Flemington High School - Memories Yearbook (Flemington, WV)

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HISTORY OF THE WEST VIRGINIA COLLEGE In 1863, Reverend Flavius Cather, a Baptist minister, formed a joint stock company for the puro-ca of purchasing a site, erecting a building and maintaining a school of high order at Flemington. Seven thousand dollars were raised f'c.r the enterprise. The company purchased of Mr. flnory Fleming five acres of land, situated on a beautiful plateau encircled oy a chain cf lofty hilj.s, about three fourths of a mile east of Flemington on che Baltimore £• Ohio rail- road. Work was begun on the bui ding but the funds were exhausted before the building was completed ana the work had to be discontinued. In 1867, the Free Will Baptists purchased the property and continued the work on the building until it could oe used for school purposes. A charter granting full college powers was obtained by a special act of the legislature, and the nan? West Virginia College was adopted. Reverend A, B. Williams was elected president. Among the succeeding presidents were Professor William Colegrove, Reverend David Powell and Reverend Thomas E. Peden. For ne rly a quarter of a century this school was one of the most important educational institutions in the State, but on account of lack of financial support it was discontinued in 1892. Mr. Clark Cather and others used the building for sub- scription schools and summer normals from 1892 to 1899. HISTORY OF FLEMINGTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL In 1899 the Board of Education of Flemington district was composed of Michael Graney, president, and Jedediah D. Frum and John M. Ross, commissioners. There being a demand for additional room for pupils in sub-district No. 2, it was decided by the board to purchase the property known as ’West Virginia College, which was then offered for sale for the sum of $2,200. It was used for the first four years as a two-room district school. Mr. Clark Cather, an ex- county superintendent, had charge of the advanced grades for the first two years and Mr. Dellet Newlon, present county superintendent, for the next two years. At the general election in 1902, the question of establishing a district high school was submitted to the voters of Flemington district. It carried by an overwhelming majority and College High School, the first district high schopl in the State, was established. The Board of Education having charge of the school affairs at that time consisted of John B. Cather, president; John M, Ross and F. Baxter Haller, Commissioners. At the July meeting of the board in 1903, Mr. J. E. Shrader was chosen as the first principal of the College High School. About twenty pupils were enrolled, five of whom graduated at the close of the term. Mr. Shrader was employed for the second year. The enrollment was about twenty-five. Four pupils graduated. Mi'. Louie M. Snyder was chosen principal in 1905; thirty-nine pupils were enrolled, four of whom graduated. At the close of the term itr, Snyaer resigned to accept a position in a bank at Morgan- town, ana as the increased number of pupils seemed to demand it, the Board of Education decided to employ two teachers for the year

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-2- r 1906-7. Accordingly Mr. Frank J. Tracy was elected principal and Mr. W. Edwin Tomblyn, assistant. Fifty-four pupils were enrolled; six graduated. The following year with the same teachers the enrollment reached fifty- nine, the largest in the history of the school. Eleven pupils graduated at the close of the term. In 1908, Mr. J. N. Fries was elected principal, and Mr. E. W, Kenedy, assistant. The enrollment was somewhat less than it had been and no pupils were graduated, but substantial progress was made. In 1909, Mr. S. Orestes Bond was chosen as principal and Mr. Frank S. White, assistant. That year the course of study was made somewhat broader and the subject of Agriculture was given a prominent place. Among other innovations for the year was a District Agricultural Exhibit, which, with the aid of Professor Daniel W. Working and others from the West Virginia College of Agriculture, was made one of the most interesting and instructive features of the year. With the same teachers the following year which is the one just clos- ing, this feature assumed still larger proportions. This year the course of study was made more comprehensive, the study of music was introduced and a piano was purchased by the school. At the close of the year three young people received diplomas of graduation. It is, perhaps, only just to say that the character and attainment of the young people who have attended the High School, furnish abundant proof of the wisdom of the people in maintaining a DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. 1904 CLASS OF 1908 1913 1. Mabel D. Currey 1. Bessie Hadix 1. Bertha Allen 2. Gettie Cather 2. Fred A. Bradley 2. Charles Butcher 3. E. Stanley Haller 3. Lulu I. Springer 3. Nona Batson 4. Jesse Cather 4. Byron C, Ross 4. Delbert Blake 5. Leyton Batson 5. Lillie Alltop 5. Georgia Currey 6. Walter G. Menear 6. Brooks Fleming 1905 7. Bessie Winter 7. Sheridan Frum 1. A. Bush Cather 8. Stanley Fleming 8. Fred Kelley 2. Latelle Graney 9. Kittie Clevenger 9. Jessie Lawson 3. Adah Springer 10. Percy H. Currey 10. Hattie Smith 4. Enid Haller 11, Carey Whitehair 11. John Traxler 1906 1911 12. Russel West 1. Helen Allen 1, Morris Haller 1914 2. M. Quay Haller 2, Bessie Tomblyn 1. Carl Allen 3. Rae H. Cather 3 Dennis Cather 2. Carl Cheneweth 4. Iva Whitehair 3. Doris Coughnn 1912 4. William Garrett 1907 lt Leslie Allen 2 Smith Biggs 5. Grover Lawson 1. Ethid Waller 6. Roxie Pepper 2. Zona Lough 3. Bertha Cather 7. Ernest Pinnell 3. Elsie Winter 4, Oma Springer 8. Wade Smith 4. Edith Springer 5. Leah Drainer 9. Cecil Springer 5. Mamie Dilworth 6. Harlan Kelley 10. Nellie Whitehair 6. Tracey A. Currey 7. Ralph Pepper