The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-01-12

the. Carnegie corporation, conceived
the idea that our architect was
school boy in his teens, and not the
accomplished Scotch laird that he is
locally known to be.
Finally Mrs. Sneed wrote that if
we would send to Madison, Wis, to
certain book concern we could pro-
cure a little publication containing
the pictures and plans of a number
of library buildings. all of which had
been accepted by the Carnegie corpor-
alton, and if we would follow the de-
signs of either one of said buildings
our plans would be accepted, and our
troubles would be ended.
We Immediately put ourselves in
possession of the little book, turned
it over to Mr.. MacKay for his chart
and compass. enthusiastically believing
that we would at last catch a glimpse
of the pencil Innings if not the full
flush of dawn.
Mr.. MacKay drew another set OF
plans forthwith, which were as
promptly rejected by Mrs Sneed
The modest little vestibule that the
plans contained was the ground of her
objection.
In as courteous language as we
could possibly frame we told her that
the little book she advised US to pro-
cure had thirty or more pans, and
without exception every one contain
ed vestibule.
This information brought forth the
following letter:
Atlanta, Ga, July 6, 1915.
Mr.. Frank Harris. President Library
Board Ocala. Florida:
Dear Sir-On my return for one day
to the library after a vacation and
before leaving for the summer | wish
to notify you as president of the Ii
brary board of the following facts:
| am today returning to Mrs. NJ. II.
StOvall various drawings of the OcaIa
library. am returning also today to
the Carnegie corporation their cor
respOndence with Ocala in regard to
the library which had been sent me
when they requested that | should of
fer my services as an arbitrator in
the matter
| feel that my letter of June Sth re
plying to yours of June 18th is the last
word that | could say in the matter
That is, that it is useless for me TO
make any further effort to adjust the
difficulty between Ocala and the Car
negie corporation
Very truly,
MRS. PREVAIL SNEED,
Organizer, Ga. Library Commission
Thinking that this letter of Mrs.
Sneed's sounded the death knell of
the library for Ocala. it evoked the
following response:
Ocala. Fla. July 18th, 1915
Mrs. Percival Sneed, Atlanta. Ga:
Dear Madam am in receipt of
your letter of date CT July 9Th, ad-
dressed to me as president OF the Car
negie library board. in which you say
that it is useless for Won to make
any LII tIlCi CilOI - W ckuJuSL Auc ulill-
Guilty between Ocala and the Carne-
gle corporation"
In conclusion have only to say for
myself and my associates on the board
is the satisfaction of our having pa
tiently, faithfully and cOnscientiously
endeavOred to have conferred a dis
tinctive favor on our city In so do
ing we are extremely sorry that unto
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us.
To this end faithful efforts, consci-
entiously performed, must be our only
consolation and satisfying reward
Very truly.
FRANK HARRIS, Chairman.
1t is due to Mrs NJ H. Stovall, the
indefatigable secretary of the board,
to say that she alone refused to lose
hope or lack courage, and again open
ed correspondence with the Carnegie
corporation
In response to her letter Mr.. Ber
tram wrote a very courteous and en-
couraging reply, and said that if the
plans could be agreed upon the funds
we're still available, but that in future
he would prefer that the correspond
nece be done through the mayor or
city clerk
So from that time on we shoulder
ed our burdens on the mayor, Hon.
John D. Robertson, who, although
originally opposed to the cree
ton Of the building, aided in every
possible way TO facilitate its con-
struction.
Mr.. MacKay got busy Immediately
and resolved to design plans that
would pass muster or would fight it
out on Grants line If it took all
summer"
Suffice it to say. to make burden
some story short, the plans were f.
1,%