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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY.
��tailed of adoption, to erect a union school Ijuilding, at a cost not to exceed $25,000.
"Preparations were immediatel}' made, and the work on the building commenced al)out Oetol)er 1, 1874, and it was finally completed about January 1, 1876.
•• The building is 82 feet 8 inches long, G7 feet deep, and the walls are 42 feet 8 inches high, above the ground. A recess at each side, the same width as the hall in the center, per- mits light and ventilation at three sides of every room. It has two gable ends to the front, and one at each side, giving it quite an imposing appearance, its size being considered.
" The roof is of "N^ermont slate, surmounted b}- a fine belfry.
•'The building has four large schoolrooms below, 15 feet in height, and on the second floor, west side, is the grand assembly-room, 17 feet high in the clear, occupying the whole west side of the building, capable of seating about GOO per- sons.
" On the east side of the high-school room, superior to many college rooms, also occupying nearly the whole east side, a recita- tion-room, and Superintendent's room, only, taken from it.
" The building is plainly but substantially built. The base, 8 feet in the clear, is built of cut stone, on which rests the substantial brick wall, nearly 35 feet high. It is warmed by two furnaces, placed in the basement, where are also several nicely paved play-rooms. Each schoolroom is Avell ventilated, and heated by several registers in each, while abundant light flows in at three sides of each room from numerous windows. Each also has a wash and cloak room attached. The rooms are seated
���SHELBY HIGH SCHOOL
��with improved seats, blackboards all around each room, of the most substantial kind.
" The contract was originally let to Messrs. AYoodward & Son for $22,999. but a few ex- tras run it up to $24,1 73.69. The furnaces, seats, bell, etc., brought up the cost to $26,082.16.
It was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, January 17, 1876, and was occupied the next day. One of the speakers upon that occasion said, that now the foundation had been laid for substantial progress in schools for the next quarter of a century, and splendid results might be expected. The buildings, he claimed, exemplified the character of the community —
plain, practical, substantial,
built more for use than or- nament — honestl}' erected, no rings tolerated, the people getting just what the}' had contracted for.
" Mr. H. M. Dick volun- teered to act as architect and superintendent of con- struction free of charge, and to him is the village no little indebted for the s u 1) s t a n t i a 1 manner in which it was erected, as well as to Messrs. Hiram Marvin, Thomas Marvin and Rev. N. H. Loose, who then composed the Board."
The first "meeting-house" in Shelb}- and Sharon Townships was the old log Methodist, located on Jay Smiley's land within the present limits of Shelb}' ; and the first preacher was the well-known Harry 0. Sheldon. Russell Bigelow was also one of the earliest preachers here. These two men Avent about all over this section of the State establishing churches and preaching to the pioneers whenever and wher- ever they could get two, three or more together. A few of the original members of this class Avere A. \. Courtright, James Courtright, Mr.
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