142                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

W. O’Brien taught in the winter of 1875-6. Three years later, owing to
the increase in school population, the district was divided and another
house built, on the south side of the town, in which Maurice Markle
taught the first school in the winter of 1879-80. In 1882, to further
enlarge and improve the school facilities of the town, Trustee John W.
White built the two-story hrick house on the elevated ground in the north-
east part of the place, on the northeast corner of Seventh and White streets.
The first corps of teachers in this house (in the winter of 1882—3) were
Maurice Markle, Simon B. Everhart and Homer Harris. On the 2d day
of September, 1882, Trustee White sold at public auction the two frame
school—houses, which were numbers nine (9) and fifteen (15) of the
Harrison township shcools, both of which were purchased by Matthias
Bitzegeio, who converted them into dewellings and still owner of them.
The one on the north side is at this time occupied  Deck Dickerson,
and the one on the soout side by S.P. Vanhorn.
    The first sermon at "The Y" was preached in a grain—house along—
side the railroad track by Rev Boaz, of the M. E. church, Bowling
Green, where nail—kegs and boxes were used as seats. The little frame
which had been rented for school purposes was also used occasionally for
preaching. Meetings were held, too, at private houses. The original
frame M. E. church was built in the summer and fall of 1876, on the
lot on which stands the present brick structure, corner of Seventh and
Washington streets, which was dedicated by Rev. John L. Pitner, of
Bowling Green, who was the first pastor. This house, when abandoned,
twenty years later, was sold to Harry Hyatt and moved over onto the
east side and is now a part of the barn on the Irwin Oberholtzer place.
    The United Brethren church, on the corner of Eighth and White
streets, was built in 1888—9 and dedicated in the month of June of the
latter year, by Bishop Weaver. The trustees at the time were William
H. Cook, Henry Clymer, William Steiner, J. T. Jones and Henry Cor-
rell the first pastor, Rev. William R. Muncie. The present membership
is about two hundred.
    The Preshyterian church, on North Main street, was erected in 1895-
96, August Oherholtzer, contractor, dedicated May 3, of the latter year,
sermon by Rev. D. Vandyke, the contributions amounting to $441, of
which D. C. Middlemas gave $100, who had previously donated the site
for the building.
    The Free Methodists also maintain a church organization, and a
house of worship, on the corner of Ninth and White streets, built in the
year 1888 and dedicated at an early date in the succeeding year, before
the close of the winter.
    The physicians of the town from the time of its founding to the pres-
ent have been: R. A. Baldridge, W. S. Duncan, C. H. Wolfe, Dr. McNutt,
D.I. Zook, J. F. Smith, S. P. Burns, S. L. Brouillette, W. H. Butler,
R.C. Black, Dr. Young, M. A. Freed, Dr. Foreman, 0. G. Cruikshank,
H.R. Vandevier, B. F. Yocum, J. A. Modesitt, Charles Collins, John
Vanhorn, W. H. H. Asbury. Dr. C. H. Wolfe is the oldest physician in
points of residence and practice here.
    The attorneys at law who have been located and have practiced here
may be enumerated as follows : John T. Gardner, William V. Burns,
Frank A. Horner, Watt C. Elkin, Alexander McGregor, W. S. Zenor,
W. W. McGregor, Henry Hochstetler, S. W. Jarvis, George W. Wiltse,
G. S. Payne, William C. Wiltse, Zeph Keller, B. V. Goshorn, Herbert