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HE municipal election of Detember 5, 1877, resulted in the choice of Russell C. Mitchell as alderman-at-large, and the following new councilmen : First Ward, J. M. Boring; Second Ward, Edward A. Werner; Third Ward, William E. Hayne; Fourth Ward, John H. Flynn, and Fifth Ward, Benjamin B. Crew. Alderman Oliver H. Jones served as mayor pro tern for 1878.1 The bonded debt of the city on January 1, 1878, was $1,827,000, the floating debt having been reduced to $331,915.12. The total receipts for 1877 had been $322,727.97. Of this sum $168,780.37 had been paid out as interest on the city's debt, and $110,308.28 had been used to pay current expenses. Atlanta, like most other Southern cities, after the war, had burdened herself with a debt, a considerable part of which was really unnecessary; and but for the wise provisions of the charter of 1874, which stayed the hand of waste and extravagance, it would have been impossible to pay the interest on the floating debt; that debt could not have been decreased, nor would the city's bonds have enhanced in value.2 That the seeds of Atlanta's future as a convention center were being sown in 1878, is indicated by S. P. Richards' diary entry for April 20th: "We have had a week of busy excitement, in the assembling of the International Sunday School Convention on Wednesday 17th which lasted three days. This Convention is a big thing and made quite a stir. There never before has been so large a body of educated men in our city—brought together from regions so remote from us. Nearly all the States were represented and also Canada." Two of Atlanta's best-known institutions, Washington Seminary and the Bell House had their inception in 1878. Aristocratic in its beginning, the school was founded by the Misses Anita and Lola Washington, great-nieces of Lawrence Washington, of Virginia, a half-brother of George Washington—hence the school's name, Washington Seminary.3 In 1878 Anita Washington, upon graduation from St. Mary's College, Raleigh, North Carolina, came to Atlanta to visit her aunt, Mrs. W. S. Walker, wife of General Walker. In those days a "visit" meant a prolonged stay, so after several weeks had elapsed, Miss Washington suggested she teach the daughter of the house, then Lillie Walker, later Mrs. Henry Cabaniss Peeples. Later the younger Walker children also became pupils. Then neighbors began sending their girls. Mrs. Rhode Hill sent "Buddie" (Mrs. J. Carroll Payne), and her niece, Mary Smith, then living in the Walker home. Addie Lowry (Mrs. A. F. Hall), Emma Mims (Mrs. Joseph Thompson), and Lizzie James completed the first enrollment. With the nucleus of a school begun, Miss Washington sent for her sister, Lola, to assist her.4 The Walker house, original site of Washington Seminary, was located at 232 West Peachtree Street, on the west side, between Simpson and Powers (West Peachtree Place) streets, and first owned by Colonel Alexander M. Wallace.5 T CHAPTER 56 1878 944 ATLANTA AND ITS ENVIRONS By 1886, when the school was first listed in the city directory as "Washington Seminary," it was located at 24 East Cain Street, with Mrs. Emily Stewart as principal, the Washington sisters having retired from the local scene. A year later, 1887, Washington Seminary moved to a three-story brick residence on the southwest corner of Walton and Fairlie streets, the former George W. Harrison home, where it remained until the turn of the century.6 A half-page advertisement in the city directory of 1889 extolled the merits of the Seminary. WASHINGTON SEMINARY, HOME AND DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. 50 Walton Street, Atlanta, Ga. Fall term begins September 12th: Faculty able and experienced. The Music Department is a part of the music school of Mr. Alfredo Barili. The Art School is under the direction of Mr. H. W. Barnitz. The Primary Department is in charge of a successful teacher, trained in the best methods of primary and kindergarten instruction. For Catalogue Apply to MRS. BAYLOR STEWART, Principal By 1900, when the Seminary had moved to 36 East North Avenue, between the Peachtrees, it was headed by Mrs. W. T. Chandler, as principal and Llewellyn D. Scott, as assistant principal. The latter became principal in 1904. Washington Seminary has been in its present location since 1913, when it acquired the former home of General Clifford L. Anderson, erected...

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