USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 42
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The value of school houses in this independent district, September 15, 1902, was estimated to be $150,000. The enrollment in the schools at this time was 2,823, and the number between five and twenty-one years of age 4,510, the number of teachers employed, 69, and the current expenses for the year ending September 15, 1902, were $45,612.46.
TT.
OLD HIGH SCHOOL, BUILT IN 1873
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
The writer was superintendent of the city schools and principal of the high school from the fall of 1864 till the spring of 1881, with the exception of a few months, when a Rev. Reed was superintendent. He resigned for a much needed rest from school work, to engage in the business of mining coal at What Cheer, Iowa.
In June, 1881, R. B. Huff was chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. Huff served as superintendent of the city schools and principal of the high school till the close of the school year in 1884. O. F. Emerson succeeded Mr. Huff. In the summer of 1885 Mr. Emerson resigned. At this time the board thought it wise to separate the two positions. E. F. Schall, who had served as assistant in the high school, was appointed to its principalship, which position he held till the close of the school year 1901, when he resigned and accepted the su- perintendency of the schools at West Liberty, Iowa.
At the same time, 1885, that Mr. Schall was elected to the high school prin- cipalship, the writer was elected superintendent of the city schools and con- tinued in this position till the close of the year 1901.
(By W. F. Chevalier.)
My knowledge of the Muscatine schools dates from July I, 1901, at which time my duties as superintendent began. My administration extended from that date to July 1, 1910. At that time T. W. B. Everhart, the present superin- tendent, became the official head of the schools.
Nine years ago the city schools were housed in nine school buildings. The present high school building, then comparatively new, having been in use only a few years; seven ward buildings; and one suburban building. Prior to that time, the basement of the high school had not been used for class rooms. The superintendent, board of education and the city library then occupied several of the basement rooms.
I found everywhere in and about the schools evidence of the good work of my predecessor, Superintendent Witter. His scholarship, personality and power as a teacher and leader of teachers had left an abiding impression for good on the teaching force and schools.
The high school was then comparatively small, having an enrollment of about 160 and a staff of six teachers. R. M. Arey was appointed principal and remained at the head of the school until July 1, 1910, when Mr. True succeeded him. Mr. Arey was capable and scholarly and under his administration the school grew in numbers and efficiency. A business course was added to the former high school curriculum in the fall of 1901 in response to a popular de- mand for training in this line of work. Charles McMullen was the organizer and first instructor in this department but it remained for Miss Florence Chase, a graduate of Vassar College, to really vitalize the department and give it an efficiency and popularity that assured its permanency. The good work of Miss Chase led to her rapid promotion until she now has a similar position in the Omaha high school, one of the largest schools in the United States. The growth of the high school made imperative the appointment of more teachers. With
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the increase in the teaching force the instruction was made more fully depart- mental. The credit system of promotion and graduation was introduced. The requirements for graduation were raised so that graduates from the high school are now admitted to the colleges and universities of the North Central Associa- tion without examination. Two of our recent graduates are now doing credit- able work at Cornell University, New York. Our State University and col- leges, of course, receive the major portion of our high school graduates.
Perhaps no other single factor indicates more forcibly the wholesale in- fluence of the instruction given in the high school than does the constantly in- creasing number of our graduates who attend college.
ATTENDANCE INCREASES.
In 1901 only three of the ward buildings had a full elementary course and prepared pupils for the high school. These were the First Ward, Second Ward and Fourth Ward buildings. The Cedar street school had eight grades. The pupils from this building were sent to the First and Third Ward buildings for their ninth grade work. The East Hill, West Hill and Musserville schools had four rooms each. Pupils from these schools went to the central schools for their upper or grammar work. At that time and for several years thereafter the attendance increased so rapidly that it became necessary to provide additional accommodations for the pupils in the ward schools. Two rooms in the base- ment of the high school were then opened for pupils from the crowded central ward schools. A school was opened in the Mission building on Green street for pupils in that vicinity. Another was opened in a store building between the Fourth Ward building and the Musserville school for pupils of that district. These rooms furnished some relief but only temporarily, on account of the con- stantly increasing attendance. The crowded condition of the schools made it necessary for the board of education to take some action providing for additional school room. So the board called a special meeting of the electors of the dis- trict at the city hall, April 9, 1902, to vote on the proposition of issuing bonds in the sum of $25,000, the proceeds thereof to be used in the construction of school buildings and additional school room. While the vote was light, the proposition carried, and money was thus obtained to make the necessary addi- tions, etc. The whole number of votes cast was 303; the number of votes cast by men in favor of issuing bonds was 155; the number of favorable votes cast by women was 51; the total affirmative vote was 206; number against : men, 94; women, 3; total, 97. The majority in favor of the proposition was 109.
BUILDING ON EAST HILL.
As a result of this vote a new four-room building was erected on East Hill; four rooms each were added to West Hill and Musserville school buildings and a two-room school was established on Hershey avenue.
These various additions to the school buildings together with other neces- sary accompanying expenses, used up not only the $25,000 voted at the special election, but by February 15, 1904, made it necessary to report an overdraft of
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FIRST GRADUATING CLASS, MUSCATINE HIGH SCHOOL, 1866
1
1
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
$13,650.39. This overdraft has since been paid, and in addition thereto the board was able to build out of the district fund a four-room addition to the new building erected on East Hill. About this time the board changed the names of the various ward buildings. The First Ward school became the Washington building. The Cedar street school was henceforth to be known as the Jackson building; the Third Ward, the Jefferson school; the Fourth Ward, the Franklin; the East Hill, the Lincoln; the West Hill, the Mckinley; the Musserville, the Garfield; the Butlerville, the Hamilton; the Hershey Avenue school, the Harrison. The last named has since been abandoned and the prop- erty sold.
While in 1901 only three of the ward buildings fitted pupils for the high school, now seven of the buildings complete the grade work and fit pupils for the high schools. They are named as follows : Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Franklin, Lincoln, Garfield and Mckinley.
In 1907 manual training was introduced, with Harry A. Jacobsen as di- rector. A four years' course of instruction was provided for, including the last two years in the elementary grades and the first two years in the high school. A course of instruction in sewing was also provided for the girls in the grammar grades. The curriculum will not be complete, however, till a full course in domestic science has been provided for the girls. They should re- ceive as much consideration as the boys.
In 1903-4, a teachers' training course was organized. It has furnished for the schools a large number of its most efficient teachers. No system of city schools is quite complete without some such provision for the training of its prospective teachers. Experience demonstrates its value. It has resulted in a higher standard of entrance requirement.
METHOD OF PROMOTION.
In September, 1901, the method of promotion in the city schools was changed from once a year to the semi-annual basis. In the lower grades provision was made for even more rapid promotion by breaking classes into smaller groups according to the individual needs of the pupils. It gives flexibility to the course and aims to fit the schools to the needs of the pupil rather than the pupil to the needs of the system, as is the tendency of annual promotions.
In the past nine years there have been comparatively few changes in the principals of the several schools in the city. Principals are most important factors in the educational economy of a school system and Muscatine has been fortunate in having teachers in these positions of more than average efficiency.
R. M. Arey was principal of the high school during all these years. He is scholarly and capable and has strengthened the high school in many ways. His successor, G. E. True, is giving evidence of his ability to maintain the school's standard of efficiency.
Our congressman-elect, I. S. Pepper, was principal of the Washington school from 1901 to 1903 and then showed his budding forensic ability by interesting his boys and girls in debate and holding frequent debating contests. His suc- cessor, Miss Leona Howe, is still principal. Her popularity and efficiency are undiminished. She is a teacher and leader of teachers of rare power.
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In the Jackson school Mrs. A. C. Jackson was principal practically all this time. Her term of service ended only with her death. She was beloved by patrons and pupils, not only for her efficiency, but also for those graces of mind and heart that made her an ideal leader of teachers and pupils. She is suc- ceeded this year by H. O. Roland.
The Jefferson school has had the following principals: Thomas McCulloch, Arthur Franklin, C. N. Spicer, R. K. Corlett and Miss Mary Whicher. The latter is still at the helm and is eminently qualified in every way for her re- sponsible position. Messrs. Spicer and Corlett are still engaged in school work, the former as county superintendent of schools at Bloomfield, Iowa, while the latter is principal of one of the ward schools in Burlington.
In the Franklin school Miss Cina McCoy was then principal and still holds sway with popularity undiminished. The same is true of Miss Jessie A. Braun- warth in the Lincoln school and Miss Mary McDougall in the Mckinley school.
Since 1901 the Garfield school has had several principals. Miss Franklin was followed in succession by Mr. Te Winkle, R. K. Corlett and Miss Marie Herwig. The standard of work in the Garfield school compares favorably with that of the other schools. Miss Herwig grows in power each year and will see to it that the Garfield school does not lag behind in morals and efficiency.
Since 1901 the board of education, with the exception of Dr. J. D. Fulliam, has completely changed in its complexion. The late Dr. G. O. Morgridge was an honored member of the board in 1901 and several times its president. He was a member of the board longer than any other man in Muscatine and re- signed before the expiration of his term of service because of failing health. Because of his interest in and service for the schools of the city, his name will remain forever linked with the schools. Another who was a member of the board at that time and who has served in this capacity almost as long as Dr. Morgridge is J. B. Hunt, who might still have been a member had he not de- clined to serve longer last spring. His excellent work in behalf of the schools will be remembered by teachers and patrons. The list of those who have served for a shorter time but with credit to themselves and the city could be greatly extended.
The policy of the schools for years has been conservatively progressive. It has been the aim to incorporate the new in matter and method when it counts for real progress and at the same time not neglect the sound and essential things of the old. Reading has always been emphasized as the basal study of the elementary schools. Along with it careful attention has been given to the study of spelling in all its forms. Closely correlated with reading and spelling is the language work. It, too, has received its due proportion of time. The essen- tials of arithmetic likewise have not been neglected. Since July 1, 1910, T. W. B. Everhart has been superintendent of the schools.
SCHOOL NO. I IN OLDEN DAYS. (By Alice Walton Beatty.)
Intense darkness had settled down upon the city, with that close, indescrib- able feeling, that seems to portend a coming evil. Heavy banks of black clouds
DISTRICT SCHOOL NO.1.
ORIGINAL DISTRICT SCHOOL NO. I. BUILT IN 1851
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, IOWA AVENUE AND SIXTH STREET
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lay around the horizon while the lightning played fitfully upon them. We were little children then and our father was absent from the city. We retired but could not sleep. The clouds arose and the storm burst in all its fury. A short time after, an unusually heavy burst of thunder was heard in the north quarter of the city and an alarm of fire was given. It was soon discovered that a bolt of lightning had struck old No. I schoolhouse. There had been a broken lightning rod hanging over one corner of the roof for a long time previous and the building had been struck upon that corner. It was a queer old house, 40x60 feet, two stories high, with eight, or perhaps only six, windows of many small panes upon the sides. The shape was of a rectangular block, with another smaller block which stood on end at the front for a cupola or bell tower. It was covered with a flat metal roof. It was severely plain in appearance, the only pretense at ornamentation being a row of small brick points around the top of the walls. We used to draw the picture of the schoolhouse upon our slates and I remember counting and recounting those brick points while the dear old building was burning. I wanted to fasten them in memory so that their number should never fade. But alas for human frailty! Today I can only guess that the number of brick points upon the top of each side wall was thirty-five, while on the top of the cupola it was probably nine or eleven on a side. Those points gave the building a sort of ancient fortress resemblance.
Many persons who were watching the storm that night claimed to have seen a bolt of lightning that divided into three balls of fire, one striking the school- house, one the home of Anderson Chambers, I think, and the other the home of Jacob Schomberg on Seventh street between Walnut and Cedar streets.
TEN MONTHS OF SCHOOL.
In those days we had ten months of school and vacation began just before the Fourth of July. It always seemed as if the school year had been finished the afternoon before the destruction of the schoolhouse. At all events, while we watched the devouring flames spread throughout the building, and the tower fall and walls begin to crumble, we rejoice to think we had just brought all of our books home.
There were two schoolrooms in that building, an "upstairs" and a "down- stairs." There must have been about a hundred pupils in each room, divided into three or four classes. Daniel Lewis was the principal upstairs. I do not remember his assistants. Miss Rutherford, Miss Sarah Hill and Miss Mary Reece, or possibly, Miss Mary Dill, I think were our downstairs teachers. When- ever we were naughty we were sent upstairs to sit on the front seat in Mr. Lewis' room, hiding our tear-stained, shame-covered faces in our woolen cloaks, until after a while we would become brave enough to peek out with one eye at the big boys and girls slyly making sport of us young miscreants. Ah me ! tears of a different sort dim our eyes today as we look through spectacles into that dim past and think of how few that shall read this little sketch can turn with us and see in memory still that red brick schoolhouse, perched upon that
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high hilltop, or see again those oak trees growing along the steep hillsides, upon which we bumped our noses while coasting in winter.
OLD SCHOOL NO. I.
We always thought the reason it was called old No. I was because it was the first large schoolhouse built in the town. We have lately learned it was so designated from the number of the school district, there having been two dis- tricts, the northern called No. I, and the southern, No. 2. District No. 2, how- ever, built the first large brick schoolhouse in the state of Iowa. It was 40x45 feet and two stories in height. It was torn down after the present First Ward school building was completed beside old No. 2. Muscatine also has the honor of having had the first graded school system in Iowa. It was a primitive sort of grading when compared to its present perfected system.
The year following the destruction of old No. I schoolhouse, we found a school home in the upper stories of St. Clair's pop factory, on Fourth street, a square east of the court house. Whenever I see people drinking pop, I think of the black refuse drainage flowing away from that old pop factory building. I think Mr. St. Clair was very glad when his year's contract with the school board had expired, for we never got back there again. We were given about three months' extra vacation until the new building was ready for occupancy. The top of the hill had been graded off and the present Third Ward building was built upon the site of "Old Number One."
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NO. 1 SCHOOL IN THIRD WARD. BUILT IN 1869
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THE FIRST PHYSICIANS ENDURED HARDSHIPS AND WERE POORLY PAID-PILLS AND QUININE COMPOSED THE PIONEER DOCTOR'S PHARMACOEPIA-PLACED GREAT RE- LIANCE ON THE LANCET AND BLED HIS PATIENT WITH OR WITHOUT PROVOCA- TION-SOME OF THE FIRST PHYSICIANS PRACTICING IN THE COUNTY.
The pioneers of the healing art in Muscatine county were the guardians of a widely dispersed population. Aside from their professional duties, they con- tributed their full share to the material development of a newly opened country. Some were men of culture, who had gained their medical education in college. Others were of limited educational attainments, whose professional knowledge had been acquired in the offices of established practitioners of more or less ability in the sections from which they emigrated. Of either class almost without ex- ception, they were practical men of great force of character who gave cheerful and efficacious assistance to the suffering, daily journeying on horseback scores of miles, over a country almost destitute of roads and encountering swollen, un- bridged streams, without waterproof garments or other now common protec- tion against the elements. Out of necessity the pioneer physician developed rare quickness of perception and self-reliance. A specialist was then unknown, and the physician was called upon to treat every phase of bodily ailment, serving as physician, surgeon, oculist and dentist. His books were few and there were no practitioners of more ability than himself with whom he might consult. His medicines were simple and carried on his person and every preparation of pill or solution was the work of his own hands.
During the summer and autumn of 1837 cases of bilious remitting fever occurred, which readily yielded to treatment. The winter following several cases of bilious pneumonia demanded prompt atttendance and special vigilance in the observance of changes indicative of greater danger. These were the dis- eases and the principal ones which called for medical help up to the year 1849. Since that year, or from that period, the summer and autumnal fevers ceased to be epidemical and pneumonia became less frequent. It may be well to men- tion here that the fevers of 1849 after the third or fourth day assumed a typhoid character, the remission hardly observable, and the nervous depression occasioning great anxiety.
It was probably Dr. Rush of Philadelphia,-a great name up to about 1825 -who said the lancet was a "sheet anchor" in all inflammatory diseases, so it might have been said of quinine, as used in remittent and intermittent fevers,
Vol. I-23
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in both the Mississippi and Missouri valleys from 1830 up to 1850. During that period 120,000 square miles west of the Mississippi and north of St. Louis be- came populated and all of it more or less malarious. In some of these years the demand for quinine was so great that the supply in the American market became exhausted. "Sappington's pills" were indirectly the power which worked steamboats up the river from 1835 to 1843. They were verily, the "sheet anchor," not only aboard boats but in many households. Dr. Sappington was a regular allopathic physician of considerable ability residing up the Missouri river, who thought it would be a benefaction to the new civilization of the west to prepare quinine ready to be taken in the form of pills. Boxes of his pills contained four dozen each and the pellets two grains each. The direction on the box was to take from two to twenty as the urgency of the case seemed to require, without reference to the stage of the paroxysm.
PIONEER PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Eli Reynolds practiced medicine in this county for about fifty-six years. He was a native of Indiana, came here in 1835 and laid out the extinct town of Geneva, then a few miles above Bloomington, and was the first representative in the Belmont legislature from this section. While in the legislature, he fought vigorously in the effort to have the county seat located at Geneva, but failed only after numerous petitions were sent from Muscatine, protesting against Dr. Reynolds' measure. The bill, however, had passed the legislature and needed but the signature of the governor to make it a law. Governor Dodge failed to approve the bill and Bloomington was retained as the county seat. Dr. Reynolds resided in Geneva about twelve years, and for some time lived at Fairport and at Moscow. He died at the home of S. R. Drury, at Drury's Landing, May 10, 1873.
Dr. Charles Drury came to Muscatine county in 1836, and in company with a man by the name of Webster laid out the town of Moscow. In 1841 he com- menced the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. Eli Reynolds, and when admitted to the practice formed a partnership with Reynolds, which con- tinued until 1844, when he removed to Illinois. He returned to Muscatine county in 1851 and continued in the practice of his profession with success. He was a man of sterling integrity and sound judgment. As a physician and citizen he was held in the highest esteem. His death occurred February II, 1891.
One of the first physicians in Muscatine was Dr. McKee, who was some- what of a character. At the time of his arrival almost every one had ague, which brought him considerable practice. He lived in a little house on the then high hill, where he "kept batch."
In October, 1839, Dr. Benjamin Weed came to this city, then Bloomington, with his family, consisting of his wife and son, Dr. James Weed, and a daughter, Miss E. A. Weed. The Doctor secured a log cabin on the south side of Second street between Chestnut and Pine and commenced practicing medicine, in which he was successful. In 1849 Dr. James Weed owned a fine herd of Devon cattle, and Weed park is a magnificent benefaction of his to the city.
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Dr. George M. Reeder was born in St. Mary's county, Maryland, August 3, 1820, and died June 29, 1862. He graduated from William and Mary College in his literary course and from the University of Maryland in medicine in 1840. He came to Muscatine in 1841 and a year later formed a partnership with Dr. Ben- jamin S. Olds, which continued until Dr. Olds went to California in 1849. In 1848 Dr. Reed married Miss A. L., daughter of Dr. B. S. Olds, of which union there were five children. At the outbreak of the war Dr. Reeder was com- missioned surgeon of the Second Iowa Cavalry but June 2, 1862, was compelled to resign on account of physical disability. Ten days after his return to Mus- catine his death occurred. Dr. Reeder stood preeminent among his professional brethren of the state. He was one of the pioneers in the organization of the Iowa State Medical Society and was at one time its presiding officer. His man- ner was courteous, disposition genial and his professional success drew about him a host of friends.
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