Page:Frances Wood Shimer 1826-1901.djvu/13

 salaried teachers under the control of a board of trustees. Both sexes were admitted, and the new building was dedicated with twenty-five boarders and about twice as many day-pupils.

As only one-third of the subscriptions had been paid, money for the building was borrowed from an eastern capitalist. The furnishings were far more expensive than anticipated, and at the expiration of six months the stockholders were confronted with interest coupons instead of dividends. The trustees, unable to collect unpaid subscriptions, became discouraged, and offered the building and furnishings to the not-discouraged principals for the contract price of the building, the free use of the ground for five years, and permission to improve the grounds, if they would promise to continue the school for ten years. At the end of five years the trustees would either pay for the added improvements or sell the land at a reasonable price. The proposition was accepted. In order to obviate questions of title which might arise on account of the transfer, a new charter was secured, vesting all rights in the new proprietors, who gave a personal note for $4,500, with interest at 10 per cent. These notes were ultimately paid by by Miss Wood, who borrowed the money from her brother-in-law, Mr. Nash, after using the small inheritance which came to her from her father's estate. This was the beginning of the financial burden and management which Mrs. Shimer carried through all the years of her connection with the school. The debt for the furnishings was voluntarily liquidated by issuing scholarships to those trustees who had a assumed that portion of the original indebtedness.

Improvements were immediately commenced on the grounds, fences built, and the “five-acre field,” destitute of tree, shrub, or bush&mdash;except some hazel-brush&mdash;was dotted with evergreens and deciduous trees, whose towering tops and stalwart trunks are today landmarks and the pride of the campus. Fruit-bearing trees and bushes and vines were also planted with a lavish hand, although expensive and transported long distances; yet the members of the “Seminary family,” more than a quarter of a century afterward, were enjoying their fruitage. Flowers, walks, and drives attested woman's presence and intuition. Time lent its aid, and the work went on despite the oft-repeated prophecies of failure. Miss Wood knew