HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 Floyd Fender 
 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 
 north caroliniana 
 
 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 William C. Rankin 
 
 C P 378 
 
 G5I+E 
 
■ 
 
 r 
 
Girls’ Dormitory and Boarding Hall 
 
Htstoxo of the (Slade bailee High Sriyrol 
 
 Written by a Student of the School 
 
 By 
 
 Floyd Fender 
 
Copyright, 1923, By Floyd Fender 
 
Dedicated 
 
 to 
 
 The Ladies of Orange Presbytery 
 
PREFACE 
 
 In this little work the author has endeavored to give practical 
 information about the origin of the Glade Valley High School 
 and the work of the institution from its establishment in 1909 
 to the present time, (Feb. 1923). Since many records of the 
 school are missing this work is also intended to supplement the 
 records of the work done by the school. 
 
 The author gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to the 
 following for invaluable services and information without which 
 this work would not have been possible: Prof. W. L. Cooper, 
 Jr., Rev. S. M. Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Eldridge, Mr. Gilmore 
 Harris, Mr. F. A. Wrench, Miss Lela Wolfe, Miss Margaret 
 Cheek, Mr. Frank S. Johnston, Miss Dott Duncan, Mrs. Dewitt 
 Bryan, Mr. Clayton C. Edwards, Mrs. Stella Sharpe, Mr. Silas 
 Nichols, Mr. B. Dewitt Phillips, Mrs. I. M. Andrews, Mrs. F. T. 
 Wagoner, Mr. Clive A. Thompson, Rev. W. F. Hollingsworth, 
 Mr. C. C. Thompson, Mr. Joseph McBride. 
 
 FLOYD FENDER. 
 
 Glade Valley, N. C., February, 1923. 
 
6 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 ESTABLISHMENT 
 
 In the year 1907 a young ministerial student left Davidson 
 College in his junior year because the condition of his eyes 
 would not permit him to go on and finish his course. Desiring 
 to enter some kind of religious work he went to Ashe and Alle¬ 
 ghany counties as an evangelistic worker. He traveled over 
 these counties, held meetings, and visited the people. This young 
 man was Mr. A. T. Walker. 
 
 Mr. Walker was everywhere met with the need of better edu¬ 
 cational facilities. Most of the public schools were inferior and 
 there were no high schools in which teachers might prepare them¬ 
 selves. Hundreds of bright boys and girls, eager for an educa¬ 
 tion were unable to go long distances and pay the usual fees. 
 Often when spoken to about going 
 to school their eyes would fill with 
 tears as they replied, “It costs so 
 much father cannot send me.” 
 
 Mr. Walker secured a number of 
 summer school teachers and con¬ 
 ducted an educational campaign. 
 
 Summer schools were conducted at 
 various points in Ashe and Alle¬ 
 ghany counties. This educational 
 campaign resulted in the establish¬ 
 ment of the Glade Valley High 
 School. 
 
 The Home Mission report of Rev. 
 
 S. M. Rankin to Orange Presbytery 
 which met in Leaksville in April, 
 
 1908, contained the following recommendation: 
 
 “That Presbytery appoint a committee of five to secure a lo¬ 
 cation for a high school in Ashe and Alleghany counties, and to 
 establish such a school if the way be clear.” 
 
 The Presbytery appointed the following committee. Rev. S. 
 M. Rankin, Chairman, Greensboro; J. Lindsay Patterson, Esq., 
 Winston-Salem; Mr. A. T. Walker, Sparta; Rev. R. K. Moseley, 
 -; Mr. McBride Holt, Graham. With careful and pray- 
 
 Mr. A. T. Walker 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 7 
 
 erful deliberation this committee selected Glade Valley as the 
 location for the school. 
 
 LOCATION 
 
 Glade Valley is on a high plateau, in Alleghany County, about 
 six miles from Sparta, the county-seat of Alleghany County, and 
 about twenty-five miles from Elkin. It is about the geograph¬ 
 ical center of the five mountain counties (Ashe, Alleghany, 
 Wilkes, Surry, and Stokes) of Orange Presbytery, which are 
 said to have a population of seventy-five thousand people. The 
 location is both beautiful and healthful, on the crest of the Blue 
 Ridge Mountains, with an altitude of about three thousand feet. 
 The scenery is most beautiful, the climate invigorating. 
 
 Glade Valley received its name from the Harris bottoms near 
 by. This valley is a broad expanse of beautiful meadow land. 
 The school is in a good Christian community, far from the evil 
 and distracting influence of town or city and the pupils have 
 nothing to distract their attention from their studies and no 
 temptations to waste their money. 
 
 THE WORK BEGUN 
 
 Early in 1909 the Committee bought one hundred and twenty- 
 five acres of land on which to establish the proposed high school. 
 This land was well timbered and well watered. A large part of 
 the lumber for the buildings was obtained from the land and the 
 land has been developed into a farm. 
 
 The location of Glade Valley was selected in the early part 
 of 1909 and Mr. W. L. Brewer, an architect of Greensboro, 
 went to Glade Valley, laid out the location for the buildings, 
 made the plans, etc., and donated them to the school. Mr. A. 
 T. Walker was appointed by the Committee to oversee the con¬ 
 struction of the buildings. Great were the difficulties encoun¬ 
 tered by Mr. Walker in this work. When the school was estab¬ 
 lished the nearest railway station was Elkin, twenty-five miles 
 away. All material and supplies had to be hauled from Elkin 
 
8 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 by wagons across the Blue Ridge Mountain over rough mountain 
 roads. A sawmill had to be bought to cut the lumber; thus the 
 lumber for the buildings was obtained economically. A little 
 later a planer was bought and the lumber was finished on the 
 ground. Mr. Walker was often seen hauling material from the 
 railroad with an ox team or working far into the night to further 
 the work. At one time when some cement work had been done 
 on the foundation of the girls’ dormitory the temperature sud¬ 
 denly dropped below the freezing point, a haystack was hauled 
 from Mr. Gilmore Harris’ meadow near by and the forms wrapped 
 to prevent freezing. Again when the steam heating plant was 
 being installed in the girls’ dormitory Mr. Walker, Mr. Gilmore 
 Harris and Rev. S. M. Rankin labored almost through the entire 
 night to prevent the pipes from freezing. The people of the 
 community aided greatly in clearing the land and erecting the 
 buildings. Undaunted by obstacles and ha dships, Mr. Walker 
 soon erected an eight-room cottage and had the girls’ dormitory, 
 
 Group of Students In Front of the Cottage 
 
 a large twenty-six room building, well under way. In October. 
 1009, Mr. Walker married Miss Mary Henderson, of Charlotte, 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 9 
 
 and they moved into the newly built cottage. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Walker remained in charge of the work until about the first of 
 July, 1910, when Mr. Walker had a severe attack of rheumatism 
 and had to move away, before the girls’ building was completed. 
 
 Rev. S. M. Rankin Mrs. S. M. Rankin 
 
 Rev. S. M. Rankin, Chairman of the Committee, then took charge 
 of the work, finishing the girls’ dormitory and the first term of 
 school was conducted under the direction of Rev. and Mrs. S. 
 M. Rankin. 
 
 BUILT BY FREE WILL OFFERINGS 
 
 The school was built by the free will offerings of Christian 
 people. The people of the community showed their good will and 
 support by subscribing $1,000 to help build the school. In 1909 
 there was no high school of any importance in the five mountain¬ 
 ous counties of northwestern North Carolina. The need oi a 
 high grade Christian school where the principles of the Chris¬ 
 tian religion are taught and emphasized and the appreciation of 
 the people are clearly depicted by the following letteis fi om tin 
 community: 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Walls, N. C., April 1, 1909. 
 
 Rev. S. M Rankin, 
 
 Greensboro, N. C. 
 
 Dear Sir:—Work has begun on the school, and is progressing 
 nicely. The people seem very much interested and are helping, 
 notwithstanding the busy season with the farmers. The people 
 of the community have subscribed nearly $1,000. When you 
 consider that we are twenty-five miles from the railroad and 
 have to haul our produce over rough mountain roads to market, 
 you will say this subscription is most remarkable. But our peo¬ 
 ple are beginning to wake up educationally. There is but one 
 school in the county that pretends to run more than four months, 
 so it is no wonder our people are putting forth such an effort on 
 behalf of this school. 
 
 I wish to commend the wisdom of your committee in their 
 selection of a site. The land is covered with fine timber, and 
 the site is near the survey for the railroad which is now being 
 graded from Elkin to Sparta. Every man in reach, and many 
 not within reach, regardless of religious convictions and politics, 
 is interested and doing what he can for the school. I predict a 
 bright future for Glade Valley High School. 
 
 With best wishes for yourself and family, I am, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 S F. THOMPSON, 
 
 Ex-Register of Deeds, Alleghany County 
 
 Laurel Branch, N. C., April 5, 1909. 
 
 Dear Bro. Rankin 
 
 We have done what we could for the school, and we now ap¬ 
 peal to you for help. We are greatly in need of this school, as 
 you know. We have never had any opportunities in life our¬ 
 selves, and our children are growing up in the same sad condi¬ 
 tion. There are many bright children here, destitute of an ed¬ 
 ucation, and will always remain so without the aid of those who 
 are able to help. I trust your many friends will help to build 
 this school, and we hope to see our children educated Christian 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 11 
 
 men and women, properly fitted for the Master’s service, and 
 earnestly at work in His vineyard. Please do what you can for 
 us; anything you and your friends do for this mountain work 
 will be much appreciated. 
 
 Yoxirs most cordially, 
 
 J. P. McCANN. 
 
 Cherry Lane, N. C. 
 
 Rev. S. M. Rankin, 
 
 Dear Sir:—We certainly appreciate the efforts you all are 
 making to establish such a school in this community. We are 
 in great need of a school. There is not a first-class school in 
 the county, nor in the adjoining counties. I had to drive across 
 the mountain seventy miles to place my daughter in school at 
 Boone. This is someth'ng every one in the community is united 
 on. 
 
 Very sincerely, 
 
 A. B. GENTRY. 
 
 Sparta, Alleghany County, N. C. 
 
 April 26, 1909. 
 
 I am perfectly familiar with the country and know the condi¬ 
 tions and needs of the section, and I want to say that the work 
 which Rev. S. M. Rankin and those associated with him are doing 
 in establishing a high school at Glade Valley, N. C., is, in my 
 judgment, a valuable work both from a moral and Christian 
 standpoint, and one that will redound to great good for this sec¬ 
 tion of the State, and for the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 R. A. DOUGHTON, Ex-Lieut Gov. of N. C. 
 
 STUDENT SELF HELP, ETC. 
 
 A number of scholarships are given by the friends of Chris¬ 
 tian education to aid worthy but needy boys and girls. Also a 
 large number of needy students are allowed to pay their way in 
 part by working on the farm, grounds, or kitchen and dining 
 
 room. 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 RAISING THE MONEY 
 
 Rev. S. M. Rankin, Superintendent of Home Mission Work, 
 did a wonderful work in raising the funds to build the Glade 
 Valley Mission School. To his appeals there was a generous re¬ 
 sponse from the churches, ladies’ and young people’s societies, 
 as well as from individuals. Those who aided in this work con¬ 
 tributed to a noble cause. 
 
 SOCIETIES FURNISH ROOMS 
 
 The ladies of the Orange Presbytery, through their various 
 societies, rendered invaluable service by furnishing the build¬ 
 ings. Through their efforts each room was neatly papered and 
 supplied with furniture. 
 
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTED 
 
 *In the fall of 1909 the following Board of Trustees was ap¬ 
 pointed: Rev. S. M. Rankin, Chairman, Greensboro; Mr. A. W. 
 McAlister, Greensboro; Hon. A M Scales, Greensboro; Rev. E. 
 R, Leyborn, D. D., Durham; Mr. McBride Holt, Graham; J. Lind¬ 
 say Patterson, Esq., Winston-Salem; Mr. A T. Walker, Sparta. 
 
 On March 29, 1910, the Committee and the Board of Trustees 
 held a joint meeting and the Committee turned over to the Board 
 the management of the school. In the fall of 1910, the institu¬ 
 tion was incorporated under the laws of North Carolina. 
 
 *Later Dr. Neal L. Anderson and Judge T. B. Finley were 
 added to the Board. Mr. W. F. Carter of Mount Airy was elect¬ 
 ed a member in place of Mr. A. T. Walker in 1911. In April 
 1914, Dr. E. R. Leyburn resigned as a member of the Board and 
 Rev. C. P. Coble was elected in his place Dr. Neal L. Ander¬ 
 son removed from the Presbytery, and Dr. D. Clay Lilly was 
 elected a member of the Board in his place in 1916. In 1918 
 Mr. A. W. McAlister resigned from the Board and Mr. R. R. 
 King was elected in his place. In 1920, Dr. D. Clay Lilly re¬ 
 moved from the Presbytery, and Rev. T. W. Simpson was elect¬ 
 ed a member of the Board in his place. 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 13 
 
 THE SCHOOL OPENED 
 
 Rev. S. M. Rankin took charge of the work at Glade Valley in 
 October, 1910. A large force of hands was obtained and the 
 work on the girls’ dormitory pushed as rapidly as possible. 
 
 On January 4, 1911, the school was opened with the following 
 faculty in charge: Rev. S. M. Rankin, President pro. tem.; 
 Prof J. H. Gentry, Principal, High School Department; Mrs. 
 S. M. Rankin, Lady Principal; Miss Lucy Graves, Intermediate 
 and Primary Grades; Miss Rebecca Woods, Domestic Science; 
 Prof. W. Paisley White, Normal Course; Miss Josephine Orr, As¬ 
 sistant in Sewing Room; Mrs. Rankin, Music; Miss Woods, Ma¬ 
 tron. The very first term was a marked success, both in the 
 number enrolled and the grade of work accomplished. Sev¬ 
 enty-two students were enrolled during the term.* The building 
 was not finished when school opened, and was very cold and un¬ 
 comfortable for the first two months. 
 
 The commencement exe cises, which were held May 7-9, 1911, 
 did credit to the new instituion. The commencement sermon 
 was preached by Rev. R. E. Steele, of Spencer. Ten young 
 ladies contested in recitation for a beautiful medal given by Mr. 
 R. C. Bernau, of Greensboro. Miss May Gentry, of Hooker, was 
 the succesful contestant. The young men contested in decla¬ 
 mation for a medal given by the President. This was won by 
 Mr. Garnett Edwards, of Sparta. Ex-Lieut. Governor R. A. 
 Doughton, of Sparta, delivered a splendid literary address, which 
 was well conceived and eloquently delivered. 
 
 In April, 1911, water was piped into the buildings by force of 
 gravity from a strong spring farther up the mountain. Until 
 then water had to be carried from a spring some three hundred 
 yards away. 
 
 THE YEAR 1911-12 
 
 The Board of Trustees was fortunate in securing a splendid 
 and well equipped man in the person of Rev. W. F. Hollings- 
 
 *The school was established with a primary department which 
 was later discontinued. The school now carries grades seven 
 to eleven inclusive. The music department was begun as an ad¬ 
 junct but has attained considerable prominence and reputation. 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Boys’ Dormitory 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 15 
 
 worth, of Morganton, as President of the school. Rev. Hol- 
 lirgsworth was elected in the spring of 1911, and took charge of 
 the work June the first of that year. The infant institution 
 
 thrived under the care of Mr. Hol¬ 
 lingsworth. He remained in charge 
 for four years, giving to the school 
 his ripe scholarship and practical 
 business methods. The boys’ dor¬ 
 mitory was erected during his ad¬ 
 ministration. Mr. Hollingsworth 
 placed on the farm a splendid 
 young orchard, which has been a 
 great source of help to the school. 
 
 The following faculty had charge 
 during the year 1911-12: Rev. W. 
 F. Hollingsworth, President; Prof. 
 D. T. Bradshaw, Principal; Assist¬ 
 ants, Mrs. W. F. Hollingsworth, 
 
 Miss Pearl Woodruff, Miss Elsie 
 Miss Clyde Bryan was awarded the 
 scholarship medal at commencement, Mr. Lee Nichols received 
 the declamation medal, and Miss Lina Bledsoe the recitation 
 medal. 
 
 In the year 1912, a United States Post Office was established 
 at Glade Valley. Mail had been received at Cherry Lane about 
 three miles away until this time. 
 
 Rev. W. F. Hollingsworth 
 
 Waddell, Mrs. John Ruff. 
 
 THE YEAR 1912-13 
 
 The following year (1912-13) Prof Samuel Denny Smith was 
 Principal with the following assistants: Mrs. W. F. Hollings¬ 
 worth. Miss Hallye Covington, Miss Emmie Quarterman, Mrs. 
 John Ruff. The school graduated one pupil this year, Miss 
 Stella Gentry, of Glade Valley. The enrollment for the year 
 was one hundred and thirty-four pupils. The commencement 
 was held May 17-20. Nine boys contested in declamation and 
 eleven girls in recitation. Eight students made the honor roll 
 for the year. Mr. Lytle McBride won the declamation medal, 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Miss Alma Brooks received the recitation medal, and Miss Fay 
 Evans the scholarship medal. 
 
 THE YEAR 1913-14 
 
 Prof. W. L. Cooper, Jr., of Graham, was Principal in 1913-14 
 and had the following assistants: Mrs. W. F. Hollingsworth, 
 Miss Hallye Covington, Miss Margaret Cooper, Mrs. John Ruff. 
 The enrollment for the year was ninety-three. The commence¬ 
 ment exercises were held in the assembly hall of the boys’ dormi¬ 
 tory May 15-18. The commencement sermon was preached by 
 Rev. W. F. Hollingsworth. Thirteen young men were in the 
 declamation contest and nine young ladies in the recitation con¬ 
 test. The following medals were awarded at commencement: 
 Music, Miss Clyde Bryan; declamation, Mr. E. B. Eldridge; reci¬ 
 tation, Miss Clyde Bryan; scholarship, Mr. E. B. Eldridge. 
 
 THE YEAR 1914-15 
 
 The following faculty had charge during 1914-15: Rev. W. 
 
 F. Hollingsworth, President; Prof. G. T. Pace, Principal; Mrs. 
 
 G. T. Pace, Mrs. Elizabeth Holton, Miss Mary Gaither, Mrs. W. 
 F. Hollingsworth. This was a very successful year and two stu¬ 
 dents graduated with honors at commencement, Miss Clyde 
 Bryan and Mr. Lee Nichols. The closing exercises held May 
 15-18 were very successful. The commencement sermon was 
 preached by Rev. J. W. Tyler, D. D , of Danville, Ky. Eleven 
 boys participated in the declamation contest and six girls in 
 the recitation contest. A splendid literary address was deliv¬ 
 ered by Hon. R. L. Doughton, member of Congress. Miss Retha 
 Thompson received the music medal; Miss Virginia Calloway, 
 the recitation; and Mr. Lee Nichols, the scholarship. 
 
 THE YEAR 1915-16 
 
 Rev. W. F. Hollingsworth resigned as President of the school 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 17 
 
 in the spring of 1915 and Prof, W. L. Cooper, Jr., of Graham, 
 was elected President of the school 
 in the summer of 1915. Mr. Coop¬ 
 er had charge of the school for 
 about three years, during which 
 time the institution continued to 
 prosper. 
 
 In the fall of 1915 Orange Pres¬ 
 bytery at an adjourned meeting in 
 Gastonia, recommended that a 
 campaign be made for $10,000 for 
 Glade Valley High School. This 
 was done in order that the school 
 buildings might be completed, the 
 plant put in better condition for 
 service, and the full benefit re¬ 
 ceived from the $20,000 that had 
 already been spent. Mr. W. L. Cooper, Jr., President of the 
 school, was appointed financial agent to visit the churches and 
 raise the money. The campaign was successful and the school 
 was improved materially. The boys’ building was finished and 
 the farm somewhat improved. Up to this time only kerosene 
 oil lamps had been used for lighting; an electric light plant was 
 installed which gave excellent service and eliminated the danger 
 of fire. A wood saw and feed mill were also installed. A 
 good small barn was built and the farm fenced. 
 
 Mr. W. L. Cooper, Jr. 
 
 The school was in charge of the following faculty in 1915,-16. 
 Mr. W. L. Cooper, Jr., President; Prof. R. C. White, of Mebane, 
 Principal; Miss Annie Albright, Miss Roberta Pratt, Miss Cor¬ 
 nelia McLaurin, Mrs. John Ruff. This year the school gradu¬ 
 ated three students: Miss Nina Gentry, Mr. Willard Hudson, 
 and Mr. E. B. Eldridge. 
 
 On March 4, 1916, was held a preliminary debate for the 
 State triangular debate in which E B. Eldridge, Willard Hud¬ 
 son, Prank Tally and Tyre Taylor were chosen to represent 
 Glade Valley in the finals: The team won over Mountain View 
 and Trap Hill high schools in the finals and represented Glade 
 
18 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Valley in the State triangular debate at Chapel Hill. The team 
 stood third in the final contest at the University, in which sev¬ 
 enty-five schools were represented. 
 
 On March 31-April 1, 1916, the Alleghany County commence¬ 
 ment was held at Glade Valley. March 31 representatives of 
 a number of the elementary schools of Alleghany and adjoining 
 counties contested in declamation for a scholarship to Glade 
 Valley. Representatives of the schools also contested in reci¬ 
 tation for scholarship. A contest was also held in debate in 
 which Mr. Silas Nichols won the medal 
 
 During 1915-16 the school enrolled eighty pupils. The sixth 
 annual commencement was held May 20-23. The Baccalau¬ 
 reate sermon was preached by Dr. M. E. Sentelle of Davidson 
 College. Three girls took part in the recitation contest and 
 five boys in the declamation contest. The literary address was 
 delivered by Hon. A. M. Scales of Greensboro. The scholar¬ 
 ship medal was won by Mr. Willard Hudson; the recitation medal 
 by Miss Mary Jones; the declamation medal by Mr. Silas Nichols; 
 the music medal by Miss Annabel Taylor. 
 
 The fine spirit of Glade Valley in 1916 is shown by the fol¬ 
 lowing song which rang over the campus: 
 
 Glade Valley’s Glory Song 
 
 (Tune: Boola Song) 
 
 Glade Valley School on a mountain high; 
 
 Where the sparkling waters ripple o’er the hill: 
 
 The noiseless call of a clear blue sky 
 
 Brings a joy that makes our hearts with rapture thrill. 
 
 Where calm contentment always dwells 
 
 ’Mid rhododendron dells; 
 
 Where truth is taught the whole day long 
 And praises given in glory song. 
 
 Chorus: 
 
 Glory, glory to Glade Valley; 
 
 Sing her praises 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 19 
 
 Thro’ all ages 
 Glory, glory, all come rally 
 Round Glade Valley 
 School of schools. 
 
 We’ll make our school the best of schools; 
 
 We’ll tell her precious value far and wide; 
 
 We’ll stick to her and all her rules. 
 
 We’ll speak her name with care and love and pride. 
 So make the air with echoes ring; 
 
 Ne’er cease the whole day long, 
 
 Her praise with might and main to sing 
 Glade Valley’s glory, glory song. 
 
 Chorus: 
 
 THE YEAR 1916-17 
 
 The year 1916-17 was a most successful year. Prof. R. C. 
 White was again Principal, with the following assistants: Miss 
 Annie Albright, Miss Cornelia McLaurin, Miss Emma Allison, 
 Mrs. W. L. Cooper, Jr., Mrs. John Ruff. Seven students gradu¬ 
 ated in 1917: Misses June Bourne, Pauline Bourne, Lura Wag¬ 
 oner, Messrs. B. Dewitt Phillips, Tyre C. Taylor, Olney Perkins, 
 Clayton Edwards. 
 
 The school was again represented in the State triangular de¬ 
 bate at Chapel Hill. The speakers were: Messrs. Clayton Ed¬ 
 wards, Tyre C. Taylor, Silas Nichols, and Miss Jesse Bledsoe 
 
 Mr. B. Dewitt Phillips received the scholarship medal; Mr. 
 Lee Andrews the declamation medal; Mr. Clive Thompson re¬ 
 ceived a medal for the best essay on mountain Farm Improve¬ 
 ment. (No contest was held in recitation.) The commence¬ 
 ment sermon was preached by Rev. George W. Lee of Winston- 
 Salem, and Hon. R. A. Doughton of Sparta delivered the an¬ 
 nual address. The enrollment for the year was about ninety. 
 
 In June 1917 Mrs. William N. Reynolds, Mrs. J. L. Patter¬ 
 son, and Mrs. R. C. Bernau were elected advisary members of 
 the Board of Trustees. 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 THE YEAR 1917-18. 
 
 During 1 1917-18 the school was in charge of Mr. W. L. Coop¬ 
 er, Jr., President; Prof. E. B. Eldridge, Principal with the 
 following assistants: Mrs. W. L. Cooper, Jr., Miss Annie Al¬ 
 bright, Miss-Webb, Mrs. John Ruff. This year the 
 
 following graduated: Misses Dott Duncan, Clyde Edwards, 
 Retha Thompson, Mattie Hill, Blanche Spicer, Messrs. Frank 
 S. Johnston and Clive A. Thompson. The commencement 
 sermon was preached by Rev. T. C. Bales of Mt. Airy, Prof. 
 W. L. Cooper, Jr., delivered the annual address. The scholar¬ 
 ship and declamation medals were received by Mr. Guy Dun¬ 
 can; the recitation medal by Miss Margaret Cheek; the music 
 medal by Miss Dott Duncan; debate medal by Mr. Frank S. 
 Johnston. 
 
 THE YEAR 1918-19 
 
 Mr. Cooper resigned as President in 1917 but remained in 
 charge of the school until Rev. A. R. Woodson of Wadesboro, 
 was elected President and took 
 charge of the work March 1, 1918. 
 
 Th e school had an unusually large 
 attendance in 1918-19 and the 
 largest senior class in the history 
 of the institution. Following is 
 the faculty for 1918-19: Rev. A. 
 
 R. Woodson, President; Prof. E. 
 
 B. Eldridge, Principal; M^s. A. 
 
 R Woodson, Miss Annie Funk, 
 
 Mrs. E. B. Eldridge, Miss Lillian 
 Russell, Mrs. F. A. Wrench, Mrs. 
 
 C. C. Bowman. President A. R. 
 
 Woodson was dismissed March 6, 
 
 1919 and Mr. E. B. Eldridge was 
 
 placed in charge of the school. Rev. A. R. Woodson 
 
 The following graduated at commencement April 29, 1919: 
 Misses Minnie Cox, Carrye Jones, Mollye Phillips, Hessie 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 21 
 
 Graduating Class, 1919 
 
 Reeves, Lura Wolfe, Carrye Dancy, Ruth Reeves, Jennye Mox- 
 ley, Zollie Edwards, Ola Parsons, Messrs. Ralph Gentry, Robert 
 Waddell, Bert Thompson, Dean Duncan, Marion Murray. The 
 baccaulaureate sermon was preached by Rev. K. L. Whitting¬ 
 ton of Greensboro. The annual address was delivered by Hon. 
 R. A. Doughton of Sparta. The following medals were award¬ 
 ed: recitation, Miss Ola Parsons; declamation, Mr. Robert 
 Waddell; scholarship, Mr. Colquit Wrench; domestic science, 
 Miss Maude Cox; neatest room, (girls) Misses Bertrice Duncan 
 and Margaret Woodson, (boys) Messrs. Marion Murray and 
 Frank Belton. The enrollment for the year was one hundred 
 and six. 
 
 THE YEAR 1919-20. 
 
 Mr. E. B. Eldridge was elected President of the school in 
 1919 and has remained in charge of the school since that time. 
 
22 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Prof. R. C. White of Mebane was 
 Principal in 1919-20, with the fol¬ 
 lowing assistants: Miss Margaret 
 K. Wilson, Miss Florence Eldridge, 
 Miss Annie Williamson, Mrs. Lula 
 Choate. Two young ladies grad¬ 
 uated in 1920: Miss Nannie Wag¬ 
 oner and Miss Mattie Lyon. The 
 enrollment for the year was about 
 eighty. The commencement ex¬ 
 ercises were held April 24-26. The 
 commencement sermon was preach¬ 
 ed by Rev. John R. Herndon of 
 Winston-Salem. The literary ad¬ 
 dress was delivered by Mr. Tyre 
 Mr. E. B. Eldndge c. Taylor, a graduate of the 
 school and a student at the University of North Carolina. The 
 following received medals at commencement: Miss Nannie 
 Wagoner, recitation; Miss Annabel Taylor, scholarship; Mr. 
 Charles Collins, declamation; Mr. Charles Crawford, debate; 
 Mi ss Ethel Moxley, music; Miss Viola Davis, neatness of room. 
 
 THE YEAR 1920-21. 
 
 The following faculty was elected for 1920-21: M v . E. B. 
 Eldridge, President; Prof. G. D. Sample, Principal; Miss Ruth 
 Price, Miss Hattie Brown, Mrs. Lula Choate, Miss Josephine 
 Styer, Mrs. E. B. Eldridge. 
 
 The year 1920-21 witnessed a number of improvements in 
 the school. Steam heat was for the first time successfully em¬ 
 ployed in the boys’ dormitory. The school was put on a firm 
 financial footing. The work of painting the buildings was be¬ 
 gun in the summer of 1920; the dormitories were finished in 
 1921 and the cottage was painted in the spring of 1922. A 
 number of rooms in the boys’ building were papered in 1920- 
 21. Those graduating in 1921 were: Misses Bertrice Duncan, 
 Annabel Taylor, Beatrice Rector; Messrs. Charles Crawford, 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 23 
 
 Edwin Duncan, Bynum Edwards, Traverse L. McBride, Cas 
 F. Taylor. The enrollment for the year was one hundred. The 
 commencement was held April 24-25. Eight girls and nine 
 boys participated in the recitation and declamation contests. 
 The following medals were awarded at commencement: schol¬ 
 arship, Miss Annie Wilkerson; music, Miss Sadie Brandon: 
 recitation, Miss Bertrice Duncan; declamation, Mr. Cas Tay¬ 
 lor; neatness of room, Miss Viola Davis. The commencement 
 sermon was preached by Rev. George W. Lee of Winston- 
 Salem. The annual address was delivered by Rev. E. N. Cald¬ 
 well of Graham. 
 
 In the spring of 1921 Glade Valley was represented in the 
 interscholastic declamation contest at Wake Forest College by 
 Mr. Charles Crawford. 
 
 Glade Valley was for the third time represented in the State 
 triangular debate at Chapel Hill in 1921. The speakers were: 
 Messrs. Charles Crawford, Cas Taylor, Alex Osborn, and John 
 Maines. 
 
 In 1921 part of the grounds was converted into an athletic 
 field. Grounds were provided for baseball, tennis, etc. 
 
 THE YEAR 1921-22 
 
 In 1921-22 the following faculty was in charge: Mr. E. B. 
 Eldridge, President; Prof. Chalmers G. Long, Principal; Miss 
 Bessie Tesh, Miss Hattie Brown, Mrs. Grace Conolly, Miss Gray 
 Greene, Mrs. E. B. Eldridge. This was a most successful year. 
 The enrollment for the year was seventy-five. Five students 
 were in the senior class. During this year a new electric light 
 plant with storage batteries was installed; also an electi ic 
 washer was installed A complete water system with bath 
 rooms in both dormitories was added to the equipment. Through 
 the liberality of the ladies’ societies the library was enlarged 
 to over five hundred volumes besides numerous periodicals, 
 magazines, etc.* The Presbyterian Committee of Publication 
 
 * A small library was started at the opening of the school 
 in 1911. 
 
24 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 of Richmond, Va., also contributed liberally to the library. The 
 rooms in the girls’ dormitory were repapered and the wood¬ 
 work painted. Nearly all rooms of the boys’ building were 
 papered and one class room; the assembly hall was painted. 
 These things were also accomplished principally through the 
 generosity of the various societies. 
 
 The music department found in the person of Miss Gray 
 Greene a most able teacher. The following recital was given 
 on Saturday, April 29, 1922, under direction of Miss Greene 
 and was a decided success: 
 
 Piano Solo—Grande Valse de Concert .... F. Mattei 
 
 Sadie Brandon. 
 
 Chorus—Welcome Sweet Springtime .... Rubinstein. 
 
 Chorus Class. 
 
 Piano Solo—Love Dreams . Brown 
 
 Betty Ruth Duncan. 
 
 Piano Duet—Cinderella . H. A. Williams 
 
 Leila and Eva Greene. 
 
 Vocal Solo—Springtide . R. Beck 
 
 Miss Tesh. 
 
 Piano Solo—Narcissus . Nevin 
 
 Ethel Moxley. 
 
 Quartette—Kentucky Babe . A. Geibel 
 
 Misses Tesh and Greene, Messrs. Long and Ervin 
 
 Piano Solo—Marche Grotesque . Sinding 
 
 Bertrice Duncan. 
 
 Piano Solo—The Flatterer. C. Chaminade 
 
 Lexa Creed. 
 
 Piano Duet—Festival Overture . H. Engelmann 
 
 Bertrice Duncan and Miss Greene. 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 25 
 
 The commencement held April 29-May 1, 1922 was, per¬ 
 haps, the most successful in the history of the institution. The 
 following pupils graduated: Misses May Thompson, Mabel 
 Thompson, Messrs. Fred 
 Taylor, John Maines, 
 and Arthur Wiles. A 
 very able commence¬ 
 ment sermon was 
 preached by Rev. J. S. 
 
 Foster of Winston-Sa¬ 
 lem. A most able lit¬ 
 erary address was de¬ 
 livered by Prof. Chal¬ 
 mers G. Long. The fol¬ 
 lowing medals were pre¬ 
 sented at commence¬ 
 ment: declamation, Mr. 
 
 Arthur Wiles; recita¬ 
 tion, Miss Eva Greene; 
 
 scholarship, Ml. Clay Graduating Class, 1.922 
 
 Thompson; music, Miss 
 
 Lexa Creed, neatness of room, (girls) Miss Sadie Brandon, 
 (boys) Mr. Roy Eldridge and Floyd Fender. 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 THE YEAR 1922-23. 
 
 The faculty for 1922-23 consists of the following members: 
 Mr. E. B. Eldridge, President; Prof. J. Oliver Overcash, Prin¬ 
 cipal; Mrs. Grace Conolly, Miss Margaret Fleming, Miss Es¬ 
 telle Overcash, 
 Miss Jane Er¬ 
 vin, Miss Gray 
 Greene, Mrs. E. 
 B. Eldridge. The 
 work of the 
 school is pro¬ 
 gressing nicely. 
 The senior class 
 of ‘23 consists 
 of eight mem¬ 
 bers: Misses Eth¬ 
 el Moxley, Sadie 
 Brandon. Oeta- 
 via Taylor, Mess¬ 
 rs. Everette L. 
 Taylor, James 
 Moxley, William 
 McLean, Floyd 
 Faculty, 1922-23. Fender and Silas 
 
 Nichols. 
 
 Mr. R. K. Smith, formerly of North Carolina, who died in 
 New York in the fall of 1922 bequeathed to Glade Valley 
 High School the sum of $10,000. 
 
 THE ALUMNI 
 
 The school has been running for twelve years, during which 
 time it has graduated fifty pupils. A large number of these 
 have gone to college. It is a notable fact that no Glade Val¬ 
 ley graduate ever failed at college. Among the alumni are one 
 assistant professor in the University of North Carolina, four 
 high school principals, one mechanical engineer, one minister, 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 27 
 
 several studying law, and medicine, as well as several taking 
 the regular literary courses. Several Glade Valley graduates 
 have won the highest honors in college. The graduates of the 
 school have organized an alumni association and established 
 an alumni scholarship fund. 
 
 THE SCHOOL TODAY 
 
 Summarizing briefly the past history of the Glade Valley 
 High School, a few years ago what is now the campus was the 
 unbroken playground of squirrels and chipmunks and the 
 splendid buildings were trees of the forest. Since the school 
 opened in 1911 it has touched the lives of over one thousand 
 young men and women from various parts of the state, a large 
 number from Alleghany and adjoining counties. The school 
 is today a thriving institution offering a standard four year 
 course and is accredited by the state. It has two large doi- 
 mitories with the modern conveniences of steam heat and elec¬ 
 tric light well furnished, homelike rooms, an excellent library, 
 and many other conveniences. Besides the regular class room 
 
 A Campus View 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 work a well organized literary society is maintained, good 
 athletic games and wholesome entertainment are provided. The 
 students have the benefit of a radio receiving outfit. The so¬ 
 cial atmosphere of the school is wholesome and uplifting and 
 its influence is felt throughout the community. 
 
 THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL 
 
 Since its establishment the school has made wonderful 
 progress—graduated fifty students and influenced the lives of 
 over one thousand boys and girls—but a still greater field of 
 usefulness is yet open to this Mission School. Never was the 
 need of high grade Christian education more keenly felt than 
 it is now, in this day of complex and exacting life. The school 
 stands in need of better equipment and facilities, not only to 
 carry on its present work but to meet the increasing demands 
 made upon it. Throughout the country hundreds of bright 
 children are rapidly growing into manhood and womanhood— 
 “Better unborn than untaught.” 
 
 Among the imperative needs of the institution are seats for 
 the assembly hall, together with curtains and fixtures. At 
 present only rude and uncomfortable benches are in the as¬ 
 sembly hall, which is used as chapel every day. Additional 
 classroom equipment is also needed—maps, desks, dictionaries 
 window shades, etc. Wallpapering would add materially to 
 the comfort and appearance of the class rooms, only one of 
 which is papered. 
 
 Additional tools and equipment are needed for the farm, 
 and the farm needs many improvements. By the further de¬ 
 velopment of the farm it can be made a very substantial factor 
 in the support of the boarding department of the school. More 
 land needs clearing and putting in cultivation, and pasturage, 
 and meadow. The development of the farm is one of the ur¬ 
 gent demands of the school. 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 29 
 
 A View of the Farm. 
 
 A little money and labor spent in improving the campus 
 and grounds and planting flowers and shrubs would add to 
 the beauty and homelikeness of the environment. 
 
 A requisite need of the school is an administration building 
 with class rooms and auditorium. This, with the two dormitor¬ 
 ies already on the grounds, would place Glade Valley in po¬ 
 sition to meet the task before her. The present assembly hall 
 is entirely inadequate, as it will not near seat the audience at 
 any kind of exercises. An administration building would en¬ 
 able the boys to have a library, reading room, literary society 
 halls, etc., in the boys’ dormitory. These things are very essen¬ 
 tial for the best results. 
 
 CONCLUSION 
 
 On a beautiful plateau, some three thousand feet above sea 
 level, amid picturesque mountains and valleys is situated the 
 Glade Valley High School. The institution is owned and op¬ 
 erated by Orange Presbytery and is in charge of the following 
 Board of Trustees: Rev. S. M. Rankin, Chairman, Greens¬ 
 boro; Mr. A. M. Scales, Greensboro; Mr. R. R. King, Greens¬ 
 boro; Rev. C. P. Coble, High Point; Rev. T. W. Simpson, Win- 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GLADE 
 
 Campus View 
 
 ston-Salem; Mr. T. B. Finley, North Wilkesboro; Mr. McBride 
 Holt, Graham; Mr. J. Lindsay Patterson, Winston-Salem; Mr. 
 W. F. Carter, Mt. Airy; Mr. E. B. Eldridge, Treasurer, Glade 
 Valley. The school has a plant and equipment worth some 
 
 $35,000, and is 
 located in a good 
 Christian com¬ 
 munity. Moral 
 training received 
 in the Sunday 
 School, Chris¬ 
 tian Endeavor 
 Society and 
 Church has an 
 important part 
 in the training 
 received at Glade 
 Valley. 
 
 Glade Valley is situated on the new, hard surfaced highway 
 now nearing completion, making the school easily accessible 
 from all points in the state—only a few hours drive from Win¬ 
 ston-Salem or Charlotte. 
 
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 31 
 
 The Glade Valley High School is exerting a profound in¬ 
 fluence for good in the community and is an institution of 
 which Orange Presbytery may be justly proud. 
 
 The year 1922-23 has been a very successful year. The 
 school was represented in the interscholastic declamation con¬ 
 test at Trinity College this year by Mr. Clinton Burgess. Glade 
 Valley was for the fourth time represented in the State debate at 
 Chapel Hill by Messrs Clinton Burgess and Lester Tilley, af- 
 firmitive, Collier Parrish and Floyd Fender, negative. The af¬ 
 firmative team won in the first preliminary. 
 
 The thirteenth annual commencement was held April 28-30. 
 The commencement sermon was preached by Rev. C. W. Er¬ 
 vin of Glade Valley. The annual address was delivered by 
 Professor John M. Cheek of Sparta. Seven girls contested in 
 recitation and seven boys in declamation. The following med¬ 
 als were awarded: recitation, Miss Vesta Shepperd; declama¬ 
 tion, Mr. Clinton Burgess; scholarship, Mr. Ira Phillips; music, 
 Miss Darrell Bowlin; neatness of room, (girls) Miss Ruth Long; 
 (boys) Messrs. Ira Phillips and Charles Sanders. 
 
 192 3 
 
 ELK PRINTING CO. 
 ELKIN, N . C . 
 

 
 

UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 00033944153 
 
 FOR USE ONLY IN 
 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION 
 
 Font 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
 368