The Mena weekly star., 1922-02-09
By RoBr. M. BERRY

By kOBIs M, BEfft1 How is the assembly going to be built?" is a question one hears in
 Mena right frequently these days.
 For the benefit of those who make this
 inquiry, this story of how one was created is intended.
 Some twenty years ago in a city in Illinois, where the writer lived, a chautauqua was held one summer.
 This city was then about twice the size of Mena. It's more than three
 times as big now. The chautauqua idea was new then, but the opportun- lty to get away from business and home cares and spend week or more in restful contemplation of the educa- tional and entertainment feature of the summer assembly appealed to
 these Illinois folks. That chautauqua was such a success that the people decided to have another and in the course of few years decided that they ought to have permanent assem- bly, grounds, and not depend upon tents for shelter.
 Accordingly tract of 120 acres of l woodland (and woodlands are mighty scarce in that prairie country) was
 purchased The land cost trifie less , than $150 an acre, but it contained trees, short hill, a small stream of water, all of which seemingly are es- sentials to an assembly. An asso- citation was formed of local residents
 to buy this land, and each member of the association was given a certain designated spot on which to build a cottage. These building sites sold for an average of $150 each. The sales produced enough money to pay for the entire tract and still leave enough
 land for the location of permanent buildings, lake, roads, playgrounds and additional building sites. This assembly was not intended to become national in scope, such as the great one at Chautauqua, N. Y., or at Winona Lake, Ind, but was designed principally for the use of those nearby Central Illinois folks who had the chautauqua.
 The first year the assembly direc-
 tors and officers gave most attention
 to the opening of walks and drives and plotting the grounds. The assembly ] meetings were held in big circus tent. If the writer's memory is cor rect one enthusiastic lot owner did !, build a permanent cottage that first ] year. The association continued to
 sell lots and during it's second year
 built great auditorium, capable of , seating 5000 people, and so arranged
 that fully 2,000 more could crowd } around the outer rim and see and hear.
 Many a time has the writer seen
 crowds of 5000 or more listening to
 some of the great orators of the day i or giving willing ears to some great
 musician
 This same year a few more cottages were built, and as time went on the i, number increased until tents went out of fashion altogether as an assembly residence. Today there are nearly 300 well-built houses on the grounds, some of which have six to eight rooms, but most of them being two or three rooms and used only during the hot ! summer months. Most of them are furnished in modern style with toilet, \ bath. electric lights and water. Some of them are occupied the year around, for as the assembly grew permanent roads were built and connected with the city little more than a mile away.
 At first the transient visitor to this | assembly lived in hotel tent These, ! like the private tents were later re- placed by permanent hotel buildings with every city convenience. Thous- ands of visitors go to this assembly every year just for day or two, and when not entertained by kinfolks or friends, find pleasant quarters in the i hotel
 As the assembly grew the needs for permanent improvements grew, and after the first few years the associa- tion officers began making their walk ways and driveways of a character 1 that would permit their use at all I seasons. A water system was laid over the grounds, Q sewerage system was built, a permanent lighting sys- tenn was added until the assembly grounds were not unlike small city. 1 A fire department and a police depart 1 ment were even established, there was a substation of the postofiice. the rail- roads had ticket station there, tho 1 the grounds were several miles from any depot Express was handled and even stores for the handling of differ ent kinds of merchandise were opened. i ifi fact it became a miniature city, l While these things were being ac- complished the association did not neglect the playgrounds, and the last time the writer was there he saw ten his courts, baseball diamonds and golf links laid out and in use. As the de- mand grew for acquatie attractions the small stream of water was en- larged into a lake and was improved year by year until the bathing and boating facilities were made as good as possible.
 While in the beginning the one big assembly auditorium was used three times a day for the different kinds of meetings, the growth of the associa- tion was such that more buildings were needed. and in recent years more buildings have been erected These house the domestic science school, the art institute and other structures giv- en over to some exclusive study.
 One of the greatest financial mis- takes the writer ever made was in not buying a lot on this assembly ground. Unfortunately for him, at the time the lots were offered for sale. he didn't have a vision of the ultimate growth of the assembly. besides he had just made an investment in gold mining stock. The gold miae never paid dividends, but you ought to try and buy one of those s15o lots for anything like fhe price now. fl can't be done. Theri has never been to the writers knowle se 6 valuation placed on the assembly property. as a while. 1 but he believes that d million dollars 1 for fl xouIHnf tempt the association