Franklin County, Indiana - Chapter 16: Literary Clubs and Social Organizations, 1915 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 16: Literary Clubs and Social Organizations

It is an axiom of human nature tliat pc'0[)le arc g^rej^arious and prefer to mingle together rather than to isolate themselves from the world. There have heen organizations of people from the earliest times and at the present time there are literally thousands of different active organizations in the United States. These include all kinds of cluhs, lahor unions, bene\oIent and protective societies; organizations for men, for women and for children: organizations for social purposes, for the working classes, for the rich and poor ; for Jew and gentile, for all nationalities; in short, there is a club for every purpose, and for every kind of people.

There have been organizations of one kind or another in Franklin county for three-quarters of a century. In the days l:)efore the Civil War there were debating societies and literary clubs scattered over the county. In fact, most of the organizations up until the past score of years were literary in character. Brookville College supported two literary societies whose programs, as shown in the local papers of the day, were of a high literary character. Where there was one club fifty years ago for the women of Brookville, there are now nearly a dozen, each doing its own particular work and yet all working toward the same general end. There are some clubs which admit both men and w^omen to membership, namely, the Saturday Club and the Historical Society.

Julia Dumont Society

It was a group of bright girls who were attending Brookville College in 1853 '^^'^10 established an organization which antedated Sorosis by fifteen years. On December 16, 1853, a group of Brookville girls, wdiose names were well known in the history of the town, organized the Julia Dumont Society, naming it thus in honor of one of the leading women educators of the day. These girls were the Misses Clarkson, Hitt, Holland, Haymond and Price. Georgiana Plolland, now Mrs. C. C. Binckley, of No. 402 North Delaware street, Indianapolis, was president of the society during a part of its early career. Among its members who are still living are Mrs. C. C. Bincklev;

Franklin Colntv, Indiana

The nienil)ers of the society studied literature and flid not a Httle orifjinal work themselves. They had a furnished room in the college building in Brookville equipped with all the furnishings of a modest library, and it was open to the members at all liours. Young women attending the college from other points were admitted to membership and in that way the society carried upon its roll women who became prominent eclucators and writers. Among the latter, the name of Mrs. I'orcythe W'illson became well known as a poetess even before she married her poet-husband; the name of Mrs. Mary Bassett Hussev, a Brookville girl, is also one of the well-remembered members of the society.

This society did good work for about twenty years and then, as has been and always will be the case, the girls married and moved away, and the Julia Dumont Society, one of the first women's literary clubs of the United States, ceased to e.xist.

The oldest active women's organization of Brookville is the Married Women's Social Club, which was organized November 12. 1900, with thirtynine ladies present. The original purpose of the club was "to promote sociability and have a good time generally," and during the fifteen years of its existence it has fairly lived up to its motto. Although the social side was the principal object during the earlier career of the club, it has also done some interesting work along the lines of music, art and civic improvement. It is federated with the county, district and state federations.

The membership in 191 5 included forty-two women, which is the Hmit now provided by the constitution. Twenty-three of the charter members still belong to the club. The full roster of members for 191 5 is here given: Mesdames J. O. Adams, I. AI. Bridgeman, John Bishoj), \V. IT. I'rackcn, \V. D. Bradt, Lillie Burkharl, G. B. Buckingham, Clara Charni, Clinton Case, R. J. Cain, O. M. Cowing, Elmer Dennett, George Dickson, Martha Goodwin. N. E. Holmes, ^I. P. Hul^bard. S. S. Harrell, E. W. Hathaway.- M. H. Irwin. John Kimble, A. N. Logan, Frank S. Masters. Cliarles Masters, J. E. Mor^ ton, Charles Miller. Rose iSIiller, George Mullin, Frank McClure. George O'Byrne, E. L. Patterson, A. H. Rockafcllar, A. J. Rcifel, J. C. Shirk, Harry Smith, W. H. Senour, John Scanlon, Herman Trichler and R. S. Taylor.

The N Y Club

The N Y Club dates its beginning fnjm 1900. at which time the following young ladies ])andcd themselves together for social purposes: Xelle Cooley, Nelle Swayne, Laura Swayne, Mable Ryan, Nelle Kimble, May Berry, Ethel Berry, Edna Harrell. Hallie Harrell. Zella Hutchinson, Edith Balsley, Winnie Morton. Anna Morton, Bertha Morton, Mar}- Goodwin and Katherine Winscott.

The first officers of the club included Winnie Morton as President and Nelle Kimble as secretary-treasurer. The present officers are Katherine Winscott, president, and Aubra Ferris, secretary-treasurer. The other active members in 191 5 include Winnie Morton. Laura Swayne. Gertrude Buckley, Cora Smith, Bertha Hermansdorfer. Xelle Swayne. Zella Winscott, Glenna Miller, Adah Masters and IMaude Scanlon.

The Art Club was organized November 23. 1905. with seven charter members, namely : Miss H. S. McCready, Mrs. IMinnie }^IcCarty. Miss Jennie Miller, Mrs. Sophia Buckingham. Mrs. Blanche Smith. Mrs. Ethel Crist and Mrs. Lillie Winans. At the second meeting jMiss Nora Cameron and Mrs. Bertha Dietz were added. The club was organized with the idea of mutual improvement and helpfulness among its members. It has given particular attention to all kinds of fancy work.

The first officers were Miss Salina McCready, president, and Mrs. Minnie McCarty, vice-president. The presidents from the time of organization down to the present have been as follows: Miss Salina McCready. Mrs. Kate Sniiester, Mrs. Sophia Bucking^hain, Mrs. Bertha Dietz, Mrs. Minnie McCarty, Mrs. Ethel Crist, Mrs. Cora Taylor, and Mrs. Ella Lacy, the present incumbent. The vice-president for 1915 is Mrs. Mary Harwood; the secretarytreasurer is ]\liss Alary Moore. The program committee is made up of Mrs. McCarty, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Kissel. The list of twenty-five active members for 1915 follow: Mrs. Jennie Allen, Miss Nora Cameron, Mrs. Flo Clymer, Mrs. Ethel Crist, Mrs. Mae Croninger, Mrs. Bertha Dietz, Mrs. Mary Harwood, Mrs. Rose Hornung. Mrs. Sophia Kissel, Mrs. Ella Lacy, Mrs. Minnie McCarty, Miss Winnie ^Nlortun, ]Miss Alary Moore, Miss Jennie Miller, Mrs. Lelia Roberts, Airs. Beiia Ritze, Mrs. Kate Smiester, Mrs. Blanche Smith, Mrs. Cora Taylor, Mrs. Myrtle Trichler, Airs. Lou E. VanXess, Airs. Lilly Winans, Airs. Alpha White, Airs. Lou Wise and Airs. Clara Younts. The five honorary members are Airs. Grace Aloorman, Aliss Adah Alasters, Airs. Elitha Swartzel, Mrs. Belle Remy and Airs. Marie Ritze. Since its organization, ten years ago, only four members have died. Aliss Salina AlcCready, Mrs. Kate Aloore, Airs. Sophia Buckingham and Airs. Anna Stalcup.

Brookville Study Club

The Brookville Study Club was the outgrowth of the desire on the part of four women to organize a club for i>urely literary purposes. These women, Mrs. Dora Seal, Airs. George O'Byrne, Aliss Alargaret Dickson and Airs. S. S. Harrell, - worked out the plans for the proposed club and on October iS, 1909, invited a small number of women to meet with them and assist in the organization of the club. The officers elected on this date were as follows : President, Airs. S. S. Harrell ; vice-president. Airs. I. AI. Bridgeman ; secretary-treasurer, Aliss Alargaret Dickson.

This club is truly what its name indicates and devotes itself exclusively to literary and general cultural studies. It meets every two weeks from September to June and holds a two-hour afternoon session. The first hour is given to the presentation of some subject of general interest; the second hour is devoted to current events and leading questions of the day are discussed both formally and informally. It is federated with the county and district federations.

The present officers of the club are as follows : President. Aliss Alargaret Dickson; vice-president. Airs. Alattie Aleyers; secretary-treasurer. Airs. Ainanda Patterson. The members for 191 5 include Airs. Winifred Adams, Mrs. Alice Bridgeman, Airs. Jennie Buckingham, Airs. Alan,- Cain, Airs. Clara women of Brookville. The lirst officers were as fc^llows : President. Mrs. George Mullen; vice-president. Mrs. Charles Masters; secretary. Mrs. August Hermansdorfer. The charter members were Mrs. Ottis Adams. Mr>. August T. Reifel, :Mrs. Alexander Cory, Mrs. M. F. Hubbard, Mrs. Charles Dobyn.^ Mrs. Claire Buckley, Mrs. Will Baker, Mrs. .August Brown, Mrs. John Scan- Ion. Mrs. ULiarles Masters. INfrs. George Mullen, Mrs. l-^rnest Showalter, Mrs. Leroy Templeton. and !Mrs. August Hermansdorfer.

The ^Mothers" Club, as its name indicates, seeks to bring into closer relationship the mothers and the children. It takes a deep interest in the public schools of the town and has been instrumental in forwarding a better spirit between the teachers and parents. The present officers are Mrs. August J. Reifel, president: Mrs. Albert Clark. vice-i)resident ; Airs. G. W. Hyde, secretary. The membership now includes seventeen, as follows : Mrs. Harlev Castle. Mrs. Albert Clark, Mrs. Claire Buckley. Mrs. x\lexander Cory. Mrs. Charles Hitchcock, Mrs. M. P. Plubbard. Mrs. G. W. Hyde, Mrs. Roy Kackley, Mrs. John Kissel, Mrs. J. \V. Lucas, Mrs. Charles Masters. Mrs. Frank Moster. Airs. August J. Reifel. Mrs. John Scanlon, Mrs. Ernest Showalter. Mrs. John Weber and Mrs. Charles Whiteman,

Needlkcraft Club

The Xeedlecraft Club came into existence March 12. 1912. at which time sixteen married women of Brookville organized themselves into a club with the following officers: President. Mrs. J. H. Briggs, vice-president. Mrs. H. B. Smith; secretary-treasurer. Mrs. C. E. Case. The charter members were Mrs. J. H. Briggs. Airs. Richard Brockman. Airs. C. E. Case. Mrs. C. R. Crane. Airs. Charles Dobyns, Airs. Arthur Ferris. Afrs. W. R. Hubbard. Airs. M. P. Hubbard. Airs. C. W. Flitchcock. Airs. Frank Aloster. Airs. H. B. Smith. Mrs. J. V. Scanlon. Airs. Fred Sheppard, Airs. Samuel S^vift. Airs. Charles \\inscott and Airs. Cr B. Williams.

This club conil)incs its rei^iilar work with various social diversions. The name of the club is sufficiently indicative of the character of its work and during its career of three years the members have done some very creditable work. The officers for 191 5 are .Mrs. M. P. Hubbard, president; Mrs. Arthur h'crris. vice-president; Mrs. C. B. Williruns, secretary-treasurer. The present members are Mrs. J. II. Brigqs, Mrs. C. E. Case, Mrs. Arthur I'erris. Mrs. .M. P. Hubbard. Mrs. J. M. Kimble. Mrs. I'rank Mooter. .Mrs. Charles Smith, Mrs. H. B. .Smith. Mrs. Samuel Swift, Mrs. J. V. Scanlon. .Mr... C. li. Williams, j\Irs. Charles W'inscott. Mrs. 1-. IT. Miller and Mrs. Clen Siebcrt.

Domestic .Science Clui5

The devotees of the culinary arts in Bro(jkvilIe orijanizcd themselves into the Brook\ille Domestic Science Club, March 15. 1913. There were twenty charter members and the constitution limits the membership to that numl>er. It was organized for mutual lic]i)fulness. intellectual improvement and with the idea of co-operating with the public schools of Brookville in helping to introduce the study of domestic science in the public schools. By giving an entertainment in 19 14 the club netted about eighty-hve dollars and this sum was used to help start the domestic science work in the public schools and also to provide books along domestic science lines for the public lil)rary. This club is a progressive organization and has already demonstrated its u.sefulness in the community. The work consists of demonstrated lessons in cooking and sewing and the preparation of papers co\ering various phases of domestic science. It meets on alternate Wednesday afternoons at the homes of the members.

The first officers were Mrs. Frank S. Masters, president : Mrs. G. E. Dennett, vice-president; ^Irs. J. K. White, secretary-treasurer. The officers for 1915 are Mrs. Ella Lacy, president; Mrs. Will Baker, vice-president: Mrs. Arthur Ferris, secretary-treasurer. The members are as follows : ]Mesdames Jennis Allen. Ada Baker, ]\Iaude Briggs, Mary Cain, Mae Charni, Ada Dennett, Ethel Cri..t. Aubra h^erris. Maymie Hubbard. Ella Lacy, Ola Masters, Minnie McCarty, Gladys Moster. Cora Pippin. Maude Scanlon, Mabel Shirk, Blanche Smith, Alpha White, Zella ^\'inscott, and Miss .Margaret Dickson.

Physical Culture Cl.Ass

The Physical Culture Class is not a club in the ordinary sense of the word, but rather a group of ladies who seek to provide its memljers with phvsical recreation suitable to their several needs. It was organized in the fall of 1907 as result of the work which had been clone in a physical culture class conducted by Mrs. Florence iJacon in 1906-07. The first woman in Brookville to give scientific lessons in callisthenics was Mrs. Mary Williams, who conducted a class in Bro<->kvillc during- 1896-97.

The members of the tir.st class (1896-1897) were Mattie Adair, Mrs. John Bishop, Mrs. Charles Bishop, Mrs. George E. Dennett, Mrs. Martha S. Goodwin, Mrs. C. A. Haman, Mrs. F. W. Hathaway. Anna Muller, Cora Colescott, Margaret McClure and Jennie McClure. The present members are as follows: Mattie Adair, Mrs. John I'.isho]), Mrs. W. D. Bradt, Mrs. George B. Buckingham, Mrs. ^lason Crist, Mary D. Cain, Mrs. George E. Dennett, Mrs. M. S. Goodwin, Airs. John Goodwin, Mrs. E. \V. Hathawav, Mrs. C. A. Haman, IMrs. M. H. Irwin, Mrs. E. L. Priest. Grace Priest. Mrs. J. C. Shirk, Mrs. Charles Shirk, Ellen Shirk and Cornelia. Shirk. The honorary members include Mrs. J. O. Adams, Mrs. Allen Buchanan and Mrs. J. E. Eisher.

The class has no officers, but a director is appointed for each meeting who has general charge of the work for that meeting. The membership is confined to those who have had work under a trained physical instructor and now includes eighteen women of Brookville.

The nine clubs which haA-e been discussed thus far restrict their membership to women. There are only two organizations in Brookville which admit both men and women to membership, namely, the Saturday Club and the Historical Society.

The Eranklin County Women's Franchise League was organized November 2, 1912, with the following officers: ]\Irs. S. S. Harrell. county chairman; Mrs. George E. ^lullin. president; Mrs. \V. H. Bracken, vice-president; Mrs. George E. Dennett, secretary; ]\Irs. jMartha Goodwin, treasurer. The charter members of the League were iMesdames S. S. Harrell, George E. Mullin, William H. Bracken. George E. Dennett. IMartha Gootlwin. William Banes, Belle Koerner. M. P. Hubbard, J. IM. Vawter. J. Ottis Adams. Erecl Miller, C. R. Crane, Frank Masters, Frank Meyers, Rose Loper Miller an<l R. J. Cain. To this list of charter members have been added the following: Mrs. L N. McCarty. Emma James. Mrs. Frank Bonwell. ^Irs. Albert Clark. Mrs. Clair Buckley, Airs. Louis Eederman. Airs. John Goodwin. Mrs. Bradway Hudson, Mrs. M. H. Irwin. Airs. Charles Alasters, Mrs. Fred Aliller. Mrs. William Templeton. Airs. William Pippin. Jennie Aliller. Ida Seal. Airs. Augustus Baither, Mrs. J. W. Eye and Airs. Louise Schneider.

Franklin Cocntv, Indiana

This organization is less than three years old and yet it has already done a wonderful work in creating a feminine sentiment towards woman's suffrage in the county. Its work from the first has been characterized by dignity anrl convincing argument and the apical has been to reason rather than to sentiment. There is no disposition on the part of the league to resort to militant methods such as characterized the franchise movement in England, for this reason the league has been able to do effective work in the county. Xot only does it advocate enfraiicln'sement of women but it is al-^o taking an active part in advancing humanitarian measures of all kinds. Its interest in civic affairs, its advocacy of all general welfare measures and its ready willingness to lend its support in behalf of all movements which tend to make this county a better one in which to live, make the Franchise League a potent force in the life of the county.

The local league was organized by Belle O'Hair, a former resident of this county and now a teacher in the jmblic schools of Indianapolis. Soon after the organization was eft'ected a banquet was given to a large number of invited guests. The county chairman, Mrs. Harrell, acted as toastmistress. Rev. F. L. Priest, of the Methodist church, responded to a toast, "Women in the Church"; Superintendent A. J. Reifel responded to a toast, "Women in the Home," and E. W. Showalter, a young business man, to "Women in Business." An opening meeting was held at the home of Mrs. W. H. Bracken and the guests were taken to and from the meeting in automobiles furnished by friends of the cause. ]\trs. F. E. Badgley, who recently died at ]\Ietamora, was a valued member of the league and gave a talk on this particular occasion.

The of^cers of the league for 1915 are as follows: Mrs. George E. Mullin, president; ^Irs. I. X. McCarty. vice-president; Emma James, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. S. S. Harrell, county chairman. The last meeting of the league before this volume went to press was held in Brookville. Friday, April 16, 1915. in the Library hall. An interesting program was rendered, Avith Mrs. W. E. Ochiltree, of Connersville, as the main speaker.

The Saturday Club

The Saturday Club of Brookville, like many important organizations, was a development. Back in the sixties, when Brookville College was flourishing, a few young men and women of literary tastes got together and organized the Brookville Reading Club. Its chief ambition was to read dramatic plays and occasionally gi\e a public entertainment in the town hail.

of the Mcthudisl Iipi.sco[)aI cliurcli. lie was deeply interested in the Chautauqua educatiuiial inovenient, and in 1886 he urj^anized the i5rook\ ille Chautauqua Circle, most of the nienihers of the Br(j(jkville I'ieadin}^ Chih joining and forming the Chautauqua Cluh. So in reality the Uro(jk\ ille Reading Club became the Ih-cKjkville Chautauqua (,'lub.

When the four years' Chautau(iua course had been read a number of its members, not caring to ccjnlinue reading the Chautau(jua course, began to consider some other line of work, and tlie foll<nving jjersons met at the home of John C. Shirk to talk tlie matter over: C. W. AlcClure, R. M. King, C. I'. Goodwin and J. C. Shirk. It was tlecided t(j form a new club and to work out its own pr(jgram. The (iuestinn of a name for the club was di.->cus.-,ed and incidentally the night for meetings. It was thought by those present that Saturday night would suit best. Whereupon R. M. King proposed the name of Saturday Club, which was adopted.

A second meeting was arranged for one week later, (^n Tue>dav e\ening, September 29, 1890, at the home of J. C. Shirk, to which a number of persons were invited. This meeting was called to order by J. C. Shirk, and Rev. W. A. Echols was asked to preside. John C. Shirk and C. W. McClure were appointed a committee to prepare and present a constitution f(ir the government of the club. The committee presented a constitution, which was read article by article and, with a number of modifications and changes, was adopted. C. F. Goodwin and C. \V. IMcClure were appointed a committee to place in nomination the names of persons for president, vice-president, ^ecretary and treasurer for the coming year. Rev. W. A. Echols was chosen president, Mrs. C. F. Jones, vice-president, and J. E. Morton, secretary and treasurer. C. W. McClure and J. E. Morton were appointed a committee on membership. J. C. Shirk. R. M. King and ^liss Hattie Jones were appointed a committee to arrange for a program and select the time of meeting.

The committee recommended Saturday evening for meetings, but it did not suit a majority of the members and Tuesday evening was chosen. The constitution was as follows :

Article 2 - The otificers of this club shall be: one president, one vicepresident, one secretary and treasurer, all to be elected .annually at the tirst regular meeting.

Article 7 - Absence troiii l'(nir rci^ular nieetinj^s in succession, without sulhcient excuse, ^Iiall work forfeiture of membership in the club.

The charter members of the Saturday Club were Mrs. Mary Cain. .Minnie Cohu, Rev. \V. A. Echols. C. F. Goodwin and wife, C. V. Jones and wife. Hattie Jones, R. M. King-, C. \V. McClure and wife. Dr. J. E. M.jrton. Ida Meyers, John Shirk and wife, Minnie Win^cott, Henrietta R. Wer,t.

The committee on pnjgram recommended the >tudy of Cireen's "Short History of the English People," .\merican authors (six months ). using IJeer's "American Literature" as a text book, while the remrunder oi the year was to be given to English authors and current e\ents. The meetings were held weekly and genuine hard work was done. This form (jf program was followed in the succeeding year, after which the club decided to h.jld it> meetings every two weeks, and to have a miscellaneous range of subject>. Sometimes the club took one particular line of work as a majijr subject, with a varied line of supplementary subjects, including almost every subject in which the people of a small town are interested.

It was the first organizati(.n in Brookville to make a movement toward establishing a public library, and four years before a library was established it had raised a small fund to be used for the library when one should be established. Besides the solid literary work wliich tlie club has done, it has been a social center for its members, and has given several elaborate ban(iuets.

The club has always been prosperous and had a live membership. The members of 1915 are as follows: I. M. Bridgeman, Mrs. I. M. Bridgeman. Mrs. Mary D. Cain, Dean Charni. Mrs. Dean Charni. Miss Margaret Dickson. Mrs. Martha Goodwin. Mrs. F. \V. Hathaway. C. W. Hitchc(Kk. Mrs. C. W. Hitchcock. Mrs. N. E. Holmes. Miss Clara Holmes. Mi.ss Bessie Kidney, A. N. Logan. ]\Irs. A. N. Logan. Miss Carrie Logan. K. C. Meyers. Mrs. K. C. Meyers. Mrs. Geo. E. Mullin. Mrs. G. F. O'Byrnc. Dr. E. L. Patterson. Mrs. E. L. Patterson. Rev. F. S. Priest. Mrs. F. L. Priest. A. J. Reifel. Mrs. A. J. Reifel. John C. Shirk. Mrs. J. C. Shirk, H. :^I. Stoops and -Miss Katherine W'inscott.

Brookville Indiana Iiistokical Society

The Brookville Indiana Historical Society came into existence as the result of a desire on the part of many people of Brookville and vicinity to preserve the Little Cedar Baptist church. This little brick building-, located three miles down the river, was erected in 1812 and is the oldest Iiouse of worship now standing in Indiana. It had not been used for rej,nilar services for many years and as a result was fast falling into ruin. 'Ihe BajAiit congregation, whicli owned it, had long ago ceased to e.xi.st and the proj>erty was retained in the name of two trustees. J(jhn C. Ellis and George W. Childers. These two trustees in 190.S offered to turn it over to any organization in the ccmnty which would take care of it and it was fur the purpose of securing possession of this interesting old building that the Brookville Indiana Historical Society was organized on June 5, 1908. It was incorpf)rate(l under the laws of the state, thereby allowing it to hold and convey real estate. On July 17, 1908, the Historical Society, through its trustees, H. M. Stoops, James B. Kidney and Elmer Dennett, accejjted the building and the two acres and si.\ty-six sijuare yards on which it is located. The deed for the property was recorded in the name of the society on April jo, 19 id.

Immediately upon acquiring the property, the society put a new roof on the building, replaced the old windows and doors and made some imi)rovements upon the interior of tlie building. It is the intention of the society to utilize the building ultimately as a museum wherein may be kept those things which will preserve for future generations something of the manner in whicli the early settlers of this county lived. Thus far the building stands empty and is used only once a year, one day in summer l>eing given to a celebration in the historic building, at which time the annual election is held.

The only other property owned by tlie society is the old college Ijell, which is kept in the lil>rary building. When the old college building was torn down in 19 12 the bell was sold for old iron. On the day that it was being hauled through town to the freight house, A. X. Logan chanced to be passing along the street and immediately decided that he was going to preserve the bell. Mr. Logan found that the bell would bring fifty dollars as old iron and at once told the junk dealer that he believed he could take a subscription paper and raise the money. Within a short time the necessary amount had been raised and sixty-seven donors to the bell fund deserve suitable recognition for their service in helping to save the old bell to Brookville.

John C. Sliirk; vice-presidents, J. O. Adains, A. H. Rockafellar. Harry Stoops and Mrs. \V. H. Bracken; secretary, Mrs. S. S. Harrell ; treasurer, Mrs. F. W. Hathaway. Tliese officers were elected July 17, 1908. at the little brick church which had that day become the proj)erty of the society. The annual elections have always been held at the church. The present officers are : J. C. Shirk, president ; Harry M. Stoops, vice-president : .Amelia Hornung, secretary; Mrs. V. \V. Hathaway, treasurer; A. J. I'Jeifel. Mrs. John Kissel and George Dicksun, program committee. The charter members were ]\Ir. and Mrs. J. C. Shirk, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cain, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Rockafellar, Harry M. Stoops. J. O. Adams. Mrs. Emma Hathaway, Miss Julia Sharpe, Mrs. Martha Goodwin, Mrs. S. S. Harrell and Mrs. J. G. Chafee.

Present Membership And Objects

The society in 19 15 enrolled one hundred and five members: Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Shirk. Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Showalter, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Bridgeman, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Crist, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Hathaway. Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Adams. Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Case, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. King. Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Irwin, Mr. and Mrs. George Mullin, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Rockafellar, :Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Morton. Mr. and Mrs. \V. D. Bradt. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Buckingham, Mr. and Mrs. E. Ross Petty. Mr. and "Mrs. John H. Bishop, Mr. and^trs. George Dickson, Mr. and ^Irs. A. N. Logan, James B. Kidney, Harry ?Sto)ops, Mrs. .\Iollie Cain, IVIrs. S. S. Flarrell. Miss Sallie Hanna, Mrs. J. G.' Chafee. Mrs. W. H. Bracken, Mrs. J. W. Vawter, Mrs. John-^KS^sel, Mrs.' Pamelia Cooley, Vina St. John, IMiss Amelia Hornung, Charle;f F. Jones. Amos W. Bvitler, Mrs. Martha Goodwin, Julia Sharpe, George E. Dennett. Frank West. Mrs. Walter Baker. William X. Bancs, Mrs. \\'illiam X. Bancs, Jethro Hamilton. Mrs. Caroline Herron, Jennie ^Tary Butler. ]Mrs. Belle Koerner. Viola Appleton, William M. Baker. ^Mrs. ^^'illiam M. Baker. Paul Applegate. Lewis Hornung, Will R. Hubbard, C. F. Robinson. Mrs. Margaret Carter. A. J. Suhre, J. O. Allen. W. W. Jackson, E. C. Smith, George Personett. Mrs. George Personett. ]\Trs. John Johns. J. P. Goodwin. 3,[rs. J. P. Goodwin. Dr. R. L. Hanna. IMrs. R. L. Hanna, Mrs. Samuel Thomas. J. M. Thorpe. R. L. Head, C. W. Hawkins, A. J. Ailes, A. J. Reifel, J. T. Gordon. Flerman Trichler, Dr. E. M. Glasser, IMrs. E. M. Glasser, Frank L. Hornung. L A. Popper, A. Bossert, Mrs. X'annie Shirk, Mrs. Jennie Yar\-an. William X". Biere, Mrs. William X''. Biere, Wilbur Rogers, Mrs. Wilbur Rogers, George

S. Cottnian, Mrs. Rolicrt Cocjk and Laura Swayne. In addition to the one hundred and rive members ab<ne listed, tlicre liave been twenty-two dropi^ed for non-payment uf dues and eleven members lost by death. Mo^t of those who have been dropped have moved away from the county.

The society meets once a month in the basement of the liljrary builfhn).j at Brookville, and (hn-in^^ tlie ei,t,dit years of its existence has collected no small amount oi material l)eariii,-- u|)on the early hist(jry of I'ranklin county. The constitution provides tliat the society shall Ijc divided into lilerarv, historical or biographical, educational, old settlers and natural history sections.

It can be said that the local historical .society is the most active of anv county historical society in Indiana. Those who have visited other societies always speak of the interest and enthusiasm manifested by the local or^'-anization. The purpose for which it was organized is clearly set forth in the constitution, which says that "it shall be devoted to literature and to the collection and preservation of all matters of valuable county history from the earliest white settlement; personal history of the pioneers and all pronnnent men and women of the county: all matters of interesting- exi)erience. anecdote, adventure and reminiscences of all kinds; morality, religion and educational interest; agriculture, horticulture, machinery, manufacturers, industries and industrial progress and other arts, and also to gather and preserve information as to the natural resources of the county and its alw^riginal and prehistoric life, its animal and vegetable remains, its native wo(k1s, grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables, vegetation, animals, birds, reptiles, fishes and other forms of animal life and any and all matters of interest to the present, or th.at may be of interest and value to the future generations of our beloved town and county."

Anthropological Club

T:e Anthropological Club of Brookville had a flourishing career for six years, 1892-98. Organized in September, 1892, for the study of the historv and development of the races and people of antiquity, it carried forth a program for several years which demanded hard work on the part of its members. The charter members were A. W. Butler, Dr. J. E. Morton, Dr. S. P. Stoddard, Rev. Meinard Meischmann. Harry M. Stoops. Miss (iertrude Quick, Miss H. R. West and Mrs. A. W. Butler. The first officers were as follow: Dr. J. K. Morton, president; A. W. Butler, secretarv; Rev. M. Fleischmann. director. During the six years that the club existed several other members were added, including .Mrs. W. H. Bracken. George Haman, A. N. Logan, :Mr. and Mrs. J. F. :\fcKee, Miss Elizabeth Berry, Mrs. R. J.

Some idea of the nature oi the work of this clul) may Ix.- leathered from the books which it studied. They read and really studied such books as P.rinton's "Races and Peoples," Maspero's "Life in Ancient Lj,''ypt and Assvria." Mason's "Woman's Share in Primitive Culture," Keane's "Ethnology," Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico" and Tyler's "Anthropolog-y." The club closed its career in the spring- of i8y<S with the followinc^ officers: President. A. W. Butler; secretary-treasurer, Minnie Cohu. The immediate causes leading to the dissolution of the club were the time and study required bv its constitution and the death and removal of some of its leading- n-iembers.

This club was organized December 2. 1909, with the foIUnving- charter members: Mrs. Viola Seal, Mrs. Orpha Log-an, Cozette Golden. Mrs. Louise Watler, Mrs. Ora Updike, Edna Golden. Mrs. Arta Miles, Marv Wallace. Ida Witt, ]Mrs. Effie Stout and Mrs. Nancy Miles. The first officers were as follows : Mrs. Laura Seal, president ; Mrs. Louis Watler, vice-president ; Edna Golden, treasurer; Alary Wallace, secretary.

This club was organized with the idea of giving its members not onlv the advantages of social intercourse, but at the san-ie time allowing them to engage in general literary and musical work. The club also takes an intelligent interest in the general welfare of the crmimunity and gives its hearty support to such measures as it believes will raise the standard of living. In other words, it is not only cultural, but also seeks to be utilitarian as well. Since the drgahization of the club the following- members have been added : Mrs. Mattie Lanning, Mrs. Prudence Wallace. Mrs. Susan Alever and Lydia Jaques. The present officers are as follows: Mrs. Effie Stout, president; Mary Wallace, vice-president ; Cozette Golden, secretary-treasurer.

In the year 1892 there (Kxurred in IJrookviile two incidents of great in-iportance. One was the completion of the water works system and the other was the establishment of a society with the fonnidable name. Scotus Gaul Picti. It was the completion of the water works which suggested to some of the citizens of the town the organization of tiie society. In the earlv part of

April it was evident that the water works would Ije completed by the Fourth oi July and it was proposed to get the society started and celebrate the national holiday, the completion of the water works and the organization of the society on the same day.

With this idea in view a meeting was held on April 10, by M. C. Armstrong, Herman Trichler, G. R. King, Louis Fedennann and G. Henri Bogart, at which time it was definitely decided to organize some kind of a society in Brook\iile. Mr. Trichler, who had been one of the prime movers in the Order of Cincinnatus, suggested the formation of a similar society, but taking its framework from Pictish histor}'. Two days later the same men, with A. L. Baughman and \V. H. Fogel, met, each being loaded down with books on Pictisli and Scottish history. Mr. P.ogart was selected to write the ritual, and as soon as it was written and accepted it was decided to formally institute the first clan of the new fraternity. Clan Ben Grampis No. I, Scotus Gaul Picti, was instituted in the city hall of Brookville in May, 1892, with the following officers : Herman Trichler, lord of firth and forth; G. Ray King, thane of the donjon keep; M. C. xA.rmstrong, earl of lochs and heather; H. B. Sauers, merlin churl of the pibroch ; A. L. Baughman, wizard of the northern lights; Louis Federman, warden of the Grampian marshes; G. Henri Bogart, lord of mounts and valleys; Ben F. Winans. seer of the sacred fire; William H. Fogel, monarch of the mystic mists; William £. Schoonover, knight of the castle gate ; John Koeber, keeper of portcullis.

John Koeber had the honor of being the first initiate, followed by thirtyseven other candidates. The original object of the society was to help celebrate the Fourth and the completion of the water works in a fitting manner, and this was kept in view throughout while the clan was being recruited. July 4, 1892, was a red letter day in the history of Brookville. The chief address was made by W. O. Thompson, president of Miami University. On that day one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven tickets were sold on the White \\'ater Vallev railroad for Brookville. and other thousands drove to the town. It was the biggest celebration Brookville ever had up to that time, and the new society was responsible in a large measure for its success. The membership increased, and during the following winter a dramatic entertainment, "The Confederate Spy," was given to reimburse the treasury.

The society continued its organization, and in April, 1894, decided to organize permanently. On the 26th of the month the clan was ordered incorporated and at the same time it was decided to move into a permanent castle tower, the new home being occuj)ied for the first tim.e on May 15, 1894. At this time a committee w-as appointed, consisting of G. H. Bogart, Herman

Trichlcr, C. F. Goodwin, G. Ray King and J. E. Morton, to revise the first degree and prepare a ritual for tlic seconrl degree. This was done, and the Picti appeared in all of their historical regalia on July 4, 1894. On that day the streets of Brookville were crowded with more than ten thousand people.

Upon the reorganization of this fraternity in 1894 the following officers were elected : Ben. F. W'inans, Kenneth McAlpin ; G. R. King, Bcde of Buchan ; .\. L. Baughnian, Coluniha of lona; Daniel Bower, Ecgred of Lindisfarne; John \V. Baker, Ewald of Jedburgh; M. C. Armstrong, Douglas of the Guard; J. S. M. Baker, bearer of the hazel rood; William H. Fogel, monarch of the mystic mists; FI. M. McFee, watchman of the outer hall; Louis Hornung, keeper of the tower. The second degree was given for the first time September 11, 1894.

Despite the auspicious beginning of the fraternity, it was not destined to immortality. Organized for the purpose of boosting Brookville, it soon enrolled every business and professional man in the town and at the height of its career had at least two hundred and fifty members. Probably no organization ever had such a requirement for eligibility to membership. The constitution says : "Any male citizen of eighteen years of age or over, of good character, who believes that Brookville is the greatest town on earth, shall be eligible to membership." The dues were only fifty cents a year, and this was spent in a riotous, gustatory celebration annually. With an initiation fee of only fifty cents and annual dues of a similar amount, it may 1^ seen that the high cost of living was not responsible for the decline of the organization. According to the testimony of the last Kenneth McAlpin fBen F. Winans), it died not from financial inanition, but from lack of constitutional quorums to transact business. During its brief but brilliant career the Picti received no little newspaper notoriety, and no less a paper than the A't"i' York Sun printed the entire constitution of the. order ami made, some verv' .flattering remarks concerning the advisability of towns throughout the United States copying the example of Brookville. On the theory that the good die young, the Scotus Gaul Picti was fonnally interred on July 4, 1898, with all the honors due its honorable life. Its race had been run, its life had brought happiness to those who gave it birth, and now, like the old canal, it remains as a sweet memory in the minds of those who loved it.

There ha\e been an unusual iiuniher of Brookville citizens in the past wlio have been interested in the sciences and more than one organization of a scientific nature has been starletl in the town. I'robaljly, the most pretentious of these was the Society of N'atural Flistory. which was organized in February. 1881. with the following officers : Rev. D. R. M(jore, president; Charles F. Goodwin, vice-])residcnt ; Amos \V. Butler, recording secretary; Edgar R. Quick. corresi)onding secretary; John \\. Rehme, treasurer. This society was organized, as the name indicates, as the outgrowth of a desire on the part of its members to foster the study of nature in its various forms. Many of the members of the society had already made considerable collections and within a short time the tt)wn had a museum of which it might well be proud. Franklin county, with its mounds, its hills, \allevs and water courses, with its wonderful display of fossils, with its varied flora and fauna, presents an attracti\e held for the naturalist.

The local society was organized for real w(jrk and oulv those were members who had a scientific turn of mind. .As evidence of the earnestness of their work, they dividetl their membership into groups and made each group the head of the department. These heads of departments were as follows: O, M. Meyncke, curator of botany; Rev. D. R. Moore, curator of conchology ; William I'ederman. curator of entomology: John Shirk, curator of herpathology ; Edgar R. Quick, curator of mammalogy; Amos W. Butler, curator of ornithology; Prof. M. E. Smith, curator of geology; Dr. L. D. Dillman, curator of comparati\e anatomy; Clifford Case, curator of mineralology.

For several years the society did excellent work along the lines which were planned in the beginning. For two or three winters a free lecture course was maintained for the town and county, including such men as Jordan, Eigenman, Druiy, Everman, Jenkins. Gilbert. \\'iley. Ridpath. Loyd. John M. and Stanley Coulter and many (Others of national reputation. A hall was fitted u]:) over the room now occu])ied by the Crystal theater and in this was kept the museum of the society as well. A large amount of material was collected during the career of the society and when it di.sbanded most of it was returned to the donors. The removal of some of the members and the increase of membership from the ranks of the non-scientific caused interest in the society to decline. The last meetings were held in 1890 or i8gi, although several efforts were made to revive the organization.

Academy Of Mu.Sic

The Academy of jMusic was organizer! in !May, 1895, by Charles F. Goodwin for the purpose of creating a greater interest in music in Brookville. It was at that time decided to give twelve recitals each year. Ten of these had been given before the death of Mr. Goodwin, on January 12, 1896. The first recital was held April 12, 1895, at which time eighty persons gathered in the parlors of the Goodwin home and the tenth recital was held on the last day of that same year.

This society represented twelve ditterent families of Brookville and vicinity in the beginning, although others were later admitted to membership. Mr. Goodwin became the first director and after the reorganization of the society, in the fall of 1896. Oscar J. Ehrgott, a professional musician of Cincinnati, was chosen director. In the fall of 1896, a chorus of si.xty-five voices was organized, which contained not only all of Brookville's best talent, but also members from Laurel, Fairfield and Mt. Carmel. The society continued to give recitals at intervals for two or three years and then gradually dwindled away. While it lasted it gave some of the best concerts which the town has ever had and its passing was sincerely regretted by the true lovers of music. . -

The first schools of Frankhn county were either voluntary schools taught by some public spirited pioneer or else what was known as a subscription school. Public schools supported by a state fund did not come into existence until after tlic adoption of the constitution of 1852. The educational history of Franklin county before that time was not dissimilar to that of other counties in the state. As early as 1818 the Legislature of the state made provision for a seminary fund in the various counties of the state. This was made necessary because the first constitution of the state, which was, in a measure, based upon the ordinance of 1787, provided that every si.xteenth section of land in the state should be set aside for school purposes. This land was to be sold or, if a purchaser was not found, it was to be rented and the proceeds from the sale or the rent were to be used for the maintenance of schools. Unfortunately, much of the school land of Franklin county was poor land, and the result was that there was not a large amount derived from this source for school purposes. In addition to the proceeds of the school sections, the money from' fines, "forfeitures and money collected from winners in gambling, when the loser was not on hand to claim it, was placed in the school fund. In the early days of the history of the state lotteries were a very common thing, and, strange as it may seem, the first university in Indiana - the university at Vincennes - was put on a sound financial basis by a lottery scheme, which was authorized by the territorial Legislature.

Since there was but little public money for school purposes, it was not possible to get teachers without offering them additional compensation. Hence, for a period of about fhirty-five years, Franklin county had what were known as subscription schools. Usually the patrons of a school district would build a rude log schoolhouse and some itinerant pedagogue would be selected to "conduct school" for periods varying from two to six months, averaging about three months. The rates of tuition were very low. and the average compensation of the early teachers of Franklin county verv^ seldom amounted to more than twenty dollars a month. It is true that the teacher ''toarded around" for his room and board, so that he was put to very little, if any, expense.

The teachers were nearly always men, for the reason that in those days physical prowess was as essential to success in a schoolroom as a well disciplined brain. No truer picture of early school days in Indiana has ever been drawn than may be found in Eggleston's "Hoosier School Master." The qualifications of the early teachers were very limited, and as late as 1831 the legislature of Indiana said that "The English language, writing and arithmetic" should constitute the (|ualifications for a teacher in the schools of the state. These are the three I\"s of our forefathers and they passed their examination in "readin,' 'ritin' and 'rithmetic" before a trustee who very frequently was unable to read or write. There were many cases where no e.xamination at all was given, this being especially the case with tliose teachers who derived all of their compensation from subscriptions.

The Early Schoulhouse Described

This article would not be complete without a description of one of those early log schoolhouses. The building might be as large as the patrons wanted to make it, but, interesting to note, the legislature provided that the iloor had to be a foot off of the ground and the ceiling at least eight feet high. As a matter of fact, however, the roof was frequently used as a ceiling. The interior arrangement was designed with the view of taking advantage of the one window on either side of the building. This window was made by removing a log from the side of the building and covering the opening with sheets of well-greased linen paper. The paper furnished another purpose as well. On it were written the letters of the alphalx-t by some one who was a good penman, and also the Arabic and Roman notation, as well as various geometrical figures. Before this window was placed a long, hewn log, made as smooth as possible, and this was the table at w^hich the boys and girls sat during their writing lessons. The ritde bench before this equally rude table was without a back, and, as far as that was concerned, there were no benches in the school with backs. The pupils sitting at the long table had their copy before them on the window, and many stories are told of the letters of Jonathan Jennings, the first governor of Indiana, which ser\-ed as copies for the boys and girls of early Indiana. The two ends of the schoolhouse were occupied by a door and fireplace, respectively. The fireplace was from five to ten feet wide, and enough wood was consumed during a long winter to heat a modem school building of several rooms. As to the equipment of the rooms and the supplies of the children, there was a great variance. There was no paper for use for any purpose, except in the copy- book, and oftentimes the writing exercise had to be done on a slate- If paper was used, then the writing was done with a gooscquill pen and with ink made out of pokeberries, walnut juice or soft maple bark. In order to make this ink have the proper consistency and permanency, copperas was used, while the modern blotter was simulated by fine sand sprinkled over the paper. The paper at that time was all made out of rags and was expensive in comparison to its cost today. Consequently, it was used as sparingly as possible, while the slate was considered as indispensable as the spelling book. There were no dictionaries, no globes, no maps, and in many of the first schoolhouses there was no blackboard. However, this last deficiency was soon remedied, since it was necessary to have a blackboard for ciphering.

The course of study and the method of recitation should be briefly noticed. As has been stated, the "three R's" furnished the basis of the education which was given in the early schools. There were no classes in school, as we understand them now. Grading the pupils according to their age or advancement was unheard of. For many years the pupils held up their hands when they thought they had their lesson ready to recite, and the teacher would call them one by one to his seat, and ha\'e them repeat their lesson - and, what is interesting, they had to memorize their lesson word for word. There were really as many classes in school as there were pupils.

These schools, supported in part by public funds, but mostly bv private subscriptions, continued to flourish until after the adoption of the new constitution in 1852. Then there was ushered in a new era in education throughout the state, although there were many counties which were slow to take advantage of the provisions of the new law.

John Collins, A Teacher Of Franklin County In 1816

An interesting relic of the old subscription schools of Franklin county is owned by James Collins, an ex-commissioner of Johnson county, in the shape of an old document setting forth an agreement between his grandfather, John Collins, and the patrons of a school district near New Trenton, in Franklin county. This century-old document is reproduced here with its bad spelling, quaint language and ambiguous grammar:

"Articles of agreement between John Collins & his Implovers, witnesseth that sd. Collins doth agree to teach an English school for the term of six months in reading, writing and arithmetick at his own house and at the rate of four dollars per scholar, the one-half in money, the balance in merchantable corn, wheat, pork, beef, or baken, Dilivered at sd. Collins' own house, payment to be made quarterly. The school is to commence on the first day of April 1816, Saturdays excepted; and for the purposes within mentioned we the subscribers have jointly set our names etc etc.

If every one of these i)atrons paid what they subscribed, the lucky pedagogue would have received the staggering amount of S116 for his six months' work. It is needless to state, however, that he "boarded around," as was tlie fashion those days, and hence all he made was clear money. It is not knov»-n how long the "sd." Collins taught in the county.

One of the most prominent and at the same time one of the most successful of the early teachers of the northern part of the county was Nimrod Kerrick, the father of Mrs. W. H. Bracken, now living in Brookville,

Mr. Kerrick was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1808, came to Franklin county, Indiana, in 1824, and settled with his parents on a farm three miles east of Fairfield. His father, Thomas Kerrick, had been a teacher in Virginia, and, after coming to Indiana, taught for some years in Decatur county.

Nimrod Kerrick received part of his education in the schools in Virginia and completed it under the instruction of a Quaker teacher at Dunlapsville. Union county, Indiana. When a young man he began teaching at Fairfield, and later taught near Blooming Grove. His ability as an instructor so impressed the people of Blooming Grove township that a number of men co-oi>erated in building a brick building for him a quarter of a mile east of Blooming Grove, and in this building he taught subscription schools for ten years. While teaching in this county he was ordainefl as a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church at Blooming Grove. About 1848 he began teaching in Clarksburg, Decatur county, Indiana, and after teaching there a few years he joined the Methodist conference. For the next eight years he preached at Milford, Arlington, IManilla. IMilroy and Liberty. From Liberty he moved to a farm in W^oodford county, Illinois, and six years later located in Marshall county, in that state, where he lived for eleven vears. He then moved to Blooniington. Illinois, where two of his sons had previouslv graduated in the law school of that city. He died there, December 13. 1897. in his ninetieth year.

Mrs. Bracken has in her possession the papers of her father and among them is one of the subscription lists which her father drew up and circulated for his school at Fairfield in the fall of 1837. In order that future generations of Franklin county may know something of the earlv subscription schools of the county, this paper is here reproduced from his original copy. The names of his patrons for the year 1837-38 are also given. It will be interesting to many of the descendants of these sturdv pioneers.

"Nimrod Kerrick proposes to teach (for five months beginning in November, 1837) in the town of Fairfield, School District No. 3, Township No. 10 of Range 2 West, for the term of five months. Branches to be tauglit : Orthography. Reading, Arithmetick, English, Grammar and Geography. Price of tuition, S3. 33 1/3 per scholar per session of five months. Proper hours and strick attention will be obser\'ed by said Kerrick.

Nimrod Kerrick

"And we, the uiidersij^ned in consiiJeration of the above named [performance by the said N. Kerrick do a^aee to pay unto him at the expiration of the term $1.66 2/3 for each scholar according to the number annexed to our several names."

During the period from 181 6 to 1852 there were several excellent schools in the county, which achie^-ed more than a local reputation. The best known school of the county was the county seminary at Brookville, although its educational supremacy was not admitted by those who had charge of the academy at Laurel. Li addition to these two academies there were academ.ies established at Springfield. ]\It. Carmel and Peoria. It has not been possible to secure access to the school records of any of these institutions, with the exception of the county seminary at Brookville.

An interesting chapter in the history of education in Franklin county is contained in a volume which holds the minutes of the meetings of the trustees of the seminar}' from their first meeting, December 11, 1S30, until their last meeting, August 6, 1851. During this period of twenty years there was maintained in the town of Brookville an institution of learning which attained high rank among the seminaries of Lidiana. From its doors there went forth men who were destined to make a reputation which was to extend not only throughout the state, but throughout the nation.

The historian may read between the pages of this interesting old volume the desires of the people of Franklin county to give their children the ad- vantages of a good school. During this score of years the seminary trustees made every effort to maintain the school at a high state of efficiency, and, if it is true that an institution is judged by the men and women which it sends forth into the world, then it can truly be said that the old seminary at Brookville was an institution whose record for usefulness should \)c a source of pride to the descendants of the worthy people who there received such excellent educational advantages.

The authority for the establishment of the county seminary was based upon the legislative act of 1827, which provided that the circuit court of such counties as desired to establish a seminary should appoint three men who were to be known as the "county seminary trustees." Pursuant to this legislative act the court of Franklin county, in the spring of 182S, appointed Thomas W. Colescott, Abraham Lee and Lemuel Snow as trustees. This board was authorized to select a site for a seminary building, sui>erintend the erection of the same, have general management of all school funds and select the teachers. On i\Iay 6, 1S28. an order for one hundred and twenty-five dollars was ordered drawn by the county commissioners in favor of the seminary trustees to pay for lots S<j and 88 in Brookville. The school fund at this time amounted to six hundred dollars, and the trustees at once contracted with Jacob Irwin for the erection of the seminary building. The trustees bought lots Sj and 88 in John Allen's plat, from John John, Jr.. the purchase being concluded and the deed executed June 14. 1829. According to the records in the recorder's office, these two lots remained in the hands of the seminary trustees until September 6, 1862, at which time they were purchased by the town of Brookville for school purposes. By a deed executed May 8. 1S88, the two lots, with the buildings thereon, were transferred by the town of Brookville to John Burkhart, and since that time the building and lots have been held by private owners.

The record of the meetings of the seminary trustees shows that their first meeting was held on Saturday, December 11. 1830. with the followingmembers present : Joseph 3vleeks, Thomas W. Colescott, David Mount. Abram Lee, John Wynn, John Davis and William rvIcCleery. The board organized by electing Joseph Meeks. president; Thomas Colescott. treasurer, and William McCleen.-, secretary. It appears that two members of the board. William Sims, Jr.. and William R. ^Morris, had been removed, and the board elected Richard Tyner and John T. !McKinney to fill these vacancies. A committee composed of John Wynn, August Jocelyn and John T. McKinney was appointed to select "some suitable person as a teacher to take charge of the Franklin County Seminary." On April 2, 183 1, it was reported at a meeting of the trustees that Rev. Isaac A. Ogden had been examined and found qualified to act as principal of the seminary. At this time tlie board ordered the principal to take charge of the seminary as soon as the lower rooms were prepared, although it is interesting to note that the compensation which the principal was to receive was left for future arrangement. The records do not disclose the salary received by the first principal, Rev. Ogden, who remained only one year. At the June, 1832, meeting of the trustees a committee was again appointed to select a principal, and nine days later, June 25, one prospective applicant, James Powers, appeared before the committee. However, he was not considered sufficiently qualified to hold the position, and the board refused to appoint him as principal. There must have been considerable doubt on the part of the board concerning the question of selecting a principal, since at this juncture it was ordered "tliat the secretary cause an advertisement to be inserted in the Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette, advertising for a teacher in the Franklin County Seminary." Evidently the advertisement was productive of results, for on July 11 of the same year, James B. Haile appeared and qualified for the position.

Haile continued in charge until the summer of 1834, at which time he either resigned or was dismissed by the trustees. On April 5, 1834, the trustees allowed Margaret White "to occupy the eastern room in the seminary as a schoolroom for the term of three months," and it is presumable that she taught a subscription school for that length of time during the spring and summer of 1834. At the August meeting of the board, it appears that Haile had terminated his contract as principal, and the board immediately proceeded to the selection of a new principal. On September 9 of the same year they appointed Rev. David M. Stewart, a Presbyterian minister, as principal, and at the May, 1835, meeting the trustees gave Stewart permission "to reside with his family in the upper story of the seminar}-." IMr. Stewart reported to the board, on March 2, 1836, that he could no longer continue as principal. and on March 25 the trustees announced the appointment of Mason W. Haile as principal of the seminary, the new principal to take charge of the school within six weeks from that time. It appears from the records that the attendance thus far had been less than fifty-five, since a resolution, adopted November 25, 1835, required that whenever the number of scholars shall amount to fifty-five the principal shall employ an assistant.

During the time INTason \V. Haile was principal of the seminary- he was ordered to secure an assistant, the trustees feeling that he could not do good work with as many pupils as were then in attendance. Although the record does not state whom he hired, there is still living in Brookville at least one person, Lucinda Meeks, who was a student in the seminary at the time when Mr. Haile selected his sister Jane as his assistant. It is interesting to know that the father of -Miss Meeks was the first president of the seminary trustees.

The trustees ordered suppHes and repairs for the seminary building at various times. In 1835 api't'i''^^ ^n a!li)\vancc of three dollars and twentyfive cents for an ax, hucket. l)rooin anrl tin cup. In 18:57 the trustees appropriated one dollar for a pair of tongs and shrnxd, an<l at the same time authorized the erection of a cupola upon the seminary, the same to be furnished with a suitable hell. This hell is still doing duty in the belfry of the Brookville town hall. In the fall of iS'jy the seminary building was "neatly painted and surronded with substantial board fence, i)ainted in like manner."

By the year 1842 there appears to have been a demand for instruction in what was then termed natural philosophy. In that year the trustees bought the following physical apparatus : Electrical machine, air pump, retorts, two kinds of thermometers, Florence flask, horseshoe magnet, prism, a set of lenses, lamp and furnace, dropping tube, blow pipe, evaporating dish and two gas receivers. This apparatus cost eight}'-one dollars and sixty-eight cents. In 1847 the board of trustees appro[)riated fifty dollars "for the purchase of mathematical, astronomical. ])hiloso])liical and chemical instruments, and for the repairs of apparatus now on hand.''

The position of principal does not appear to have been very remunerative, and this fact may account for the difficulty which confronted the trustees in getting good teachers. From the beginning of the seminary, the principals derived their salaries from two sources, a fixed sum paid by the trustees and a certain percentage of the tuition fees. Unfortunately, the records of the trustees do not state the compensation of any one of the teachers, although one principal received as much as fifty-four dollars for a term of twelve weeks. This appears to have !)een the maximum received from the trustees, while the tuition fees varied considerably from vear to vear. It would be interesting to know how many students attended the old seminary-, but in the minute records of twenty years the attendance is given in only one instance. The trustees made an investigation as to the attendance during two terms of twelve weeks each in the school year of 1S3S-39. and found that the attendance varied from thirty-two to sixty-nine, with a weekly average of about fifty. It is fair to presume that the attendance during this year was as large as at any time during the whole history of the seminarv. The trustees had ordered in 1836 that the principal should hire an assistant whenever the attendance reached fiftv-five, and vet there are onlv two in-

The length of the school year seems to have been ten months, the first term beginnint,'- in September and tlie last term ending in the latter part of July. The only specific reference to the length of the school year is found in the minutes of May 17, 1845, at which time the board of trustees ordered that the "academic year shall hereafter be divided into three sessions, as follow: The first session will commence on the first Monday of SqjtemlK-r and end on the 20th of the following December. The second session will begin on the first Monday of January and end the 20th of the following April. The third session will commence on the first Monday of May and end the last of July."

The names of the first four principals - Isaac A. Ogden, James B. Haile, David M. Stewart and ]\Iason \V. Ilaik- - have already been given. The latter named held the position longer than any other man, being the head of the seminary- for six years. He resigned in IMarch, 1S42, and entered the mercantile business in Brookvillc. The principals from 1842 to 185 1, when the seminarv M-as closed, were as follows : William 1. Patterson, 1842-44; Cyrus L. Blanchard, 1S44-45: John R. Goodwin, 1845-47; George

In order that future generations may know the official record concerning the closing of the famous old seminary, the historian here inserts in its entirety the minutes of the last meeting of the seminarv trustees.

"It appearing to the satisfaction of the board that a school could not be maintained in the seminary building without draining more of the seminary funds than tlie board felt justified in giving, it was resolved to rent the building and apparatus to the trustees of the Indiana High School, commencing on the day of September. 1851, at such rates as may be system of free public schools and consequently all the county seminaries scattered throughout tlie state were doomed to a speedy dissolution. Some of them attempted to continue their career as subscription schools, but within five years the county seminary was a thing of the past. Brookville looked upon the passing of the old seminary as being a direct blow at the educational interests of the town and county. Before the old seminary had fairly breathed its last there was a project on foot to start another educational institution in Brookville to take the place of the old seminary. At that time there were two denominations in Brookville, the Methodists and Presbyterians, both of whom were desirous of being sponsor for an academy or college of some kind. The Presbyterians were fortunate in having a well educated ministry, and Rev. R. B. Abbott maintained an excellent high school in the basement of the Presbyterian church from 1857 to 1865.

This was known as Brookville high school, and for eight years was maintained by the local Presbyterian church. An interesting advertisement of this Brookville high school is seen in the Franklin Democrat of February 17, i860:

Brookville High School

Students received at any time and charged with tuition only for the time of attendance, but no deduction will be made for absence of less than an entire week.

The Presbyterians had an academy at Dunlapsville in Union county which started in the early fifties and which became a stronj^ competitor of Brookville College later on. The Methodist church of Brookville succeeded in inducing- the conference to establish a higher institution of learning in Brookville by assuring the conference that sul'ficient money could be raised locally to erect a suitable college building. The year following the closing of the seminary (1851) Brookville College was formally established in Brookville under the control of the Methodist church. This institution flourished for a score of years and attracted students from many of the neighboring counties. The following article on the college is written bv one of its earliest students and not only gives the facts concerned with its history, but many interesting side lights on school life in the fifties:

Brookville College

For a considerable part of this paper I am indebted to Jennie Miller, who so kindly loaned me a number of old catalogues of Brookville College and several letters written to her brother, James Miller, by persons of whom he had inquired for information concerning teachers and pupils of the early days of the college's existence, all of which Mr. ]\[iller and his sister collected and carefully preserved. Mr. Miller and his sister were both pupils in the college and knew much of its history personally. Also I owe ^Mrs. Goodwin thanks for the loan of one of the first catalogues ever sent out by Brookville College. From that catalogue I obtained some of the very earliest history of the college after it was fairly launched on its educational career.

The early residents of Brookville and Franklin county led in everything that was elevating and ennobling. Of course, they took great interest in education and, as fast as their limited means would permit, established schools. They hastened to avail themselves of the benefits of the seminaPvlaws of 1818, and by 1833 they had the Franklin County Seminarv in operation, and by 1837 the Laurel Academy, the other schools of the county keeping in touch with the other county schools of the state. The seminar}-, under able instructors, for a time gave satisfaction, but soon the need of better and higher institutions of learning became apparent, their necessity' becoming more and more evident daily. For years the friends of education insisted upon better educational facilities, but nothing was done until 1S4Q, when Rev. E. U. Sabin was appointed to the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal church in Brookville. Rev. Sabin was soon impressed with the glaring deficiencies in local educational facilities and became a zealous advocate and untiring worker in behalf of a higher institution than the seminary, which was then doing its best under the circumstances, but faihng to meet the demand. The friends of education, the Goodwins, Witts, Wellands, Johns, Johnsons, Speers, Prices, Tyners, Lynns, Carmichaels, Raymonds, Williams, McCartys, Kemys and many others whose names I do not now recall, joined Rev. Sabin in advfcating the fonnding of a more advanced institution that woukl meet the demands. .\s usual. dirficultie> aru<e. What should it be called? An academy or a college? Should it be denominational or undenominational? Should it be in the northern or southern part of town? The name "Brookville College" was finally decided upon. It was established under the auspices of the Methodist church, and was under the control of that denomination during its whole career. The contentions as to where it should be located grew very warm and spirited, and at times assumed a serious aspect for the new institution.

The contentions were settled by James W. Speer returning from a visit to his old home in New Jersey and bringing with him a draft of a college built on an elevation. This, with the financial support of ]\Ir. Speer. decided the matter of location. The plan first made of the building was shown to Walter Baker, who. with tiie eye of a practical mechanic, pointed out several defects and suggested several changes. Mr. Baker took the plans to Cincincinnati and submitted them to the examination of a 'Sir. Bavless. a leading architect, who heartily approved of the changes suggested by Mr. Baker and they were adopted. Previous to this, it had been determined to raise the money to erect the building by subscription, and papers were soon circulated soliciting donations of any amount. The largest donation received was one hundred dollars. However, the money was raised somehow, or at least enough of it to begin the erection of a college building in the spring of 1851 or 1852.

The enterprise was undertaken by men of energy and resolution and showed healthful jjrogress. even in the first and second vears of its existence, a sufficient pledge of its ultimate success.

It was designed to furnish every facility for obtaining as thorough a collegiate education, for both young men and young women, as could be fumished at that time at any college in the West. The first catalogue, publi.shed for 1851 and 1852, spoke of the beautiful spot on which the college building was being erected, and also stated that when completed it would be surpassed by very few college buildings in the West for convenience and academic purposes.

build a large domicile on the campus for the residence of the president and for the accommodation of the boarders in the institution, but that building was never even begun, though later on a part of the college building was fitted up and used by the president as a home. For two years, 185 1- 53, the county seminary was used for collegiate purposes. It was capable of accommodating about one luindrcd fifty pupils.

There were three departments in the college work, the primary, the academic and the collegiate. The English course required three years and the classical course four years. Rev. Gilbert M. Dunn, A. M., was the first president of Brookville College and held the chair of languages and English literature. Rev. T. A. Goodwin, A. M., was the professor of mathematics and of mental and moral science; later he became the third president of the institution. Charles Lochner was professor of vocal and instrumental music; James Shera was preceptor in primary department. Tuition in the primary department was two dollars per quarter; in the academic department, three dollars, and in the collegiate department, five dollars per quarter. Boarding could be had in good families in Brookville at from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per week.

In the first and second }ears of the existence of tiie college. I find but two students from outside of Franklin county. These were from Ripley county, Emily S. Alden and Amos D. Cunningham. It is interesting to note the course of study and the books used in the college. In the primary department the following books were used : Eclectic primer, spelling book, first, second and third readers. Smith's priman^ geography, first book of history, Pasley's Bible stories of biography, Ray's first and second arithmetic and second book of histoiy.

In the academic department the course of study included: English grammar, geography, arithmetic, analysis, aids to composition. hi5tor\- of the United States and jihilisophy. In the collegiate department, algel^ra. ancient history, bookkeeping, parsing, Latin grammar and botany were studied during the first term ; in the second term, modern historv. ])arsing and false syntax, algebra, botany, natural history. Latin and Greek grammar. The third term included logic, chemistry, trigonometry', astronomy, Latin and Greek. In the senior year mental philosophy, geologv*. astrononiA'. Greek and political economy were carried the first term, while the latter part of the senior year covered moral philosophy, evidences of Christianity, phvsiologv and elements of criticism.

My first acquaintance with Brookville College was in October. 18^3. The walls of the building then were finished to almost the third stor\-. In

November of the same year, two rooms were finished on the first floor, and the school was moved from the seminary to the college building. The first class was graduated in 1S55. The following were the members 01 that class: Kate Barbour, of Springfield; Ada Haymond, of Brookville; Georgia Holland, of Brookville, and Sue Keely, of Brookville. The class of 1S56 had but one member, Rouena Price, of Brookville. The class of 1857 had two members, Laura V. Hitt and Sallie F. H. Keely. In the class of 1858 were two members, M. Ella O'Byrne, of Springfield, Indiana, and E. M. Berwick, of Greencastle, Indiana. On November 18, 1857, I was enrolled as a scholar in Brookville College, and at the end of that year was informed by the president. George H. Chase, that if I would return the next year anrl study hard, I might graduate with the class which was one year and one term ahead of me in the college work. I was very much surprised at the information, but I came back and went through with the class, though taking only the English course. The graduating class of 1859, the one to which I belong, contained ten members, as follows : Hattie N. Binkley, Sarlton, Ohio; Emma ]M. Chafee, Brookville; R. Jennie Dole, Brookville; Amelia H. John, Brookville ; P. Anna Kerrick, Liberty ; Nancie V. Lockwood, Fayette county; Margaret L. McLean, Springfield; Man' A. Rous, Vevay, Indiana; Margaret Shaw, Vevay, and Lon M. Williams. Brookville. This was the largest class ever graduated from the old Brookville College. and larger than any class graduated from the Bro<:>kville high school until many years later.

Some Pfrsonal Recollectioxs

I have now reached the point in my paper where I can give you what I knew personally of the Brookville College, its teachers, its students, and the friends of the college generally. When I came to the college, Rev. George A. Chase was president. He was a perfect gentleman, highly educated for that day, an excellent educator and greatly beloved by us all. John P. Rous, A. M., was professor of ancient languages; J. H. Stephenson taught the collegiate department; Rev. "John W. Locke, A. M., was lecturer on moral science; Joseph Ryrnan, teacher of academic department: ^vlrs. Chase, Henrietta S. Hay, IM. Ella O'Byrne. teachers in the preparaton,- department; Rev. Max Huhans. teacher of German; Adolph Links, teacher of penmanship ; Mrs. Annie L. Rous, teacher piano, guitar and melodeon. The assistant teachers were Mollie H. Rous. Emma M. Chafee and R. Jennie Dole.

then than now, though probably there were not more than half as many houses in the town. At that time, when the doors of the houses opened several people came out. It was a rare thing to find a home with only two people living in it, and I do not think there was a house in town where one person lived alone. Quite a number of young people boarded here and attended college. The homes of Joseph Mecks, Robert John and Benjamin Remy were full oi Ixjardi^rs and many others accommodated from one to three boarders. Board and room cost from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per week, and young men could board themselves for sixty cents a week.

I have lived in Brookville continuously for over forty-six years, and I have never seen together at one time since those days as many young people, congenial and of nearly the same age. We certainly enjoyed ourselves together. We had plenty of work to do to keep our places in the school, but we had what seemed to us amply sufficient fun and entertainment. W'e were all expected to attend church at least once on Sunday, and the old church in the valley was always well filled. We had a fine Sunday school, too. The residents of the town were all good to the students. Occasionally, on a Friday evening, we had what we call a "drop-in." That is, some good woman would send word to some of the boys that the next Friday evening her house would be open for all the young people who wished to come. Then each one of the boys invited a girl and took her to and from the party. Refreshments were never serv^ed. I never saw a playing card or heard the word dance mentioned. Yet, somehow, we had lots of fun and the time for going home came all too soon. At that time, charades, proverbs and other games were in fashion and we spent the evenings playing them. There was a reason why refreshments were not served at our parties. So many of the young people here at that time were non-residents and could not return the compliment in kind, so the rule "No refreshments" was adopted and strictly observed. The Widow Price. Joel Price's mother, then lived just across the river southwest of town, and more than once we were invited to have a "drop-in" there. That home then was full of fine boys and girls, or rather young men and women, as most of them were, and it is needless to say we always had a fine time there.

The Hitts, Hollands, Johns, Remys, Kings, Chafees and other families opened their homes to us in the same way. There were no bridges then, either at the paper mill or at the old Stringer ford below town, so in going to Mrs. Price's we had to cross the river in a skift just below where Wright's mill is now, and, of course, that added to our enjo^-ment. There was at that (25) time a dam across the river just about where the east and west forks of Whitewater came together, and the water being held back by that dam made a beautiful strip of water from the old White bridge south of town, around the bend east to the point north where now is the iron bridge on the Carmel pike. There was no bridge there until several years later. That strip of water was fine for boat riding and I especially recollect taking a ride several times up and down that part of the river one beautiful moonlight night in company with one of the college boys.

The skiffs used then were just large enough for two people to ride in with safety. I cannot now recall the name of the young man, neither do I remember one word of our conversation, but I do distinctly rememlx:r the beautiful moonlight shimmering on the rippling water and the lights and shadows between the fine old trees that covered the sides of the everlasting hills. I had a fright that evening that I have never forgotten. We girls sometimes wore little fancy white aprons with very long wide strings of the same material tied in a large bow at the back, as a finishing touch to our make-up. I wore my very prettiest apron that evening with the very longest strings. As we moved peacefully along just east of where Martin Weber's residence now stands, I looked back over my shoulder, and Oh! horrors! I saw what I was sure was a large water snake swimming just behind and trying to reach the boat. I was dreadfully shocked, but displayed remarkable presence of mind, for I neither screamed, fainted nor fell out of the boat. \\^hat was the use ! The young man's hands were both busy with the oars. I sat there a few seconds almost frozen with horror, expecting every second to feel that big snake crawling up my back and over my shoulder; but it didn't come, so I ventured another look just as the moon emerged from under a little cloud, and I discovered that the said snake was one of my apron strings floating full length just luider the water and waving back and forth with the motion of the boat. I quickly pulled up the string, squeezed out the water and, for a wonder, said nothing. Even to this day, although more than a half century has passed, I can shiver a little when I think of the "snake" that was only my apron string.

We had in connection with our college work, a young men's literary society. A similar society for young ladies, called the Julia Dumont Society, organized December 16, 1853. We met in our society room each Friday just after the close of school. We always had interesting papers, discussions, etc.

The people of Brookville took great interest in the school and were proud of the college and its success. We had exercises every Friday afternoon, to which the public was invited and a goodly number of people always attended. The exercises consisted of essays, dialogues, declamations and music. Each of us had to take our turn in these exercises. Each year, several evening entertainments or exhibitions were given by the pupils and teachers in the college chapel in the third story of the building. In the chapel all the commencement exercises, which continued a whole week, were held. The whole upper story could be thrown into one room, and on every public occasion it was completely filled with people, every window being occupied also. A few times I heard the remark that the building was not entirely safe for such crowds of people, and I was always glad to see the last person safely down the stairs. However, in 1912, when I saw the men taking out the big timbers that supported the third floor, I felt sure that all our ancient fears were entirely groundless.

That catalogue of 1857-58 shows that there were just two hundred pupils enrolled in the school. We had fine teachers in all departments. We also had the "college cut-up." He is still living, so I'll not mention his name. He had a few faithful followers who were always ready to help in any plans for fun that he might introduce. All was innocent fun, with nothing bad about it.

At the beginning of one of the terms while I was a pupil, a nice, quiet, innocent young man from the country came to the school. Our "cut-ups" soon discovered that he was a good subject on which to play their jokes, at least until he found them out. I think they played a great many jokes on that young man, but I know the particulars of only one. One day they inquired of him if he had ever gone snipe hunting". He said he never had. Well, they told him it was great fun and some night they would take him with them on a snipe-hunting expedition. They informed him that the way to hunt snipes was to go at night to some island in the river, put one fellow" at one end of the island to hold a bag open while the other fellows would go to the other end of the island and drive the snipes right into the bag. They appointed a night for the hunt, took their victim with them and rowed across in a skiff to the island selected, placed him at one end of the island, and left him there. It was a cold night, too. After waiting until he was nearly frozen, he either concluded that he was the victim of a verj' unpleasant joke or that the boys had forgotten him. He waded to shore and reached his boarding house some time between midnight and morning.

who rocked tlie boat just to hear the j:(irls scream, and he rocked the boat with the usual result. However, nothing- more serious ever iiappened to any of the girls than a complete ducking and that happened only a few times.

But to return to the history of Brookville College. For the first seven years of its existence, it was called "Brookville Female College," and until the year i860 only young women were graduated. In i860 the first young man was graduated in a class of seven, B. Milton Remy. After that year in nearly every graduating class there were young men. The last college class was graduated in 1S72. The members of that class were as follow: Sadie Pyke, Kokomo, Indiana; !Mattie Adams, T. H. Barton and H. F. Showalter, of Brookville. During its twenty years of existence, Brookville College turned out fifty-nine graduates who have filled or are filling today positions of trust and res[)oiisil>ilit_\-. During the twenty years the cr>llege had ten presidents, as follow: Rev. Ciilbert M. Dunn, A. M., 1851-52: O. E. Fitch, 1852-53; Rev. T. A. Goodwin, D. D., 1853-54; Rev. John \\'. Locke. D. D., 1855-56; Rev. J. A. Beswick, acting president, half year; Rev. George A. Chase, A. M., 1856; Augustus D. Lynch, A. M., 1859-61; Rev. David H. Shei-man, A. M., 1S61-62; Rev. William R. Goodwin, D. D.. 1862-66; Rev. John H. Martin, D. D., 1860-69; Rev. John P. D. John, D. D.. LL. D., 1869-72 ; Jason L. Rippetoe, A. ]\I., 1872-73. Each president was assisted by an able corps of teachers.

Owing to the many educational institutions started in the territorv from which Brookville College derived its support, and the excellent public school system of Indiana, it became evident that the college, without an endowment, must succumb to the inevitable. The quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal church met in Connersville in 1872, and the nn'nistcrs passed resolutions pledging their labor and influence in its behalf. Its frierids m Brookville made heroic sacrifices, contributing liberally of their nrivate means, but their efforts were futile. Jason L. Rippetoe did all he could under such adverse circumstances and with becoming dignity officiated during the expiring days of Brookville College.

In 1873 the building was sold to the town for a public school building, and in 19 12 it was torn down and replaced by the present public school building. I often think over the happy days I spent in the old college, and frecjuently ask m\self the question. "Where, oh. where are all those dearlyloved friends of mv youth?" And echo answers "Where?"

Peoria Academy

Peoria i\cadeiny was established in tlie village of that name, in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1852. The founder of the academy and its main insjjiration was William lk-11 Rust, who was born in Duchess county, New York, in 1815. He moved from New York to Collcj^c Hill, Ohio, about 1840, and here he met and married Henrietta Lewis. To this union were born two sons, and while they were small, the wife and mother died. Shortly alter her death, Mr. Rust moved with his sons to Peoria, Indiana, and soon began agitating the question of establishing an institution of learning in the village.

William B. Rust was a highly educated man along many different lines. It has been said of him that he was at least fifty years ahead of his time and that his ideas were so advanced he would have been more appreciated at the present time. He appears to have been a man of some means, although he did not have enough money to build a building and establish an academy on his own account. In order to finance his proposed institution a stock company was organized. Thirty-two public-spirited citizens of Peoria and vicinity took shares with the understanding that Rust would buy them up as fast as possible. In fact, his school was so successful that he did buy up most of the shares, while the other stockholders exchanged their financial interest in the academy for tuition and in this way got the value of their investment. Rust himself headed the subscription list with one hundred and fifty dollars, the next largest being only twenty-five dollars less. The remaining stockholders subscribed for varying amounts down to five dollars. Among the names of these stockholders mav be mentioned Joseph Smith, John Heard, William Beard. Jacob Beard, I. S. Crane. James Urmston, Joseph B. Horton, Peter Heard, Simeon Conn and James H. Blacker.

The first meeting of the stockholders was held June 19, 18^2, and organized by selecting William Beard as chairman and I. S. Crane as secretary. After an organization was affected the articles of agreement between William Rust and tlie stockholders were read. A motion was made and carried that, in the transfer of the deed, a clause should be inserted securing to the stockholders and community the right and privilege of anv orthodox church to use the house for church services forever. While the academy building was in process of construction Mr. Rust taught for two winters in the Asbury (]\Iethodist Episcopal) chapel at Peoria. The academy build- ing is still standing. It is a two-story brick structure and was built largely by Joseph B. Horton, who was also a stockholder. Joseph Smith, another stockholder, superintended its erection. The upper story was used as a dormitory for the young men who could not obtain rooms in "Stringtown," a name given to a row of twelve or fourteen small rooms built back of the college. Each of these rooms contained a small stove, bed, table and two chairs. The students boarded themselves, bringing their provisions from home every week or buying them in the village. The young women lived in the principal's house, which was immediately south of the academy building. This was later destroyed by fire and with it the tov\rnship library.

The school year was divided into two terms of three months each, one in the winter and the other in the spring. At the end of each term there were special exercises which sometimes included an "exhibition" at Walker chapel. The late Judge Swift, of Brookville, and his sister, Mrs. Marion Crosley, were students here about 1858. INlr. Swift has often related that it was one of his duties to help train the younger students for this "exhibition." A budget or question box was opened on these occasions and anyone could put in a question and indicate whom they wanted to answer. A typical question was, "What letter of the alphabet should a man think of if he <ioesn't want to get the mitten?" And the person who was asked to solve the question, having gone tlirough the experience, answered, "Letter B."

And what was taught in this academy? The common school branches, algebra, rhetoric, geometry, Latin, Greek, and, in fact, all of the regular collegiate studies. The classes were often called upon to recite and it is remembered that much time was spent in actual recitations. There was little time for amusements, but undoubtedly the fift\' to seventy-five young people who attended this school from 1853 to 1865 did not spend all their time in study. It is known that the head master himself was a teacher of unusual ability and a man of great purity and strength of character. His daughter. Mrs. Halley, of Eldon, Kansas, said of him: "Father's greatest ambition was to create a desire for higher Christian living in the future of his students. That they appreciated his eftorts was proven by the beautiful letters he received long after they had left school." ]\Tr. Rust offered prayer each morning and followed it with a talk to the students. His words were always full of good advice and he never neglected to emphasize the need of perseverance in their daily lives. He often said that there was something higher for which to strive than the paltrv- dollar.

Mr. Rust christened his academy Ingleside, and \vhen he was postmaster of Peoria he succeeded in inducing the United States government to change the name of the postoffice at Peoria to Ini^leside, althouj^h it was later again called Peoria. He continued to teach year after year in Peoria until about 1865 or i866, and tlien moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he engaged ;n the tile business. Shortly after moving to Peoria he had married Mary Enyert Urmston, a daughter of JaniL-s Urmston. To this sec(;nd marriage were born three children: lames U.. a wholesale grocer of Nashville. Tennessee; Alice Gertrude, now Mrs. Halley, of Eldon, Kansas; Ida Bell, deceased.

From Hamilton, Ohio, Mr. Rust moved to Elwood, Indiana, where he established a small school, but it did not prove a success and he soon discontinued it. About 1870 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he lived until his death in 1901. He was eighty-six years of age at the time he passed away, but v.-as in remarkable health up until a short time before his death.

The history of this famous old academy of Franklin county v/ould not be complete without mentioning the bell which hung in the belfr/ in Ingleside. Tradition says it was a wonderful bell, with a clear, strong tone that could be heard for miles. It has been reported that the clapper was removed from the bell by Mr. Rust some time after he left Peoria. At least, it disappeared and no one knows where it is to be found. The son and daughter of Mr. Rust doubt whether their father ever took it. Of those who were once students there are now only a very few living : Squire Beard, Marion Smith, Mrs. Louise Beard, jMrs. Sarah Dwyer, ^Martin Sater, Theophilus L. Dickerson, Clem Conn and John DeArmond.