Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-06-20
METHODIST.

Il HISTORY OF THE WESLEYAN FEMALE INSTITUTE.
Twenty seven years ago. some Of the premli-
merit citizens of Staunton of the Methodist
church, determined to commence female school
under the auspices of that denomination.
meeting was held and day school with about
80 scholars, under the control of Rev. J. B.
Finch, started in the basement of the old
Methodist church, q subscription of about 81 Goo
having been made to bear the initial expenses.-
The scholars living out of the city boarded at
citizens houses, and the school was held in the
castle like frame building on Main ST., called
the Chandler building. In the following March
the Baltimore Annual Conference was asked to
take the school under its charge which it did
The following trustees were appointed : Jon. T.
Kurtz, Merrill Gushing, (dead); Rev. B. w.
Brown, VIM. Kyle, (dead); VIM. Clark, (dead);
Stephen Hansbarger, (dead); Jno. Efiuger and
Jno Hamilton. The following gentlemen were
appointed trustees to represent tbs conference:
Jno. Bowen, Geo. W. Isreal, J. Mex. Riley and
VIM. L. Spotswood The first board was or
ganized May 9, ls49, with B NJ. Brown, Presi-
dent DR.. J. F. Kurtz, Secretary and Merrill
Cushing, Treasurer 1t was resolved to erect a
new building (ths large white one now occrpied
by the Baptist Insttute) and Capt Jno. P.
Smith was elected architect, and in May 1850,
the corner stone was laid by the Masonic frater-
nifty. In June of that year, the Rev ]. A.
McCauley was chosen principal. 1t is matter
of curiosity to look at the charges in those Old
days when food and raiment were cheaper than
it is now Tuition per session was $40 and
board $50, one salary paid to teacher Of both
French and Music-Mr. Blankey, was 500. The
old trustees were watchful set, and took care
of things as they went along, for entered in the
minutes of their proceedings is one appro priation
to have sthe gable end of the building plaster
ed" In 1853, Rev. Jno. Wilson, NONRESIDENT
of the " ilmington (Del College, was appoints
ed President, the building having been opened
in May. He was succeeded after two years by
Rev. Benz. Arbog CAST, of Hig hland, (aow Presi
dent of the Martha Washin gton School in South
Western Va, and he vas succeeded by Rev
VIM Baird, now Editor Of the Episcopal
Methodist" of Baltimore. The war reduced the
institution to great straits, as it did all similar
corporations but after its close in 65 Rev. VIM
A. Harris took it and built it up SO rapidly that
in 1870 to accommodate the scholars, the spa
cious building and beautiful grounds now &C.
cupisd, were purchased from Mr.. Moffett Coch-
ran. 1t now has Ill scholars, representing
nearly every Southern State. Mr.. Harris is q
brother of Hon. JohE T. Harris member Of Con-
gress from this district, Methodist Minister Of
ability, and teacher of great experience
.ecLosING ExEgcIsEs.
r. The closing exercises Of the Institute
were varied and worthy OF the time spent en-
them. Bishop Dogget preached tbs open.
ing sermon Sunday morning, from the text
which includes the words, The beauties of
Holiness" and the next day tbs young La
ai Christian Association held its final ex.
ercises, with Salutatory, BY Miss Ada
Pesrce, Of N c. an Essay On Morning
by Miss Frank Hsrper, Ct Va. and a
Valedictory, by Miss Maggie Landst'cet,
Of Va This was followed by the final
celebration of the Lee and Jackson Llterary
Society, in which occurred salutatory, by
Miss Mary Reese, Of Va. {; an Essay, by
Miss Lou Jones, of Tex. another by Miss
Ida Vaughan. of Va; and another Vale.
dictory, by Miss Loula Doggett, of Va
An address was delivered before this society,