Saturday, May 24
Over 5,000 attended the 7th annual commencement exercises of Central High School at the City Auditorium Friday night. Sixty graduates received diplomas from Hon. D.H. Bloom, president of the Hamilton County Board of Education. Two main features on the program were the address of James Bass on The Call of the Men of the South, and singing by the Central Quartette, composed of Emmett and Robert Stephens, William Seagle, and Ivan Anderson. Dr. J.W. Bachman pronounced the invocation. Mrs. W.H. Pryor directed the singing of the student body.
Misses Louise Spears and Emily Miller entertained with a luncheon at the Commercial Club in honor of the senior class of the Girls’ Preparatory School. Covers were laid for eight.
Miss Margaret Donelson will return from Shorter College and bring a guest, Miss Galt, attractive sponsor from Canton, Ga., for the Confederate Reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Donelson will also have Judge and Mrs. Horton from Athens, Ala., and J. Branch Donelson from Birmingham as guests for the reunion.
Sunday, May 25
The Century Co., organized by three prominent Chattanooga businessmen – W.E. Brock, John A. Patten and W.A. Sadd – has demonstrated confidence in Chattanooga’s future by leasing for 99 years the corner of Market and Eighth Streets extending back to Broad Street, from Jacob Kunz at $15,000 a year. In January 1914, they will begin the erection of a 10-story building costing not less than $100,000.
For one night only at the Albert Theater, Miss Inez Hyder will present her dancing pupils in the fairy extravaganza, Puss in Boots. There will be 200 children participating in lovely costumes and graceful dancing. Admission for orchestra seats will be 75 cents; balcony will be 50 cents.
One of the pleasant surprises of the commencement season was the announcement that Alex Guerry will be athletic director at Baylor School. Guerry is a Sewanee product, an all-around athlete, and a tennis star. He will be welcomed by both students and fans.
Monday, May 25
Decorations have transformed the whole extent of Market Street into a riot of red and blue Confederate colors. Hundreds of flags will welcome Confederate armies after 50 years. Everything is gay and alive for the veterans and their sons for their annual reunion. All arriving trains are overflowing with visitors.
Miss Nellie A. Barnes announced the engagement and approaching marriage of her sister, Mabel Curtis Barnes, to Mr. Edward G. Murrell. The wedding will take place in June at the home of the bride on Missionary Ridge. Miss Barnes is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George D. Barnes.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fancher of Florida and Mr. and Mrs. George Sallee of Somerset, Ky., are guests of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Fancher.
The first session of the Confederate reunion opens Monday night. Comrade T.C. Thompson, Commandant of the Jonathan W. Bachman Camp, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, will call the meeting to order at the City Auditorium at 8 p.m. Rev. W.T. Allen, Jacksonville, Ala., will give the invocation.
Tuesday, May 27
Eight thousand veterans have arrived in Chattanooga for the reunion. General Chairman for the reunion, W.E. Brock, called the meeting to order this morning. General Bennett H. Young, commander-in-chief, presented over the business meeting.
Puss in Boots proved to be an excellent extravaganza playing to a capacity house. Participating in the Fairy Dell scene were Maude Dyer, Katherine Alsup, Katherine Carmack, Katherine Herbert, and Virginia Burke. Jerome Harris sang Mystery of Love and Marjory Hyder played Puss in Boots. Children dressed to represent flowers danced in this scene. Another outstanding scene was a regiment of older children in Confederate uniforms in a military drill.
Thousands lined both sides of Georgia Avenue Monday morning as 11 athletes started on the Time Marathon, which was from Fort Oglethorpe to the Times Building. Bob Peel, formerly of Detroit, Mich., won the race, finishing just ahead of H.M. Pierce. Only eight finished the marathon. Physical Director Crosby of the YMCA congratulated Peel at the finish line on his time of a mile in eight minutes.
Wednesday, May 28
The magnificent new inn constructed by C.E. James on Signal Mountain was formally opened Tuesday. The hotel will be known as Signal Mountain Inn. Many reservations had been made by guests for the Confederate reunion.
Prof. T.J. Firth, who was General George Gordon’s Brigade, Army of Tennessee bandmaster during the Civil War, gives an interesting history of the origin of Dixie. Dan Emmett admits he did not arrange the Song of the South. Prof. John R. Millen is due the credit. Firth played it as far back as 1858.
Thursday, May 29
One of the most interesting entertainments of the reunion was Wednesday night at the Albert Theater when The Three Confederates – Col. Tom Booker, Cap’t Tony Miller, and Polk Miller – gave a concert. These banjoists and fiddlers were supported by the famous Old South Quartette.
The reunion closes today with a great parade. General Bennett H. Young was enthusiastically re-elected commander and Jacksonville, Fla., was chosen as reunion city for 1914.
The Women of Alabama with elaborate ceremonies will unveil the Alabama monument in Chickamauga Park. Mrs. Townes Randolph Leigh completing her labor of love will present it to the Chickamauga Park Commission as a Memorial to the living and dead veterans. Cap’t J.P. Smartt will accept the gift.
Saturday on Harrison Avenue opposite the ballpark, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show combined with Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East Show will give two shows, afternoon and night, rain or shine. Get tickets at Live and Let Live Drug Store. Reserved seats are $1; general admission is 50 cents.
Friday, May 30
The reunion parade Thursday was an unparalleled success, with 150,000 people witnessing the great pageant. The reviewing stand was on Broad Street.
The Terminal and Union depots were crowded all day and night as the great crowd of visitors were departing after the reunion. Both railway stations handled the crowds with ease.