The Greenwood and West Liberty Cemetery’s

Throughout the upper Ohio Valley, one will find numerous cemeteries that serve as monuments to the regions history.One of the more famous cemeteries in the area is the Greenwood Cemetery which is located along the historic National Road between Elm Grove and Wheeling, WV. Greenwood Cemetery was incorporated in 1866 and is the resting ground for some of Wheeling’s most prominent residents. Greenwood Cemetery was established first as a walking cemetery; a park where people could walk, sit, and relax among their friends and relatives. Today the thought of doing this is unthinkable. While on a field trip to the Greenwood Cemetery for my history of Wheeling class my classmates shuddered as we walked through the crunchy leaves and light mist while I had my eyes wide open to observe the special tombs that told stories of the dead. For example, Jacob C. Thomas stated in his will that he “wanted a suitable granted monument at a cost of not less than $15,000 to be first paid by him out if his estate.” That’s close to $300,000 in today’s dollars. Thats old Jacob above and his “suitable granted monument.” He’s been standing like that for nearly 110 years. Jacob C. Thomas was founder the famous Stone & Thomas Department stores. Hundreds, possibly thousands of people drive by the gates the Greenwood Cemetery everyday without knowing little gems like this exist. This is one of the uglier monuments (sorry Jacob), but an interesting example. These days we don’t rely on the cemetery for recreation, but it’s a shame we don’t pay tribute to these neighborhoods of the deceased. One of the lesser known cemeteries in the area is the West Liberty Cemetery. Perhaps it’s because of its location. Aside from the point that West Liberty, WV is located in rural Ohio County, the cemetery is also hidden behind a few houses. I only wish that it was in a better location so it’s stunning iron gate could be enjoyed by passer byers. On the day I visited the West Liberty Cemetery my dad happened to be with me and I said since we were in the area, lets stop and look around. His reply was something like, “But … why… it’s a cemetery.” I jested and said, “Don’t worry; the Munster family wouldn’t be caught there in the daylight, and besides their friendly.” So as we parked along side the road and nervously walked through someone’s yard to reach the cemeteries gates, we entered one of the most famously unknown cemeteries in the United States. Unfortunately I can’t verify this (yet), I’ve only heard this through word of mouth, but The West Liberty Cemetery is one of the few cemeteries in the United States that contains veterans from American Revolution, defenders of Fort Henry (remember Fort Henry days blog?), and the Civil War. It would take a little more research, but it’s possible there’s a veteran from the War of 1812 also buried at the site which would set it apart from many of the others. With a search on the web I expected to find some more information on the West Liberty Cemetery, but I failed to find a documented history. The true information most likely rest in a book that was written about the town; West Liberty Yesterday and Today by CC Regier (1939). It’s a rare book that can be purchased on the web, and it may be my Christmas gift to myself hehe. Anyway, besides being the resting grounds for our countries veterans it also severed as the burial ground from some of West Liberty’s early residents, some quite young. One can only imagine what it would have been like to follow a horse drawn wagon to the cemetery to lay your loved one to rest. The cemetery was in no means meant to be an elaborate walking cemetery such as Greenwood, but instead a simple place for the small towns deceased to rest in peace. Except for the fact that the cemetery hasn’t been used for burials in nearly a hundred years, it still remains a simple place, but sadly a forgotten place by many.On this particular day the sight of beer bottles and cans was present throughout the yard. The cemetery is maintained by a group of volunteers who cut the grass every few weeks and do their best to maintain the headstones. As you can see from the photographs, many of the stones are either broken, illegible, or dislocated from their original resting place.

One will notice there are no statues of angels or anything of the sort because graveyard bandits have already taken them if any existed. This raises the question of preservation. With the historical West Liberty State College located just a mile away it’s a shame that more isn’t done to link to the storied grounds together in a joint effort for preservation. Without volunteers it’s hard to tell what would happen to the West Liberty Cemetery. Without the preservation of small cemeteries we’re destroying a past that others, whether it be history buffs or relatives will want to uncover. The role of the cemetery is an interesting angle to teach from when investigating social studies. Just the simple observation of headstones and their way of words in comparison to contemporary headstones is liable to catch the attention of students. Where did these people come from? What brought them to the wilderness of West Liberty? These are some of the questions that I asked myself while walking along the sunken rows of the West Liberty Cemetery. These people seem like their gone, but they’re not. Their stories still live through their headstones that tell a brief history of their lives. Even if the only thing that represents their life is decayed, just the presence of it is something for us to build off of, to document, and preserve. Part of educating about the social studies is teaching about your own community and its history, and one place to start is by examining the forgotten monuments that tell the personal histories of so many.

West Liberty Today - Part 4

During the early 20th century, throughout West Virginia there was a growing number of primary and high schools being built. This increased the need for qualified teachers, which in turn helped increase funding and the enrollment of normal schools. But this also meant that normal schools were no longer needed to provide a secondary education. By 1921 WLNS had dropped the first three years of high school work. The fourth year of high school work remained for students who needed the subjects offered during this year. This transition away from the high school curriculum was important because it now allowed normal schools to cater to those students who wished to take college level courses, but did not wish to obtain a teaching degree.As WLNS was growing, the town of West Liberty was rapidly declining in population. This became a problem because WLNS had no dormitories, and many of the boarding houses around town were now closed because of the dwindling population. To solve this problem principle John Shaw made several arguments demanding that the state legislature provide funds to build student housing. Shaw was aware that something had to be done about the housing situation which prompted him to purchase land south of town; approximately a quarter of a mile from Academy Hall. Shaw funded this effort with his own money. In 1915 Shaw’s investment proved to be important because the state legislature appropriated $70,000 to be used for land and buildings. This allowed Shaw to sell his newly acquired land to the state “at a cost plus interest.” The building of the first dormitory was delayed because of the first world war. In 1919 Shaw left West Liberty just before the dormitory on the new campus was completed. In 1921 the Alumni Association named the dormitory Shaw Hall in remembrance of his progressive advancement for the WLNS.John S. Bonar would be next to build off of what Shaw had started. Assuming the presidency in 1926, Bonar made several key moves to advance the school. The first move was getting electricity to West Liberty. By June 30, 1927 the Wheeling Electric Company had run their lines to the village; the schools buildings no longer had to rely on oil and gas for lighting. During the years of 1926 and 1927 the State Legislature had also secured a total $200,000 for the school to use towards building purposes.Those funds were to be used to erect Curtis Hall which was used for classrooms. In 1929 the State Legislature approved $100,000 grant which was used to build the Milton McColloch Library. With new buildings and new equipment the school noticed a dramatic increase in enrollment. During the 1931 school year over nine hundred students attended WLNS. Also, during that year of 1931, the State Board of Education changed the name of the school to West Liberty State Teachers College. The name change was brought about because of Bonar’s emphasis of turning West Liberty into a four year college, which it now was. Dr. Paul Elbin would be the next influential president of the West Liberty Teachers College. Elbin joined the English faculty in 1928 and in 1935, at the age of thirty assumed the presidency. Elbin would hold the position for thirty five years. Elbin, a pious man, kept the tradition of discipline at West Liberty among the changing times. Elbin published many hymns, prayers, and hosted a Bible Question Bee which lasted for ten years and was broadcast on WWVA to considerably large audience. During the early phase of Elbin’s presidency he took advantage of President Roosevelt’s New Deal Agency’s; specifically the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration. Funds from these agencies allowed for the building of the boys dormitory Fraternity Hall, the student Union, and numerous improvements to the campuses overall attractiveness. Along with structural improvements, the schools curriculum also enhanced. Art, music, home economics, and dental hygiene were newly added programs in 1938. Also in that year, the schools 100th anniversary, a branch campus was opened in Wheeling. The 100th year of the schools existence proved to be quite exciting because it was the same year the school became accredited. In 1943 the state legislature changed the schools name to West Liberty State College (WLSC) due to its expansions in academics. From this time forward WLSC saw numerous strides of growth. After World War II attendance increased dramatically. For example, in 1945-46 school years, five hundred and seventy five students attended; the following year that number practically doubled. This rise in attendance can be credited to the many war veterans who took advantage of the G.I. Bill after WWII. By the 1960’s WLSC attendance reached one thousand students for the first time.As Dr. David Javersak says, “the Fifties may be thought of as the last years of intimacy, when the relationships among students and faculty were particularly close.” As the student population grew, so did West Liberty’s appearance during the 1960’s. In 1961 a wing between Curtis and McCulloch Hall was completed. Along with new classrooms, five new dormitories were built, a Hall of Fine Arts was opened, a new field house, an expansion on the college Union was added, and the Paul Elbin Library was completed. Most of the buildings that were erected during Elbin’s presidency are still used to this day and serve as a remembrance to his pride in the school.The town of West Liberty is unique because it shows the different stages that education has endured. West Liberty can credit most of its early success to the devotion of the town’s people and their awareness of the schools importance. The normal school era proved to be one of the school’s more interesting time periods because it portrays a time when life was much simpler. The normal school era also provides insight to the history of education and its changes. Without normal schools, and without proper teacher training, the nation’s schools would not have developed at the pace they have.West Liberty State College as it looked during the 1969-70 school year. Today West Liberty State College is home to approximately 2,000 students who are earning bachelors degrees in anything from dental hygiene, business, teacher education, and many other majors that one would find at any other college or University. In fact, it’s been rumored for quite some time that West Liberty will receive University status in the near future. Time will only tell, but it’s clear that West Liberty has made numerous strides in education since the days of the Doyle House and Academy Hall. Sadly, Academy Hall is no longer standing. It once stood where the West Liberty Elementary school is located today, hardly a mile or so from where the present campus sits. I’m not quite sure when the building was demolished but it caused quite a scene according to one of my old professors. One of the towns people, an elderly woman, demanded the demolition crew save a piece of sandstone that was placed in the building which read the date of when Academy Hall was erected, and forgive me, I forget what else! Probably West Liberty or something. It’s a shame that I can’t remember exactly what it says because my favorite spot in the library was right next to the West Liberty museum where the stone now sits. Unfortunately before the stone was placed inside, it sat underneath the flag pole where the weather was unkind to it, and it cracked. But thanks to one West Liberty residents stout devotion, we have at least one momentum from Academy Hall. As for the Doyle House, it’s long gone, but I believe there are some rough estimates as to where it originally stood. Shaw Hall is now home to offices, and Fraternity Hall is now called Shotwell Hall which houses faculty offices. I’ve spend many days on the 2nd and 3rd floors chatting with my history professors and trying to imagine what it would have been like to live in that building. While strolling around the campus today, you’ll notice that many of the campuses buildings are documented as historical, the campus is a museum with in it’s self. Today West Liberty is going through a similar transition that it endured during the Paul Elbin era. Face lifts here and there, digital billboards, more advertising, but not a whole lot about its history, unless you call slapping 1837 in the add history. History probably doesn’t entice prospective students, but the free lab tops their handing out probably will. As a high school senior I knew very little about the school, my brother had went there, and my uncle too. But to me it was just place up on the hill that would most likely destroy my vehicle while commuting (at least it wasn’t likely to get stolen hehe). But after visiting the school I couldn’t help but want to go their and experience the small private school atmosphere in which the campus provides. So in my campaign to become the area’s next historian, I hope to make the history of West Liberty known to everyone because it truly reflects the history of education and its many transitions.

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.

The West Liberty Academy - Part 2

Before the West Liberty Normal School, and before West Liberty State College, West Liberty’s higher education began with an academy. An academy was a school that one would go to in order to achieve a higher secondary education. With the absence of high schools in the area, West Liberty would function as a pivotal force in the higher education of those whom resided in the northern panhandle. The West Liberty Academy was founded by the Reverend Nathan Shotwell and the charter was obtained from the Virginia Legislature on March 30, 1837. It is not known when the West Liberty Academy opened, but it is assumed that it was during the year of 1838. Classes were held in a white to story house which was called the “Doyle House.” While classes were being conducted a curtain was pulled through the middle of a room which created two separate rooms. This allowed Mr. Shotwell to instruct the boys while Mrs. Shotwell instructed the girls. The first class consisted of sixty-five students. Some of the courses offered by the Shotwell’s included: Algebra, Latin, Oil Painting, Logic, Arithmetic, and Geometry. Soon after its opening, money was raised by the community to build a brick school house, which was completed, but sadly destroyed by fire in 1841. This proved to be a devastating time for the young academy, but classes were still held at the Doyle house until 1857 when Academy Hall was erected.
The Reverend Nathan Shotwell served as principle of the West Liberty Academy until 1854-55. According to the Wheeling “Times and Advertiser” Shotwell was, “one of the best teachers in the western country.” Shotwell was a student at Princeton College. It was said that after his Princeton days, Shotwell took up a “prosperous” career in Louisiana; but upon being converted to religion he immediately sacrificed the bright prospects there to take up the humbler walk of life in the Christian ministry. Shotwell attended the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh from 1833 to 1836 and then served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in West Liberty in 1837. It is not known exactly why Shotwell started the West Liberty Academy, but one unidentified writer described Shotwell as an “intellectual force, of earnest piety and deep convictions of truth and duty.” Clearly, the town of West Liberty owes great debt to Shotwell for his determination, founding, and loyalty to the West Liberty Academy. After Shotwell’s departure as principle, A.F. Ross held the position from 1857 to 1861. Ross is noted for his high level of energy and determination to serve the publics interest. Before taking the position, Ross had been professor of Ancient Languages at Bethany College which is located a few miles north of West Liberty. Ross was responsible for many of the early expansions that helped the young academy grow. For example, it was Ross that made several key real estate purchases. This allowed for Ross’s most important accomplishment, the construction of Academy Hall which was completed 1857 with aid from the state of Virginia and donations that were acquired from loyal West Liberty residents. The cost of Academy Hall was $30,000 and would serve as a strong foundation for the school to build on. With an official building, the West Liberty Academy was starting to see its potential. One obstacle that stood in the way of its growth was the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. Greater attention was given to the war itself than education. Therefore, attendance declined because many of the young men who were students or prospective students went to war. It is not known if the school ever closed during the Civil War, if so, it could not have been for more than one year, mostly likely between 1863-64. During the Civil War a debt of approximately $6,000 accumulated which put the academy and its trustees at great risk. In 1867 the trustees suggested that the academy be sold to the state for the amount in which they were indebted. The school would then be transformed into a state normal school, a school with the purpose of training teachers. This proposition was accepted by the state legislature on February 24, 1867. Although the sale of the academy solved financial troubles, the academy itself was not up to normal school standards. The Annual Report of the Regents of the State Normal School of West Virginia stated:

The Regents are of the opinion that an appropriation of $2,000 for salaries of teachers, and $1,000 for furniture and necessary repairs, would be sufficient to start a Normal School at West Liberty, with a good promise of future success and prosperity.

The Regents noted the geographical location of West Liberty as “being one of the best regions in the State.” On March 1, 1870 the state legislature passed an act approving the establishment of a state normal school at West Liberty. The first semester of the West Liberty Normal School (WLNS) began on May 2, 1870.

The Story of West Liberty - Part 1

I earned my undergraduate degree from West Liberty State College, and since doing so I’ve been interested in doing some research about the town and school that helped me along my way. WLSC has approximately 2,000 students and is located about 8 miles from Wheeling, but it’s the longest 8 miles you’ll ever travel through the winding hills of West Virginia. West Liberty may inhabit a few hundred residents itself, but it’s by large a college town. And when I say town, I mean it has a post office, and that’s it. Because of its seclusion, one has the feeling of going to a small private school, truly a unique experience. I had the pleasure of commuting, but those 11 mile (one way) drives (that took at least a 1/2 hour on a good day) gave me time to appreciate the land that I was driving through, so here’s a brief story of the town and school.

West Liberty State College is located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. The town of West Liberty resides about eights miles from the city of Wheeling which is located along the Ohio River. West Liberty is a small town, but in spite of that is home to one West Virginia’s first institutions of education. West Liberty serves as an example of early American education and its transformations. As time progressed, so did the nature of West Liberty’s education. The goal of this essay is to explore the history, development, and expansion by looking at the history of the town, its schools, and their relation to the national issues regarding education throughout the discussed time periods.
In 1776 the state of Virginia named territory west of the Allegheny Mountains the Augusta territory. This was then divided up into three counties; the Ohio, Yohagania, and Mononaries. West Liberty would be part of the Ohio County. The first person to settle in what is today West Liberty was a man named Mr. Black, between the years of 1769-1772. Black was sent to Ohio County by Abraham Van Metre, a wealthy planter from Berkeley County, Virginia to make a claim in the area. Black’s “tomahawk” claim was most likely because of the regions strong geographical attributes; such as a good spring and suitable farm land. Upon Blacks arrival he immediately built a cabin which would become known as “Blacks Cabin.” Soon after Blacks arrival two other men would follow, James Curtis, who was also making a land claim, and Mr. Hood. These men were said to have lived together in Black’s Cabin. During this time period it is important to note that Ohio County was the edge of the frontier and susceptible to Indian raids. Black’s Cabin and the nearby Fort Van Metre served as important garrisons in the newly formed Ohio County.
During the American Revolution the name West Liberty was decided upon because of its western location and from the dedicated love the early pioneers had for the patriot cause. In 1776 the General Assembly of Virginia decided that landowners in the Ohio Valley should decide on a place for holding courts. On December 27, 1776 landowners agreed that Black’s Cabin would be the best place to hold courts. This location is important because the court would be protected by Van Metre’s Fort, and Blacks Cabin was located away from the Ohio River which meant that it was less likely to be attacked by Indians. It is also important to clarify that West Liberty was chosen as the county seat because Wheeling, located on the banks of the Ohio River (a much larger and accessible town) was enduring numerous Indian raids. It was a good decision because the year 1777 was nicknamed the “The Bloody Year of the Three Sevens” due to the severity of the Indian raids. The first court session was held at Blacks Cabin on January 6, 1777. West Liberty was known as one of the first courts west of the Allegheny Mountains and would remain so until 1797 when it was moved to Wheeling.
An early unknown writer described West Liberty as a “early attracted settlement by its fabulous fertility and was appropriated by horse racing, fox hunting, jolly Marylanders and Virginians – some of them, men of education and refinement, and early given to hospitality, good living, fun, and inner-marriage.” West Liberty was described as a growing metropolis that catered to the early pioneers who were settling in the territory. People traveled to West Liberty for legal matters, to make land claims, attend worship, visit taverns, and shop. West Liberty was officially organized in 1787. Oddly enough, during the war of 1812 a raid in Richmond, Virginia by the British destroyed many public documents. This included the incorporation papers and charter for West Liberty. Until 1902 the only record of the town’s existence was in the post office guide. In 1902 a Greater West Liberty club was formed to reincorporate West Liberty. A vote was taken and West Liberty was reincorporated, but not without opposition from those who were unhappy for tax purposes.
From its early days, West Liberty saw the importance of education. One of the first schools in West Liberty was started by Thomas Ewing in the year 1800. Education was not Ewing’s main profession; he also worked as a cobbler and taught to pay for his room and board. Ewing was described as a strong disciplinarian and was said to have commonly used the rod. During this time period there was no organized education system, a subscription school such as Ewing’s was common for the time period.
While most eastern towns were starting to develop more formal means of education, West Liberty was just beginning the subscription school stage. Simply said, a subscription school could be started by any man who wished to teach, as long as he obtained the signatures of those willing to enroll their children in his school. M.D. Lewis came to West Liberty in 1816. Lewis’s contract stated he, “agrees to use his utmost endeavor to instruct all those who are committed to his charge in spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic.” His salary depended on what subject the pupil was to be taught. For example, “spelling, reading and writing, two dollars; and for English grammar and bookkeeping, three dollars; and for each branch of mathematics, five dollars.” These fees applied per student and were meant to cover a time period of three months.
Jacob Curtis was a student during the 1830’s in West Liberty. The school he attended was held in a log cabin. His description of the dwelling provides graphic insight as to what education was like for those living in a small country town.

It was about twenty feet square with a log left out on the east and south sides, filled with a long narrow slash of glass…Along these narrow windows was a broad slanting shelf for the writing class and over the balance of the unplanked oak floor were benches made of slabs, flat side up with four to six pegs driven in augur holes for legs, no backs, no footrest, and many of the little legs not long enough to reach the floor… A wooden paddle hung at the door with Out on one side and In on the other. We had to turn the paddle as we went in or out. The seats were highly polished by the constant friction of jeans pants, and linsey dresses. The books we used were the Olney’s Geography, Kirkhams Grammar, United States Reader and Spelling book and the Western Calculator.

Curtis’s first teacher was Billy Pinkerton and according to Curtis he “ruled with the rod.”
Curtis added that many of the early teachers enjoyed their “toddy” and were not monitored by school officials. In other words, as long as there were no complaints, the teacher did as they pleased.