Alton Evening Telegraph from Alton, Illinois • Page 80

WEDNESDAY JANUARY IS, PAGE FOUR ALTON EVENING TELEGRAPH Western Military Originally Wyman School for Boys Site on Which Girls' School Stood Chosen in 1879 By St. Louis Educator; Grew to National Prominence As a High-Rating Academy Prior to 1879, when Dr. Edwarc Wyman founded Western Military Academy, a glrk' school was located on the site where the national!) prominent boys' school now stands Though Dr. Wyman found the place vacant. Alien lie came to Alton searching for a place to move the at.

Louis Wyman If Rura' Park Seminary, the girls' school had never existed, Western Military Academy would now probably be a thriving military school at Hlllnboro. Wymnn had Intended'to locate In Hillsboro. until the possibilities of the Alton location were pointed out to him. In 1804, Edward Wyman, a man of gentile tastes and breeding, and a graduate of AmherSt, come to St. Louis intending to open a school at the close of the Civil War.

Fxiucational facilities of the United States, particularly in the West, which had never been up to the standards desired by Wyman and men of similar discernment, had been almost entirely neglected for four years. When Dr. Wyman arrived in St. Louis, the chaotic condition wrought by the war made the launching of any new business venture a hazardous undertaking, particularly an enterprise pertaining almost wholly to the cultural advancement of the country. The public In general had come to look upon the operation of schools as something philanthropically inclined citizens did for the welfare of their respective communities.

If the school -was able to make ends meet financially, no body complained. If it lost money in operation, the condition was looked upon as the Inevitable re- eult of some visionary's foolhardl- ness. Opened St. Louis School. In the year of his arrival, fully aware of the precariousncss of the undertaking, Or.

Wyman opened a school in St. Louis. This was the first high school of college preparatory standards west of the Mississippi river. The school flourished for IS years, specializing In preparing boys for entering Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Amhcrst. In Alton, several years before Dr.

Wyman had come to St. Louis, the Rural Park Seminary for girls had been in session. The building of this seminary -was located on what Is now the campus of the Western Military Academy. It had originally been the residence of N. W.

Kendall, a prosperous Alton cracker manufacturer, the founding of Shurtleff College opposite his spacious residence, Mr. Kendall lent his home, with its beautiful grounds, to be used as a similar school for girls. Both Shurtleff College and Rural Park Seminary, were operated under the same board of supervisors. Rural Park Seminary was continued until several years later, when Shurtleff College was made co-educational, end a girls' school was no longer necessary. Dr.

Site. Though the Wyman Institute In St. Louis flourished financially, it did not embody the educational ideal Dr. Wyman had In mind when he had set out from the East. The bustle and whirl of the city lent itself too easily to the distraction of students from scholarly pursuits.

In the late 1870's Dr. Wyman set out from St. Louis In ecarch of another location for his school, now the major Interest of his life. The educator came to Alton by steamboat, and proceeded to Upper Alton on his way to Hillsboro, where, he had heard, there Col, A. M.

Jackson was an Ideal location for the school he had In mind. During the course of a conversation with an Upper Alton citizen at the public watering trough, he was persuaded to look at the grounds and building of the late Rural Park Seminary, before proceeding to Hlllsborc. When Dr. Wyman saw the commodious build- Ing and the picturesque plot on which it was located, he was so favorably Impressed by the possibilities; he decided to go no 'arthcr. In 1879, he purchased the property and Western Military Academy, a boarding school for boys, had Its real beginning as the Wyman In- titule.

The institute was opened he year it was established, with 12 Students. Dr. Wyman, with help of one assistant, did all tho teaching. Jackson Hired ai Instructor. Eight years later, In 1887, Dr.

Wyman employed Albert M. Jackson as on Instructor in ma the- natics. Jackson, a graduate of 'rlnceton, and a man with tastes end temperament similar to those of Dr. Wyman, was destined to a major role in the building ORCHIDS TO YOU On Your 100th Anniversary ALTON FLORAL FOR FLOWERS FOR 28 YEARS IN THE SAME LOCATION In 1808, Leo Willis, the present proprietor, started in business with Mr. and George Mnclsen, his mother and stepfather, and Miss Mario Willis, his sister, it was a small beginning but through constant effort and good will, Alton Floral has grown to be Alton's leading florist.

It was Mr. Mndson's ability us horticulturist that started the company In operation. lie built a greenhouse and put his great knowledge of flowers und their care into a business proposition. It was often that what George Madscn didn't know about flowers was not worth knowing. The late Mrs.

George Mnclsen laid the foundation for the present company's reputation. It was her energetic spirit and industrious nature with Us cheerful and sympathetic friendship that made hundreds of friends and assured Alton Floral Company's success as a common-lit! ventucc. Under her able guidance were established the basic principles which have been firmly held to since her death in 1021. They have been a major factor In the progress and development of the present company. Except for three years when Mr.

Willis wns In the World War, he has had personal interest in the business. He has continued with the same high standards which made his mother ao well known. There to no branch of -floriculture that Alton Floral cannot serve, Some of these services which embrace every type of floral for "Wy occasion and purpose are: Able and Weddiof Personal flower FuuenU BiukrU ALTON FLORAL LEO Proprietor Telephone Times Bldg. Western Military Academy Buildings and Campus The aerial photograph shows the Academy as viewed from the south. The field house and idministration building, Behind them is Eaton Field.

Jne aenai pnotograpa snows ine ncauemy vicwcu drill hall are in the foreground, next to the administration building, and in trie center five barracks buildings. George D. Eaton Ralph Jackson of the school to its present proportions. Jackson and Dr. Wyman worked harmoniously together for the next two years and the school prospered.

In 1889 Dr. Wyman died of sudden heart failure, and the school suffered a serious blow In the loss of the man who had made Its progress and welfare the chief purpose of his existence. In the re-adjustments made after the death of Dr. Wyman, Albert Jockson, the youngest member of the teaching staff, was selected as principal of the school, and put in charge of the academic department. He served In this capacity until 1892, at which time the property was sold, by the Wyman heirs, to Col.

Willis Brown of Buffalo, N. Y. Col. Brown was not a school man. He interested himself chlef- In the business management and successful of the school, leaving the academic duties those best suited to that work.

bufldings, In which the school.had its origin, were destroyed by fire. The Alton banks Immediately advanced the money necessary for the erection of new buildings, and 32 years ago the principal buildings, which now house Western Military Academy, were built Period of Great Growth. For the next 16 years, Col. Albert Jackson was head of the school. It was a period during which the school's "jicf-i, tijn was built, and during which much of Its present equipment was installed.

Students came from an parts of the United States, from several foreign countries, and the enrollment climbed stead ly I om 100 to 300, Western jnlwtary ssraaafflats of Education and by other accrediting boards. Od. Jackson died in 1919, and resuonslbllity for tie schools man- Sent to Col. Eaton, who ntaded Western Mttrry for the next 10 years, During this period, tae school continued its steady advance. Its national and international reputation brought an increasing number of cadets, and its accommodations were taxed to tfao limit.

A quarter of a million dollars was inve Ved In buildings, In landscaping, and In Improvements. B. Jackson Heads School Col. Eaton died in 1929, and the son of Albert Col. Ralph L.

Jackson, became the suneritend- ent, which position he fills today. The past five years have been bad years for schools in general, but Western Is now making steady headway against tie loss It suffered In common with all other enterprises, similar and otherwise. Though the enrollment of the vschool declined sharply In 1930, Western Military Academy has not permitted Its standards and quality to decline in any department. For three years past there has been a steady Increase in the number of cadets, and the school Is moving again toward a capacity enrollment. The campus today Is beautiful and the many" buildings of the school are In fine condition.

Seventy years ago, Dr. Wyman fKttvnjtl'ci A OOUiiu ovuy 111 POT almost three-quarters of a cen tury, Western Military Academy has Dissolution of Old Firm The well-known popular and successful firm o.f Chancy and Levis, adhered to this motto, and today It stands as one of Alton's oldest and most successful under continuous (overlapping) management. it will be observed by a notice to another column, in our issue today, has been dlwlved. the furniture business hereafter will be conducted by Mr. Ohaney alone.

But few business houses in this city has sustained the enviable reputation of fair and regular dealing, than ttje members fit this firm, and we heartily wish them abundant success all their future- undertakings. ONE OF THE YOUNGER BUSINESS FIRMS IN ALTON Congratulates the Alton Evening Telegraph upon Its one-hundredth anniversary. The Telegraph, with Its long period of honorable efficient service, Is, indeed, a fine ample which we may well follow. This firm wishes the Telegraph every success for the future. WILFORO E.

QUEEN REYNOLD QUEEN Representing Aetna Life ft Affiliated Companies 205 E. Broadway Phone 250 Among the first cbxngts. by ttte new owner, was the eStozg- ing of 'lie Wyman Insssasae irram boarding school to a mSSiSaz? and-' emy. He then doubted the phjsfcal equipment of the school by tbe erectlwr of two large buildings. In reorganizing his teaching stolf.

CoL Brown brought joung.te*«3«r to the school by the name George D. Eaton. He retained CoL Jackson as principal of the academy, and to the new teacher, Col. Eaton, he delegated much of the business Thus these two men, Colonels Jackson and Eaton, assumed the positions hi which they later played so important a part in the building up of school. In 1898, Col.

Brown and his two able assistants, who had fallen naturally into their respective situations, took over the duties- of running the school. Seven years later, in 1903, the 'Smiles of Satisfaction" EN LIKE TO BUY THEIR CLOTHES HERE: They like our friendly service, good hard wearing quality and popular prices our periodical trips to men's style headquarters and interest in keeping up to date with our line will give satisfaction that you are purchasing up-to- minute styles. 11 YEARS of experience in the men's line is to our credit in servicing your needs 18 months ago the present store was purchased by Dan M. Fitzgerald from Mr. Schenk, his previous employer for 9 years in the same location, 646 East Broadway, but with a more comprehensive line of Men's Apparels the store has now made hundreds of new customers.

MEN makv this your one stop for clothes, everything in men's apparel including tailor-made and topcoats you'll find our selection complete. M.FITZGERALD £46 E. Broadway I WtURE ECONOMY RULES OF SEYEM It must be a great thing to be ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD and we, particularly, appreciate this more than most people because we have just passed our own 75th milestone. i For a great many years now, has served the people of Alton and it has always been a most pleasant relationship. So, we say Congratulations from a youngster of seventy-six, to you on your One Hundredth Birthday, and we hope that you, as a youngster of One Hundred and Twenty-Four, will help us celebrate right here in Alton, our own Centennial.

'JL ONE OF THE NEWER STORES.