The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-16
Board Of Trustees could look upon
Il L

the work with satisfaction and gratih
cation. Undeniedly it increased the
value Of all the property in Blooms.
burg; it increased the attractions o
the town as place of residence il
cheapened the cost of the necessary
preparation Of boys and girls for the
active duties of life ; it raised the true
reputation of Bloomsburg among the
surrounding counties, and even be.
yond the state lines the rumors of us
extended, and pupils came thence
among us. The liberal and large
hearted man rejoiced in the good he
had accomplished, and knew it was a
monument to his labor and persever-
ance more lasting than brass. One
after another the faint-hearted became
foot-sore and weary; but as they fell
out of the ranks their places were
filled by others, and when at the end
of the first year Board came to be
elected. it appeared that but four Of
those whose names appeared among
the first roll call, had struggled or to-
gether to the end. 1t had been a
struggle, such as they only who had
gone through it, could appreciate
Amid SO many discouragements they
were surprised at their own success,
but having succeeded it is but right
to say that a very large majority of the
citizens Of Bloomsbury gave substan-
tial support to the enterprise.
In the meantime the year 1867 was
passing away, the school was attract
ing attention, the building was large
and conspicuous, and our citizens be
gan to awaken to its simportance. Mr.
Wickersham, the State Superintend-
ent Of Public Schools had heard of us
and seeing what we had already ac-
complished, suggested the erection Of
additional buildings and the organiza-
ton of a State Normal School to be
run in connection with the Literary
Institute. Discussion on the subject
was general and warm, and on the 9th
of March 1868, the Board "Resolved
that the Trustees of the Bloomsburg
Literary Institute agree to establish in
connection with the same, State
Normal School under the Act OF
Assembly Of the end of May, 1857,
and to procure the grounds and put
up the necessary buildings as soon as
the sum of twenty thousand dollars is
subscribed by responsible persons,
agreeably to the foregoing PROPOSE
TONS"
In pursuance thereof, at that and
subsequent meetings, committees on
plans, specifications and subscriptions
were appointed and proceeded to the
discharge of their duties.
On the 18th of April, 1868, a pub
lie meeting was held in the Recorders
Office to consider "the subject of a
Normal School to be located at
Bloomsbury" The Rev. Mr.. Waller
was called to the chair, and Capt.
Brockway was chosen Secretary. Mr.
Neal stated the object Of the meeting
After free and spirited discussion
the following resolutions were moved
and carried:
"That the Trustees of the Blooms,
burg Literary Institute be earnestly
requested to purchase the necessary
grounds and proceed to make an
agreement to CARRY forward the enter.
prise of erecting the building required
That the plans submitted by Prof
Carver be recommended to the trus-
tees tor adoption.
That it be recommended to let the
building to Prof. Carver at his esti,
mate of $4,000"
The proceedings and recommends
tions of the public meeting having
been certified to the Board of Trus,
tees, then in session, the Board on the
same day appointed building com,
mittee, consisting of l.. B. Rupert, p.
Billmeyer, f. c. Eyer, and authorized
it 'to contract for the erection of the
building with Prof. Carver at his bid
of thirty-six thousand dollars, in &C,
cordance with the recommendation OF
the citizens" and it was accordingly
SO done, and the building was put in
process of construction.
On the and of May, 1869, the stock.
holders elected the following: Fol
three years, Robert F. Clark, William
Elwell, William Neal; For one year
Elias Mendenhall.
1t being thought best to have the
building committee members of the
Board, Judge Rupert, Judge Elwell
and William Neal, were elected.
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