The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1908-11-04
DOOM OF AN EYESOR[
How Kansas Women Transform
ed Towns UgIiest Block.
PUBLIC LIBRARY TIER AIM
Through Efforts of Abilene's Clubwo-
men an Unsishtly Spot Was Con-
demned For Park Purposes-Carne-
gle Library Erected In Its Center.

"Sn an OnSlSntIy spot was Con-
demned For Park Purposes-Carne-
gle Library Erected In Its Center.
After nine years of effort, sacrifice
and planning the women of Abilene,
Kan, recently saw a fruition of their
hopes in the dedication of a public IL
brary costing $12,5OO, equipped with
5000 books and set in the midst of a
pretty city park in the most central
block of town
This is striking example of what
can be done in the average country
community when. the right persons
have the right inspiration and endeav-
or to do some good to those around
them. Ten years ago the people of
Abilene laughed at the idea of a sue
cessful public library. Several at
tempts had been made to establish
such, and each was failure. The
books gradually had been lost, and
finally the rooms were given up.
The clubwomen took up the idea,
appointing committee composed of
members from each Of the clubs, and
made another effort, says the Kansas
City Star. 1t was slow and tedious
process at first. The first books were
gifts from individuals. making a very
meager collection Of Indifferent litera-
ture. The first money in any amount
that was secured for the library was
from a lecture by William Jennings
Bryan soon after the election Of 1900
The proceeds were divided between
the library and other local enterprises.
and 500 was realized. Then came
the first rummage sale, something the
town never had experienced and which
created much hilarity when 1t opened.
But In those days old clothes were
much more In demand than in these
times. and the proceeds surprised even
the managers. After this the library
fund grew steadily from all sorts of
entertainments. donations and schemes
that would add to Its proportions A
small room was secured over a grocery
store, and the first books were Install
ed with librarian who practically
gave her services
This librarian was Miss Ida Romig.
a graduate Of the University Of Kan
sas and with experience in the large
book concerns Of Chicago and Boston.
She entered into the work of the
struggling library with all the enthu-
siasm Of the clubwomen's committee
and gave it the same earnest and care
full attention that might characterize
the largest city institution.
After awhile the town voted a libra
~ tax. This amounts to about 81 200
year. which speedily put the library
on its feet 1t had become by this time
an established institution. The appli-
cation for books far exceeded the
equipment, and the little room became
too small for the growing number Of
volumes. Next the women sought a
library building, but they had no place
to put it nor money with which to buy
a site. Finally they evolved a way out
Of the difficulty and included in their
plans the wiping out Of what had be-
come the towns eyesore, the ugliest
block in Abilene.
This block was In the center of the
town. but on low ground which had
often been overflowed at food time.
On one corner was the badly located
city hall. built In the boom days and
used for the marsha's residence and
the fire department. An unsightly liv-
cry barn, an old house, a great sheet
iron shed for implements, four or five
rickety store buildings used for black
smith shops and second hand stores
and three or four lots covered with
discarded traction engines. thrashing
machines and rubbish of every sort
completed the Disagreement Of the
square. 1t was laughed at. scorned
and abused by everybody and consid-
cred disgrace to the city. Visitors
never were taken past that block If 1t
was possible to avoid it.
The clubwomep undertook to trans
form this unsightly spot into one of
beauty. The mayor assisted them by
calling special election to issue park
bonds, and by the work of the women
these bonds were voted BY small ma
jority. Then the entire block was con-
demned for park purposes. and all the
buildings and Disbursements on It
were removed. leaving the city hall as
its only occupant. Then by request Of
the women the city made formal appli-
cation to Andrew Carnegie for $12, 500
for a public library, accompanying the
request by the assurance that the park
block would be used for a site. The
library tax already In force. together
with the income from other methods
Of money raising, insured sufficient
income to meet the requirements Of
the Carnegie gift. The city hauled in
dirt from the higher portions Of the
town and filed up the block far above
the high water mark, and In the center
has been placed the new public libra
~. 1t Is all stone and brick, with ce-
ment basement and foundations, and
is one Of the handsomest buildings Of
its class In the state. The furniture Is
all oak and In the simplest lines and
most artistic form. A handsomely fur
nished assembly room is open to the
clubwomen for their meetings.
When the new building was opened