USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Connellsville > Centennial history of the borough of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1806-1906 > Part 29
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Many men have not had the advantages to be obtained at school and, moreover, have passed the school age. To those who have mapped out a business course for them- selves and who do not wish to add to the great per cent of failures, there is but one avenue of self-improvement left open, namely, the library, or, the education to be obtained from books.
The founder of this institution obtained his business education from a small library of 400 volumes opened to him free once a week. On account of the great benefit derived from this small collection of books, he resolved to use a large part of his great fortune to benefit others in a like manner.
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Education in the public schools today is not only free but it is also compulsory. The most valuable accessory to the public school is the library, which is not only an aid to the pupil while in school, but furnishes a post-graduate course for him after leaving school.
The influence of the library for good is always marked. Its whole tendency is to uplift and benefit, and every true teacher keenly appreciates the value of a public library as a public educator.
If Connellsville wishes to be prosperous in years to come, it will become so in proportion as it causes its edu- cational institutions to prosper and grow. Education can make this community one of the greatest in this country and every cent contributed toward that object will help to make more prosperous business men and better citizens.
In the same year that this Borough was chartered, on January 28, 1800, a small group of men met in the log school house and organized a debating club called the "Polemic Society." Its constitution would be a model for this day. It was signed by thirteen men as follows: George Mathiot, John B. Trevor, Peter Bass, William Davies, Stewart H. Whitehill, Fetty Engle, David Barnes, Wm. McCormick, John Mefford, Jacob D. Mathiot, Baltzer Sni- der, David Melick and John Mahaffy. The questions de- bated at the first meeting were, first: "Was it good policy in our government to make the purchase of Louisiana ?" and "Ought the Governor of any state to fill all the offices under his jurisdiction with men of his own political principles?" At a later meeting a motion was passed that all books owned by the different members should be loaned to those who were appointed to debate. This is the first historical mention of the free interchange of books in Con- nellsville.
Later a small circulating library of about 400 volumes was established in Connellsville by P. J. Collins. J. C. Moore was elected librarian and the books were circulated from his drug store. The selection of books was not very satisfac-
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tory and the stockholders soon abandoned their use. By vote of the stockholders, this lot of books was donated to the Cottage State Hospital on June 9th, 1893, and they are to be found today on the shelves of the Hospital library.
Mr. Carnegie's policy of establishing free public libra- ries becoming known, it was only natural that the public spirited citizens of Connellsville should meet together and assume that their petition for a library would receive fa- vorable consideration from one who had made many mil- lions out of his investments in Connellsville coal.
But every enterprise must have a leader and that bur- den rested upon the shoulders of Dr. J. C. McClenathan. He visited a number of the leading citizens and was assured of their interest in the project. He then took up the mat- ter with the different members of the Town Council. Af- ter securing their promise of co-operation, the following resolutions were passed on April 14, 1899, at a special meeting of council called for the purpose of considering the library proposition.
WHEREAS, In this day of educational progress, Connellsville is sadly lacking in one of the essential re- quisites of enlightenment, namely, a public library, there being at present no collection of books or periodicals of any kind accessible to our reading public; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the great Amer- ican manufacturer and philanthropist, has caused to be built in different localities magnificent libraries, which he has generously endowed and dedicated to the free use of the public of the general dissemination of knowledge, to the worthy and patriotic end that the people may become wiser and better citizens; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Andrew Carnegie is a leading stock- holder in the H. C. Frick Coke Company, which company employs, in the section of which Connellsville is the nat- ural commercial and gregarious center, thousands of peo- ple who will be afforded an opportunity to better their con- dition and the condition of their children by the location in their midst of a public library ; and
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WHEREAS, It has been suggested by leading citi- zens of Connellsville that the Burgess and Town Council take this matter up in their official capacity and present it to Mr. Carnegie with a request for its favorable consid- eration, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That our earnest co-operation and hearty support is extended to the movement to procure a Carnegie Library at Connellsville, and, in the event of a favorable consideration of the matter by Mr. Carnegie, the Borough's faith is hereby pledged to furnish a proper site for the library, and to guarantee its maintenance in case of the failure of any endowment which the founder may make toward its support.
RESOLVED, That the President appoint a committee to act in conjunction with the Burgess and Town Council in carrying these resolutions into effect.
CLAIR STILLWAGON,
President.
ATTEST :
GEORGE B. BROWN, Clerk.
Approved this 15th day of April, 1899.
J. S. BRYNER,
Burgess.
The resolutions were adopted and the President was instructed to appoint a committee to act in accordance therewith.
The President appointed the following committee :
L. F. Ruth,
I. C. Smutz,
E. Dunn,
H. Coll,
J. D. Frisbee,
B. F. Boyts,
H. P. Snyder,
G. J. Humbert.
H. C. Huston,
Rev. Dr. T. S. Cartright,
Chas. Davidson, E. C. Higbee, Esq.,
J. M. Reid,
Dr. J. C. McClenathan,
Rev. W. A. Edie,
H. P. Berryhill,
Rev. E. B. Burgess,
C. W. Mauk,
Rev. G. W. Morris,
J. S. Bryner,
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Rev. John Burns,
John Soisson, Jas. C. Munson,
Clair Stillwagon,
R. Marietta,
J. S. Norris,
J. D. Wilson,
H. M. Kerr.
J. T. McCormick,
Rev. J. B. Risk.
Geo. A. Markle,
This meeting of the Town Council marked the begin- ning of a new era in Connellsville. These councilmen builded better than they thought, when they laid the foun- dation of a popular educational institution to create better citizens. The city and the state furnish free education to the masses, even compelling them to accept such instruc- tion as will better their situation in life, and prepare them to take an intelligent part in the conduct of our govern- ment. This wise policy which opens the doors of our free schools to the children to teach them to read suggests the plan be completed by furnishing them what they should read.
The citizens committee appointed by council at this meeting to formulate a proposition to submit to Mr. Car- negie met on the following Tuesday evening in old City Hall. This committee organized by electing Dr. J. C. Mc- Clenathan, president, and Aloysius Coll, secretary. This was an open meeting and was largely attended by the citi- zens of the town, each one expressing his own individual opinion of what was best to be done.
After a full and free discussion, it was decided to appoint a committee of two to write to Mr. Andrew Car- negie, expressing their views and requesting his assistance. Dr. J. C. McClenathan and Dr. T. S. Cartwright were ap- pointed to perform this duty.
On April 19th, 1899, a letter was mailed to Mr. Car- negie expressing the sentiments of the meeting and appeal- ing to him for assistance. Some fear was at once ex- pressed that we were too late in making our wants known, as Mr. Carnegie was to sail for Europe in a few days. An- other public meeting was held on Friday evening and ar-
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rangements were completed for sending a committee di- rectly to Mr. Carnegie by Monday evening, in case no word should be received from him by that time.
On Monday, April 24th, 1899, a letter was received by Dr. J. C. McClenathan from Mr. Carnegie which relieved the committee of the necessity of making the trip to New York. Results came very quickly from the organized ef- forts of the previous week and caused universal rejoicing in the aquisition of so noble and magnificent a gift from Mr. Carnegie. The following is a copy of the letter re- ceived :
NEW YORK, N. Y., April 22nd, 1899.
Dr. J. C. McClenathan, Connellsville, Pa.
Dear Sir :- In reply to yours of the 19th, I will be pleased to give $50,000.00 for the desired library building, provided a suitable site is furnished and the council agrees to grant a fund annually to maintain and operate the library.
I am sending a copy of this to President Frew of the Insti- tute at Pittsburgh with whom you can communicate, as I sail next week.
Wishing you success in your efforts,
Yours very truly,
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
A general meeting was called by the chairman for Monday evening, April 24 in the old City Hall. The hall was well filled, the meeting taking the form of a jubilee to return thanks to Mr. Andrew Carnegie. A committee was appointed to send the glad news of our rejoicing and our thanks to Mr. Carnegie.
On Tuesday morning the committee, consisting of H. P. Snyder, J. B. Risk and T. S. Cartwright, wired the fol- lowing resolutions :
"At a full meeting of our general committee, held last evening, the following minutes were adopted, and, by order of the meeting, are now sent to you :
First .- The meeting gratefully appreciates your gen- erous offer to give $50,000 toward the establishment of a free library for the Connellsville coke region.
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Second .- The meeting, while assuring you of its pro- found gratitude and joy, would also guarantee compliance with your stipulated conditions for a suitable site and ade- quate support.
Third .- The meeting records its conviction that your philanthropic example will have a beneficial influence on public sentiment and feeling, while the library itself will aid greatly in the work of social reform, and intellectual and religious progress.
Fourth .- The meeting thanks you publicly for your noble gift, and hopes for increasing success in your gigantic undertakings, and wishes bon voyage for you and your family."
At the meeting the chairman was directed to appoint a committee of five to take general charge of the library work. A committee of two was appointed to visit Mr. W. N. Frew to ascertain what requirements would be nec- essary to obtain the appropriation.
The School Board, Town Council and the general Li- brary Committee met on the following Tuesday evening in joint session in the Council Chamber. Secretary Welsh reported for the School Board how that body could con- demn the old grave yard. Solicitor Higbee stated how the Town Council could obtain possession of the same grounds, but stated that, in his opinion, it would be better for the School Board to proceed with the condemnation of the old cemetery.
The library committee at once agreed with the Town Council and the School Board that the proper location for the proposed new library building was the old cemetery.
As a result of this meeting, the School Board was in- structed to proceed to condemn the old "Connell Grave Yard" for a site for the library building. Dr. T. S. Cart- wright and Dr. J. C. McClenathan in a few days visited Mr. W. N. Frew, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institute. Mr. Frew stated that a site must be
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first obtained and a fund of $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 be annu- ally guaranteed by the Town Council.
On August 11th, the School Board elected an attorney for the ensuing year and instructed him to proceed with the work of condemning the cemetery for library purposes. The members of the school board for this year were Dr. S. D. Woods, W. S. Schenck, F. E. Markell, J. S. Norris, H. S. Howard and J. C. McClenathan. It required almost one year for the school board to condemn the ground and remove the bodies from the old cemetery.
They had first to ask the court to condemn the grounds, then appoint a jury to assess the damages and wait for an- other session of court to have this act confirmed. A lot in the Chestnut Hill cemetery was purchased, an order se- cured from the court to move the bodies, which order had to be properly advertised and confirmed before any work could be begun.
After all this work was completed, the auditors of the Borough at first refused to allow this expense, and sur- charged the treasurer, W. S. Schenck with the amount of money expended, which amounted to about $2,000.00.
After the misrepresentations which had been made to the auditors had been corrected and the facts made clear to them, two members of the auditing board, L. A. How- ard and J. J. Donnelly made and signed an amended report granting this expense, on November 16, 1900. Thus ended, in failure, the first attempt to injure the library cause.
On April 2d, 1900, the School Board passed a resolu- tion to assess a one mill tax for the maintenance of the library as follows :
Be it resolved by the Board of School Directors of Connellsville Borough :
First .- On condition that Mr. Andrew Carnegie build and erect on said land, a suitable library building, costing at least the sum of fifty thousand dollars, the lot, lately known as the Connell grave yard, be donated or held under
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such arrangements as may hereafter be agreed upon by the board and Mr. Carnegie.
Second .- That the tax of one mill upon the assessed valuation of the district be levied and collected for this year in the same manner as other taxes are by law collected to be paid over monthly to the trustees aforesaid for the sup- port and maintenance of said library.
Third .- That it is the sentiment of the board that the school district should hereafter regularly and annually con- tribute (not to exceed one mill) to the support of said li- brary.
Fourth .- That the representative of Mr. Carnegie be invited to meet with the board or a committee appointed by the board at such time and place as may be convenient, to arrange upon a plan for the control and management of the proposed library, which will be satisfactory to both and agreeable to law.
At the next meeting of the school board, on April 9th, 1900, three of its members were elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Library, as follows: Dr. S. D. Woods, W. S. Schenck and H. S. Howard.
The selection of the beautiful location which the library building now occupies, is due chiefly to the efforts of the members of the school board who were serving at that time.
When the members of the general committee visited Mr. Frew, he was asked his opinion of the best method of selecting a board of trustees for the library. He emphati- cally stated his opinion that we should follow Mr. Carnegie's idea and select one half the board as a permanent body and divide the other members equally between the school board and the Town Council, as the Institute Board of Pittsburgh had been formed. Mr. C. C. Mellor, chairman of the art committee, very positively endorsed the same plan.
This plan was then adopted for Connellsville, Mr. Car- negie appointed six citizens of the Borough, who had been recommended by Mr. Frew, as permanent members of the
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Board of Trustees for the library. This committee of six members was at once approved by the Town Council at a regular meeting held April 2nd, 1900, as follows:
On motion of Marcus Marietta, seconded by Jacob Brickman, the following named persons selected by Mr. Carnegie as permanent trustees for the Carnegie Free Library be approved: E. Dunn, Dr. J. C. McClenathan, Rockwell Marietta, L. F. Ruth, H. P. Snyder and W. H. Hugus.
At a regular meeting of council held April 16th, 1900, the following resolution was passed:
A committee on public library appeared before coun- cil asking the council to set aside one mill of the taxation of the Borough for 1900, and on motion of Jacob Brick- man, seconded by L. E. Bishop, the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved: That we appropriate one mill of the money collected and paid to the Borough treasurer, beginning with the year nineteen hundred (1900), to be paid to the treas- urer of the Carnegie Free Library to be used for the annual maintenance thereof.
On April 10th, 1900, the six permanent members, the three members appointed by the school board and the three members selected by the council, making twelve members in all, met in the Council Chamber to organize. The fol- lowing officers were elected: President, Dr. J. C. McClen- athan; Vice President, Rockwell Marietta; Secretary, H. P. Snyder, and Treasurer, L. F. Ruth.
On April 18th, 1900, the following petition was pre- pared by some of the opponents of the library and addressed to Mr. Carnegie :
"Dear Sir :- In order to apprise you of the state of public sentiment in reference to your proposition to give $50,000.00 toward the erection of a public library in Con- nellsville, Pa., provided a site be donated, and provision be made to maintain it, we, the undersigned citizens and tax- payers of the Borough, while appreciating the generosity
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of your offer, would respectfully enter out protest against burdening the town with a debt that it can ill afford to incur under existing conditions.
The parties having the matter in charge have neither subscribed anything themselves, nor do they intend to raise the necessary funds by voluntary donations, but propose to perpetually obligate the Borough corporation for main- tenance by taxation and to invite litigation from the original proprietors of the town, for the library site, which was deeded to the Borough for the purpose of a cemetery.
In order to raise the necessary amount for the main- tenance of the library, it will require a two mill tax on the present valuation of the property of the Borough, while the town is in sad need of sanitary improvements, being unsewered, and having but a small proportion of the streets paved. Sewers must be provided in the near future and the town is already in debt almost to the legal limit, yet the promoters of the library scheme propose to obligate the town to far more than the legal limit of indebtedness.
We are persuaded, from a slight canvass of public opinion, that a large majority of property holders in the town are opposed to assuming this indebtedness, and, while appreciating your generosity in the matter, would respect- fully request that you withhold your donation until the pro- moters provide for the expense of maintenance by voluntary contributions."
After a thorough canvass of the town, a small list of names was obtained and the petition sent to Mr. W. N. Frew, requesting him to forward it to Mr. Carnegie. Mr. Frew immediately answered the petition by saying, "It is hardly necessary for me to do so, as, beyond question, it would be immediately returned to me for action. In any event, Mr. Carnegie would naturally feel that he could not withdraw his offer unless the authorities of Connells- ville decline to accede to the conditions attached to it. If the ground on which to locate the building is secured and the tax levying body, presumably elected by the people,
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legally provides a sum for the maintenance of the library, it will be evidence to Mr. Carnegie that his proposition has been accepted by the people. If the situation is as you say, his offer will, of course, fall to the ground."
With a restatement of the conditions of the gift, Mr. Frew closed his letter, which, when read and understood, was a very flat refusal to pay any attention to the petition.
The work of the school board, in its condemnation of the old cemetery and the removal of the bodies interred therein, having been completed, a deed was executed by the school board, transferring all of its claim and right to the plot of ground, to the board of trustees of the library, on May 15th, 1900.
AGREEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.
"An agreement made and entered into this 15th day of May, 1900, between the school board and the board of trustees of the library and duly signed by the officers of each party, expressly states that :
"First .- The school board hereby agrees to pay monthly to the treasurer of the said library trustees all monies received by the board as the proceeds of any tax levy made by them for the purpose of aiding or assisting in the equipment or maintenance of the said Carnegie Free Library.
Second .- The school board, having elected three per- sons to represent them upon the Board of Trustees of the said Carnegie Free Library, for one, two or three years respectively, shall each year hereafter elect one person to fill the vacancies occurring by the expiration of the term of the persons now chosen, or by their earlier death, res- ignation or removal, which persons hereafter elected shall hold their position for the period of three years, or until their successors are chosen.
Third .- In consideration of the assistance to be re- ceived from the said school board, the said trustees of the Carnegie Free Library, hereby agree that they will annu-
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ally report to the school board an account of the expendi- tures of the monies received from said board, said account to be verified by the affidavit of their secretary and treas- urer, manager or other proper officer and said account shall be subject to the examination and correction of the auditors by whom the accounts of the school board are audited in like manner as the accounts of the said board."
After receiving the guarantee of maintenance from both the Town Council and the school board, and having a title to the old cemetery, the library trustees sent a com- mittee to Mr. Frew to submit these facts to him, and, on January 4th, 1901, Mr. Frew directed the Board of Trus- tees of the library, in a letter directed to the president, to proceed to erect the library building.
It was decided to receive competitive sketches for a library building from different architects. Eight different sketches were presented, and, after a careful examination, the selection for the most satisfactory sketch fell to Mr. J. M. McCollum of Pittsburgh, Pa. This selection was made at a full board meeting on March 12th, 1901. The architect, Mr. McCollum, was directed to complete his plans and specifications at once.
After duly advertising for bids for the erection of the library building, the trustees met on April 30, 1901, and examined bids from five different contractors, and awarded the contract to J. A. Nixon of Titusville, Pa., he being the lowest bidder.
The contract price of the building alone was $39,850.00. To this must be added extra for foundation, grading, low pressure steam heating plant, steel book stack, interior wood furniture, all gas and electric fixtures, seats for lecture hall, frescoing, cementing the basement, architect's commission, etc., etc. All of these contracts were let separately to save the commission of the general contractor. The work of erecting the building began in May, 1901.
The corner stone was laid Wednesday, July 31, 1901. After a heavy rain in the morning, making the region very
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muddy, the beautiful warm rays of the sun shone down on the assembled throng just as the ceremonies began. This was the auspicious beginning of a glad triumph of educa- tion in Connellsville.
Following the invocation, delivered by Rev. M. J. Sleppy, Dr. J. C. McClenathan, the chairman of the Board of Trustees said, "The Trustees have thought best today to lay a corner-stone to mark the beginning of a movement that will be a mile stone in the history of this town. We are today making history that will be remembered and looked to as long as Connellsville shall exist. No one event will be pointed to in the future, as marking the progress of the town, both intellectually and morally, more than the laying of this corner-stone. This library will be a great factor in the home life of the people of Connellsville."
Rev. W. A. Edie was then introduced and, in part, said: "This is an interesting occasion. There has been no event in the history of Connellsville more gratifying than the one this morning. Today we lay the corner-stone of an enterprise that will be a public benefit and a public blessing. We are thankful to the Trustees who have labored patiently and carried out their purpose, and congratulate them on their success."
The next speaker introduced was Attorney General John P. Elkins, who said: "There was a time when it was thought unnecessary that the masses should be educated, but that time has passed. The library goes hand in hand with the church and school. The base of civilization is the civilization of righteousness, school, church and library."
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