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In 1837 and 1838, there was a library under
the charge of Mr. E. P. Cole, but it was probably scattered
and its volumes lost. Several attempts were made to establish libraries,
but they were either unsuccessful or benefited but a few. In the year
1872, the writer, feeling the need of something beneficial for the youth
of the town, had the following published in the Franklin Advertiser of
November 16:
"Our town is now in a prosperous condition. Schools running along
smoothly, business lively, public works going on briskly, and yet our
young men must stay at home evenings or pass their time loafing about
saloons or groceries. All this because our citizens have not established
a public reading-room and library. We believe the establishment of such
an institution would do much to prevent drunkenness and debauchery, and,
while these were prevented, would do much toward furnishing valuable information,
not otherwise to be acquired, to our youth and even to all ages. The only
objection that can be urged against the project is, that it would cost
something. To be sure it would; and so do cigars, beer and billiards cost
something. The young man does not like to sit around his boarding-house,
and consequently takes refuge in a saloon, where there is a good fire,
spends his money for 'that which satisfieth not,' and is worse for the
evening. We want a branch of the Young Men's Christian Association to
make a home where an evening may be pleasantly spent and the person none
the worse afterward. Who will set the ball rolling?"
This was published in the paper, and the sentiments were re-echoed by
many hearts, but the results were not seen for many months.
Early in 1874, the women of Washington C. H., Fayette Co., Ohio, entered
upon the famous crusade against the saloons, and in less than a week the
women of Franklin resolved to follow the same course. They held a meeting
at the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Monday evening, January 19, 1874,
Charles Butler, President, and W. C. Reeder,
Secretary. At this meeting, the manner of working was explained by Rev.
S. Brewster. The women resolved to adopt the same plan,
and, during that week, took the street in a body and |
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visited the saloons, praying and singing, and, in a few weeks,
had the saloons about whipped out, when the men intermeddled and tried the
law, failing, as they usually do, in such cases. At a meeting held in the
Baptist Church, the Secretary called up the article he had published more
than a year before, and was much surprised when Mr. W. A. Boynton
arose and stated that he had been authorized by a party to subscribe any
amount sufficient to duplicate the united subscriptions of the citizens
toward establishing a reading-room, library and Young Men's Christian Association.
Accordingly, within a few weeks, about $2,000 were subscribed, which amount
was duplicated by Mrs. Ruth Schenck, whose husband, William
T. Schenck, had, before his death, November 10, 1872, expressed
a desire to see some such institution founded. When organizing, some of
the subscribers objected to leaving the disposal of everything to the branch
of the Young Men's Christian Association, and accordingly the first subscription
list was dropped and a new one taken, which equaled in amount the former
one. The association was finally organized April 1, 1874, with J.
V. Perrine, President; C. E. Denise, Secretary;
E. B. Thirkield,
Treasurer; Rev. S. Findley, D. D., Rev. T. M. McWhinney,
J. V. Perrine, E.
B. Thirkield and W. A. Boynton, Trustees, who hold
the permanent fund and select the books for the public library. Mary
M. Tibbals was appointed Librarian and held the office until the
fall of 1880, when she resigned and was succeeded by Miss Nealie
Evans, who still fills the position. In order to make the library
a success, it was necessary that some room be permanently secured. Accordingly,
the trustees leased the north room on the second floor of the Odd Fellows
building, for a term of twenty years at the rent of $100 per year. A partition
was put in, forming two rooms, the one in the east end being used for meetings
of the Board of Trustees, the managers and for a weekly prayer-meeting.
The west room was fitted with book-cases, newspaper racks, tables and well
lighted by handsome chandeliers. Tables for the convenience of readers,
a clock and chairs, all costing about $1,000. The library was purchased
during the summer of 1874, and, in the fall, over 1,000 volumes decked the
shelves. These are arranged is six classes—miscellaneous literature,
religious and scientific, travels and biography, fiction, history and poetry,
juvenile fiction and works of reference. During the past year, about 200
volumes have been added, making the number exceed 1,200. The east room is
20x31 feet, the west room 20x43. Both rooms can be thrown into one for lectures,
etc. A Sunday school, conducted by the Young Men's Christian Association,
for colored persons, meets here each Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Schenck
made additions to her original subscription until it reached almost $6,000,
besides the amount subscribed by citizens. The room is open during the fall
and winter from 2 P. M. to 9 P. M. every day, and, during the summer, on
Saturdays only during the same hours. Tickets for individuals are sold at
$1, and family tickets for $3—good for one year. |
