Flemington High School - Memories Yearbook (Flemington, WV)

Page 7 text:

HISTOJ.i' (JF THE WEoT VlHGINIA COLLEGE In 1863, Reverend Flavious Cather, a Baptist minister, formed a joint stock company for the purpose of purchasing a site, erecting a building and maintaining a school of high order at Flemington Seven thousand dollars were raised for the enterprise. The company pur- chased of Mr. Emory Fleming five acres of land, situated on a beautiful plateau encircled by a chain of lofty hills, about three fourths of a mile east of Flemington on the Baltimore Ohio railroad. Work was begun on he building but tfte funds were exhausted before the building was completed and 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 be used for school purposes. A charter granting full college powers was obtained by a special act of the legislature, and the name West Virginia College was adopted. Reverend A. B. Williams was elected president. Among the succeeding presidents were Professor William Golegrove, Reverend David Powell and Reverend Thomas E. Peden. For nearly 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 disdontinued in 1892. Mr. Clark Cather and otners used the building for subscription schools and summer normals from 1892 to 1899. HISTORY OF FLtoklwGTuN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL In 1899 the Board of Education of Flemington district was composed of Michael Graney, president, and Jebediah 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. CLqrk Cather, an excounty 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 school 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 cf the term. Mr. Shrader was employed for the second year. The enrollment was about twenty-five. Four pupils graduated. Mr. Louis M. Snyder was chosen principal in 1905; thirty-nine pupils were enrolled, four of whom graduated. At the close of the term Mr. Snyder realigned to accept a position in a bank at Morgan— town, and Ac tiis ounibcj’ of pupils. to demand it.

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Ton S Evuc','U ;fi Welded to employ two teachers for the year Zy? ‘ Ae'toi-'-’.’n.'ly f'vank o, Tracy was elected principal a d Mr. W. Edwin Toubijn, assistants fifty-four pupils were enrolled; six graduated» The foJloving year with the sane teachers the enrollment reached iifty-rdne, the largest in the history of the school. Eleven pupils graduated at. t i clOw 3 o.f th toinn In 150P, Mr. d. 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 193?, Mr. S. Orestes Bond was chosen as principal and Mr. Frank S. White, assistant. That year the course of stud was made somewhat broader and the subject c? Agriculture was given a prominent place. Among other innovations lor the year was a Pistrict Agricultural Exhibit, w. i c.i, wit.i the aid of Professor Daniel W Working and others from the West Virginia foliage 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 closing, 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 diplcmas of graduation. It is, perhaps., only just to say that the character and attain- ment of the young people who have attended the High School, furnish abundant proof of ti e v.lsaom of the people an maintaininc a DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.