USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 84
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 84
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E. A. Williams, store
A. E. Harr, Store A. C. Hardin, store
J. H. Stephens, meat market
West Side Garage
Ice Plant
FIRST FRAME BUILDING, FAIRFIELD, 1874
CHAPTER IX
EDGAR
EARLY EDGAR-WILLIAM WATTS-CITY GOVERNMENT-SCHOOLS-BANKS-CHURCHES -LODGES-REVIEW OF EDGAR IN 1914-STORES.
EDGAR BY WILLIAM WATTS
The history of Edgar covers a period of fifty-one years.
The land where Edgar now stands was the home of prairie dogs, wolves and jackrabbits in 1870.
The St. Joseph and Grand Island Railroad was built across here in July, 1872.
A postoffice had been established in the month before. A. J. Ritterbush was postmaster and the office was in his log store building outside the present town site. S. T. Caldwell built the first store on the surveyed land.
In August, 1873, Rev. F. A. Penney erected a dwelling and in September of that year he organized the Methodist Church with nine members. Two of these charter members are living in Edgar at present Mrs. Hannah Carr and Mrs. J. W. Hart. This class was organized in the farm home of J. G. Graham southeast of town.
The same fall the first school house was built near the present site. It was a one-story frame building. The honor of being the first teacher in Edgar is disputed between Mrs. Julia Pond and Ira Hodges. The salary was $25 a month. Then followed as teachers: W. R. Fuller, George Murdock, Al. Jones, Miss Alletta Dixon (Mrs. S. F. Pomeroy), and Mrs. Minor.
In 1879 the first high school building was erected with W. H. Gerdts as princi- pal and George W. Ferree in charge of the second room. It was at this time the grades were established. The next year H. K. Wolfe (Doctor Wolfe, well known for many years as a Nebraska university instructor) was chosen principal at a salary of $60. . Miss Mary Warren and Miss Mary Gray were the other teachers, the latter having charge of the primary department. Professor Wolfe established the first school library in Edgar.
Then came Lloyd G. Spencer, next R. L. Marsh and afterwards T. C. Canine.
In 1884 Alfred Bates was at the head of the school. The school had now grown from an enrollment of twelve to one hundred and eighty and had an assistant prin- cipal, Miss Louie McKee, and three grade teachers, Miss Frances Hart (now the widow of Dr. J. F. Edgar), Miss Carrie Kirk ( Mrs. Lute Adams), and Miss Allie Carr (Mrs. N. E. Jacobs), who taught the first primary department for fourteen years.
In 1885 Marian Thrasher established the first high school course.
751
752
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The postoffice, as previously stated, was outside of Edgar, but in 1873 it was located in S. T. Caldwell's store (where Ferree Bros. & Walley are now in busi- ness) and W. A. Gunn was postmaster. He erected a small building across the street east from Caldwell's store and moved the office there. He was succeeded in 1876 by W. J. Wait, who was followed the same year by M. J. Hull. In 1887 J. W. Carson was appointed.
Among the early business houses of Edgar we note in 1873 S. T. Caldwell, Charles E. Green, J. G. & C. F. Glazier, general stores; T. A. Hendricks, drugs; W. Rickharts, harness. In 1874 J. Carlon and W. F. Whitmore opened blacksmith shops and shortly after James Cranz & A. Sherwood succeeded Whitmore and went into the livery business. Cyrus Stayner opened a furniture store; E. E. Howard, hardware; S. J. Whitten, lumber; J. D. Beck, blacksmith; George Wilson, flour and feed. Up to this time the nearest mill was at Fairbury or Beatrice. This feed store was a great convenience, as grain could be exchanged for the ground product.
In 1875 J. W. Gunn erected the first hotel. In 1878 F. Weidman bought it. J. W. Wilkerson erected a two-story frame building on the site of the present Stover hotel and in the fall of 1880 sold to James Cutler, who in turn sold to C. G. Hayes, who built a large addition to the house. He leased it to Mr. Hazel- baker and afterwards it came into the possession of R. Stover.
"The Edgar House" was built by C. F. Barrington in 1877 and afterward called the "Sherman House." Another hotel was built by C. Serini in 1877.
Edgar was incorporated in March, 1875, with J. G. Glazier, A. Sherwood, S. J. Whitten, Henry Gipe and E. E. Howard as village officers.
The first bank was started in 1875-76 by C. P. Packer and J. W. Kernohan and sold out in two years. They went to Grand Island.
The Edgar bank was established in 1879 by J. B. Dinsmore, E. E. Howard, I. V. Howard and L. Grimes.
In 1883 the Clay County Bank was established by H. W. Stout, G. W. Updyke and C. A. Voorhees. Both banks are doing business here yet.
We have noted that the Methodist Church was organized in 1873, but the church was not built until 1880.
The Baptists organized in 1874 and held meetings in the school house, but the society only existed three months and was not reorganized till 1877. The church was erected in 1881.
The Presbyterians organized in July, 1875, with nine members, and early in 1877 completed the first church building in Edgar. Mrs. A. J. Long is the only living charter member.
The Protestant Episcopal Church was built in 1888 where Cecil Stout's resi- dence later stood.
The Christian Church was organized in 1885 and the building erected the next year.
The Swedish Lutheran Church was built in 1884.
The first lodge organized in Edgar was the A. F. & A. M. in 1877; the I. O. O. F. was organized in 1880; A. O. U. W., 1885; W. C. T. U., 1885; Edgar Commercial Club, 1887; M. W. A., 1888.
The newspapers have not been mentioned thus far. In 1845 F. M. Comstock published the "News-Journal" but in a short time it fell into the hands of W. J.
169-1
THE STO
7
Two VIEWS OF MAIN STREET, EDGAR
255
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Waite. Soon after he took charge his office was entered and most of the material stolen.
In 1877 H. A. Day and C. E. Keith established the "Edgar Leader." The next year S. T. Caldwell and E. E. Howard purchased the material and sold to M. J. Hull. With this Mr. Hull began the "Review" in 1878. "The World" was es- tablished in 1886 by Shafe Kautzman. His material was afterward sold to Smith and Ward and moved to Clay Center.
Near this time H. G. Lyon established the "Edgar Times." After he left, Mr. and Mrs. Brinniger published a paper for a time; the Osborne sisters started "The Edgar Sun" but did not publish it long; a year or two later H. B. Rousey started the "Sun," which he sold to Dr. T. E. Casterline in 1907. In 1911 Dr. R. W. E. Casterline bought his father out and is still owner.
In 1885 Doctor Casterline started "The Edgar Post," which he sold to James McNally in 1892. There have been changes in ownership since but "The Post" is still doing business at the same old stand.
There are many more items of interest which might be mentioned in making up an account of the growth of our city, for there is material enough left out to double the history already written. As we look about on our splendid schools, prosperous business establishments, good roads, electric lights, comfortable churches, pleasant homes, towering trees and beautiful lawns, it seems hard to realize that within the memory of Edgar citizens not yet fifty years old the place where Edgar now stands was wild prairie, across which farmers drove with wagons drawn by ox teams, hauling logs from the Blue to build their houses; that there were only two places of human habitation between here and Sutton; that in the absence of bridges across the Sandy, settlers were sometimes obliged to swim their teams and float their wagon boxes across the swollen stream ; and that women were frequently wakened at dead of night to aid their husbands and brothers to save their homes from the ravages of wild prairie fires sweeping unchecked for miles across the un- inhabited land.
And yet some people sigh for the "good old days!"
THE FIRST VILLAGE ELECTION IN EDGAR
Possibly some of the citizens of Edgar would be interested in knowing how the first election held in Edgar went and who the officers were. The following was received from W. J. Waite of Exeter, he sending it to the city clerk thinking that possibly it might have some historic value. It was in March, 1875, that the county officers upon petition declared Edgar to be a body corporate and John Glazier, A. Sherwood, S. J. Whitten, Henry Gipe and E. E. Howard were appointed trustees of said town. F. M. Brown, who is now editor of the Sutton Register, was the county clerk. The following is a verbatim copy of the paper received.
At an election held in the Town of Edgar, County of Clay and State of Nebraska, for the election of Town Trustees the following named persons voted : 1 Henry Gipe. 6 A. H. Curtis. 10 A. W. Gipe.
2 A. Sherwood.
7 C. E. Green.
11 M. W. Gipe.
3 Wm. J. Waite.
8 A. S. Briggs.
12 John G. Glazier.
4 S. J. Whitten.
5 M. S. Edgington.
9 G. M. Mordock.
13 J. P. Hawkins.
:56
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
We hereby certify that the above is a correct list of those who voted at this election.
Henry Gipe.
M. S. Edgington, Clerk.
A. Sherwood.
J. P. Hawkins.
A. H. Curtis.
At an election held in the town of Edgar, Clay County, Nebraska, May 3, A. D. 1875, the following persons received the number of votes placed opposite their names for town trustees :
John Glazier 11
Henry Gipe 12
E. E. Howard 12
J. P. Hawkins 3
S. J. Whitten 11 A. H. Curtis 1
1. Sherwood 12 Frank Whitmore 1
Asa Gipe 1
Cory Glazier 1
We hereby certify that the above is a true return of the election.
M. S. Edgington, Clerk.
Henry Gipe.
J. P. Hawkins.
A. H. Curtis.
A. Sherwood.
(Then follows the oath of office of judges and clerks of election signed by Henry Gipe, A. Sherwood and A. H. Curtis, judges, and M. S. Edgington, clerk. Below this we find) :
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3d day of May, A. D. 1875, Cyrus Stayner, Justice of the Peace.
(The oath of office of J. P. Hawkins was before M. S. Edgington, Clerk of Election.)
Edgar is made up of all kinds of people shaped to an enterprising community by the same spirit of progress and enterprise which first suggested the building of a village at this point. There are no church towers here with bells which tolled great-grandfathers to their graves : no long lines of tombs in which lie the virtues of ancestors known only by tradition : no gray-haired friars rising up like statues before the memory; no grim sexton looking into some new-made grave waiting for the latest addition to his inanimate company : nothing of the dead past. Mer- chants and tradesmen are all modern, scarcely taking time to die, pushing ever onward building and rebuilding, always active. Non-existent in 1820, it has noth- ing of age. but claims all the grit and reality of youth.
The town site was preempted by Henry Gipe for the Nebraska Land & Town Site Company, to whom he deeded one-half the quarter-section upon which the town was platted. The survey was made by A. R. Butolph, in May, 1823, the rail- road being completed in July, 1872. The postoffice was established in June, 18;2. with A. J. Ritterbush, master. who kept it in his log store building adjoining the limits of the survey.
Gipe erected the first house- a sod house and in 1822 the depot and section house were erected by the railroad company. Charles McGowan kept a boarding house; S. T. Caldwell had opened a store here before Ritterbush, or about the time of survey. This was Mr. Rouzey's dwelling in 1885. In August Rev. F. A. Penny erected a dwelling, and C. E. Green built a store room and placed therein a general stock. In September C. F. and J. G. Glazier's general store was opened, and T. A.
757
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Hendrick's drug store established. The following winter, 1873-74, W. Rickhart's harness shop was opened. Early in 1874 J. Carlin and W. F. Whitmore erected a blacksmith shop for James Cranz, and A. Sherwood's shop was opened shortly after; Cyrus Stayner's furniture store, Whittemore's livery and A. B. C'anfield's general store, were opened before the close of summer.
In the fall of 1874 E. E. Howard established his hardware store; S. J. Whitten, a lumber yard ; J. D. Beck, a blacksmith shop, and George Wilson, a flour and feed store. J. H. Brown became a partner of Caldwell about this time, and in 1880 assumed control of the business; W. R. Fuller's book and jewelry store was estab- lished about this time; J. W. Carson's repair and jewelry shop was opened in 1877, and G. W. Tooker's harness shop was established; in 1879 the Gardner Brothers opened a grocery store here, and in 1884 J. C. Gardner started a like establish- ment ; Mrs. F. F. Craiger established a millinery store here in 1880; William Sax- ton's clothing store was opened in 1880, and Mordock Brothers Grocery in the fall of 1881, they having purchased J. H. Brown's grocery department : in 1884 Gee & Pinckard became owners of Howard's pioneer harness shop: C. W. Wiley of J. D. Whitten's furniture store, started in 1874 by C. Y. Stayner.
J. T. Donohue sold the Edgar Marble Works to Henry Dare in January, 1885; H. F. Grant established his insurance office in 1882 and Chandler & Dalton their real estate office in 1884: O. A. Avery began business in 1879; D. R. Hughes (Walley & Hughes) in 1884; Thomas Harvison in 1881; Duhling & Sons in 1884; John Whitten in 1880; Whittlesey & Wright (successors of Casterline & Roberts) in 1885; Palmer's barber shop in 1883; J. M. Cobb in 1876; Joseph Henninger in 1876; N. B. Olesen in 1881; Doctor Anderson in 1879; Attorney W. B. Good in 1884; Attorney S. W. Christy in 1880; S. A. Searle in 1880. Mrs. G. A. Hull opened the green house in 1883: Thomas Ilazelbaker, the Commercial Hotel at the same time; J. P. Nelson his insurance office in 1879; J. W. Gunn his hotel in July, 1884; Frank Negel his tailoring house in 1884. The Miller and Jackman brick yards, north of Edgar, commenced operation in 1886.
Anderson Eller's sorghum factory, three and one-half miles south of Edgar, was producing one hundred gallons of syrup per day in the fall of 1885.
The Edgar Brick & Tile Company was organized in 1887. They erected a plant with a capacity of about 2,000,000 bricks per annum, using the celebrated Cotton Down Central Draft kilns. The clay at this point is admirably adapted for the manufacture of brick and tile, and is of unlimited supply. Charles Klingerman was president and S. J. Whitten secretary. The Edgar Creamery Company was organized in April, 1887, with H. F. Grant, M. Hart, George H. Van Antwerp, O. A. Avery and G. M. Mordock, members.
Commodious and substantial buildings were erected and furnished with all the modern appliances for butter-making at a total cost of over $5,000. The build- ing was heated by steam, and all the machinery connected therewith was run by steam. The Edgar Krant and Pickle Manufacturing Company was organized in 1888 and buildings completed in 1889. The Edgar Canning Company was organ- ized in 1888 and the work of erecting their large buildings entered upon. The Edgar skating rink was erected by Charles Hansen in the fall of 1884. During the roller skate craze the institution flourished.
The St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad was built from St. Joseph to Ilast- ings in 1872, and thence to Grand Island in 1826. On October 15, 1823. J. G.
758
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Prosser took charge of the depot at Edgar as agent of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad, relieving Agent Anderson. Andrew Ritterbush was the first agent in 1872. Mr. Prosser held the position until August 15, 1889, when A. B. Ford was appointed, Mr. Prosser holding the office of assistant. The change was made under the company's new rules, requiring the agent to be an actual operator. The depot building was completed in November, 1888. Interiorly its finish, in hard pine, was perfect.
The Nebraska & Colorado Railroad was built in 1886. A branch runs south from Edgar to Superior where it connects with the Republican Valley Road. In the fall of 1886 W. H. Gates was appointed first agent at Edgar. D. W. Van Horn succeeded him in March, 1888.
In the summer of 1875, J. W. Gunn erected a small frame house, which he used as a hotel until the spring of 1878, at which time it came into the possession of F. Weidman, who was soon after succeeded by J. W. Wilkerson. During Wilker- son's ownership of this house he erected a large two-story hotel adjoining it, and in the fall of 1880 disposed of both houses to James Cutler, in whose possession they remained one year, when he, in turn, sold out to C. G. Hayes. During the spring of 1882 the old hotel was moved back and on its former location a large addition was built to the main house. The Edgar House was built in August, 1877, by C. F. Barrington and W. C. Ovleman. Several additions were afterward made to it, and in 1881 the name was changed and called the Sherman House. During September of 1877 another hotel was built by C. Sirini and given the singular name "Try Our House." The Commercial Hotel was carried on by Hazel- baker until March, 1889, when R. Stover took charge. The Central Hotel was refitted in the fall of 1888 and opened by W. M. Parish.
Edgar postoffice was established in June, 1872, before even an attempt was made to start a town. It was kept by Andrew J. Ritterbush in a log cabin, which he had built on his elaim, and which stood just outside of where the line of the town site afterward was surveyed. Soon after the town site was located, W. A. Gunn received the appointment of postmaster, and the office was brought into the town, and was kept in Caldwell's store room about three years, when it was removed to a small building which Gunn erected especially for a postoffice, across the street from Caldwell's store. After holding the position of postmaster for about three years, Mr. Gunn retired, and was succeeded, in February, 1876, by W. J. Waite, whose term of office was somewhat brief. In about nine months, owing to some discrepancies in his financial accounts, in which his bondsman was called upon to make up the deficit, amounting to a large sum, he was expelled from the office and the appointment given to M. J. Hull, in September, 1876, who took charge of the office on, the 12th day of October of that year. With Mr. Hull's incumbency, a change was made in the location of the office to a small frame building belonging to Cyrus Stayner, which, in 1882, was used as a barber shop. Shortly following. Hull purchased Caldwell's old store room, in which he kept the office, but which he subsequently moved back, and was used as the Edgar Review printing office in 1882. About two years since Mr. Hull purchased the old schoolhouse, which he moved to the site on which the printing office had formerly stood, and the office was brought into that building ; in this was also kept a jewelry and stationery and notion store. In July, 1884, the office was raised to the rank of third class. In February, 1887, J. W. Carson, was appointed by the democratic administration.
759
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Since Carson's term under Cleveland, Jas. McNally. J. W. Boden and John Walley served and in 1921 J. W. Carson is again postmaster.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The petition asking the incorporation of Edgar was presented March 15, 1875, and granted. John Glazier, A. Sherwood, S. J. Whitten, Henry Gipe and E. E. Howard were appointed trustees.
Since then the following persons have been elected to office under the village government for the various years up to the year 1890.
1876-Trustees, S. J. Whitten (chairman), J. H. Brown, J. G. Prosser, E. E. Howard and J. P. Hawkins; clerk, A. B. Canfield ; treasurer, G. M. Mordock; marshal, J. P. Hawkins.
1877-Trustees, E. E. Howard, J. H. Brown, J. G. Glazier (chairman), W. Ovleman, O. Crossman : clerk, A. B. Canfield : treasurer, G. M. Mordock ; marshal, Henry Gipe.
1878-Trustees, A. B. Canfield (chairman), A. Curtis, J. G. Glazier, J. F. Evans, S. J. Whitten ; clerk, J. Converse ; treasurer, I. V. Howard.
1879-Trustees, A. B. Canfield, L. Porter (chairman), S. J. Whitten, M. S. Edgington (attorney), J. H. Brown ; clerk, C. H. Treat ; treasurer, M. S. Edging- ton ; marshal, W. Shelton. At the next meeting of the board of trustees the ap- pointment of clerk was reconsidered, and A. H. Jones was appointed clerk and marshal. In July, 1879, Edgar Precinct asked permission to vote on the question of granting $62,000 aid to the Nebraska & Kansas Railroad branch from the town of Edgar to the town of Superior.
1880-Trustees, J. G. Prosser (chairman), J. HI. Brown, J. G. Glazier, S. J. Whitten (treasurer), E. E. Howard; clerk, A. B. Canfield; marshal, J. R. Pond.
1881-Trustees, E. E. Howard, O. A. Avery, J. G. Glazier, S. J. Whitten (treas- urer), J. G. Prosser (chairman) ; clerk, (. H. Traet ; attorney, S. A. Searly ; mar- shal, J. Downer.
1882-Trustees, H. F. Grant (chairman), J. G. Glazier, C. F. Barrington, J. H. Brown (treasurer), J. D. Whitten : clerk, C. H. Treat ; attorney. M. S. Edging- ton ; marshal, H. E. Wells.
There was only a nominal change in the board in 1883.
The board of 1884 was reelected in April, 1885-J. G. Prosser, H. F. Grant, M. Hart, W. H. Graham and O. E. Reynolds. W. B. Good was chosen clerk; S. W. Christy, attorney, and T. B. McClellan, marshal. The anti-license ticket nomi- nated in March, 1886, comprised .J. F. Johnson, S. J. Whitten, J. W. Carson, G. M. Mordock and C. Klingerman. The Edgar ticket comprised J. A. Roberts, J. L. Ward, O. J. Merrill, D. R. Hughes and C. G. Hayes. On April 6th the former ticket was elected. J. G. Glazier, Mrs. P. Gill, T. E. Casterline, E. E. Howard, M. J. Hull and B. L. Olds, vice O. E. Reynolds, were elected members of the school board. George Utz was superseded as marshal by J. W. Gunn ; E. E. Howard, treas- urer. Marshal Gunn made a capture of two Swedes and presented them to Judge Fuller, but a jury acquitted the accused.
In 1887 J. G. Prosser was mayor; T. Harvison, J. C. Gardner, C. M. Keand. T. Whitten, M. J. Hull and (. Klingerman, councilmen; J. P. Nelson, clerk ; J. G. Glazier, treasurer; M. S. Edgington, engineer; Frank Post, marshal, and W.
760
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
R. Fuller, police judge. The "People's" and the anti-lieense candidates were al- most equally matched in this contest. J. G. Prosser was chosen school trustee for two years; J. G. Glazier for three years, and C. A. Voorhees for three years.
In April, 1898, Mayor Grant received one hundred and twenty-nine votes and Prosser ninety-eight for the office of mayor. D. R. Hughes, C. F. Glazier and J. W. Hart were elected councilmen; M. S. Edgington, engineer, and J. G. Glazier, treasurer. On March 30th, the vote on the question of issuing water bonds showed only seven votes against the proposition. The old school board was reelected.
In April, 1899. T. B. MeClellan was elected mayor over George H. Van Ant- werp, the anti-license candidate; C. H. Treat, police judge; J. W. Boden, elerk ; M. S. Edgington, engineer; Frank Young, C. G. Hays, Joseph Henninger and J. B. Seamans, councilmen.
After an unfortunate gap of twelve years following, 1890, for which period the compilers could not locate the official record of Edgar, the roster of city officials of this municipality show the service of the following as members of the Board of Trustees :
1902-John W. Boden, O. J. Merrill, John W. Watson, E. M. Cleft and Samuel Chandler.
1903-Cleft, Merrill, Watson, J. W. Hart and Chandler.
1904-R. L. Avery, Henninger, Watson, Hart and S. C. Beck.
1905-Avery, Henninger, Watson, Hart and Beck.
1906-P. G. Grimm, Henninger, Watson, G. R. Woods, and Geo. Wheeland.
1907-Grimm, C. P. Avery, Watson, Woods and Wheeland.
1908-Woods, C. D. McIlnay, J. J. Keefe, Avery, Wheeland.
1909-J. W. Watson, McIlnay, Keefe. H. W. Jackson and F. W. Carlson.
1910-A. R. Ocker, J. L. Gardner, C. D. Mellnay, Jackson and Carlson.
1911-Ocker, Gardner, McIlnay, W. J. Boomer, and Carlson.
1912-Oeker, George Mitchell, Mellnay, A. J. Lepper, and C. E. Caldwell.
1913-Ocker, Mitchell, McIlnay, Lepper and Caldwell.
1914 G. R. Woods. E. W. Clack, Geo. Adkins, Lepper and Caldwell.
1915-Woods, Clack, Adkins, Lepper and Caldwell.
1916-S. L. Denton, W. S. Koher, F. A. Westering, John Harrison and E. A. Anderson.
1917-Wm. Shively. Koher, Westering, Harvison and John H. Baker.
1918-F. A. Westering. Koher, C. P. Avery, Harvison and Baker.
1919-Westering, J. L. Ward, W. B. Graul, G. A. Adkins and Glenn Sommer- ville.
1920-R. T. Jones, Ward, Graul, Smock and Sommerville.
The clerks in the past two decades have been R. L. Avery, J. G. Walley, J. Robert II. Olsiene, H. B. Rousey, J. W. McQue, J. H. Gardner, Earl C. Riekel, who served almost ten years, and C. S. Voorhees, present clerk.
SCHOOLS
The first school building of Edgar was built on the site of the new school building. It was a one room frame, and stood just east of the Times printing office. School was opened in this building in the fall of 1873. The first teacher was Ira Hodges, who received the munificent salary of twenty-five dollars a month.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EDGAR
HIGH SCHOOL, EDGAR
763
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He afterwards went in the hardware business at Adams, Oregon. Following him in 1874 was W. R. Fuller, who taught six months for $200. He later became the well known book seller of Edgar. Then came George Mordock in 1875, later going into the grocery business. In 1876 Al Jones wielded the birch, and from all accounts he did it right well. One boy says that was about all he did. Mr. Jones took up carpentering in Rochester, New York. In the spring of 1877-78 Aletta Dixon (Mrs. Pomeroy) was teacher. In 1877-78, Mrs. Minor (de- ceased) was teacher, and it is said a most excellent one. Then came in 1879, Prof. G. W. Ferree, one of the oldest and best known teachers. In 1879 the high school building was erected, and J. D. Gerdts was installed as the first principal. The old buildings were sold to M. J. Hull for $150. It became a graded school with two assistant teachers. Mr. Gerdts resigned in the spring, and Professor Ferree finished that year. In 1880 Professor Wolfe was chosen principal, with a salary of sixty dollars a month. Mary Warren and Mary Gray were assistant teachers. He it was who inaugurated the school library that later became such an important coeducator in the school. He later went to Germany, and fitted himself for a university professorship. In 1881 came Professor Spencer, who resigned in the middle of the year and returned to Ohio, and his place was filled by Professor Marsh, a Methodist Episcopal minister.
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