Page:Shimer College History 1853-1950.pdf/4

 On the opening day only eleven pupils appeared, but by the end of the term forty had enrolled. The following year they opened a boys' department on the third floor of this building with Miss Ransom as teacher.

Meanwhile the incorporators took stock in their venture, sold shares at five dollars each to their fellow townsmen and started looking for a place to build. Eighty-three people subscribed 548 shares representing a value of $2,000. However, as faith in their investment waned, only six of the eighty-three paid in full, others paid in part, some settled by notes, most never paid. With less than $1,000 with which to finance the purchase of land and the erection of a building the Board was faced with a serious dilemma.

In spite of this discouraging outlook, stout-hearted Frances writes, "We number but twenty-five as yet, but we are just commencing, its a new thing." "I don't care if we only pay our way for a time, if we can ultimately have a school that will be appreciated." Fannie Bartholomew Bailey, one of the first eleven pupils, comments, "Then was first displayed that perseverence and energy, that courage to combat difficulties, that has ever characterized the work of the Principal, Mrs. F.A. Wood Shimer."

When it came to selecting a site for the school, differences of opinion developed. To further complicate matters, whenever a trustee showed interest in any location, there the price of real estate went up immediately. Misses Wood and Gregory, though urged to do so, hesitated to express a preference for any one location, not wishing to antagonize any of the Board. They knew Trustee Irvine did not share their preference. But before the day of decision they won over Mrs. Irvine to their way of thinking and Frances writes, "having her on our side, of course Mr. Irvine came around all right."

One day Trustee Wilson drove them to Savanna on the Mississippi, ten miles west. On this excursion Miss Wood divulged her bright idea of buying a desirable piece of property in Savanna owned by her brother-in-law. Then, should the Mount Carroll landowners