The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-06-19
Especial to News-Democrat.)

Massillon, June 1S.--In a dark little
closet in the office of Justice Franz an
old volume, yellow with age, was found
last week by workmen who were re-
modelling the rooms. Justice Franz oc-
cupies the Office formerly occupied by
Justice Robert II. Folger, that quaint,
old fashioned gentleman who some
years ago was called to a higher court.
Squire Folger, as he was Familiarity
called by all who knew him, was a
storehouse of information regarding
the early history of this city and coun-
ty, He had records of all kinds stored
away in hooks and corners. Some are
no doubt valuable while others are cop
les and transcripts of original records.
This particular volume found buried be-
meath a mass of old papers and docu-
ments seems to be, and undoubtedly Is,
the original record of the founding Of
the old Canton academy, and contains,
also, the original Records Of the Town
of Canton, under Letters of Incorpora-
ton granted January 30, 1922" The
book is now the property Of Mrs. Eliza
beth Folger, daughter Of the late Rob-
ert H. Folger. The phraseology Of the
record stamps its originality as prod
|
tury. In regard to the establishment
of an academy in the village, the old
record says:
1--WE, the subscribers, being convinced
| that the establishment of a proper mode
of education and the diffusion of useful
knowledge tend to promote the happi-
ness and the excellence Of theindividu-
al. and that a community made up of
1 I'M
in all human probability be virtuous,
free and happy and believing that the
town of Canton, in the county of Stark,
state of Ohio, is an eligible situation for
a good school, do ordain and establish
the following fundamental articles OF
our association"
"Article /. says: "There shall be es-
tablished in the town of Canton or Its
immediate vicinity a seminary of learn
ing which shall be known as the Can
ton Academy"
Then follows eighteen articles of the
constitution. Shares were sold at $3.50
to be paid quarterly, and the sharehol'
ders had the following privileges: Fol
each share to have one scholar In the
second branch and for each two shares
to have a scholar in the first branch.
l.
tuition, written in the same careful chi
Biography are the names of the subscrib
ers. The list is headed by William Ray
nolds, who subscribed for eight shares
Each signature is attested. That O
william Reynolds Is preceded by TIT
following: "Signed, sealed and delivered
} by William Reynolds for eight shares
, in the presence Of George Dewalt, Jan
uary Is, 1875"
The list of subscribers who fprthere'
| the interests of the Canton academ!
in those old days Is a long one and In
cludes many which are still seen on tn
sign boards of Canton business houses
There were Thomas Hurford, Georg
Stidger, John Harris. Sam Coulter, Johl
Saxton, Joseph Parker. William Fogle
George Dunbar, Thomas Alexander
/. w. Lathrop. Roswell M. Mason, Johl
Buckius, John Everhard, d. l.. Mcclure
Samuel Patton, Jacob Rex, John Webb
James Williams, John Myers, Isaial
Bowen, and others. When the one hun
dred shares were subscribed a meeting
of the stockholders WAS called throug
Ian advertisement in the Ohio Reposi
tory. Thfs meeting dwtfs held April J
1920, and Samuel, Coulter was electe
lpresident and John Saxtql. J ohm Har
n ris,, Janass Lathrop, Walliam Fosde, WI
!, | liam Christmas. James IIafiett Joh
: Myers. John Webb. William Raynold
and Thomas Hurford were elected trus