History of the Wyman Institute, Upper Alton
Wyman Institute Newspaper Articles
Edward Wyman was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on April 24,
1815. His parents were Nehemiah Wyman (1786-1869) and Susan Frances
Cutter Wyman (1790-1864). His ancestors were among the early
settlers of Massachusetts, and of Revolutionary War fame. Edward
received his education in the public schools and at a private
boarding school under Reverend Jared Curtis, a pastor of Harvard
Church. After a four year’s course, Edward graduated from Amherst
College in 1835. After graduation, he became a teacher in
Somerville, Massachusetts, and then in Boston grammar schools. His
success was so marked, that he was given charge of one of the
schools, and was offered inducements to remain in Boston. Edward,
however, had a desire to go west, and accepted a proposition made
through John Tillson of Hillsboro, Illinois, to instruct his own and
other boys. In 1836, Edward began teacher at the Hillsboro Academy.
His parents also came west and settled in Hillsboro.
In April 1839 Edward married Elizabeth F. Hadley (1819-1858) of
Boston. From this union were born the following: Henry Purkitt Wyman
(1841-1922); Ella Wyman (1844-1863); Charles Hadley Wyman
(1845-1908); Dr. Walter Wyman (1848-1911); Frank Wyman (1850-1924);
Herbert Wyman (1853-1853); and Florence Wyman Richardson
(1855-1920). After the death of his wife, Elizabeth, in 1858, he
married Martha Leigh of St. Louis.
In 1843 Wyman left Hillsboro and moved to St. Louis, Missouri,
sending his wife and children back East. He opened “E. Wyman’s
English and Classical High School,” where the furniture consisted of
a desk made from a dry goods box and covered with green baize, a
section of a dining table, and some chairs bought at an auction. His
first scholar in St. Louis was Charley Comstock, son of Deacon Anson
Comstock of the First Presbyterian Church. After the second pupil
arrived, he wrote a cheering letter to his wife, saying his school
had doubled in number. In less than a year, he rented larger rooms
over Charless Drugstore. There he taught a growing school for six
years. In 1849, he completed Wyman’s Hall – a large, double,
five-story building, paid for by raising subscriptions to school
certificates, which were accepted as payment for tuition. The floor
above the hall was devoted to his scientific collection of fossils,
shells, birds, animals, etc, which he began collecting while in
college. He employed John T. Bates, a taxidermist, and sent him
twice around the world to collect birds and animals. This museum was
eventually sold and taken to Chicago, where it was destroyed in the
great fire. The top floor of Wyman Hall was devoted to English and
Classical High School, with approximately 500 pupils.
In 1853, Professor Wyman retired from teaching, and entered the
banking business. The firm failed, and was dissolved in 1856. In
1858 or 1859, he ran for Mayor of St. Louis, but lost to Chauncey I.
Filley. Wyman then established a mill which manufactured linseed and
cottonseed oil, white lead, and varnishes. Due to legal
complications of the banking firm, he found himself completely
bankrupt.
In 1861, he again took up teaching in the St. Louis University. Due
to health concerns, he resigned in 1867, and until 1879 was engaged
in the real estate business.
In 1879, Professor Edward Wyman purchased a 50-acre tract known as
the Kendall property on Seminary Street in Upper Alton from
Shurtleff College trustees, where the
Rural Park Seminary had formerly been located. The property was originally
the John Bostwick homestead. Professor Wyman hired Colonel Albert M.
Jackson as a member of his staff. The Wyman Institute opened
September 10, 1879, and was advertised as a boarding school for
boys, with a high order of excellence in education. The year began
with just three students, but reached sixteen during the year. The
boys enjoyed a family atmosphere, combined with thorough scholastic
training. The property included the former Bostwick mansion, which
was used as the school, and ten acres of the adjoining Rural Park.
Professor Wyman remodeled the former Bostwick mansion into a modern
home, which included thirty-five rooms. The building was lighted by
gas, and provided with hot and cold water. Each pupil had a separate
room, carpeted and furnished with a spring bed, bureau, washstand,
and chairs, with ample closet space. The school room was arranged on
scientific principles, furnished with the latest styles of desks and
appliances. A suite of study rooms for evening work opened into the
school room. The dining room, kitchen, lavatory, and other
apartments were “pleasantly arranged.”
Among the regular scholarly courses, Professor Wyman included
physical “culture” or fitness. In 1882, among the pupils was Master
C. F. A. Beckers, a gold medal bicyclist, who won at the 25-mile
race in St. Louis. Master J. G. Knowlton won the palm in the
one-mile race. Public exhibitions were held annually, and included
gymnastic exercises, military drills, and horseback riding. Uniforms
of the day were white shirts, dark blue pants, blue necktie, and
scarlet hose or stockings.
On April 30, 1888, Professor Wyman walked through the classroom
where Professor Lucius M. Castle was teaching. He stopped a moment
to talk with Professor Castle, then walked to his office. A few
moments later, Professor Castle was called into Dr. Wyman office,
where he found Wyman senseless and possibly lifeless. Professor
Wyman had seated himself at his desk and was making out checks for
the payment of his staff when he fell back in his chair, helpless.
Mrs. Wyman summoned assistance, but her husband never recovered
consciousness. The Upper Alton community was shocked as word went
out the next morning of his death. Services for Professor Wyman were
held in the schoolroom at the Wyman Institute. Forty-eight pupils
were seated at their desks, while the wall was lined and the corners
of the room filled with seats for friends. Dr. Adin A. Kendrick,
President of Shurtleff College in Upper Alton, conducted the
services. There was not a dry eye in the room. Students and friends
silently passed by the coffin, leaving the last hour before the time
of their departure to the family. Final services were held in the
First Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, and burial was in the
Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
Colonel Albert M. Jackson, associate principal, took over running
the Wyman Institute following the death of Professor Wyman. In 1892,
Colonel Willis Brown purchased the school and changed the name to
the Western Military Academy. In 1896, Colonel Jackson and Major
George D. Eaton purchased the school, and ultimately the Jackson
family took full control. The Western Military Academy continued
until 1971. In 1974 the school became the Mississippi Valley
Christian School, which continues today. The original home and many
of the old buildings have been razed. Only "C" Barracks, the
Administration Building, and the lower gym of the field house
remain.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ON THE WYMAN INSTITUTE:
WYMAN INSTITUTE TO OPEN
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 12, 1879
A new institute of learning is to be opened September next in Upper
Alton, by Professor Edward Wyman of St. Louis, to be called the
Wyman Institute. It is to be a family boarding school for boys, and
will aim to be of a very high order of excellence. The property
purchased by Mr. Wyman for this purpose is the large and elegant
Bostwick or Kendall mansion, with ten acres of the adjoining "Rural
Park." The place is proverbial for its great beauty, and no finer
site for such an institution could be selected. The establishment
will be strictly first class in all its material and professional
appointments; the only thing to be regretted being the limit -
understood to be 30 - necessarily put to the number of those who can
at any one time enjoy its advantages. The high reputation of Mr.
Wyman as an educator, and the great confidence felt in his
professional ability and management, are ample guarantees of the
success of his enterprise, which is the better assured from the fact
that it will supply a want long felt in this vicinity - a good home
and a good school combined under one management.
THE WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 28, 1879
The reputation of Upper Alton as a literary center will be still
further advanced by the opening, on September 10th, of Wyman
Institute, a home school for boys, under charge of the celebrated
educator, Prof. E. Wyman of St. Louis. The Professor, having
purchased the Kendall property, formerly Rural Park Seminary, has
been engaged since last spring in fitting it up in beautiful style
as an educational institution, where boys can enjoy all the comforts
of an elegant home, combined with thorough scholastic training.
Prof. Wyman has a reputation as a successful educator of boys second
to no instructor in the west. He has made it a life work, and has
been at the head of several leading institutions, among them the St.
Louis City University, which had twenty-three professors and 660
pupils, when he resigned the presidency in order to regain his
health, which had become impaired by overwork. The Professor has
fitted up the new Institute building in modern style, and in a
manner admirably adapted for the purpose. The house contains
thirty-five rooms. The parlors and private apartments are models of
elegance. It is lighted by gas and provided with hot and cold water.
The dormitory is neatly and comfortably furnished. Each pupil has a
separate room, carpeted and furnished with spring bed, bureau,
washstand, chairs, etc., and with ample closet room. The school room
is arranged on scientific principles, furnished with latest styles
of desks and all modern educational appliances. A suit of study
rooms for evening work opens into the school room. The dining room,
kitchen, lavatory, and other domestic apartments are conveniently
and pleasantly arranged. The whole building has been remodeled,
renovated and improved at heavy expense, both without and within.
The premises are thoroughly and scientifically drained. The grounds
surrounding are very attractive and are to be made still more so.
The opening of this institution in our midst will be an educational
event of importance, especially to those having sons to educate for
college or business, and who wish to surround them at the same time
with the comforts and discipline of a beautiful home.
WYMAN INSTITUTE OPENS
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 18, 1879
Wyman Institute opened on September 10 with a fair attendance for
the first day of a new school. The building has been elegantly
refitted and furnished, and is most conveniently arranged for the
comfort of its inmates. Professor Wyman has consented to receive
this year a limited number of day scholars, or will furnish board
during the school week and permit the pupils to spend Saturday and
Sunday at home.
WYMAN INSTITUTE ENDS THEIR FIRST YEAR
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 24, 1880
About a year ago, the property of the late H. N. Kendall, Esq.,
became the property of Professor E. Wyman of St. Louis, who has
fitted up the place for occupancy as a family school for boys. The
natural beauty of the grounds and the improvements made by the late
owner have furnished the basis for still larger improvements by Mr.
Wyman, and today these ten acres of ground, with the buildings
thereupon, are perfect in their possession of every appointment of a
family school, such as Professor Wyman has founded.
Yesterday, June 16, was the closing day of the first year of this
new enterprise, which began one year since with three boys in
attendance, but which reached during the year the number of sixteen
– the limit proposed for membership being twenty-four. A number of
invited guests, chiefly from St. Louis and Alton, were present
during the morning session of the school. The exercises consisted
simply of the ordinary recitations in various studies and admirably
set before the visitors both the excellent work which the pupils
have become accustomed to, and also the admirable methods of
instruction for which Professor Wyman is so justly celebrated.
At three o’clock, the company repaired to the lawn, where they found
a large gathering of Upper Alton people who had assembled to witness
the gymnastic drill of the school. Two hours passed quickly, while
the boys, under the lead of their gymnastic professor, went through
with their varied and beautiful evolutions and exercises. They
displayed great proficiency, showing the careful training to which
they had been subjected. The exercises closed with a display of
horsemanship by the school, and it was difficult to decide which of
the boys was the best rider.
Upper Alton is surely favored in having such an institution
established among its beautiful hills. With Shurtleff College
steadily advancing in influence and power, and with this new family
school by Professor Wyman, established under such favorable
auspices, this quiet town, equally suburban to Alton and St. Louis,
bids fair to become at the same time an educational center of no
mean importance, and a most desirable place of residence for refined
and intelligent people.
THE WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 27, 1881
We visited this institution about the time of its opening, a little
more than a year ago, and as our readers may remember, were greatly
interested in the preparations made and the plans projected by its
enterprising proprietor. We have just made another visit to it, and
are astonished at the rapid culmination of those plans. Only a
master hand could, in so short a time, have achieved so marked a
success. The Wyman Institute is already a “model family school,” for
we doubt whether in the character, variety and completeness of its
provisions, its methods of instruction, or the efficiency of its
government, it has its equal anywhere. The establishment is one of
excellent general influence in our educational community, while the
special work it is doing for its inmates must be of incalculable
value to them. They are, after all, its best recommendation to the
public. Their bright, intelligent faces, their exemplary deportment,
and manly bearing are matters of frequent favorable comment among
our citizens. We congratulate Professor Wyman on his splendid
success, and his patrons, the majority of whom are our St. Louis
neighbors, on the benefit they are deriving from that success, and
trust the liberality of their patronage will keep pace, as it seems
likely to do, with the excellence of his management.
EXHIBITION AT THE WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 23, 1881
A company of several hundred persons assembled on the pleasant lawn
at Wyman Institute, Upper Alton, on June 15, to witness an
exhibition of some of the modes of physical culture practiced at
that place. The gymnastic exercises were under the direction of the
teacher, Professor O. Assmann of Alton, and were characterized by
rare excellence and elegance. The boys, who are fine physical
specimens, took their places on the lawn at the roll of the drum.
They were clothed in a neat uniform of dark blue, with white stripe
down the pants, red belt around the waist, and spotted necktie.
Horizontal and parallel bars, circular swings, turning poles, the
“horse,” ladders, Indian clubs, and other appurtenances were used,
the performances consisting of swinging, jumping, turning
summersaults, etc., being worthy of professional gymnasts. A number
of military evolutions were gone through, showing aptness in the
scholars and great skill in the teacher. The students sang “America”
in fine style, with accompaniment by the band. Horseback riding was
also indulged in, boys riding around the track singly and by twos
and fours, the gaits being a walk, gallop, and a run, the changes
being made in accordance with signals on the cornet. One lad on a
black pony created great amusement. The boys proved themselves
excellent riders, managing their spirited steeds so well that horses
and riders resembled the fabled centaurs of old. The exercises
throughout were such as serve to strengthen the muscles and develop
the form. The young gentlemen acquitted themselves in such a way as
to delight the large, cultured audience in attendance, and were
often rewarded with bursts of applause.
At the close of the exhibition, Professor Wyman made a few remarks
thanking those present for their kindness in attending. Before the
students were dismissed for the day, they went through a few
military evolutions, drew up in a line when one of their number
called for “Three cheers for Professor Wyman!” “Three cheers for the
Associate Teachers!” and “Three cheers for General Assmann!” The
cheers were given with a will, and the members of the school were
dismissed for the term. The interest of the occasion was greatly
heightened by splendid music by Professor Gossrau’s band.
The shady grounds, the winding gravel walks, the shaven lawns, the
flowers, evergreens, and shrubbery surrounding Wyman Institute made
an appearance to attract and please the eye of the most exacting
critic. A number of American flags were displayed about the grounds,
ice water was plentiful, and nothing was omitted that would tend to
the comfort, amusement, and pleasure of the guests of the institute.
Professor Wyman is to be congratulated not only on the great success
of the exhibition yesterday, but on the well-deserved popularity
that his splendid school has, in so short a time, acquired. In
addition to many prominent citizens of the Altons and other places,
were the following ladies and gentlemen from St. Louis: Mrs.
Dausman, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Pate, Miss Nellie Hazeltine, Dr.
McKellops, Captain Scudder, Mr. Brown of Dodd, Brown & Co., Mr.
Hall, and others.
WYMAN INSTITUTE
Gold Medal Bicyclist is Student
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March 2, 1882
Wyman Institute numbers among its pupils several enthusiastic
bicyclists. One of these young men, Master C. F. A. Beckers, proudly
wears a gold medal won at the 25-mile race at St. louis last week.
Another, Master J. G. Knowlton, carried off the palm in the one-mile
race. These young gentlemen hope to see a good delegation from Alton
at the tournament in Armory Hall, St. Louis. This is given by the
St. Louis Club, who present the champion lady and gentleman
bicyclists of America.
WYMAN INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 14, 1883
The lawn exhibition at Wyman Institute Tuesday, to exemplify the
methods of physical culture at that school, was attended by a large
company of ladies and gentlemen from Alton, St. Louis, Jerseyville,
and other places, in spite of the elements which seemed to conspire
against the exhibition. The rain poured steadily from one o’clock
until the middle of the afternoon, thus preventing any outdoor work.
In the meantime, the company occupied the parlors, halls, drawing
rooms, and verandas of the spacious edifice, also the gymnasium. The
students whiled away the time with songs, and Mr. Frank Wyman
greatly interested the company with a few popular melodies whistled
in the most artistic manner, with organ obligato. Professor
Gossrau’s full band were stationed in the gymnasium, and
occasionally delighted their hearers with musical selections, finely
rendered.
The grounds were in splendid order. The closely shaven undulating
lawns, diversified with little valleys, miniature lakes, rustic
bridges, clumps of flowers, graveled walks, evergreen trees, and
shrubs, with an occasional monarch of the forest, statuary being
placed here and there made a vision of beauty, one that might be
likened to a nobleman’s seat in “Merrie England.” The highest degree
of taste is manifested in the arrangement of everything about the
place, showing that the eye of a true artist actuated the moving
spirit in the matter.
At 3:30 o’clock, the welcome cry was heard that the clouds were
breaking away. The rain ceased, the bell rang, and the boys “sprang
to arms,” their eagerness intensified by the long-enforced quietude.
The students, 38 in number, were formed on the gravelly plateau just
north of the gymnasium. It afforded a favorable place for their
evolutions in spite of the moisture that prevailed, and under the
command of their teacher, Professor Assmann, went through a series
of evolutions that were viewed with wonder and delight by the
spectators. The boys had an attractive uniform of white shirt, dark
blue pants, blue necktie, and scarlet hose. Whether marching singly,
by twos, by fours, sections, platoons, or columns, they never
failed, and although at times the movements seemed inextricably
complex, such was the mathematical precision with which they were
performed, that the swiftly shifting lines invariably came out in
true order. Next the lads filed into the gymnasium, and each
appeared with two ponderous Indian clubs, and handled them with a
readiness that showed not only their skill, but gave evidence of the
well-developed state of their muscles. After they relinquished the
clubs, they gave a fine exhibition with wands, handled something
like muskets. This exercise showed that the participants were
prepared with the proper implements to make first class soldiers. At
the close of this exercise, the parade was dismissed for a time,
giving the young athletes a short season for rest. The long roll,
beaten by Major Elble, gave the signal for the re-assembly at the
marquee on the grounds east of the gymnasium. Thence, the class
marched in a long line to the parade ground, attended by the band,
the red, white and blue uniforms making a beautiful contrast with
the rich green of the lawn. On account of the muddy state of the
grounds, the equestrian exhibition was necessarily omitted. Fourteen
fine steeds and their riders, all splendid horsemen, were in
readiness, and the omission of this feature was quite a
disappointment. To compensate to some extent, however, a bicycle
drill took place with ten participants, under the command of Mr.
Fred W. Billings of St. Louis. This was succeeded by a tournament, a
ring being suspended over the track at one point, to be carried off
on the point of the “lances” of the gallant knights as they rushed
along at full speed, being stimulated by the bright eyes of the fair
ones who watched the proceedings.
The students seemed to be unwearied by their long continued
exertions, and concluded the exercises by some superb exhibitions on
the turning poles in the gymnasium, all showing that they have about
reached the acme of physical culture, in addition to the excellent
mental training afforded by the able corps of instructors, the
complete list being as follows: Edward Wyman, LL.D., Principal and
Proprietor; Professor George B. Dodge, A. M., Associate Classical
Department; Professor L. M. Castle, A. M., Associate Commercial
Department; Fred Starr, A. B., Resident Assistant; E. W. Schmidt,
Teacher of German; Madame J. Thompson, French; Professor Joseph
Floss, Music; Professor O. Assmann, Gymnastics.
The exhibition as far as it could be given was a grand success, and
gave evidence of the treat in store, had the elements proved
propitious. We should have stated that Professor Wyman’s commodious
hack was at the street cars in readiness to convey visitors
comfortably in state to the Institute.
Previous to the lawn exhibition, Professor Wyman, in the forenoon,
gave a sketch of the methods of mental culture, the branches taught,
the standing of the students, and many other matters of interest,
especially to those having sons connected with the school. The
members of the faculty also gave accounts of the advancement made in
the various departments and the encouraging progress made. As an
evidence of the effect of the wonderful skill and proficiency shown
by the students, not equaled, doubtless, by any institution in the
country, a gentleman from St. Louis said he would be glad of the
opportunity to exhibit the class through the country, to show the
feats they can perform.
NEW BUILDING AT WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 26, 1883
A new building for the better accommodation of the students of Wyman
Institute is in process of construction. It is designed for a school
room, and will be both pleasant and commodious. If we may judge the
excellent taste and sound judgment of Professor Wyman from the
evidences in the past, we may safely predict a structure at once
most convenient and tasteful. The visitor is again impressed with
the conviction that the celebrated Founder and Principal of this
school is determined to forego no convenience, to neglect no
advantage, which may make the life of its inmates both happy and
profitable. We compliment the students on the added comforts
awaiting them on their return in September.
WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 11, 1885
Judging from the throngs of Alton people that annually visit this
institution, it cannot be unknown to many that there has grown up in
Upper Alton during the last few years a boys’ school, which for
excellence of work, completeness of appointments, and beauty of
surroundings, is second to no similar school in this country. This
enterprise has been built up to its present proportions through the
individual and untiring efforts of Professor E. Wyman, LLD. While he
has been ably supported by a corps of excellent teachers, the
planning has been altogether his, and this model school stands as
the crowning success of a life of educational work reaching back for
more than a generation. Dr. Wyman has numbered among his pupils many
who are now prominent businessmen of St. Louis, whose sons (and even
grandsons) he is now leading along the same paths that gave
direction to their fathers’ successful lives.
Tuesday closed the scholastic year of 1884-5, and the afternoon was
given up to a lawn exhibition, which presented the several methods
of physical culture in which the pupils receive regular and
systematic training, embracing calisthenics, military drill, Indian
club exercises, fancy parade, gymnastics, skirmish drill, foot
racing, vaulting, equestrian exercises, bicycle drill, and
tournament. The performances were of such a superior character as to
very nearly approach perfection in all the departments. The
spectators were loud in their praise of the perfection of the
performances, and of the ability of the famous educator whose skill
in training both mind and body is surpassed by none.
The music, which interspersed the exercises and also guided the
movements of the boys, was furnished by the St. Louis Grand
Orchestra. A special train chartered for the occasion by Professor
Wyman brought about 500 people from St. Louis, landing them on the
grounds of the institute. Among the visitors from St. Louis were:
Colonel A. A. Talmage, Rev. George C. Adams, Rev. George E. Martin,
Dr. I. N. Love, Major L. L. Butler, Messrs. James Carpenter, W. F.
Niedringhaus, F. G. Niedringhaus, James Richardson, C. O. Dutcher,
S. C. Edgar, Joseph Specht, Julius Pitzman, C. L. Buchman, O. F.
Garrison, and others.
WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 13, 1886
While every year since its organization has seen improvement added
to improvement upon the grounds of this favorite school, the past
year has been a marked one in that respect. One familiar with the
place, as it was before Dr. Wyman's removal here, will remember it
as a property of great natural beauty and rich in possibilities.
These possibilities are steadily becoming realized under the
tasteful eye of the Principal, whose experience of forty years as a
teacher of boys indicates what such pupils need in a family school,
and what surroundings are appropriate to correspond with the lavish
equipment of the school and gymnasium. A handsome driveway, nine
feet in width, has lately been laid out and built through the
grounds east of the campus, while new fences, grading, sodding, etc,
enhance the beauty of the park.
NEWS FROM WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 14, 1887
Professor Wyman is pushing work on the block opposite his institute,
and will soon have the grading and sodding done and trees set out.
It will be a delightful spot, and here we would remark that if
others of our citizens, more dependent upon the locality than he,
were as free as Professor Wyman to beautify their premises in
proportion to their means, we should soon see a marked improvement
in the appearance of our village. It is not necessary to have a half
block in order to make a pretty place. A lot of a hundred feet
frontage can be so kept up as to attract attention and furnish
pleasure to its occupants and assist in the general appearances of
thrift, which constitutes a “nice town.”
Among other much-needed street work we note the putting in of a new
sidewalk along the south front of the college campus. The material
used is limestone screenings from the Alton Crusher. Now a few
street lamps should be provided for, that our people may become
accustomed to that sort of thing before we have the electric light.
WYMAN INSTITUTE
Tenth Annual Session
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 20, 1888
The tenth annual session of this famous institution opens on
September 18, 1888. While the death of its eminent founder, the
veteran educator Dr. Edward Wyman is an irreparable loss, still he
built so securely for the future that his work will go forward along
the broad lines which he marked out.
“Man dies, but the work goes
onward.” The same high standard of excellence will be maintained in
all departments, under the same regulations and the same educational
and moral principles inculcated, which have been so successful in
the past. Professor Albert M. Jackson, late Associate Principal, and
Dr. Wyman’s trusted Lieutenant, will have charge of the institution
as Principal, and be aided by a full corps of able instructors.
The home department will continue to be under the personal
supervision of Mrs. Edward Wyman, a full guarantee that in this
important branch there will be no diminution of care or excellent.
The promotion of Professor Jackson to the principalship has met with
the warmest approval of the old patrons of the school, many of whom
have already made application for their sons the coming year, which
is the highest commendation he could receive. The number of pupils
being limited, it is important that applications both for new and
old students should be made promptly by addressing “Wyman
Institute,” Upper Alton, Illinois.
It will be a gratification to the public to know that this great
educational enterprise is to go forward. Its superb equipment,
specious buildings, charming surroundings, and varied appliances for
comfort, health, and recreation, make it a most delightful home for
boys, while enjoying the unrivaled training and instruction that
have made the institution the most noted of its class in the West.
EXHIBITION AT THE WYMAN INSTITUTE
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30, 1889
A splendid exhibition took place at the Wyman Institute Saturday
afternoon, in the presence of a large company of delighted
spectators from Alton, St. Louis, and other places. The exercises
commenced with music by the Standard Band, the musicians rendering a
fine programme of classical music. The students marched to the
drilling ground under the orders of their teacher, Prof. O. Assmann,
who commanded them during the various drills and evolutions. The
lads kept step to the sound of the drum. The programme included an
Introductory March; Calisthenics; Indian Clubs; Wands; Gymnastics;
Military Drill; Skirmish Drill; Bicycle Drill; and Tennis
Tournament. The young athletes, in neat uniforms of cadet gray
pants, caps of the same color trimmed with gilt, cream-colored
waists and white belts, went through the various movements with
almost the precision of machinery, and marvelous skill and grace.
The delighted spectators evinced appreciation by frequent bursts of
applause. In the drills, the lads added gray coats to their
uniforms, and were equipped with “real” guns. This feature was such
as to astonish old army veterans who were present. The bicycle drill
was led by Master James Drummond, son of Hon. J. T. Drummond of St.
Louis, and was a beautiful display. Those taking part in the tennis
tournament were James Drummond and Charles Thaw against Frank Hatch
and Hyde Rickey. Hatch and Rickey won by a score of 6 to 3. The
first prize for best playing was awarded James Drummond. Second
prize, a fine belt, to Frank Hatch. Master Leslie Atherton of Cairo
was judged to be the best gymnast of the students.
The grounds around the Institute were in superb condition. The late
rains had caused the closely shaven lawns to appear of a bright
emerald hue, while the magnificent trees that dotted the slopes, the
shrubbery, the statuary, the buildings, all made a picture of rural
beauty rarely equaled. Great credit is due all connected with this
western Rugby for the success achieved.
Wyman Institute has long been the most ably conducted and famous
home school for boys in the West, and the last year has been one of
the most successful in its history. The spirit and methods of its
noted founder seem to have descended to his successors, and the
happy combination of mental discipline with physical culture which
it affords cannot be excelled. The Institute will be continued the
coming year under the same management, with Professor Jackson as
Principal, and the success of the scholastic year now closing is a
sufficient guarantee of prosperity for the future.
WYMAN INSTITUTE SOLD TO WILLIS BROWN
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 25, 1892
The ownership of the Wyman Institute, located in Upper Alton, is
about to experience a change, as Mrs. Martha Wyman (who has ably
conducted it since the death of Professor Edward Wyman), has made a
sale of the entire property and outfit for $28,000, to Mr. Willis
Brown of Denver, Colorado, who will assume charge at the close of
the school year in June next. While the many friends of Mrs. Wyman
will feel a deep regret that her impaired health causes her to part
with the enterprise which she and her husband founded and built up,
they will be greatly pleased to know that to all intents and
purposes, the school will know no change whatever in its management,
or in the methods which have secured it so enviable a reputation.
We understand that Professor A. M. Jackson, and others long
identified with the successful administration of affairs there, are
to be continued in their several positions, and this fact, together
with the expressed intention of Mr. Brown to add materially to the
improvements and facilities of the place, will surely hold the
confidence of the public in the stability of an educational
establishment so well founded as Wyman Institute.
Mr. Brown comes among us with a high reputation, and with ample
means, and bringing to the school a ripe experience in business
affairs, will aim to make it the finest of the kind in the country.
The citizens of Alton and Upper Alton will most cordially wish him
God speed.
WYMAN INSTITUTE GRADUATION
(Western Military Academy)
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June 15, 1892
One could not ask for more delightful weather than that of yesterday
afternoon, which greeted the young gentlemen of Wyman Institute on
the occasion of their closing exercises. These latter are rather a
novelty, and were more so than usual on yesterday afternoon. The
hundreds who had been strolling through the park-like grounds, while
the Standard Band discoursed sweet music, seated themselves on the
lawn north of the main building, and here the exercises were held.
Rev. Dr. A. A. Kendrick invoked the Divine blessing, after which Mr.
William Hager delivered the address of welcome, and proved himself
the orator of Wyman.
The Banjo Club, consisting of eight young men, then gave several
banjo selections, which were very good as banjo music goes. An
oration, “School Journalism,” was delivered by Mr. G. T. Palmer,
following which the farewell address was made by Mr. T. H. West.
The exercises were then changed to display the physical training,
and a wand drill, a club drill, battalion drill, and a skirmish
drill were given in successive order. Captain Otto Assman has been
training the boys, and their exhibition was a credit to his
teaching. The gymnastic exhibition closed the afternoon’s programme,
but the guests lingered for some time to listen to the band concert.
A large number of St. Louis people were present, as were persons
from various parts of Illinois.
Yesterday’s exercises witnessed the last day of the Institute under
the Wyman’s control. Colonel Willis Brown, the new owner, will
conduct the school in two departments, viz: The Institute and the
Western Military Academy, in each of which departments 30 boys will
be received. The school will be patterned after and conducted on the
same principles as the military academy at West Point.