Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-07-15
YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY.
Branch of the Southern California
University.

- -
University.
The Messenger takes great pleasure in
announcing to its readers this week, that
the establishment of Young Ladies'
Seminary in Monrovia is an assured fact.
This paper has been agitatipg the ques-
ton for several weeks past, and from the
first we had hopes that the end in view
might be attained. Gentlemen who are
deeply interested in education; gentle
men who have given hundreds of thou
sands of dollars for the establishment of
one of, if not the, leading university Of
Southern California, took the matter in
hand, and in their quiet, but most effect
i've way, carried the matter through to a
successful completion. First and foremost
among these public benefactors should
be placed the name of our respected citi-
zen, Hon. E. F. Spence. This gentleman
has been identified with the interests of
Monrovia from It's foundation, and since
his residence here, which has only been
during the past eight or nine months, he
has been more and more convinced that
this is the spo par excellence for town.
1t being suggested that the homestead OF
w. N. Monroe-of which we gave short
description couple of weeks ago-could
be secured, he agitated the matter of the
establishment of young ladies' semin-
ary on the premises. AS result, the di-
rectors and trustees of the Southern Uni
versity at Los Angeles were invited to
visit Monrovia and look over the premi-
ses. On Monday afternoon last the fol-
lowing gentlemen arrived and were
driven to the residence of Mr.. Spence,
where they dined: Rev. DR.. NJ. M. Bow
ard, President OF the Southern California
University, Dr. j. P. Widney, Rev. A. M.
Huff, Rev. P. H. Bodkin, editor of the
Christian Advocate, Rev. DR.. Bresee of
Pasadena, Geo. d. Whitcomb of Glen
dora and Rev. 7. E. Robinson of this
city.
After dining they were driven to the
Monroe place, where they examined the
beautiful premises and their surround
ings, and you may be assured that each
and every one of them were charmed with
the place. They were afterward driven
about the city, and the gentlemen ex-
pressed themselves surprised at the
beautiful homes of Monrovia, some of
the gentlemen never having been here
before.
The party again adjourned to the resi-
dence of Mr.. Spence, to take action on
the proposition, which was, that the
property in question, consisting OF ten
acres of land and the fine fourteen-room
house, be given to the directors of the
University, providing they establish a
branch here. Mr.. Spence said Mrs.
Monroe had agreed to sell the property,
and he would guarantee it to the direc-
tors free and unincumbered. 1t is need
less to say that the proposition was
unanimously accepted.
On Tuesday DR.. Bovard was here again,
and the proposition was put in writing,
so that the Board of Directors of the Uni
yersity could take official action thereon,
which will be done at once. 1t is antici-
pated, we believe, to have the seminary
open for the fall term, if possible. There
is nothing definite yet as to additional
buildings, but we understand others will
be built as requirements demand. The
assurance is given us that 1t will be a
seminary of the very highest order. the
buildings finely furnished, and the
teachers the very best to be had. In all
its appointments, it is proposed to have
this school equal, If not surpaas any in
the State.
The building is situated almost in the
center of a park Of five acres, containing
trees of almost every description; and in
front is situated an orchard of five acres,
containing principally Washington naval
orange trees. A lovelier spot could not
be selected.
The citizens generally can congrat late
themselves upon securing such an excel
lent educational institution in our midst; ;
and the people of all Southern California
can rely upon having a seminary OF the
highest order in our own portion OF the
State, without having to send their
daughters 30 far away from home.
While the seminary will be under the
direction of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, it will not be sectarian, so that
parents of any other denomination can
feel free to send their daughters here.
1t is difficult to estimate the value of
the establishment of this institution to
Monrovia. 1t will certainly be great
inducement to parents who have dsugh-
ters to educate, to come here and live
[Monrovia Messenger.
Parties who Are About to Build
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