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students ought to be. " In answer to a specific question, he added, "I
say without hesitation that I should not have water closets in the two
upper stories. I do not think that I should have any in the building
at all. I think they would be useless expense always - that is, until
you abandoned them, which in my judgment would be very soon. There
should be neat privies, so arranged that they can be kept in perfect
order."
Toward the end of 1866 it became apparent that the building could not
be completed on May 1, 1867, as specified by Mr. Boynton, so an
extension of one year was secured from him. A new building committee,
consisting of Lincoln, Morgan, Whitcomb, and Hoar, was appointed, and
Mr. James White, an able builder who had already given material
evidence of his interest in the project, was employed as
superintendent of construction.
Seven contractors bid on the construction of the building, in amounts
ranging from $53,400 to $65,000. The contract was let on February 18,
1867 to Tower & Raymond of Worcester for $55,500. The original idea of
using brick had been changed to provide for mixed rubble granite. The
style of the front and end was again changed after the contract was
let to square rubble from Millstone Hill, with trim of Uxbridge
granite. The change added $2,000 to the cost, $1,380 of which was made
up by a few of the original subscribers. The total cost of the
building, grading of the grounds, equipment and furniture, as
announced by Mr. Lincoln at the dedication, was $75,343.68. This was
nearly $4,000 in excess of the amount subscribed, and this overdraft
on the treasury was a source of annoyance for some time thereafter.
By one of those ironies of which fate is capable, the generous old man
of Templeton was not permitted to witness the completion of this
building nor the opening of the school to which he had given his
wealth. Exposure during a ride in a severe storm had resulted in
pneumonia. He died on March
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