CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1899-08-17
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The Blees Military Academy, now In
course Of construction here. u intended
to be magnificent architectural monu-
ment to the pet ambition Of It's wealthy
founder. Like all men OF means, Col.
F. w. Blees has his hobbies. He loves
fine horses, and has score or more
Of some of the best blooded animals
In America In his stables. Painting,
music and horticulture receive his
warmest encouragement and support,
but his real, earnest, controlling pas
sion is for the military and the devel-
opment of martial instincts. His own
training was obtained in the Prussian
army, which he entered Immediately
after his graduation and was commis-
stoned second lieutenant. He was
among the first In this section to Of
fer his sword to the state when hostili-
ties between the United States and
Spain commenced.
Col Blees came to America In 1881.
and after teaching In various schools
and academies in this country, accept
ed position as commandant Of Girls
void College Corps of Cadets, Daven-
port, la. In recognition of his success
in that capacity, he was appointed lieu
tenant-colonel in the Iowa National
Guard and aid-de-camp to the COM
mander, Gov Horace Boies. He after
ward resigned his position to accept
the head mastership of St. James Mill
tary Academy here, and later was ap-
pointed superintendent. The academy
was discontinued during Col Blees' alb
sence at the bedside of his parents In
Germany, and after their death some
time was necessarily employed in
winding up the affairs Of the princely
estate in the old country. But ali the
time the dream of an academy that
would perpetuate his memory as an in
stitution of influence and power In the
land was with him, and as each stone
and brick is laid in its proper posi-
tion the rearing of the structure causes
a responsive ascendency in the
colonel's hopes. The grounds for the
building have been carefully selected,
with regard to health and with view
to the picturesque. Nature has done
much for them in the way Of gently
rolling hills, natural streams, cascades
and table lands, and the landscape gar
dener will do the rest Within the
campus there will be lake covering
eighteen acres, and just across on the
rolling hills, natural streams, cascades
grounds, will be another body Of water
nearly as large. Rustic bridges, grot-
toes, foliage labyrinths, fountains and
statues will make the grounds an ideal
resort to the students and attractive
to visitors.
The general plans by the superin-
tendent, Col. W. w. Clendenin, are
embraced in the following:
The academy ground proper COM
prise 143 acres, and lying adjoining is
the farm of Col. Blees, 400 acres,
lnown as the "Blees place." which will
supply the academy with everything
that can be produced on model farm
where all modern methods OF husban-
dry are employed. For the present the
ulldings will be limited to the acad-
emic hall. gymnasium, kitchen. 1aun-
dry and power house. The arr14ge-
lsent OF the buildings mentioned win
lie equal to anything in the country,
and is the result of careful calcula-
tons, in which each member of the
faculty has assisted. Everything, from
the flagstaffs on the towers to the con-
crete in the basement, will be abso-
.usely fireproof. There will be 55x
1S5-foot recreation court In the center
CT the academic hall. fitted up with
pianos. lounging seats and all manner
of games for indoor entertainment.
This court will be decorated with hand
some foliage plants and portraits a
i,ius.rious American citizens. All -
cadet rooms will open upon this CO. <
which is to be lighted by skylight,