The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-09
BLOOMSBURY NORMAL SCHOOL.

COl. J. ". rreeBc
While facts and circumstances are s:i'l
fresh In the knowledge Of citizens, II 10
we'll TO put upt record what ought to be
remembered, OF the early history Of "The
Bloomsbury Literary Institute and State
Normal School,"
In the year 1855 the following named
gentlemen, to-wit: A. J. Sloan, M. Con-
man, Z. Msndenhall, A. j. Evans, Wm.
McKslyy, J. ]. Bro~cr. B. F. Hartman,
s. II. Miller, J. u. Chamberlain, Phillip
Unangst, Jesse q. Clark, A. Whitman,
Michael Henderson, John u. Freeze, Levi
L. Tate, Peter Bilmeyer, NJ. G. Sloan,
Jonathan Mosteller, Alexander j. Frick,
f. B. Bidleman, Robert F. Clark, A. NJ.
Rupert, X. B. Ncnagb, Nv. J. Bideman,
Robert Cathcart, A. G. Mensch, and Ii.
C. Hover, associated themselves together
"for the promotion Of education both Ia
the ordinary and higher branches Of Eng
lish literature and science, and In thetan-
uient and modern languages" and there
for presented q petition to the Court,
and At the September term, A. D., 1856,
became and were corporation under the
name, style and title OF 1.-The Bloomsburg
Literary Institute"
Under the articles Of incorporation con.
shutting the Charter, William Robson,
Leonard b. Rupert, William Snyder,
Elisha q. Barton, William Goodrich, ID.
J. Waller. Joseph Sharpless, John X.
Groiz, and l. W. Hartman were made
Trustees, to serve until the annual elec-
ton provided for in the Charter. The
minutes Of that Board OF Trustees have
never come into the hands Of the writer,
and neither the organization nor any OF
the proceedings are known. Blu. school
OF u high grade was promptly opened,
and for some time kept in successful
operation. 1t was held in building To-
Gated on the lot now owned and occupied
by the Roman Catholic Church. The
causes that eventually resulted in sus-
pending operation need not be here de-
tailed but considerable time elapsed
between the closing Of the school in the
building mentioned, and its re-opening
In what was known ss the Old Academy
Building. In the meantime the public
schools had improved considerably, and
more general feeling for higher edu-
cational training Was developed. A num-
ber OF young men were to be fitted for
college, and though the standard rate Of
public school teachers was raised BY the
State, yet ell the educational interests Of
the county were 10 most backward con.
di,ion. None OF the schools, either pri.
vatc or public, came near Alling the pub
lie requirements, aud 1t WAS the duty -
we'll ~ the opportunity Of bloomsbury
to lead In new, and lasting and nagni.
hcent educational enterprise.
In this conjuncture Of affairs Dir. Hen
~ Carver appeared In town and opened
classical school In the Old Academy ON
Third street. He was successful Ia bis
Then undertaking and acquired in large
degree the confidence Of our people. The
first and best result OF that feeling Of con.
fidence was the reorganization OF the
"Boomsburg Literary Institute"
Pursuant to q notice given, tho Trus.
tees OF the Bloomsbury Literary Institute
met at the study OF d. J. Waller on the
evening Of May 2nd, 1865; present ID. J..
Waller, William Snyder, ]. X. Grotz, L.
B. Rupert and l. w. Hartman. On mo-
ton of J. X Grotz, ID. J. Wsler was
elected president aud I. W. Hartman Sec
re,ary. Ths places OF E. c. Barton, Vim.
Robson and VIM. Goodrich were declar-
ed vacant, and John q. Freeze, Robert
F. Clark and VIM. Neal were elected to
nll the vacancies.
At the next m citing, May 4th, the res
ignation OF Joseph Sharp less was accept
ed and Conrad Bittenbender was chosen
to I'LL the vacancy. A committee OF six
was named to open books and take sub
scription to the stock OF the corporation.
A committee on location of the building
was also chosen, and VIM. Neal was
elected to be treasurer. At the next
meeting, May 25th, Professor Carver was
elected principal OF the contemplated
school. A number OF subscriptions to
the stock having been obtained, the stock
holders met in the Grand Jury room
June 16, 1866, to locate the school build
ing. After some discussion the question
was postponed, and the meeting adj ,urn-
ed to June 22nd. On assembling, pur-
suant to adjournment, propositions were
received from William Snyder, VIM. b.
Koons, NJ. s. Appelman, @. Barton u Co.
and ID. J.. Waller. On vote being taken
it resulted as follows:
For Snydcr's location 4S9 votes.
For Kooas 3 3votes.
On the same day the Board of Trust es
at meeting resolved to accept William
Snyder's proposition and adopted the To-
cation voted for by the Stockholders.
On the 29th of June the Board ordered
| that plans and specific atoms be at once