Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-04-02
THATCHER. ARIZONA.
CELEBRATL FOUNDERS DAY.
Interesting History OF the Latter
day Saints Academy.
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
Thatcher, Graham Co., Arlz., March
49, Founders day was celebrated at the
l.. d. $. academy today, At $3.50 the
National Guards were lined UP on the
campus and marched TO the music OF
the orchestra, Shortly after 10 all as
sembled in the chapel and enjoyed the
program. There was not nearly room
enough TO accommodate the many in
terested citizens from all parts OF the
valley Selections by the academy
choir, instrumental and vocal music
preceded the address OF welcome BY
President Andrew Kimball, which was
responded 20 by Bishop VIM A. Moody
Of Thatcher.
President VIM d. Johnson and Elder
II n Chlarson, two surviving members
Of the first academy board who were
present, addressed the congregation,
The history Of the academy by Miss
Rose Whitmer and the original poem
by Miss Lula Black also reviewing the
life uf our school were Interesting fea-
lures and were listened to with wrapt
attention A roll of the old pupils was
called showing many Of our respected
heads of families now among those who
first enrolled when the academy was
accommodated In one room-and taught
by two instructors
Prof Emil Maeser, the president OF
the school, made public announcement
OF his purpose 10 leave us and while 1t
was painful to leave SO many dear ones
and the old academy, he felt as young
man his duty to himself to take adyan-
tage Of opportunities held out and adj
vance himself He will leave for Salt
Lake IN about six weeks TO prepare to
teach In the Church schools of that
city Brother Maeser has been a fac
tor for good with US his uhtlring efforts
for five years has succeeded In making
this splendid institution Of learning
second to none In Arizona and only in
size inferior to any in the Church He
has ingratated himself into the hearts
Of our people and he takes with him
when he shall leave. our love and kind
est wishes, The acting president Elder
John Nash, was Introduced and the
faculty for the coming school year made
known.
The afternoon was one OF pleasure to
all, out door games and contests were
INDUCED In. A party in the evening
closed the days jubiatlons.
HISTORY OF THE L. D. 5. ACADEMY
The academy began in 1890 under the
name Of the St Joseph stake academy
Prof. JOY Dunyon was principal, as.
sisted by Mrs. Josie Clum, The first
half Of the semester was taught in
/ Central II was then taken to TnatCh-
en- and the semester finished In the dis
| trlct schoohOuse, a one Ioomed adobe
building partitiOned on by curtains
! There was also a branch established at
! Pima called the seminary, OF which
] Prof George Mcdonald was principal
According 10 the advantages the in
structors and students were In posses
sion Of at the beginning OF a school Of
/ this Kind, the results al the end OF the
| FIRST year were most satisfactory and
| encouraging.
by the next year o new brick house
had been built al Thatcher on the cor
| ner Of Layton avenue and First West
| street for the accommodation Of a large
/ increase Of students. with a study room.
upstairs and two recitation rooms be-
| low Prof George Cluf was employed
as principal. The number OF students
| Increased 10 that extent that q was
! necessary 20 enlarge the building capac-
| ity. This was accordingly done. anew
| addition Of two story brick was added
| TO the north OF the main building.
The school a0urished until 1896 il was
/ found 10 be- impossible to run Il longer.
| and the ST. Joseph Stake academy
! ceased To exist.
During the two years which followed
| the people began 10 realize the neces-
| sity Of such a school In 1895 the Lat
! torday Saints academy began with Prof
| Emil Mapser, "a normal graduate OF the
! T. Y academy AT Provo as principal.
| assisted hy Mrs Lillian Maeser. Prot
| John Nash and Mrs Mamie McRae.
The school was organized into the
| normal, commercial and high school de-
pauments. owing TO the number OF
/ students 10 was found necessary to en-
/ large the building. Another two story
| addition was built on the north end
| of the building On March %. 1895. the
/ academy was dedicated by Or. Karl q.
Maeser In 1893 the school had so I'm.
creased that more instructors were
/ needed. I'm addition 10 those who
! taught the previous year. Prof j Is.
/ Buruham, Prof VIM Moore Claydon.
/ Prof McRae. Miss Lille Curtis and
/ Miss snyder were added 10 the faculty.
| The hrst graduating class was from
! the commercial department There
/ were six in the class In 1900 Miss Mae
/ Cunts, Prof Arthur 7. DALEY and Prof
/ Ashton crosby were Numbered among
/ the faculty. This year there were n
! graduates four from the normals. eight
from the Kindergarten and i've from
| the commercial
In 1901 the commercials proudly took
! Possession Of their new building on the
| corner Of Layton Ave. and Center
street. In 1902 there were seven gradu-
aies from the normal department Dur.
I ing this year preparatory department
was organized Tor the benefit OF those
| not far enough advanced 10 ioln ths