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Area Businesses Closed in
Celebration of the School's Opening
Classes began in a temporary location after an opening ceremony held on November 16, 1909. City Mayor Henry Boyle declared 10:00 a.m. to noon on that day a holiday and requested businesses close so that their owners and customers could attend the event. [1] A few days later, a Chamber of Commerce spokesman announced the school's name, one given in recognition of Superintendent Cameron. [2]
1. Held in Lawton's Opera House, the ceremony included a band that provided entertainment. Professor Liner served as master of ceremonies. Governor Haskell, Superintendent Cameron, Agricultural and Mechanical College President Connell spoke. Local preachers were asked "to announce the opening exercises . . . and urge their lady church societies to exercise diligence in securing suitable homes or boarding places for the students, that the farmer boys and girls may be surrounded by suitable influences, and their parents may be spared worry concerning them while away form home in school." "Officials Are Invited--Exercises To Be Held at Opera House Tuesday Morning Beginning at 10 O’clock; Lawton Band and List of Speakers," Daily News and Republican, November 13, 1909, 1. "Businesses Will Close," Lawton Constitution Democrat Weekly, November 14, 1909, 1; "Farmer's School Opens," Lawton Constitution Democratic Weekly, November 18, 1909, 6.
2. "Cameron College--Fourth District Agricultural School Named For State Superintendent," Lawton Constitution Democrat Weekly, December 2, 1909, 1. |
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