Middle Grove College, about 1900
First Row, R to L: Leta Bassett, Mrs. Bert Roberts, Mana Chandler, Prof.
Bert Roberts, Anna Jolly, Mary Wright, Cora Pollard, Irma Ragland,
Mattie Kimbrough, Fannie Giddings, Mamie Chilton, Lillian Galbreath,
Prof. Will Alien, Mary Eastwood, Virgie Bassett, Frank Roberts, Will
Schooling, Claude Bass, Will Fields, Albert Garrett, Prof. Isom
Roberts, Will Eastwood, Victor Stephens, Jim Riley, Frank Ragland,
Arnols, Homer Bassett, Jim AlIen, 0. B. Quisenberry. Second Row: FoIIie Nave, Eugie Bass, Ethel Stephens, Alta Stephens, Broxie
Hull, Abby Victor. Children In front: Julia Green, Boy?, FrankIe Ownby, Otta Stephens. At the turn of the century, the college was
the talk of the community. People who lived several miles out in the
country and had completed eight grades were eager to continue, It was
not long before the plans were made and subscriptions added up to insure
the project. A group of interested men was organized to see the projects
through. Reverend lsom Roberts, a college graduate
teacher as well as a preacher, worked with the College Board in the
planning. The Paris Mercury and Monroe County Appeal joined
enthusiastically and by their committment did much to keep the project
alive. The committee was further encouraged when John L. Newmann donated the land on which the
college was to be placed. Mr. Don Dulany of Hannibal, a lumber dealer
who was reared in Middle Grove and had many relatives in the town,
donated the lumber needed for the building. When the plans were completed and the order
for the lumber and other supplies were sent to Mr. Dulany at Hannibal,
the crew of carpenters was selected and the plans checked. Some of those
involved were Mr. Jasper Bass of Mexico, Mo., Mr. George Ownby a
carpenter, and Luther Schooling. The town was ablaze with enthusiasm. All of
the talk related to the college. Trade was good. On the day Mr. Bass
received word that the whole order of materials would be on a side track
at Evansville, a call went out for volunteers. Men were needed to take
their wagons over to help “bring the college” in the making back to
Middle Grove. It was hardly believable, but eighteen men
responded to the call and lined up at Evansville. Those days men worked
from sun up to sun down. Many worked at very little wages, and many
worked as a donation. How well I remember that first day. It was a
hot, summer day. Mr. George Ownby said, “Claude, do you think you
would like to bring me a bucket of water? We men are all thirsty.” My
mother let me have a bucket and long handled dipper. / took the bucket and provided each man with a
long cool drink. Mr. Ownby said to me, “Claude, that was
fine. We wilI give you 254~ a day if you will do it regularly. ‘I said
I would if my folk agreed, so / became a college builder at the age of
eight. I did not miss a day. / have never known any group of men who
were more congenial and well praised. I had a good friend in one of the carpenters,
Mr. Luther Schooling. He had made the novelty decorations to be nailed
on the upper section as a 4x4 block around the whole building. The College had progressed very rapidly. The
Paris paper had weekly reports and visitors had come often to see its
progress. The Academy was moved into the new College and it was
thrilling to watch. Now the young folks did not have to leave to
attend other schools. Out of the Middle Grove schools came some ranking
graduates in teaching and other occupations. On September 27, 1890, Middle Grove College
started with a flourish. Students came in carts and buggies, on horse
back, and many from Middle Grove walked. There was a complete sidewalk
from the college into town. The young people who used horses for making
this trip made a terrific noise on the wooden bridge south of Middle
Grove. The college brought a number of fine young
people to the area. There were a few rooms on each end of the building
to accomodate a few outside students. Meals were supplied to the
boarders. Some students lived as boarders in homes in Middle Grove at
reasonable rates. The whole area responded with enthusiasm to the
activities. I saw football, tennis, baseball, shooting, and music
programs in the auditorium when / was eight. Somehow the early enthusiasm did not last and
after a few years it folded up. Some teachers leased the building for a
subscription school for awhile. The building was used by Mr. Bryant and his
wife, assisted by Miss Pearl Noblett, to carry on the higher courses by
holding a private subscription school. A number of the students were
able to pass the certification examination. This arrangement did not
last long. Later, Mr. Jones, a well qualified teacher, held classes for
high school graduate pupils. He had the use of all the former college
equipment, but lack of financial support closed Mr. Jones out. The
college stood abandoned for a short time as a school and a few families
had rooms there. Then a plan was worked out. The Middle Grove
School Board was a group that saw an opportunity for progress. The
school district was organized and purchased the two story school for
eight grades and a free high school for those who completed grade 8. The Roberts family, big stockholders in the
institution, sold their interest to the Middle Grove District to be used
as public school. —Claude E. Stephens |