Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-15

sword of Ebenezer Fitch Bissell. whose
wife was a Looms, hangs over the fire
place He fought the British with it during
the revolution. 1t has been hanging there
since.
The LOOMS Institute.
The late Col. John Mason LOOMS of Chi
cago was a cousin of the husband of the
lady who inherited and occupies the old
homestead. His father was born in the
house and before he died seven years ago
Mrs. T. W. Loomis, its present owner,
agreed to Join with him and the other
heirs in the erection Of an tmperishable
monument to their ancestors in the form Of
an educational institution. 1t is to be called
the LOOMS Institute and has been incor-
porated by the Connecticut legislature for
the free and gratuitous education of all
persons of the age Of twelve years and
upward to twenty years, in all the depart
ments of learning which are now taught or
may hereafter be taught in the various
grades Of schools in this country; and also
for the purpose of maint aiming and supply
ing all whose condition and circums, ances
may require 1t, with all those things which
may be deemed necessary and proper for
their comfort and advancement in useful
knowledge, SO far as the funds of the In
stitute will permit
The act of incorporation goes on to say
that "in case greater number Of persons,
having the requisite qualifications shall ap-
ply for admission than the institute can
plicants shall be made, first from those be-
longing to the LOOMS family, by name or
oonsanguinity. next from those belonging
to the town of Windsor, next from those
belonging to the state Of Connecticut and
next from those deemed most worthy with
out regard to state or nation" And no Of
flcer. instructor, employee or student shall
be made eligible or ineligible for or by rea-
son Of his or her religious or political opin-
ions, nor be compelled to acknowledge or
religious DOliftcAl creed
whatever; but no officer, Instructor, en-
ploye or student shall be appointed or con-
tinued in employment service or enjoyment
of the privileges of the institute who does
not sustain a good moral character"
The trustees are self-perpetuating; they
are authorized and directed to set apart
fifty acres of the original homestead Of
Joseph LOOMS, taken up by him in 1880
and continued in the ownership and posses
sion Of his descend ants from that day to
this and shall Improve and beautify said
grounds in such manner and to such extent
as they may deem necessary and proper,
and to determine the number FORM dimen-
sions, materials and style Of architecture OF
the buildings to be erected thereon and the
location Of the same"
THE location thus selected and deter
mined upon shall then and thereafter be-
come and forever be and remain the site
and location Of said institute, and no per-
son or persons shall thereafter have power
or authority to take, appropriate. convey or
otherwise dispose of the same by gift.
grant, bargain sale. exchange. mortgage or
In any other manner or form to any person
or persons. or for any cause or purpose
whatever, but the same shall be and for
ever remain the location Of said institute
and shall not be appropriated or used for
any other purpose than that intended by
the donors and by the provisions of this
act"
Thus the monument to Joseph Loomis 10
provided for and protected forever.
Not Exempt From Taxes.
Another peculiar provision in the act Of
Incorporation is that no real estate or other
investments held by the institute shall be
exempt from taxation. The founders be-
lieve that it is the duty Of every citizen to
share in the expense of supporting the
state.
The trustees, who have authority to fill