USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2 > Part 4
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The school offers the following courses: Ninth grade-First Semester : Latin, algebra, English, physical geography : second Semester : Latin, algebra, English, agriculture. Tenth grade-First Semester : general history, English. Latin, home economies or manual training : second Semester : general history, English, Latin, home economics or manual training.
HIGH SCHOOLS.
The city of Harlan and the towns of Shelby, Defiance and Irwin have taken especial pride in maintaining high standards for their high schools. Graduates of Harlan and of Shelby are admitted without examination to the State University and to the other leading colleges of the state and other states. Graduates of Irwin and of Defiance receive credit for their courses, so far as maintained by these schools. The towns of Tennant and Kirkman are also building up strong schools, which are made possible by the consolida- tion of a large tract of surrounding territory, and it is likely that they, too, will develop strong high schools with courses of study in advance of what they now have. The county has long maintained a fine reputation for the number of its young people who are taking, or have taken, work in the lead- ing colleges and universities of the country. Shelby county young people have been graduated from the following universities: Kansas, Nebraska, Jowa. Northwestern, Chicago, Wisconsin, Michigan and Yale, and from the following colleges: Iowa Agricultural College, Simpson, Cornell. Grinnell, Des Moines, Highland Park, Tabor, Drake, State Teachers' College and others.
THE WESTERN IOWA VOCATIONAL COLLEGE, OF HARLAN, IOW.A.
Contributed Upon Request by G. W. Cullison, of Harlan.
This college is owned and controlled by a corporation organized under the laws of Iowa, not for pecuniary profit. It was organized on the 19th day
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of April, 1911, by L. F. Potter, O. P. Wyland, W. T. Shepherd, C. F. Swift and G. W. Cullison, all citizens of Harlan.
Prior to that time one W. L. Hoff, of Cedar Rapids, lowa, had pur- chased a tract of two hundred acres of land adjoining the city of Harlan. land this tract out as an addition to the city known as College Heights. and sold lots to many citizens of Harlan and vicinity with the implied under- standing that the money arising from the sale of said lots should be used for the purpose of building and equipping a college. He platted the college campus and began the erection of the college building. He was unable to finish the building and had no means with which to equip it. It then became apparent to all that the college enterprise would fail unless some one other than Mr. Hoff would take hold of it and all the money so far expended would be lost.
Under these circumstances the gentlemen above named organized the corporation, as above stated, purchased the interest of Mr. Hoff in the entire property and procceded to finish the college building and furnish it for use as a college. It cost them, in addition to the amount received from the sale of lots, the full sum of thirty thousand dollars. The building, equip- ment and campus represent an investment of sixty thousand dollars. The main building is sixty by one hundred and twenty feet. three stories high, with a large and commodious basement. It is modern in design and architec- ture, and has numerous closets, wardrobes, lavatories and toilets. It has a library room, an apparatus room, two executive offices. a dining room and kitchen, a gymnasium, with shower baths and dressing rooms. a music room and practice rooms, a chapel, and four large commodious, well-lighted, well- ventilated school rooms and recitation rooms adjoining. It will comfortably accommodate five hundred students. It has a complete system of heating. lighting, ventilation and sewerage. It is the most perfectly planned and equipped building in the state of Iowa. The college is situated in the south- western part of the city, with a campus of twenty acres, and commands the most enchanting view of the surrounding country to be found anywhere.
The college opened September 4. 1911, and has added much to the edu- cational facilities of Harlan. It aims to train young men and women for the active vocations, for useful and happy lives and to give its students power to do, to understand, to initiate and manage business affairs for themselves or others, and furnish them a chart and compass that will lead into the great fields of human knowledge and experience and bring to the student a well- poised culture and refinement.
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The college is now being conducted by the Professors McAdams, to- gether with a corps of able assistants.
Its courses of study are: I-Academic, including English, Latin, his- tory, geography, mathematics, physics, science, and politics: 2-Normal- The science and art of teaching, mental and moral philosophy, and physi- ology: 3-Business-Penmanship. bookkeeping. commercial arithmetic and commercial law: 4-Shorthand and typewriting : 5-Vocal and instrumental music; 6-Manual training. domestic science, and agriculture.
ELK HORN COLLEGE.
The Elk Horn Lutheran High School and College was established in 1878, and opened its first school year November 1, 1878, with an enrollment of fifteen students under the instructive care of three professors, Rev. O. L. Kirkeborg, Chr. T. Ostergaard and Mr. Crouse. Three acres of the land had previously been presented by the Danish Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Elk Horn for the purpose of erecting a high school building. During the summer and falal of 1878 a two-story building was erected. which would house about twenty-five students, and a dwelling for a professor.
The general purpose of the school was to help young folk coming over here from the fatherland, Denmark, to obtain such an instruction as would qualify them for their professions or work in this country. Hence the in- struction was given in two languages, Danish and English. But the special purpose was to impress upon their minds a clear view of the spiritual treas- ures brought over here from the fatherland in the Danish history and lit- erature, so they might, by being honest and true, adhere to their forefathers' religion (the Lutheran church ) and become good citizens, enlightened Chris- tians and earnest church members.
The founder of this school was the local church congregation, but Dan- ish Lutherans from different parts of the United States contributed fre- quently to the noble undertaking. even some Americans donating liberally. Ministers A. S. Nielsen. Holm Rosenstrand and O. L. Kirkeberg, and lay- men Rasmus Hansen, Jorgen Jensen ( George James). T. S. Petersen and Christen Christensen, deserve to be mentioned as the most active members of the founders of this school. Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg was the first president.
Early courses of study included Danish, English, history, and lectures on different subjects taken from science and literature. Singing of Danish hymns was frequently taught. The preparatory work for the ministry in the Danish church was also carried on in some measure.
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The school has in the past maintained the following departments of study : Hojskole, academic, normal, domestic economy, college, commercial, music ; and has had an enrollment of more than one hundred students and a faculty consisting of nine professors and instructors.
The student body over a period of twenty-five years represents nearly all states in the Union from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, and numbers between two and three thousand. A number of these students occupy today trustworthy positions as ministers, lawyers, professors, doctors, business men, etc.
The school has for twenty-five years been supported chiefly by the faithful Danish farmers in the vicinity of Elk Horn. A great deal of work and much money have been donated by them for defraying the expenses of the institution.
The Elk Horn high school was at first owned by Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg. In 1880 it was transferred to the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Afterwards, upon the earnest request of that church body, it was sold to Rev. K. Anker in 1890. For four years it was his property, but then he, in 1894. sold the school to the newly organized Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America. In 1896 this church body was united with the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Association and from that time until the month of June. 1903, it was the property of the United Danish Evangeli- cal Lutheran Church in America, when it was sold to a stock company, chiefly consisting of members of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran church in Elk Horn.
It was the aim of this company to do all in its power to make this school prosper and keep it going in such a way that it would be able to educate our youth and qualify them for taking up the line of work for which they are talented as good citizens and earnest, sincere, pious Christians.
A special stress will be laid upon educating young men and women for teaching in the public and parochial schools. Many students and graduates from this school have in former days performed excellent work in the public schools.
On May 1, 1887, the original high school building burned down, but was rebuilt the same year.
The main college building was unfortunately burned on January 30, 1910, but the local patriotism and devotion to this college gave such good account of itself that a fine new building was dedicated in October of the same year. This new building contains rooms for about sixty students, a large auditorium, studio for music, library, two class rooms, reading rooms and dining room.
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Rev. C. C. Kloth is now president of the institution. The present en- rollment of students is about fifty and includes students from all parts of the United States and Canada. The regular school year opens on December 1.
The courses of study incluide rural high school. three months' course in all the common school branches and especially English for newcomers ; music. both vocal and instrumental, and gymnastics.
The teachers at present are Rev. C. C. Kloth, Miss Dorothea Jensen, Miss Annie Jensen and Alfred Koch. The Danish Evangelical Church coun- cil conducts the present management of the college.
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CHAPTER NIX.
LITERARY DEVELOPMENT
LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETIES.
One of the extremely interesting institutions established in Shelby county in the pioneer times was the literary society, sometimes called by the pioneers the "lyceum," or simply the "literary." The pioneers and their families very generally attended these literary societies, which usually met in the school houses. A fine social life centered about these societies. These organizations were established in practically every early settlement in the county. They did much to develop ready and capable extemporaneous speakers, who were able to give good account of themselves in county political conventions, at church gatherings and on all public occasions. Indeed. this author is in- clined to believe that the first generation in Shelby county contained more ready and effective public speakers than the present generation with much better opportunities, or at least education. Of course. the secret societies, and the "Grange." the "Farmers' Alliance," the "Good Templars" and other or- ganizations helped to develop ready and effective thinkers and public speakers. although the literary societies antedated most of the other organizations except, possibly. the very early churches.
One of the first of these societies was the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan, which appears to have been established about 1874.
In January. 1873. also, the students of the upper grades of the Harlan schools had formed themselves into a literary society.
Through the courtesy of George D. Ross. of Harlan, the writer has been able to see the constitution of "The Young Folks Literary Society of Harlan" of which he was a leading member. This constitution was undoubtedly typical of all. There were thirteen articles in this constitution. In these provisions were made for officers of the society consisting of president, vice- president, secretary, treasurer, editor, and doorkeeper, and their duties de- fined, all of which officers were elective on the last Saturday evening of each month and installed on the first Saturday evening of the next month. Aside from the usual duties of a president of any organization. the president of
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this society was required to procure the services of some one to build fires, light up the room and keep it in order, and he was further obliged upon taking his seat as such president to deliver an opening address and. at the expiration of his term of office, to deliver a closing address. The duties of the editor were to prepare a paper for each meeting and read the same, and also to act as critic during his term.
Article seven of this constitution was somewhat unique. It provided that it should be the duty of the doorkeeper to fend the door at each meeting "and collect ten cents from every man not accompanying a lady. and to pass in free all ladies and all gentlemen accompanying ladies and at the close of each meeting to hand the receipts over to the treasurer."
"Any suitable person, gentleman or lady." might become a member of the society by a majority vote of the membership, a lady being required only to sign the constitution and by-laws, but a gentleman being required in addi- tion to pay an initiation fee of fifty cents.
Appearance on the program was enforced by a fine of ten cents for each failure and if these fines were not paid at the end of four weeks the secretary was required to strike the name of the delinquent member from the roll of the society. \ program committee consisting of five members was appointed by the president at the inception of his term. The duty of this committee was to prepare and present to the society each evening a program for the next evening, provided, however, that at the option of the society any two members might choose a member in turn until all of the members were chosen, one side then to furnish an entertainment for one evening, and the other side for the next evening. and so on through one term of office, the first choice of members to be determined by lot. The order of the exercises was as follows: Call to order; reading of minutes of previous meeting : admission of members ; evening's program ; miscellaneous business, embracing election of officers, reports of officers and committees : adjournment.
It appears that dialogues were very popular at the time of this literary society, for every program had one or more presented. On November 7. 1874, the following caste for a dialogue appeared : Barkeeper, George D. Ross; Policeman. Joseph Babcock ; Drunkard. William Bergstresser : Jailer. E. J. Fenton : Faith, Miss H. M. Allen: Hope. Miss Ella Swain: Charity. Mrs. Ida Reynolds.
The debates were also deservedly popular, including such questions as these: "Resolved, that intemperance has caused more misery and suffering than war": "Resolved, that slander causes more suffering to the human family than intemperance": "Resolved, that capital punishment should be
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abolished in the United States, except for the crime of treason": "Resolved. that one should never advocate or defend that which he knows to be false." By the way. this question was affirmed by Thomas Way and Professor Girton, county superintendent of schools, and the negative by W. A. Bergstresser and Cyrus Beard ( now a member of the state supreme court of Wyoming). . 1 selection was also read by A. G. Wolfenbarger, now a very prominent at- torney of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Hon. Thomas H. Smith, later state senator from the Shelby-Cass dis- trict. was on the affirmative of this subject : "Resolved. that moral snasion has done more to suppress intemperance than legal coercion."
On June 20, 1874. the following was the program of the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan :
Oration, George D. Ross, J. V. Brazie. J. E. Bennett.
Declamation. D. E. Lang. J. Babcock, T. Burr.
Select Reading. Misses Fannie Worts. H. Brazie, D. Swain.
Essays, Misses Ella Swain, Ida Reynokls. William Bergstresser.
Committee on Music, S. A. Burke, Miss Reynolds, Miss Worts.
Question for Debate: "Resolved, That it is better to build our new court house by direct tax than by bonds." Affirmative: E. G. Fenton, E. Gittings, O. Reynolds. Negative : S. A. Burke, E. Williams, O. Wyland.
One of the questions discussed by the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan, September 26, 1874. was, "Resolved. that foreign immigration to the United States should be encouraged." Another question discussed on October 24. 1874. was. "Resolved, that slander causes more suffering to the human family than intemperance."
In 1874. the Harlan Literary Society gave what was called "a necktie sociable." proceeds to be donated to the Methodist church for the purpose of helping the church to purchase an organ. Neckties were brought to the place of meeting for sale.
In 1876 the Douglas Township Literary Society debated. among others. the following questions: "Resolved, that the herd law would be a benefit to this country"; and, "Resolved, that a liar would be more damage to the country than a thief." and "Resolved. that the attendance of pupils of our public schools should be enforced by legislation." (This last question indi- cates that there were thinkers in those days anticipating what has come to be real legislation in our own time. ) In Jannary. 1877. Windy Knoll. in the eastern part of Ilarlan township, had a debating society in a flourish- ing condition. In January. 1876. Hacktown had a debating society. One of the questions discussed was. "Resolved. that women should have the right
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to vote and hold offices." In this literary society it appears that a number of ladies appeared on the program. In Fairview township in 1876, at one of the debating societies, this question was discussed, "Resolved, that novel reading is wrong."
It appears that the elders came in occasionally and addressed the so- ciety at Harlan, for it is recorded that J. W. Chatburn was present at one of the meetings and talked to the young people, his topic being "The Road Be- tween Here and the Mill." It also appears that Dr. F. M. Hill, of Manteno, was invited to lecture before the society at Harlan.
On December 28, 1875, there was a literary society meeting regularly in the Waterbury school house in Fairview township, and also one in the Michael school house in Douglas township.
In January, 1876, there was a literary society at the Flaugher school house in Union township.
In 1877 a literary society was organized at the John Fritz school house in Jackson township.
In 1877 a literary society at the Pioneer school house in Cass township, was discussing the question of "Woman's Rights." There was about this time, a literary society at Leland's Grove, in the same township. One of the questions debated was "Should women have the right to vote?" In Novem- ber, 1876, at the court house in Harlan the advisability of extending the ballot to the women of the United States was affirmed by J. B. Swain and denied by L. H. Thompson and J. V. Brazie.
In January, 1877, the Hacktown Literary Society, of Fairview town- ship, was in a flourishing condition.
In Douglas township in January. 1877, there was a literary society calling itself "The Middle Botna Association," which met at the Mitchell school house every Saturday evening. A local correspondent says that at this school house "questions that have for years puzzled our nation are discussed and decided without difficulty.".
On January 26, 1878. the citizens of the Glendale district, which was in subdistrict No. 5. Shelby township. met for the purpose of organizing a de- bating society. A. J. Taber was chosen president ; J. B. Linn, vice-president ; M. V. Best, secretary, and L. D. Dickenson, treasurer. The first question debated by the society was: "Resolved, that the works of nature afford more pleasure to the eye than the works of art." The principal disputants were George Battey and M. V. Best.
Another joint discussion, which occurred in February, 1879, was be- (28)
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tween the Hacktown Literary Society, below the present village of Corley- on the east side of the river, and the Fairview Society, which was in the same township. The question was, "Resolved, that the Indian has more cause for complaint for maltreatment than the negro." Fairview affirmed and Hacktown denied. The question was decided in favor of the negative.
The Glendale Literary Society of the north part of Shelby township in the seventies, among other questions, debated these: "Resolved, that the works of nature are of more pleasure to the eye than the works of art:" "Resolved, that we as a nation set a good example for other nations to fol- low."
At the Frum school house in Shelby township at an early day these ques- tions were debated : "Resolved. that women should be allowed to vote;" "Resolved, that Hawaii should be annexed to the United States."
On December 14. 1879, the literary society of Douglas township dis- cussed the subject : "Resolved, that the sale of intoxicating liquors should be prohibited in the United States."
Two questions discussed by one of the country literary societies in De- cember, 1879, were: "Resolved, that the protective tariff is injurious to the producing class," and "Resolved. that education is more beneficial than wealth."
These literary societies from different townships sometimes had joint debates. For example, in February, 1879, the Jackson Township Literary Society and the Windy Knoll Literary Society of Harlan township (now Center), held a joint debate at the Poling school house in Center township. The question discussed was. "Resolved, that war is a greater evil than the disregard of one's own conscience," the Jackson Township Society having the affirmative, and Windy Knoll the negative. The judges were H. Gray, C. E. Graves, William Scroggins, E. Meyers and J. Goodwell. A county paper of the time records the fact that this debate was "exceedingly com- bative and resulted in favor of the negative." further adding. "there was a crowded house and everything pleasant except a little disturbance by a lad filled with whiskey."
The Douglas Township Literary Society, in February, 1879, discussed the question, "Resolved. that Lincoln deserves more honor for defending the United States than Washington did for founding it."
There was a literary society at the Slates' school house in December, 1879. In May, 1879, there was in Harlan a Ladies' Literary Society. Mrs. D. M. Wyland was one of the members. There was a debating society at the Bunnell school house at Cuppy's Grove in January, 1887.
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In 1883, Harlan had a Chautauqua Literary Society with the following membership: D. O. Stuart, J. Stiles, J. E. Weaver, Katie Goodyear. S. A. Burke, Thomas H. Smith, W. W. Girton, N. W. Macy, Mrs. P. Wicks, F. B. Eshelman, R. M. LeGore, Mrs. Fannie Tinsley, Miss Marian Wicks, Annie C. Walker, G. W. Cullison, Ella Smith, Mrs. J. E. Weaver, Mrs. O. P. Wyland, Mrs. J. E. Stiles, Miss Helen M. Perkins, Miss Ina Fritz, Mrs. D. M. Wyland, Mrs. A. R. Stuart, Mrs. Hattie C. Miller, Mrs. Reppa L. Bow- lin, Mrs. A. N. Stamm. Miss Flora True, W. M. Bomberger, N. Booth, Rob- ert P. Foss, F. M. Reynolds, Mrs. Frank French, Miss Maggie Coenen.
Early in October, 1884, the Harlan Methodist Episcopal church held a literary contest, which is described in a Harlan paper as follows :
"The literary contest in the Methodist Episcopal church last Friday night brought out a good audience in spite of the threatening appearance of the weather. The contestants were thoroughly prepared on recitations and readings. The first prize was carried off by Miss Rose Ewing, who re- cited one of Will Carleton's poems entitled 'Out of the Old House, Nancy.' Myrtle Ryan (now Mrs. Charles Escher, Jr. ), of Greeley township, took the second premium on her recitation, 'Darius Green and his Flying Machine.' Rose Ewing also took the special premium offered by the Republican for the best speller on a list of twenty-five words." The prize was taken by spelling eighteen of them correctly. The poorest speller among the contestants spelled only twelve of them correctly. The list was: Easily, peaceable, separate, belief, supercede, accede, alpaca, managing, changeable. necessity, sieve, grieve, Cincinnati, croquet. civilize, neutral, manufactory, skillful, feasi- ble, serene, scissors, villain, victuals, seizing.
The literary society save and except in the high schools of the county, has virtually disappeared. It is not apparent that any institution of any- thing like character or of equal value has come to do for men and women the splendid work which it did during the seventies, eighties, and to some ex- tent during the nineties in Shelby county.
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