L. C. Bird, and sung by the
grades, were given. In sweetness
of tone and rendition, these songs
were especially attractive.
Graduates always attract atten
tion and have the interest of their
own people, as well as the people
in general, drawn to them. So a
very full house had gathered m
the school auditorium at 8:30 Fri
day evening to witness the gradu
ating exercises of the first'eleyenth
grade ever graduated from Marion
High School.
Following an impressive invoca
tion by Rev. L. D. Thompson,
Supt. Griffin introduced the presi
dent of the class, Mr. Harold Grif
fin, who gave his address, calling
to the minds of the class their hap
pinesses and responsibilities of the
past, referring them to future du
ties, and thanking them for the
honor conferred upon him as presi
dent. He then introduced the class
historian, Miss Alma McCurry,
who in an especially charming
manner, detailed the history of the
class in the Marion school, from
the time they were initiated into
the mysteries of the A. B. C.’s up
through the present high school
work.
The president nextintroducedthe
daintj% dreamy, brown-eyed poet
of the class. Miss Edith Laidlaw,
who read a poem of her own com
position, “Carpe Diem,” or “Seize
the Day,” which is the class motto.
In this poem the class was exhort-
^ to be ready to seize opportuni
ties for^Hf^ whenever they pre
sented theiiiBelves.
The class statistics was next in
order, an amusing account of gen
eral and personal details of the
class as a whole and as individuals,
given by the class statistician. Miss
Dewey Denton. After the audi
ence had laughed over the fact of
who was tallest, shortest, and pret
tiest, biggest flirt and greatest
grumbler, etc., they were ready
to hear the last will and testament
of the class by Miss Katie Huff
man, wl^p in very legal terms and
interesting manner consigned, will
ed and bequeathed all the exclusive
property of the class, from Supt.
I. C. Griffin to the Nebo Impetigo
germs to people who would hold
them in proper care.
Interest was at its highest when
the president, drawing aside the
folds of a small tent, introduced
the class prophet, Miss Pearl
Hoover, who, dressed in g.ypsy
costume, told each member of the
class, as they knelt by her side,
just what particular life fate the
future had in store for all.
After the singing of a beautiful
class song, composed by Miss Iris
Ruth, the class musician, Mr. J. W.
Piess spoke for a short while to
the graduating class. Then also
in behalf of the Marion Graded
School Board of Education, Mr.
Pless publicly thanked Mr. Griffin,
who with the closing of this term
leaves Marion to take work else
where—for the splendid record he
had made for the school, the
beautiful school building for the
erection of whi^ih he is responsi
ble, and for the progressive spirit
and work in educational lines that
he has brought into our county.
Not only this county, but the state
of North Carolina recognizes Mr.
Griffin as a prominent and pro
gressive educator and McDowell
county loses much in Mr. Griffin’s
departure from among us.
Diplomas were then awarded to
the members of the class. Also
certificates in stenography and
typewriting were awarded to the
following members: Misses Katie
Huffman, Pearl Hoover and Dewey
Denton, and Harold Griffin. The
following scholarships were an
nounced: For Trinity College,
Miss Katie Huffman; for the State
Normal, Miss Edith Laidlaw; for
Davidson College, Mr. Harold
Griffin. It is hoped that these
young people will take advantage
of these scholarships.
Prizes were given in spelling to
Miss Mayo Laughridge, of tfie
seventh grade, who made no mis
takes in seven months, and to
little Helen Franklin, of the second
grade, who made only two mis
takes in 115 days.
The following is the record of
names for perfect attendance:
First grade—Mary Reid
Second grade—Loyd D. Thomp
son, Lucius Gibson, Helen Frank
lin.
- Third grade — Rowe Mauney,
Minnie J. Landis, Ida Rader, Alma
Link, Anna Reid, Thelma Clay,
John Sullivan.
Fourth grade—Elizabeth Reid,
William Neal, Margaret Justice,
Paul Steppe, Whitfield Gibson.
Fifth grade—Roena Neal, Ruby
NEWS FROM THE COUNTY
Brief Mention of Some of the Hap
penings in McDowell County—
Items About Home People.
THOMPSON’S FORK.
Thompeon’s Fork, May 8.—Mr. and
Mrs. Vemo Harris were the guests of
Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Brown Saturday
and Snnday.
Ferman Simmons made a business trip
to Marion one day last week.
Joe Hensley of Harmony Grove was
here one day last week.
Vanns Brown of Glenwood was a visi
tor here Wednesday.
D. C. Brown made a trip to Patton
one day last week.
Fletcher Simmons, who has been in
school at Bonnd EEill, has retnmed home.
Mrs. Maggie Janes is quite ill with
appendicitis.
Miss Zelda Yelton has retnmed home
from Asheville where she has been en- '
gaged in work.
D. C. Brown was in Marion one day
last week.
Mr. and Mrs. William Tony and
daughter, little Arminta, visited rela
tives at Nebo, Sunday.
Ab. Buflf of Linville is visiting his sis
ter, Mrs. M. D. Browning.
Loyd SimmoDS has retnmed from
Pennsylvania where he has been en
gaged in work.
Millard Q^ttys of Dysartsville was a
business visitor here Monday.
STROUDTOWN
Stroudtown, May 8.—Mrs. S. M. Gib
son has returned home after spending a
fortnight with her sister, Mrs. S. C.
Roberts, at Marion.
Mrs "Wm. Clark is visiting relatives
in Washington, D. C.
Os6ar Lail is erecting a new residence
near the school building.
Wesley Stroud is still on the sick list.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Strond and two
daughters spent Sunday at Glenwood.
Mrs. Will Earley who has been on the
sick list for some tinie, is improving
slowly.
Road Bill Passed by Senate.
Washington, May 8.—The bill
to provide Federal aid in the con
struction, improvement and main
tenance of rural roads passed the
Senate today. In the apportion
ment of the $25,000,000 provided
in this measure North Carolina will
be entitled to $1,766,000 for the
five year period, $116,400 for the
first year; $262,800 the second;
$349,200 the third; $465,600 the
fourth; and $582,000 the fifth.
President Wilson will speak in
Charlotte May 20th.
Michael.
Seventh grade—Alma Rader, Al
bert Blanton, Coy Laughridge,
Herbert Laidlaw, Mayo Laugh
ridge, Leo Clay.
Eighth grade—Edna Rader.
Ninth grade—Sam Story, Ida
McGuire, Mary Sweeney.
Tenth grade—Joe Story, John
Poteat, Blanche Finley.
Mr. Griffin then asked Rev.
Wm. H. Moore to come to the
front and speak in behalf of the
school board for a special privilege
that they wished him to perform.
Mr." Moore spoke for a few min
utes then called Miss Margaret
Hudgins to the stage, and in be
half of the Board of Education
presented Miss Hudgins with a
complete set of Riley’s poems. For
her long and^splendid record as a
teacher in the Marion school Miss
Hudgins is much in the hearts of
the people for her service to their
children. In the past 14 years
Miss Hudgins has taught at least
a thousand children in the Marion
school, and the school loses a great
worker in her absence.