Chronicles of the Weston County Library Part III
Part III
By Bri Brasher
with Leonard Cash
NLJ Reporter
The third part of the Chronicles of the Weston County Library continues with the next entry in historian Leonard Cash’s records, presumably from the News Letter Journal, on May 9, 1912, when Frank Snow of Gillette was contracted for the painting and interior decorating of the Carnegie Library in Newcastle. A few weeks later, on May 23, it was also reported that contractor Spielman made a push for an early completion on the library.
On Aug. 8, 1912, books were moved into the library’s new building by the librarian, Mrs. A.C. Miller, and the library was to be open for business the following Saturday. The article ended with the following announcement: “The formal opening will not occur until after Congressman Mondell returns home when it is proposed to open with an evening of entertainment, refreshments, etc. The ladies of the club beginning work now on the program for the occasion.”
“She (Anna Miller) was the first librarian at the library building. Everybody liked her,” said Cash. “She had several different jobs—she was the sheriff’s wife*, and then she was on the school board for a number of years. Then she took a trip to Alaska and brought back some books. Somewhere along the line, those books disappeared. She was quite a lady.”
Work on the library continued after the initial construction concluded. Cash’s records include a local news article from Sept. 12, 1912, when it was reported that additional library furniture, including tables, chairs and a librarian desk arrived. According to the article, “the furniture is fumed oak and of excellent grain and finish durable in construction and is a valuable addition to the library. The public is indebted to the splendid work of the library club for the furniture.”
An article titled “Library Reception” was then published on Jan. 2, 1913 in Newcastle. The article reported that over 125 people attended the New Year’s reception “and an air of good fellowship pervaded throughout the entire evening.” Entertainment was provided and met with “hearty applause.” It was also reported that “one of the unique features of the gathering was the tagging of those present as representing various celebrated families, the idea being for those tagged to gather their families at the luncheon hour.”
On Jan. 30, 1913, the newspaper reported that “arrangements have been made whereby a number of volumes of books from the local library will be used as a nucleus for a branch library at Upton which will be open in the very near future.” A few months later on March 6, 1913, there was a call for funds to furnish the “men room” at the library building in Newcastle.
Activity continued for all, as the News Letter Journal then in May of 1913 reported that “Mrs. I.C. Jefferis conducted a story hour at the library last Saturday afternoon at which time she entertained about seventy five of the little folks. Winding up the afternoon by the serving of a delightful lunch to which the little ones did ample justice. We understand that the idea of a story hour will be a regular weekly feature at the library in the future.”
May of 1913 brought about landscaping work around the library building, including a rock wall on the library grounds. The press reported that “when this is completed the yard will be filled and graded and sown to grass seed. Several trees will also be set out within the ground.” In April, it was reported that the grass was coming in nicely.
The News Letter Journal next announced a library social to be held Sept. 19, 1913, for which committees were reportedly hard at work preparing an elaborate program. The monthly social was announced again in November, that program to focus on the Thanksgiving holiday.
Records skip to March 12, 1914, when the board of trustees for the Weston County Public Library published a notice. The last report from the board had been in August 1912, so the 1914 report covered the previous 17 months. The board reported, in part, that “since our last report to your honorable body, the library building has been completed, and occupied. The old county building has been removed, the grounds graded, and a stone retaining wall built on the south, and west sides of same; which greatly enhances the appearance of the property. New furniture has been purchased and permanent shelving has been provided and installed. Mrs. Miller was retained as Librarian, at a salary of $50.00 per month, and J.W. Morgan employed as Janitor at $10.00 per month. The attendance at the library has been most gratifying and there have been approximately 9,363 books used during the year. To accommodate the patrons of the library at, or near Upton, the Board of Directors has established a branch library at that place; which is proving a great success. Miss Carpenter, as assistant librarian, has personal supervision of the books. This branch was established March 4th, 1913. About seventy-five volumes are in circulation , and the consignment is exchanged at frequent intervals.” The report added that a total of 2,417 volumes were available at the Weston County Library. A breakdown of the inventory was also provided.
Cash then shared an announcement from the News Letter Journal’s April 2, 1914, issue that announced an oratorical contest put on by the Weston County Library Club. The event was to be held at City Hall and open to “the pupils of the schools of Weston County.” Medals were to be awarded in an effort to realize “the importance of ease and grace in expression, and the value of this accomplishment in the affairs of private as well as public life.”
The chronicles of the Weston County Library will continue in next week’s News Letter Journal.
Editor’s note: By 1912, Anna Miller was the widow of Sheriff Billy Miller, who was killed in 1903 at the Battle of Lightning Creek.