USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 66
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I remain, yours respectfully,
G. B. DENISON.
The following summary of the school history since 1862 is taken from offi- cial sources :
In 1863, Prof. F. M. Witter came to Muscatine and accepted the Principal- ship of the school in the First Ward. At that time, not only were the two schools in the First and Third Wards independent of each other, but even the several rooms in the buildings were, in a measure, operated upon distinct plans relative to studies and government. There was no recognized head of the schools. In the spring of 1864, certain extraneous influences created a change in the character of the School Board in the city, and the outgrowth of that change was the invitation of Mr. Witter to act as Superintendent of both schools. It was also proposed that Mr. Witter establish a high school, of which he was to be Principal. The proposals so cordially extended were accepted by Mr. Witter. and the labor of grading the schools was undertaken in the spring of 1864. During the previous year, the Professor had succeeded in classifying the First Ward School and greatly enhancing its usefulness. It was upon the strength of that work that the Board based its calculations of the gentleman's efficiency as an organizer. During the early part of 1864, Mr. Witter visited several places which were noted for the excellence of their schools, and received valuable suggestions concerning the best methods of grad- ing and arranging the courses of study. August, 1864, the Board adopted the plans and rules of government submitted as the result of such investigations. The rules were published in pamphlet form. This was the first pamphlet ever issued by the Board under the graded system. From it is taken the following plan of organization :
" The schools of the city of Muscatine shall be organized with the following general grades, viz., Primary Schools, Grammar Schools and High School. The Primary Schools shall be divided into two grades, viz., First and Second, the first grade being the lowest. Each of these grades shall be organized into at least three classes, known as. A, B and C, C being the lowest. The two grades shall contain at least six classes, and, if necessity requires, additional classes may be formed ; but in no case must they change the grade. Each Primary School shall be under the immediate control of a Principal, who shall have as many assistants as the school may require.
" The Grammar Schools shall be composed of at least four classes, known as A, B, C and D, D being the lowest. Additional classes may be formed, if required, but they shall in no case change the grade. Each Grammar School shall be under the immediate control of a Principal, who shall also have general supervision of the Primary School in the same building. There shall be as many assistants in the Grammar Schools as are needed for the prosperity of the schools.
" The High School shall embrace three classes, A, B and C, C being the lowest. It shall include a course of study ordinarily requiring three years to complete. The High School shall be in charge of a Principal and as many assistants as the work demands."
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
The first corps of teachers employed under the new system was as follows : Prof. F. M. Witter, Superintendent and Principal of the High School ; Miss A. H. Reed, Assistant in High School ; E. Cleveland, Principal, and Misses A. B. Raymond, E. Williams, Assistants, School No. 1; William Hoopes, Principal, and Misses M. C. Mitchell, Minnie Morrison, Assistants, School No. 2, Grammar Department ; Misses Marietta Bentley, Anna Johnson, S. M. Mitchell, N. Martein and B. Van Buren, teachers in the Primary Department ; Miss M. H. Washburn, teacher in the African school.
The Board of Directors, at that time, was composed of the following gen- tlemen : H. W. Moore, President; J. H. Wallace, Secretary ; M. Block, Treasurer; J. A. Dougherty, G. A. Garrettson, S. Smalley and Charles Page.
The first examination of applicants for admission to the High School was made in September, 1864. Probably one hundred pupils presented themselves. Of that number, nearly 90 per cent were accepted and two classes were formed, in order that one class might graduate in two years' time. The more advanced scholars, of course, were placed in the first division.
This formation of classes was in anticipation of the erection of a suitable building for a high school, and to supply the deficiency the Board leased a frame building which stood on the corner of Fifth street and Iowa avenue, which had been built for school purposes by a stock company, a few years pre- viously, and had been known as the Greenwood Academy, but which was no longer in use, through the abandonment of the enterprise. The High School remained there until 1865.
During the year 1864, from school reports it appeared there were about seven hundred children in the public schools.
In 1865, the Board leased rooms in the Scott House, on Iowa avenue, and fitted them up for high-school purposes. The lease was written for ten years. For several years, matters moved on smoothly in the two ward buildings and in the leased rooms above named.
On the 2d day of July, 1868, the city was visited by one of the most ter- rific thunder-storms ever experienced here. Several buildings were struck by lightning, and more or less injured. Among the number was Schoolhouse No. 1, in the Third Ward. The lightning so effectively operated on that structure as to completely destroy it by fire. Fortunately, the accident occurred at a time when there was no session of school in the building, so that its loss was not rendered greater through destruction of life. The policies of insurance upon the house amounted to about $8,000, and had been placed but a short time prior to the calamity.
This destruction of the Third Ward House proved a blessing in disguise to the school interests of the city, for it became an imperative necessity that another edifice should be erected at once. The times had so far advanced that modern plans alone were admissible in the councils of the Board, and to that fact is attributable the splendid system of buildings which now graces Musca- tine, and renders her educational department a model one in the eyes of the State.
The questions of dimensions and character of the building were fully dis- cussed at the meetings of the Board, and a majority finally decided upon the building which now stands on the site of the old house. Some objections were raised to the erection of so large a house ; but wiser judgment prevailed, and the plans were drawn for a building capable of seating about seven hundred pupils, with accommodations for the High School on the upper floor.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
During the period which elapsed between the destruction of the old and the completion of the new house, the school in that ward was carried on under great difficulties. Such apartments as could be secured were rented for the several classes ; but a feeling of indifference pervaded the ward. It was upon that score that the acceptance of so extensive plans was disputed. When the new house was opened, in 1870, not a single seat was vacant, a fact which proved the wisdom of the Board.
The original house in District No. 1, as the Third Ward is called, was built upon an elevation which was ungraded. The new edifice was placed upon the same lot, which had been graded considerably, making the location a more desirable one. The contractors and builders of this house were H. H. Hine and Hiram Rowland, of Muscatine. The cost was $16,973.50.
In 1871, a frame house was erected in Musserville, at a cost of $1,000, by C. U. Hatch. Mr. S. O. Butler owned a private school-building in South Muscatine, and after his schoolhouse burned, Mr. Tomley leased his house to the Board.
About this time, the subject of increasing the school facilities of the city was agitated, and during the following year, lots were purchased for a central building, on Iowa avenue.
In 1872, the project of building a high school was furthered by the people voting bonds to the extent of $8,000. In 1873, the present spacious high- school edifice was erected. J. P. Walton drew the plans, and S. G. Hill was the builder. The cost was about $18,000. The sessions of the High School were for one term, in 1873, held in rooms over Olds & Reppert's drug store.
On the 1st of November, 1873, the new building was dedicated. Hon. T. S. Parvin was present, by invitation, and addressed the large audience assem- bled. Judge D. C. Richman read a poem appropriate to the occasion. From that time to the present date, the High School has remained in the house erected for its use.
The year 1878 found the Board obliged to rent rooms in the suburbs to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. A loan of $10,000 was called for, in March, to erect new houses, and was carried. It was agreed to build a small house in Weedville, and also to construct a more modern house in the the First Ward. Plans were asked for, and it soon became apparent that the sum voted was not sufficient to perfect the work. It was suggested to use the moneys already held as a certain branch of the school funds, but not of the schoolhouse fund, for the supplementing of the amount raised. This method of converting the funds to other than specified uses was objected to, and some considerable controversy grew out of the matter. The difficulty was finally overcome by the people voting, in July, an additional $10,000 of bonds, condi- tional upon the erection of houses in Butlersville and South Muscatine. Those smaller buildings were accordingly put up, and a four-room brick in South Muscatine, and the model schoolhouse, which is now in process of completion, begun. The latter is one of the most convenient and substantial school-build- ings in the State, even considering the comparatively small cost thereof. It is an ornament to the city and an honor to the Board which accepted the plans. The architect was William Foster, of Des Moines. All modern improvements are introduced in the construction of this admirable building. First Ward house will cost about $16,000.
From the inception of the graded plan of schools to the present time, a spirit of liberality has prevailed. Prominent among the influential workers in this cause, as members of the Board, were Messrs. Vincent Chambers, Abraham
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Smalley, Dr. Hardman, M. Block, L. H. Washburn, R. Musser, J. S. Patten and Allen Bloomhall. Mr. Bloomhall is the present President, and Mr. L. C. Crossman is Secretary, as well as Assistant in the high school.
Not only can Muscatine boast of her school-buildings ; she can also claim high rank in efficiency and quality of work. The true principle of retaining the best teachers by paying liberally, and grading according to merit, obtains in the methods of the Board. Mr. Witter is surrounded by the best of assist- ants in the several departments, and the reputation of the schools extends favor- ably throughout the State, to the writer's certain knowledge.
Herewith is given a full list of the graduates of the high school :
1866 .- Frank R. Lewis, Jennie S. Sinnett, C. Edward Stewart, Rebecca J. Myers, Annie M. Robbins, M. Lillie Morrison, Mary L. Humphreys.
1867 .- Emma Lillibridge, Eliza Prosser, Mary Leyda, Lydia B. Daugherty, Mollie M. Humberger.
1868 .- Fannie M. Nisley, Sarah V. Johnson, Mamie E. Underwood.
1869 .- Daniel Van Dam, Clara Lillibridge, John Krug, F. W. Winter, Eva A. Johnson, Clara J. Statterthwaite, Belle Sinnett.
1870 .- Fred HI. Eaton, Thomas J. Morford, Lew G. Burnett, Ella L. Rey- nolds, Emma L. Clapp, Lucy Jackson, Libbie S. Wallace, Lue Dillaway.
1871 .- Milton D. Painter, Charles T. Campbell, Belle L. Washburne, Mary C. Dean, Emma Underwood, Anna E. Warren, Katie A. Hoch, Anna J. Keeler, Bettie C. Satterthwaite, John M. Bishop, Susie V. Clark.
1872 .- Anna M. McAlister, Emily H. Foulke, Mamie L. Hill, Mary E. Coriell, R. Emma Lord, Anna B. Lewis, Eva D. Hardman, Lydia A. Brown.
1873 .- Mary M. Brogan, Minnie E. Steere, Manza M. Lord, Ella L. Fisher, Addie B. Jones, Nellie A. Bishop, Flora E. Coriell, Josephine M. Brogan, Ollie L. Harlan, Minnie C. Douglass, Anna M. Reuling, Fannie V. Mathewson, Mary E. Smith, Phebe S. Bennett, James W. Page, Asher W. Widdifield, Lizzie C. Funck, Edward C. Cook, Alexander G. Clark.
1874 .- Marston Stocker, Leona E. Howe, Harry Springer, Frank P. Saw- yer, Mary Dobbs, Mattie Gilbert, Floy Rowland, S. T. Sinnett, Abbie Cadle, James Seldon, Charles Page, Ella Martin, Addie Chambers, Lizzie Adams, Ada Wilson, Anna Braunwarth, C. Garlock.
1875 .- Alice B. Walton, Ellen G. Stocker, Edward Sells, Jennie Hazelett, Sallie R. Foulke, Sarah L. Adams, Lou J. Page, Ella Kranz, Louisa A. Franklin.
1876 .- George Whicher, Oscar Groschell, Amanda E. Gilbert, Amelia M. Allyn, Emma L. Braunwarth, Ferdinand Kaufman, J. Frank Brown, Lydia Freeman, Laura B. Pierson.
1877 .- William Price, Hattie Foulke, Lillie Walton, Ella Broomhall, Nettie Washburne, Stella Richardson, Susie Conway.
1878 .- Minnie O. Deitz, Madge Ament, Jesse M. Washburne, Annie B. Cloud, Isaac Mathewson, Julia M. Price, Juda Chambers, Libbie Green, Ada A. McDonald, John F. Dobbs, Edward B. Molis, L. Maggie Adams, Lillie A. Biles, Mattie E. Sweeney, Ida E. Appel, Ida M. Brown.
1879 .- Mary O. Walton, Aggie L. Hatch, Edith L. Winslow, May V. Pat- ten, Lucy Brown, Jennie Miller. This class will graduate next June.
MUSCATINE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. BY F. M. WITTER.
On Monday evening, November -, 1875, the following gentlemen met at the residence of F. M. Witter, on Fifth street, between Mulberry and Walnut : H. H. Benson, R. H. McCampbell and J. P. Walton. The purpose of this
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
meeting was to organize a elub, which should have for its object the discussion of topics relating to seience. It was thought best at that time not to introduce any formality in the conduct of the club, except to call the organization, if organization it could be called, " The Scientific Club of Muscatine."
In 1871, Monday evening, June 26, the Club met at the same place, and adopted the following constitution :
ARTICLE 1. The name of this association shall be the " The Museatine Scientific Club."
ART. 2. The object of the association is the promotion of science.
ART. 3. The officers of the Club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected on the first Monday in October of each year, and shall hold their office until their successors are elected.
ART. 4. Any person can become a member of this Club by a unanimous vote of all the members present at any regular meeting.
ART. 5. This Constitution can be altered or amended at any regular meeting of the Club, by a vote of two thirds of all the members of the Club. HI. H. BENSON, President.
F. M. WITTER, Seeretary.
At this meeting, H. H. Benson and wife, J. P. Walton and wife, Peter Musser and wife, F. M. Witter and wife, R. H. McCampbell and wife, F. L. Dayton and wife and William Hoffinan were by ballot elected members ; and H. H. Benson was made President ; P. Musser, Vice President ; F. M. Witter, Secretary, and J. P. Walton, Treasurer. Nothing of importance was done during the remainder of the year.
On the first Monday evening in October, 1861, the Club met at the res- idence of J. P. Walton, and the following officers were elected : President, R. HI. MeCampbell ; Vice President, J. P. Walton ; Secretary, F. M. Witter ; Treasurer, P. Musser. During this year, little or nothing was accomplished, except to discuss, in a very informal way, a few topics of a scientific character.
In October, 1872, the Club again met at Mr. Walton's and the following were chosen officers for the ensuing year : President, Dr. J. Hardman ; Vice President, T. N. Brown : Secretary, Mrs. F. L. Dayton ; Treasurer, Mrs. J. P. Walton.
In November of this year, the Club made a canvass of the city to sell tickets for a course of public lectures. March 31. 1873, Dr. Hardman reported as follows : price of single tickets, $2; double, $3.50 ; family, admitting four, $5. for the course. Sale of tickets amounted to $402.50; door receipts, $240.80. Amount paid to lecturers, $485; for incidentals, $129.60, leaving a balance of $28.70.
The lectures were from Dr. I. I. Hayes-" Adventures and Discoveries in the Arctic Regions."
Miss Phœbe Couzins-" The Education of Woman."
Prof. Gustavus Hinrichs-" The Physical Forces in the Human Organism." Dr. C. C. Parry-" Aspect of Rocky Mountain Scenery."
Rev. Robert Collyer-" Clear Grit."
Mrs. Scott-Siddons-Readings.
In October, 1873, Mr. J. B. Dougherty was elected President ; - Vice President ; G. W. Van Horne, Secretary ; Mrs. J. P. Walton, Treasurer. A second course of lectures was agreed upon for this year, and a committee was appointed to canvass for the sale of tickets.
The course consisted of the following : Rev. Robert Collyer, James Par- ton, Mr. Andrews and Col. J. P. Sanford. The total receipts, with fund on hand, were $644, and the expenditures, $580; leaving a balance of $64 in favor of the Club. A few papers were read during the year.
An the annual election in October, 1874, William Hoffman was chosen Pres- ident ; F. M. Witter, Vice President ; G. W. Van Horne, Secretary ; Suel
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Foster, Treasurer. At this meeting, a resolution was passed requiring all who wished to continue members, to sign the constitution within thirty days.
This year was probably the most active and prosperous in the history of the Club. Papers were read as follows : Dr. W. S. Robinson, "Thermometry in Disease;" F. M. Witter, " Transit of Venus ;" Rev. John Armstrong, " Har- mony of Genesis and Geology :" Rev. Roach, "Health ;" Suel Foster, "Design in Creation ;" Dr. I. L. Graham, " Law and Design in Creation ;" Mr. John Underwood. The death of ex-President J. B. Dougherty caused sad remembrance of the otherwise pleasant year.
October 4, 1875, the Club elected for President, F. M. Witter ; Vice Pres- ident, G. W. Van Horne ; Secretary, J. P. Walton ; Treasurer, Suel Foster. The following papers were read during the year : Mrs. J. P. Walton, a poem, " The Ruins Sadden, but the Unfinished Building Chills ; " F. M. Witter, " Australian Fever-Tree " and "Shells;" Dr. J. Hardman, "Final Suppression of the Teeth :" F. Reppert, "Possible Accumulation of Carbonic Acid." Hon. S. C. Hastings, of San Francisco, was elected an honorary member. The year was rather . quiet. . On October 2, 1876, the following were chosen to act as officers for the year: President, Dr. J. Hardman ; Vice President, Suel Foster ; Secretary, J. G. H. Little; Treasurer, J. P. Walton. Papers were read as follows: Hon. S. C. Hastings, " Anti- Spiritualism ; " G. W. Van Horne, "What We Ought to Know," and " Bacon or Shakespeare?" J. P. Walton, "Indications ;" J. A. Pickler, " Oliver Goldsmith."
At the end of this year, the President, in a closing address, expressed what had been felt by several members of the Club, viz., a desire to so re-organize that an opportunity might be had for some more earnest and original work in science, and to unite with us others who would not join under the existing cir- cumstances. In fact, it was plain that science had little chance as it was, and, unless some change was speedily made, a new organization would be formed for the cultivation of science. The election of officers October 8, 1877, resulted as follows : President, F. Reppert; Vice President, F. M. Witter ; Secretary, William Hoffman ; Treasurer, Peter Musser.
At a meeting held November 12, a committee was appointed to revise the Constitution, and a room was rented of Dr. Hardman for the use of the Club. About thirty-five persons had been elected members of the Club up to October, 1877.
The Club took possession of its room November 26, since which time regu- lar meetings have been held in accordance with the new Constitution.
December 22, 1877, the following was adopted :
WHEREAS, The " Muscatine Scientific Club" having, by its recent transactions, declared it to be its deliberate choice to assume other and more extended organic forms, therefore,
Resolved, First, That the Constitution as lately revised and adopted shall now and here- after be the fundamental guide of this new form of association (the Muscatine Academy of Science), and that all former rules, constitutional or otherwise, are hereby declared null and void.
Second, That the present incumbent officers of what has been known as the " Muscatine Scientific Club," be and are declared fully qualified and authorized to perform all the essential anl official functions of the Muscatine Academy of Science, until their successors be elected at the next regular annual election and qualified.
Third, That all finances, financial and property matters pertaining to and possessed by the " Muscatine Scientific Club," he and the same are fully and exclusively henceforth belonging to and possessed by the Muscatine Academy of Science.
Fourth, That the old members of the "Scientific Club," in consideration of money advanced by its members, be exempt from initiation fees.
0
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
The following is the Constitution of the Muscatine Academy of Science :
ARTICLE 1. This association shall be known as the Muscatine Academy of Science.
ART. 2. The object of this association shall be the cultivation and pursuit of science in all its branches.
ART. 3. The officers of this association shall be a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian or Curator, who shall be elected annually by ballot, at the first regular meeting held on or after the first day of October in each year, and who shall hold their respective offices until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
ART. 4. The President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and two other members of the society, to be appointed by the President, shall constitute an Executive Committee, whose duty it shall be to have the supervision and management of the business and general interests of the association, and who shall perform such other duties as shall be imposed upon it by the society.
ART. 5. Any person may become a member of this association by receiving the affirmative vote by ballot, of three-fourths of all the members present at any regular meeting succeeding that at which his or her name has been proposed in writing ; the payment to the treasury a membership fee of one dollar, and signing this Constitution.
ART. 6. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting, by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present, provided that such proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing at least two regular meetings prior to action thereon.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE 1. The regular meetings of this society shall be held on Monday evening, once in two weeks from October to May, and once every four weeks from May to October in each year ; the hour of meeting shall be 74 o'clock in fall and winter, and S o'clock in spring and summer.
ART. 2. Eight members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but any number not less than five shall constitute a quorum for other purposes.
ART. 3. Each member shall be subject to an annual assessment of one dollar, payable quarterly, to begin with the first meeting in January, 1878, such payment to be made to the Secretary, whose duty it is to demand delinquencies.
ART. 4. Cushing's Manual shall be the standard of parliamentary practice.
ART. 5. Order of exereises :
1st. Reading of the minutes of previous meeting.
2d. Written communications and discussions thereon.
3d. Verbal communications and discussions thereon.
4th. Unfinished business.
5th. New business.
6th. Adjournment.
ART. 6. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present. providing such proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing at a preceding regular meeting : but any By-Law may be suspended for the evening by vote of a majority of those present at such meeting.
Thirty-five names have been signed to the Constitution, and several others have paid membership fees and are paying dues, who have not yet signed.
Since the re-organization of the society, fifteen or twenty papers have been read. most of them based on original work, a considerable number of specimens of various kinds have been received, and some valuable relics taken from mounds near Toolsboro, in Louisa County and elsewhere have been placed in the collection of the Academy.
The election of officers in October, 1878, resulted as follows : President. F. Rippert; Vice President, F. M. Witter ; Recording Secretary, James W. Page; Corresponding Secretary, F. M. Witter; Curator, Dr. J. Hardman ; Treasurer, Peter Musser.
The Academy, in January, 1879, employed Dr. Alexander Winchell to deliver three publie lectures on science, as follows : "Life-Time of a World:" " Man in the Light of Geology ;" " Evolution, Its Principles and Proofs." The Academy, at its meeting April 7, 1879, decided to rent larger and better rooms and furnish suitable cases for specimens. The membership is now about fifty, and the prospect is quite promising. It is hoped and believed that an institu- tion of this kind can be sustained in this city, and that it will be useful in an
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