Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-06-18
The Charles Town kcadamY.

| APtOpOS Vi tue lCSSut uSlHOitiou VI tuc
historic old Charles Town Academy
building, and the erection on its site, now
in progress, of splendid new modern
building for the Charles Town High
School. we give to our readers the follow
lug extracts: from history of the Old
Academy in Charles Town." written by
the late Gen. VIM. +. Craighill for the
West Virginia Historical Magaziuc for
January, 1905:
One of the oldest institutions in this
section. if not the oldest now in use, is
the Academy which is still IN existence
in Charles Town. IN the county of LETTER.
son. West Virginia.
| At the date of ITS organization. 1895.
Charles Town was snail village; Jeffer-
son county was still part of Berkeley
county. which had been taken from
Frederick. and West Virginia still part
of the "Old Dominion" That the toun-
dation of this school should have so soon
followed the establishment of the town
indicates what kind of men lived. moved
and had their being in this county IN
those days.
While Charles Town was not estab-
ished as town until October, 1886, the
old mill at Evitt's Run was there before
1850 and probably a small settlement
neer it. Norris. from his investigations
says: 1T is more than probable that be-
fore 1910 there was considerable village
on the present site of Charles Town"
| The first Academy building was of
brick. of two stories, and having two
large rooms in the first story, and the
lower was one room. 1t Stood in the be.
ginning OF a grove OF oaks. as did the
| Episcopal Church in Charles Town but
the original trees have all disappeared.
The house was very near the corper of
Lawrence street and an alley, now called
Academy alley. The upper story was
used for the ordinary purposes of the
school. and the lower as hail for exam
nations and amateur theatrical perform
ances by the Thespian Society, one Of
which remember IN 1914. In the be.
ginning, while the number of pupils was
small, some OF them were lodged in the
building.
The only entrance to the upper story
was by an outside stairway on the south.
east side. There were two entrances to
the lower story on the sides, but there
was no stairway on the inside between
the two stories. There were no windows
in the end walls, SO that the games of
ball called Elves and Cat F." could be
played against these walls
school for girls and Young ladies was
established in the house just across Law
renee street from the Academy, and at
one time, considerably later, the two
schools were i'll the same building, but
that arrangement did not continue long.
have IN my possession copy of the
autobiography ofmy great-nncle Thomas
Brown, who was pupil at the Academy
before 1900. He was then living with
his older brother William IN the stone
house still standing on the corner of Law
renee street and the alley north of Acad-
envy alley. which was then one of the
largest and best houses in the village.
Thomas Brown moved to Florida while
1t was yet territory and was Governor
of that State-IS4o-53 He gives many
interesting "reminiscences of the Academy
in its early days. He says: The Female
Academy was directly across the street
| under the tuition of Miss Angelica Col.
Inns. assisted by her brother. Rev. Chris
topher Collins This Mr.. Collins was
also the II st secretary of the Board of
Trustees of the male Academy and for
| many years after its foundation. 1t is
quite probable he had much to do with
its inauguration and management, and
the prep ration of the elaborate constitu-
ton and bylaws for its government.
The first building showed signs of
weakness and was removed. A new one
was erected in I7t6 7 in the middle of the
lot. containing but one large room with
the entrance on the northwest front.
1t was found that single large room
was insufficient for the ne eds of the
school. which led to the addition in 1877
of two small rooms with hall between
| them OIL the southeast side, The entrance
on the northwest side was then closed
and changed to the middle of the SOUTH
east front.
The institution never had been a sec
tartan bias. although numb Der of the
Principals have been clergymen-Rev.
Johu Mines of the Presbyterian Church
was the first, his term beginning in 1903.
Rev. Alexander Jones. D. D.. of the
Episcopal Church. was principal in 1925,
and for number of years later. having
his residence in the frame house on Law
renee street just opp osite the Academy,
which he enlarged and improved.
In later years the school was in charge
for short periods by Rev. Mr.. North, of
the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. .E.
Amber. and Rev. Isaac Gibson, of the
Episcopal Church Rev. { N. Campbell.
of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. lanes
B. Craighiii who became minister in
the Episcopal Church, was at one time
assistant to Mr.. Campbell. Mr. Edward
Hughes was appointed Principal in Feb
ruary, 1919 ard held the Office Tor num-
Der of years.
Among other laymen who were Prin-
cipals OF the school may be numbered
Mr.. Bovden, Mr., John J. Sanborn. Mr.
Phil. II. Powers. Mr.. X. Amber. Cleon
Moore and Harry Hunter. together with
Mr. Tucker Mr. Rushono and Mr. Kahle