USA > Kentucky > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Kentucky, together with sketches of its cities, villages, and townships, educational religious, civil military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, biographies of representative citizens, and an outline history of Kentucky > Part 33
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Telephone .- In the spring of 1880 J. W. Porter organized the "Owensboro Telephone Exchange." The incorporators were Geo. W. Williams, M. V. Monarch, T. J. Monarch, and J. W. Porter. M. V. Monarch was elected President; Breck. Speed, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mr. Porter, Superintendent. They immediately put up lines and commenced operations, connecting with Henderson and Evansville, and ran under this regime until May, 1882, when they sold out to the Evansville Telephone Exchange, which has eight or ten counties. There are 113 patrons in Owensboro. The central office is on St. Ann street, opposite the east door of . ne court-house.
City Hall .- This building was formerly the "Bransford Insti- tate" (see further on, under the head of Educational), and was purchased of him by the. city in 1871, at $10,000. The Police Conrt is held n the lower story, and the Common Council in the upper.
Hall's Opera House .- This is the second and third stories of the large business block erected by Frank L. Hall in 1869, at the southeast corner of the public square. Size, 88 x 105 feet. Cost, $20,000. At that time it was the finest building in Owens- boro. It was afterward appraised at $30,000. The ceiling is eighteen feet above the floor. It is the only dramatic hall in the city.
Owensboro Fire Department .- For many years previous to the date of the city charter the citizens of Owensboro had often dis- cussed the question and long felt the need of some sort of an insti- tution to enable them to effectually meet and conquer that great enemy of city and town-the "raging flames." Accordingly, in 1866, when Owensboro assumed metropolitan proportions and was
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granted a city charter, to meet the growing demands of this rising commercial center, the Owensboro Fire Department was organ- ized. The department is equipped with an excellent steam fire- engine-the Ben Bransford, No. 1, purchased in 1872. The offi- cers of the department are: A. F. Alms, Chief; W. J. McGee, Engineer; F. Q. Washburn, Driver. Four men compose the force. Tt costs the city annually about $8,500 to supply the current xpenses of the department.
The Town Clock was completed and set runr ing during the first Week of December, 1868. The tower was not originally built for a lock, and the County Court ordered the necessary changes male, which cost $200. The clock cost $550 in Boston, Mass .; the weights were cast in Owensboro, at a cost probably of about $150. The time weight weighs 250 pounds, and the striking weight 1,000 pounds. All the expenses of this enterprise were borne by private subscription. The magnificent bell was bought by Judge Triplett, of Wm. Kaye, Louisville, and cost $450. It weighs about 1,200 pounds.
Owensboro Gas Company was organized in June, 1860, as a stock company, with shares at $100. Capital, $25,000. Number of shares taken, 189. The first officers were T. H. Pointer, President; R. H. Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer M. J. Miller, Superintendent .. Directors: T. H. Pointer, S. M. Wing, F. L. Hall, A. Gilmour, and J. H. Blair. M. J. Miller was tlie con- tractor, who took one third of the stock, the trustees of the town took one third, and citizens the remainder. The works are located at the foot of St. Elizabeth street, and have a capacity of 15,000 cubic feet daily. Present number of street lamps, 112. The lot of ground was purchased of Wing & Bransford, for $1,200. The works have been enlarged, and mains very much extended. At first the price of gas was $4 per thousand feet, but the present rate is only $2.25. During the war, at one time, when coal was very high, gas rose to $6 per thousand feet. Present officers: A. Gilmour, President; P. T. Watkins, Secretary and Treasurer; James York, Superintendent.
City Railway Company .- This was organized in September, 1877. A sufficient amount of stock was subscribed, it was thought at the time, to build the proposed line; but the prospect of increased stringency in commerce led the company to postpone further action indefinitely. It seems now, however, that the en- terprise, if pushed through then, would have proved remunerative. 23
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Printing Offices .- There are four job printing offices in Owens_ boro. Those of the Messenger & Examiner and the Saturday Post are already alluded to in Chapter VIII. O. T Kendall & Co.'s, on the same floor with the latter, was opened Jan. 15, 1880. The "Co. " comprises George & Walter Parrish, and W. E. and I. N. Parrish. Ernest Bishop's is on the north side of Second street, a few doors east of Frederica street.
Fritz Luethi's book bindery is on the north side of Second street, fourth door west of Frederica street.
Rosenthal's Bottling Works, on the north side of Second street, near the railroad, is still flourishing. Bottling beer, ale and other liquors is the enterprise here.
Watch Factory .- This never existed in Owensboro, but a move- ment for the establishment of one was inaugurated in 1882, by fifteen men, who proposed to put in $1,000 each for the object. A donation of eight acres of land, however, was asked, and a subscription stock to the amount of $60,000. The chief operators of this scheme were parties from abroad, and not being exactly the men for the place, the proposed enterprise "fell through."
BANKS.
First National .- This is the newest by name but the oldest in business, of all the banks in the city. The first bank in Owensboro was a branch of the "Southern Bank of Kentucky, " and was es- tablished here Aug. 5, 1850, with the following Directors: Wm. Bell, Simpson Stint, Christopher D. Jackson, Junius B. Alexander, Samuel M. Wing, James H. Blair, Wm. T. Short, S. M. Moorman and Philip Triplett. Aug. 12 following Mr. Alexander was chosen President and James B. Anderson, Cashier. The principal bank was at Louisville, and was a State bank of issue. In June, 1853, Mr. Alexander resigned his presidency, and was succeeded by Wm. Bell. He moved to Louisville, thence to St. Louis, and during the war moved to New York. In all these places he followed banking, made a fortune in New York, retired, and now lives on Staten Island, N. Y.
In 1855 Wm. Bell was succeeded as President by S. M. Wing. April 1, 1864, the institution was changed to the " Planters' Bank of Kentucky." Mr. Anderson died in October, 1864, and his son, T. S. Anderson, was chosen as Cashier in his place. May 24, 1870, Mr. Wing resigned, and Daniel M. Griffith was chosen Presi- dent in his place. Sept. 1, 1871, T. S. Anderson resigned, and Digitized by'Microsoft®
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Phil T. Watkins succeeded as Cashier. March 6, 1872, Mr. Grif- fith resigned as President, and R. H. Taylor was appointed in his place. Messrs. Taylor and Watkins still retain the positions last named. Joseph Thomas is Teller.
Nov. 1, 1881, the bank was converted into the "First National Bank of Owensboro, Ky." Capital, $137,900. Present Directors: R. H. Taylor, J. D. Powers, E. H. Luckett, A. J. Turpin, A. Rosenfeld, James H. Hickman and M. V. Monarch.
Deposit Bank .- This was established Oct. 1, 1860, with a capital of $50,000, since increased to $200,000. Hon. Thos. C. McCreery was President from the commencement to Feb. 17, 1864, since which date Mr. James Weir has had that position. W. B. Tyler was Cashier from the first to the time of his death, Dec. 4, 1877, since which time John Wandling has fulfilled the place. Present Directors: Wm. N. Sweeney, Ben. Bransford and F. T. Gunther. John H. Smith, just deceased, leaves a vacancy on this board not yet filled. Following was the condition of this bank Dec. 30, 1882:
RESOURCES.
LIABILITIES.
Bills and notes discounted. $444,160.76
Capital stock. $200,000.00
Debts in suit
3,236.51
Deposits.
269,776.38
Real estate (for debt)
13,662.82
Bills re-discounted. 98,923.00
Stocks and bonds. 34,000.00
Dividends unpaid
100.00
Banking House. 8,000.00
Dividend No. 41 5 per cent. 10,000.00
Safes and office furniture. 2,000.00
Revenue Stamps. 175.00
Due from banks.
39,850.01
Cash.
38,686.33
$583,771.43
$583,771.43
Due banks. . 2,459.91
Balance of contingent fund. 2,512.14
Owensboro Savings Bank .- This institution was chartered by the Legislature in January, 1871, and began business Feb. 17 fol- lowing, in the room next door to the postoffice, on St. Ann street. While eashier of the Planters' Bank, of this city, Mr. T. S. Ander- son, now President of the Savings Bank, saw the necessity of a bank that would meet the wants of all, and he and his brother, W. K. Anderson, conceived the idea of establishing such an institution in Owensboro. Their business so increased that their old quarters began to be too small; and they built, at the northwest corner of Main and Allen streets, one of the finest bank and office buildings in all the West, which they now occupy. The charter of this bank makes all the private property of its stockholders, in addition to the capital and surplus, liable for its corporate debts-the best guarantee of its safe management, and one that is offered by no other bank in this city. James H. Parrish is Cashier.
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Following is a statement of the condition of this bank at the close of business Dec. 30, 1882:
RESOURCES.
LIABILITIES.
Discounted paper $246,424.67
Capital stock ... $25.000.00
Real estate for debt
4,560.79
Surplus fund ... 20,000.00 -- 45.000.00
Bonds and stocks.
19,975.00
Deposits. 317,689.09
Banking house 14,082.53
Bank fixtures and furniture. 2,513.65
Due by banks.
44,079.23
Cash
31,053.22
Total.
$362,689.09
Farmers & Traders' Bank .- This is situated on the north side of Main street, six doors east of Bolivar. L. Gray is President; A. J. Mitchell, Vice-President, and Wm. H. Moore, Cashier. This bank was opened for business Nov. 16, 1876, at the above place. The first Directors were: Dr. A. D. Hill, President; L. Gray, Vice- President; A. J. Mitchell, J. B. Cruse and W. T. Elliott. E. B. Colgan, Cashier. The corporation was organized as a stock com- pany. Dr. Hill died Dec. 20, 1877, and L. Gray was elected President in his place. Mr. Colgan died Aug. 18, 1877, and Wm. H. Moore was appointed Cashier in his place, which position he still holds.
Following is their last semi-annual statement, which shows the present condition of the bank, Dec. 30, 1882:
RESOURCES.
LIABILITIES.
Bills and notes discounted. . $110,465.08
Capital stock paid up. $32,000.00
Due from banks. 11,663.39
Cash on hand. 12,034.04
Dividends unpaid. 195.00
Debts in suit. . 772.00
Furniture and fixtures 1,326.35
Protest account
12.82
Jan. 1
Profit and loss account. 10,606.25
$136,273.68
HOTELS.
Planters' Hotel .- This is the only first-class hotel in Owensboro.
Its most ancient predecessor had the same name. It was the first hotel in the city, a frame building, erected by Timothy Bur- gess. In the process of time, a more commodious edifice beconi- ing necessary, this was moved to the rear of the lot to be occupied by colored servants, while on the old site was put up a handsome two-story hotel, which is a part of the present block. It has been raised one story and wings added. Mr. Burgess sold the building
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Due depositors. . 90,918.23
Dividend No. 12 this day de- clared .. 1,600.00
Amount due as interest to 944.20
$136,273.68
Total $362,689.09
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about 1875. He died in 1879, aged seventy-nine, and considered one of the wealthiest men in Daviess County.
Mr. Flemming was the next proprietor of the building, and the next and present owner is Dr. J. F. Kimbley.
The Washburne House, now kept by the proprietors of the Plant- ers', was built in 1877, by Daniel M. Griffith, who rented it to HI. T. Washburne, and the latter admitted to partnership Geo. D. Mattingly. Afterward he sold his interest to Alex. Moreland, and the firin became Mattingly & Moreland, the present proprietors of both buildings. The Washburne building in 1878 was sold to Mrs. M. L. Crockett, wife of Americus Crockett, of Lonisville. It stands on the site formerly occupied by a grocery, which had been pre- viously the Southern Bank, and the Planters' Bank. The first story is 22 x 134, and the second and third stories are 44 feet in width.
The proprietors of the business of the Planters' Hotel have been Mr. Hathaway, J. C. Ashby, O. H. Hughes, James F. Smith and now Mattingly & Moreland.
The two buildings contain sixty-five furnished rooms. Tran sient rates, $2 a day. Abont 90 to 100 is the average daily number taking meals at this house.
The Planters' House has had a long and eventful history, and the noteworthy instances occuring in connection with it may be numbered by hundreds. The following comes to hand: In 1875, when the " civil rights " law prominently occupied public attention, and Mr. Hathaway was conducting the above institution, a negro presented himself one day for accommodations, under the aforesaid law concerning hotels. Mr. H. refused him on the ground that " this was not a ' hotel,' but a private boarding house."
Spoerri's Hotel .- This is located on the northeast corner of Second and Elizabeth streets which is only a square from the wharf. John Spoerri, proprietor.
Monitor Hotel is on the west side. of Frederica street, only half a square from the boat landing. J. H. McCullough, proprietor.
Palmer House, east side of Frederica, about opposite the last. Thomas Palmer, proprietor.
Brooks' Hotel, west side of Frederica street, between Third and Fourth streets. F. W. Brooks, proprietor.
Neal House, northwest corner of Second and Pearl streets, or about four squares east of the depot.
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OWENSBORO INDUSTRIES IN 1880, BY THE CENSUS.
CAPITAL.
WAGES PAID! DURING Y'R.
VAL. OF MATERIA
VAL. OF PRODUCT.
3 Blacksmiths
850
$ 1,736
$ 1,484
$ 3,872
1 Bed-Springs
1,300
1,353
1,000
5,000
3 Bakery and Confec'y
8,000
2,150
9,500
15,900
11 Carpenters ..
5,940
9,832
30,900
53,025
1 Carriage Works
3,000
2,000
4,000
7,500
1 Cigar-Maker
2,000
1,248
800
3,500
6 Coopers. .
4,300
9,720
3,140
26,575
1 Foundry and Mach.
8,000
4,800
7,500
14,000
1 Horse-Shoer.
100
1,100
500
1.700
1 Gas Works.
23,000
2,300
2,000
7,000
1 Mattress-Maker
1,000
800
1,200
2,500
2 Publishers and Printers
8,100
3,500
2,850
8,400
4 Painters and Glaziers.
1,775
5,700
11,300
19 400
1 Plumbing and Fitting.
3,000
1,500
2,800
2,500
3 Planing Mills.
70,500
21,548
50,925
88,346
2 Shingle Works.
700
1,250
1,600
3,100
5 Saddle and Harness.
7,700
3,006
11,400
21.600
1 Sheet Metal Work
1,000
3,600
7,000
12,000
3 Tinners
4,900
4,575
7 300
13 500
1 Merchant Tailor
4,000
1,560
4,000
7,500
2 Wagon-Makers ..
400
1,137
662
2,400
1 Blacksmith and Wagon.
300
1,000
1,000
3,000
1 Marble Works
1,500
6,000
3,000
10,000
1 Wool Carder
475
408
816
1,500
17 Tobacco Factories
498,158
55,606
440 529
537 445
5 Boots and Shoes.
2,400
4,785
5,632
12 032
1 Tannery .
2,000
2,600
12,600
25.007
1 Agric'l Implements.
7,500
3,120
3,750
8.778
3 Flour Mills.
39,000
7,957
92,028
125.340
3 Meat Packers ..
2,400
1,000
12,580
18,068
3 Brick Yards.
3,150
4,093
2,695
11,000
Properly to interpret the above, the usual allowance for the sin- gular, freakish defects of the census must be made.
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CHAPTER XVI. OWENSBORO, CONTINUED.
EDUCATIONAL.
Davies County Seminary .- The oldest school building in Owensboro is the southernmost brick structure of what is now the Upper Ward School. It was erected by Philip Thompson, in consideration of which a number of town lots were deeded to him by the trustees. The ground on which this house was built was originally donated to the town for school purposes. The institution was chartered about 1820. The most eminent teacher here in early day was probably George Scarborough, a relative of P. T. Watkins and a native of Massachusetts. He tanght school in this place about 1830 to 1840. On leaving here he sold a large collection of geo- logical specimens to parties in this place, for use in the public schools. He went to Kansas, and from there to New Jersey, where he at a recent date was still residing.
Owensboro Academy .- This was started in the old Daviess County Seminary building about 1853, by Professor H. P. Hart, assisted by Mr.Palmer. This was one of the best schools Owensboro ever had. After a few years Professor Hart was succeeded by H. M. Woodruff, who subsequently edited the Owensboro Monitor; and in 1857 Malcolm McIntyre was employed as assistant. Profes- sor Burke was instructor of languages; Professor Halbey, of music; and for a time Mrs. Lillie Singleton had charge of the female department. Geo. L. Reinhardt was also assistant for a time. Profs. Hart and Woodruff erected the second brick building joining north of the original one.
The great war put a stop to this school. Many prominent and talented men have been educated at this academy, among them Rice E. Graves, who was afterward educated at West Point, went into the Confederate army and was killed at Chickamauga; John C. Pegram; Amos R. Taylor, a lawyer of St. Louis; E. Rumsey Wing, Minister to Equador; Weir Wing, Lawrence Reid, Lemuel and Estill McHenry, Samuel Morton and others. Professor Hart went to Texas in 1872 or '3 and died there. His widow is now teaching
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in the public schools of Owensboro. Mr. Mcintyre is still here, in the revenue collector's office.
During the war thi- institution of learning flourished in Owens- boro, under the principal-hip of Colonel John H. Allen of Mary- land, a graduate of West Point Military Academy and an intelligent Christian teacher of eighteen years' experience. All the branches of a collegiate course were taught in this academy, including military drill. Trustees: S. M. Wing, President; W. B.Tyler, B. Bransford. D. M. Griffith, J. II. Branham, R. M. Hathaway and G. II. Yeaman.
School was kept in this building generally about ten months in the year during its long history.
Directly after the war the Baptists proposed to establish a col- lege in Owensboro, with a charter. Accordingly, Feb. 13, 1866, an act of the Legislature was approved, authorizing the following Board of Trustees, in behalf of the " Central Baptist Educational Society," to ocenpy the aforesaid property: Dr. J. F. Kimbley, C. R. Moorman, W. B. Tyler, J. M. Dawson, Rev. J. C. Maple, J. N. Peay, and Dr. Joseph Otis. This board was authorized to confer all literary degrees, as in the best institutions of learning.
Thus they obtained the premises, on condition that they would erect another building at a cost of $10,000. They erected the building and called Prof. J. H. Gray to open out the school. The Professor organized the institution as a male sehool, and conducted it successfully for five years. He was assisted at first by Dr. Otis, and afterward by Prof. Pointer. The attendance ranged from fifty to sixty, but during the last five months the pupils numbered about forty, and Prof. Gray was alone.
About this time the citizens of Owensboro made a move toward establishing free schools; and as the college was sustained princi- pally by local patronage, it ~ seen that it could not be kept up in competition with free schools, and the institution was therefore abandoned, and the building sold to the city.
Walker's School. -- Prof. W. G. Walker taught school for six or eight years, commeneing in the spring of 1862, in the boarding- house building on St. Aun street, afterward purchased by Mr. Bransford. Ile had as many as forty or fifty boarding pupils, be- sides about sixty from the city. It was a most flourishing school, but, under neglect, it gradually died.
Bransford Institute. - In the year 1862, Mr. Benjamin Brans- ford, for whom the institute was named1, purchased a lot and build-
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ing on St. Ann street, between Third and Fourth streets, then used ar a boarding school, and erecting by its side a two-story addition, opened a school for the use of the general public. The need of a properly conducted institution of this kind had long been felt in Owensboro, as there were no free schools in the State at that date, and parents were obliged to send their children to other cities where educational facilities were to be found. Mr. Bransford moved alone in this enterprise, and devoted much time and a small fortune to the furtherance of the project. The building erected for this purpose was 75 x 45 feet. The rooms were fitted up with the best improved furniture and modern appliances, purchased principally in New York. The building was dedicated on Christmas eve, 1862, and was on that occasion christened "Bransford Institute." It was chartered under the laws of the State of Kentucky. Prof. Wm. Marriner, of Lebanon University, was engaged as principal, the school remaining under his charge for three years. Rev. E. B. Grisman, M. A., of Memphis, succeeded him one year, followed by Prof. Armstrong two years. It was then presided over for two years by Mrs. Miller, wife of Rev. A. B. Miller. At the expira- tion of the last term, the city and county had adopted the free- school system, and the Institute was no longer a necessity. After the suspension of the Institute Mr. Bransford sold the property, the new building being purchased by the city and now in use as the city hall; and the older portion to Mr. Bl. Auer, who has turned it into a tenement house. Mr. Bransford expended nearly $35,000 in building and fitting up this school, and realized but about one- third that amount in the sale of the property afterward. While the school was in operation he turned it over to the respective prin- cipals, asking only that his children be educated there.
Daviess Academy .- This was taught, near the close of the war, by Rev. II. T. Morton, Principal, and Rev. J. C. Maple, Instructor in Mathematics.
Central Baptist College .- An association of Baptists, just after the close of the war, asked the Legislature to place the Owens- boro school building (now Upper Ward) under their control, for the purpose of making it the seat of a college.
The Vaughan Finale Institute, located on the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, was first organized under the direction and management of Mrs. E. Sne Phillips in 1868, and was chartered by the Kentucky Legislature under that name. N Phillips car- ried on the school successfully for several ye und was sne.
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ceeded by Prof. J. II. Gray, then by Prot. Win. Wines, and then by Prof. Thos. W. Mitchell, a minister. The school is now (1883) under the management of Mrs. M. F. Van Rensselaer and Mrs. M. E. Klinger, with a competent corps of teachers. The princi- pals of the school mentioned above have all been experienced teachers of long standing, and, by faithful and earnest work, have made the school a necessity to the city and neighborhood. In connection with the school is a boarding house, under the super- vision of the teachers, where pupils from a distance can find ample accommodations. The enrollment for the present year is over 100 pupils, with a present attendance of seventy-five. The English branches, bookkeeping, higher mathematics, draw- ing, painting, music, French and Latin are taught-the last men- tioned by Rev. B. D. Cockrill.
Owensboro Classical School .- This is taught by the veteran educator, Prof. J. H. Gray, in a frame building erected for the purpose, 18 x 32, on Bolivar street, between Fourth and Fifthi. Attendance about thirty-eight. Strict discipline. Thorough in- struction. "Excelsior" school furniture. Common and higher branches taught, including a complete collegiate course. Prof. Gray is personally well known to the Owensboro people, he hav- ing organized and successfully conducted the Baptist College, the Owensboro graded schools, etc., and having had thirty years' ex- perience as a teacher -- fifteen in a standard college.
The "American- German School Association" was chartered and organized in Jannary, 1863, for the purpose of instructing the German youth in all the common branches, including English. They employed two teachers most of the time, built a school-house in the upper part of town, and taught a flourishing school until about the time the free-schools were established in 1871. They supported their schools by subscription mostly; a small fund was drawn from the public treasury.
Business and Commercial Schools .- The principal teachers in this class of schools in Owensboro have been Dr. J. Otis, J. H. Crutcher, and Geo. W. Crutcher.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
March 13, 1871, an act of the State Legislature was approved constituting the city of Owensboro a school district, independent of the general school laws of the State. It places the public schools of the city under the control of a Board of Trustees, to be elected by
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the people, - three from each of the two wards, " To be elected for a period of two years, and at the same time and place that city coun- cilmen are elected. The peculiar features of the charter are, the re- quirement that the German language shall be taught, and that no colored pupils shall be admitted into these schools. The schools are to be supported by a special publie tax; but the trustees may issue bonds to the amount of $30,000, not exceeding ten per cent. This act was ratified by the citizens April 6, following. The ordi- mary "per capita" is drawn from the State fund. The first meeting of the trustees under the provisions of the foregoing charter was held the next evening, the Mayor, S. D. Kennady, ex officio President, when the Trustees elected were found to be, Dr. W. D. Stirman, John Wandling, Camden Riley, John Thixton, Philander Road and J. H. Branham. Dr. David Todd was appointed Censns Taker and J. H. Gray, Superintendent of Schools. Messrs. Wandling, Riley, Stirman and Read were appointed a committee to ascertain what property could be bonght for school purposes, and the probable cost of the same. The first Friday night of each month was fixed as the time for regular meetings.
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