Pennington High School - Yearbook (Blountsville, AL)

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The following copy of a share issued to M. D. S. Graves, dated December 27, 1890 is of b ln ti is 'I 'u 2 P interest. y 'A VQGU 1: vv '0'AVVV'PNAfXNvNA fefA 'ffAVVX'Vv'Wff'Ts1f'vf'fvvs sfvvvvvvvswvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv -svnezav-5-:kzv ee+erekfevsff,1vse -it fl see s -Q ees ss Q senses -f come s. I: .ET-B?'2?i EEfEEi:: 32 ,E??5 Ei- EE EZ EET-E?:EE E'gEE EE' :L EE'EEf E 5 ig at Egi g, at 5:3 X 1: 71 , - jf -tj:..N 'n Q 2 1, K-- -.-X X X -N,...xt.ff..-XX Q. si ,fltfl.,f ,,X X,s x :, ' l f fl 'iitfi X o -f -5 j XJ ' EE fl -, Q, 3 C ii 95 llilns is in Giertif Q, That esssessssss sessee sese eeeeeee O sese ts eo ssssssssss sees esse C t the holder I, of ashare of Fifty Dollars of the Capital Stock of the BLOU NT COUNTY COLLEGE ll if COMPANY, transferable in person or by attorney only on the surrender of this if Ceatificate to said Cortioration, whowill issue a new Certificate instead thereof,and :I E this Certificate is only transferable in this manner ,E lN WITNESS WHEREOF, the President and Secre- :Q tary have hereunto tgifhed theirsigngres at Blounts- lg 312 vine, Ala,, this ............. ........... K ......... d ay of e.e.ee..,. :Q .,..,.,,ll 18 15 2 1' KP Q 4: q ...,.... .... . Y . .,.. ..Y...., 1 .,.... ...,,,,,,,Ai,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Y4,--- 4: gg L Ji i fA if I7 I I , President. fi 4' ,...,,,,.. ,,.. . .fl ,...... .......... I ....... I ,,... 14 If:jQijff5li,,,,,, U, Q 5 V Secretary. - 4: ,mf - .umAgM:' ., -.-.-.-:2:awe.e. MQees+e:efefQ2.2.'-nesze- 1sQ4sQf,:,a32M 2l2' ' ll Blount County College Company Share 1890

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The History O J. B. Pennington High School In this year of our Lord, 1970, J. B. Pennington High School stands proudly as a monument to the dreams of past citizens and to their visions of a good life desired for oncoming generations. It is a symbol of hope and promise for the future. As we pay tribute to inspired leaders of the past, the torch must be borne by the brave and valiant of each generation if the dreams and ideals of our forefathers are to be realized. Pennington High has survived many tragic hardships, but her successes have been many. The influences mirrored in the dedication of the faculty, the achievments and worldwide contribu- tions of the alumni are a source of pride and inspiration. The record of these attainments are detailed and pictured, as far as possible, in the pages of this volume. Time, fires and other un- avoidable losses account for any omissions. It must be remembered that in this year, 1970, the school's staus and program are milestones only in a living dynamic institution. History proves that the roots of the present lie deep in the past. So, to see how the present came about there must be a look backward. As a be- ginning, the progress forward will start with Caleb Fryley and John Jones in 1816 as they rode into Bear Meat Cabin, later called Blountsville, and established the first white settlement in Blount County. The early settlers brought with them a yearning for education. George Powell states in his HISTORY OF BLOUNT COUNTY that He went from house to house teaching since there were no schools in Blount County. As far as the record goes, Mr. Powell was the first teacher in Blount County. In 1821 an act was passed by the Alabama Legislature establishing an academy in Blountsville. It named James Hendrick and Samuel Foust as trustees. This was the first mod- est step toward providing free public education in Blount County. This law removed the responsi- bility of education from the home and placed it upon the community along with the responsibility to support it. So, the seeds of the present-day institution were planted early in the community's history. There were indications of a growing recognition that education was increasingly vital 152 to the area's way of life. In present day vernac- ular an education explosion was making head- way. The next epochal stage in this cultural concern was the interest of influential men in establishing a private college in Blountsville. The burgeoning interest in education was about to bear fruit. A group of citizens met in the Masonic Hall to dis- cuss a proposed railroad project to connect Blountsville and Bangor. But the thoughts of a college, and its superior advantages were stirring in the hearts and minds of several of the men. The time and some overwhelming factors were urging action. The county seat had been moved to Oneonta leaving the new court house vacant. The building, planned and built by Otto Puls, a German architect, was eminently suited for col- lege purposes. The long felt need for a school strongly motivated the group's leaders. But there was not full agreement on the project. However, E. O. McCord was authorized to explore the county to determine the attitude and probable support of the populace. Whether money would be made available to purchase the building was a para- mount consideration. But it appeared that Blount College, the ideal of years was about to be realized! The task was terrific but obstacles were not un- known to these people. They were rugged and determined men, tempered by the aftermath of wars, the hardships of pioneer life, and often by deprivations that had driven them from their homes to seek a better life. Nothing could turn them from a chosen course. Mr. McCord rode in his buggy for two months campaigning for money to buy the building, and to see the ideals of a better educated people. He succeeded in his goals. Another meeting was held and a stock company was organized. On April 23, 1890, Probate Judge Jesse W. Ellis commissioned Edgar O. McCord, Albert A. Murphree and Milton H. Collins as a board of corporators. He authorized and empowered them to sell stock. Each share was worth 350.00 and an opportunity was given throughout the county to purchase them. Blount College was on the way!

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The first meeting of the stockholders of the Blount County College Company was held at Blountsville May 10, 1890 to frame by-laws and elect officers. Capt. A. J. Ingram was elected presi- dent, and Hugh S. Williams, secretary. The purpose of the college was to educate the male and female students of the white race. Blount College could grant diplomas which enabled a graduate to teach anywhere in the State of Ala- bama without further examination. The advantages of Blount College were summed up by THE BLOUNT CHRONICLE of March 19, 1891 as follows:, 1. Commodious and comfortable buildings. 2. Abundant supply of purest water in the college building. 3. The utmost sanitary conditions have pre- vailed about the college and campus. 4. A carefully arranged curriculum of study. 5. A faculty of men and women thoroughly competent in every respect. 6. Books at wholesale prices. 7. Boarding as cheap as the cheapest. 8. Excellent Sunday school and church privil- eges. 9. A moral atmosphere to breath all the time. 10. Tuition rates most reasonable. 11. Electric bells connected with every class- room and rung by the chapel clock saving much loss of time changing classes. 12. In every respect the college is conducted on the latest and most approved methods. The college opened in September 1890 with the building overflowing with an enthusiastic student body of country boys and girls who came from all parts of Alabama. It was, however, February 18, 1891 before the Legislature of Alabama gave Blount College its charter and authorized it to grant diplomas and confer degrees. The first de- grees were conferred on June 7, 1892. The college grew and at one time eight states and many coun- ties were represented in the student body. 154 The charter of Blount College designated Rich- ard Nations, Lewis B. Huffstutler, Vernon War- ren, William T. Hood, Thomas O. Sivley, Uriah W. Bynum, John Blackwood, Dr. Joseph F. Hend- ricks and Elijah E. Fields as corporators of the company. They were to elect the professors and teachers, one of whom they would name as presi- dent. McCord, a young man of twenty one, was offered the presidency, but on account of his youth, declined. He went to Huntsville and succeeded in interesting Dr. J. A. B. Lovett in the new institu- tion and he was elected president. The following were selected as teachers: E. O. McCord, Col. M. K. Clements, Robert Jones, and Miss Mary Lovett. Later Professor and Mrs. J. A. Liner were added to the faculty. On January 5, 1895, the old brick building formerly the court house and located on the town square, was destroyed by fire of unknown origin. About five o'clock on Saturday morning fire was discovered in the primary department of Blount College. The town was alarmed and the citizens and students made a heroic effort to extinguish the flames, but their efforts were in vain. The furniture could not be saved. THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT on January 10, 1895 said the build- ing was probably the best college building in the state-and furnished with the very best of school furniture, charts, maps, globes, piano, organ, a good library and the finest geological museum in the state, and perhaps in the South, all of which was completely destroyed causing a loss of twenty- five thousand dollars. 'The following editorial in the BIRMINGHAM AGE HERALD is of interest. The burning of Blount College was a serious misfortune. But it will not be such a misfortune after all if the principal and the teachers will move to Birmingham. This has been spoken of hereto- fore and now is the time. Birmingham is ready and willing to help all educational institutions that will come. The more the merrier.