Fannin County TXGenWeb
Hawthorn College Graduating Class
1895-1896
Celeste , Hunt County, Texas

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from Sarah Swindell

  This is a letter to Mrs. Lois Lewis from Bessie S. Sheppard, RR 1, Box A-11, Chico, Texas  76030, dated March 22, 1977:
 
   " Dear Friends at Celeste,
        It was a pleasure to have your letter this morning.  I feel honored that you want information about my father's attendance at Hawthorne College.  I know so very little about it, but I will gladly share what I know with you.
    I have been doing research several years on the Sims' family and just recently found the old tin box with my father's papers in it.
The box was found in my brother's attic.
    All I have about Hawthorne College is the commencement announcement exercises.
    I will enclose a Xerox copy of it so you can see it, and get all the names and dates, and data.  (Was not in envelope)
    The wide ribbon on the front was lavender; so, I presume their school colors were lavender and white.
    It was for the year '95-'96 (1895-1896).
 
                                    In Honor of Senior Class of '95-'96
                                       School of Music and Art
                                          Hawthorn College
                                           Celeste, Texas
 
The program is self explanatory.
 
Sunday, June 7, 1896
    Commencement Sermon - 11:00 AM
        Rev. J. W. Adkisson, Waxahachie
Monday, June 8
        Entertainment - 10:30 AM
            Primary and Preparatory Departments
        Oratorical Fete - 8:00 PM
            School of Elocution
Tuesday, June 9
        Entertainment - 10:00 AM
            OHC Literary Society
        Address to OHC Literary Society - 3:00 PM
            Judge P. T. Shores, Collinsville
        Beethoven Musicale - 8:00 PM
        Musicale Comique
            School of Music
Wednesday, June 10
        Graduating Exercises - 10:00 AM
            Class of '95 - '96
        Commencement Address - 11:00 AM
            A. B. Miller, DD, Bonham
 
Art Display Each Day
 
On the last page are the names of the Graduates:
    Mettie White, Hanley, Texas
    J. H. Montgomery, Holder, Indian Territory
    John E. Fritz, Celeste, Texas
    Albert McWilliams, Bailey, Texas
    J. S. Williams, Celeste, Texas
    Benjamin Sims, Whitesboro, Texas (my father)
    Sam Nelson, Celeste, Texas
                                              ******
    I am enclosing a picture of my father, that was made about this age and time.
    You are welcome to use it in your newspaper column or in your history books and collections or however you choose.  (not in
envelope)
                                       Bessie (Sims) Sheppard
                                            (signature)"