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to tell his subordinate about the girl and that he had the key. When a long way from Middletown, the principal remembered the girl but it was too late to do anything about it.
"The hours dragged by for the prisoner and, when four o'clock came, she could hear the other scholars leave but no one came to release her. When night descended, the poor girl became alarmed and cried to be let out but no one heard. To make matters worse, a violent stora broke around midnight with fierce winds, lightening and thunder. At the height of the storm, strange moans and wailing emanated from the building but they were not recognized by any who may have heard them. "As soon as Mr. Bull arrived next morning, he rushed to the school and up to the third floor. On unlocking the door, he found the room empty. Thinking that some other teacher had let the poor girl out, he proceeded with his duties. Miss Clarendon's seat was empty when classes opened that morning and soon her father came seeking his daughter who had not been home since the day before. The unfortunate girl was never seen again and nobody could account for her disappearance. Afterward, whenever a fierce storm erupted around midnight and the blinds banged and the windows rattled, strange moans and shrieks were heard to come from the building, the cries of her soul in
anguish." On April 19, 1867, the State Legislature passed a law providing for free public education and a board of education. Middletown's first Board was elected June 28, 1867, with Elisha P. Wheeler as president. At this time, educational facilities consisted of the Orchard Street school and rented rooms in the Old Erie Building which stood across from the Carpet Bag Factory, now Ayres & Galloways on North Street. Conditions were poor. On September 1, 1867, voters appropriated $4,500 for sites and $7,500 for buildings. Since the Academy was already well established, the board decided to purchase it, incorporating it into the public school system. The Academy was owned by stockholders, most of whom were agreeable to the sale. The Board of Education, to get clear title to the property, decided to purchase its $1,000 mortgage, then immediately foreclose. There were some objectors to this plan, however, who decided to purchase the property themselves, then sell it to the Board for a More realistic price.