USA > Illinois > McLean County > Normal > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 10
USA > Illinois > McLean County > Bloomington > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 10
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In the near future, Bloomington may see a railroad running northeast, to intercept the Illinois Central's new line at Chatsworth, a northwestern line to connect Washington and Peoria with Bloomington, and a line to the southeast to connect with the Rantoul narrow gauge road. Other roads now unprojected will yet center here. May our citizens, in the future as in the past, lend a helping hand to whatever, when well con- sidered by our ablest citizens, promises to advance our best interests.
01 R TELEGRAPHS.
In Angust, 1853, Hon. John D. Caton, the pioneer of the Western Union Tele- graph Lines, came to this city. He told Gen. Gridley that if Bloomington would take $1,000 of stock his company would give our city a telegraph office on the line then building from Chicago to Springfield. It does not appear to have occurred to our citi- zens that the telegraph business of the place would of itself justify the company in keeping an office open, and so they took hold with their usual energy and subscribed the amount. As a part of the history of the telegraph, we give the list of subscribers :
C. P. Merriman, $100; W. H. Allin, $50; A. Gridley, $50; E. M. Wells, $50; H. H. Painter. $50; George Parke, $50; W. F. Flagg, $50; J. W. Ewing, $50; J. W. Underwood & Co., $50 ; Wakefield & Thompson, $50 ; Baker & Noble, $50; Paist & Elder, $50; K. H. Fell, $50; John T. O'Brien, $50; Graves, Storey & Co., $50; G. B. Larrison and A. C. Washburne, $50 ; Magoun. Miller & Co., $50 ; Ives & Curtis, 850; Wickizer, Swett and Mason, $50.
The poles were soon here, the wire was in place, and on the 2 4th of January. 1854, an office was opened in Bloomington. The files of the Pantagraph show that paper's first message, which was from the Illinois Journal office at Springfield, as follows :
SraisonELD, January 28, 1551.
C. P. MEIOUMAS : May the new communication by telegraph, so auspicionsly opened, con- tinne for ages. S. FRANTS.
Matthew L. Steele was the first telegraph operator at the Bloomington office, which was opened, in 1854, in what was known as Major's Block, on Front Street. He was followed in 1866, by Arthur T. MeElhiney, who is the present manager of the Bloom- ington office, thus making a quarter of a century with only two different officials in charge of what is a very important office. The Pantagraph and Coal Company possess a local-line from Bloomington to Normal, to the coal-shaft, and to various points. making nine miles of wire, upon which there are, at least, thirty private instruments und a number of telephones.
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There are important offices at the headquarters of the C. & A. R. R. Company, at its shops in Bloomington, where a large foree of operators constantly direct the running of trains, while the other railroads have one or more telegraphers constantly on duty ; so that, in all, twenty operators are employed in this city, on regular salaries, not to men- tion those who use the wire as an incident of their daily business, as is the case with the patrons of the Pantagraph and Coal Company's line, as well as several of the other patrons of the different lines, who have instruments of their own.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Bloomington Observer (weekly) was the first newspaper published in Bloom- ington or in the county, and was established January 14, 1837, by Messrs. James Allin, Jesse W. Fell and A. Gridley, and was edited by William Hill, afterward, for a. short time, by Mr. Fell. In 1838, the Observer espoused the side of the Whig party in polities. The name was changed, not long afterward, to the Western Whig, and it was conducted by Charles P. Merriman. In 1852, the name was again changed to the Bloomington Intelligencer, the paper again passing under the management of Mr. Jesse Fell, who sold out in a year or two after, to Mr. Charles P. Merriman, and the sheet was baptized anew as the Pantagraph. The Daily Pantagraph was started June 19, 1854. It was sold, in 1856, by him to William E. Foote, who published it until 1861, E. J. Lewis being the editor. It is now owned and published by William O. Davis.
This paper has become well established, being one of the best known in the West. The peculiarity of its name has attracted much attention, many eritics and scholars. appearing to confound it with the word "pentagraph," which is thus defined by Web- ster : " Pentagraph, see pantagraph." Under head of " pantagraph," he says, " a math- ematieal instrument for copying ; written, also, pantograph, and, less correctly, penta- graph." Mr. Charles P. Merriman, a fine Greek scholar, gives the following as the meaning of the word; and as his explanation is satisfactory to the best classical stu- dents, we insert it here, in hope it will thus go into permanent history, and set the ques- tion at rest. Mr. Merriman was the originator of the word, as well as the founder of the Pantagraph :
" ' Panta' is the neuter accusative plural of the Greek adjunct pas, and 'graph ' is from the Greek verb grapho, here used in the imperative mode; the name ' Panta- graph '-write all things- is a perpetual injunction upon its editors to dip their pens fearlessly into all matters of human interest."
Other journals have been established at various times and flourished for a brief period, to give place, in turn, to others; but none of them have survived any length of time. Among them may be mentioned the Evening Argus, National Flag, afterward the Illinois Statesman, Illinois Central Democrat, Bloomington Times, Anti-Monopolist, Mc Lean County Democrat, Bloomington Republican, Illinois Schoolmaster, the Advance, and others of less repute.
The fire of editorial controversy, it may be assumed, waxed high at times, as we find in an old number of the Intelligencer a brief item, to the effect that an article had appeared in the Flag containing a long array of abusive epithets against the editor of the former sheet, of which " dastardly whelp," " scoundrel," ete., were a great deal the mildest. "This, of course, brought on a personal encounter," continues the "responsible"
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editor, but adds the gratifying fact that " we were separated before either of us received an injury "
The history of the ups and downs of newspaper life received an addition in the sudden demise of the Bloomington Times, which came to an untimely end at the hands of the Ninety-fourth Regiment Hlinois Volunteers, a MeLean County regiment. The paper had become obnoxious to so many of the citizens, by reason of its Southern proclivities and expressions of sympathy for the States in rebellion, and the excitement became so great as to lead the soldiers, abetted by prominent citizens, to destroy the office and press, since when the paper has not been revived.
There are now two daily papers, the Morning Pantagraph and the Evening Leader. The Weekly Leader was started by Scibird & Waters, November 15, 1868, and the Daily, February 22, 1870, and is now owned by M. S. Leland, publisher. Beside these, the city can boast several weekly papers-the Democratic Nous, Sunday Eye and the Banner of Holiness. The Bloomington Journal (German ) was founded by F. A. Schmidt ; present proprietor, H. Meyer. It is a paper of much influence, as is also the MeLoan County Deutsche Presse, of which John Koester is editor and pro- prietor.
THE BLOOMINGTON LIBRARY.
The institution now known as the Bloomington Library Association is one of the most deserving in the city. It has become endeared to the public by the great work it has accomplished, by its valuable collection of books, and by its promise of future bene- fit to posterity. Its early history is of much interest. The first trace discovered is a well-written communication in the Pantagraph of May 21, 1854, signed G. L. K., urging the formation of a library and reading-room. Bloomington's haleyon days were in 1851. At that time, it boasted 4,000 inhabitants, 12 churches, and seats in them for nearly the total population. Possibly, this was more of a beast than a reality, but as our city has grown, our church accommodations have not kept pace, though in the mat- ter of seat-room in the public schools, we have reversed the situation compared with twenty-five years ago. But we merely wished to remark that those who were at the helm in 1854 to 1858 planned largely for the public good. They built churches, they reformed our public schools, they endowed or founded colleges, and they did not forget the need of a public library. We are reaping the harvest from the good seed then sown, and in no one department were the early laborers more faithful than in that now under consideration. The need of a library, and the condition of public opinion in relation thereto, stimulated the ladies of our city to make an effort, which has resulted in the foundation of our Bloomington Library. Among those particularly worthy of mention are Mis Rebecca A, Rogers, now Mrs. G. W. Parke, and Miss Hannah M. Snow. The ladies obtained quite a number of subscriptions from persons who were willing to assist, and, on the 2d of October, 1856, a public meeting was called at Major's Hall, for the purpose of organizing the " Ladies Library." At this meeting, which was well attended, the ladies reported subscriptions to the amount of 8117. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, to report at a future meeting. This com- mittee was Rev. F. N. Ewing, Dr. W. C. Hobbs, David Davis, W. H. Allin and John E. MeClun, After one or two preliminary meetings, the permanent organization of the " Ladies' Library Association, of the City of Bloomington," was effected at the First Pres- byterian Church November 13, 1856.
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The ladies alone were eligible to office during the first six or eight years. The first officers were : President, Mrs. S. B. Brown ; Vice President, Miss A. Warriner ; Secretary, Miss Caldwell ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss H. Parsons ; Treasurer, Miss Rebecca A. Rogers ; Librarian, Miss Hannah M. Snow. The first Board of Managers was composed of the following ladies : Mrs. D. Davis, Mrs. F. N. Ewing, Mrs. T. Pardee, Mrs. H. Spencer and Mrs. W. H. Allin.
On the 28th of February, 1857, the Library was opened in a room on Center street. At the next meeting, Judge Davis offered a room on Main street free of rent, which offer was very thankfully accepted. The Library remained in this room for six or seven years, rent free, and, during all this time, it was taken care of and fostered by the ladies with a zeal and enthusiasm that gained it a high position among the worthy institutions of Bloomington. Its growth was gradual but sure. The catalogue from the beginning has always exhibited a large selection of valuable books, and it has been one of the educational institutions of our city.
In the year 1867, it was thought best to organize under an act of the Legislature, which was obtained February 23, 1867. The Library changed its name to the " Bloom- ington Library Association," and gentlemen were made eligible to office, but its main features were unchanged. By the act of incorporation, the Association is able to own real estate, manage an endowment fund, to go onward and forward in the good cause, and take such rank and position as the public or its wealthy members may in the future see fit to award. Probably the time will come when this Association will possess a per- manent building of its own, and an endowment fund which will render it self-sustaining. The first officers under the new organization were elected March 2, 1867. David Davis was President ; E. M. Prince, Vice President ; Sarah D. Robinson, Recording Secretary ; W. H. Stennett, Corresponding Secretary, and W. M. Hatch, Treasurer. The Board of Managers were composed of ladies and gentlemen as follows: Mrs. Maria Everly, B. F. Hoopes, I. J. Bloomfield and Mrs. J. A. Jackman. The Trustees were John Magoun, George W. Parke and John M. Scott.
The Library has always been one of Bloomington's favorite institutions, and it has now become very valuable.
The last report of the Librarian, presented at the annual meeting on the 1st day of March, 1879, shows that there are in the Library 7,464 volumes. During the year, books were used equal to taking out 26,000 different volumes. The Reading-room has been well patronized, giving the public access to about 150 periodicals. This evidences the great value of the Library and Reading-room, and its managers should go forward in the good work, trusting to the future for further additions and the permanent endow- ment so earnestly desired. The present officers are: Dr. C. R. Parke, President ; Dr. H. Conkling, Vice President ; B. F. Hoopes, Treasurer ; Charles L. Capen, Corre- sponding Secretary ; Lewis E. Ijams, Recording Secretary; Mrs. H. R. Galliner, Librarian. The Board of Managers consists of Mrs. Charles Shackleford, Miss Sarah E. Raymond, Messrs. Peter Folsom, S. R. Brodix and J. H. Burnham.
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
In the year 1850, a number of the leading citizens of Bloomington began to agitate the question of founding a university complete in all its departments. Illinois was plainly growing in importance and no portion advancing more rapidly in all the
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elements of strength, nor developing more steadily its material resources, than the central part of the State , hence the citizens of this city were anxious and determined Chat here, educational advantages should be of the first order To accomplish this end, the first Board of Trustees effected an organization under the general laws of the State un the 2d of December, A. D. 1850.
It was decided that the University should be placed under the management of the Methodist Church. This was not done for the purpose of making it a sectarian institu- tion, since science can never be rendered sectarian, but it was felt that the University should be placed in careful hands and under good management, and since the Methodist Church was then, as now, noted for its earnestness in the advancement of all the interests of education as well as for careful management and influence, to its care the
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WISILVAN ININPR-ITY
new University was confided. It was intended that its influence should be of a Christian character, but that students of all denominations should find a home within its halls, This idea has been faithfully carried out. In the winter of 1850 and 1951, the school was organized under the superintendency of Res R. Andrus. A. M. in the basement of the Methodist Church.
Immediate measures were taken for the erection of a suitable building, which, after many discouragements, was completed and school opened in it in 1857. In July, 1-51, at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, Res. John Dempster D. D. of Concord, N. H., was elected President The first Annual Commencement was held on the 7th of July, 1853, and the first class graduated,
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Rev. John Dempster having removed to Evanston, Rev. C. W. Sears, a former professor in the institution, was chosen President and a part of the new building occu- pied; but, shortly afterward, owing to the uncertain condition of State finances and the stringency of the times, the institution was for a time closed. Its friends, however, , did not despair, and, after securing the services of Rev. Charles W. C. Munsell as financial agent, at once set about raising the necessary funds to complete the building, liquidate the debt and re-open the school.
The institution was re-opened by the Trustecs, who elected Rev. O. S. Munsell, A. M., as President. In the year 1866, the Methodist Church in America celebrated its first centennial anniversary, and including the amount of $10,000 given by the family of Isaac Funk as the first installment for the endowment of the Isaac Funk Professorship of Agriculture, the friends of the University subscribed over $70,000 for endowment. The steady increase of students now made a second building necessary, and the Trustees proceeded at once to obtain subscriptions and erect an appropriate building, and, as a result of these labors, a fine building was erected, which is capable of accommodating 500 students.
This structure was so far completed, that graduating exercises were held here in June, 1872, though it was not occupied by the classes for daily recitation till the spring of 1873. The upper portion of this building is not yet fully finished, nor has the entire cost of the University building been met, there being a debt upon the same which the Board of Trustees will doubtless soon attempt to liquidate.
The new college building is beautifully located in the northern portion of the city, surrounded by an area of nearly ten acres of luxuriant greensward, dotted here and there with clumps of forest and ornamental trees, making all in all a most picturesque effect. The main building is a splendid example of architectural beauty and symmetry, of imposing dimensions, 70x140 feet, five stories in height, and erected at a cost of nearly $70,000. It is pronounced by competent authority as unsurpassed by any similar struct- ure in this State in point of external elegance and internal convenience. It is the finest looking building in Bloomington. The first floor is divided into eight large recitation- rooms, arranged and furnished after the usual style of such apartments. The second floor is occupied by the library, which contains a large and carefully selected list of val- uable volumes. This apartment is also used as a recitation-room. The museum contains a varied and interesting collection of specimens of minerals, insects, birds, reptiles, etc. Rare and valuable additions are constantly being made to the already extensive list. The entire eastern half of the second and third floors is occupied by Amie Chapel. This is so arranged that it may be converted into one of the largest auditoriums in the city, by removing a temporary partition, thus throwing open the galleries, giving a seating capac- ity of 1,200. Regular Sabbath services are conducted in this chapel by the University Methodist Episcopal Church. The halls of the Munsellian and Belle Lettres Literary Societies occupy the third floors. The halls are equal in size and similarly furnished, in a neat and appropriate manner ; their walls are hung with pictures of society mem- bers, the Faculty, graduates, etc. The fourth floor and basement are as yet unfinished. The old college, which stands just north of the main building, is brought into requisi- tion as a boarding-hall for young men, with accommodations for forty. The commo- dious old Major College building, further west, has been rented, remodeled and furnished for a dormitory and dining-hall for the accommodation of young lady students. This
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institution is prosperous under the care of the Women's Educational Association, which is working in harmony with the University.
In 1873, Rev. O. S. Munsell having resigned, Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D., Was elected President and entered upon the discharge of his duties in January, 1574.
The Trustees now added a Law Department and elected a Law Faculty, which entered immediately upon their duties, and, at the Annual Commencement of 1875 was graduated the first class in the department of law.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees in 1874, they adopted the plans similar to the London University of Non-resident Students and Post-Graduate Exam- inations which had, during the year, been matured by the Faculty and were now for the first time laid before the Board for adoption.
MAJOR COLLEGE
The announcing of a definite course of study in both undergraduate and post graduate work for non-resident students, publishing of plans for examinations, and hold- ing examinations and conferring degrees only on examinations, mark an era in the history of the University in advance of all other universities of the West. The appre- ciation of the plan has been shown by the increasing numbers of gentlemen eminent in scholarship and literary reputation, who annually avail themselves of the opportunity thus offered, and, after a thorough examination, have received from the University the highest honors known to any university on this continent. The year of 1870 was ren dored memorable on account of the admission of women. The question, after some dis cussion, passed in the Faculty. The resolution to open the doors to ladies passed the Board of Trustees, and was seconded by the patronizing Conferences, so that during the
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first college term of the same year a large number enrolled their names and entered the. several classes. The number has steadily increased and now many women are num- bered among the graduates at the Annual Commencements.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
Three literary societies have, since their first organization, been well attended, and have each attained a good reputation for oratory and elocution. These societies, at a. cost of some $4,000, have fitted up and furnished their halls with the finest carpets and appropriate furniture.
COURSES OF STUDY.
Two courses of study are pursued-the classical and scientific. These require after entering the college the same length of time for completion, namely, four years.
In 1875, after the resignation of Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D., the Board of Trust- ees called to the chair of the presidency, Rev. W. H. H. Adams, D. D.
During the year 1874, a society was organized and chartered by the women, under the name of the Women's Educational Association of the Wesleyan University. The object is to aid young women striving for an education, and second, to endow a chair of the same name in the University. The results of this organization are the opening of a. commodious hall on the Mt. Holyoke plan, and the securing of a considerable amount for endowment. During the year 1875, a gift of $10,000 was made by Hugh Meharry, Esq., of Indiana, to apply on the endowment of the President's chair.
The growth of the University has been steady, and now its halls are crowded with students, and its honors sought by numbers of the first scholars of the land, whilst the boundless resources of Central Illinois and the growing liberality of a generous and. wealthy people afford great promise for the future that the growing wants of the Uni- versity will receive ample aid ; and, on the broad foundation which has been wisely laid, will be built up and sustained a university of the highest standing in all the depart- ments of art and science.
At this time, the Illinois Wesleyan University has, in its several departments, the following Faculty :
LITERARY DEPARTMENT.
W. H. H. Adams, D. D., President and Professor of Ethics and Metaphysics.
H. C. DeMotte, Ph. D., Vice President and Professor of Mathematics.
G. R. Crow, A. M., Professor of Latin Language and Literature.
J. B. Taylor, A. M., Professor of Natural Science and German.
Sue M. D. Fry, A. M., Professor of English Language.
R. R. Brown, A. M., Professor of Natural History and Physics.
S. Van Pelt, A. M., Professor of Elocution.
C. M. Moss, A. M., Professor of Greek and Hebrew.
COLLEGE OF LAW.
R. M. Benjamin, A. M., Dean, Elementary Law.
O. T. Reeves, LL. D., Torts and Equity.
O. W. Aldrich, LL. D., Contracts and Real Property.
L. Weldon, Pleadings.
A. G. Karr, LL. B., Evidence and Criminal Law.
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F. A. Parker. Dean.
Flora M. Hunter, Piano-forte and Harmony.
Laura B. Humphrey, Voed Culture.
The Faculty of the University is now composed of teachers of large experience, many of whom have ocenpied their chairs for a series of years, and now bring to their work a ripe scholarship. The University, under their direction, has reached a degree of influence and . importance scarcely anticipated by its early founders and patrons. During the year 1575, an art department was added. Mrs. Prof. Most was placed in charge. This department, though the last added, is steadily growing in favor and importance.
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BERNHARDLOS
OLD WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
Another department, that of medicine, is about to be added to the institution. making it more thoroughly deserving the name of University. During the month of April, 1879, a medical college was organized, of which Gien. A. Gridley was elected President of the Board of Trustees ; President Hewitt, of Normal, Vice President ; W. H. H. Adams, of the Wesleyan, Secretary, and Dr. T. F. Worrall, Treasurer. This college is to be attached to the Wesleyan on u similar footing to that of the law -chod. The regular term will be during the months of November, December, January and February. The course of study will occupy two years. There is little doubt of the succes of the new institution. The following Professors were appointed April 21.
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1879, and will, probably, the most of them, accept of the positions : Theory and Prac- tice of Surgery-W. Hill, M. D. ; Theory and Practice of Medicine-W. A. Elder, M. D .; Anatomy-J. L. White, M. D .; Physiology-T. F. Worrall, M. D .; Materia Medica and Therapeutics-J. Little, M. D .; Obstetrics-C. T. Orner, M. D. ; Mental and Nervous Diseases-A. T. Barnes, M. D .; Diseases of Women and Children-R. Wunderlich, M. D .; Demonstrator of Anatomy-A. H. Luce, M. D .; Chemistry-C. Owen, A. M .; Emeritus Professors-A. H. Luce, M. D., George W. Stipp, M. D.
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