Excerpts from “Normal Magazine" - February 1905

Excerpts from “Normal Magazine”, February 1905

Vol. IX, No. 5

Potsdam Normal School

 

Published monthly during the school year by the Alumni of the Potsdam Normal School

 

Alumni Editor-in-Chief – Frank L. Cubley, ’92

Associate Alumni Editors – Katherine Kellas ’92; S. Pope Brown ‘91

Undergraduate Editors – Katherine Hayes, Calliopean; Florence McCartney, Alpha; Geo. W. Sullivan, Roger Baconian; Albert M. Shaw, Francis Baconian

Advisory Committee – F. H. Allen, ’85; Nellie Bartlett Bond, ‘93; Julia E. Crane, ’74; Julia T. Walling, ’91; C. H. Simpson, ‘93

Local Association Secretaries: San Francisco – Edith Barnum O’Brien, 1013 Green Street; New York City – Leonard J. Reynolds, 16 Court Street, Brooklyn; Watertown – Margaret Lenahan, Watertown, NY; Chicago – Emma Erwin Luck, 1204 Monadnock Block, Chicago; Boston – Mary Helen Ellis, 8 Roseland St, No Cambridge, Mass.

 

The Commencement:

The midwinter commencement at the Normal opened with the exercises of the graduating class at the town hall the 7th inst.

June, with its roses and sunshine, is generally associated in the mind with the festivities of the commencement period and there is just a suspicion of sympathy for the graduates who are compelled to step over the threshold into the frigid atmosphere of this cold winter.  But they did not seem to mind it in the least, and stepped out with smiling and confident faces.

 

The Primaries:

The exercises of the Primary department at Normal Hall on Wednesday were under the direction of Miss Clark, the principal of the department, and attracted a large audience which was greatly interested in the excellent program rendered by the children.  A feature of the exercises was the music which was prepared by Miss Provin, Miss Chapin and Miss Birdsall of the Crane Institute of Music.  The class chose for their motto: Learning is better than silver and gold” and the graduates were: Amelia Maude Barney, Frank Gordon Barclay, Hazel Bovay, Earl Frederick Browe, Hector Edmond Cowan, Marion Theresa Grew, Mildred Lavina Hayes, Frank George Joncas, May Helen Keefe, Edwin James Lenney, Anna Margaret Lenney, Burnetta Sealy, Ada Lillian Stone.

 

The Intermediates:

Thursday afternoon another large audience gathered to witness the commencement exercises of the Intermediate department, which were also very interesting.  The members of this class were: John William Barclay, Dennis Emmett Dullea, Maude Elliot French, Teresa Agnes Hatch, Florence Elizabeth Hunter, Mary Margaret Sullivan, Sallie Allen Wright, and they chose for their guiding legend the motto: “We have reached the shore, but the ocean lies beyond.”  The music was prepared by Miss Botsford, Miss Selter and Miss Aubrey.  The following was the program:

Orchestra – Columbian Overture

Prayer – Rev. J. L. Cann

Recitation – Song of the Market Place – Mary Margaret Sullivan

Part Song – The Legend of the Bells, from Chimes of Normandy – Boys’ Chorus

Recitation – His Own Obituary – Sallie Allen Wright

Part Song – Come Gentle Sleep – Girls’ Voices

Recitation – How Salvator Won – Florence Elizabeth Hunter

Recitation – Babbitt – Teresa Agnes Hatch

Chorus – The Clang of the Forge

 

The Special Music Teachers:

The Special Music Teachers Class numbered but four, being the Misses Margaret Aubrey, Alzina C. Dains, Florence E. Chapin, and Beulah M. Selter.

Miss Dains was excused from participating in the exercises which were held at Normal Hall Friday afternoon, a large and appreciative audience attesting to the interest which this branch of the work always excites.  The program was as follows:

Lesson – Second Grade, Primary, Song, pitch and Rhythm drill, sight reading, writing from dictation.  Teacher – Beulah Selter

Duet – Autumn, Mendelssohn, Margaret Aubrey, Beulah Selter

Lesson – Fourth grade, Song, modulation, writing from dictation, sight reading.  Teacher, Margaret Aubrey

Song – O Night Unforgotten, Vannah, Florence Chapin

Lesson – Ninth Grade, Minor Scales, cadences, sight reading, Four part song.  Teacher – Miss Chapin

 

The Graduates:

The principal event of the week was, of course, the regular commencement exercises of the graduating class which took place at the Town Hall Tuesday forenoon, the program being as follows:

Prayer – Rev. F. B. Cowan, A.B.

Overture – Heaven’s Chorister, Beyer

Oration – Count Leo Tolstoy as a Social Reformer – Frances Belle Sayers

Oration – The Women of the American Revolution – Eva May Kimball

Oration – The Rise of the University – Alzina Christine Dains

Piano Solo – Soriee de Vienne, Schubert-Listz – Florence Marcella Calkins

Oration – Milton, the Poet of the Reformation – Josephine Ethel Williams

Oration – Education as a Civilizing Power – Mary Frances Day

Aria – “Robert, Thou whom I love,”, Robert le Diable – Florence Elizabeth Chapin

Oration – Savonarola – Maud Etta Waldo

Oration – Books as Companions – Mina May Thayer

Recitation – Helene Thambre, E. S. Phelps, Elizabeth Anne Cooke

Sonatine for violin and piano – Ant. Dvorak, Larghetto allegro – Chloe E. Stearns, Florence M. Calkins

Oration – Roland of Roncesvalles – Stephanie Margaret Clark

Chorus – The Pilgrims’ Chorus from Tannhauser – Normal Choir

At the close of the program, Dr. Lewis B. Fisher, Ryder Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Lawrence University, delivered a strong and able address, and presented the diplomas.

 

The following is the list of graduates:

CLASSICAL:

Hazel Burroughs, Potsdam

Jennie Bushaw, Canton

Stephanie Clark, Potsdam

Mary Clarkin, Madrid

Alzina Dains, Potsdam

Mary Day, Morristown

Florence Freeman, Waddington

Ida Forbes, Racket River;

Nettie Gilmore, Norwood

Daniel Hourihan, Winthrop

Gertrude Jones, Potsdam

Eva Kimball, Chateaugay

Marion Krake, Hammond

Lillian Lawrence, Lisbon

Elizabeth Paupst, Potsdam

Frances Belle Sayers, Potsdam

Mina Thayer, Gouverneur

Elmer Vincent, Burke

Josephine Williams, Potsdam

 

ENGLISH:

Margaret Bayley, Malone

Ansel Crane, North Stockholm

Maurice Harrigan, Canton

Gertrude Hoage, Canton

Horace Ruggles, Westford, Vt

Maud Waldo, Watertown

 

PRIMARY AND KINDERGARTEN

Elizabeth Cooke, Ogdensburg

 

SPECIAL MUSIC TEACHERS:

Margaret Aubrey

Florence Chapin

Alzina Dains

Beulah Selter

 

PIANO:

Florence M. Calkins, Chaumont

 

The Clarkson Prize:

The awarding of the Thomas S. Clarkson Prize of $100 in gold is always an event of great interest and one which is eagerly awaited by the contestants.  It is a prize worth striving for and is won by merit alone.  The announcement at the close of the commencement exercises that the prize had been awarded to Miss Stephanie M. Clark was received with hearty applause.

The baccalaureate exercises were held at the opera house Sunday afternoon, Rev. Chas. E. Hamilton, D.D., of the First M. E. Church of Rochester, delivering the address.  Taking for his theme “Self and Service,” he delivered a very eloquent and helpful sermon, which was listened to with the closest attention by the audience.

The usual class reception was held at Normal Hall Monday evening and on Tuesday evening Principal and Mrs. Stowell gave a brilliant reception to the graduates, faculty and invited guests.

The Spring term opened February 8.

Miss Stephanie M. Clark, the winner of the Clarkson prize, is teaching at Tuxedo, and was unable to be present at commencement.

 

The New York Association

Again the sons and daughters of St. Lawrence temporarily sojourning in the metropolis have met around the festive board and rejoiced their souls in the companionship of friends old and new.  It was the 12th annual reunion and banquet of the New York Association of Potsdam Normal Alumni, at the hotel Marlborough, Friday evening, February 17th.  Like all the reunions that have gone before it was a success.  While the ancient pillars of the Association were on hand, since nothing on earth could keep them away, we noticed many new faces – those of the younger graduates whose names are familiar to readers of the Magazine but who have recently joined the New York colony.   Among them we noticed two recent winners of the Clarkson prize, Miss Florence Ray Curtis, ’01, and Miss Stephanie Clark, ’05.

During the dinner many of our school songs were sung, and considering the early training of most of the congregation in the staid and solemn ways of Potsdam, a degree of mirthfulness prevailed.

The afterninner program was as follows:

Toastmaster – Mr. George A. Taft, ‘88

Our Guest – Mr. John F. Quigley

Our Loyal Sons – Hon. Geo. H. Cobb, ‘86

The New Department – Hon. Augustus S. Downing

Northern Lights – Legal or Otherwise – Hon Dennis B. Lucey, ‘83

Song – Miss Clara E. Beudry, ‘01

The St. Lawrence Boy in New York – Hon. Charles F. Murphy, ‘96

Reminiscences and other things – Hon Edwin A. Merritt, Jr.

 

Mr. Taft made an admirable presiding officer.  He had little to say, said it well and stopped when he was through.  Therein lies much virtue.

Mr. John Quigley had been delegated to extend the right had of fellowship to the guest of the evening, Senator George H. Cobb and present him to the Association.  Now, if there is one time that a man can make a good speech it is when he is called upon to speak in praise of a dear old friend.  That was the situation and those who know our John know how sympathetically and gracefully he said just the right thing in a way peculiarly his own.

Senator Cobb’s response was eloquent and scholarly, witty and wise by turns.  He confessed that he was greatly touched by the reception extended to him, although admitting that in his political life he had often been “touched” before.

Mr. Downing’s explanation of the method by which the State Department of Instruction proposes to raise the standard of scholarship in the state Normal Schools and the reasons for this action was very interesting and instructive.

Hon Chas. F. Murphy referred briefly to his own experiences as a poor boy in the city and expressed the hope that his action in the legislature would meet the approval of the boys and girls from the north county who know him best.

Hon. E. A. Merritt, Jr. in a few vigorous sentences exposed to view some of the choicest bits of frozen truth it has been our pleasure to hear in many a day.  While his remarks might not perhaps be considered complimentary to the methods employed at the Normal when he was a lad and possibly at a later time, they were perfectly clear and lucid.  The speaker seemed to have clearly in mind what he wanted to say and to feel relieved when he had said it.  His demand for ventilation in the old school building should meet with instant approval.

Miss Beaudry was in excellent voice and to our mind never sang more charmingly than on this occasion.

The following officers were unanimously elected;  President – Leonard J. Reynolds; Secretary and Treasurer – Geo A. Taft;  Chairman Executive Committee – Thomas P. Gorman.

Among those present were the following: Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Baltz, Alice Baldwin, Josephine Besio, Clara E. Beaudry, Carrie A. Bissell and mother, Dr. C. H. Bonney, Mrs. Madge Bruner Boshart, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Carr, Robt. Clark, F. W. Clark, Stephanie Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Cobb, Madge Collins, Mary H. Coolidge, Gen. N. M. Curtis, Miss Curtis and guest, Florence R. Curtis, Mabel Cousins, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Curran, Comr. A. S. Downing, Grace M. Dayton, Elizabeth M. Drake, Lorena Frost, Ella Fife, Thos. Gorman, Jas. M. Graves, Grace Goodale, S. E. Gunnison, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Heptonstall, E. H. Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Agnes Hale, Ethelyn Harper, Ethel Hubbard, Dr. C. H. Leete, Mabel Maynard, R. A. McDonald, Alma L. McCrea, Gen E. A. Merritt, Hon. E. A. Merritt Jr., Hon Charles F. Murphy, Ruth Murphy, Kate L. Matteson, Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Mann, Dr. and Mrs. H. A. Newton, Mrs. I. L. Nightengale, . E. O’Brien, Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Phillips, Dr. Stanley Pike, Florence Pike, May Porter, Mary L. Phelps, John Quigley, L. J. Reynolds, Lolo Saunders, Dr. T. B. Stowell, A. D. Stetson, Dr. E. J. Smith, W. P. Smith, G. P. Smith, Dr. F. T. Sawn, Edith Taft, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Taft, Elizabeth M. Tansey, Sadie Tansey, Vera M. Tryon, Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Tryon, J. D. Thompson, L. W. Tuller, Mrs. Harriett Aiken Tupper, M. M. Wagner, S. H. Woodard, N. Belle Whitney, Kate Bascom White, Henry A. Watkins, Supt. J. E. Young.

 

Alumni Jottings

Mr. William C. Davis, Normal, Harvard ’04 is now teaching in Nutley, N.J.

Miss Helen Lindsay, who is teaching in the High School in Wilbur, Washington, writes that she is enjoying a delightful winter there.  They have had no weather below zero and but little snow.

Miss Harriet Leiser, ’02, is teaching in the High School at Newport, New York.

Mr. W. H. Holden, ’01, is in Bozeman, Montana

Mr. Albert M. Haley, is in Newton Falls NY where he has taught since his graduation.

Miss Tina Rutherford, ’01, of Hammond, visited the Normal recently.

Mr. Arthur H. Le Hand, a former Normal boy, now located in Mexico City, has recently embarked in the business of railway and mining supplies, under the firm name of A. H. De Hand & Co.

Miss Grace McGovern died at her home near West Stockholm, Thursday morning, Feb. 3.  Miss McGovern was a Normal graduate, and had been for about two years teaching in the Austin neighborhood.

Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Scott (nee Miss Jessie L. Young, ’00) are living at 108 Part Ave, Utica, NY.  Mr. Scott is representing Kibbs Brothers Co., of Springfield, Mass., one of the largest manufacturers of confectionery in the country.  His route is on the main line of the New York Central from Albany to Syracuse, and over to Oswego; also on the Mohawk & Malone from Utica to Malone.

Maurice L. Adams, formerly of Potsdam, who has been living in Aspen Colorado, with his mother, has now secured a position as teacher in Santa Barbara, Cal, and he and his mother have removed to that place.  On account of his health Mr. Adams found it necessary to move from the cold and mountainous district in Colorado to a milder climate.

The New York Press has the following regarding Mrs. Nellie L. Ward, formerly Miss Nellie Dowsey of Potsdam: ”Mrs. Nellie L. Ward, a pupil of Leo Kofler, is undoubtedly the most sought for vocalist in that musical suburb of New York called Flushing.  She has scored most flattering success on numerous occasions, and has been in demand at musical entertainments in the Methodist Episcopal and Reformed churches, also at receptions and memorable occasions and entertainments in Masonic Hall.  Mrs. Ward has been studying steadily for two years with Mr. Leo Kofler and is a pronounced artist.  She has a very large compass, a truly musical temperament, great expression and warmth of tone and gives evidence of very thorough training.  A brilliant future is predicted for this vocalist.

Wm A. Torrance has formed with others a teacher’s agency known as “The Chautauqua Teacher’s Agency” with headquarters at Jamestown, N.Y.  Mr. Torrance still retains his connection with the Grammar school and acts as treasurer of the agency.

 

Sudden Death of Henry Grant Humphry

The news of the death of Mr. Henry Grant Humphry, which occurred in Watertown Friday morning, Jan 20th, was a shock to the people of this community where he was so well and favorably known.  He was at one time a student in the Potsdam Normal School and had many warm friends and admirers among the Alumni of this institution.

His recent marriage with Grace Sisson Safford, who has in recent years been closely linked with the social life of the young people of our village, gave to this community an additional interest in his career.  That the happy united life of this young couple should have been so soon and sadly terminated is one of the inscrutable providences which we shall have to wait to understand.  Deep and universal sympathy is felt for the widowed bride in her unspeakable sorrow.

He was universally esteemed and was deemed a bright, progressive business man with a good future ahead.   He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Humphrey, of Copenhagen, and was born in that village in 1866.  For many years he was general agent for the Stimpson Computing Scale Company of Detroit, and traveled all over the United States and Canada.  For the past seven years he was associated with Harvey C. Smith in Watertown in the scale business.  Two years ago the firm took charge of the real estate boom at Massena, for the Massena Real Estate Col, and last March he located in Watertown definitely.

He is survived by his parents, a brother, Dr. H. W. Humphrey of Adams, and two sisters, Mrs. F. L. Cubley of Potsdam, and Mrs. F. P. Smart of Santa Barbara, California.

 

Crane Normal Institute of Music

Miss Jessie Ackerman, ’01, writes from Richmond, Va., where she is teaching in “Virginia Union University.”  She sends an interesting program of a musical and literary entertainment, for which she prepared all the music.  The entertainment was given to collect money to pay for new hymnals, and succeeded in its object.  She says the chapel seats eight hundred; that she has organized three quartets and a chorus.  She teaches five music classes, and two classes in penmanship each day, and gives piano lessons after school hours.  Dr. McVicar was president of this school when taken with his last illness.

A note from Mrs. Maria Thomas Brown ’00, brings her very pleasantly to memory.  Her present home is in Rochelle Park, New Rochelle, NY.

Miss Leora Nims ’97, who has been teaching music and drawing at Palmyra, NY., returns the coming term for post-graduate work.  Miss Nims taught first in Bath, Maine, where she made for herself and the school a fine reputation.  Miss Clara Foster ’92, takes her place at Palmyra.

Miss Elizabeth Cameron, ’01, now teaching at Asheville, N.C.spent her Christmas holidays with Miss Sara Cole, ’01, at Atlanta, Georgia.  Miss Cameron wrote to order music teacher manuals for her method class.

Miss Mary Fox, ’02, has charge of the music in the public schools of Herkimer and is very happy in her work.  She has just taken advantage of an opportunity to visit schools and recognize much inspiration and many good suggestions as the result of her visit.

Miss Beatrice MacGowan, ’03, is having excellent success in her work at South Orange, New Jersey.  She is enjoying the opportunity of studying musical compostition in New York, and has written several songs which are highly commended by eminent critics.

Mrs. Helen Bridge, ’97, teacher of music in the Oneonta Normal School, has been granted a leave of absence of two weeks to visit schools in New York and Washington.  We hope to hear a full report of her visit.

 

Alumni Babies:

Deans – Potsdam, Jan 2, 1905 – To Dr. and Mrs. E. V. Deans, a daughter.

Moyer – New York, Jan 11, 1905 – To Prof. and Mrs. F. E. Moyer, (nee Abbie Howe) a son, Donald Howe.

Hankins – Malone, Jan 16, 1905 – To Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hakins (nee Zira Lewis) a daughter,

Avery – Philadelphia, N.Y, Jan 18, 1905 – To Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Avery (nee Eva Wellington) a daughter, Madge Wellington

 

Alumni Weddings:

Smith-Whitmarsh – Jan 1905 – Miss Jennie Whitmarsh of Canton, NY to Mr. John Smith of Amsterdam, NY

 

Roll of Honor:

The following subscriptions have been received since the last issue of the Magazine.  We acknowledge the same with thanks, and credit the amount to the date following each name:

Three dollars from M. Ethelyn Harper, March ‘08

Two dollars and fifty cents from J. Frank Stanton, May ‘07

Two dollars from C. G. Drake, June ’05; Chas. F. Murphy, Feb ’07; Henry W. Scott, Dec ‘06

One dollar and fifty cents from May Stephenson Hendrickson, March ’05; Ida B. Clark, Feb ’06; M. J. Hazelton, March ’06; H. May Dayton, Feb ’06; Adelaide Sweet, ‘July 06

One dollar from Frank L. Austin, June ’06; Alice M. Reynolds, July ’06; D. J. Crowley, Jan ’04; Frances P. Hedges, Jan ’06; Carrie Hayes Boynton, June ’06; Flora Hackett, Feb ’05; Grace Seabury, June ’06; Edith Farrington Kingston, June ’05; Harriet E. Leiser, July ’05; Mary Connelly Gilmore, Feb ’03.

Fifty cents from Willard Bartlett, July ’05; Lena Rogers; Eleanor Havens Whitford, July ’05; Alice Collister, July ’05; Mrs. Ann Roberts, ‘Oct 06; Elmira Grew, Nov ’05; Ida O. Slater, July ’05; Harriet Isham, Dec ’05; Minnie G. Church, June ’05; H. T. Daghistan, Feb ’06; Mrs. John Holland, Jan ’05; Helen Lindsay, Oct ’04; Ella Harrigan, June ’05; Pearl Tiffany, Feb ’06.

 

Department of Instrumental Music:

The many friends of Mr. Arthur Haskins will be glad to learn that he has fully recovered his health and has resumed his work in our school.

Mr. H. Ward Pearson, who has had a very successful three years and a half experience in teaching, has returned to complete his course, after which he expects to continue his studies either in Boston or in Europe.

Miss Grace Waters, ’04, is teaching in Carthage and Lowville.  We wish her much success.

We are pleased to again welcome Miss Livonia Giles, who returns to continue her studies in the department.

 

Francis Baconian

Our society loses one member by graduation this term, Mr. Horace Ruggles.  On account of his rare musical talent and his loyal support of society he has been a valued member and will be greatly missed.

The officers for the ensuing quarter are: President – C. S. Kukette; Secretaries, H. C. Lockwood and L. H. Coit; Chairman of Gen. Com. – Robert McCormick.

We are glad to welcome back for next term Messrs. K. D. Bryson, J. M. Alexander and F. D. Scruton, who have returned to continue their courses after a year’s absence.

We wish to congratulate the Rogers and Alphas for the success at the Grand Public debate, yet at the same time feel that we may justly feel proud of the work done by the representatives of the Calliopean and Francis Baconian Societies.

Mr. Everett Bacon, who was with us last term for a time, has since Congress convened, been engaged as one of the clerks in the House of Representatives at Washington.

 

Roger Baconian

The officers for the first quarter of the new term are as follows: President: E. A. Anderson; Critic: L. M. Cleland; Gen. Com. J. C. Crowley, H. F. Davis, C. M. Sullivan; Treas. Maurice May.

A large number of meetings have been held this quarter and much benefit derived from the work done under the leadership of our president, A. F. Crane.

 

Calliopean

The newly elected officers of the Calliopean society are: President, Miss Brainard; Vice President, Miss Curtis; Cor. Sec. Miss Stowell; Rec. Sec. Miss Stewart.

Four Calliopean members of the A class are located for the remainder of the year: Miss Clark at Tuxedo Park, Miss Paubst at Lisbon, Miss Thayer at Gouverneur, and Miss Jones at Canton.  We congratulate the schools that have secured the services of these loyal Calliopeans.

Miss Drury has recently been initiated into the mysteries of the society.

The Roger-Calliopean Union held in Roger Hall drew a large and enthusiastic audience.  As usual, the interest centered in the debate on the question: “Resolved, that the open shop is for the best interest of the country”.  The affirmative side was upheld by Mr. Smith and Miss Daily; the negative by Mr. Cleland and Miss Reynolds.  The decision was in favor of the negative.

We are glad to learn that Miss Veitch is improving in health and will soon be in school again.

Miss Ena Allen, who was obliged to miss last term’s work on account of illness, enters with the new term.

The Franks and Calliopeans had an enjoyable spread in society hall after the Grand Public debate.  Among the alumni present were Miss Hobbs and Mr. Hill.  These with other members of the two societies responded to a fine list of toasts, Mr. Coit, the Frank president, being toast master.  Everyone went away feeling they had each secured a large share of the fun which is served on all such occasions.

 

Alpha

The newly elected officers for the first quarter of the spring term are: Miss Hart, president; Miss O’Malley, vice president; Miss Gebhardt Rec. Sec.; Miss Hazel Curtis, Cor. Sec.

We are sorry to lose several of our prominent members who are members of the present graduating class.  Among them are Misses Day, Bushaw, Kimball, Cooke, Freeman and Lawrence.  Misses Day, Lawrence, and Cooke have already gone to take positions.

The Alpha-Calliopean Union of this term was very successful.  The farce “Maidens all forlorn” was especially taking.

Our union with the Franks of Jan 21 was most enjoyable.  The debate was on the question of municipal lighting for Potsdam.  Mr. Coit and Miss Briggs upheld the affirmative and Miss Marks and Mr. Crary the negative.  The debate was well contested but won on the negative.  The program closed with a laughable Trial in a country Justice Court.  The costumes were very unique and characteristic.