GMS History The History of Greenbrier Military School | Page 4

continued educating their students, even though the school was gone. For
the rest of the session of 1892, Professors H. W. Barclay and S. H. Coffman
continued teaching in private homes. In September of 1892, Barclay and C.
W. Bidgood taught. Barclay continued with Prof. J. S. Basore in 1893-94;
Edward Lane maintained a private school in 1894-95, and the Rev. J. M.
Sloan carried on in 1895-96 (Ambler, p. 740).
Lee Military School 1896-1899. In 1896 trustees of the Greenbrier
Presbytery, H. T. Bell, John J. Echols, and John A. Preston, bought four
acres of land from Alex F. and Laura Mathews (Montgomery, 1991).The
land is described in the Greenbrier County Deed Book (#49, p. 614) of Nov.
10, 1896, as already having a school building and fronting 482 feet on the
east side of the present North Lee Street. This site, part of the larger area that
contained the former county Fair Grounds, became the Lee Military
School. Half of the acreage was covered by a grove of red and white oak
trees. The school building, which was completed in October, 1896, had four
rooms. The Greenbrier Presbytery leased the property to Maj. James M.
Lee, distinguished graduate of West Virginia University and former
superintendent of schools in Huntington, who served as principal for two
years. The Lee Military School offered three courses of study: academic
college preparatory, commercial, and military. No boarding was available
on the campus. For each of two 18-week terms, boys paid $25 for the
academic course or $17 for the primary, or lower grades.
A flyer for the year 1897-98 states: “A modified military system has
been introduced, with the belief that in no other way can be taught so
effectively the essential habits of punctuality, self-control, physical
training, and grace of carriage. . . . By this system uniformity of dress, esprit
de corps, obedience, promptness, precision are attained.” A classic
uniform—the kind that will continue into Greenbrier Military School—is
described as being “of Charlottesville gray, of same cut as West Point
uniform.” It is to be worn by cadets “at all times except upon social
occasions. This suit is of excellent quality, and costs, including cap and four
pairs of gloves, $15.00.” The Class of 1898 had five graduates. Prizes
awarded were the Rucker Prize in English and the Lee Prize in Military
Tactics (GHS Archives 17).
The Greenbrier Independent of April 21, 1898, printed a letter from
Principal James M. Lee. As an advertisement sent by Lee Military
Academy to county teachers, the letter explained that the school would
offer a ten-week course in lieu of summer school. “We offer the advantages
of a fine reference library of over 1000 volumes; instruction by teachers of
broad culture and large experience; most delightful surroundings in the
springtime” and special classes in botany, psychology, theory and practice
in teaching, and bookkeeping. “Cheap and excellent board near at hand. A