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Academy, which now thinks it is time the folks of Weiser do something to share interest in the academy, which has helped Weiser educationally at least.
Unless the mortgage is removed, the Educational Society will do nothing for the school, and it will have to close. If the mortgage is lifted, the society plans to spend at least $100,000 during the next ten years.
So the trustees called a meeting of prominent business men to decide the matter. They met in the offices of Drs. Numbers and Steves with Herman Haas, Harry Wulff, E.H. Galey, Thomas C. Galloway, Thomas E. Kelly, Fred Kirgis, L.A. York, and R.E. Lockwood attending. These gentlemen felt that Weiser could not afford to lose the school. New Plymouth had already asked for it, that the city could ill afford to forego our municipal prerogatives and powers. The school is really a part of Weiser’s assets, and it would be suicidal to give it up, said one of the men. Even though they were still collecting for the bridge and money was tight, the Metcalf mortgage must be lifted. Rather than ask a few to give large sums, they decided to put the donations low enough that the man on the street could donate, thus showing that the residents of Weiser were willing to help the academy.
It was decided to ask those who thought the academy should remain in Weiser to agree to pay a small amount on the 15th of each month to clear off the mortgage. It would take only a modest number and promised payments to pay off the amount within the year. That would guarantee that the academy would start the coming year stronger than ever.
On June 17, a second meeting on finances of the academy was held again in the office of Drs. Numbers and Steves. The special committee, Dr. Numbers, Thomas E. Kelly, and E. H. Galey, submitted the printed blank to be used in securing subscriptions which stated the problem of the Metcalf mortgage and interest debt in the amount of $2,380.
“In consideration of the promises to assist in the payment of the indebtedness and to enable the trustees to secure the benefit of the $500 from the Education Society, I promise to pay to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Weiser College and Academy the sum of $____ each month, not to exceed $15.00, regular in successive monthly payments, the first payment to be made not later than June 20, 1903, and thereafter on the 15th of each month.”
Signature________________________