The West Liberty Normal School Era- Part 3

One factor that always plagued the status of normal schools was funding. In West Virginia, for example, many believed that it was more important to provide funds to the newly established West Virginia University (WVU), located in Morgantown. Supporters of WVU believed that Morgantown should become the center of education in West Virginia. When WVU opened their own branch of a normal school, this escalated the debate to eradicate smaller normal schools. Although there was never enough votes to carry out such actions it did represent the lack of devotion that many had regarding the normal schools in West Virginia. According to the famous West Virginia historian Dr. Charles H. Ambler the relationship between WVU and the states normal schools was “long drawn out and at times bitter.”
Many local community members would donate funds or their own personal services to keep the schools in operation. The effort of individual communities and their desire to fund those schools was a common theme throughout the normal school era. Clearly, those living in small communities such as West Liberty saw the importance these educational institutions served. Reverend Allen Brown gratuitously taught as WLNS without pay during the 1874 school year. Trying to obtain new equipment for the school could also be troubling at times. At one point, funds were needed to tune a piano. Upon being turned down for the funds, money was raised between three teachers and the piano was tuned. During the school year of 1879-1880 the legislature refused to provide funding for teacher salaries. In response, West Liberty and its neighboring villages raised over five hundred dollars in support of the school and its teachers.
Another means of support for normal schools, specifically West Liberty, was the Alumni Association which was formed in 1877. This group was organized around promoting the interest of normal schools. The Alumni Association would periodically publish an Alumni Record of all of the schools graduates along with a brief history of the town, academy, and normal school. The Alumni Association served as a valuable tool for the school in regards to its promotion and documentation of history. Although WLNS was growing academically, the West Virginia state legislature was constantly trying to consolidate the normal schools. In 1907 the Board of Regents ordered that four of the smaller normal schools relocate to either Marshall or Fairmont. Once again, local community protest kept normal schools such as West Liberty in existence, but still poorly funded.

Life at the West Liberty Normal School
The normal school education was meant to be academically challenging, most of the student’s time was spent studying in a highly disciplined environment. Rules that spanned through the time period of the academy and normal school included:

1. All students were required to attend public worship on the Sabbath or a place of their choice upon guardian’s request.
2. Students were required to be “punctual” in regards to all tasks such as worship and class. Any student who did not do their required duties was reported to the principle who would then check up on the matter.
3. Students were not allowed to visit taverns, ale shops, or any place that sold alcoholic beverages. If any student was caught breaking this rule the first offence resulted in being publicly warned and the second offense would result in permanent suspension from the school.
4. Students were banned from playing cards or taking part in any type of gambling. First time offenders were publicly warned and second time offenders were permanently removed from school.
5. During the early years of the West Liberty Academy and WLNS the sexes were segregated into Male and Female departments. There was to be no communication between male and female students unless a teacher was present.

This is a photo of “hacks” that would take students to and from West Liberty. The schools nickname, Hilltoppers is no exaggeration and it was not easy for students to travel to the nearest, largest town Wheeling. Even in the automobile era, the 8 mile ride to Wheeling can be treacherous.

In 1904 an amendment was made to the 5^th rule. In order for students to go riding or driving with the opposite sex they must first have permission from a faculty member unless they are returning to their home, in that case, permission from the principle must be granted. If a student was caught conversing with the opposite sex without permission, the students parents would be “notified to withdraw such students from the school.” If students wanted to organize parties they were required to sign a petition which would be presented to the faculty. On occasion if it was thought that a student was taking part in too many social events their permission could be denied. These types of parties, social events, and games were only to be held on either Friday or Saturday evenings and were not allowed to interfere with any school work.
Other amendments to the rules at the turn of the twentieth century included:

1. Students were not allowed to leave the classroom or library without permission from the teacher in charge.
2. Vulgar or profane language was forbidden.
3. Tobacco was not to be used in any of the buildings.
4. If was student was absent or tardy to the chapel or class it must be excused by the teacher in charge.
5. No student was allowed to leave town unless they had permission from the principle.
6. Loafing at the local stores and post office was forbidden.
7. Young ladies were not allowed to “promenade” after dark.

Students were graded on a weekly basis for Conduct. Any student who scored a grade of 75 or lower for three weeks was expelled from the school unless they could provide an acceptable reason for their poor conduct. One example of a student’s life at the WLNS comes from Roberta Kimmins Gray who attended the school from 1903 to 1906. Mrs. Gray was a resident of West Alexander, Pennsylvania which is located near West Liberty. She recalled her father driving over the dirt roads in a horse-drawn wagon to visit the school. Dr. David Javersak, dean of the social sciences at West Liberty State College interviewed Mrs. Gray in 1989 near her 102^nd birthday. Mrs. Gray choose to attend the WLNS, not for the “Normal Course”, but instead to earn enough credits so she could teach elementary school. During the interview Mrs. Gray commented on the discipline at West Liberty which was molded after the Latin dictum “in loco parentis” which means in place of a parent. She reflected upon a time when a young man at the school was suspended because of his promenade with a young woman without permission. Mrs. Gray’s mother also looked down on the social gatherings, such as dances, even though all were chaperoned by a faculty member. According to Mrs. Gray most evenings where spent sitting on the porch, drinking tea, or visiting some of the local stores. During the WLNS era there were numerous literary societies that students could join. Mrs. Gray belonged to the Irving Literary Society. At these societies students could compete with rival societies to build their skills in debate, oration, and parliamentary skills. Although West Liberty was considered a safe place to study, it was not free of small pox. Mrs. Gray became infected with small pox during her last academic year, 1906-07. To protect students and faculty members from contracting the illness she was quarantined in her room which was at a local boarding house. Since no one was allowed to enter her room, teachers taught Mrs. Gray lessons outside her window. One must remember that during the days of the WLNS there were no dormitories on campus. It was up to the students to find their own housing at local homes or boarding houses. Mrs. Gray lived in a boarding house owned by Mrs. Bowman for eight dollars a month. Mrs. Gray and her roommate prepared their own meals. Both sexes were allowed to live at the Bowman house, but they were segregated to different sides of the house.

Photo: Academy Hall after building add-ons and upgrades.