The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-03-27
RELLEvEw's EXAMPLE
Loses 800 Books BY Fire and Money
in Bank Failure, but Undaunted
Builds and Oedicates Library
BUILDING


the beautiful new stone building.
known as the Belleview library. The
building was full of interested mem
bers Of the association and many of
their friends.
The president, Mrs. Bush, conduct
ed the exercises.
After the impressive opening exer-
cises, the secretary, Mr.. L. L. Hop
kins, read a list of the charter mem
bers, then a list of those who helped
in the building, either with donations
Of work or money. He said there still
remained a debt of $1612, and they
desired it to be dedicated free of all
debt. The amount was given by three
public spirited men before he could
hardly realize it.
The business then proceeded with
out any cloud to mar the brightness
Of their prospects.
Some very interesting letters were
read from former residents of Belle
view, who gave substantial proof of
their love for BeIleview and of the Lii
brary Association, Of which they are
still members.
In the letter from Mr.. and Mrs. Ar
thur Brown of Miami, among other
bright and interesting remarks, they
said: The library has been built
without any help from Andrew Carne-
gle. Won't he be surprised when he
hears Of it,"
After Judge Hopkins was seated, a
song, written by Mrs. Lewis Terrell,
was sung by . Quartette. The song
was entitled "Belleview" and was
sung 10 the tune of America"
ut Was Summer Time in Dixie"
was sung as a solo by Miss Bessie
Shedd, with a chorus.
Mrs. Wendall gave an interesting
talk, she having been interested in
the work for a good many years. She
spoke of the loss of their books by
fire. more than 500 volumes being
consumed at the time the BeIleview
block was burned. At another time
the association lost all the money they
had saved for years in a bank failure
in Ocala. Yet through all the discoUr-
agements and losses. they showed an
undamted courage, and are now re-
warded by seeing the completion of
their lODr-choriChpd nIanS
Solo, Thinking" by Mrs. Gates.
This was followed by a short talk
by Mr.. VIM. DOOlittle. He said il was
during a meeting of the association
on the first Monday in December.
1907, it was decided to build the IL
brary this winter, and now on March
-. 1908, we were defeating the com
pleted building. 1t spoke much for
the architect and builder. Mr.. Colds.
Duet. ''Only Remember Ne"
Mr.. R. c. Ridge then gave a short
talk, he being the only charter mem
Der present.
Rev. A. c. Sirdefield was asked to
make some remarks, but said that in
the good old Methodist way he would
only say amen to all that he had
heard.
Mr.. c. L. Bittinger then took the
floor and held his hearers interested
for some time. He took them back
several years in the history of Belle
view, where he first met his sweet
heart. who soon afterwards became
his wife. She was teaching school
here then. and Mr.. Bittinger gave
a laughable description of the build
ing i'm which the school was kept. He
gave s. towards clearing the debt,
and said he would give a book and
then another one every year, giving
the society the privilege to choose
what book it should be. They will be
foolish now if they don't get some
nice books. Mr.. Bittinger received a /
rising vote OF thanks. Mr.. and Mrs.
Bittinger joined the association.
Mrs. Lewis Terrell then sang a solo.
The room was decorated with vases
OF honeysuckle, wisteria, lilies and
bridal wreath. The beautiful mantel
was literally covered with flowers.
Among the visitors from out of
town were Mr.. and Mrs. c. L. Bittin-
ger. Mrs. Jake Brown and Mrs. Gold
berg, all of whom drove out from
Ocala.
The event will long be remembered
in Belleview, and the residents will
learn TO appreciate a good collection
OF books more and MORE meant to
say a collection of good books. There
are somewhere between 500 and goo
books to start with These include
the fine collection recently donated
by Mrs. Bush. There will be room
for some time yet to receive all the
books that friends wish TO give.
Mrs. s. s Harris of Citra, who