The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-12-08

nome t0r some years. IN 1SktS1 IL
ceiyed from him not long before his
death; he spoke OF the great change
In the surroundtngs. bnts he remarked.
ssEyerythfng In this world Tor service
and lam glad that old home is to
contribute TO the happ and intel;
lectual growth of the schools of Fair.
mont. r In this sentiment / most cor.
daily Join. and I trust this building will
long be blessing to the community.
1t was suggested to me In connection
with these exercises that reference to
the early history and growth of the ed.
vocational work of Fairmont might not
be out Of place on this occasion, and SO
instead OF an attempt at formal ad-
dress, I have endeaYored to gather from
various sources such facts as might be
profitable as a basis for further inves-
tigation. There are traditions and rem
iniscences in various family lines in
this community, which, II brought to-
gether, would form most interesting
and valuable groundwork for an accur-
ate historical record relating not only
to the schools OF Fairmont, but to all
this upper Monogahela Valley.
Tho first information that l have
been able to get with reference to any
school in this neighborhood was from
my grandfather, who died in 1863 at the
age OF 81 years. He told me that the
first school he attended about 1895,
was in small log school house located
near what is now the alley in the rear
of DR.. BroBnfeld's residence. The rea-
son for this location, he stated, was on
account OF the proximity of q fine
spring nearby at the edge Of a ravine.
At that time this ravine was of consid'
cradle depth and a bridge crossed 1t
from point near what is now the Wat
son hotel to the opposite side of the
street. 1t is probable that the fill at
this point has reached a depth OF 20
feet or more. What changes time has
wrought!
or other carly schools cannot speak
in much detail, but 1t should not be
forgotten that Thomas Jefferson's eff
forts in behalf of public schools had
reached across the Allegheny noun
tains, and the Monongahela Valley had
become peopIed with progressive and
rather intelligent class Of citizens, as
early as 1925. At later date Marion
county was one OF the few counties
west of the mountains TO adopt Jeffer-
sons plan, in part at least, and to es'
tablish free schools. 1t may surprise
some of you to learn that Governor
Francis H. Pierpont was the first coun-
ty superintendent of this county, and
that he assisted very materially In In
augurating partial system of public
| education here more than 70 years ago.
Doubtless many OF you have heard OF
the old Irish pedagogue who came to
this section in the earyl days. Some OF
these travelling teachers were fairly
well educated for that day, and having
deserted from the British army near
the close Of the Revolution, had gone
| beyond the mountains to escape cap
ture. Many amusing Incidents and
| traditionse are related Of the expert
cnces of these Irish school masters
and of their severe methods and stern
discipline, OF course, this was the
period when there were no public
schools and the teaching was done un'
der the old subscription plan, the teach
er boa1d ding around and each subscriber
paying a pro rata share of the tuition.
Coming back OF our immediate neigh
borhood, We learn of school houses
near Evansville, at the Fleming settle
ment southeast OF town, and of large
log house which was erected near the
bank of the Monongahela close to
where the bridge now crosses, but OF
these early schools and buildings have
been unable to get but little informa-
ton. find, however, that at least
parts of three buildings used for school
purposes more than so years ago are
still standing in the city. One OF these
is the upper story of what Is now the
residence Of Mr.. Lloyd Heffner; anoth.
er portion of the building occupied by
the Ross Furniture Company, and the
third is the lower part OF the Marietta
Hotel, fronting on Monroe street. This
was the old home of Prof, Whites acad'
envy, which will be remembered by
many of our citizens yet surviving. A
little building very dear to some OF US
remained in the rear Of Miss Carrie
Shores residence until a few years ago.
Here her sister, Miss Mary, taught for
a number Of years. 1t is interesting to
note that most of the early churches
erected in the town were built with
reference to accommodating schools.
The basement rooms of the old NJ. E.
church and the Methodist Protestant
church and part of the upper story of
the Presbyterian church were thus us,
ed at various times. After the inaugu'
ration OF the public school system in
1865 the two buildings occupied by the
Fairmont Furniture Company were
used for school purposes. The first
regular school building owned by the
town was a large three.story structure
located on the corner now occupied by
the Watson hotel and known as the
"Shot Tower" This building, formerly
residence anud hotel, was fitted up
and accommodated all the schools OF
L ,,,.Nf g., o.