Charles Olson and his colleague Wesley Huss decided to close the school in fall of 1956. Low numbers of both faculty and staff contributed to the decision, as well as the possibility of a morals charge from the state. Upon hearing of the school’s closing, John Rice contacted Olson in hopes of recovering books from his personal collection that had remained in the school’s library after he left. Unfortunately, for Rice, Olson had already sold them to North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, where they remain today.

Letter, J.A. Rice to Mr. Olson, March 19, 1956

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to John Rice, March 21, 1956 (2 Pages)

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to John Rice, April 1, 1957 (3 Pages)

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, J.A. Rice to Charles Olson, April 29, 1957

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to John Rice, May 8, 1957 (3 Pages)

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to [John Andrew] Rice, August 1, 1957

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, John Andrew Rice to Charles Olson, August 21, 1957

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to John Rice, September 28, 1957

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University

Letter, Charles Olson to Mr. Rice, November 13, 1959

John Andrew Rice Papers, Appalachian State University