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 73 Ogden, Utah February 16, 1951 Dear Friend Walter: You have asked me to travel down memories lane and tell some of the things I recall concerning my long time teacher and friend Louis F. Moench. I saw a young man in his (30's) thirties working hard to accomplish a great purpose. Having been a teacher myself, over a number of years, I can now more fully appreciate and understand the courageous manner in which he met and overcame the problems which confronted him and I admire the masterful way he overcame them as the years went by. He was an unusual and wonderful man and I am grateful for the privilege to express my love and respect for him. He had many splendid traits, but to me his outstanding one was his unselfishness and interest in his students. I was only a small child then but he noticed me, and I felt as free to talk my childish troubles over with him as I would to go to my own father. I think that condition existed throughout the entire school, old and young alike. I recall as time went on that there were financial troubles, and it seemed they would have to close Weber Academy for lack of means. Brother Moench called an assembly at which there was the Board of Directors, a number of prominent people and the student body. In his talk to the group he stated he would go without pay until such time as means could be provided rather than to see the school closed. The school went on running. I attended Weber from its opening in 1889 to 1894 when I left to go to Salt Lake City University of Utah. Brother Moench was one of my teachers every year I attended. I never saw his zeal and fervor waver. Brother Karl G. Maeser gave him some wonderful promises in one of our assemblies, every one of which I feel Brother Moench experienced. I am reminded also of the fine things that happened in our polysophical Societies, testimony meetings, social gatherings, hikes, picnics at what is now Lorin Farr Park, and lovely school dances. I always felt, and still do, that Brother Louis F. Moench was the moving power behind all those happy and profitable years. (He did his best to make it a success.) LOTTIE F. SMITH |