Another excellent educational institution which though a private institution has been an important factor in the educational activities of Hall County, is the Grand Island business and Normal College. This institution was started in 1885 by Prof. Hargis, Prof. Rucker and Prof Evans. The beginning was very small with an insignificant number of pupils, and some of the citizens came to the assistance by buying certificates of scholarship, though they had no immediate use for them. During the slow progress of the first years of the school, Profs. Evans and Rucker retired, and Prof. Hargis and his wife, the sister of Prof. Evans and then the teachr of shorthand in the school, took sole charge. The number of scholars grew rapidly, the faculty enlarged and more rooms added to the quarters of the school. By 1897 the institution used the whole upper floor of a building at Third and Spruce. A business course, a normal course, and a shorthand

course have been the main courses offered by the school. The school has in recent years been quartered in the five- story building at South Locust Street, between Second and Third streets. Prof. Hargis is now residing in Los Angeles, and Prof. A. L. Dunn, who has aquired an interest in the school, is the resident manager of the institution. This school has grown to such pro- portions that it has a very numerous faculty and at times in the year has an enrollment exceeding 300 students. Its importance as a contributing factor to the commercial institutions of the town through the large number of students it brings from several states, for their board, room-rent and clothing expenses are no small factor in the commercial business of the city, and its contribution to the postal receipts of the town, entitle it to be considered with the commercial as well as the educational institutions of the city and county.