USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 21
USA > Missouri > Chariton County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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PALMER HOUSE.
One of the largest, most costly and elegantly furnished hotels in Missouri, outside of the three largest cities of the State, is the Palmer house, at Glasgow.
On June 1, 1881, a joint stock company was formed, the shares being limited to $100 each, and taken up by forty-four original stock- holders, composed of J. P. Cunningham, J. J. Hawkins, Caples & Hawkins, John F. Lewis, J. M. Swinney, Strouse & Co., Dr. J. W. Hawkins, N. B. Weaver, R. B. Caples, Joseph C. Drake, R. S. Mc- Campbell, C. H. Southworth, T. W. Morehead, Wm. A. Meyers, George B. Harrison, Jos. Steadman, Thos. Shackelford, Yeaman & Bowen, John H. Turner, John Waleker, Jas. C. Collins, E. Poirier, T. M. Morgan, Philip Wahl, Major J. W. Lewis, Logan D. Dameron, Lehman & Miller, Jos. Steadman Jr., George Steinmetz, H. W. Coek- erill, J. W. Heryford, F. W. Heryford, C. Dautel, Joseph F. Hender- son, H. G. Gleyre, E. Poirier, J. F. Henderson, James S. Thompson. H. Clay Cockerill, Litman & Baer, Dr. James W. Southworth, Win. Wengler & Sons., Geiger & Winand, Thos. Biggs, and Henry S. Pritchett. The board of directors were Thomas Shackelford. J. S. Thompson, Major J. W. Lewis, John H. Turner, J. W. Heryford :
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officered as follows : Thomas Shackelford, president ; J. S. Thompson, vice-president and secretary ; J. W. Heryford, treasurer and superin- tendent. Work was commenced without delay, and the building was finished during the latter part of the year 1882.
THE BUILDING
fronts west on Main street, overlooking the Missouri river and a beautiful stretch of country on the Saline county shore, is built of brick, the main portion being four stories bigh, with handsome veran- das from second and third stories. The dimensions of the main building proper, are 54 × 135 feet, with an "L," 45 × 46 ; the main entrance being in the centre on Main street, with the ladies' entrance on the north and one on the south leading to the ladies' ordinary.
FIRST FLOOR.
Running the entire length of the centre of the building is a passage- way eleven feet wide, with fifteen feet ceiling: in this are located all the water and ga: pipes proper; it is also a means of ventilation. Front- ing on Main street, are six business rooms. To the rear of this hall and under the " L," is a roomy basement, where are located the Cole- man gas generator, the electric batteries, laundries, etc.
SECOND FLOOR
is reached by three different avenues ; north and south entrances, and by the main stairway in front fifteen feet wide. This stairway leads to the main hallway, running the entire length of the building, and is eleven feet wide and twelve feet in the clear. To the right of the entrance is located the office, which is supplied with an electric annunciator as well as speaking tubes. The office is 22 X 22 feet in dimensions. To the left of the entrance is a large reading-room, a ladies' parlor, and a ladies' reception room. To the cast across the hall are rooms en suite. To the south of this is the dining-hall 24 X 45 feet, with two en- trances. The ladies ordinary has a southern exposure, and also south entrances, size 15 × 35 feet. To the west and between the ordinary and main hallway are the sample-rooms.
THIRD FLOOR.
A large hall runs the entire length of the building; the north wing of the third story is set apart for the ladies and family use. In
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
the centre of main building is a large court way to a veranda in the front. Across the hall is a " drummer's room," which is large, with ante-rooms. The south wing in third story is taken up with single rooms.
FOURTH FLOOR
is used exclusively for sleeping apartments. The house is equipped with bath-rooms, hot and cold water, and the entire building is one which would be creditable to a much larger town or city.
PALMER HOUSE OPENING.
One of the most important events that ever occurred in the his- tory of the town was the opening of the Palmer house to the public, which took place on the 9th day of March, 1883. The Glasgow Journal, of March 16, 1883, said : --
As was anticipated, there was a large attendance at the opening of the Palmer house on Friday evening, some six hundred guests assem- bling in its spacious rooms, a large number of whom came from neigh- boring cities. The morning train on the Chicago and Alton railroad from the west brought in a number of guests, and still more came in on the night train. The evening trains on both roads were literally crowded.
The guests began assembling in the parlors soon after eight, and continued to pour in rapidly until eleven o'clock. Dancing began about nine, in the large dining-room which was reserved for the pur- pose, and continued until nearly daylight. The music wa- furnished by the Coates' opera house band of Kansas City. The ball-room proved of ample dimensions, ten and twelve sets occupying the floor at a time, and the dancers passed away the hours merrily.
The supper, prepared and served under the skilful direction of Mrs. Wilhite, was all that could be desired, and reflected credit upon the lady. As the large dining-room had been transformed for the time into a ball-room, it was necessary to use a smaller room, which would accommodate but sixty or seventy persons at a time. Some ten or a dozen tables were spread in all, but with care and skill, the changes were etlected rapidly and without confusion.
On every side we heard praises from the guests from abroad, and surprise at the size and elegance of the building. We may safely claim that no one was disappointed, and the expectations of the majority were greatly surpassed.
Much of the pleasure of the evening is to be attributed to the efficient work of the various committees, and especially to the ladies who were appointed to assist the reception committee. There was a sufficient number to see that none of the numerous guests were neg- lected, and none shirked their duty.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Altogether, we have never seen an entertainment of its size pass off' as pleasantly as did the opening Friday night. Our citizens endea- vored to make it as enjoyable as possible, and our guests seemed to appreciate their efforts.
It was impossible, of course, to obtain the names of half who were present, but among guests from neighboring towns we noticed S. C. Boyd, F. P. Sebree, A. J. Trigg, Leslie Orear, J. C. Patterson, editor of the Progress, Adolph Striker, R. V. Montague, D. Monta- gue, J. P. Strother and lady, S. Bachrach, II. Lowenstein, M. Hage- dorn, Misses Drusilla Hutchison, Cora Hutchison, Lizzie King, Russie Boyd, and Maud Striker, Marshall : F. H. Gilliam and lady, W. T. Swinney and lady, G. B. Porter and lady, Miss Katie Swinney, and Samuel Daniels, Gilliam ; 1. E. Rector and lady, C. Whit Williams, editor of the Index, Dr T. B. Carter, and Jonas Stern, Stater : A. J. Rodman, Wm. Walker, D. M. Willis, Chas. Harris, Ledru Silvey. Misses Pattie Woodson, Hattie Salisbury, Laura Eariekson, and Josie Wilson, Salisbury : N. B. Parks and lady, J. D. Butler and lady, A. C. Vandiver, editor of the Courier, and Dr. C. T. Holland, Keytes- ville ; Judge J. B. Hyde and lady, and Dr. T. E. Martin, Dalton : Miss Emma Heryford, A. J. Payton, and L. Swearinger, Forrest Green ; 1. N. Houck, editor of the Fayette Independent. W. A. Dudgeon and lady, S. B. Tolson, R. C. Clark and S. C. Major, Fayette : Mrs. E. R. Wav- land and daughter, Col. J. R. Richardson, and D. J. Briggs, Roanoke ; E. R. Lewis and lady. E. E. Samuels, E. Taylor, Huntsville : Wm. Me- Murray, and Henry Runkles, Mexico ; Mrs. J. A. Race and daughter, Moberly ; Chas. Dewey and sister, Kansas City ; C. A. Honaker and lady, Leadville ; J. R. Hawpe and lady, Shackelford ; Frank Massie, Kentucky; Misses L. and M. Walker, Pleasant Green, Cooper county.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Glasgow has a number of seeret orders. The Odd Fellows (the oldest ), the Masonic, A. O. U. W., K. of H .. K. of P., the German and Irish Benevolent Societies, and a lodge of Good Templars.
Morning Star Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F., organized in 1846. Charter members - Samuel Steinmetz, Thomas Davis, Ashley, Phi !- lip Foust, H. House. The charter was surrendered about the year 1872, and the lodge reorganized thereafter in 187 -.
Present officers - Lewis Littmann, N. G. ; George Binks, V. G. ; W. A. Smith, secretary ; A. C. Gillies, treasurer ; A. B. Southworth, D. G. M.
Livingston Lodge No. 51, A. F. and A. M., organized October 12. 1876. Charter members - Chas. H. Lewis, G. W. Morehead, John H. Turner, Jr., and others whose names could not be obtained.
First officers - J. W. Norris, W. M. ; John Seibe, S. D. ; T. W. Morehead, S. W. : Wm. Turner, J. D. ; T. W. Morgan, J. W. : J. 16
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
J. Hawkins, S. S .: C. F. Mason, treasurer ; W. T. Maupin, J. S. ; J. C. Cunningham, secretary ; Jacob Essig, tyler ; J. O. Swinney, chaplain.
Present offieers -J. II. Turner, W. M. ; John E. Pritchett, S. D. ; Daniel Langfeld, S. W .: John Scibe, J. D .: J. H. Turner. Jr., J. W. ; James O. Swinney, chaplain ; Thos. G. Digges, treasurer : R. R. Turner, tyler ; J. II. Wayland, secretary.
Knights of Pythias -charter granted Ivanhoe Lodge No. 31 January 26, 1874. Charter meinbers - I. and Clay Cockerill, Monte Lehman, C. W. Vaughan, James R. Donohoe, A. B. Southworth, James W. Eastin, John Chamberlain, A. C. Feazel, P. R. Sears, Frank Porier, W. W. Cockerill, George D. Eastin, Clarence South- worth, P. Baier, Jr., R. F. Ramord, E. Anderson, Wm. Lehman, E. L. Steinmetz, James O. Finks, I. and G. Gleyre, C. T. Holland, J. B. Lewis.
Present officers - A. C. Gillies, P. C .; A. Littman, C. C. : C. G. Miller, V. C .; L. Littman, P. ; J. S. Henderson, K. R. and S. ; M. Lehinan, M. of F. ; E. A. Wengler, M. of Ex. ; Abe Strouse, M. of A. ; L. Bowler, I. G. : Jos. R. Stettmund, O. G.
Meet every Thursday. Endowment rank meet once per month. Forty-nine members.
Knights of Honor - Golden Lodge 2051. Charter members - T. E. Birch, Jr., John H. Bowen, John W. Cox, James C. Collins, H. C. Grove, A. W. Hutchison, John W. Hawkins, O. M. Harrison, J. C. Hall, A. R. Johnson, G. F. Kuemmel, J. C. Marr, T. A. Mere- dith, George Phipps, J. M. Swinney, A. Steckling, W. N. Wiekes, S. M. Yeaman. W. Pope Yeaman, D. L. Stevenson.
Officers - H. C. Grove, dictator ; A. R. Johnson, vice-dictator ; T. E. Birch, Jr., reporter; A. W. Hutchison, financial reporter ; George Phipps, treasurer.
A. O. U. W. - Glasgow Lodge No. 112 ; charter members - Louis M. Rall, Larkin Garnett, Max Keller, Wm. A. Smith, H. G Gleyre, Theo. E. Osborne, B. C. Weiler, Thos. H. Wilson, Geo. W. Penn, Jas. C. Hall, J. W. Wright, M. B. Collins, J. S. Henderson, R. B. Mellhany, D. L. Stevenson, R. T. Bond, W. II. Tatum, G. F. Kemmel, Monte Lehman, T. Berry Smith.
Officers - Dr. M. B. Collins, P. M. W. ; Geo. F. Keummel, M. W. ; Geo. W. Jones, Foreman ; Thos. E. Birch, Jr., O. ; Jos. S. Henderson, recorder ; Gustav Rall, Rec. ; Wm. Lutz, Fin. ; M. Lehman, guide; S. H. Trowbridge, I. W. ; J. C. Collins, O. W.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
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EARLY SCHOOLS.
One among the first schools kept in the town of Glasgow, was opened by Rev. Charles D. Simpson, an Old-School Presbyterian min- ister. This was between the years 1840 and 1843. The most impor- tant school up to 1850, was known as the Glasgow female seminary. The building - a large, handsome brick which cost $3,600 - is still standing on the brow of the hill. It was erected in 1848-49, with Odd Fellows hall in the second story. The first principal of the school was Rev. A. B. Frazier, who was succeeded by Revs. George S. Savage and French Strother, and others. The building is now unoccupied. The boarding-house connected with the seminary is a large brick building. It was erected in 1852, and cost $3,500.
PRITCHETT SCHOOL INSTITUTE.
The collegiate school, known as Pritchett school institute, owes its origin solely to the enterprise and benevolence of Rev. James O. Swinney. The year 1865, following on the close of the great civil war, found the country sadly in want of the means of academic and collegiate education. It was to aid in meeting this want that this school was inaugurated. It was begun in the autumn of 1866, aud for several years was conducted in the building known as the Glasgow female seminary and Odd Fellows' hall. This building and the ad- jacent grounds and buildings were secured for it by the influence and at the sole cost of Mr. Swinney. The original plan and aims of the school will be best learned from its first published circular - a liberal extract from which is the subjoined : -
This new school for youth of both sexes, begins its first session Mon- day, September 17, 1866. For nearly twenty years the principal has been an earnest laborer in the cause of education in central Missouri. Relying on his extensive acquaintance, he submits to the appreciative communities of the State some of the claims of his school to their confidence and patronage :
1. Its permanency. - To make it permanent, and to begin a found- ation for present and future usefulness, Rev. J. O. Swinney has gen- erously donated to it $20,000 in endowment and school property. The principal, assisted by instructors of thorough competency, expects to devote to it the best energies of his remaining life. The hope is cherished not only by himself but by his generous friends, that it will be, not only an institution of blessing to the present generation, but one to increase in resources and usefulness for generations to come.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
2. Accommodations. - The school building is amply commodious for the number of pupils to be received, is eligibly situated, and is to be fitted and furnished in superior style.
3. School Plan. - It aims to combine the advantages both of the grammar school and college. The instructions comprise, ( 1) English language and literature; (2) mathematics ; (3) ancient classics ; (4) modern languages ; (5) natural science : (6) metaphysics and moral philosophy ; (7) logic, rhetoric, and political economy ; (8) instrumental and vocal music. As soon as a charter is obtained a detailed course of study will be published. That large class of pu- pils who are in elective studies can receive certificates for such branches as they complete; and the smaller number, who aspire to a a full, collegiate course, can here receive, when they are earned, all the customary school honors.
4. Admission. - We neither seek a large school nor crowded classes; hence no scholar will be received who has not attained the entrance grade. This will insure the students, (1) proper classification : (2) systematie study ; (3) ample time to learn and recite.
5. Order and Emulation. - We reckon it a recommendation to our school that it places boys and girls in such relation to each other as to afford an opportunity for the most refined emulation, in learning and manners.
6. Discipline. - This is to be firm but mild and uniform. We desire no pupil who is not disposed to yield a ready obedience to the internal and external regulations of the school. The discipline respects these three circumstances: (1) attendance; (2) conduct; (3) scholarship. Daily records of them are kept. Students who be -. come refractory, or even indifferent, to their daily record are quietly dismissed. Both for teachers and pupils our motto will be that of a celebrated English school, Doce, Disce, aut Discedi ; Teach, Learn, or Leave.
7. Special Instruction. - Young gentlemen, or ladies, who wish to pursue special branches of higher mathematics, mechanics, or astronomy, can find no more liberal assistance in the west than we can afford them. We expect, as soon as practicable, to furnish our school with the more important picees of philosophic apparatus, and with astronomical instruments adequate to useful observation in the problem of spherical astronomy.
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8. Location. - The school site commands one of the most exten- sive views of water, woodland and prairie scenery, to be enjoyed in the state. The situation of Glasgow is pre-eminently healthy ; and the society for refinement, social and religious culture is unsurpassed in Missouri.
TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.
Ours is a Christian, but not a denominational school. In it the
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Holy Scriptures are to be daily read, and exercises of devotion con- ducted. While we cultivate the intellect we would direct the spirit to the higher life and destiny. While training the mind we would not forget the heart. While we earn our daily bread in the toil of the teachers' vocation, we are conscious of higher motives than ten- poral advantage. We desire your hearty co-operation, first, in seeur- ing the regular attendance of your children ; second, in influencing their manners and application.
For particulars apply to the principal, or to Rev. J. O. Swinney. CARR W. PRITCHETT. Principal.
In the year 1867, the school acquired a corporate existence under the general act of incorporation. By its charter, its property and general management is vested in a board of trustees, consisting at first of three, and afterwards of five and seven persons. It is neces- sary for them to be men of family, and residents in the vicinity of Glasgow. By its fundamental law it is forever to be a Christian, but not a denominational school, and to be open alike to youth of both sexes. The president is the only official chosen directly by the trustees. He has committed to him the entire responsibility of selecting assistants, arranging the course of study, selection of text- books, administration of discipline, graduation of pupils, etc. The president is strictly responsible to the trustees, and all other teachers are responsible directly and solely to him. In the first year of its exis- tence the school had 146 pupils, and it became evident that the building and grounds were too contracted for its wants. A fine lot of ground on the eastern limits of Glasgow, consisting of seven acres, was pro- cured, at the cost of Mr. Swinney, for $3,000. On this the present com- modious building was erected. at a cost of about $20,000, all of which was furnished by Mr. Swinney, except a donation of $5,000 from Mr. Richard Earickson, now deceased. The building is of brick, three stories high, and has a metallic roof. It is 65 X 55 feet, and has ample halls, a chapel, and numerous rooms for lectures, recitations, laboratories and museum. Two hundred pupils can find ample accom- modation within its walls. Into this building the school was removed in the autumn of 1869, and the building in town was sold to Lewis col- lege. The school remained under the sole management of Mr. Pritchett for seven years, till the elose of the scholastic year 1872-73. The suc- cessor of Mr. Pritchett in the presidency of the institute, was Prof. Oren Root, Jr., who held the position for three consecutive years, till the close of the scholastic year 1876-77. He was succeeded by Rev. R. T. Bond, who held the position for the next four years -
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
till the close of the scholastic year 1880-81. Rev. Joseph H. Pritchett, was then elected president, and has now held the position two years.
Previously to 1874, in order to maintain the high standard of instruction, for which the president was solely and pecuniarily re- sponsible, several gentlemen of Glasgow made liberal annual con- tributions ; and it is the special wish of Mr. Pritchett, to transmit to the future, the names of James O. Swiuney, John Harrison, Thomas E. Birch, Sr., Richard Erickson, Thomas Shackelford, Mrs. Lucy A. Swinney, Mrs. Eleanor Lewis, L. F. Hayden, John F. Lewis, and Geo. B. Harrison, as contributors to an annual fund, which enabled him without an endowment, to maintain a collegiate school.
In 1874, the institution received a great impulse by the magniti- ceut donation of $50,000, from Miss Berenice Morrison. This sum, together with other vested endowments, now amounts to nearly $60,000, the annual interest of which, in addition to tuition, consti- tutes the income of the institute.
The patronage and comparative success of the school has varied in different years ; but in all this time a steady growth has been main- tained ; and to-day in its appointments and facilities for thorough academic and collegiate instruction, it holds a high rank among the colleges of Missouri. While it has steadily aimed to produce scholars rather than graduates; yet more than forty young ladies, and fifteen young men have received their diplomas here, many of whom are now in positions of honorable trust ; and all in positions of useful- ness.
In addition to the original school property, the trustees have lately purchased the residence and grounds formerly owned by Mr. Pritchett. This property, joined with the adjacent grounds and build- ings, constitutes the whole, one of the most valuable school proper- ties in central Missouri.
MORRISON OBSERVATORY.
In connection with the endowment of $50,000, made to Pritchett school institute, Miss Morrison made an additional donation of $50,000 to found and endow an astronomical observatory. This fund and the acquired property, is under the control of the same persons as trustees, who for the time are trustees of Pritchett school institute. But the trusteeship of the observatory is a separately acquired investiture - pertains to the same persons, but not as a part of the original trust, but for a distinct trust and purpose.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
In 1874, Miss Morrison, then in Europe, in her own name author- ized and empowered Prof. C. W. Pritchett, to proceed at once to erect and equip an astronomical observatory - subject to the direc- tion, in certain particulars, of her legal representative, Rev. J. O. Swinney. In the execution of this work, - the selection of site, the ereetion of building, the selection, purchase, transporta- tion and mounting of instruments, - Mr. Pritchett had the generous and hearty co-operation of Mr. Swinney. The building was erected in 1875, on a lot of ground one and a half miles east of. Glasgow, especially donated for this purpose by II. Clay Cockerill and John F. Lewis. Its geographic position is 1 hr. 3 m. 5.93 see., west of the dome of the United States naval observatory, Washing- ton, and in latitude 39', 16', 16.75", north. The building consists first of the equatorial room and tower on the east. It is of brick, with very massive walls, carried up from a depth of ten feet below the surface. In the centre is the great pier for the equatorial -twelve by twelve feet at base, twelve feet below the surface. This building is surmounted by a hemis- pherical dome, and metallie roof and shutters. The dome is made to revolve by a system of gearing and wheel-work on six spher- ical balls of gun metal, which roll in a groove between two sets of iron plates - the lower set firmly attached to the heavy limestone capping of the tower, and the upper to the heavy sill of the dome. The metallic shutters. in four sections, are raised and lowered by an end- less chain connected with a system of pulleys. Beneath this dome is mounted the splendid equatorial, by Alvan Clark & Sons, mounted in December, 1875. It is twelve and one-fourth inches clear aperture of objective and seventeen feet focal length.
Directly west of the equatorial-room and attached to it is the room for the meridian circle, collimator and sidereal elock. All these instruments are mounted on heavy insulated pins of solid masonry, extending ten feet below the surface. The meridian circle is by Wough ton & Simms, London - six inches clear aperture of objective and seven feet focus with twenty-four inch circles, reading to single seconds by eight microscopes. The sidereal clock is by Frodsham, London. West of the transit circle-room is the library and work-room. Here is stored a very valuable astronomical library and various minor instru- ments, - the telegraphie instruments and electric chronograph. The chronograph is used for recording observations by electro-magnetism. and the telegraph is chiefly used for sending out time signals from the standard clock. The cost of building and instruments was about $25,000.
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The main object of the observatory is to make exact and system- atic observations of the heavenly bodies, and to reduce, record and publish them. For the last seven years, in despite of its small annual income, it has done a large amount of work, much of which is of per- manent value. Many of its observations have been published in the scientific journals of Europe, and a much larger number awaits publi- cation in a more suitable form. Part of this time, Mr. Pritchett was assisted by his son, Prof. Henry S. Pritchett, now professor of mathe- .maties and astronomy in Washington university, St. Louis. He now has the assistance of his youngest son, C. W. Pritchett, Jr.
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