USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 29
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The Constitutional Convention of 1849, made provision for a public school system, and sot apart the five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress to new States, to be appropriated for the support of theso schools. Near the close of tho first session of the Legislature, 1849-50, the Committee on Education reported that it was not advisa. ble to pass a bill taxing the people for the support of the public schools, and this suggestion was carried out by the members of the Legislature. On the last day of the second session of the Legislature, 1850-51, a bill was passed concerning the common schools. The first "School Law" was exceedingly imperfect, and none of the lands set apart for school support were sold under its provisions. Jolm G. Marvin, the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in his first annual report to the third Legislature on the fifth of January, 1852, among other suggestions, recommended the creation of the office of County Superintendent. He also reported the estimated number of children in each county and the number of schools in existence. Yuba county had one hundred and fifty children, and one school in Marysville of thirty scholars taught by Tyler Thatcher and his wife.
Mr. Marvin roughly estimated the number of children in the State between four and eighteen years of age to be about six thousand. There was then no organized State school system, and nearly all the schools were private.
An improved bill was passed at the third session of the legislature in 1852. This bill provided for the levying of a " State school tax of " five cents on each one hundred dollars of the taxable property of the " State." Three School Commissioners were to be elected from cach district; counties and the Comnon Council of any incorporated towns could each levy a tax not to exceed three cents on each one hundred dollars. The Fourth Legislature, in 1853, amended the existing school law, one measure being to make the County Assessors e.c-officio County Superintendents. During the sixth session of the Legislature, in 1855, a bill introdneed by Hon. D. K. Ashley was passed. The most important provisions were in regard to the election of County Superintendents, limit of taxation, and the election of City Boards of EIncation and City Superintendents. The Legislature of 1860 pro- vided for the appointment by the County Superintendents of County Boards of Examination. The provision in regard to a State series of text-books was also adopted at this session, but was repealed in 1861. An appropriation of thirty thousand dollars was made for building a State Reform School at Marysville.
The Senate Committee on Education of the Legislature of 1863 referred to State Superintendent John Swett the labor of revising and codifying the school laws. He performed the work in a very satis- factory mmmer, and much of the completeness of the present school law is due to his advanced ideas and knowledge, as embodied in this report. The session of 1865-6 passed an Act which. with but few changes, is the present school law. The services of Mr. Swett were again in this case called into requisition. Provisions were made for a State series of text-books, the establislunent of graded schools, State and county taxation for schools, and the formation of City Boards of Examination. Mr. Swett in his Second Biennial Report, 1866-67. gives thirty-two points as a summary of the improvements effected by the revisions in 1863 and 1865. Few changes have been made by sub- sequent Legislatures.
At every session of the Legislature the matter of the disposal of the school lands was brought up, and changes were made, principally in the payment. The result was that the five hundred thousand acres realized only about six hundred thousand dollars, not one-half of their real value.
Among the noted professional teachers who, in early days, taught in this county may be mentioned the following :- D. C. Stone taught in Marysville from 1854 to 1868. He then moved to Oakland, and ยท established a " Family School." In 1873. he entered the San Fran-
cisco Ixjurtment as teacher of natural sciences in ihre Girls' Iligh School, and in 1576 was appointed Deputy City Superintendent, which position he occupies now.
J. B. McChesney commenced teaching ut Forbes Town in 1857, but soon after removed to Nevada City, where liv organized a Grammar School, andafterwards a High School. In 1565, he was cheted to the Principalship of the Oakland High School. He is one of the most cultured und popular teachers in the State, and the school under his charge is the pride of the " Athens of the Pacific."
Isaac Upham, who taught for a long time in Batte county, wus County Superintendent of Yuba county in 1868 !.
Azro la Manu was a teacher in Marysville for several years, and afterwards went to San Francisco to take charge of the classical department of the Boys' Ihigh School. In 1877, ho was elected City Superintendent of Schools, a position which he still holds. He was a candidate for the office of State Superintendent of Schools at the election in September, 1879.
The first school in Marysville was opened during the last work in May, 1850, by Rev. S. V. Blakesler. It was a private school, and was kept in n sheet iron building, eighteen feet in length and ton foet. in width. There were in attendance nine pupils, male and female, ranging from eleven to soventren years. After a session of three weeks he was obliged to discontinue on account of the great hout and micomfortable quarters. Sometime during the lutter part of 1851, a school was established by Rev. Mr. Thatcher in the Presbyterian Charch on D street.
During the first years of the growth and settlement of Marysville, the pyanation was composed alnost entirely of males. But in the lat. ter part of 1851, and the first of 1852, several gentlemen brought, from their Eastern homes their wives and families. it was then that the need of public schools became apparent. May 4, 1852, a meeting was held in the Recorder's office, of citizens interested in establishing a free public school. The attendance was small. A committee was, how. ever, appointed " to submit at the next meeting, the basis of a plan for the organization of a school association." The counnittee was composed of the following gentlemen, viz :- James Cushing, Dr. A. H. Wilder, General Miles, Rev. Mr. Simmonds, Richard S. Mesick, and John T. McCarty. The meeting then adjourned to the sixth. On that even- ing Jno. H. Jewett presided. The attendance was large, and definite action was taken A committee of two from each ward was appointed " to draft a plan and make an estimate of a house for school purposes, " and to solicit subscriptions amonnting to ten thousand dollars, for "that purpose." The committee chosen was composed of the follow- ing :- First Ward, J. C. Fall and W. W. Smith; Second Ward, A. Y. Smith and R. S. Mesick; Third Ward, Captain Macy and G. Kent;
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
Fourth Ward, E A. Eaton and M. Matteou. A subscription paper was pressed aroma, by which the signers agreed to meet their sub- scriptions in monthly payments of twenty-tive per cent. of the amount subscribed, counneucing ou the first of June. The Methodists had also been at work for the purpose of defraying the cost of their church oditice nud supporting a school, and had raised by this time five thousand two hundred dollars. They had already establishedl their school. A proposition was made for them to combine with the citizens to build one public school, but they declined to do so. In the middle of Jnuo, 1852, nu ordinance was passed, establishing u systom of common schools in the city of Marysvillo. In July, the first public school was opened, nud with the exception of tho necessary vientious, hus heen continuons ever since. The basement of the M. E. Church wus fitted up, and a public school started there in Mny, 1854. Tho city lad n perpetual lenso of this basement of tltreo rooms.
Tho city school house, on the corner of B nud Seventh streets, was completed in 1858. It was sixty-six feet long aud fifty-six feet. wide, being two stories high. There were four school rooms and one recita- tion room. The contractor wns Mr. J. A. Stocle. In 1855; Mr. D. C. Stono wns principal of the innle department, and Miss 11. Macey prin- cipal of tho foumle dopartmont. In 1858, the munber of pupils had so ineronsod, thut Miss Emily Wilson was assisting Mr. Stone. The girls' dopartmont was undor the superintendence of Miss F. A. Buckmaster, assisted by Miss Anna Goodwin. For n number of years, Mr. D. C. Stone, now Deputy City Suporintondout of San Francisco, had charge of the boys' department of the City School.
'T'ho following is n. list of school districts, with number of children in Yuba county, according to reports of tho School Marshal for the venr 1857 :-
Districts.
Marysville
No. of Children. 535
Organized. 1852.
Bear Rivor
1853.
Oregon House
46
1854.
Poorin House
38
1854.
Fostor Bar.
1854.
Pleasant Grovo
65
1855.
Linda
3G
1855.
Keystone
1855.
Chmptonvillo.
103
1855.
Rose Bar.
65
1856.
Brown's Valley
51
I857.
Benr River, No. 2
18
1857.
Linda, No. 2
1858.
Before 1862, the public schools were divided into six departments,
of which the following were held in the new building, corner of Band Seventh streets :- Grammar Department, under the charge of Mr. D. C. Stone, M. A .; Boys' Intermediate, Miss Julia M. Fitch; Girls' Inter- mnediate, Miss Harriet II. Belcher; Girls' Primary, Miss Anna Good- win. Two primary classes of boys under the charge of Miss M. A. Fuller and Miss C. L. Hyde, vecupind the rooms in the basement of the Methodist church. The whole number in attendance during the year 1861, was over three hundred, with an average dnily attendance of two hundred and fifty. In the spring of 1870, a wooden building finished in imitation of stone, was erected on E street, corner of Seventh street, W. C. Swain being the architect, It cost ten thousand dollars, and was furnished at an additional outlay of fifteen hundred dol- lars. The girls occupied this building. The classes were as follows :-- Grammar School, Miss M. Hemenway; Intermediate School, Miss Ella Moody; and a Primary school, Miss Sallie Curtis. Miss Delia Hemenway was teacher of the Latin, French and German languages. The boys occupied the structure ereeted in 1855. The classes were :--- Grammar School, A. G. Drake; Intermediate School, E. A. Davis, Primary School, B. Gurney; and Sub-Primary School, Miss Lao Barnes. A school for colored children was kept in the basement of tho Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, on Sixth street, between D and E streets, by Miss Carrie Oldfield. The school census of Marysville, taken in August, 1870, reports eight hundred and seventeen white children, between five and fifteen years of age-four hundred and one boys. and four hundred and sixteen girls, besides twenty-six negro aud three Indian children. Of these, four hundred and thirty-two white children and seventeen negrocs attended public schools during the previous year; two hundred and forty-three white children attended private schools, and one hundred and fifty children did not attend any school. There were also three hundred aud seventy-two white children under five years of age, and twenty-four Mongolian children.
The Marysville High School was organized by the Board of Educa- tion, September 25, 1871. Since that time eleven young ladies and eight young men have graduated. The first Monday in October was set for the opening of the first term, in the huilding on the southeast corner of E and Seventh streets. Twelve pupils entered for the course, Mr. Drake being chosen as instructor. The plan of the school was to furnish a preparatory course for the University of California, and to complete the studies commeuced iu the grammar department. Of the twelve who first eutered, five graduated at the end of three years. Dnring the fourth year, the number enrolled had increased to twenty-seven. Only two pupils, young ladies, graduated this year. The year 1875-76, closed with the gradnation of four pupils. On the eighth of November, 1876, the school, as well as the community, met with a severe loss in the death of Mr. Drake. In the latter part of
that month, Rev. E. H. Ward was appointed Principal, and taught about two months. He was suecceded by Prof. E. K. Hill. a tencher of long experience and much ability. The school at the end of the year 1877-78, graduated three young ladies. During the fall term of the year 1878-79, the school was, to a certain extent, brokon up by mixing its pupils with the senior classes of both grammar schools. The teachers were Prof. Hill and Miss Olive A. Parshall. This plan soon proved impracticable, and at the beginning of January of the present year, the schools were again segregated, and the High School classes placed under the chargo of Prof. B. E. Hunt. The Board of Eluention has decided to continue this excellent institution, fully renl- izing the many benefits derived both by pupils and residents in the city.
The following is a list of School Trustees of the various districts in the county, prior to the election in June, 1879. In the last column will be found tho names of the persons chesen at that election, plneed opposite those whose placos they take.
DISTRICT. TRUSTEES, 1878-9.
ELECTED JUNE 1879.
Bald Mountain_
[ L. R. Scott, Clerk, Jolin Richards,
Bear River.
(W. W. Holland, Clerk, John Steinnau, Dr. D. P. Dunst.
B. F. Dam,
Brophy
Thos. Mahoney, Clerk, Thos. Culloo, Win. Simcoe. L F. W. Sehaaf, Clerk,
F. Chatham,
Brown's Valley. < Jolin Palmer, Wm. Jefferd. A. S. Wright, Clerk,
Wm. Edwards.
Buekeye Abram Richardsou, James Bryden. -
Clark
John Grover, Clerk, John Bristol,
S. Botsford.
Cordua
W. D. Smith, Clerk, J. P. Stall, H. K. Boomer, Joseph Merriam, Clerk,
S. H. Williams.
Dobhins' Ranch- Thos. Lahadie, L. S. Camper.
-
Elizabeth
P. L. Hutchinson, Clerk, C. P. Gillette, Samuel Kuster, W. A. Wimberly,
D. Cantlin.
Ella
W. L. Pratt,
A. C. Gray.
Greenville.
John F. Barrie,
Robt. Millar,
G. B. Pepper, Clerk,
A. J. Edgar,
Thos. Jones.
-
64 SNAHA ED LITH DAMLAMA
MIRED BY THOMPSONP WE97
ALMOND ORCHARD AND RANCH OF THE ESTATE OF S. H. TAYLOR. YUBA CO. CAL.
103
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY
CALIFORNIA.
Hansonville
J. H. Hanson, Clerk, T. J. Wood, R. M. Johnson,
Levi Bainbridge, Stephen Compton.
Chas. Prindle, Clerk. Strawb'ry Valley { J. T. Birmingham, N. D. Travis.
H. H. Hollister, Clerk,
Virginia. E. B. Langalen, ( John Majors.
Daniel Ostrom,
James Bowman, Clerk,
Yuba. Robert Tolan, ( John Brady.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS,
Linda. .
W. E. Shelton.
Long Bar.
Lone Tree. John Walsh, ( W. B. Vineyard, Jr. J. J. Farrell, Clerk, -
McDonalals
M. Honor, L. A. Rodgers.
Mill U'reok .. .
-
New York
John Liebhauser.
Onk Vulloy
Peter Mckeon, Clerk, James Gray, Cyrus P. Godfrey. Geo. R. Houseb, Geo. W. Johnson, James M. Yore.
Pearia.
T. C. Wisner, Clerk, Ely Countryman, Chas. Fennimore. J. H. Hammon, W. S. Staley, R. T. Thomas.
A. N. Van Fleet, Clork, Prairie House ..
Rose Bar.
H. Folsom, F. Richardson. Lyman Ackley, Clerk, T. S. Brew, Daniel McGanney. George Batts, Clerk, Clas. Sooy, Chas. Ruff, C. L. Foss.
Sharon Valley .. <
Slate Range.
J. P. Brown, Clerk, John R. Meek, ( John Ramm. D. O. Dagget, Clerk, Joseph Bruce, - Joseph Risher.
Wm. Fitzpatrick.
Mrs. Sarah E. Snyder opened a school for young girls, October 10, 1853. Mr. Owen Connolly in December, 1854, had a select school on D street, opposite the postoffice. Il. F. Murphy, M. A., had a school in the basement of St. John's t'hurch, at the corner of C and Seventh streets, in the year 1858. It had an attendance of thirty- seven pupils. Mr. George R. Baker kept n select school in 1860. lle also had a school several years before. Mr. J. M. Bellaude opened a select school for boys in 1862.
THE COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME, MARYSVILLE.
The Convent of Notre Dame, Marysville, was founded by Rev. Father Magagnotta, Passionist Missionary, in 1856. The first build- ing erected that year under his auspices was a solid brick structure of three stories, 51 feet by 35 feet, which stands on the southeast corner of Eighthi and C streets, contained two good sized school rooms, par- lor, temporary chapel and community apartments. The Sisters of Notre Dame entered into possession of their new establishment. October 26th of this year, and on the tenth of November following, opened a day school for externs. Three Sisters and a young lady assistant constituted the teaching staff for the first year, but for the ensuing session the number of the community was increased to six. In the year 1857, an addition was made to the original structure, pro- viding dormitories, refectory, and kitchen for the boarding school, which was opened in the month of September of that year. In the year 1858 a free school for girls was opened, and subsequently a school for boys under the age of ten years; at present the age of admittance for the latter is extended to twelve years. The increasing number of pupils demanded an enlargement of the premises, and on the other hand, the frequency of fires from the small wooden tenements then in the immediate vicinity of the convent, rendered their removal extremely desirable. The neighboring house lots were, therefore, successively purchased, some of them at exorbitantly high rates, until in 1869, the entire block, bounded by B, C, Seventh and Eighth streets, 380x360 feet was acquired, the city authorities having given permission to close that portion of Virgin Alley running northward through the block, which was subsequently ratified by Act of the State Legislature. In
the year 1861, the building fronting on (' street was added, i" fest ins 19 feet, atfording class rooms, dormitory, and a spacious and comforta Hle attic. This building was sourcely tinished when it served to shel- ter several families that weare thanded out of their own domiciles in the great thou of 1861 2. The next projection, forming a south wing, 117 by 35 fort, was added in 1866, comprising a permanent chapel, rofee tory, study and recitation hall, parlor und infirmary. On this projec tion was erected, in 1869, the main tower, HIS feet high, surmounted by a gilt cross. The mex of this tower was intended to have been nineteen fret higher, so as to allow for an observatory in the interven ing spaces, but the death of the architect excurring before the conde- tion of his work, the original plan was not carried into effect, much to the detriment of the external agearmer of the building, the harmony of proportion being destroyed in this essential. This projection medl tower, now forming the southern extremity of the building, mark the center of the original plan, which, should future needs require, umy he carried into execution. In the year 1874, a substantial and comunali. ous brick building, 30 by 80 feet, was erected nt the southern extrem ity of the grounds, to provide elss room for the boys, and also l'or t.Jwe free school, the mpretending frame structures, previously used for that purpose, having long ceased to fulfil their mission in the murch of progress. The schools, though contiguous, are entirely separato, the entrance for boys being in Seventh street, und that for the girls on 1' street. The cost of buildings thus far erected exceeds $60,000.
The floods of 1861 and 1867, srenuet to respect Convent property : in those years the rising water canwe within sight, but did not invade the inner walls, but in 1875, the bed of the Yuba being filled with mining debris, on the nineteenth of January, about nine o'clock r. M., the waters consed through the city, broke down the eastern wall of the Convent. enclosure, and rose to the hight of two and one-half feet in the main building. At two o'clock A. M., of the twentieth, they began to sabside, and by 10 A. M., bad entirely disappeared from the ground floors. The. Houd produced temporary financial embarrassment, muy parents withholling their children, for fear of sickness, which was appre. hended. It is a notable fact, however, that during the summer of 1875, which all had anticipated would be exercdingly unhealthy. physicians complained that they laul scarcely anything to do. Of the inmates of the Convent, not one had suffered even from a coll, though the Sisters had been for a considerable time exposed to the waters.
This institution, muler the title of College Notre Dame, was char tered by the State Legislature, in 1869. The diplomas since issued are, 1870, one; 1873, one; 1875, two; 1876, one; thirty of the stu- dents, after having passed successful examinations, before county boards of examiners, have received certificates of competency and proficiency, entitling them to fill positions in the public school depart-
Honcut.
Imliana Ranch.
W. C. Fuller.
Junction.
J. G. Cornell, Clerk, G. W. Intchins, Gown Strain. [ Lonis Wilder, Clerk, E. C. Erwin, [ Peter Kessler, Clerk, Josoph Watson. J. S. Mills, Clerk, G. W. Sntliff, A. J. Sluman. ( H. B. Cartwright, Clerk, Win. Young. D. N. Jones, Clerk,
Spring Valley .
D. Staley,
Plumas.
R. E. Welch, Michael Long, Clerk, S. C. Jowett, John Kennedy. Daniol Foss, Clerk, Jolm Dowell,
Oregon House.
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
ment. Of these certificates, four are of the first grade State, fourteen of the second grade, twelve of the third. The cause why so few receive the honors of graduation from this institution is, that the grontor mmuber of stulouts, finding no Inerative advantage in the pos- session of a diploma, are satisfied when they acquire a certificate, and do not complete the collegiate course, the love of study, for its own wake, uot being u sufficient stiumlns for self improvement. The sys- tem of instruction in this institution, comprises besides the prepara- tory, grammar mal ckanentary-scientific departments, u higher scien- tifio and classical courso, including belles lettres, history, nul the higher muthonmties, The methods of justruction pursued ure in accordance with the views of the present day, being principally based on the enstons of American institutions, modified by improvements from Cormany, England and France, according as they nro found beneficial.
The hudlios directing the institution profess the Roman Catholic religion, but members of all donominations, irrespective of crowd, are auchnitted to the chessos, the only essential requisites being high moral worth, and conformity to regulations. For twenty years the institu- tion prospered, grisluully aund constantly extending the sphere of its usofnhoss, when, in 1876, a decree was issued, closing the establish- mout nud withdrawing the sistors. This decree was partly carried into olfoot, when, on tho interferonco of erelesinstical authority, a por- tion of the community was permitted tu romain and re-open the day schools. Daily uppliontions and petitious for the re-opening of the boarding schools, at this time. (August,) ure being made, and it is hoped that such permission will be granted.
For the scholstie year, ending in July, the number of scholars and sisters have been as follows :- 1857, scholars, 63; sisters, 3; 1860, scholars, 130; sistors, 10; 1865, scholars, 280; sisters, 14; 1870, scholurs, 305; sistors, 17; 1876. scholars, 310; sisters, 18; 1879, scholars, 360; sistors, 11.
MARYSVILLE ECLECTIC INSTITUTE.
Tho Marysville Eclectic Instituto was opened August 18, 1853. in tho Mothodist Episcopal Church, by Rov. Jaunes H. Bristow and wife. They announced that tho varions branches of a thorough American eilucation woro to bo taught and the discipline was to be prompt, yet mild. Tho pricos woro five, six and eight dollars per month. In the fall, C. C. Cummings became principal of the school.
MRS. POSTON'S SEMINARY.
This school was opened in November, 1857, on E street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, by Mrs. E. C. Poston. Subsequently it was removed to the corner of D and Sixth streets. Mrs. Poston has now a flourishing school in Oaklandl.
MISS JONES' SCHOOL.
Miss Jane Jones opened a school in 1870, in the Flathmann building corner of D and Sixth streets, and in the fall of 1876, removed to the bnilling formerly occupied by Mrs. Poston, where she is now. Pupils are instructed in the studies of the primary and intermediate grades. Misses Wadsworth and Mason, in 1872, took the Poston Seminary aud tanghit the English studies, music, drawing, French and German. They continned four years.
Mrs. S. M. Miles, widow of the first Mayor of the city, opened a school on Eighth street opposite the Baptist Church, in 1874 or 1875. It was called the " Marysville Select School." Several ladies have started private schools at various times but were not very successful, and after a time alamdoned the project.
KNOXUALE INSTITUTE.
At Browusville, on the western slope of the Sierras, thirty-two miles northeast from Marysville, is located an institution of learning, which, althoughi recently opened, has recoived quite a number of pu- pils. It is under the proprietorship of Mr. and Mrs. M. Knox, while Prof. K. K. Ilill, late Principal of the Marysville High School, has the general management and control. The design is to make it "a " school wmnphte in itself, from the luwest primary instruction to a full " high school course, crowned with complete courses in the sciences, "arts, literature and the modern languages; from which will branch " off' short courses for business, and preparation for college in Latin " and Greek." The departments of instruction inchide the prepara- tory, high school and scientific, business, languages and music. Be- sides these a normal course has been instituted. The Normal Insti- tute which is specially designed for teachers, or those wishing to become such, is open for six weeks during the summer vacation. Botanical analysis, botanical drawing and the collection of herbariums are made specialties. Practical demonstration of the methods of teaching will be given in the model class. The attendance already secured is an indi- cation of the success of the institution and the realization of the hopes and intentions of its founders.
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