Carnegie Library
The establishment of the Carnegie Library at Sullivan was mainly due tot he Woman's Club of that town. the history of perhaps the majority of the libraries in the middle west present a similar record of the enterprise and labors of women in behalf of the the intellectual advantages and welfare of their respective towns.
In 1809 the Woman's Club appointed a committee to work for this object, the members of the committee being, Mrs. Anna Sheridan, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Davis, Mrs. Amelia Crowder, Mrs. Helen Mahley, Mrs. Ida Thompson, Mrs. Mary Hays, Mrs. Rachel Harris. By entertainments and lectures a library fund of one hundred was accumulated, but the movement progressed slowly, and letters to Mr. Carnegie met with no response. In 1901 the legislature passed the new library law, requiring a town board to lay a library tax provided a fund equal to a tax of two-tenths of a mill had been raised by popular subscription. the conditions and the facts were stated in a letter to Mr. Carnegie. In answer came a promise of $10,000 for the library building.
In March, 1904, the contract for the library building was let to J. F. Nicholas for $8,276, and on June 11th following the cornerstone was laid, with Masonic ceremonies. the building was dedicated January 19, 1906. The pupils of the schools visited the building by grades in the afternoon, and many of the school children and other visitors brought books to contribute tot he library collection. In the evening the presentation address was made by John T. Hays, and the building was accepted on behalf of the town by William T. Douthitt. Other speakers were Prof. Robert J. Aley of the Indiana University, Miss Merica Hoagland of the Indiana Library Commission, and Mrs. W. R. Nesbit and Mrs. John Chaney.
Some interesting details concerning the establishment of the library are contained in the following chronological notes, taken from the newspaper:
April 10, 1902 -The clubs of town begin to try to raise money for a public library. The women are trying to raise $760 to fill the requirements of law -that being equal to a tax of two-tenths mill on each dollar of taxable property. Fifteen dollars is the highest sum to be asked from any one person.
April 17, 1902 -In response to a committee from the various clubs of the town, headed by Mrs. O. B. Harris, the town board has levied a tax of six-tenths mill for library purposes, which gives an income of $1,100 a year. The amount sought by popular subscription had been obtained.
July 17, 1902 -The library board is made up of the following persons: Mrs. P. H. Blue, John T. Hays and Mrs. Florence Higbee, appointed by Judge O. B. Harris; George R. Dutton and Dr. Anna E. Sheridan, appointed by the town board; and Mrs. O. B. Harris and John S. Bays, appointed by the school board. July 24 -Mrs. Harries was elected President, Mr. Higbee, Secretary, and Mr. Dutton, Treasurer.
November 13, 1902 -A reading room over McClanahan's store ahs been opened to the public. All the late magazines are supplied, and in a back room is a table with games.
January, 1903 -Letter dated January 13 from Mr. Carnegie promising $10,000, the town board having promised not less than one thousand dollars a year.
March 28, 1903 -Library Board accepts offer made by Dr. L. A. Stewart and others of a lot for the library at the corner of Thompson and Eaton Streets, west end of Jackson.
August 27, 1903 -Strikes at stone quarries and the prospect of a direct line to the quarries when the Southern Indiana Railroad reaches Sullivan make it advisable to wait until 1904 to build.
November 12, 1903 -Library Board accepts plans of P. O. Maratz, an architect of Bloomington, Illinois.
June 11, 1904 -Laying of cornerstone. Procession headed by library board and Woman's Club, to which bodies is due a large share of the credit for the establishment of the library. George E. Grimes, Master of Masonic ceremonies, and other participants in the proceeding were Rev. W. H. Grim, Grand Master Frank E. Gavin, Mrs. O. B. Harris and John C. Chaney.
September 8, 1904 -Miss Julia Mason appointed Librarian.
March 8, 1906 -Carnegie donates another thousand dollars to be used for putting in a furnace and furnishing the basement of the building.
June 4, 1906 -Unveiling at public library of bust of Daniel W. Voorhees, replica of the one in the Library of Congress. Miss Naomi Harris in charge of the ceremony, and an address by Claude G. Bowers, of Terre Haute.
The Academy of Science of Sullivan County was an institution which was organized for the promotion of scientific studies and investigation. The meeting for organization was held July 17, 1882, the first officers elected being: Sewell Coulson, President; J. R. Hinkle, Vice President; John C. Chaney, Secretary; John W. Spencer, Corresponding Secretary; John T. Gunn, Treasurer; George W. Buff, Uriah Coulson and O. J. Craig, Trustees.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 308-312.