Description |
Weber Stake Academy first opened its doors for instruction at the LDS Second Ward Meeting House on the corner of 26th Street and Grant Avenue on January 7, 1889. The academy's two teachers, Louis F. Moench and Edwin Cutler, welcomed nearly one hundred students on the first day, and, by the end of its first term, 195 students in all had registered for the school. This monograph depicts the role the LDS church and its leaders played in founding the school, the background of its first educators and administrators and the financial challenges they confronted in operating the school from 1889 through 1894. Letters of appreciation for Louis F. Moench and a bibliography of primary sources are also provided. |
OCR Text |
Show 11 9. It is recommended for health and mental power, and for students to successfully pursue their various studies, to keep the "Word of Wisdom." 10. Students desiring to discontinue attendance must so report before withdrawing, that a statement of their standing may be furnished them by the faculty.1 On December 13, 1888 President Lewis W. Shurtliff told Louis F. Moench, who had returned from a mission to Germany and Switzerland, "that his principal mission would be to establish the Weber Stake Academy for which purpose he had been released."2 The newspapers contained short accounts of the impending appointment of the principal, who was to be appointed to take over the responsibility as head of the Weber Stake Academy soon to be founded: Professor Moench is a professional teacher, and we understand that since his return, his services have been secured for the Weber Stake Academy, in connection with which he has been tendered the position, of Principal.3 The Stake Academy in which Elder Moench will take up his labors, will probably open shortly after the holidays.4 The board met on December 19, 1888, and Frofessor Moench writes in his journal: 'By special instruction I went to work at once and prepared a circular. It was also decided not to commence school until January 7, 1889.'5 In the meantime Professor Moench went to Salt Lake City and visited the Salt Lake Stake Academy. He was not too well impressed. He was anxious to see Karl G. Maeser, and went on to Provo. The talk with Professor Maeser and the visit at the Brigham Young Academy proved very beneficial to him, and the encouragement given him by Professor Maeser in establishing the Academy at Ogden meant much. On the return home he called on his father-in-law, George W. Hill, "who hitched up his buggy and horse, and the two men visited George Q. Cannon and others in the penitentiary."6 Here he received suggestions for his new work soon to being. 1. Historical Record of the Weber Stake Academy, pp. 3-4. 2. Historical Record, Louis F. Moench. 3. Evening News, December 15, 1888. 4. The Ogden Standard, December 18, 1888. 5. Historical Record, Louis F. Moench, p. 128. 6. Idem, p. 130. |