The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-29
OAK RIDGE INSTITUTE.

OAK RIDGE INSTITUTE.
A Literary and g Commercial school
WHICH Is HELD IN HIGH FAVOR ANI
WHICH HAS WELL DESERVED
IT'S MARKED SUCCESS.
As regards the early history Of this
now noted institution Of learning we
quote the following from historical
sketch that lies before us. II seems
that "Oak Ridge institute was found.
ed in the year 1850 by DR.. John
Saunders, Jesse Benbow, Allen Low
ry, James B. Clark, and other public
spirited citizens Of Oak Ridge. They
erected commodious house, suppli-
ed it with an excellent library and a
fine set Of philosophical apparatus,
and at their own expense employed
the best teachers obtainable. The
school founded under such favorable
auspices, had won an enviable and ex.
tended reputation, being we'll known
even beyond State lines, at the out.
break Of the civil war; but like all
other enterprises in the South, It went
down under the pressure Of those four
dark years. In 1866 the building
itself was reduced to ashes; but the
/ public spirit which reared the FIRST
was not slow to rear the second upon
1.-THE same spot. However, until 1875
1.-THE school took no rank as perma.
nent institution. In the last named
year it passed into the hands of the
Senior Principal. Since tbtn tie
Institute has prospered to degree
that has exceeded the most sanguine
expectations Of Prof J. Allen Holt,
who assumed charge Of il when its
fortunes were at the lowest ebb. In
1879 the school mad but SIX students.
"a beggarly roster, and one that
would have discouraged any one not
possessed Of indomitable pluck. A
vivid contrast is presented as between
1875 and 1855. Then SIX pupils
NOW ia Chat was the number en-
rolled during the year just closed)-
and this wonderful degree Of develop.
ment has been brought about within
a single decade; It is all the more
wonderful, too, when one realizes the
fact that it is much more difficult to
build up any enterprise that is "run
down" than il is to make success Of
an entirely new enterprise. That
Oak Ridge Institute has thus been
rehabilitated shows that Its Manag-
ers and Faculty must have labored
increasingly, and that the Institute
possessed high degree ofmerit. The
growth has been phenomenal, and no
other causes can be found therefor.
The attendance last year illustrates
too, The fact that Oak Ridge Insti.
tute's reputation is not merely local.
CHANGING at the last catalogue we see
there were pupils IN attendance from
all parts OF North Carolina, virginia,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
and Texas, and 50 we fairly inter lif
inference we're not suppianted oy
the fact ITSELF that the stability OF
the school Is assured and It's Claims 70
recognition as firstclass literary
and commercial Institute are conced-
ed by those most interested IN the ed
ucation OF their sons or wards. Inc
grand success achieved Is still fur-
Their illustrated by the fact that a new
building has just beenerected alta cost
Of seven thousand dollars, and Il y
said to be the stateliestprivate school
building 10 tie State Of North
Carolina. Elsewhere we print an en-.
Craving ofthe new building.
As regards Oak Ridge Institute we
take pleasure in stating that il is
strictly non-denominational; il mum.
bers among its Faculty and Trustees
members Of different denominations,
and il is the effort Of the Faculty to
iinpart education in the highest and
broadcast acceptation of the term rath.
or than to teach creeds. AT the same
time the best Of moral and religious
influences are maintained, but we re-
1 - a.