Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-01-11
Our Educational susiitntipus.
GAINESVILLE FEMALE ACADEMY.

The GAINESVILLE Female Academy
was established in the year 1910. tt
first President was Rev. DR.. Douglass
now of Iuka, Miss. The buildings
were small, and the patronage of the
school was mainly of local character
but according to its capacity, the Acad-
envy was prosperous under his admin
istration.
The Rev. DIR. Erwin was its next
President. He was man of great
popularity and usefulness. Under his
supervision the patronage of the school
was increased, but the capacity of the
buildings was not enlarged, and he was
limited in his operations. The want
of means for enlarged plans of useful
ness, contracted the influence of the
school, and confined its success to a
narrow sphere.
DIR. Erwin was succeeded by DR..
Hamilton. During his presidency new
and costly buildings were erected,
which, with the old ones, completed
one of the finest structures for educa-
tional purposes in the country. The
halls are spacious, well arranged, and
elegantly lighted; the rooms of the
young ladies are large, comfortably fur
nished, and thoroughly ventilated.
There are bathrooms, and everything
else necessary to the convenience of
students. The buildings were erected
expressly for educational purposes, and
have the capacity of comfortably en-
tertaining over one hundred boarding
pupils. The entire building is lighted
with gas.
The school, with these additional
under the administration
OF DIR. Hamilton, was very prosperous.
Its patronage was largely increased, es-
pecially by students from abroad. The
catalogues of the school at this period
show pupils from many of the South
ern States. From a comparatively
small number, the matriculations ad-
vanced to two hundred and eighteen.
But before the expiration of the
lease of DIR. Hamilton, the war came
on and suspended the operations of the |
1t was closed, and the mil
tary took possession of the buildings
for hospital purposes. 1t was thus oc-
,upied, first by the Confederates and
hen by the Federals, for several years.
The buildings were vacated at the close
If the war, but they had been much
INJURED by the soldiers, and were left
n dilapidated condition.
Itwas desirable to reopen the school,
,ut it was difficult to begin operations.
The condition of the buildings, the
helpless state of the people, and the
Reorganization of the country, were
leavy discouragements to such an en-
erprise. But DIR. West, at the earnest
olicitations of many friends, under
ook the difficult work. His first bus
ness was to repair and furnish the
buildings and this he did at cost of
en- thousand dollars. Everything was
tied up in elegant style, and the doors
f the institution were once more
brown open to the public, and patron.
ge solicited After many misgivings,
be school opened ON the 9th of Sept,
S66, to the satisfaction of its friends. .
The school, under the administra-
ion of DIR. West, has been quite sue
essful. 1t has prospered from the be- ,
inning The average matriculation
Or the last six years has been two hun
red and twenty-five pupils. In num-
ers and equipments it holds a place
18th the very best schools of the coun- {
~. And it is now in a healthy and
rosperous condition. The various
apartments are all well organized and
re supplied with teachers of fine
cholarship, and of much social re-
nement. The greatest diligence has
cen used to build up an institution of
earning that, by virtue of its own
lerits, would recommend itself to the ]
lvorable consideration of a refined
nd cultivated people. And in solid
-orth, as well as in that which is :
lerely ornamental, it challenges COM
arson with the very best institutions ]
f like character. A thorough and
nished education may be obtained in
lis school. By its excellence and use
illness, it appeals to every one of us {
II encouragement and support Nor S
nall it appeal in vain. We will extend
} it helping hand, guard it with ten
er solicitude, and strive to perpetuate
S prosperity.