Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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Beckwith Memorial Fund, as a slight token of the esteem in which Dr. Beckwith is held. The money is to be used in rendering financial assistance to promising and needy students. Contributions may be sent to the secretary of the committee, Miss Fannie B. Deane, State Normal School, Salem, Mass. Mr. Beckwith was married December 29, 1879, to Miss Mary L. Sayles, a success- ful teacher at Adams, Mass., who, with one daughter, Miss Frances S. Beckwith, a recent graduate of Vassar College, survives him. Dr. Beckwith was a man of great vigor of mind and body and morally he was of the sternest integrity. In whatever he undertook he displayed these characteristic qual- ities of mind and heart, and he excited in all who came in contact with him the same sterling qualities. Personally, Dr. Beckwith was the type of a rugged, hearty, jovial man. He was a delightful companion, steadfast in his friendships, and so keen a judge of human nature that a few hours of acquaintance with anyone was sufficient to enable him to analyze with great accuracy both his character and ability. He hated hypocrisy and double dealing in any form and loved to call things by their right names. He was too honest and straightforward to become a successful diplomat and his want of tact may have lost him a friend at times, but never one worthy of the name. His power of depicting character in a few brief sentences was something unusual and he would sum up all the good and bad traits among his friends and acquaintances in almost a single sentence and leave but little unsaid. He dearly loved a joke, and bright, indeed, was he who could get the best of him in a duel of words. He was quick at repartee and his hearty laugh gave life and cheer to any circle of which he wasa member. He was a member of the Universalist Church and for many years one of its trusted officers. He loved books and surrounded himself by the works of the best authors. He was not a financier after the frenzied pattern of today and cared nothing for money except for what it would bring to him, and was perfectly content with his modest salary, provided it would meet his necessary expenses and purchase the beloved books he cared for. Dr. Beckwith died at his home in Salem, Mass., October 13, IQOS. In his dczith Massachusetts loses one of her strongest men and ablest educators, the many teachers, a wise counselor and guideg his family, a devoted husband and loving father, and his many friends, one whose place can never be filled, although his example will never die. The funeral of Doctor Beckwith was held at Salem. Doctor Beckwith delivered the address at the memorial service in honor of President ffapen of Tufts College, closing with these words-a tribute his many friends would render to Doctor Beckwith himself 1 So, when a good man dies, For years lieyontl our ken, 'l'he light he left behind him lies Upon the paths of men. 8

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After leaving college, Mr. Beckwith accepted the principalship of the high school at Chicopee, Mass., where he remained until january, 1878. At that time he received the appointment of superintendent of the public schools in Adams, Mass., which position he filled until June 13, 1896, when he was elected principal of the State Normal School in Salem, Mass., succeeding Prof. Daniel B. Hagar. While a resident at Adams, he was identified with the affairs of the town, having served as moderator at the annual town meetings for many years, being the choice of all parties interested. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for eighteen years and did much to improve it. He was affiliated with Berkshire Lodge of Free Masons, Greylock Lodge, A. O. U. W., both of Adams, and of Tufts Col- lege Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa. He was a fluent public speaker and during the past twenty-five years had addressed many public meetings on educational and other subjects. Dr. Beckwith was considered by leading educators as one of the strongest and ablest men in Massachusetts and his name had been among those considered in connection with the vacant presidency of Tufts College. When Doctor Balliet retired from the office of superintendent of schools in Springfield, Mass., Dr. Beckwith was one of three men seri- ously considered by the committee for the succession. He, however, would not consider the candidacy. In 1883, Tufts College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. for post-graduate work in Latin and English literature, and about ten years later the degree of Ph. D. He was a frequent contributor to educational and other papers on matters pertaining to education. He was a member of the Essex County Teachers' Association, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, the New England Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Superintendents' Association, in all of which he had performed official duties. While principal of the Salem Normal School, Dr. Beckwith gave his time and energy to the administration of the affairs of the school and the broadening of its infiuence. His success in raising the general standard of normal school work cannot be overesti- mated. Both by training and personal qualifications he was preeminently fitted for the position of a Teacher of Teachers. His personal infiuence over the students was very great and they found in him both a sympathetic friend and faithful guide. No higher tribute to the character and efficiency of his work can be offered than that paid by the many successful graduates of the school who continually turned to their alma mam' and to Doctor Beckwith, personally, for inspiration and up-to-date information concerning improved methods and advanced ideas. He was especially successful in keeping the interest of the alumni of the school alive and through his efforts the semi-centennial celebration of 1904 was most satisfactory and complete. He compiled a catalogue of all persons connected with the school since its founding in 1854, a work requiring long and persistent effort. A memorial service was held in the hall of the Normal School building in Salem, Saturday, December 9, 1905. Mr. Martin, secretary of the State Board of Education presided and William W. McClench, Esq., of Springfield, Mass, delivered the memorial address. A committee has been appointed to procure contributions for the establishment of a 7

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The Discontented Dandelion. HERE was no reason why the dandelion should have been discontented, for her house was a beautiful garden, where stately roses and brilliant peonies nodded and blushed in the warm sunlight. Carefully kept paths wound in and out, and in the center stood a merry little fountain throwing drops of shining water upon the quiet grass and the happy flowers. But neither the soft, green grass nor the beauteous roses, nor even the sparkling fountain could bring joy to the heart of the lit- v f W 'if - f. 'v eil ' tlD dl . 9 - 55:34-'1 ' .l'uii4. l'- 6 an C Kin . . H5 y n A-a i ffin-if , -5 A robin had a nest in the tall elm tree - 5-if .. . . - 1' ' , gui G if' -' ill' ll-E' near the fountain but every morning when he - if 'L iv' PQ , vt . , 1 y gfi- 'g il had sung his song, he went away over the gar- den wall into the great Land beyond. There ?f? ill I' i, ff were bees in the garden, who could roam from Q- , gf it flower to flower at will, and they, too, could fri.-ve re- 'f ' f 1 . . 5i:,f 1 :fI?,'f ig3? L ,.7,i? M l-y cross the garden wall. But little Dandelion 3'iVLQ:'ig i .,l could do nothing but stay in her corner of the garden and sleep and wake, and dream and wonder what was happening in that mysterious Land beyond the Garden VVall. Perhaps she had brothers and sisters in that country. Once she asked the Poppy who lived beside her whether there had ever been other Dandelions in the garden but the Poppy said that there had been none there since she could remember. She did not tell her that the Gardener if T Q pulled up the other Dandelions and left her only because I she was hidden in the corner of the wall where he could it fp, ' if-3 , not see her. i Wil K fx One day when she had lived in the Garden for a long ffl if time, she saw a handsome visitor coming into the neigh- ' l ,tif QV borhood. This was none other than the gay Mr, Butter- tl ll J, X fl A fly, coming to pay his respects to the flowers. r I X A A , U Heis very well worth knowing, my dear, said the ffl ll Poppy, for he has traveled far beyond the Garden Wall 'J' Iwi I 7 and seen many things about which even the tall Sun- U ef' 1 ' 1 y flower knows nothing. I F 3 2 ,,,'q.' Very bright and charming the Dandelion found him as Q i 2 g he poised jauntily on a blade of grass and told of his adventures in the Land beyond the Garden XfVall. How many things there were to be seen, if one could only travel about and find them! Tall plants with things growing upon them, which creatures like the Gardener plucked and ate 3 great pools of water, much larger than the fountain's basin, large enough, in fact, to hold the whole Garden, even the wall-if only one were not obliged to stay in the corner, always. The Dandelion sighed so profoundly that even gay Mr. Butterfly was touched. ' 9