Edwin Washington Project

Items

• RCH 2-5B Yr 2019 Study of Lincoln Purcellville Dispute
  This study authored by Larry Roeder in 2016 contains the summary of the dispute. In 1926, the Lincoln-Purcellville dispute arose over the replacement of Lincoln High School, which had burned down and needed to be rebuilt. Lincoln residents wanted to maintain the school in their community, while Purcellville residents argued for it to be relocated to their town. This conflict highlighted deeper issues of cultural clashes, with underlying prejudice against Quakers for their pacifist beliefs and non-traditional voting patterns. The dispute escalated beyond the School Board, involving county and state government officials as well as the courts, showcasing the evolving landscape of school administration in Virginia. Despite tensions, the conflict was ultimately resolved in favor of Lincoln, with the school reopening in March 1927. This event also shed light on broader issues of civil liberties and freedom of speech during a time of political upheaval and social change.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 June Circuit Court Evidence List
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 Receipts and Expenditures for Mt. Gilead District
  In the school district of Mt. Gilead in 1926-27, expenditures totaled $37,069, with the majority going towards salaries of teachers at $29,080. Other significant expenses included standard electricity at $1,600, agricultural teacher salaries at $1,333, and rural supervision costs at $1,040. The district also allocated funds for home economics, elementary education, and transportation. The funding for these expenditures came from various sources, including state general funds, county taxes, district taxes, and other income.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 Blue Ridge Herald on Dispute
  In 1926, the Blue Ridge Herald reported on the destruction of the main building of Lincoln High School due to a fire of unknown origin. The community rallied together and began discussions about the reconstruction of the high school, with reports on new site selections and building plans. The school board finally chose the Lincoln site for the new high school building. Following extensive community efforts, the new Lincoln High School was dedicated in 1927. The dedication marked the culmination of a series of events from the fire to the rebuilding process.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 Cost Lincoln High School
  This document provides a detailed account of the costs associated with Lincoln High School's Department Salaries from 1910 to 1926. The data reveals an increase in expenses over the years, with a total of $73,309 paid out over the sixteen-year period. It is noted that the funds were paid out of public sources, including tuition. The information sheds light on the financial commitment required for the operation of Lincoln High School during this time period. Additionally, there is an estimation of salaries for the 1916-17 period, suggesting the continuous need for budget planning and allocation for educational institutions like Lincoln High School. Overall, this document provides valuable insight into the financial management and expenditure trends in education during the early 20th century.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1909 Feb Subscription to Lincoln HS
  In February 1909, members of the community in Mt. Gilead District number two, Loudoun County, Virginia, signed a document committing to financially support the acquisition of land and construction of a new High School Building. The signatories pledged to pay specified sums, with half due by April 15, 1909, and the remaining half by August 15, 1909. They agreed to waive the benefit of their respective Homestead Exemptions for this obligation. The School Board was to gather at least EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS in subscriptions by parties deemed financially able and planned to select a suitable location near the crossroads in Lincoln for the new school building. The total cost of the project, estimated at TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, would be funded through various means, including the sale of existing school property and potential taxation. This document, signed on February 26, 1909.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 July 1 Papers for July 14 School Trustee Electoral Board
  This collection of papers contains official letters between District Superintendent O.L Omerick and Edwin Garrett, Esq. who represented community members appealing the decision to rebuild Lincoln School on its former site. The Appeal Hearing in Lincoln School Dispute was moved from July 9 to July 14, 1926, by the request of Edwin Garrett, Esq who represented community members appealing the School Board's decision on the location of the new high school. His request was granted by Superintendent Omerick. The School Board heard the appeals of F. Mercer Love, A.N. Adams and others regarding the School Board's Decision. The hearing was held at Lincoln on July 14, 1926, at 11:00am. There are 14 depositions of community members who spoke at the Appeals hearing regarding their opposition to the location of the new Lincoln high school. Also, there is an invitation to Superintendent Omerick to a luncheon on July 14 provided by the Ladies of the Lincoln Civic League.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 May 10 Bazile Opinion
  On May 10, 1926, Assistant Attorney General Leon M. Bazile of Richmond, Virginia, responded to a letter from Commonwealth's Attorney Cecil Connor of Leesburg regarding a dispute over the location of a new high school in the county. Bazile explained that under the relevant Code of Virginia sections, the division superintendent of schools had the authority to approve or disapprove plans and specifications for school construction. In this case, Bazile argued that as the site had been selected seventeen or eighteen years prior, the division superintendent did not have jurisdiction to disapprove the old site for the school. He suggested that the school trustee electoral board had jurisdiction to consider the appeal from the heads of families who had complained about the location and recommended that they proceed with the appeal process under the appropriate legal provisions. Bazile's response highlighted the complexities of educational governance and decision-making processes in local communities during the early 20th century.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 July Correspondence between O.T Emerick and Harris Hart - Decision of Virginia State School Board not to intervene in Lincoln-Purcellville School location issue.
  Two letters dated July 1926 between Superintendent Emerick and Harris Hart, Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding the location of the Lincoln-Purcellville High School. The issue was brought before the circuit court, which ruled that the school trustee electoral board had jurisdiction. The first letter is addressed to Superintendent Harris Hart dated July 1, 1926 from Superintendent Emerick. (missing second page.) The School Board Trustee electoral Board decided to hear the case on July 9th. The board passed a resolution requesting a committee of 3 make careful study of the matter and make recommendations regarding the school's location. It was advised this committee would have experts whose expenses were already budgeted to cover their expenses. The second letter (O.T Emerick to Harris Hart) The committee of three was made up of Mr. Combs, Mr. Smithey and Mr. Hoke. However, a memorandum report by this committee suggested the dispute was local between these two communities. This lead the Department of Education to decline involvement. (Last 2 pages are duplicate pages.)
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 Law of Lincoln Purcellville School Case
  "The Law of Lincoln - Purcellville School Case Appeals," provides insight into the legal framework surrounding school board actions and appeals during the Lincoln-Purcellville. School location dispute. It references specific legal codes such as Code 666, Acts of 1924, and Code Section 673, highlighting the importance of adherence to Virginia State Board of Education regulations and procedures in selecting and approving school sites. The mention of Acts of 1922 authorizing condemnation for site selection emphasizes the complexities and legalities involved in establishing school locations. Sections on donations, closing schools, and electoral board membership reveal the various legal considerations that impacted education policies and practices in the area during this time.
• EWP 2-5B Yr 1926 LTM News Reports on Lincoln Purcellville Dispute
• EWP 2-5B Yr 2019 Draft Study of Lincoln Purcellville Dispute