| 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 24 Chapter VII The second term began auspiciously on March 18, 1899 "with an enrollment of 110. Many of the old students returned, more than we anticipated. Teachers were all retained."1 A few days later Karl G. Maeser, the Superintendent of the L. D. S. Church schools, visited the institution and "expressed himself as well pleased with the school, and he gave his approval to the work done."2 On April the seventh Professor Moench went to Salt Lake City to attend the church conference and also a meeting of "the several Boards of the Church Academies."3 On his return on the 9th he found to his great dismay "that the school was nearly broken up during my absence."4 No one else seemed able to hold the students together, and the school seemed lost without its master. Lorenzo Waldrum was released, and Professor Moench and Edwin began again "to work it up to new life and energy. The school increased rapidly, and we soon ran it up to 137 again. However, it was hot and oppressive and students left about as fast as new ones came.5 The 23rd of April was the closing day of the first year, the second term of the Weber Stake Academy. "The students assembled with much joy and cheerful hearts." There were the final examinations and review of classes, the programs as arranged, and finally Students' Fair. "The articles on exhibition looked well. On the stand to my surprise stood a beautiful electric plush chair, a present to me from my German class. Pictures and beautiful handiwork from the ladies adorned the walls, while upon the tables were spread the copy books, bookkeeping blanks, maps and notebooks for the inspection of the visitors. Committees had been appointed, and these went to work to award the prizes as follows: Penmanship, Squire Coop and Annie Pingree; Bookkeeping, Lauritz Peterson and H. Peterson; Mapdrawing, Andrew Ellgree and Lillie Vest. For the best cake, Addie Belnap; for the best bread, Florence Tribe; for the best fancy work, Miss Mary Cordon. At one o'clock school was called to order for afternoon exercises of the Academic Program. All passed off pleasantly, the students acquitting themselves well. After school was dismissed Brother Lindsey treated us to about a gallon of ice cream. To this we added the bread, pies, and cake of the fair. In the evening we assembled at the Pavillion in Lester Park where we tripped the light fantastic until about 1/2 one. There were about 150 couples in attendance, together with some of the 1. Historical Record of Louis F. Moench, p. 135. 2. Idem, p. 135. 3. Idem, p. 136. 4. Idem, p. 137. 5. Idem, p. 137. |
