Many individuals in Le Mars
realized the value of the school to education and the welfare of the
town. They accordingly took steps to help retain it. In
1892 a group of prominent business men formed a company known as the Le
Mars Normal Association. They bought a tract of land south of Le Mars
and held what they called a Normal School Gala Day. The slogan
was "buy a lot and build a city." The Normal Association saved
the finest seven acres of the tract of land for the campus, then
sub-divided the balance into streets and lots. The people of Le
Mars responded well, and lots were sold amounting to $27,000.
This gave the association a sufficient sum to pay for the land and
erect a anew building. The building was completed in 1892, and
the Northwestern Normal and Business School was moved to its new
location, taking the name Le Mars Normal School. Unfortunately,
however, the struggle of the fledgling college was not over.
The Normal Association had also envisioned the state
legislature converting its college into a state supported normal
school. But its members were also thwarted in this
endeavor. After operating the school under private ownership for
eight years, they were faced with the decision of what to do with the
college. The answer came at a meeting in Union Hall at Le Mars on
April 10, 1900.
The Le Mars Normal School Association knew that the United
Evangelical Church in the Midwest was interested in establishing a
denominational college. Its officers therefore proposed to
transfer the school to the United Evangelical Church. Dr. R. Dubs
and Dr. W.M. Standford, as representatives of this denomination, came
to Le Mars to discuss details with the association. The resultant
meeting in the Union Hotel was profitable for all and led to the
organization and incorporation of the Western Union College of the
United Evangelical Church. By the terms of the agreement, the
campus and building, valued at $35,000, was turned over to the new
corporation. Western Union College was to receive the deed to the
property in ten years, or sooner, if they made $10,000 worth of
improvements. On Thursday, April 12, 1900, the articles of
incorporation were filed and the necessary papers signed which
completed the transfer of the property previously owned and operated by
the Le Mars Normal Association. This was the beginning of Western
Union College.
|
|
