USA > Iowa > Dallas County > The History of Dallas County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 50
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Occasional preaching services were held in private cabins, and in the first rude school-houses, which were always well attended and highly appre- ciated by the settlers who were hungering for the "bread of life."
The first sermon preached in the county, as before stated, was by Rev. Thompson Bird, a Presbyterian minister then living at Fort Des Moines, in 1846.
During the same year, and very soon afterward, Rev. William Busick, a radical Protestant Methodist, held services at the house of James Black, and afterward organized a class in that vicinity, which was, doubtless, the first organization of that kind in the county.
The first church organized in the county was the Christian church in the Miller school-house east of Penoach, which is now the Christian church of Adel, in a reorganized form. The particulars of this church are given under sketch of Adel, and the article on "The First Church," in the general history.
From that time forward the cause of religion has slowly, but gradually
394
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
and surely, progressed with the general advancement of improvement and civilization, until now the country districts are dotted with fine church buildings, and in nearly every town and village in the county from two to four church steeples are seen pointing upward toward Him who put it into the hearts of His people to erect these buildings as places of worship, and as tokens of love to Him in return for all His gracious dealings to the sons of men, and thus the work of religion is made to prosper in Dallas county.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools of our county are sharing with the newsboys' bundle the title of "universities of the poor," and not only so, but they are in a large proportion the final educators of the rich. A close observation of the working of the public schools shows that if the induction of facts be com- plete it could be demonstrated that, in fact, the public schools turn out more better fitted for business and for usefulness than most of our colleges. The freedom and liberty of our public schools affords less room for the growth of effeminacy and pedantry; it educates the youth among the peo- ple, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which we, the people, are the only factor, thie education which the common schools afford, especially where they are of the superior standard reached in Dallas county, do fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart than can be attained by pri- vate schools or academies.
Dallas county educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. The contrast between the settler's school and the present accommodations has been marked. The puncheon floor and desks, and doorless aperture for entrance, have given place to more finished edifices, in some cases elegant ones, possibly not more thoroughly ventilated, but more comfortably so.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodious school-houses, and good schools are being taught in all the townships and towns, sufficiently numerous and convenient for the accommodation of all parts of the county. Educational interests have been considered as of the highest importance by the majority of the citizens, and means and efforts have not been spared to make their public schools a success; and under the efficient management of the present county superintendent, Captain Amos Dilley, the schools and educational interests in the county are attain- ing a high standard.
Dallas county teachers believe in the interchange of thought as also in the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a study as well as a practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of regular and frequent occurrence, and are well attended by those who take a special in- terest in the work. The superintendents' examination grade is now of such a standard that all applicants do not attain it, and for those who are success- ful, after diligent study and preparation, it shows a much more creditable standing, besides furnishing a more efficient class of teachers.
The first teachers' institute was held in the county some time during the war, but no papers regarding this meeting being preserved, the special date and particulars regarding it cannot now be procured. They have been in- creasing in interest and importance ever since, and especially during the past few years; and the last one, recently held in Adel, was a well attended, profitable meeting. The first normal under the Iowa law was held in 1872,
395
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
as the present superintendent informs us, and instituted the system of nor- mal schools in the county in a very encouraging manner, with a fair attend- ance and considerable interest on the part of all. These normal institutes have been held annually ever since in the county during the months of August and September, and have greatly increased in interest and profit to all concerned in them, greatly advancing the educational interests of the county.
NORMAL OF 1878.
The institute held in Adel, during August and September, 1878, was per- haps the most interesting and profitable one held in the county since the system was instituted. There were 175 teachers in attendance, and efficient, thorough work was done, which reflected great credit not only on all parties concerned in it, both teachers and taught, but also on the county for sup- porting such a meeting and displaying such an interest in the cause of edu- cation. The able address delivered before the teachers during the progress of the institute, by Rev. R. J. Hughes, of Adel, is printed in full in the Dallas County News, and is spoken of in the highest terms as being "among the very best lectures ever delivered in Adel." Many others, also, in connection with the conduct and instruction of the institute received equally high and deserved compliments, as shown by the resolutions passed toward the close of the session.
At the close of the regular exercises of the normal, a meeting was called and a formal organization effected for the transaction of any special business coming before the teachers of Dallas county. The county superintendent, A. Dilley, was chosen as chairman, and A. C. Holderbaum, secretary. .A committee previously appointed, consisting of Mr. Doling, A. C. Phillips, and Miss Rosa Lewis, to prepare resolutions, presented the following, which were accepted and adopted unanimously :
Resolved, 1. That we, the teachers of the Dallas County Normal, tender our most sincere thanks to Sup't Dilley for the admirable manner in which he has directed the workings of the Normal, his kindness and courtesy, the valuable aid rendered to all. and the efficiency mani- fested by him in the superintendency of our common schools.
2. To.M. E. Phillips for the efficient manner in which he has conducted the institute, for the interest awakened in the subject of didactics, and the originality and common sense dis- played in presenting the subject of grammar.
3. To D. G. Perkins, for his able instruction in arithmetic, history and orthography; for untiring energy he has shown for the general good of his classes, which we, individually and collectively, fully appreciate.
4. To C. M. Pinkerton, for the practical teaching done in the subjects of geography, orthography, and physiology, feeling that we have been greatly benefited by his instruction.
5. To the Revs. Hughes and Cheatem for the able addresses delivered by them before the Normal.
6. To the citizens of Adel for the hospitality and kindness shown us during our stay among them.
7. That we, as teachers of Dallas county, go forth with a firm determination to labor earn- estly for the grading and systematizing of our common schools, realizing from their present condition the necessity of thorough reformation in this direction; that we endeavor to utilize the methods which have been presented to us in our school work; that we embrace every opportunity afforded for our improvement, for the advancement of our pupils, and the eleva- tion of the teachers' profession to the place where the importance of the work demands.
8. That a copy of these resolutions be tendered to each paper published in the county for publication.
THE GREGG NORMAL SCHOOL.
The origin of this grand Normal School movement in Dallas county was, perhaps, the munificent donation of land to the county, at an early
396
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
day, by Thomas D. Gregg, for educational purposes, which resulted in the erection of the present Normal school building at Adel, where these yearly institutes are held.
Mr. Gregg, possessing considerable property and a large tract of land in this vicinity, and being withal a whole-souled philanthropist and public benefactor, aimed to use the wealth he had accumulated in the best manner possible to accomplish the greatest good for coming generations, and have the influence of his life-work live and tell for itself for the promotion of the general welfare of mankind long after he had passed from the stage of action.
A most important step was taken by him, in this direction, when he do- nated to Dallas county a quarter section of land for the purpose of estab- lishing a seminary of learning within her bounds at some future day.
The purport of this generous donor's will, in this regard, has been effect- ually carried out by disposing of the land donated at advanced figures, and investing at least a portion of the proceeds in establishing the Normal School at Adel, from which the county is now deriving such lasting benefits.
The following preamble and resolutions, found spread on the minutes of the board of county supervisors, bearing date of October 16, 1866, explain for themselves the origin and purport of the "Gregg Seminary Fund ":
WHEREAS, Thomas D. Gregg, Esq., did, on the 15th day of September, A. D. 1866, vol- untarily donate and, by deed of warranty, did convey to the county of Dallas, one hundred and sixty acres of land near the town of Adel, for the purpose of establishing a seminary of learning for the use and benefit of the people of Dallas county, Iowa; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the people of Dallas county. by and through the board of supervisors, now in session doing business in and for said county, do hereby accept the aforesaid grant; and we do hereby pledge the people of said county to the faithfully carrying out of the intentions of the said Thomas D. Gregg, as by him in the said grant expressed. And be it further
Resolved, On behalf of the people of said Dallas county, and on behalf of future genera- tions to whose benefit the aforesaid donation will inure, we do hereby tender to the said Thomas D. Gregg, the everlasting gratitude of the people of said county of Dallas, and we do humbly pray the giver of all good that the life of the said donor may be preserved to a very green old age, and that the charity by him so munificently, nobly and generously be- stowed upon the people of Dallas county may be like "bread cast upon the waters returned after many days," and that future generations may arise and call him blessed. And be it further.
Resolved, That. at the earliest time practicable, the people of Dallas county will erect a suitable building for carrying out the intentions of the donor, Thomas D. Gregg, which shall be known as "Gregg Seminary."
Resolred, That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be spread on the records of the board of supervisors, and a copy of the same be presented to the donor, Thomas D. Gregg.
By order of the board of supervisors of Dallas county, Iowa, October 16, 1866.
With reference to the disposition of this land the following order appears in the record of the proceedings of the board at their meeting January 10, 1867:
Ordered, That a committee of three, consisting of the following: J. W Redfield, O. D. Smalley and P. A. Mower, be appointed to prepare resolutions relative to the disposal of cer- tain real estate property belonging to the county, for the establishment of a Normal School.
Committee reported the following resolutions which were ordered to be spread upon the minutes of the board:
Resolved, 1. That chairman and clerk of the board of supervisors be directed to put in market as soon as practicable the " Gregg donation " of land for the purpose of establishing an institution of learning to be known as the "Gregg Normal School," to be located at or near Adel, Iowa.
397
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
2. That the proceeds of said land be paid out by the president of the board, subject to the approval of the board.
3. That the board of supervisors are in favor of appropriating the proceeds of the swamp lands belonging to the county for the establishment of the "Gregg Normal School," by unanimous vote.
Nearly three years later, under date of June 10, 1869, appears the fol- lowing order on the minute-book, which shows what disposition was finally made of the funds derived from the sale of the Gregg donation land:
Ordered, That a warrant be drawn in favor of the trustees of the Independent School District of Adel, for three thousand dollars ($3,000), to be paid out of funds derived from sale of the Gregg donation of lands to build a Normal School.
It appears from accounts that the above amount constituted only a small part of the property left to Dallas county, by Mr. Gregg, for educational purposes, as the funds received at various times amounted to about " $10,000 in cash, and the fifth of 1,300 acres of land, adjoining the town of Adel."
Out of the Gregg funds, however, the upper story of the present school building in Adel was paid for, which is known as the Gregg Normal School, of Dallas county, and adds greatly to the advancement of the county's educational interests. There is another fine large Normal school building under contract and process of erection, at Dexter, in the south- east corner of Dallas county, which shows that the good work in the inter- ests of education is gradually and surely progressing in the county, and gives the friends of education and general progress and enlightenment, not only here, but all over our land, assuring encouragement to take heart and go forward with unabating zeal in the good work of schooling the masses.
Of this Normal School at Dexter, more extended mention is made under the sketch of the town.
There are also four large brick puplic school buildings in the county, mostly all erected within the past few years, and each one is a credit to the town and county to which they belong.
The one at Adel, already mentioned, as occupying the two stories under- neath the Normal School, is a graded school with six rooms and seven teach- ers. Prof. M. E. Philips, as principal.
One at De Soto, graded, with four rooms and three teachers, C. M. Pinker- ton as principal.
One at Dallas Center, graded, with three rooms and three teachers. T. K. Whitlock, principal.
One at Perry, graded, with four rooms and three teachers. D. G. Per- kins, principal.
At Redfield the graded school building is frame, with two rooms. Two teachers are employed, Miss Ida Twitchell, principal.
At Dexter, also, the public school building is a frame, with four rooms, and they employ three teachers. Ira Doling, principal. Graded school.
At Waukee, the building is a frame, two-story one, with two rooms; a graded school with two teachers. A. C. Philips, principal, and Miss Sadie Randall, assistant.
At this date there is no teachers' public library in the county, and only one school library mentioned in the superintendent's report of 1878, which belongs to the Adel school, procured last year, and contains 125 volumes.
398
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
During the past year about $1,500 has been expended by the county for school apparatus, which indicates increase in the interest and progress in the work, and the school and teachers' libraries will soon begin to follow.
As the county superintendent's report, for 1878, has not yet been com- pleted, on the retained copy, we are unable to give the statistics from it; but a very good idea of the present condition of the schools in the county may be gained from the following items taken from his report of last year, 1877:
EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS OF DALLAS COUNTY.
No. of districts in township 7-10
independent districts. 28
sub-districts. 115
66 ungraded schools 138
graded 66
11
Average number of months taught in 1877
6.33
No. of male teachers employed. 118
" female
171
Average compensation of males, per month
41.56 $
66 " females " 66
32.49
No. of male pupils between ages of five and twenty-one. " female 66 66
3,114
pupils enrolled 5,216
2,967
Average attendance.
cost of tuition per month. $ 2.19
No. of school-houses 145
Value
$126.960
" apparatus
1,049
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
No. of professional certificates issued .
" 1st grade certificates issued to males.
66 1st
2d 66
" males.
41
2d 66
" females
63
Total number of certificates issued to males 66 66
73
females 94
No. of applicants examined, males 180
232
66
rejected, males.
34
66 66 66 females 54
Average age of applicants, males.
19.6
66 females 21.4
VISITATION OF SCHOOLS, ETC.
No. of schools visited by the superintendent. 143
educational meetings. . 18
cases of appeal decided . 9
Compensation of superintendent, 1877 $ 942
.
66 66 females
5
30
" females 28
3,363
399
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
SCHOOL-HOUSE FUND.
On hand at last report.
$ 482,585.00
Received from district tax.
17,617.25
other sources. 7,940.80
Total debit.
30,383.90
Paid for school-houses and sites $ 18,513.63
on bonds and interest.
7,839.10
On hand. . .
4,941.17
Total credit
30,383.90
CONTINGENT FUND.
On hand from last report.
$ 4,146.30
Received from district tax
4,862.17
other sources
1,085.21
Total debit.
20,093.68
Paid for rent of school-houses
176.25
repairing 66
2,777.88
66 fuel.
3,269.05
secretary
550.59
treasurer.
619.99
66
records, apparatus, etc
382.41
66 other purposes
6,482.57
On hand.
5,834.94
Total credit.
$ 20,093.68
TEACHERS' FUND.
On hand at last report ..
$ 11,398.28
Received from semi-annual appointment. 66 other sources 1,568.30
8,984.05
Total debit.
44,479.80
Paid to teachers
40,707.97
On hand.
13,771.83
Total credit.
54,479.80
The State Auditor's report of September, 1878, shows that, in the ap- portionment of interest of permanent school fund for the last year, Dallas county received $6,547.
We would like to give here a full list of the teachers in the public schools in the county during 1878, but as no complete list of these has been kept, it is impossible to procure either a full or correct one, so it must be omitted.
THE PRESS.
No more infallible index to the state of society or the thrift of a com- munity can be found than the press it supports.
Decide the question as you may, whether the press is the power behind the throne, or simply the mirror of public thought, the newspaper does not
.
400
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
thrive in a virgin soil, but prospers only in a well cultivated garden. In countries, districts, or localities where educational interests are at a low standard, and the masses of the people think more of amassing wealth than they do of general education and enlightment, and become almost wholly absorbed in the groveling persuits, the press must toil incessently with re- newed zeal to give a stable foot-hold, and patiently wait for many years to witness the benign influence of a virtuous sheet on such communities; but where intelligence exists, and the spirit of enterprise and enlighten- ment prevails, the press has a healthful growth, which increases in influ- ence and power from beginning to end; and if this influence is wielded on the side of purity, equity and right, the people grow, mentally and pros- perously, with its growth, and strengthen with its strength. In every country or community, where it has any extended circulation, the influence and character of the press has a mighty power in shaping the morals and manners of the people for good or for evil.
The history of the Dallas county press is not so extensive and varied as that of the older counties in the State; but considering the age of the county, the press supported makes a most creditable showing as compared with any of the neighboring counties.
In all, at least nine newspapers have been in existence and caused their influence to be shed abroad in Dallas county, within the last twenty-two or twenty-three years, and a marked progress is shown in this respect.
The first newspaper established in the county was the Ship of State, a Democratic organ, published by Rippy & Reed, in 1856, at Adel.
This paper continued only about a year under the original management, when it passed into the possession of a joint stock company in 1857, and came out under the name of the Prairie Flower edited by William Henry Dodge. It became neutral in politics and continued in existence only a few months.
Next followed the Dallas County Union, some three years afterward, being established the summer of 1860. It was edited by E. W. Fuller, and was the first Republican organ in the county. It was discontinued in the fall of 1862, when Mr. Fuller went into the army as sutler of the 39th Iowa Infantry.
The Western Journal then followed, which was started that same fall, 1862, edited by Harmon Cook. It was also Republican in politics, and was sprightly and flourishing for a time, but did not continue for a great while, and the county remained without a paper again for some time.
In May, 1866, another Republican organ was issued by Luther M. Holt, called the Dallas County Gazette. He edited it ably for a little more than a year, and August 1, 1867, sold out to G. A. Atwood, who published it for about three years in an efficient and commendable manner.
In 1870 he sold it to J. E. Williams, by whose efficient and judicious management the circulation, influence and usefulness was greatly increased, gaining a much larger circulation, perhaps, than any of its predecessors.
During all the various changes and transfers it was issued as a Repub- lican organ from its origin, and was decidedly so under the management of Mr. Williams, who continued to conduct the enterprise for more than six years.
In last of June, 1876, it was purchased by J. & C. M. McLaury, and was published by them as a Democratic organ until January 5, 1878, when it was discontinued.
.
401
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The Dallas County News was established in Adel, as a Republican organ, in November, 1872, by Amos Dilley, under whose able management it flourished as a neatly printed sheet until in October, 1873, when he sold it to J. M. Landis, who issued it for some time as an Anti-Monopoly sheet. On July 15, 1875, it went into the possession and under the editorial man- agement of S. H. Greene, who issued it as a sprightly, attractive paper under the same political belief until April 15, 1876, when it was purchased by the firm of Noel, Newton & Noel, and again changed its politics to Re- publican, as it had commenced, and still continues. January 1, 1877, Mr. Noel, Sr., went out of the firm, leaving the enterprise in the hands of the present proprietors, Noel & Newton, under whose editorial management tlie former creditable reputation of the paper is being well sustained and the circulation and influence gradually increased. It is an eight-column folio, and a lively, enterprising sheet, with a circulation of something over seven hundred.
The New Era, holding the Greenback belief in politics, was established February 28, 1878, by the New Era Publishing Company, edited by John McLaury, at Adel. It is a seven-column folio, with a circulation at the ex- piration of the first year, as the editor informs us, of 786, and is a bright, attractive sheet.
The above-mentioned papers were all published at Adel.
The Dexter Herald, a live, Republican organ, published at Dexter, in the southwest part of this county, was established in January, 1871, by J. J. Davies, the first sheet being issued about the middle of the month, and con- tinued under his editoral management until the summer of 1876, when he sold it to Grant & Lawrence, who only kept it for a few months and sold it back to Mr. Davies, who kept it until March 24, 1877, and sold it to tlie present proprietor, J. C. McManima, who continues to conduct it in an able and acceptable manner, and is gaining for it a high reputation and an ex- tensive circulation. It is an eight-page, six-column sheet, with a circula- tion of 748 at present, and being in the southwest corner of Dallas county, so near the corners of four counties, it has the advantage of circulation not only in its own county, but also in the adjoining counties, Madison, Adair, and Guthrie. It is the oldest paper now published in the county, and though Republican in politics, it is especially devoted to local and county news. No other paper has ever been started in the town. It is through the kindness of the present editor we have received the above statistics.
The Perry Chief, an eight-page, five-column paper, now published at Perry, in the northern part of Dallas county, was established September 19, 1874, by J. W. Jones & Ed D. Lunt, editors and proprietors. January 1, 1877, it was sold to George Harlan, who conducted it until sometime in March of the same year, when he sold out to E. D. Lunt, and in July, 1878, the latter sold an interest in the paper to his brother, Wm. L. Lunt, thus constituting the firm of Lunt Brothers. February 8, 1879, Wm. L. Lunt sold his interest again to his brother, E. D. Lunt, who still owns and con- ducts it ably and successfully. Being near the north line of the county, it has the advantage of circulation not only in its own, but also in Greene county, and is in a prosperous condition. The present editor has done nearly all the editorial work on this paper ever since it had an existence, and has fully displayed his especial adaptation for the work. As the editor in- forms us-who has kindly favored us with these statistics- the paper was started under very unfavorable circumstances, without any capital, having
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