Middle Grove College, about 1900

First Row, R to L: Leta Bassett, Mrs. Bert Roberts, Mana Chandler, Prof. Bert Roberts, Anna Jolly, Mary Wright, Cora Pollard, Irma Ragland, Mattie Kimbrough, Fannie Giddings, Mamie Chilton, Lillian Galbreath, Prof. Will Alien, Mary Eastwood, Virgie Bassett, Frank Roberts, Will Schooling, Claude Bass, Will Fields, Albert Garrett, Prof. Isom Roberts, Will Eastwood, Victor Stephens, Jim Riley, Frank Ragland, Arnols, Homer Bassett, Jim AlIen, 0. B. Quisenberry.

Second Row: FoIIie Nave, Eugie Bass, Ethel Stephens, Alta Stephens, Broxie Hull, Abby Victor.

Children In front: Julia Green, Boy?, FrankIe Ownby, Otta Stephens.

At the turn of the century, the college was the talk of the community. People who lived several miles out in the country and had completed eight grades were eager to continue, It was not long before the plans were made and subscriptions added up to insure the project. A group of interested men was organized to see the projects through.

Reverend lsom Roberts, a college graduate teacher as well as a preacher, worked with the College Board in the planning. The Paris Mercury and Monroe County Appeal joined enthusiastically and by their committment did much to keep the project alive.

The committee was further encouraged when John L. Newmann donated the land on which the college was to be placed. Mr. Don Dulany of Hannibal, a lumber dealer who was reared in Middle Grove and had many relatives in the town, donated the lumber needed for the building.

When the plans were completed and the order for the lumber and other supplies were sent to Mr. Dulany at Hannibal, the crew of carpenters was selected and the plans checked. Some of those involved were Mr. Jasper Bass of Mexico, Mo., Mr. George Ownby a carpenter, and Luther Schooling.

The town was ablaze with enthusiasm. All of the talk related to the college. Trade was good. On the day Mr. Bass received word that the whole order of materials would be on a side track at Evansville, a call went out for volunteers. Men were needed to take their wagons over to help “bring the college” in the making back to Middle Grove.

It was hardly believable, but eighteen men responded to the call and lined up at Evansville. Those days men worked from sun up to sun down. Many worked at very little wages, and many worked as a donation.

How well I remember that first day. It was a hot, summer day. Mr. George Ownby said, “Claude, do you think you would like to bring me a bucket of water? We men are all thirsty.” My mother let me have a bucket

and long handled dipper. / took the bucket and provided each man with a long cool drink.

Mr. Ownby said to me, “Claude, that was fine. We wilI give you 254~ a day if you will do it regularly. ‘I said I would if my folk agreed, so / became a college builder at the age of eight. I did not miss a day. / have never known any group of men who were more congenial and well praised.

I had a good friend in one of the carpenters, Mr. Luther Schooling. He had made the novelty decorations to be nailed on the upper section as a 4x4 block around the whole building.

The College had progressed very rapidly. The Paris paper had weekly reports and visitors had come often to see its progress. The Academy was moved into the new College and it was thrilling to watch.

Now the young folks did not have to leave to attend other schools. Out of the Middle Grove schools came some ranking graduates in teaching and other occupations.

On September 27, 1890, Middle Grove College started with a flourish. Students came in carts and buggies, on horse back, and many from Middle Grove walked. There was a complete sidewalk from the college into town. The young people who used horses for making this trip made a terrific noise on the wooden bridge south of Middle Grove.

The college brought a number of fine young people to the area. There were a few rooms on each end of the building to accomodate a few outside students. Meals were supplied to the boarders. Some students lived as boarders in homes in Middle Grove at reasonable rates. The whole area responded with enthusiasm to the activities. I saw football, tennis, baseball, shooting, and music programs in the auditorium when / was eight.

Somehow the early enthusiasm did not last and after a few years it folded up.

Some teachers leased the building for a subscription school for awhile.

The building was used by Mr. Bryant and his wife, assisted by Miss Pearl Noblett, to carry on the higher courses by holding a private subscription school. A number of the students were able to pass the certification examination. This arrangement did not last long. Later, Mr. Jones, a well qualified teacher, held classes for high school graduate pupils. He had the use of all the former college equipment, but lack of financial support closed Mr. Jones out. The college stood abandoned for a short time as a school and a few families had rooms there.

Then a plan was worked out. The Middle Grove School Board was a group that saw an opportunity for progress. The school district was organized and purchased the two story school for eight grades and a free high school for those who completed grade 8.

The Roberts family, big stockholders in the institution, sold their interest to the Middle Grove District to be used as public school. 

—Claude E. Stephens