Taylor County GaArchives History - Schools .....Johnston Institute, 2nd Commencement 1874
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Virginia Crilley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000642 May 30, 2009, 4:23 pm

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, Jul. 4, 1874 -- page 3

Commencement Johnston Institute

NOTE: In the year 1872, the School was organized by a Board of Stockholders,
under the name Johnston Institute with Professor James T. White as College
President. By the action of Stockholders in 1875, a charter was obtained and the
name changed to Butler Female College and Male Institute.  Location: NW corner
of Lot #243 in 13th District in town of Butler.

The second Annual Commencement of Johnston Institute (Butler, Ga) came off last
week, beginning on Monday, 22nd inst and closing on Thursday night following.

The first day was occupied with the examination of the little folks engaged in
the primary studies. This section of the Institute has been chiefly under the
supervision of Mrs. J.T. Stephens, a most estimable and accomplished lady as
well as successful teacher. These classes graded from orthography to, and
including primary geography and rudiments of arithmetic.  The examination
demonstrated that while progress had been rapid, it had nevertheless been
thorough. The result was most satisfactory and reflects the highest credit on
this teacher.

On Tuesday monring came of the reading of selected pieces for prizes by the
first and second classes in reading. The prizes were very properly awared to
Suie Waters (1st class) and Jennie Wallace (2nd class)  The reading of all the
children was most excellent and the subject of general remark and commendation.

The examination of the "Intermediate" classes occurred during the same day
(Tuesday). These, like the primary classes, had made highly satisfactory
progress in their several studies --Geography, Arithmetic, English Grammar, etc.
Here also the fact was apparent that the boys and girls were well grounded in
the several studies over which they had travelled. And just here we will take
occasion to say, that none of the examinations of which we have spoken for shall
hereafter refer, were in any sense "fixed up matters"; they were honest,
impartial, and well calculated to show what had been really learned and acquired
by the pupils and students.

On Tuesday was the reading of compositions (original) by the young ladies and
Misses. The subjects were well chosen, appropriate to the occasion,
intelligently and many of them abley discussed. The grace, vivacity, cleverness
and keen and correct appreciation of the subjects which characterized the
reading, reflected great credit on the entire class, and for three house held
the large crowd present spell-bound and entranced. Indeed, so rapt was the
attention during the reading one might have heard the rustling of a feather
except when the stillness was broken by hearty applause or the delightful music,
interspersed at appropriate intervals through the evening. There where three
prized contested for and awarded as follows:

Firs, Miss Iva Hays; second Miss Fannie Ruff; third, Miss Olivia Monfort. It was
a most difficult matter to decide who was entitled to the prizes, where all did
so well; and had it been left with us, we should have been greatly inclined to
place all the names in a hat together and awarded the prizes to the first three
drawn names. In our honest judgment the reading of the compositions, taken as a
whole, would have done no discredit to any college in the State.

On Wednesday the classes in Philosophy, the higher Mathematics, Latin and Greek,
were examined. These several classes showed that their time had not been thrown
away, but that it had been wisely and profitably employed; and while their
progress had been rapid, it was evident they were all familiar with the ground
over which they had gone.

At night there was declamation by the larger and smaller boys. They all
acquitted themselves admirably, some of them evincing signs of oratorical powers
that need only to be cultivated to enable them to achieve the highest honors in
oratory. There were four prizes contended for and awarded as follows:

1st class - 1st prize, R.S. Holbrook. 2nd prize, Wm Scandrett
2nd class - 1st prize, Willis Wallace; 2nd prize, Amos Allen

Thursday at 11 o'clock a.m. Walter B. Hill,  Esq of your city proceeded to
deliver the Annual Literary Address. His subject was "Men and Women" and he did
it ample justice. The reputation of the young speaker had preceded him here and
expectation was in consequence wrought up to the highest pitch; but the effort
was in the highest degree satisfactory and more than met the anticipations that
had been previously excited. But we shall not attempt to characterize the
address as its merits require; were we to do so, we should be charged with
exaggeration by those who had not the good fortune to hear it; while on the
other hand we should as certainly be accused of injustice and a want of
appreciation by those who listened to it. Georgia justly feels proud of her
young and talented son and should manhood and age give answer to the promise of
today, amid the galaxy of bright starts which our noble old State has hung in
the firmament of history, none will shine with a purer or clearer luster than
that of our young friend, Walter B. Hill.

At night the prizes were delivered by Major Jas R. Walker in a short but chaste
and beautiful address, replete with wisdom and sound advice. We trust those who
heard it will long remember and treasure up its counsels as of more value than
"much fine gold".

After the address came the annual concert under the direction and supervision of
Mrs. J.H. Holsey. The whole affair was a complete and brilliant success and must
have been very gratifying to Mrs. Holsey. All who were present are certainly
largely indebted to her for the delicious and soul-inspiring banquet to which
also treated them, and will no doubt be long remembered as one of the brightest
spots in memory's fields.

Thus ended the Second Annual Commencement of Johnston Institute. To those whose
privilege it was to be present, no word of commendation of the Faculty is
necessary To...(page torn)

Professors JS (pg torn)  Wm S. Monk, assisted by Mrs. Steph (torn) deserve great
credit for the success (missing) 

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