The Newtown bee., 1894-06-15

productions of the Yankees inventive genius, while the hills and valleys were cultivated by the sturdy farmers, in which work the wives and children took no mean part.
 Private schools were started here and there in the early part of the century, which had brief existence, but it was not until the year 1887 that any move ment was inaugurated toward the per manent establishment of q school for the more thorough education of the towns children. In no better way can it be shown how the movement started, which culminated in so satisfactory result than by reading to you the first communication that was sent out in regard to it:
 Washington College, Hartford, Ct., Tuesday, January 24 lS37.
 To Messrs Henry Beers, Samuel C.. Black man, Henry Dutton, D. II. Beluen and David N B. Baldwin: Srs-The subject upon which um about 10 address you ut this time may be one in which you feel no concern and about which you would not like to be troubled. If | so, pardon me for the trouble this may give you. But should you feel any interest in the subject, ask of you candid examination Ot my plans and frank communication ofyour opinions. The subject O1 public education has for long time occupied my attention and, in examining the various means presented of usefulness, this stands among tho most prominent in my estimation. I have accord ingly concluded to direct my attention to the subject and use my eXertions for the promo tiOn Of this object for two or three years after | shall finish my studies and, thinking of my native town, have concluded to propose to you plan that have formed and ask your advice and cooperation. wish to establish somewhere an Academy in which boys and girls may pursue their studies alter leaving the primary schools and be fitted either for business, for teachers or for college. l wish | such school to be select,-that is, to have | certain qualifications requisite for admission /; | to have not "all branchos' taught in it. but | such as shall be most useful, and to have such | taught on thorough plan; and to have the | school established on the principles of the l Bible, belieN ing that the best class book tor every institution, though l would not have
 any sectarian principles inculcated ,nor would | I hesitate to declare my preference for the | church Ot my affections and the nursery of
 my childhood and youth. would have it em- | phatically Christian school, such school as l every il-WlSllcE Ol IlS country would desire
 to see establishcdin every town. In examin- ing the various situations for the location of
 such school, my preference has been given
 to Newtown tor various reasons. IL is myna
 tive town and there are attachments that bind
 me there which find nowhere else. It is a quiet place and very free from evil influence calculated to draw of boys who might be boarding from home. There is no school ot this kind established there, though l have felt the need of such one for many years. There are many boys and girls who, think,
 would attend such school living in the town.
 My mother lives there, with whom l could board and receive boarders and be at home,
 and could then be in a situation to assist the | younger members ot the family. And lastly |
 should have some pride, whether censurable
 or not, to sec such q school started in my
 native town, and started by my exertions.
 These are some of the reasons lat have led
 me to select that as the place ot location, and
 of the weight Of these reasons you can each judge.
 l Now, gentlemen, do you think such school | would succeed in Newtown? Are there l moneyed men who would feel interested in | such 6 plan enough to put up a building in some eligible situation, and after fitting it to | my mind, rent it at a reasonable per cent so | that could make it object worthy of my employment? Do you think scholars enough
 could be obtained, and would you give me your influence in obtaining scholars? Know | ing, as you do, the circumstances in which l
 am placed; the character of the inhabitants
 of Newtown; the proverb that prophet hath
 no honor In his own country; your own teel-
 ings on the subject, and the situation of Miss
 Sarah Blackman's school, would you advise
 me to persevere in this plan or to relinquish
 it altogether?
 My object in writing at this time is, that
 having obtained your opinion, may make | some calculation on the subject the coming | spring, and have everything ready to begin | in the fall when l shall have finished my l studies In this place. It is, gentlemen, with some experimental knowledge of your character and good feelings that make this
 communication and earnestly hope that you
 will do me the favor of answering me i'm
 mediately, if you think the subject worthy an
 answer. l am, gentlemen, with great esteem
 for you, Your friend and humble servant | [George L. Foote.
 The letter met with hearty response
 and an informal meeting was held with
 in two weeks therefrom at the house ot
 Mir Caleb Baldwin (now Charles F.
 Reardsley's) flor the avowed purpose oi
 forming an association for the purpose
 of purchasing location, and building
 and erecting a suitable and convenient
 house in the borough of Newtown to be
 used and occupied as an Academy for the education of the young in the various
 branches of science and to raise sum of
 money sufficient for sd. purpose"
 The result of the meeting showed har- mory of feeling and warmth of zeal as a subscription was started, to be binding
 when 5000 was pledged. The amount
 was raised at that meeting and after
 ward increased to $1525. The men of that generation were as quick to act, as we of to day. A week later formal meeting | was held, constitution and articles of association were drawn up, which were adopted at meeting held March 3, 1887 and at the same meeting building com mittee was chosen and instructed to erect a building not exceeding 36x26 feet. Necessary ground was purchased, and the building was erected in the early summer of 1887. It stood on the plot of ground lying on the west side of Main street, between the Congregational par sonage and the residence of Mrs AEmma s. Beers. At the May session sof the t,r 1QQ1 a ,4 q .f ,,<, ,o< al tl,< ft