The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-13
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The Petersburg Library has been for
thirteen years ., fayoritc and popular In
stitations indeed, the pride Of the city.
II IVES organised In 1858, when Mr.. Thomas
8. Gholson was elected president, who con-
tinuedt to hold that position until he was
appointed Judge Of this judicial circuit.
/ Four OF our wealthy citizens contributed
at two different times 81 600 each, several
.ffoxu 1900 10 300, and large number (l50
or mofel the sum of 900 EACH. Besides
Aske. there was en- annual subscription Of
Sktx xollars, the aggregate amounting to
from 81, 200 to 1900 . year.
Such was the fiourishing condition Of the
institution that In 1858 and 1859 It was
deemed expedient to purchase lot of
ground, and erect suitable building upon
it. The cost Of the lot was eli, 900, and Of
the building nearly 100000. The lower
story was divided into four stores, oil Of
which were rented. out at high rates until
the business of the city was Frustrated by
J the war. Tbs Indebtedness incurred in
these improvements was perfectly manage.
able until that time, bnt 1t has since accu.
mulated 60 much as to. cause not little
anxiety TO the stockholders, especially In
view Of the difficulty Of raising money in
the present condition Of the country.
The first purchase Of books was about
5000 volumes; and the number was subse.
quently increased by. degrees to 5000
The reading rooniproper was supplied with
large number Of newspapers, the best re.
views and magazines, and also with English
newspapers The daily visitors, both OF
ladies' and gentlemen, were very numerous,
and the number Of volumes annually drawn
from the library was about 5000. 1t is not
too much TO say that during the period OF
its prosperity the literary taste of the citi-
zens-the younger classes in particular
Was much improved, and that it exercised
an influence on the community both heaitii-
fnl and beneficial.
But the war was accompanied by serious
disasters to the institution. On the 4th
Z OF July, 1864, the building lin which the
telegraph office is situated) was made
target by heavy battery on the enemy's
lines, and the upper story was struck by
TWENTY-FIVE thirty-pound shells, many of
which exploded on striking the walls. The
roof was nearly demolished, and the build
ing pretty well riddled. 1t was, however,
temporarily repaired so as to keep out the
rain, and the library was not closed during
the whole siege for more than two or three
weeks. During the winter months, and
until the evacuation, it was frequented by
great numbers of Confederate officers and
soldiers, eager for books to relieve the mo-
notony of the soldiers life. 1t was OF
course impossible to refuse them; and in
this way, and after the occupation of the
city by the Federal army, the library was
sadly broken up. Out of the 5000 volumes
upwards of 2,7OO have been lost.
Since the conclusion of the war it has
been in languishing condition. The re-
venue from rents Is good, amounting to
upwards of $500 but it was necessary
to make thorough repair Of the building,
which, with the enormous taxes and the
necessity OF making some reduction OF the
debt, left nothing available for the pur-
chase of books. And such has been the
scarcity of money that those who would
gladly be readers have been without the
means to indulge their literary tastes.
An effort will shortly be made, however,
to resuscitate the institution, and it is be-
lieved with good prospect of success.
There are gentlemen Of means and intlu-
ence who are determined it shall not go
down. t... SN0wDEN.