The Real Foundation of the Public Library
Crawford Tribune
Crawford, Dawes County, Nebraska
Aug. 16, 1912, No. 33, Page 1

Since the last weeks article on the public library I have busied myself enough to get a correct statement of the library from its birth to the present time. This statement comes from one who did a great deal toward obtaining a library and whose honesty cannot be questioned, and who would not be guilty of misrepresenting anything in any way neither for a selfish motive or my purchase:

1st. The library books are in the Congregational church and have been for several years, and they belong to no organization whatever, but are the property solely of the public, or a public library association, and doubt their stamp will show this fact. These books are donated to different ways as follows: During the time of REV. ROMINGER'S service at the Congregational church the Public Library Association was formed. A committee was appointed for raising funds and soliciting books. This committee consisted of MRS. BOWDISH, MRS. FANNING, JENNIE ELLIS and others, although the direct work was done by the three mentioned. The Congregational church, through its committee, donated what at that time was known as the Congregational library books, which was understood to have been mostly obtained through the efforts of REV. POUND, then deceased, he having been the first minister of the Congregational church of Crawford. A request was made by the members of the Congregational church that he library be called the Pound Memorial Library. This however, was voted down, the association believing so long as it was for all time to be a Crawford public library it would be best that it be so known. However, a promise was granted that a division of the library be known as the Pound Memorial Addition. Though this was never known to be carried into effect, as the library did not grow sufficiently. Then comes a donation from the W. C. T. U, then an organization not in action in Crawford, but the donation was made by the had-been W. C. T. U. active members, the donation being report by MRS. BOWDISH, no deceased, and maybe others who had taken initiatory steps. Then came the individual donations, many of which were very good, the largest number coming from REV. ROMINGER as representing the Congregational Library Association of the east. During this time the committee was busy raising money for the cause, both the Congregational and the Methodist churches working together. The money obtained was placed in the hands of the treasurer of the association, which to the last of my knowledge was CRAIG BOWDISH. A committee was then appointed to select new books to the extent of the funds, which was a little over $15.00. Later small sums came in, but the fund did not increase fast, though as soon as a sufficient amount accrued to purchase a desired book and the committee approved the same the book was purchased and added to the library. The Congregational church, then being newly built and having the room available, kindly granted the E. E. Room for the library. MRS. FANNING was appointed librarian and the library was opened every Saturday. JENNIE ELLIS as assistant librarian, their work being donated. The association purchased lumber and the work was donated for the book cases, MR. BOWDISH being one of the chief workers. The work continued this way until the close of 1906. The keys were then turned over to Jennie Ellis, who cared for the library until other duties called her away, since which time the association has been inactive. No one donation ever reached to the amount 700 as was stated in last weeks' issue, but this comes near being the total amount of the number of books belonging to the public library at its best. The city records should show the establishment of this association, and when the books are turned over they will have to go as the property of the public, and not as the property of any organization such as the W.C.T.U., as stated in last week's issue as the books donated were donated to the public library, just the same as the individual donated a book or a dollar which at once become the property of the public library.

The above is a correct statement of the library and books. Now, if the W. C. T. U. have 700 volumes of their own, we wonder where they are and who presented them to them. I am very much afraid that for the sake of fame, honor, or the name of doing something, someone broke the commandment – "Thus shalt not lie." I hope this statement of the origination and possession of the library books will be sufficient and we now submit the work to the desirous W. C. T. U. and wish them speedy success. PRESIDENT OF THE CRAWFORD MOTHERS' CLUB

[Contributed by Margaret Gagliardi - Note: The Bowdish in this article are Martha Amelia (Steere) Bowdish and her husband Samuel Brown Bowdish.]

©2006 K. Torp