School Dedication a Notable Event
A great crowd gathered at Cliffside last Saturday to witness the ceremony of dedication of Cliffside’s magnificent new school building. The cornerstone laying and formal opening was indeed a notable occasion in the history of the town. it was a great success in every sense of the word and was a fitting climax to the constructive educational work that has been done in the town up to the present time.
At 1:00 o’clock the Grand Lodge of the State of North Carolina, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons convened in the local Masonic hall in due form, and preparations for the march to the school building were made. At 2:30 the parade procession was formed. Leading the line were the school children, all dressed in white. These were in [the] charge of Prof. Chas. C. Erwin, High School principal, and the other members of the faculty. Following these are the others participating in the parade in the following order:
Tiler, with drawn sword; grand stewards, with white rods; principal architect, with square, level and plumb; Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer; Bible, square and compasses carried by a Master of a lodge, supported by two stewards; Grand Chaplains; the five orders of architecture; Past Grand Wardens; Past Deputy Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Junior Grand Warden, carrying the silver vessel with oil; Senior Grand Warden, carrying the silver vessel with wine; Deputy Grand Master carrying the golden vessel with corn; Master of the Constitutions; Deacon, with rod; Grand Master; Deacon, with rod; Grand Pursuivant; Grand Sword Bearer, with drawn sword; followed by members of lodges present for the occasion.
A triumphal arch was erected at the place where the ceremony was to be performed. The procession, arriving at the arch, opened to the right and left, and uncovered. The Grand Master and his officers passed through the lines to the platform, while the rest of the Masons surrounded the platform, forming the hollow of a square. The Grand Master commanded silence, and announced the purpose of the occasion. Mr. Charles H. Haynes then stated the purpose for which the building was erected and requested that the cornerstone be laid according to the ancient rites and customs of Masonry. Then followed the impressive ceremony.
The list of articles placed in the crypt is as follows: Bible, school history, Masonic Record, Forest City Courier and Cliffside News, Rutherfordton Sun, Charlotte Observer, program of the formal opening and cornerstone laying of the building, coins, 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, list of grand officers participating in the ceremonies, list of officers and members of Cliffside Lodge, No. 572, A. F. & A. M. Charlotte Observer of Sunday, Mar. 11, 1917 containing life story of the late R. R. Haynes; articles of agreement and by-laws of Cliffside Mills, history of Cliffside, picture of band.
The cornerstone was of Indiana limestone (the same material with which the building is trimmed) and was engraved with the names of the building committee: Chas. H. Haynes, chairman; G. C. Haynes, Z. O. Jenkins, W. H. Haynes, G. K. Moore, R. B. Watkins, M. Hendrick, Clyde Erwin, Barron P. Caldwell; the engineers, G. C. Haynes and G. K. Moore, and the architect, Louis H. Asbury.. The end was engraved with the Masonic date, the emblem, and the name of the Grand Master.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Masonic order marched back to the lodge room, led by the Haynes Band, which assembled on the porch of the community building and played a concert to a large and appreciative audience.
The following is a list of the officers of subordinate lodge: R. V. Bland, W. M.; S. T. Padgett, S. W.; R. C. Watkins, J. W.; J. P. Carpenter, S. O.; Q. L. Womack, J. D.; C. H. Swofford, Treas.; J. S. Rudisill, Secy.; C. C. Blanton, J. T. Gilbert, Stewards; A. T. Roberson, Tiler.
Grand Lodge officers: J. W. Winborne, G. M.; Geo. C. Padgett, D. G. M.; J. W. Mills, H. G. W.; Clyde A. Erwin, J. G. W.; B. P. Caldwell, G. Treas.; J. H. Hill, G. Secy.; W. K. Collins, G. Chaplain; R. E. Carpenter, Grand Architect; P. D. Sinclair, S. G. Deacon ; H. H. Tate, J. G. Deaon; B. D. Wilson, G. Marshal; R. B. Watkins, G. S. B.
Those having charge of the parade as marshals were B. D. Wilson, chief; R. V. Bland, B. B. Goode, V. B. Splawn, D. S. B. Bridges, T. S. Padgett, L. L. Jolly.
The Marion delegation was composed of Messrs. Winborne, Sinclair, Tate and Atkins.
Among the visiting Masons from Forest City were Messrs. F. I. Barber, J. A. Wilkie, Dr. G. P. Reid, R. M. Edwards, J. E. McFarland and C. E. Alcock.
Among the candidates present were Messrs. J. F. Flack, N. C. Harris, J. W. Beason, D. B. Johnston, John P, Bean, J. F. McFarland.
All the stores and offices at Cliffside were closed for the occasion and everything was done to make the event a pleasurable one for every visitor.
Evening Program
Necoid March, Evening Time—Serenade, “Old Home Down on the Farm,” Haynes Band.
Invocation—Rev. W. K. Collins.
Welcome—Prof. Cyde A. Erwin.
Greetings from Rutherford county—Supt. W. R. Hill.
Adoration March—Haynes Band.
Introduction—Hon. F. D. Hamrick.
Address—Dr. D. W. Daniel, Clemson College.
“Star Spangled Banner”—Haynes Band.
Benediction—Rev. J. C. Keever.
The evening program was perhaps the best treat ever accorded the people of the town. As the twilight began to darken into night, people could be seen coming from every direction with only one objective—the school auditorium. At 7:30 the band concert began. Their performance was indeed an exhibition of musical art. For forty-five minutes they held the rapt attention of the audience with a variety of selections [??]
Prof. Clyde A. Erwin, superintendent of Cliffside Public schools, gave a short address of welcome. He reviewed in a brief way the history of the school from its beginning in 1901 down to the present time, congratulated the people on the splendid opportunities for education that had been made possible for them, and formally presented the building to the town. This was followed by the invocation by Rev. W, K. Collins.
Then Prof. Erwin presented County Superintendent W. R. Hill, who reviewed the progress of education in Rutherford since 1917, stressing the fact that the cost per child had not been materially increased.
Hon. F. D. Hamrick, of Rutherfordton, in a most graceful and happy manner, presented .the principal speaker of the evening, Dr. W. D. Daniel, who occupies the Chair of English at Clemson College, South Carolina. Mr. Hamrick in his remarks took occasion to comment in a very timely way on the part the South is now playing in the life of the nation. Then came Dr. Daniel, who in his inimitable way captured his audience with his first words and held his hearers spellbound to the last word. With his sparkling wit, his apparently limitless fund of anecdote, and an eloquence unexcelled and rarely equaled he brought a message to his hearers that will never be forgotten. It was interesting to watch the influence of this genius of platform on his audience. At one moment they were convulsed with laughter, at the next they leaned forward breathless as he thrust home some great truth. He spoke along the time of building and improving a community. As assets in this he mentioned cheerfulness, cooperation, the use of money and a consideration for others. He made an impassioned appeal for the rights of the younger generation. He showed that man does not live to himself alone, and that harmony and cooperation are necessary elements in success in any undertaking. His address was a masterly effort, and at its conclusion he received an ovation which brought him to his feet. At the conclusion of the address the band rendered the “Star Spangled Banner” after which the benediction was given by Rev. W. K. Collins.
The educational forces of the county were officially represented by the local Board of Education consisting of Messrs. Chas. H. Haynes, Chairman; R. B. Watkins and G. K. Moore; and the County Board of Education, consisting of Messrs. A. B. Flack, P. C. Rollins, and Miss Una Edwards.
The entire program was carried out with a finish and dispatch that was in itself evidence of long and careful planning on the part of all those having part in the arrangement of the program. The town of Cliffside is to be congratulated on having so many fine men who are always willing to give heartiest cooperation in anything that is for the betterment of the community. There is a spirit of loyalty evident in all that shows why it is that “things are done in Cliffside.” It is the earnest hope of every one that Saturday, April 22, shall be not only a red letter day in the history of the town but the inaugural day of a movement in all the things which go into the making of a bigger and better and broader life for all of us.
All honor and praise is due Cliffside Mills, and its peerless leader, Chas. H. Haynes, for the splendid contribution made for improvement and enlightenment of their people. The building as it stands represents an expenditure of a quarter of a million dollars, and every dollar of the cost of the building itself was borne outright by the company.
There is no heavy bond issue to burden the people for a generation to come. There are no heavy special taxes to be paid. It is distinctly a gift, and as a gift is representative of the fine spirit of consideration which Cliffside Mills has for its employees. There is no blighting here that comes in the community owned and dominated by a dividend loving corporation. “As a man sows, so shall he reap.” Is it any wonder that Cliffside Mills is reaping a harvest of loyalty, cooperation and harmony?
Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.
