USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 48
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Until about the year 1883 Masonic bodies met in the old Odd Fellow's Build- ing and from there they went into John- son's Building, on West Main Street. Up- on the completion of the Bushnell Build- ing in 1893, they moved to their present commodious quarters. They have recent- ly purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Columbia and Fountain Avenue, where in the future, it is expected, a building of their own will be erected.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
CERNO MASONS.
This branch of Masonry did not get much of a footing in Springfield until at a comparatively recent date. Springfield Lodge No. 7 was organized in 1895; Fred- erick Lodge No. 40, in 1898; Solomon Chapter No. 92, in 1899. Eastern Star Springfield Chapter No. 4, in 1899.
COLORED MASONS.
In 1865 Davids Templar Masonic Lodge No. 15 was organized. In 1877 the lodge was reorganized and the name changed to Champion No. 15. Eureka Lodge was or- ganized September 24, 1895; Wilson Com- mandery in 1871. Later Mt. Olive Chapter No. 4, Washington Temple, was organ- ized.
ODD FELLOWS.
This order is very strong and has been for many years in Springfield and its vicinity. The oldest lodge is Springfield Lodge No. 33. This was instituted in 1844, next came Ephraim Lodge No. 146, instituted in 1850. Then Goethe No. 384. instituted in 1867, then Lone Star Lodge No. 732 located at Lagonda was instituted in 1884. These constitute the subordinate lodges. Mad River Encampment was or- ganized in 1846, Lagonda Encampment in 1895. Connected with this order is Can- ton Occidental No. 21, and Daughters of Rebekah, Ivor Lodge No. 415, Daughters of Rebekah, Schiller Lodge No. 420, Daughters of Rebekah, Fidelia Lodge No. 12, instituted in 1869, and Daughters of Rebekah, Star of the East Lodge No. 331, organized in 1891. These orders have two
places of meeting in the city, one at the Odd Fellows' Building on Fountain Ave- nue and the other at a building owned by them in Lagonda.
An Odd Fellow lodge was organized in South Charleston in 1850 known as Clark Lodge No. 166 and in New Carlisle in 1872; Caritas Lodge No. 515 was organ- ized. As early as 1850 an Odd Fellows lodge was organized at Vienna Cross Roads.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
In April, 1872, Moncrief Lodge No. 33, Knights of Pythias, was organized by a number of prominent persons in the city and it has the distinction of being the old- est of this great growing order in the City of Springfield. In 1886 Red Star No. 205 was organized with a very large char- ter list. In 1889 Lessing Lodge was in- stituted and in 1892 came Ingomar Lodge No. 610. The Uniform Rank of this order is organized as follows: In 1878 Spring- field Company No. 6 was chartered; in 1884 Champion City being No. 44 was chartered; and in 1890 Lessing Company No. 105 came into existence. The Rath- bone Sisters was chartered in 1897. The Knights of Pythias organization for a considerable length of time met in a hall on S. Fountain Avenue, the second door north of Main Street. The Red Star after its organization, for a time met in the Buckingham Building, and afterwards the various bodies met in the Dial Building, and thence moving over to their present commodious quarters in the Bushnell Building Annex, after its completion in 1903.
The uniform ranks have not always
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
met in the same building with the sub- September, 1893. Meets 531/2 W. Main. ordinate lodge, Company No. 44 for a Ladies Auxiliary-Meets 531/2 W. Main. number of years having a hall leased on Benevolent Protective Order of Elks- Lodge No. 51. Meets over 361/2 S. Foun- tain Avenue. Instituted 1885. High Street opposite the Arcade and Company No. 6 the Old Funk Hall at the southwest corner of Main and Center.
These comprise the three oldest and most prominent of secret and fraternal organizations. The following list, how- ever, includes many which in numbers and importance come near equalling any one of the three above mentioned, and prac- tically all of that character now in the city.
COLORED KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Diamond Lodge No. 30, of this organi- zation, was instituted in 1887. Mystery Lodge No. 45 in 1898. Star Division Uni- form Rank in 1888; Calanthe in 1898.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The following will give a list of the other societies of like character, with their respective meeting places at this time, and their date of institution where the same is known:
American Mysteries-St. John's Coun- cil No. 1, Instituted 1849. Meets south- west corner of Main and Fountain Ave- nue.
Ancient Order of Hibernians-In- stituted 1875. First Division-Organized February, 1876. Meets 531% W. Main. Second Division-Organized March, 1879. Meets 5312 W. Main Street. Fourth Di- vision-Organized April, 1883. Meets 531/2 W. Main Street. Fifth Division- Organized, 1884. Meets St. Joseph's School. Seventh Division-Organized
Catholic Ladies of Ohio-Branch 56. Meets No. 561 Clifton Street.
Daughters of Tabor-Dickson Tabern- acle No. 503. Meets 2012 S. Fountain Avenue.
Daughters of America-Helping Hand Council No. 7. Meets No. 38 E. Main Street.
Daughters of the Revolution-Meets southeast corner of Limestone and Colum- bia.
Daughters of Jerusalem-St. Mary's Council No. 1. Meets southwest corner of Main and Fountain Avenue.
Fraternal Mystic Circle-No. 3. In- stituted 1885.
Fraternal Order of Eagles-Champion Aerie No. 397. Meets No. 207 E. Main Street.
Grand Army of the Republic-Mitchell Post No. 45. Instituted 1881. Meets at G. A. R. Hall. John Brown Post No. 633. Instituted 1887. Meets at No. 5 S. Foun- tain Avenue. Woman's Relief Corps No. 315. Instituted 1891, meets G. A. R. Hall.
Good Samaritans and Daughters of Samaria-St. Mary's Lodge No. 4. Meets southwest corner Main Street and Foun- tain Avenue.
Home Guards of America-Loyal Home No. 17. Meets No. 18 S. Limestone Street.
Improved Order Red Cross-Olive Branch, No. 5. Instituted 1885.
Independent Order Red Cross-Elite Commandry No. 23. Instituted 1897. Meets at 361/ S. Fountain Avenue.
Improved Order of Red Men-Lagonda
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Tribe, No. 61. Instituted 1872. Meets 531/2 W. Main. Ontario Tribe No. 96. Instituted 1888. Meets southeast corner Lagonda Avenue and Florence Street. Enola Council, No. 22, Degree of Pocahontas- Instituted 1892. Meets southeast corner Lagonda Avenue and Florence. Poca- hontas Council No. 25. Instituted 1885. Meets southeast corner Lagonda and Florence Street. Fried Commandery, No. 8. Instituted 1901. Miami Tribe No. 217. Meets 531% W. Main Street.
Independent Order of Foresters-No. 1435. Instituted 1893. Meets at P. O. S. of A. Hall. Companion Court No. 490. Meets at P. O. S. of A. Hall.
Junior Order United American Me- chanics-Champion Council, No. 2. In- stituted 1872. Meets 211% N. Fountain Avenue. Buck Creek Council No. 143. In- stituted 1891. Meets southeast corner La- gonda and Florence Streets. Helping Hand Council No. 61. Instituted 1900. Meets Zimmerman Block. Springfield Council No. 240. Instituted 1892. Meets 38 E. Main Street. Junior Order United American Mechanics Past Councilors' As- sociation. Meets No. 38 E. Main Street. Uniform Rank, No. 3. Instituted 1900. Bushnell Council. Meets 211/2 N. Foun- tain Avenue.
Daughters of America-Home City Council No. 27. Instituted 1894. Meets at Zimmerman Block, 38 E. Main Street. Violet Council No. 29-Instituted 1894. Meets Zimmerman Block, 38 E. Main Street.
Knights of Ancient Essenic-No. 22. Instituted 1896.
Knights of the Golden Eagle-Logan Castle No. 1. Instituted 1887. Meets 211% N. Fountain. Lincoln Castle No. 9-
Instituted 1887. Meets 3812 S. Fountain. Champion Castle No. 26-Instituted 1898. Meets 211% N. Fountain Avenue. Springfield Commandery No.2-Instituted 1889. Meets 3812 S. Fountain Avenue. Logan Commandery No. 3 .- Instituted 1889. Meets 211% N. Fountain Avenue.
Knights of Fidelity-No. 11. Insti- tuted 1900.
Knights of Maccabees - Springfield Tent No. 272. Instituted 1894. Meets 381% S. Fountain Avenue. Lagonda Tent No. 381-Instituted 1897, southwest corner Lagonda Avenue and Florence Street. Ferncliff Hive No. 170-Insti- tuted 1896.
Knights of Tabor-Springfield Temple No. 316. Meets 201% S. Fountain Avenue.
Knights of Columbus - Springfield Council No. 624. Meets Buckingham Block.
Knights of Honor-Protection Lodge No. 759. Instituted .October 4, 1877. Meets 9 W. Main Street.
Knights and Ladies of Honor-Live Oak Lodge No. 1421. Meets southeast corner Main and Fountain Avenue.
Knights of Khorassan - Al Yembo Temple No. 112. Meets Bushnell Build- ing.
Kesher Shal Barzel-No. 138. Insti- tuted 1875.
Ladies of the Maccabees-Ferncliff Hive No. 170. Meets P. O. S. of A. Hall. Lagonda Hive No. 345. Meets southeast corner Lagonda Avenue and Florence Street.
Ladies of the Golden Eagle-Fidelity Temple No. 12. Meets 211% N. Fountain Avenue. Honor Temple. Meets 211/2 N. Fountain. Valor Temple No. 25. Meets 381% S. Fountain Avenue.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
Ladies' Circle-Maple Grove Camp No. 40. Meets 381% S. Fountain Avenue.
Modern Woodmen-Commercial Camp No. 3347. Instituted 1895. Meets No. 18 S. Limestone Street.
National Union-Royal Council No. 81. Instituted 1884. Meets 38 E. Main Street. Crescent Council No. 526-Instituted 1890. Meets southeast corner Main and Fountain Avenue.
National Protective Legion-Spring- field Legion No. 1265. Meets 38 E. Main Street.
Patriotic Order Sons of America- Washington Camp No. 1. Instituted 1898. Meets P. O. S. of A. Hall. Camp No. 3. Meets P. O. S. of A. Hall.
Pathfinders (The)-Lodge No. 84. Meets P. O. S. of A. Hall.
Protective Home Circle-Iron Circle No. 258. Instituted 1896. Springfield Circle No. 155. Meets 38 E. Main Street. Wilhelm Circle No. 294-Instituted 1897. Meets 40 W. Washington Street.
Royal Arcanum-Lagonda Council No. 151. Instituted 1878. Meets southeast corner Main and Fountain Avenue.
Sons of Veterans-Z. Barney Phillips Camp No. 37. Instituted 1888.
Sisters of Mysterious Ten-No. 23. In- stituted 1895.
Tribe of Ben Hur-No. 32. Instituted 1898. Meets 211/2 N. Fountain Avenue.
Union Veterans' Union-Stevens Com- mand No. 16. Instituted 1887.
United Brothers' Friendship-No. 10. Instituted 1895.
United Spanish War Veterans-Henry A. Axline Camp No. 5. Meets 28712 W. K. of L., No. 4950.
Main Street, west of Race. Keifer Camp No. 3. Meets Court House.
Queen Esther's Court-No. 4. Insti- tuted 1882.
Woman's Veteran Relief Union-No. 32. Instituted 1895.
TRADES AND LABOR ORGANIZA- TIONS.
During the proceedings of the Spring- field Centennial Mr. Jeff Creager, who has been prominent in labor circles for many years, made an address in which he gave the following list of organizations as made up to that time :
LIST OF UNIONS.
Beginning with 1864 the following labor organizations have been instituted in the order named in the city of Springfield:
1864-March. Iron Molders' Union No. 72.
1868-September 1. Typographical Union No. 117. Reorganized July 28, 1882.
1883-March 25. Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, Sandusky Division, No. 208.
1883-April 9. Mad River Assembly, K. of L., No. 2582.
1885-June 22. Tailors' Assembly, K. of L., 3980.
1885-October 12. Champion City As- sembly, K. of L., No. 4351.
1886-January 1. Lagonda Assembly, K. of L., No. 4894.
1886-January 4. Germania Assembly, K. of L., No. 4903.
1886-January 8. Phoenix Assembly,
1886-January 15. Excelsior Assem- bly, K. of L., No. 5007.
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1886-February 13. Iron Workers' Assembly, K. of L., No. 5815.
1886-March 1. Western Assembly, K. of L., No. 5816.
1886-June 7. Cigar Makers' Assem- bly, K. of L., No. 7825.
1886-September 12. District Assem- bly, K. of L., No. 178.
1886-January 13. Journeymen Bakers and Confectioners, No. 94. Reorganized September 11, 1900.
1887-June 26. Brotherhood of Loco- motive Firemen, Lodge 360.
1887-December 12. Cigar Makers' Union No. 45.
1889-October 8. Bricklayers and Masons No. 25.
1889-April 2. Brotherhood of Car- penters and Joiners No. 284. Reorgan- ized 1901, April 2. New number 660.
1890-January 1. Trades and Labor Assembly.
1890-June 16. Brotherhood of Paint- ers and Decorators No. 167.
1890-April 2. Journeymen Barbers No. 26.
1890-December 9. Retail Clerks' Ua- tional Protective, Association No. 190.
1890-June 30. National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers No. 10. Reorganized March 3, 1895, No. 18.
1891-January 16. International Asso- ciation of Machinists, Lodge 148. Re- organized May 14, 1898.
1891-Newspaper Employes' Union (local).
1891-September 28. Hod Carriers' Union. Incorporated under laws of the state of Ohio.
1891-June. Brotherhood of Brass Workers.
1891-Switchmen's Mutual Aid Asso- ciation, Lodge 125.
1892-Car Inspectors' and Repairers' Association.
1892-Building Trades Council.
1892-April 3. Order of Railway Con- ductors, Division 329.
1892-Quarrymen and Limeburners, Cold Springs Lodge. Reorganized 1896, under A. F. of L.
1892-Teamsters' Union (local). Re- organized and chartered by the Inter- national Union, March, 1900. No. 124.
1892-Laborers' Union (local).
1892-August 1. Journeymen Tailors' Union No. 203.
'1892-Shoemakers' and Repairers' Union (local).
1892-November 1. Journeymen Plumb- ers', Gas Fitters', Steam Fitters' and Steam Fitters' Helpers' Union No. 97.
1892-October 1. National League of Musicians No. 64.
1892-Coal Drivers' Union (local).
1893-April 1. Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers' International Associa- tion No. 91.
1893-January. Printing Pressmen's Union No. 25.
1893-Machine Wood Workers' Inter- national.
1894-Journeymen Stone Cutters' As- sociation.
1895-September 15. Press Feeders' Union No. 7.
1896-March 21. Theatrical Stage Em- ployes' Union No. 34.
1896-October 4. Brewery Workers' Union No. 45.
1896-Journeymen Horse Shoers' Union No. 76.
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1896 - International Association of Plasterers (operative) No. 22.
1897-February 10. Boot and Shoe Workers' Union No. 139.
1898-June 8. Coremakers' Interna- tional Union.
1898-November 25. Metal Polishers', Buffers', Platers' and Brass Workers' Union No. 102.
1899-April 13. Brotherhood of Train- men, Lodge 573.
1899-July 21. Metal Chippers' Pro- tective Union No. 7446.
1900-August 23. Suspender Workers' Union No. 8618.
1900-November 1. Shirt, Waist and Laundry Workers' Union No. 34.
1900-April 24. Amalgamated Asso- ciation of Street Railway Employes, Divi- sion 146.
1901-May 14. Stereotypers' and Elec- trotypers' Union No. 55.
1901-May 8. Machinists' Helpers' Union No. 9102.
1901-August. American Federation of Musicians No. 160.
A total of sixty organizations.
In addition to the above there appears in the last edition of the Springfield Directory the following :
Bill Posters' United Association of the United States and Canada.
Brotherhood of Blacksmiths No. 196.
Brotherhood of Bookbinders.
Brotherhood of Railway Clerks No. 96. Brotherhood of Railway Maintenance of Way Employes No. 396.
Electrical Workers' Union No. 45 (In- ternational). At Trades Assembly Hall.
Federal Labor Union No. 9857.
International Union Steam Engineers No. 318.
Metal Polishers' and Brass Workers' Union No. 102.
National Association of Stationary En- gineers.
Painters', Decorators' and Paper Hangers' Union No. 533.
Patternmakers' League.
Printing Pressmen's Union No. 48.
Shoe Workers' Union No. 139.
Stonemasons' Union No. 68.
Tailors' Union No. 203 (International).
Theatrical Stage Employes' Union No. 34.
Order of Railroad Conductors, Division No. 329.
Springfield being largely a manufactur- ing city, labor organizations flourish. No general strike, however, has ever affected the city. During the time that Mr. Will- iam N. Whitely had control of the East Street Works a determined stand was taken on his part not to employ a member of any labor organization. Mr. Whitely's subsequent failure in business had no con- nection with any strike. So, although at times there have been certain classes of workmen in various establishments who have temporarily ceased work, these dif- ficulties have never at any time assumed a serious aspect. Indeed Springfield has generally been considered fortunate in this respect, and it has been one of the potent arguments in inducing new in- dustries to locate in this town, that there has never been here any serious trouble between the employer and the employee.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SPRINGFIELD (II.) --- EDUCATION.
SCHOOLS.
Early History-Location, Principal and Enrollment of the Various School Build- ings (1907)-Private Schools other than Wittenberg College-Parochial Schools-Wittenberg College.
(The various district and other schools in the county outside of Springfield may be found in the Chapter on Townships.)
The early educational affairs of Spring- field have been well treated in a previous history of the county, and also in Prof. Weir's interesting paper read at the cele- bration of the Centennial of Springfield. To the latter source of information the author is indebted for the facts contained in the following article relating to the early history of our schools :
EARLY HISTORY.
"In the year 1806, on the site occupied by the Lagonda National Bank and con- tiguous properties, in a building of logs, Nathaniel Pinkered opened the first school in Springfield and has the credit of giving as full a course of instruction as was usual in those times.
"Before Mill Run was diverted from its natural bed to furnish power for the
paper mill once operating near North Street, its course to Buck Creek followed the line of the present Center Street sewer. The portion of the town lying to the west of this stream was called 'Old Virginia.' Close to the west bank of Mill Run, in a frame or log building about where Schaeffer's feed and grain store now stands, was a school known as Smith's Academy. The date of the open- ing of this institution cannot now be fixed, but was probably about 1813. Samuel Smith, the proprietor of this somewhat famous and well patronized school, was assisted in the care of smaller pupils by his wife, in her home nearby. An Englishman by birth, he enjoyed the telling of marvelous tales at the expense of the rough soil and rigorous climate of New England, where he had lived before coming to Ohio. Smith's fondness for ardent spirits, which he was at no pains to repress, is responsible in part for the Munchausen character of these stories,
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which his serious manner of telling led his younger hearers to accept as veritable facts. After his career as teacher, and after changing his too bibulous habits, Samuel Smith became justice of the peace, and lived to a good old age, honored by all who knew him.
"The first building erected in the town exclusively for religious services was al- most due south from Smith's school across Main Street and off Center Street, about west of the Zimmerman drinking fountain. This building of hewed logs, thirty feet long and twenty feet wide, was put up by a general sub- scription in 1811, and was used by min- isters of all creeds in their casual visits. In 1818 the house was used as a school, but the names of the teachers who pre- sided at the desk cannot be recalled.
"As closely as can now be reckoned, be- tween the years 1824 and 1832, two schools independent of each other were conducted in a house still standing at the northeast corner of Fountain Avenue and North Street. The teachers were Reuben Miller, Esq., and James L. Torbert, Esq. Divided by a hallway, the west end was used by Mr. Miller, and in the east end Mr. Torbert kept his school. These were the pioneers in academy work, for both taught only pupils in the advanced grades.
"One of the drawing cards of Mr. Torbert's school was the fact that he gave instruction in English Grammar. Judge Torbert's dwelling was on Main Street, the site covered by Governor Bushnell's ยท substantial business block, and here Mrs. Torbert kept school for little children, whose weariness in quest of knowledge was slept off on a settee in her back par- Jor, and whose hunger was appeased with
ginger cookies from her pantry. Several persons are yet living who recall the facts thus recited, and who also remember the industrial branches, such as painting and embroidery, which were included in her system of training.
"One of Mrs. Torbert's pupils, after- ward enrolled in Judge Torbert's school, recalls the sentence by which she was in- itiated into the mysteries of English Grammar, parsing and analysis: 'John's hand trembled.' This is an interesting fact, since the usual introduction to pars- ing is through an ancient case of assault and battery, wherein 'James struck John.' But, after all, it may be a part of the same case, for, under the circum- stances, what would be expected of John but that his hand would tremble prelim- inary to giving a synthetic example of subject and object changing places in the sentence.
"These were the days of quill pens, with teacher as maker and mender. While making the rounds of his room for inspection or correction, he was wont to fix the damaged quills passed up to him. A good penknife, of proper edge and tem- per, was therefore an essential in the equipment of the master, and his skill and speed in pen cutting counted for much in the sum of his qualifications. One teacher had an eccentric fashion of thrusting the quills into his hair, till in his measured beat he came again to the pupil's seat. Hence by the time his round was made, his locks. more and more re- sembled the 'fretful porcupine.' Engraved copies for the penmanship exercise had not been invented, and so each teacher had to set the copy for his youthful scribes. This will explain, on the theory
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of heredity, why handwriting varies so, and also provides the cloak to cover a multitude of chirographic sins.
"It will be understood that all the schools of that 'elder day' were known as 'pay schools'; the idea of instruction for all at public expense, though advocated, did not yet meet with popular favor. The demand for teachers was often in excess of the supply, and public-spirited men, at times, were much at a loss how to keep the schools supplied with competent teachers.
"In order to provide proper training for her own children, Mrs. Ann Warder brought from Easten Pennsylvania into her own household a well-equipped in- structor, and, inviting a few children from family friends, opened a school in her homestead, then on East High Street, opposite Christ Church, now owned and occupied by the Misses Burrows. In her later home, on East Main Street, at the intersection of the Big Four Railway tracks, Mrs. Warder conducted a school of more advanced grade, among whose teaching corps may be named Miss Arm- strong and Mr. Lewis. -
"No teacher of the early days in Springfield will be longer or more loving- ly remembered than Miss Eunice Strong. Of sturdy New England stock, full of right convictions, broad in mind and large of heart, she impressed herself upon the. religious, educational and social life of her day. When Main Street was called South Street, and before it was opened east of Spring, access to the ridge now called High Street was by a road winding up the slope to its summit. On this road and below the Warder homestead before referred to, in a frame structure, Miss Strong kept school for younger pupils.
Afterward, in association with Miss Par- sons, on the site of the Charles Ludlow and Ross Mitchell residences, she had a school for older pupils. At a later period Miss Strong taught older students in a frame building on Fisher street, on the premises of the First Presbyterian Church. Many of the best years of her life were devoted to this good work, and no period of local educational history has the marks of one personality more deeply impressed upon it than the years Eunice Strong lived here. In response to ques- tions relative to her work, nearly every one exclaimed: 'Why, yes! Of course I remember Miss Strong.'
"If fires kept burning on the altar of education in any one locality can sanctify, then the northeast corner of High Street and Fountain Avenue ought to be regard- ed as 'holy ground.' As early, probably, as 1836, a two-story frame stood here, and on the second floor Mr. Elliott and his sister kept school for youth of both sexes. In 1837 Miss Strong succeeded in the occupancy of this site with her young people. Following her, Misses Merrill and Tenney kept a school for girls and continued it till 1840, the year of the fire that destroyed much of the business prop- erty of the town. In 1841 Rev. Mr. Pres- bury, rector of the Episcopal Church, brought to this classic corner his select school for girls, which he had previously conducted at his own home.
"In the course of time this frame gave place to a plain brick building of three stories, known to the last generation as the 'Baltimore Grocery.' Reaching the third floor by a stairway from High Street, one found a large, well-lighted room and well adapted to the school uses
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
of that time. When, after a few years' suspension of the Public High School, the course of study was again shaped to pro- vide a line of advanced work, the pupils pursuing it were separated from the other grades, and, in 1867, as a High School, were installed over this 'Baltimore Gro- cery.' Mr. Allen Armstrong and Miss Mary Harrison were the teachers in charge of this school.
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