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This
institution of learning is looked upon by the people of Monroe
City with just pride. It was built almost contemporaneously with
the founding of the town, and has continued to bestow its
benefits and privileges from the date of its existence to the
present time, with the exception of a short interval during the
war of 1861. The institute building is a two-story brick with
basement, and contains 24 rooms; it was erected in 1860 by a
joint stock company, the stock being divided into 113 shares,
which were taken at $50 each. The following persons are the
stockholders:
Elijah Bailey, T. N. Read, Daniel Johnson, G. N. Davis, A. W
Tarner, H. H. Lee, A. B. Combs, Alfred Pond, J. W. Sparks, J. F.
Cassady, William L. Owens, John B. Lee, William B. Sparks, E. H.
Griffith, John Boulware, W. K. Anderson, T. D. Freeman, Moses
McClintic, John 0. Wood, James A. Burdett, William Gough, B.
F. Green, W. H. Byrd, Samuel Vance, B. F. Griffiith, J. L. Owen,
N. D. Bradley, W. E. Jones, E. B. Talcott, Hebra A. Hough,
William Scofield, F. B. Sheets, William B. Okeson, William C.
Broughton, J. D. Clark, Lorel Rouse, John Shaw, H. C. Fuqua,
Thomas Yates, John Jones, G. B. and S. E. Comings.
The Messrs. Comings were the largest stockholders, having
purchased
shares to the number of 25. The building cost between $9,000 and
$10,000, and is located in the northern part of the town, upon
seven and a half acres of ground, which was donated by friends
of the institution. The grounds are handsomely laid out and are
ornamented with a variety of shade trees, shrubbery and blue
grass, and, taken as a whole, constitute just such a site and
surroundings as would render attractive an institution of
learning. The school opened in 1860, under the management of S.
P. and S. E. Comings, who were
capable and experienced educators. These gentlemen were
succeeded in 1876 by Rev. James S. Green. No school was taught
during the war, the building being occupied a portion of the
time by Union soldiers. Rev. Green was succeeded in 1879 by Rev.
I. R. M. Beeson, who remained the principal until 1882, when
Prof. A. Wood Terrill took charge. Under his supervision the
school has greatly prospered, there being about 100 pupils in
attendance during the scholastic year of 1883-84. Prof. Terrill
and his wife are widely
and favorably known as accomplished teachers and are doing a
grand and noble work for those who are placed under their
tuition. The present term of the school opened September 2,
1884. In addition to the course in the scientific department of
this school there is a classical course.
The school has no endowment, but depends upon the patronage of
the public for its support and maintenance. Its board of
directors are James M. Proctor, James S. Green, J. B. Randol, A.
Wood Terrill, J. A. Peirsol. The officers of the board are James
S. Green, president; James M. Proctor, secretary; J. B. Randol,
treasurer. The faculty consists of A. Wood Terrill, A. M.,
principal, mathematics, physics and German; Mrs. A. W. Terrill,
M. A., history, English and philosophy; R. M. Walker, A. M.,
Greek and Latin; Miss Bettie Hopper, vocal and instrumental
music; Miss Ettie Jones, painting and drawing; Miss Callie
White, principal preparatory department. |
