Fergus County argus., 1905-10-31

ian church, on the evening of the
18th day of January, 1897, on the sub
ject, "Self Made Men,"
The Fergus County Argus of Janu-
ary 14th, 1897, in commenting upon
the lecture, concluded as follows:
"The speaker deviated from his sub
ject so far as to plead for the estab-
lishment of public library and show
ed how easy it would be to establish
such if even thirty of our citizens
would take the matter in hand. This
is wise suggestion and it is hoped
will be acted upon in the near future"
Library Association Formed.
After several preliminary meetings
held for that purpose the organiza-
ton of the Lewistown Public Library
Association was perfected Feb. 18th,
1897, constitution was adopted and
seven trustees elected as follows: F.
E. Smith, e. X. Cheadle, Rev. Albert
Pfaus, Rev. Joel Vigus, Mrs. F. E.
Wright, Mrs. G. J. Wiedeman and
Mrs. F. C. Stiles.
The trustees elected as officers for
the first year F. E. Smith, president; !;
Mrs. F. E. Wright, vice president; !;
r. X. Cheadle, secretary; Halsey r.
Watson, treasurer. and Mrs. NJ. L.
Hanson, librarian.
A contribution of $500 in cash. or
of six good substantially bound books
entitled to membership. The use of
the books was free to the members,
and to others vouched for by two men,
bers of the association. Substantial
ly the same organization was contin-
p~tt xI~
library was turned over to the cOrpOr-
| alton of the City of Lewistown and
thereafter became city institution.
The first trustees appointed under
the city government. April gath, 1901,
| were as follows: w. M. Blackford
Mrs. Won Tobel. Mrs. A. w. War; Mrs.
G. ]. Bach. Mrs. G. J. Wiedeman and
F. E. Smith. F. e. Smith was elected
chairman, and Mrs. A. w. War; sec.
retary.
The board of trustees has not had
but one presiding officer since its in.
| stitutiOn.
At the regular city election in Ap
ril, 1901, a proposition was submitted
to the electors as to whether or not
a tax of one per cent per annum
should be levied for the support OF
the city library, and it is worthy OF
| special notice that more than three
fourths of the electors of the city vot
ed in favor thereof. Since that time
substantially the same organization
has controlled the library, and the list
of books has steadily increased until
now there are more than two thousand
substantially bound and we'll selected
volumes upon our shelves.
After the removal from this com
munity of Mrs. NJ l.. Hanson, in the
fall of 1899, Miss Elizabeth S. Peeb
les (now Mrs. Albert Pfaus), became
the librarian and continued as such
until the library was turned over tC
the city. Mrs Mary Sloane then be
came librarian and continued as such
until 1904, since which time Mrs. AL
bert Pfaus has filled that position.
During all the years since the or
ganization of the library it has been
hampered for room and has been a
circulating library only. Up until the
fall of 1889. it was located in the mil
linery store of Mrs. NJ. l.. Hanson. on
!. the corner of Fifth avenue and Main
. street. II was then removed to the
Office of the county superintendent ol
schools Miss Peebles), where it con
tinued until it was turned over to the
/, city. when a room was given it in tht
, public school building on COrcOraI
. street where it remained until the fal
: of 1904. when it was moved into the
new city hall on Watson street.