Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-05-17
.AMERICUS LIBRARY KNOWN
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
As Shown By Article On Editorial Page Of Chcagds Lead
ing Paper AmeEiCuS Pioneer Library City

: number of citizens planned to start a
n book store in the small city. The
= planter was invited to take stock in
+ the enterprise.
mo gentlemen, a book store would
. not pay" he said.
why wouldn't it pay?" one of the
+ party asked
You do not want me to tell you,
and l am not anxious to do So
Yes, we do; tell us"
Very well; because we are not 4
book buying, but book reading pub
lic."
The men were indignant at what
they termed slander upon the public.
They lost no time in arranging a
meeting to give expression to Their
Indignation, and to rebuke the man
who had presumed to cast such a re-
Election upon the people of Americus
and the South.
The soldier-planter was present to
take his medicine, and it was dealt
out to him in large doses. After all
who desired had spoken the offender
craved permission to say word.
/ my remark might have been softer,
1t might have been less sweeping in
character; / might have made excep-
tions, for small portion of the
southern people have always been
great readers and have had fine pri-
vate Libraries. But the general public
of this city, and the south, are not
noted for their buying and reading of
books"
prove It," an outraged citizen de-
manded.
Il can do it, and will begin right
here"
Then, pointing his index finger at
The foremost man in the enterprise, he
asked him when he had bought a
book.
TIE man hung his head and said
nothing.
Please tell this audience the name
of your latest book. You have de-
manded proof You are one of my
witness es"
Tie man admitted he had bought but
one book since 1859, a copy of "Pil-
grim's Progress"
dozen other we'll known men in
the audience were questioned with no
more encouraging results.
You have my proof" said the PLAN
ter What We want is public IL
brary'
"Our neighbor is right" declared a
candid auditor. What we want in
Americus is not book store, but
free library, well supplied with suit
able books, so that our boys and girls
can grow up with the reading habit
firmly fixed; so that all who care to
can get books to read"
That was the beginning of the fine
public library at Americas. That meet
ing, called to punish neighbor for
supposed slander, on the strength
of the proof he had presented, re-
solved itself into meeting to secure
a library.
Neighboring cities caught the fever
and followed Americus' example. IL
was such a good example; it produc-
ed such valuable results; it led 10
such desirable expansion in so many
directions, that it was found easy 70
follow.
l do not say that the Americus ex.
ample led to the establishing of all
the many public libraries in the state
of Georgia, but I do say that Americus
was a pioneer in the good work and
that score or more of towns receiy-
ed inspiration from the people of that
handsome, growing city.
Private Adams has gone to his re-
ward, but he left much to keen him
in remembrance. Mr.. and Mrs. Adams
left large family of boys and girls.
all of whom are desirable citizens.
They are in the professions, in COM
mercial life and farming. The girls
were teachers or librarians before
they frightened homes as wives. Who
cannot lift his hat in memory of Pri-
Vate Adams and in honor of his use
full family?
Without assuming that what Mr..
Adams said about book reading at
Americus and the south was fully
warranted, do assume to say that
the people of Georgia are now very
notable as readers of books and pa
pers. Millions of dollars have been
invested in books for public libraries,
and nowhere are such libraries more
(, eagerly patronized Besides the long
line of public libraries there are hun
(, dreds of others in schools, churches
and Sunday schools. 1t is estimated
that there are forty times as many
private libraries in the state as there
we're in 1860.
Then there were three or four de-
! 's'' (Contnued on Page Five)