CHAPTER XLVII.

Granbury High School and College–Origin–Burning–Re-Building–New Charter–Outline of Work–Its Presidents–Prof. W.J. Moore.

In the early part of 1873 Granbury’s population and importance had so increased as to give it the aspiring thoughts of something more than a frontier village, whose destinies were to be held down by the dominating influences of six-shooter and spur, and the several churches common to the county taking deeper root, their wholesome influences on society was felt and appreciated.

The veteran Methodist circuit rider of the frontier, visiting here as Presiding Elder of the Weatherford District Conference, was "Uncle" Jimmy Jones, as he was widely and familiarly known. It now became known that a District High School for his District was contemplated. Weatherford, the most important town in this District, was naturally enough expected to become the site of this institution. But the intelligence of Hood county had already discerned, within its picturesque scenery, abounding in wholesome waters and climatic conditions, an educational destiny; and such men as E.A. Hannaford, J.R. Morris, C.H. Blake, P.H. Thrash, and B.F. Williams of Granbury, and V.S. Anglin and Rev. James Hiner of Acton, seeing the opportunity, began with energy and enterprise to advance the claims of Granbury as the proper city for the Methodist school. The result was that at the District Conference, held at Acton in the summer of 1873, this plucky little town presented financial and other splendid inducements before that body, so out-stripping all other competitors as to at once secure for it the vote of that Conference as the proper and most suitable site for the institution. The men who composed this Conference were of the most thoughtful, sincere and practical men, many of them long familiar with the frontier work of their church, and fully appreciating its needs. Among those now recalled to memory were Revs. Milton James, W.O. Menefee, James Hiner, V.S. Anglin, and other kindred spirits of those times, presided over by their venerable Elder, Rev. James Jones. They at once appointed a building committee consisting of V.S. Anglin, C.H. Blake and P.H. Thrash, authorized to select the particular site at Granbury, secure title to the grounds, and with the generous contributions offered, to design and build a suitable house for the institution. They also selected a Board of Trustees, consisting of V.S. Anglin, B.F. Williams J.R. Morris, James Hiner, Judge Thomason, T.T. Ewell, and the Presiding Elder as President of the Board, authorized to manage the affairs of the school. It was decided to open the first school in September in the rock building at the southeast corner of the square, pending the work of the building committee; so for this purpose Rev. W.P. Wilson, A.B., was chosen President, organized the school and attached to it a Musical department, at the head of which Miss Bettie Black, of Jefferson was placed. Soon a small frame building was erected and occupied for two or three sessions, but the increasing patronage and growing importance of the work required for it a more roomy and comfortable building. The citizens of Granbury raised the money and erected a handsome stone building, 42x62 feet, three stories high, in which the school was taught, with its several departments as occasion required. Passing step by step from its small beginning, it became a chartered institution on the 6th of July, 1875, with the power vested exclusively in its Board of Trustees (to be provided annually by the District Conference of the church), to transact all of its secular affairs, with its meetings at the town of Granbury. On the night of January 9th, 1887, the fine stone building was destroyed by fire, with the furniture, apparatus and library, the loss amounting, approximately, to ten thousand dollars. "But before the fire had died away the teachers were assured that it would be re-built and enlarged. This they believed, and were encouraged to stand firm amid their disaster and hold the school, which they did in a manner unprecedented in the history of Texas, as the following resolutions offered at the Teachers’ Institute by A. Clark, President of Add-Ran College, will attest:"

‘Second, That the thanks of this body are due these teachers, patrons and pupils for a the noble example they have given to all persons suffering such loss, in that they continued without interruption or disaffection the regular work of the College, and have taken immediate steps to re-build." The foregoing quotation and resolution are taken from the memoranda published by the Board of Trustees, May 1887, as a correct statement of the situation. Soon a more magnificent edifice of three stories, 62x80 feet, took the place as by magic of the old one. The sessions of the school in the meantime continuing in a hall provided temporarily for the purpose. In the erection of this last building a debt of considerable proportion was however, placed upon it and remained until the Granbury business interest again coming to its rescue two years later, raised the means to relieve it of this debt and start it afresh, under improved auspices, and an amended charter, obtained Feby. 24, 1890. The Board of Trustees from time to time underwent some change in personnel till the adoption of this last charter, which provided a board of fifteen, with life tenure, vacancies to be filled by the Biship [sic]. Meanwhile the schools were conducted by such able men, as Presidents, as the following named: Rev. W.P. Wilson, A.B., 1873-75; Rev. J.J. Shirley, A.B., 1875-80; D.S. Switzer, A.M., 1880-89; I.M. Onins, V.M. LL.D., 1889-90; Rev. E.M. Sweeet [sic], A.M., 1890-91; E.P. Williams, A.M., 1891-94; T.S. Sligh, A.M. being the present incumbent of the Presidential chair. During each of these past administrations there have been many trained young men and women sent forth from its halls, who have become shining lights in the church or distinguished in the other callings of life. Among them worthy of special mention, as having begun as pupil and passing through the labors of its curriculum into that of one of its most intelligent and untiring professors for a number of years, and thence into other honorable occupations in connection with clerical labors as a local preacher, ever in demand and ever cheerfully a willing laborer for the needy and afflicted, and a devoted member of the Board of Trustees under its latest charter, is the Rev. W.J. Moore, who has, for several years past, held the responsible place of Secretary of the Board, formerly so ably filled by Rev. O.M. Addison. Thus we have briefly traced the outlines of the past history of Granbury College. To be more minute in detail might prove of great interest to some, but would scarcely be excusable to those not specially devoted to its interest and destiny. That the several educational institutions of Hood county have contributed far more largely to its moral and material prosperity then any other agencies of civilization ever planted on our soil, will scarcely be questioned by any thoughtful person familiar with our past.

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