Turpin-Darnall School - Putnam

Bainbridge, Sept 11, ’96 –[ On last Thursday the pupils of the old Turpin Darnall school met after a lapse of more than 50 years on the farm of Alex Breckinridge in Clinton Township and with their friends held a grand reunion.  There were more than 200 people present and the time was spent in speech making and talks by the scholars of the old school, music by a choir of young ladies and at noon a splendid dinner was spread upon the table prepared for the occasion, 50’ long by 4’ wide. The old school house where these old boys and girls attended was built in 1832 and was located about two miles west of Union Chapel and just south of the north Rockville Road where now stands a locust grove. Dr. RP Newgent was master of ceremonies and Anna Ratcliff opened the exercises with a recitation. Then followed speeches and talks by HC Darnall, Chas. Newgent, Sanford Sewell, Jacob Rodgers and Leonard Ratcliff. After dinner little Nellie Nutgrass spoke an appropriate declamation prepared for the occasion. This was followed by several other talks by the old folks, telling of their old school days and comparing their advantages with those of the present and altogether a most highly enjoyable time seemed to be experienced by all. The following is a list of those present who attended the old school: Dr RP Newgent and wife; HC and JF Darnall, Chas, Newgent; Clark Brackney; James and Sanford Sewell, Leonard Ratcliffe; Jacob Rogers and wife; Aurenab lake; Delphia Williams; Elizabeth McMains; Nancy Dunnington and Louisa McCray.  The ages of these persons ranged from 55-76 years and they reside at present most in Parke and Putnam Counties. Some of the teachers who taught the old school were Thomas Newgent; Mr. Blackburn; John W. Thomas; Eliza Chantler; Jeremiah Terry; Alfred Hall and Alex Ramsey. The principal and only formal address of the day was made in the afternoon by Hon. JF Darnall which was full of reflection upon the past and present of these old men and women. He said, “This meeting today is unique. In all my experience I have never known nor have I ever read of such a one; the meeting of a remnant of a class of body of particular persons after the lapse of more than 50 years. The soldiers o f the late war have annual reunions and in this and other counties it is no uncommon thing for associations, classes and families to meet once a year and enjoy the festivities and friendship of love and affection. When we separated at the old school house 50 years ago had an astrologer told us that 50 years hence a call would be issued to those still living of our number to meet on this beautiful ground overlooking the sacred spot dear to the memory of many of us, because it recounts to us the scenes of our childhood and youth, it would not have awakened a passing notice. Yet thro’ a kind Providence a few of us are permitted to be here and let us for a moment as we take a retrospective view of the past, carry our thoughts back to the old school house with its quaint style of architecture and furniture of the most primitive character. I am sure none will forget the old rock chimney and the fireplace half as broad as the house also a little paddle at the door to tell if you were inside or out; the necessary ornamentation of the house that doubtless made the most lasting impression on some of us, which was procured from a beach tree that stood near the building, probably ¾ of an inch thick where it was cut from the tree and tapering very beautifully for 5’ to a fine point.  I suppose in these days of higher education it would be called a fascinator but we called it a persuader. Although, however, much we might disagree in the name we who have felt its magical touch from the hands of a good artist, agree that it made a wonderful, profound and lasting impression. To be a little more serious, in those days I doubt very much if any of us had a very clear conception of old age. We looked upon men and women that were 50 years old as in the eventide of life and when death removed one of them, whilst we entered as best we could into sympathy for the bereaved, we consoled ourselves with the thought “they are old and cannot be expected to live much longer anyway.” But when we look back over the past and call up the names of the departed who were near and dear to us, that we thought were old, we are surprised when we see their ages recorded in the old family bible and on their tombs to find them younger than any of us assembled here today, after a separation of 50 years to talk over the events of childhood and youth. My friends it is a characteristic of the American people that they go rushing and blustering through life in pursuit of something they think will make life more enchanting and old age less dreaded and despised, as you is not this a delusion? Is it not the foundation of selfishness, a thing that is a greater curse to the world and civilization than all else beside. An ideal life is one that is blessed with the cultivation of all the social amenities, possible. By nature we are all social beings, each living not alone, but dependent upon others, hence it is we are benefitted as we go from thence today carrying with us new thoughts and new aspirations, and strong fellowship for each other. More than half a century ago we started out to meet life’s realities, knowing but little of its trials, hardships and disappointments. The road to us was new not one of us had traveled it before the experience of those who were unfamiliar with the way and who sought to instruct us, did not familiarize us with the journey. In some way or manner, we thought we would avoid all the rough places and travel the path that was strewn with flowers, aid that it would slake our thirst at the bubbling fountain that fed the running brook and if it must needs be we pass through the wilderness, we fancied that the singing birds upon our right hand and upon our left, and the bright zephyr of glittering sunshine would lead us to the harbor of happiness and bliss. Now we know this was the dream of youth; now we know that it is through trial and tribulation and patience that we must be schooled to reach the higher type of manhood and womanhood. My friends whilst it gives us pleasure to take each other by the hand today and speak words of encouragement, one to another we feel a sense of sadness when we look at our decimated rank. There was a great number of us started out together fifty years ago, but many have fallen along these years; here and there ■ little mound marks the chatnel house of schoolmates that were near and dear to us. We sat together, we played together, we enjoyed the youthful sports and games in mirth and laughter. Today, may we not with uncovered heads and eyes raised heaven ward, say "Peace to their Ashes,” "Perpetuity to their memory.” We meet today as men and women who have passed the meridian of life;  the journey before us is toward the setting sun, we meet today amid experiences and lifes environment;  When we set sail on the broad ocean of life fifty years ago, we were scattered like leaves by the autumn winds, hither and thither, engaged in different castings and pursuits, hence it is natural after half a decade to advocate difference of opinions with respect of question; of government and of policy. If so, we believe the foundation of our early education, supplemented by experience has developed in us breadth of thought and character, that enables each one of us to respect difference of opinion without prejudice to the individual. This day marks an epoch in the history of our lives; wonderful because of Divine Interposition, and satisfactory because of blessings yet left to us. Having passed the period of buoyancy and hopefulness of youth, lighted by the wisdom of maturity, we approach the evening of life, may I not say with a lively hope and confidence the life who has brought us thus far, will guide us through all life’s journey. The lesson now before us is given in two  words, "duty and destiny.”  In these words rests the chief end of man. God is our Father and we are his children. We owe Him every service we can pay by His Mercy and goodness we have been spared through all these years ; In Him we have life and meaning and  through the merit of His son Jesus Christ we have hope to meet one another again. Wherefore, let us not be the dismayed but rather rejoice to know that He who gave his life for us is able to keep up and bring us into newness of life, purified by immortality that is not affected by year nor grieved by the sorrows of disappointment.