members and officials within the church. During the Civil War the controversy was between Dr. Bullard and Cephus Shelburne and the issue of secession and slavery. Later, the debate was between J. R. Miller, J. T. Showalter, and W. S. Bullard over the use of organs and other musical instruments in church worship. Today, organs and music originating from Snowville Christian Church can be heard for several miles. Early education Education in Snowville first began in the form of private schools which were usually held in residents' homes. In 1858 the first public school was created and housed in a building originally constructed as a woolen mill. A few years later the school was moved to another building on a hillside behind main street. The support for education was largely from private donations and subscriptions. Additionally, those students who were enrolled above the fourth grade paid $2.50 tuition per month. Later, in 1884, the Pulaski County School Board appropriated funds and constructed a three-room schoolhouse. A four-year high school and seven-year elementary school was located at the west end of the town. Some additional classes were held in an old store building near Little River. For many years, students would travel from miles around to board and receive their education here. At one time, Snowville nearly had a junior college. Around 1922, however, because of a decrease in student enrollment, Snowville High School began offering only two years of education instead of four. Several years later, high school students were transported to Draper to attend school there. Other facts Each winter, residents enjoyed skating on the Little River once it froze. Today, the river rarely gets cold enough to freeze. The Library Association of Snowville, headed by Ed Howery, was one of the largest in the area around 1890. The Masonic Lodge No. 159 in Snowville was chartered on December 13, 1865 and is one of the oldest in the region. Their motto is "never say die." The first newspaper printed in Snowville was entitled The Virginia People. When the newspaper was discontinued, the machinery was moved to Christiansburg for use in printing the Montgomery Messenger. Snowville never had a saloon or bar, although at least two individuals petitioned for one. Alcohol was obtained from bootlegging and illegal stills, some of which were operated by women living adjacent to Snowville. A regiment of soldiers numbering around 13,000 passed through Snowville