USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 17
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On March 13. 1876, the people voted in favor of an issue of $10,000 in bonds for the erection of another school building, which amount was increased by $2.500 in June. What is now known as the West building was thereby completed in 1877. For many years it was the high school building, and was opened with the following corps of teachers: H. M. Hoon. principal: Mary D.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Warner, assistant : Alice M. Bingham, Mrs. N. E. Pierce. Mary E. Marine. Ada Voris. Mattie Voris. Clare R. Van Horn. Ora M. Ketchum. Verona Marcellus, Etta A. Palmer. Miss C. S. Hall and Miss W. A. Burr.
What is known as the East school of Vinton was destroyed by' fire November 24. 1897. and the building which replaced it (com- pleted in Derember. 1898) accommodates both high and grammar grades. It is a fine structure, two stories and basement, built of brick with out-stone trimmings; slate roof and dormer windows; hard maple floors: steel ceilings: ventilated. both direct and indi- reet. the cirenlation of air being forced by a fan in the basement
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, VINTON.
run by a small steam engine; lighted by electricity, and supplied with every other convenience known to the modern school. The building and grounds are valued at $40.000. On the first floor are seven class rooms for the grammar grades, and on the second floor are one class room and four recitation rooms for .the high school. with laboratories. library and principal's office.
The present attendance at the high school is abont 140, the
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grannar grades comprising some 260 pupils. Music. drawing and mannal training are included in the curriculum.
In 1907 the West school was remodeled throughout. new heat- ing and ventilating apparatus being installed and the structure made modern in every respect. More than 230 pupils are in at- tendance, the total for the city being about 630. Twenty-one teachers are employed-six in the high school. seven in the East school. six in the West school and one each for musie and drawing.
The superintendent of the city schools is A. M. M. Dornon and the high school principal. JJames Rac.
The board of directors of the Vinton schools consists of (1910) the following: President. S. Robinson ; secretary, Milo R. Whipple ; treasurer, George Know: C. W. Miller. George N. Urice. F. G. Bryner and George D. Me Elroy.
BELLE PLAINE SCHOOLS.
Belle Plaine was platted as a town in 1860. and in the winter of 1862-3 the few children which had gathered on its site and in the vicinity were collected by Mesdames Greene and Pillbeam and organized into two small schools. The latter was the wife of a Methodist cirenit preacher.
The school population increased so rapidly that Belle Plaine was organized into an independent district September 4. 1865. by the election of the following board of directors: Dr. John Stowe, president ; Presley Hutton, vice president ; D. C. Forbes, treasurer ; D. C. Twogood. secretary: Peter Hafer. E. G. Brown and A. Stein- arle. In December a room was rented of Mr. Daniels for school purposes. at thirteen dollars per month, and the board prescribed as text books-MeGnffey's Readers, Pinneo's Grammar. Ray's Arithmetic, and Monteith's and MeNally's Geography. Mr. Ken- nedy was employed to teach the school. but was soon given an as- sistant in the person of Miss Cupid. (N. B .- This is not a joke.)
In March, 1866, a tax levy of ten mills was voted to build a brick school house, with stone foundation, on the north side of the railroad. but the low state of the city purse prevented its actual erection until the fall of 1867. Even then Belle Plaine was obliged to modify her ambition from a $10.000 sehool house to one of $1.500. $1.000 of which had been borrowed of Vinton parties. In 1870 the school was graded and in 1875 a branch building was erected for the accommodation of the district.
In 1879 the Longfellow school was erected at a cost of $10,000;
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the present high school building (a large two-story red brick) in 1881. at a cost of $20,000, and the Longfellow and Emerson schools (thoroughly modern) in 1901. at $10,000 each. The high school. which is situated just north of the geographical center of Belle Plaine, is attended by about 330 pupils, the five grammar grades being also accommodated in the building. The Longfellow school, with an attendance of some 200. is in the southern part of town. as is the small two-room school. the Emerson. with 70 scholars. The Whittier is attended by about. 100. A new high school building is in contemplation.
The Belle Plaine system is under the active management of Warren J. Dean, who is both superintendent of schools and princi- pal of the high school. The city board of education consists of Dr. J. Worley. president; G. R. Ahrens. secretary; Thomas Law- rence. treasurer ; S. Wertheim. W. A. Mall. A. A. Carlson and Tom HI. Milner.
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CHAPTER XI.
COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
BY GEORGE D. EATON, SUPERINTENDENT.
CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND -- PROFESSOR SAMUEL BACON, FIRST PRINCIPAL-COLLEGE FORMALLY OPENED AT VINTON -- TWO WINGS ADDED-"TOM" DRUMMOND AGAIN -- "YES; IT IS WORTH IT ALL"-TRUSTEES TO BE REMEMBERED-PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE --- MUSIC DEPARTMENT-INDUSTRIAL TRAINING-OPR- THALMIC HOSPITAL IN OPERATION-GYMNASIUM UNDER WAY.
The official title of this institution, which, conducted under the auspices of the state of Iowa for more than fifty-seven years. has enjoyed a continuous record of useful and beneficent advance- ment. indicates that its object is, primarily. of an educational nature. Those of both sexes are advanced virtually to a uni- versity curriculum. and they are also taught practical occupations which are in general demand. as well as instrumental and vocal mmmsie in all its forms. Some who are wholly bereft of proper guardianship in the early period of their lives thus enjoy twelve years of education, training and well-considered guidance. These advantages are free to every person who is blind, or only partly afflicted, provided he is a resident of the state and of suitable school age and mental capacity. If the guardians or friends are able. they are expected to pay traveling expenses and furnish clothing ; if not, such expenses are borne by the county from which the pupil comes. This school opens September 1st and closes the last Friday in the following May. For the support of the College for the Blind the state appropriates twenty-two dollars per capita per month. during nine months of each year, the same amount allowed the School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs.
CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND.
The College for the Blind at Vinton has reached its present
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status only after earnest effort on the part of both the state and the local management extending. as stated. over more than half a century. In October. 1910. it will have been located at that point for forty-eight years, and the large mural tablet fronting the main entrance of the principal building briefly tells the story of Captain Thomas Drummond's life. to whose efforts the removal of the in- stitution from Iowa City is due.
CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND Fifth Cavalry. U. S. A.
Born Brooks County, Virginia. May 9, 1832 Edited the Vinton Eagle, 1857-60 Member Iowa House of Representatives, 1858 State Senator. 1860
He seenred the establishment of this college.
Wounded at the Battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865
Died the following day.
PROFESSOR BACON, FIRST PRINCIPAL.
Prior to Captain Drummond's introduction of the bill in the lower house of the Iowa legislature, which provided for the removal of the Asylum for the Blind from Iowa City to Vinton. the institution had passed through nearly six years of trying times. In August. 1852. Professor Samuel Bacon, who had lost his sight at the age of eleven, been educated in the Institution for the Blind at Columbus and at Kenyon College, and, in his early manhood established an institution for the afflicted at Jacksonville, Illinois. founded a similar institution for the Instruction of the Blind at Keokuk. By act of the general assembly, approved January 18. Vol. 1 -- 12
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1853. it was called the Asylum for the Blind and located at Towa City. On the 4th of April it was opened for the reception of pupils, free to all the blind of the state. The board of trustees retained Professor Bacon as principal, and appointed T. J. MeGittigen as teacher of music and Mrs. Sarah K. Bacon as matron. Twenty-three pupils were admitted during the first term. In his first report the worthy principal suggested that the name be changed to that of Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, which was done in 1855, when the general assembly made an annual appro- priation of fifty-five dollars per quarter for each pupil. This was subsequently changed to three thousand dollars per annum, with a charge of twenty-five dollars as an admission fee for each pupil, which, with the amounts realized from the sale of articles manufactured by the scholars, met the expenses of the institution during Mr. Bacon's administration, which closed in January. 1862. The professor was both a good manager and a fine scholar, and stories relating to his remarkable mathematical gifts are told by Ald residents to this day ; and they learned both to thoroughly love and admire his character.
COLLEGE FORMALLY OPENED AT VINTON.
Rev. Orlando Clarke succeeded Professor Bacon as principal. and in the following October (1862) the state board of trustees formally opened the institution at Vinton with twenty-four pupils. The building, which still stands as the central portion of the main college structure, is of limestone, one hundred and seventy feet in dimensions, three stories and basement.
In August. 1864. when a new board of trustees was appointed by the legislature. Rev. Reed Wilkinson was elected principal. at which time sixty-five pupils were enrolled and each of the three departments of music, literature and the mechanical industries was under the instruction of two teachers; there were also a matron and attending physician.
Mr. Wilkinson resigned in June, 1867, and General James L. . Geddes was appointed in his place during the following September. A brave officer of the Civil war. he was somewhat lacking in executive and administrative ability. and at his retirement in September. 1869. was succeeded by Professor S. A. Knapp.
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Two WINGS ADDED.
In the succeeding month the south wing of the main building was completed. and in November, 1873, the north wing was finished. Professor Knapp, who is considered one of the ablest principals who ever presided over the active affairs of the institution, re- signed his position July 1, 1875, after which Rev. Orlando Clarke returned to the superintendeney. but died while in office, April 2,
IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND (BEFORE ADDING OF WINGS)
1876. John B. Parmalee, who had been assistant principal. sue- needed, but resigned in July. 1877. and was followed by Rev. Robert Carothers. At that time the institution had one hundred and thirty-five pupils, as against twenty-three when it was first opened at Vinton. Mr. Carothers was followed by T. F. MeCune. who was superintendent. or principal. for a period of thirty years. and was followed by Professor J. E. Vance, who resigned as super- intendent of the Linn county schools in July. 1906, in order to accept his call to the College for the Blind. George D. Eaton. the present incumbent. succeeded Mr. Vanee in August. 190S.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
"TOM" DRUMMOND AGAIN.
In any review of the history of the College for the Blind the name of Tom Drummond, as he was affectionately called by his hosts of friends, appears uppermost, and when his memorial tablet was unveiled May 26. 1901. there were numerous evidences that the old-time feeling toward him and his good work was still as strong as when he was present in the flesh. It was in the early '50s that he came into the west and, as a young man, settled at Vinton. A natural politician and public speaker, witty and vet straightforward and practical, he was soon in active demand at all Republiean gatherings and became one of the most popular and trusted men in the county. Sympathetic, as well as social, he enthusiastically esponsed the cause of the weak and unfortunate, and his able editorship of the Vinton Eagle brought him the promi- nenee which enabled him to secure elcetion to both houses of the state legislature and formulate legislation which resulted in the broad and firm establishment of the College for the Blind. He had only fairly completed his task in the state senate, when he joined the first company raised for the support of the Union in Benton county, and went to the front with all the enthusiasm of his ardent nature and Virginia antecedents.
"YES, IT Is WORTH IT ALL." -
Although of southern birth, Captain Drummond was of Abo- litionist parentage, and was a soldier of moral convietions and fortitnde. In December. 1861. he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Towa Cavalry: served as such in Arkansas and Tennessee, and in June. 1862. resigned and was transferred to the Fifth Cavalry operating with the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam; was made captain July 17, 1862. and Angust 3, 1863, provost marshal of a cavalry corps, with the rank of colonel. Rejoining his regiment at Winchester. Virginia, he was in command until the close of the Richmond campaign in the following February. He was also in command between Dinwiddie Court House and the battle of Five Forks, being mortally wounded at the latter engagement. April 1. 1865. He died at eight o'clock in the morning of the next day. and a few moments before his manly advance into the future life the chaplain of his regiment asked him if he was willing to give his life for his country. "Yes." he answered with one of his
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
181
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CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
bright smiles, which died calnily on his pale lips-"Yes; it is worth it all."
TRUSTEES TO BE REMEMBERED.
Among the trustees whose names are inseparably connected with the progress of the College for the Blind should be gratefully mentioned those of Samuel HI. Watson, Jacob Springer, Judge C. II. Conklin and Hon. Joseph Dysart. Mr. Watson came to Vinton from West Virginia, when a young man, locating there in 1857, organizing the First National Bank of that city and being engaged in the banking business continuously until his death August 7, 1895. lle was a trustee and treasurer of the college from 1869 to 1888. and it was largely due to his faithfulness to its interests and his business ability that it was financed into a substantial condition.
Hon. Jacob Springer, who is so widely known throughout Benton county. had served as a trustee for twenty-five years when he retired June 30. 1898. Not only had he given freely of his time and means in furtherance of the institution, but his home was always open to any specially severe cases of suffering or misfortune which required a more than usual amount of attention.
As will appear in their sketches published elsewhere. Judge C. II. Conklin and Hon. Joseph Dysart were among the most brilliant and prominent professional and public men of the county and state.
Of the teachers early connected with the College for the Blind. who afterward attained high standing in the community, are in- stanced M. L. Ward, who is now a leading California lawyer, and C. O. Harrington, who became a state trustee and a prominent banker.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE.
As at present organized, under the superintendency of Mr. Eaton. the College for the Blind embraces the administrative. financial, supervisory. medical, nursing. literary, musical and in- dustrial department.
The literary or educational department. provides for the regil- lar courses of study covering the eight grades of the common branches and the four of high school work, and embraces the library of over six thousand volumes, divided into point print. for those who are blind. and the ink print, for pupils of defective sight. The college is well supplied with apparatus for the teaching of physical science, and a number of typewriters are also furnished for prac- tice and use.
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MUSIC DEPARTMENT.
Strictly speaking, the music department falls under the head of educational, and the training and enlture in this line are most important features of the curriculum. Two teachers are provided for the piano, pipe organ, voval music and the theory of music ; and another instructor teaches the smaller instruments, such as the violin. fiute and other orchestral and band pieces. A high grade pipe organ is installed in the assembly room, which is a commodious hall. furnished with taste; and the eighteen pianos, twenty-six violins and the flutes, clarionets, cornets and other brass and string instruments, provide a sufficient supply of means for the grati- fication of all musical tastes-and very few of the blind pupils are not thus inclined, one hundred of the total one hundred and seventy-five being enrolled in the musical department.
In this connection is also the room set aside for the teaching of piano tuning, although this course is a part of the industrial division. A competent graduate of the college is in charge of this work and his blind pupils have before them for practical demon- stration the works of a number of instruments, which are tuned and untuned until proficiency in the trade, or profession, is attained. In the literary course proper some one hundred and fifty pupils are enrolled.
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
In the industrial department, which occupies a separate build- ing. students of both sexes work at cane seating and netting. There is also a broom factory. in operation during a portion of the year, while the grounds give ample opportunity to indulge in gardening during the seasonable months. The girls devote themselves more especially to fancy work. rag carpets and bead work, the sale of these articles and of those turned out generally by the industrial department, being a considerable source of revenue.
The operations of the college are conducted by competent help and the kitchen, bakery and laundry are models of neatness and system. The laundry is conducted in a two-story brick building and is supplied with all the latest machinery and apparatus found in the metropolitan establishment.
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OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL IN OPERATION.
A neat and convenient hospital building has been completed within late years for the special accommodation of pupils who undergo ophthalmic operations, at the skillful hands of the visiting surgeon. Dr. L. W. Dean, of the lowa University. Many of the students have also been greatly benefited by the daily treatments carried out by the trained nurses under his direction. These operations and treatments are often beyond the reach of students at their homes, but constitute a gift which the state gladly accords them. Many of the students have also been fitted with artificial eyes and glasses. All troubles of the eve are treated under the direction of Dr. Dean. while the general health of the institution is conserved by Dr. C. C. Griffin, one of the truest friends the college has ever had.
A GYMNASIUM UNDER WAY.
The general assembly of 1908 appropriated twelve thousand dollars for the building of a new gymnasium, which, with the funds already on hand. will make about fifteen thousand dollars. This new gymnasium will be begun in the spring, and it is expected that it will be finished by the fall of 1910. With a well equipped gymnasium and a competent director of physical training. inch good can be done to improve the physical condition of the blind.
PROFESSOR S. A. KNAPP.
In the history of lowa College for the Blind. due credit has been given to Professor S. A. Knapp for his fine labors both in the line of instruction and business which had such an important bearing on the early development of that institution. After leaving the College of the Blind, he organized the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company of Vinton, which. under his honest and able management. became a strong institution. IIe became the owner of several large farms, aud successfully raised considerable blooded stock. In connection with these interests he also be- came managing editor of the Western Stock and Farm Journal. published at Cedar Rapids.
Professor Knapp was a highly educated man, of quite varied and noteworthy accomplishments. He was a native of Essex county. New York: graduated from Union College. Schneetady.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
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MAIN BUILDING IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
and afterward went to Fort Edwards, where for seven years he was associated with Dr. King in the management of the Fort Edwards institute. Hle then founded and was proprietor of the Ripley Female College at Poultney. Vermont, which re- mained under his management until 1866, when a change of eli- mate was advised by his physician. In this search for health he came to Vinton, where the first two years of his residence were spent as preacher in the Methodist church, after which he was chosen principal of the lowa College for the Blind.
PROFESSOR THOMAS F. MCCUNE.
Professor Thomas F. McCune, whose death ocenrred at Vin- ton. November 6. 1907, was for nearly thirty years identified with the College for the Blind, both as teacher and superintendent. Ilis service in the former capacity commeneed in 1877. the year after his graduation from college at Washington, Pennsylvania, and he was head of the College for the Blind from 1883 until his re- tirement in July, 1906.
PROFESSOR GEORGE W. TANNEHILL.
Professor George W. Tannehill, who died at his home in Vinton, March 23. 1909, was professor of mathematics at the State College for the Blind for nearly forty-four years. He had been blind himself from his twenty-second year and devoted his life to the education of those similarly afflicted, resigning his position at the college ouly about a month before his death. Everybody in Vinton knew him, honored him, loved him and wondered at his remarkable mental gifts. He at one time sat in the city council and it never had a more capable or industrious member.
CHAPTER XII
BENTON COUNTY IN TWO WARS.
FIRST GRAND UNION RALLY-FIRST TO ENLIST IN THE COUNTY -- OFFICERS OF PIONEER COMPANY-PARKER'S GROVE AND HICKORY GROVE-"BOYS IN BLUE" HAD TO BE UNIFORMED-COMPANY G. FIFTHI IOWA VOLUNTEERS-COMPANY D, EIGHTH INFANTRY -- GRAND HOME RECEPTION -- BENTON COUNTY BOYS IN THE EIGHTII- COMPANY D. TWELFTH INFANTRY-COMPANIES G AND E. TWENTY- EIGHTH INFANTRY-COMPANY A'S ROSTER-COMPANY D-COM- PANY HI, EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY-COMPANY K, FORTIETH INFANTRY -- FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY-FIFTH VETERAN CAVALRY-SIXTH CAVALRY-SEVENTH CAVALRY --- NINTH CAVALRY-UNION SUPPORT AT HOME-SUMMARY OF WAR MATTERS --- GRAND CELEBRATION JULY 4, 1861-"KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE." BY JACOB SPRINGER- SOLDIERS OF SIXTY-ONE. BY A. H. BROWN-COMPANY G, I. N. G .- SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-RECEPTION TO CALVIN P. TITUS -- VETER- ANS ASSOCIATION AND G. A. R .- LIVING CIVIL WAR VETERANS- VINTON'S G. A. R. POST.
There is no period of her history in which Benton county takes greater pride than that covering the Civil war. During that time her population increased only about 3,000, in 1865 being 11,245. Notwithstanding this comparatively small population on which to draw. nearly 1.000 men were sent into the field.
Benton county was represented most extensively in the Fifth. Eighth. Twelfth. Thirteenth. Eighteenth, Twenty-eighth and Fortieth infantry regiments and in the Fifth. Seventh and Ninth cavalry. She also contributed quite a quota of troops to the See- ond, Third, Sixteenth and Thirty-second infantry and the Second and Third cavalry, and not a few of her citizens were distributed among other commands.
FIRST GRAND UNION RALLY.
The first grand rally of the people of Benton county, after the firing on Fort Sumter and Lincoln's proclamation for 75.000
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men, was held at the court house at Vinton, April 19, 1861. Johni Shane was chairman of the meeting and W. W. Hanford secretary, and while the committee on resolutions were preparing their reports stirring sperebes were made by the chairman, Russell Jones, Col. G. W. Sells. W. F. Piekerell and J. S. Hunt. In these days it does not appear that there was anything particularly striking in the resolutions adopted by the meeting, but the last of them in- dicated more particularly the practical and earnest spirit of those who participated. This was to the effect "That as citizens of Vinton, we hereby pledge ourselves to defray the expenses neces- sary in procuring uniforms and an outfit for a volunteer company to be raised in Benton county, to protect the Government of the United States, the Constitution and enforce the laws."
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