| 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 63 July 1, 1951 Dear Waiter: You ask me for a letter concerning Professor Louis F. Moench. I shall do the best I can to recall some of the incidents and some of the big facts of his good life. I had heard many other people, including people in his classes, give their opinions of him as a teacher. The general verdict was "Moench is a good teacher, but" and the "but" was some unimportant thing, either in the difficulty to understand his German accent, the way he combed his hair, or the quickness of reply to some ridiculous question. His face was red, but he generally had a good retort, and the questioner's face was red. I had heard the simple things mentioned above before I ever met the man in person. I think that I first met him in the Academy, along with President Shurtliff and other members of the Board of Directors. I had started to school in September. Professor Moench got my name and was very kind to me. This was in 1897. I had made up my mind that I wanted to teach school when I had finished my work at the Academy. I asked Professor Moench to tell me whether or not he thought I would make a good teacher, and he told me so. I remember the pat he gave me on the shoulder and his kindly smile. I went home that night light-hearted and determined to some time be a teacher. I had to travel about six miles and back every day. I did it mostly on a pony. I worked very steadily at my books, possibly it was too steadily. I became very ill on October 11 and had to go to bed. Professor Moench learned that I was sick and came to see me. Brother Moench and another elder, whose name I cannot remember, came into the house and Brother Moench administered to me. I think it was the next day Professor Moench came out to see me again. Instead of being better, I was much worse. It was Mr. Haag that came with him this time. They administered to me and promised me that I would recover and that I should preach the gospel to many souls (and I have done so). I have always been thankful that Brother Moench had the faith to promise my recovery. My recovery was not rapid, and I did not go to |
