upon the offer of J. E . Lyle and W. Lewis to donate 40 acres each should the Institute be located on the south side of the creek." (Old Dallas was on the north side).
Under date of July 12, 1855, we are told that the "Trustees proceeded to the Seminary grounds to lay them out." "Upon measuring them it was found that the ground donated owing to the withdrawal of Mr. Levens was insufficient, however laid out to be of much immediate service." "The day wore away" without a decision and the trustees adjourned until 8 o'clock the next morning.
The next morning the trustees met and had evidently done effective work over night. "Present were R. P . Boise, H. Lyman, J. E . Lyle, W. R. Lewis, and Nicolas Lee—a quorum." Lewis raised his donation to 40 acres, Shelton raised his to 32 acres and Lyle still offered the original 40 acres. Others had subscribed money. Deeds were made, the trustees "fixed upon the spot where to place the building, laying off twenty-four rods square for the Academy grounds, and laying off a street of eighty feet all around, with lots one hundred by one hundred and fifty feet bordering, the several deeds were all signed, acknowledged and delivered."
Not only was "La Creole Academic Institute" located and endowed with land but a site for Dallas fixed. Lots facing the Academy square were offered for sale at $100 each. A little later it was considered expedient to donate lots "to certain individuals such as merchant, taverner, blacksmith, cabinet maker and the like" provided they would "commence building early next season."
The first teacher of La Creole Academic Institute was the Reverend Horace Lyman with Miss Elizabeth Boise as assistant. Horace Lyman graduated from Williams College in 1842 and from Andover State Seminary in 1846. The tuition charged "was $4 for Reading and Spelling, $5 for all higher branches usually taught in Common or Free Schools and $8 for the higher English
