The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-03-06
OLD MONONGALIA ACADEMY.
Its Influence Still Felt in Many
States of the Union.
Interesting "Reminiscences Of
the Most Widely known
Academy i'm the
south.

'Changes must come ana ola
things pass away.
We realize this as we listen for the
shrek and rush of the harbinger of
the spirit of change; and, when we
see the building devoted to travel
and traffic, with its surrounding
streets, occupying the once grassy
slope inclining to the river, where
rambled and grazed in peaceful Sc
curity,
'sThe sober herd that loved to meet
their young"
And 'the noisy geese that gabbled
DER the pool"
All undisturbed, save by
'The playful children just let loose
from school,
We rub our eyes as If awakening
from a Rip Van Wrinkle sleep, and
ask, 'Is this part Of old Morgan
town." Then comes the question,
What changes will this new order
of things bring with it? To this no
prophets voice replies, and we turn,
in this transition period, to give a
passing glance to earlier years. We
have no thought of preparing any
series of articles on Monongalia
Academy, as your paper of January
Both announced ;perhaps may furnish
a few paragraphs of "reminiscences
running back nearly third of a
century. We cannot hope to inter
est your readers as the talented au-
thor of "Thrice- Told Tales has
done, as we have no notes or diaries
for reference, and must depend upon
memory, the few catalogues remain
| ing, information from those who
were students at that time, and the
suggestions given in anniversary
publications of colleges at which
these graduated. With such scarcity
of material, there is danger of writ
ing unreliable history, and, although
the thronging memories come soft
ened ''by the mists of years" truth
compels the writer to say that not
many of the students of that day
would have been good boys to put
into a Sunday School book.
Imagine the writer assigning the
wrong heroes to the traditional
Academy stories, and finding herself
confronted by some reverend Doctor
of Divinity, learned Judge, dignified
member of Congress, or scholarly
Professor, with out-stretched, menac-
ing finger, exclaiming, "Thou can'st
not say did it!'
In recalling these incidents the
changes in the population of Nor
gantown must be noted. Then
among the prominent families were
the Wilson's, the Hanways, the
Towers, the Cars and the Kramers,
who have gone from this community
leaving no representatives; the AL
lens and Gays have left none of the
names; and some branches of the
Evans, Dering and Dorsey families,
whose homes were centers of taste
and cultivation, have passed away.
Mr.. Thomas p. Rays beautiful
home stood on the site of the new
University building. Mr.. John Rog-
ers built and occupied Judge Dille's
present residence, and Rev. James
Davis, that of Mr.. +. Domain. These
with the honored ones who yet re
main with us, formed a circle whose
controlling influence made itself felt
in all classes.
Officers of justice enforced the
laws and the moral sense of the
community sustained them in it.
A law breaker was criminal and
no subterfuge or bubble availed fol
his immunity.
No town, at that day, could boast
of better society. Having had fol
years an endowed Academy, and
well supported school for girls, its
educational advantages were far be
You'd those of many much larger
places. Railroad communication
was not general; so that stage ride
of twenty miles or more, was not
considered hardship. Visitors
came and went during the summer
and even braved the horrors of the
mud transit of the winter, to be en-
tertained with such lavish ant
hearty hospitality as finds no paral
lei in these days.
"Ahw l hear some youthful
critic exclaim, ''degeneracy of mod
ern times" ''looking on the pas
through rose colored spectacles,
&c. To which we can reply, th,
witnesses to the truth of the asser
ton, can be found in your own house
holds. Ask your fathers and moth
ers. Morgantown still maintains
abroad, it's reputation, which rests
upon it, as reflection from thos,
departed days. The summer ant
autumn had their round of excur
sions and picnics for old and young
The Sweet Red and Cool Spring,
with the Cave, were the principa
places of resort. Camp Eden being
, with Cheat View a terra incognita
{ Then with the advent of chill win
ter inviting to domestic enjoyment
the discharge Of social duties began
in round of dinner and supper par
ties, often three or four per week
The animal and vegetable kingdom
paid tribute in viands, and the Gull
nary rites of old Virginia cooks, thel
the presiding genii of the kitchens
prepared banquet that the god
! might enjoy.
What special providcnce.protecte'
j. \