Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

Page 15 text:

[He SENIOR The Old Academy. One can hardly imagine, in this period magnificent buildings con the and of stantly many rising, interest which must have centered around Rome Academy dur- ing its erection less than sixty years ago. of Mr. Sanford Library possesses a Through the Adams, ot after courtesy the Jervis catalogue, issued one “First copy the first the building. Annual vear the erection The front reads: page Stryker, Hon. Seth B. Roberts, Alva Mudge, Jesse Armstrong, Benjamin N. Hunting- N. Bissell, Sanford Enoch B. Armstrong, Lynden Abell and others. ton, Gordon Adame, Of the 310 pupils we note a few famil- jar names. Chauncey Armstrong, George Barnard, John G. Bissell, J. J. Bradt, Theodore S. Comstock, William a Elmer, Lyman Gage, George Merrill, Gustavus M. Palmer, Albert H. Pope, Nathan P. ANNUAL. gue of the ¢ Students of Cat il ‘ rporation, Instructors and Rome Academy, Dec. 1819, A. J. Rowley Co., Re cipal and Miss Soprina Jennings precep printers.” Samuel Brown was the first prin- tress, with ten assistants. The “Corporation” includes manyfwell- remembered and greatly revered names: Huntington, president; Calvert secretary; Rowland 5S. Hon. Henry A. Edward Comstock, Doty, treasurer; Foster, John Rudd, P. Russ, John Stryker, Calvin West, Arthur S. Roberts, Helen M. Abell, Margaret O. Bissell, Maria L. Bradt, Isabella F. Denio, Mary L. Hayden, Elnora S. Kimball, Mary A. Stevens, Eliza Tyler. George Peryn, Lucy C. A course of study is mapped out for the “Male Department” and another for the “Female Department,” though there isn’t as great a diversity in the studies as might be implied; not so very many subjects,

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Initials for Seniors. lways Ready Walt Fraulein Micheldorfer Kaufman. Hunger Devil VMeFarland. Much Wanted Smith Eater Smith. Mule Rider McCormac Germany Frave Graceful Maiden Jewell Happy Cuss Littl Nagging Riddle Jone Prize Winner Hughes. Mightily Loved Li Remaining Candi Made Healthy Long Jogging Athlete Monahan. Able Energetic Oatman Slightly Musical Payne. Ever Amiable Williams. Never Grouchy Sweeny.

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14 THe Senior after all, with which the female mind was not deemed able to cope. We quote one paragraph relating to discipline: “The discipline of the school is severe only upon those who deserve severity, while it is mild and easy to all who conduct with propriety. An accurate account is kept of the attendance and de- portment of each pupil from day to day, and a summary of the same is sent to his parent or guardian at the close of the term. An indolent or disorderly, or immoral stu- dent will be promptly reported to his friends, and unless reformation ensue, will be excluded from the school by a vote of the recommendation of the Trustees, on the Principal. This, however, will be re- sorted to only when all other means of beneficent effecting the wholesome and ends of discipline have failed. The true teacher will know no law of action in his relation to his pupils, but that of their permanent welfare, together with the ap- probation of God.” The frequent appearance of italics in the regular text and of capitals are espe- cially noticeable, while the somewhat ancient tone of the entire document gives a quaintness and interest to it, awakening us tothe fact that time is rapidly passing and that even fifty years brings many. changes. ‘This catalogue also impresses one vividly with the thought and pains taken by the first trustees. The president and others put much of their own life into the school, and we today enjoy the result of their labor in a higher and better plane of aspiration and accomplishment than otherwise would be ours. The first annual exhibition occurred in 1850. The program, or “Scheme,” as it was called, is well gotten up, and is mod- ern in nearly every particular. The ap- pearance of several colloquies and the numbering of each order of exercise being the only exception. ANNUAL. The second exhibition contains the name of George Merrill and W. X. Ninde. A colloquy written by the latter appears as the principal attraction. No ladies allowed in this entertainment. With the third “exhibition” began the reading of “compositions.” Four readers were selected, and these read the twenty- five “efforts.” Among these readers were Amelia Steuben and Cornelia Sammons. In the fifth, Waite Brush, Payson Miner, H. W. Oliver, Rush P. Cady, Sophia Denio, Seldon Talcott appear. In the sixth we find Amy Kirkland, Belle Vogel, Julia Chapell, S.S. T. Smith, Eliza Cady, Rhoda Stevens, Frank Pope, Alice Barton, Wil- lard A. Cobb. ginning of the well-known title “The Old Academy.” Prof. Franklin Moore, the brother and friend; Oren Root, the matchless teacher: George Barton, the student and scholar‘ Payson Miner, upright, conscientious and gentle; A. G. Benedict, impartial and exact, have each left an imprint upon the citizenship of Rome that time can not efface, as have all the teachers who have filled chair in the “Academy.”. During the years. 1867-68 a regular course of study with graduating honors was planned under the direction of Prof. E. O. Hovey and Hovey and Alice Rathburn graduated and were the first to receive diplomas. The exercises were in the Baptist Church, then on Stan- wix street, and occurred in the afternoon. At this time the financial condition of the school was such that the subject was taken up by the City Fathers and the Old Academy graduated into the Rome Free Academy with all the rights and privileges which its name implies. Thus the R. F. A. continued to be for many years the beloved watchword of many tongues and when it was razed to the ground ashort time since there were few who passed that way who could not recall much that would be interesting to the pupils and graduates of the Rome High School. Emma M. Foor. This seems to be the be- principals and the instructor’s Misses Louise