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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Burglars steal $250,000 Brammo racing bike ... Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... Burglars steal $250,000 Brammo racing bike ... Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... AS IT WAS As It Was: 'Infidel Hall' in Talent hosted 'Mental Library' Comment By Pat Harper Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Pat Harper Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jul. 15, 2015 at 6:33 PM By Pat Harper Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jul. 15, 2015 at 6:33 PM » Social News In the 1880s Jackson County had many talented speakers who promoted freedom of religion, critical thinking and liberal ideas. On Oct. 4, 1884, the Universal Mental Library Hall opened in Talent. Its first speaker, “Lish” Applegate of Ashland, gave a talk on “Mental Liberty” that was described as “scholarly, replete with historical citations and intensely logical throughout.” Music was provided by the Talent Glee Club, also known as the Breese family. Supporters of the Mental Liberty Hall included farmer and diarist Welborn Beeson and Willis John Dean, an atheist, spiritualist and teacher at Wagner Creek School. It was built by Talent freethinkers as a place for their lectures, debates and other gatherings. Although it was known by some as “Infidel Hall,” any group could hold an event there, provided the audience was allowed to ask questions. Bible classes were held there in 1885. The Mental Liberty Hall was located at the corner of Wagner Creek and Anderson Creek roads, but was moved and converted to a barn in 1912. Sources: "Diary of W. J. Dean 1912-1919." Southern Oregon History, Revised. Ed. Ben Truwe. Web. 23 May 2014. "Dedication Of Hall At Talent,” Ashland (Ore.) Daily Tidings 5 Oct. 1885. Web. 23 May 2014. As It Was is a co-production of Jefferson Public Radio and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. As It Was stories are broadcast weekdays on Jefferson Public Radio and are available online at asitwas.org. By Pat Harper Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Pat Harper Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jul. 15, 2015 at 6:33 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501