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THAT OUR DAUGHTERS MAY BE AS
THE POLISHED CORNERS OF THE TEMPLE
FIDES
FORTITUDO
SCIENTIA
1863-64 1913-14
373.1 Po.
ST. CLARE'S CONVENT
EN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01792 2995
GENEALOGY 978.202 OM1BH
Florena Davis
Historical Sketch of Brommell Hall
1863-64 - 1913-14
373.7 Po.
RT. REV. JOSEPH CRUICKSHANK TALBOT, D. D.
FOREWORD
This little Historical Sketch of Brownell Hall is written with the hope that it may prove inter- esting to all pupils and patrons, and that the record of the school's struggles and accom- plishments will give renewed courage and faith to those who now are responsible for its success and welfare.
In the life of a school, one cannot expect to find all smooth sailing, but the happy days and brilliant successes so far outnumber the dark days and miserable failures that we gladly for- get the latter, and dwell only on that part which is pleasant and profitable.
Many of the records have been lost, but by dint of much letter-writing and careful com- parison of court house records, old news- papers, old catalogues and the secretary's book belonging to "The Board of Trustees," we have gathered the important facts contained in this book.
Much of the life and the incidents narrated are personal recollections of the writer.
The work was undertaken at the request of The Alumnae Association, but so great has been the enjoyment of the task that the duty has be- come a privilege and the sketch is offered as a tribute of loving gratitude and loyal devotion.
FANNY M. CLARK POTTER, '73.
Historical Sketch of Brownell Fall
PIONEER STAGE 1863-64-1868-69
T HE FIFTY YEARS of the life of Brownell Hall divides itself naturally into four periods: first, the Pioneer Stage; second, the period when Bishop Clarkson was the actual head and guiding spirit; third, Dr. Doherty's incumbency ; fourth, the Modern School.
Like joys that attend birth, or sorrows that attend death, Pioneer Life is not to be understood save by those who have had per- sonal experience, but in recalling the sur- roundings and conditions of Omaha fifty years ago, one may get an idea of the nature and fiber of those first citizens, heroes and heroines all of them, and of the difficulties attending the conducting of a Girls' Boarding School.
When in 1860 Rev. Joseph C. Talbot was con- secrated Bishop of the Northwest, he chose Ne- braska City for his residence. He found three parishes and three clergy in Nebraska Terri- tory. Nebraska City was a point where the Government had maintained a ferry and a fort. The former was now in private hands and the latter (Fort Kearney) had been moved farther west on the Platte river, but still there was a
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BROWNELL HALL
large amount of freighting going on and Ne- braska City was a thriving town. Instead of being a few square blocks of buildings set down on a prairie without a tree, as is the case with many a Nebraska town, it was a settlement of well-built houses, situated on a heavily wooded bench of land on the west bank of the Missouri River, a really beautiful and attractive town. The little church, still in use, was there, built on part of the site of old Fort Kearney, and the Bishop found delightful people and pleasant surroundings awaiting him and he maintained his home in Nebraska City as long as he re- mained in the District.
Bishop Talbot saw at once that next to the ministrations of the Church, his new Diocese, or District, as it was then, needed Christian education, and he found almost immediately an ideal opening for a Girls' Boarding School at Saratoga Springs, three miles north of Omaha.
In the old Exposition grounds there is a min- eral spring, also one in Miller Park, and at the foot of the bluffs east of these points are three or four, possibly more. The sulphur spring at the foot of Spencer Street is the one best known to old Omahans, and the one at the foot of Grand Avenue, now in Mr. Rome Miller's grounds, is the one most frequented by old Brownell Hall girls, it being the one nearest the school.
In 1859 an enterprising group of men thought that there might be built in this neighborhood a
BROWNELL HALL, 1863-1868, TWENTY-FOURTH AND GRAND AVENUE.
3
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BROWNELL HALL
second "Saratoga Springs." They accordingly formed a company, bought the land, planned and organized the town of "Saratoga Springs," and built a hotel on the main street, now 24th. The hotel was located at 24th Street and Grand Avenue, and was conducted by Mr. George Stevens, landlord. But as a summer resort this was not a paying investment, and after one sea- son the hotel was closed, and in 1861 Bishop Talbot bought the property for $3500 for his school.
As a large part of the purchase money came from Connecticut, the school was named in honor of its Bishop "Brownell" Hall. It was two years after the purchase before the Bishop could finance the undertaking, so the school was not opened until September 17, 1863, Omaha then only six years old.
At this time Nebraska was still a Territory, Omaha its Capital. There were no graded schools, no high school, no railroads, no tele- graphs, no telephones. Mail was carried by coach, buckboard or horseback. There were no pavements, no sidewalks, no electricity, no gas, no coal, no water system, no sewer system, no sewing machines, no washing machines, no laun- dries and no servants. We were in the midst of a terrible civil war and had hostile Indians all around us. Truly great faith and courage were required to shape and build in the midst of so much danger and inconvenience. Settlers in their mutual dependence upon each other were
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brought very close together, and friendships that were formed then have been deep and life- long, and pioneers, both men and women, tell us that they have never been happier than they were in those first years.
At the school the young ladies were not al- lowed to go down to the Springs excepting in groups, for fear of Indians, the foot of the bluffs being their favorite camping ground, and after a murderer had been hanged on a tree near one of the springs the young ladies decided for themselves that they preferred not to go there at all.
No pupil was allowed to go away from the yard alone on account of the Indians. Once when a couple of little girls wanted to do some- thing very daring, they slipped off to the west two or three blocks, without permission, to gather wild strawberries. They could not go to the kitchen for spoons and sauce-dishes for fear of being found out in their disobedience, so passed the berries around in soap dishes, but when the older girls reminded them that the snakes were plentiful out in that tall grass, the naughty little girls wandered away no more.
With apples $15 per barrel, none being grown in Nebraska yet, and oranges and bananas peaches and pears unknown, one can imagine how precious the wild fruit, strawberries, rasp- berries and plums, were. Dried apple sauce, dried cherries, stewed currants, prunes and dried peaches were luxuries, and one could only
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BROWNELL HALL
get a supply when boats came up the river. Sugar was bought by the barrel, coffee in gunny- sacks, tea in large chests, dried fruit by the barrel. There was plenty of fresh meat, plenty of chickens, quail, prairie chickens, venison wild duck and some wild turkeys, and plenty of butter and eggs. The Hall had its own cows for milk and cream. The tuition, $200, was sometimes paid in wood and "country produce."
Wood stoves supplied heat and candles and coal-oil lamps provided light. When the school was illuminated at the "taking of Richmond," a half candle was used for every pane of glass, bonfires were made of all the timber the girls could carry from the ravine nearby. Girls who sympathized with the South promenaded in their white dresses and red sashes (no blue) up and down the road as far as possible from sight and sound of the celebration. This was June, 1865.
We copy from the Weekly Nebraskian of Sep- tember 18, 1863:
"OPENING OF BROWNELL HALL.
"We witnessed yesterday the opening exer- cises of Brownell Hall, the new Episcopal Semi- nary, about three miles north of the city of Omaha.
"The Institution, we are happy to state, com- mences under the most favorable auspices. It has an able faculty, consisting of the following
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named persons : Rev. O. C. Dake, A. M., Princi- pal; Miss Helen M. Liddiard, Miss M. Louise Gillmore, assistant; Miss Sarah J. Miser, Mu- sic Teacher, and is placed, we believe, upon a sound financial basis. The present buildings have thirty-four rooms and can accommodate thirty boarders. There is every prospect that this number will be obtained in a few weeks. The following young ladies came up from Ne- braska City on the "Emilie" to attend the seminary : Misses Taylor, Cleveland, Boul- ware, Robb and Stephenson. The number from the city, attending, will, of course, be large."
The school then opened September 17, 1863, with pupils from Nebraska City and vicinity, Bellevue, Omaha, Florence, Fontanelle and De- catur, forty in all. In the pupils' rooms double beds accommodating two pupils, a little wood stove, bureau and washstand and two chairs completed the furnishings. The Bishop's wife, Mrs. Talbot, and the Omaha ladies had spent much time and care in providing the linen and arranging the furniture of the school. Nothing was thought of having to break a thick coating of ice in the water pitcher in the morning, to get water to perform the morning ablutions.
Little girls wore circle combs with the hair "bobbed." The older girls wore braids either coiled at the back or around the head. Hoop- skirts, full dresses, undersleeves and lace col- lars, turbans and nubias were in style. Some- times pupils came from Nebraska City by boat.
REV. O. C. DRAKE
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BROWNELL HALL
Pupils came from other towns either in private carriages, lumber wagons or in stage coaches, and only went home vacations, but many from Omaha were day pupils, or weekly boarders, and went back and forth to and from home, school and church in an omnibus, though later the school owned its own "hack," nicknamed "Black Maria."
The school year lasted ten months, giving two short months' vacation in summer and two short weeks at Christmas time in winter, and the long terms of faithful drill and study re- sulted in thorough work.
Rev. O. C. Dake, then Rector of Trinity Par- ish, was the first Principal and Rector. His head teacher was Miss M. Louise Gillmore, who was especially interested because of the advan- tages the school afforded for her young sister, Mrs. Hattie Gillmore Hough, the first boarder entered. Miss Miser was the first music teacher, and Miss Root the second. Look at the well- known picture of Evangeline and you will see Miss Root perfectly. Miss Helen Liddiard, a member of the Bishop's family in Nebraska City, was the matron. Thus was Brownell Hall launched amidst the hopes and prayers of all the best people in Nebraska.
At Christmas Rev. Mr. Dake resigned and Bishop Talbot sent Rev. Isaac Hagar, then in Nebraska City, to take the Rectorship. He and Miss Liddiard, having been engaged, were im- mediately married, but Mrs. Hagar became ill
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BROWNELL HALL
and died only a few weeks after their marriage, February 28th. After her burial in Nebraska City, Mr. Hagar continued his labors at the Hall faithfully until the end of the year, and pre- sented the first class for confirmation, consist- ing of Miss Ophelia Taylor, Miss Elizabeth May Davis and Miss Elizabeth Stillman Arnold.
In September, 1864, the Bishop secured the services of Rev. Samuel Hermann of Hartford, Conn., who remained until February, 1869.
In 1867 Mr. Hermann started a branch school for day pupils, first in the old State House, but as soon as the building was ready, moved it to Dodge Street between 14th and 15th, then "250 Dodge Street." The reports and records of this branch were all kept separately and it was discontinued when the new building was opened.
In all this time Miss Gillmore stands pre- eminent as a teacher, and in that first year, when the Rector resigned, and the matron died, the school would undoubtedly have been obliged to close its doors but for her.
Mr. Hermann had high ideals for woman's education, and made Latin and either French or German requirements for graduation. So firm- ly was this rule enforced that Mrs. Hattie Dakin MacMurphy, who was in the first Senior Class, was not allowed her diploma, because she was half a year short in Latin. He installed a course of study which is even now a college prepara-
REV. ISAAC HAGAR
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BROWNELL HALL
tory course. All this before there were any colleges for women, save Vassar only, which was just starting and had not yet graduated its first class. Mr. Hermann was much interested in Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, and brought to Brownell Hall and Omaha the first demonstration of the power of Electricity. A favorite amusement at the Friday evening "Socials" was showing "the spark" and ar- ranging guests in a ring and giving all a "shock." Miss Catherine Wolfe of New York gave an excellent working Library of 1000 vol- umes. Music, both vocal and piano, were taught from the first.
From Mr. Hermann's advent in September, 1864, there follow four years of faithful work, and the first class was graduated July 10, 1868. There were two in this class, Mrs. Helen Ingalls Drake and Mrs. Helen Hoyt Burr, two as noble women as ever graced Nebraska's soil. We bow our heads in respect and veneration to their ability and many Christian virtues.
At the close of this year Miss Gillmore re- signed, but she had carried her entering class clear through to graduation, and this "First Commencement in Nebraska" must have been a proud day in her life.
The following is the Omaha Herald's account of the First Commencement in Nebraska, July 10, 1868, which completes the "Pioneer Period."
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BROWNELL HALL
"BROWNELL HALL.
"A large concourse of our citizens, parents and friends of pupils attended the closing exer- cises of the session of this popular educational institute on last Friday. The proceedings opened with a prayer, after which the opening chorus was rendered with a very harmonious and pleasing effect by the young ladies of the seminary. Next was a duet polka by the Misses Nellie Clarkson [now Mrs. Fred Davis] and Morton.
"Music, Mazurka, by Miss Libbie Poppleton [now Mrs. Shannon ].
"Song, 'Something Sweet to Tell You,' by little Jennie Morrison.
"Music, 'Andes,' Miss Helen Ingalls [later Mrs. Drake].
"Reading of the Chimes by Miss Penfield, editress.
"Music, 'Fra Diavola,' quartet, Misses Ingalls, Jordan, Poppleton and White.
"Reading reports and awarding of prizes.
"The first prize, consisting of $30, was awarded to Miss Helen M. Ingalls, who attained the highest rank in scholarship. Her rival con- testant for the prize was Miss Helen Hoyt, whose scholarship being but a fraction inferior to that of Miss Ingalls, the latter, with an ele- vated Christian dignity and appreciation of the merits of her schoolmate, requested the rector to divide the prize with her schoolmate and graduate, which was done in a few happy and appropriate remarks by the rector.
"Miss Ingalls then read the "Valedictory of the Class of 1868."
MISS M. LOUISE GILLMORE
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BROWNELL HALL
(A model composition which lack of space alone prevents reproducing here.)
"Second prize-The Clarkson gold medal, established in 1867-was awarded to Miss Anna Barkalow, who attained the highest rank in at- tendance and deportment. After the award of premiums, Miss Minnie Jordan (now Mrs. Na- than Shelton), favored the audience with the beautiful ballad, 'The Lost Smile.'
"Song and duet, 'In the Star Light,' by the young Misses Poppleton and Sears.
"Music, quartet, by Misses Jordan, Ingalls and Clarkson.
"Bishop Clarkson then addressed the pupils in a few brief but appropriate remarks, which were listened to with great interest by every one present. The closing chorus was then ren- dered, and a closing prayer, after which those in attendance dispersed highly pleased with the day's proceedings, and congratulating Profes- sor Hermann on the rapid progress made by the pupils under his charge."
MRS. HELEN INGALLS DRAKE
NOTE.
To our schoolmate, Mrs. Harriet Dakin MacMurphy, who was a member of the first Senior Class, we are deeply indebted for the following account of "The Chimes." We insert it in full because her account as a con- tributor, and the series of articles from the very pupils themselves, give us a view of the school life at the Hall which can be obtained in no other way. These articles were copied from "The Chimes" which are in the custody of the Principal of Brownell Hall .- F. M .P.
THE CHIMES.
"One pleasant feature of those years, and among the first to which old pupils refer was the publication of "The Chimes," the school paper, which appeared every two weeks.
Rev. George C. Betts assisted in the prepara- tion of the title page of "The Chimes" and pro- duced some really artistic work. One of the first numbers has a sketch of a belfry, grim and old, surmounted by a cross, the swallows cir- cling and skimming about it. The words "Chimes from the" in fancy letters above the picture of the belfry completes the title. The title pages, except in this and one other instance, have simply the name "The Chimes." The other instance has rose sprays gracefully grouped about Chimes from the Belle-fry (spelled B-e-1-1-e F-r-y.) This title page, if I mistake not, was the work of Miss Hattie Wiley, whose name appears as one of the editresses. Two of the young ladies (sometimes only one), taking this office for each number. Miss Gill- more being Editor-in-Chief.
The first, or editorial page of the first volume was always headed "Chimes from the Belle- fry." Subsequent volumes abbreviated to "The Chimes." Some of the signatures affixed to the ambitious effusions of these Belle-fry, (chosen at random) are "Little Bell, Betsey Jane Mc- Cracken, Norah O'Flannigan, Bridget Maloney,
MRS. HARRIET MACMURPILY
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BROWNELL HALL
Winnie, Nellie Bly, Peggie Grunt, Mademoiselle Cottonwood, Mollie Ford, The Peasant Girl, Sibby Stump, Peggie Miranda, Millie Maud, Wild Bird, Fire Fly, Ecila Renraw (the young ladies name spelled backward), Dr. Vernon, Rachel Barker, Annette, Mysie Marvin, Elsie Ervin, Minnie Loyal, Count D'Eslone, Romp- ing Rose, Aunt Miranda, Madge, Lieut. Harrie Rosebud, Countess D'Eslone, Vivian & Co., Nemo, Amy Frasier, Dido, Gypsey, Aunt Kate, Fairy Bell, Rhea, Eloise, Sweet-brier, Zeuobia, Lada, Naida, Cecil Kenilworth, Etc.
The first number is unfortunately missing, so I cannot give the Salutatory, and while the earliest one I can find purports to be Vol. 1, No. 2, its Editressial (as they termed it) says, "It is a sad feeling with which we commence a new volume of the 'Chimes,'" from which may be inferred the fact that there had been issues of the paper during the previous and first term, perhaps irregularly, and only for a few weeks, so the volume proper was begun with the open- ing of the second term. This number is dated March 11, 1864, with Misses Keyes and Evans, Editresses, and chronicles the death of Mrs. Hagar.
Listen to some of the Chimes which sounded on the ear from their pages, as rung by some sweet voiced "Brownell Belle" for the ears of the rest :
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Stilling quickly all commotion, Calling all to sweet devotion, Blessed Bells!
Hear the ringing of the Bells! Eating Bells!
How the fairies scramble, splutter!
Rushing each for bread and butter!
School-girls love to hear the sound, At its note their spirits bound, Welcome Bells! Tones suggestive, full of meaning, Calling all to table, gleaming, Cheerful Bells.
Hear the tinkling of the bells. Study Bells,
Calling all to books and study,
Calling fiercely, yes, and loudly !
School-girls dread to hear its tone, At its sound their spirits moan, Dreadful Bells! Ah how vainly they endeavor Now to study, now or never, Fearful Bells.
Hear the clanging of those bells, Retiring Bells.
Hurry fairies, beauties, sprites!
Hurry to put out your lights!
Listen! Hear those loud commands! The bells are in determined hands, Scolding Bells! Hush ye maidens without number To a calm and peaceful slumber, Good-night Bells!
Hear the sobbing of the bells, Parting Bells. How they weep and wail and moan, A world of sadness in their tone. "No more service now," they say, "All are going far away," Sighing Bells. Now a long and sad farewell To our much loved, dear Brownell, Good-bye Bells.
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BROWNELL HALL
Here are some of the conundrums which ap- peared in its pages, referring to names of pupils or faculty :
"Why is one of the young ladies of Brownell Hall more to be admired for her virtues than Moses ? Because she is 'Meeker.' "
"Why alas! is one of the sweetest girls in school liable to arrest? Because she is (A. Robb-)er."
"Why is our music teacher the vital part of the faculty of Brownell Hall? Because she is the Root."
"Why are certain two young ladies of the Hall, who are devoted to the study of Mathe- matics regarded as the oracles of their class? Because they are Key (e)s."
"Why is our teacher of Mathematics like the rising bell? She is 'A. Warner.' "
A poem entitled "Lines to the Ladies of Brownell," evidently written by an absent friend, has for the last two stanzas :
Would that my steps could reach it, That happy flowery strand, For all my heart's afflictions Would cease in that fairy land.
Oft in my dreams I see them, Gay Brownell's inmates fair, But with daylight's early glimmer They vanish into air.
The editorial of October 7, 1865, contains the following :
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BROWNELL HALL
"Saturday evening last two large boxes ar- rived for Brownell and had you been there you would have been charmed by the excitement, for it was ascertained that they contained books donated by a New York lady to Brownell Hall. They were also reminders of our Rector's zeal in behalf of the Hall. Could the donor have wit- nessed the delight of teachers and scholars when each set of works was mentioned, the exclama- tions 'Oh, how nice! How beautiful! What grand times we'll have reading!'-the recogni- tion of some familiar author and the like, she would have been almost repaid for her kindness without hearing the gratitude that was ex- pressed."
Here is another poem, too good to leave in oblivion. Coming upon it the writing looked very familiar; a second look recognized my own girlish tracks, and as I read, recollection came back to me of the curiosity excited at the time by the poem among the pupils. It was never known certainly who did write it, but the authorship was generally ascribed to Mr. Betts :
I am
A married lady of thirty-odd.
Every evening I see in their beds
A baker's dozen of curly heads.
Every morning my slumbers greet The patter, patter of twenty-six feet.
Thirteen little heads and all in a flutter
Till thirteen little mouths are filled with bread and butter,
Thirteen little tongues are busy all day long,
And thirteen little hands doing something wrong,
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BROWNELL HALL
Till I fain am to do, With an energy, too, As did the old woman who lived in a shoe.
And when my poor husband comes home from his work,
Tired and hungry and fierce as a shark,
What do you think is the picture he sees?
A legion of babies all in a breeze. Johnny a-crying And Lucy a-sighing, And worn-out mama with her hair all a-flying,
Strong and angry William beating little Nellie, Charlie in the pantry eating currant jelly,
Richard strutting round in papa's Sunday coat, Harry at the glass with a razor at his throat. Robert gets his fingers crushed when Susie shuts the door
And mitigates their aching with a forty-pounder roar.
Baby at the coal hod is hurrying to begin To throw in his mite to the universal din.
Alas! My lord and master being rather weak of
nerve, he
Begins to lose his patience in the stunning topsy-turvey,
And then the frightened little ones all fly to me for shelter,
And so the drama closes 'mid a general helter- skelter.
I'll give you my name lest you think me a myth, Yours, very respectfully, Mrs. John Smith.
The following was thought at the time very clever :
"BROWNELL BARRACKS, "March 23d, 1865.
"DEAR CHIMES :
"I have long thought of publishing the pro- ceedings of the present siege, but could not de cide upon the all important question, 'which
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periodical shall I select ?' When the fame of your distinguished publishers reached our camp it decided me. We are still besieging Fort Education and have made very little headway. As yet the conquest is nearly equal, for when we begin to think we have gained the day, General Knowledge sends a battalion secretly to our rear and charges upon us with a valiant regi- ment of algebraic problems, who for a time spread terror and confusion through the army; but at the most critical moment General Per- severance reinforces the struggling ranks, and soon puts the enemy to flight. We are con- tinually manufacturing bomb shells in our brain and occasionally they explode with a flash of wit and humor that causes General Rhetoric to tremble. About two months ago Lieutenant General Herrmann reviewed the entire army. He promoted several worthy officers. Captain Physiology was removed to the division of Colonel Meteorology. Lieutenant History was
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