The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-22
newspaper of Thursday, Sept. II, 1857, as
follows:
MERCANTILE LIBRARY AsSOCIA-
TON.

newspaper of Thursday, Sept. II, 1857, as
follows
MERCANTILE LIBRARY AsSOCIA-
TION.
Last evening, in response to previous
notice, a number Of our citizens conYen-
ed at the office of Dr. Simonton for the
purpose of organizing a Mercantile Ii
On motion, Girart Hewitt was called to
the chair, and Mr.. John w. Roche to act
as secretary.
After the object of the meeting was
stated by the chairman, interesting and
appropriate remarks were ehcited from
several gentlemen.
On motion a committee of five was ap-
pointed to report to the next meeting
suitable officers for d permanent orgam-
cation of the society and a constitution
and bylaws for its government.
On motion the following gentlemen
comprise said committee: Messrs. D; c.
Jones, ]. P. Pond, o. A. Benjamin, s. d.
Could and DR.. T. D. simonton.
proceedings of this melting be published
In the daily papers of st. Paul and that
we respectfully invite the attendance ana
cooperation at our next meeting or an
who feel or will take any interest In the
success of a library association In TINS
city.
Resolved That when we adjourn we
Bonds drug store) next Friday evening
the 18th inst, at o'clock. Adjourned.
John w. Roche. secretary.
And so the work was undertaken In
this humble way that was to bear fruit
in the future / present some slight
biographies of the seven gentlemen who
had the first official connection with the
library movement, together with the rest
of the newspaper reports Of the day, In
accompanying papers, for the sake OF
record and confirmation in connection
with this history. The latter are not only
collateral evidence of the truth Of this
story but an illustration of the exceed
ingly valuable work our State Historical
society is doing in thus preserving our
history in it's carefully collected newspa-
per files. See supplement A.
Meantime there was some discussion in
the city papers in regard to interference
from a previously organized society. See
supplement 3.
Mr.. Kelley notes the second meeting,
Sept. IS, at which the Mercantile Library
association was organized with the fol-
lowing officers:
President, Harwood Iglehart; vice pres
1dents, Wescott Will1in. D. j. Justice;
corresponding secretary, D. c. Jones; re-
J. +. Pond.
Board of Directors-s. D. You'd, Girart
Hewitt Fl D. Cobb J. W ca M6S isd Dr. Or
Sprigg Hall, Andrew Lowering.
Committee of Arrangements-C. D. Ell
felt, o. A. Bergamin. j. l. Beaumont.
Committee on Gollections-J; ". Ham
iiton, Richards Gordon, D. c. Jones, G.
w. Carpenter, George Cady. G. w.
Holmes, 0. A. Benjamin. n. p. Lang
ford.
Committee on Library-Harvey Officer,
D. c. Cooley, Dr. T. D. Simonton, T. NJ
Newson, J. j. Knox, D. Ramaley
From the Pioneers and Democrat of
Sept. 20, 1851 we add the following res
n ma Of ffara- ffyafr.
Resolved, That a notice of this meet
Ing, with the adoption of constitution
and election of officers, with names, be
published in the daily papers Of the city.
Adjourned, subject to the call of the
board of directors. John w Roche, Sec
rotary pro. tenn"
Of the next meeting we learn from
President HarWood Iglehart's article in
the Pioneer and Democrat of Sept. "a
1891 (gtVen in full in the supplement, Co
lie notes a meeting held on Monday
evening, Sept Il, at which bylaws We're
reported and passed for the use of the
association; committee appointed to
draft form of subscription lists books
opened for the enrolment of members.
ana the committee of arrangements in
Structed to procure a larger room prob
ably the court house, for the next meet
ing, when a larger attendance is exnect
ed TO near addresses and take such ac-
a library.
The Minnesotian of Oct. 5. 1857, reports
the holding of the proposed meeting in
the court house Addresses were made
by President Harwood Iglehart ard
others the music being furnished by the
old Gents band" in charge of the
Munger brothers.
Thus launched upon it's career. the
Mercantile Library association continued
to advance year by year. furnishing
courses of lectures (see supplement D.,
and moderate reading facilities 70 aur
citizens, till by the absorption of the
library of the Christian association. Oct
80 1863, and with change of its name to
the ST Paul Library association, it be-
came the immediate predecessor of the
present st. Paul public library, organized
Sept %, 1882, as the annual reports for
that ana the two succeeding years print
ed in 1850, satisfactorily show
II. D. Simonton.