Louisburg Graded School Graduates 15 in Class of 1919

From The Franklin Times, Friday, May 23, 1919

Hon. R. Pruce White Delivers Address at Closing of Louisburg Graded School. . . Mr. T.W. Ruffing Presents Watch, Gift of School to Supt. W.R. Mills (Name is Pruce in headline and Bruce in story)

In spite of the influenza epidemics and the war conditions, the Louisburg Graded School closed a most successful session on Friday afternoon when the Graduating Class presented a program that was much enjoyed by a large crowd.

Hon. R. Bruce White, at Wake Forest College, delivered the commencement address. It was a gem in thought and forcefully delivered, being greatly enjoyed by all.

The programme of the grading class was as follows:

Salutatory Remarks—Joseph Harris

History—Mamie Perry

Oration—Hill Yarborough

Class Song—Jewel Bryant and Class

The Knocker—William King

The Booster—Louise Dean

The Poem—Adele Wilson

The Statistician’s Report—William Gattis

Essay—Jones Parham

Last Will and Testament—Napier Williamson

Prophecy—Genevieve Macon

Each piece was well delivered and reflected much preparation and credit both upon the authors and their instructors.

The Graduating Class this year was as follows:

Joseph Harris, president

Eugene Wilson, vice-president

Margaret Hayes, secretary

William White, treasurer

Genevieve Nicholson Macon

Jewel Bryant

Louise Burt Dean

William Floyd Gattis

William Thomas King

Adele Everard Wilson

Samuel Jones Parham Jr.

Mamie Leigh Perry

Mildred Corinna Spencer

Benj Napier Williamson Jr.

Charles Hill Yarborough Jr

T.W. Ruffin, on behalf of the students and faculty of the Graded School presented a handsome gold watch to Supt. W.R. Mills, a gift from the school expressing their appreciation and esteem, this being the last session for Supt. Mills in Louisburg, as he goes to take charge of the county schools of Craven county. A real love feast was apparent before the sorrows of parting that soon followed took place. Supt. Mills leaves a record in the schools here that will always be a monument to his memory, that will bring pleasure both to him and to his friends.

The exercises were begun on Thursday evening when Mrs. Sallie T. William’s music class gave a recital at the auditorium to quite a large number of citizens. The announcement of this feature of the exercises brings pleasure to the music lovers of Louisburg as Miss Williams is a teacher and composer of rare ability. The several participants in the program did their parts well and received many encores of appreciation from the many hearers. The program was especially interesting and entertaining.

As a whole the entire commencement exercises were a great success and well rendered, reflecting much credit and work on the part of pupils and teachers alike.