Lycoming College - Arrow Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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The way in which Williamsport Dickinson Seminary came to be at all reads almost like a romance. Toivard the end of the year 1847 Rev. Benjamin H. Crever, who was himself the highest type of a broadly cultured Christian gentleman, then stationed at Milton, thirty miles east of fVilliamsport, hastened to Wil- liamsport to ascertain what might be done toward maintaining the life of the Academy or transforming it into a Methodist institution. It is au- thenticated history that he walked a large part of the weary ivay through slush and mud, fearing to lose an hour lest the opportunity might be gone. B. H. Crever had done his work well and on January 4, 1848, representatives of the Methodist Episcopal Church proposed to the Town Council and the borough of Williams- port that a Board of Trustees should be formed to found a school called Dickinson Seminary which would be auxiliary to Dickinson College at Carlisle. The Baltimore Annual Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church would supervise the school and act as patron. The Town Council accepted the propositions and when, in March of 1848, the Baltimore Con- ference agreed to extend patronage and sup- port to the school, a foresighted church be- came associated with a floundering educa- tional adventure. At the first meeting of the trustees in April, 1848, Rev. Thomas Bowman was appointed president of the school and Rev. Benjamin Crever financial agent. Rob- ert Fleming was elected secretary and Judge John Smith treasurer. An energetic program was launched. Plans for future expansion of the then existing build- ing were expressed by Rev. Bowman in a let- ter to the Rev. Mr. Crever on May 19, 1848. . . . As to the Semy. buildings I have a new plan in my head, which I think will save some money and still do well in other respects. The plan is this — to raise the present building another story and a half, and add on to the east about 70 ft. of the same height. Have lecture rooms, dining hall and the kitchen all in the basement — run a Hall on first floor east to west through the en- tire building and have rooms fitted for teacher, steward, and pupils. Leave the Chapel as it is and in the new building on the same floor have rooms for scholars. This I think would give us all the room we want — would save considerable and look very well. . . . This was the beginning of the project which ended with the completion of Old Main. On July 3, 1850, the cornerstone was laid for the east wing. In 1854, for $45,575.08 a six story building connecting the two wings was erected. This structure provided rooming accommodations for 200 students and marked the first in a long series of realities fostered by plans for future expansion. Dickinson Seminary opened its doors on September 14, 1848, and 212 students at- tended that first year. The faculty consisted of the Rev. Mr. Bowman, the Rev. and Mrs. Crever, and Miss C. E. Crever, sister of Mr. Crever. By 1850 the Seminary ' s catalogue could claim that its success has far sur- passed the most sanguine anticipations of its friends. Convenient access to the school could be had by coach or canal. The young school had a three year course of study fol- lowing which a student was prepared to teach in high schools, go into business, or continue education through college. Ambitious stu- dents found at their disposal courses such as Latin or Greek grammar, surveying and nav- igation, logic, rhetoric, astronomy, and even Xenophon ' s Anabasis. Average cost of room and board for the eleven weeks ' quarter amounted to $20,071 2 with the highest tuition (for the language course) set at $6.37V2 per quarter. The discipline of the school in 1850 was described as mild but firm, calculated to promote intellectual advancement and im- prove the heart. Perhaps a glance at some of the by-laws will give us an idea of what this policy actually meant: The hours of study shall be as follows: FALL AND WINTER TERMS 6 A.M. to 8 A.M.; 1P.M. to 5 P.M. 9A. M. tol2M. ; 7 P.M. to 9 P.M.

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I)y Williamsporl. Thus, the quiet, small vil- lage liecame the mecca for the hip limhcr of North Ceiilral Pennsylvania. The industry jetted forward and grew to the extent lluit in 1883 the record week saw 108,226 log- herd- ed to the jaws of the mills to hecome huiliiing materials for many thriving communities. Af- ter the decline of the lumlier trade William- port continued to expand and attract indu-- tries, and in 19. 9 lioasted a population of 45,047. Against this hackground the fore- runners of Lycoming College were established and grew. The Williamsport Academy for the Ed- ucation of Youth in the English and other languages, in the Useful Arts, Science, and Literature was incorporated on April 2, 1811. The State Legislature appropriated S2,000 annually for the Academy. On the land do- nated by Michael Ross on West and Third Streets, contractors A. D. Hepburn and Jere- miah Tallman erected an octagonal two story brick building with two rooms on each floor. The Academy was founded largely under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church. The first principal was the Reverend Samuel Hen- derson, Pastor of Lycoming (Newberry) Pres- byterian Church, assisted by Thomas Grier. Henderson and Grier were followed by other competent men. However, the Acad- emy was (loomed to financial failure. In 1834 I he State Legislature passed the common school law giving state subsidies to free pub- lic schools. Because the |)ul)Iic schools were too much for the Academy, from 1835 to 18.39 the trustees rented the Academy build- ing to the Town Council for public school use for SI 5 per year. In 1839 the land and building were sold to John M. Hall for the reason that the railroad ' running to Ralston has its southern terminus near the building and therefore it is both annoying and danger- ous for the school. With the $2,392 real- ized from the sale the trustees purchased 1 and ' % acres of land just north of the borough limits. They erected a plain brick three story building which was 40 feet by 60 feet. (This still remains as the west wing of Old Main.) The Legislature discontinued aid to private schools and subsequently in 1845 the new Academy building was sold for $432. John K. Hays and Peter Vanderbelt were the pur- chasers, and Hays resold it to the Town Coun- cil for $443.68. Financial problems still con- tinued to plague the struggling school and in 1848 the property was again put up for sale. The school ' s first annual, the Log Book told the story: IV

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SUMMER TERM 6 A.M. to 8 A.M.; 2 P.M. to 6 P.M. 9 A. M. to 12 M. : 8 P. M. to 9 P. M. During the hours of study the students shall not be unnecessarily absent from their rooms. At no time shall any student loiter in the halls, or about the doors, or indulge in jump- ing, loud talking, whistling, or any other un- necessary noise, or in the use of Tobacco in the buildings. The students shall not be absent from their rooms at night after 7 o ' clock, during the Fall and Winter Terms; or after 8 o ' clock during the Summer Term; nor shall they, .it anv time, attend parties, or mixed assemblies, without permission from one of the teachers; nor hall they, at any time, visit the taverns, eating-houses, or otlwr places nl public resort. or on anv occasion indulge in the u c of in- toxicating li(iuor ' -. All profane and indecent language, play- ing at games of chance, injuring the property of the In-titution. or of the citizens, quarrel- ing, fighting, or the carrying of firearms, or other dangerous weapons, is strictly forbid- di ' n. The Teachers and Steward must, at all times, have access to the students ' rooms, and if it be judged necessary, the rooms will be cleaned at the expense of the occupants. Cleanliness of person and of apparel, and a gentlemanly and lady-like deportment mu-l be observed by all. No water, dirt, or other material, -hall be thrown from any window in either build- ing. The occupants of the Boarding House must have their rooms swept and in order by 6 o ' clock, A. M.. and their lights extinguished by half past 10 P. M. The Sabbath must be strictly observed by all. No walking about, or visiting, or re- ceiving of visits, will be allowed. All must attend i)ublic wor liip tuice during the day at such place as they or their guardians may prefer. The Rev. Mr, Bowman continued as prin- cipal until March, 1858, when he resigned. Rev. John H. Dashiel was appointed princi- pal at the Conference in March of 1858. Ed- ucated at Dickinson College and former resi- dent of Maryland, Mr. Dashiel resigned in 1860 to return to a pastorate. Financial difficulties became paramount and in 1860 the Seminary was sheriff ed at a public auction. Four businessmen and ardent -upporters: Abraham Updegraff, 10 year member of the City Council and bank pres- ident: Honorable John Smith, associate judge of the Lycoming County Courts; Colonel Jac- ob Sallade, owner of two saw mills; and Levi Hartman. contractor and builder who con- tructed the middle portion of Old Main in conjunction w ith Sallade. purchased the school for $16,.500. They oiTcred to sell the Acad- emy to the East Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church for this price. The Con- ference formed a joint stock company issu- ing 165 shares at $100 each and bought some of the shares. On March 26, 1860. the chart- er was approved by Governor Packer. In March, I860, Thomjison was appoint- ed principal of the in-titution with a salary of S800 per year. He changed the name of the Academy to Williamsport Dickinson Semin- ary and the title of its head man from princi- pal lo |)rc-i(lcMt. Mulberry Street Methodist Cluirch bciamr the official Seminary Church. Student- could now arrive in Williamsport, one of the most beautiful and healthful plac- es in the -tate. by railroad. A new rule had been added to the by-laws: The Ladies and Gentlemen mu-t not visit each others ' apart- ment, walk or ride together, without permis- -ion: nor conver-e together from the win- dows. The school did allow for slight as- sociation in the recitation-room, at the table, and in the public exercises of the Chapel. 186.3 marked a significant point in the mo- dernization of Old Main: rniuiing water was introduced into the building. By 1866 there were 4.% students enrolled in the Seminary. Dr. Mitchell made a proposition to the directors on June 20, 1866. He wanted to lease the school for five years. On July .3rd of that year a formal document allowing this was executed and signed. It stipulated that Mitchell was to receive the uncollected assets of the institution and was to erect an addition on the west end at his own expense. Mitchell, making all the decisions, consequently ran the school as though it were privately owned. VI