The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-25
TUE COTJJMBIAN AND DEMOCRAT, BIOOMSBURG COLUMBI4
LETTER FROM BJoOMSBIIRG.

We find the following complimentary letter
in the last issue of the Miflintown Democrat
and Register
BLooMsBURe, Pa, Jan. 80, 1876. Sir8!
We have been sojourning few days in
this pleasant village after an absence OF a
couple of months. Whether to call this
place city or n village is hard to determine.
1t has all the conveniences of the former ex-
cept street railways, but the really comfor-
table and attractive omnibuses always near
are excellent substitutes. Then there is n
neatness and beauty about the town that
makes it the pride of the people. Nowhere
in our State is there town in which every
street bears the evidence of such fostering
care on the part of the public officials as do
the streets of Bloomsbury. For beauty of
situation, for healthful surroundings, con-
venience of access, and refinement of the
inhabitants, Bloomsbury surpasses all towns
of its size within the range of our knowledge.
1t is not widely known as business place.
There are iron works here--furnaces and
foundries, but they are not extensive. How
ever, while in.other towns, during the imam
cial crisis the manufacture OF iron has ceas-
ed here it has gone steadily on.
Ask the citizens Whit has made their
town beautiful, what has brought men OF
means and influence here and kept them
here when the advantage of trade might
have allured them elsewhere and they will
say, proudly, "Our Normal School,"
This institution of which we gave short
account in former letter, was built in 1866
All the improvement for which the town is
noted dates from that time. Since then
too, more persons have left the town to grad
uate in the colleges of this country than
of ba oitioc in tho Stota
| of Pennsy sylvania.
To day, as we look up the long street we
see rising above everything else the new
| hall, with its massive, four story walls, sur
mounted by timbeis, which are going into
| magnificent tower. The roof is already up
on the building, and plastering and laying
| floors have commenced. Gas and steam
companies are fitting pipes for promoting
| the future comfort and convenience OF pu-
pills, and it is confidently expected that
| in a few weeks all will be ready for occupan-
cy by the students and faculty. Eight
| weeks ago we laid the corner stone of this
structure. To day it stands a monument to
the zeal of the board oftrustees among whom
are some of the first jurists and statesmen OF
this State. Even in its unfinished state
the building shows wonderful elegance and
taste in architecture and is credit to Mr.
Hale, of Wilkesbarre, who planned it.
| The building committee and the principal
| of the school have been untiring in their
effort to have the structure completed and
perfect in all modern improvements before
the opening of the spring term. In all pro-
liability they will succeed. :,
The school is prosperous in the face of all
the difficulties with which it has had to con-
tend The graduating class for '76 will be
the largest in the history of the institution,
1t has five members from Juniata county,
and they stand at the head in almost all
their.-.studies. Thoroughness is the motto
they work upon. The whole class are ex-
tremely we'll advanced and will. no doubt
graduate with eclat. +. Il.