The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-09-20

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columns-at the Court House in this city upon
the 2sth Of November, 1868, the object Of
which was to "To establish Library and
Reading Room, and promote. by means Of
lectures and otherwise, the diffusion of useful
knowledge" From this beginning sprang
the Keokuk Library Association. The Soci-
ETY. was incorporated December 10th, 1868,
and President, Vice President, Secretary.
Treasurer Board of Directors were elected.
The Hall recently vacated, over the store Of
Younker l. Bro. on Main street was procured
and fitted up, and committees were appointed
to purchaee and solicit donations of books.
The library was opened early in June 1854.
At that time the Association numbered four
life members andone hundred and eighty
one stockholders, with library containing
2,479volumes, and valued at $1,000. During
the winter of 1S64-5 lectures we're delive1ed
under the auspices of the Association by
Mortimer Thompson (Doestcks), r. s. Fos-
ter, d. D.; Jno. S. C...Abbott, and Prof. A. j.
Epson
Some months ago committee consisting
of r. +. Bower, Geo, W. McCrary, A. j.
Wilkinson and Howard Tucker, was appoint
ed to raise further funds for the purchase Of
additional books. The committee was very
successful, and in short time some $4,000
were collected. This handsome sum will en-
able the society to place eleven hundred new
works upon their shelves when their present
room is opened. The new Library Hall is
situated over the Banking House of Coco.
Anderson l. Co., and is large, well ventilated
and handsome. 1t has been fitted up with
great care and elegance. Mr.. r. f. Bower
is now East, and will purchase the books the
amount recently collected enables the Society
to purchase. The known literary culture of
this gentleman is a guarantee that good taste
and sound judgment will govern his selection
of works
The Hall will be opened Saturday or Mon
day. The Library will then number upwards
of five thousand volumes, The Society have
il engravings, busts, geologic specimens and a
respectable nucleus for gallery, and contri-
buttons to this department are solicited.
We are not prepared to give the present mum.
Der of members and subscribers. Mr.. Bower
and Mr.. Tucker deserve much credit for the
fine condition and elegant appearance of the
present Hall. Mr.. J. II. Westcott has also
rendered them valuable assistance.
We have noticed thus at length this institu-
ton, for it is one of the highest credit to the
city. In it, keokuk has, we apprehend, the
finest Library in the State. The various Off
GERS and directors have been interchangeable in
their endeavors to place it upon substantial
basis, and the largest success has crowned
their labors. 1t is highly complimentary to
the intelligence and enterprise of our citizens
that they have so magni6cently sustained the
Association. ''Icrrtm Ct Iu7us' that is the
motto of the Society and is its mission.
Fruitful Of good works and prolific of beneii-
cial results. the Library is municipal institu-
ton to be sustained and fostered. Each sue.
cessive year will mark its power in the com
munity in the dissemination and culture of
intelligence. truth and morality
NoTIcE.-The business houses of the ufi-
dersigned will be closed from Thursday, Dist
1nst- TIL Saturday evening. 23d, on account of
holidays SPIEsBERGER & MAYER,