USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 52
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418
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
"In accordance with the announcement made in the 'Gazette' of last week, we hereby make our bow. Inasmuch as there has been consider- able wonderment, and even anxiety expressed as to the future course of the 'Gazette,' we do not think it out of place to say a few words in relation thereunto. We wish to say first of all and once for all, that the 'Gazette' will not be managed in the interest of any special party or sect, but for the welfare of the county at large and the financial advancement of the pub- lishers. It shall be our aim to make the 'Gazette' a newspaper without reference to politics in gathering interesting reading matter. And espec- ially do we wish to give our patrons a first-class local paper. Everything shall be made subservient to this end.
"Although as stated above we will not make the 'Gazette' a radical polit- ical paper, yet we believe firmly that it is the duty of every man, and wo- inan too, to have some political faith; to be well grounded therein; and to be honest therein. We believe that that man who is not possessed of the above convictions is not an American citizen in the true sense of the word; and if he have them then we believe that both he and his principles should be respected. We believe furthermore that the great curse of our country and her politics to-day is the clinging to party without due regard to men and principles. We are, and have been, and expect to be, a believer in the principles of the Republican party, without reference to either the acts of the party or the men composing it. In respect to the present administration, we do not believe that it has, or is intended to have, any connection whatever with any party or sect. We believe President Hayes to be an honest man. We cannot appland his acts, neither can we condemn all his measures. We shall feel free to do either as his acts appear to us right or wrong. In local politics the 'Gazette' will be active in its endeavors to secure honest and true men to fill our offices of trust and honor, within the party if possi- ble, but without if necessary."
It will be seen from the foregoing that upon the change of proprietor- ship, and the consequent change of editorial management, there was rather marked change in the political complexion of the "Gazette." Since that time the paper has been rather a stalwart Republican sheet, and meets with quite a large patronage from people of all political parties, especially those who are radical on the question of prohibition, and who from time to time have taken exceptions to the liberal and sprightly style of the " Press."
THE BRIGHTON PRESS.
The "Pioneer " was the first paper published at Brighton. It was Re- publican in politics, and published by Robert H. Moore, now of the Moline " Review."
The Brighton " Register" was established in the spring of 1871. It was published by Hatton & Snyder, was Republican in politics, and, after en- joying a fair degree of prosperity for a year and a half, was discontinued.
The Western "Star " was established in March, 1873, owned by a stock company, and edited by Col. L. B. Fleak and Ed. Deeds. At the end of the first year Mr. Fleak bought the concern and changed the name to that of "The Brighton Star." Mr. Fleak continued to publish the paper till Janu- ary, 1877, when he sold it to A. S. Bailey. Mr. Bailey continued to publish it till the fall of 1879, when it suspended, Mr. Bailey removing to Clarinda, where he was engaged to take charge of a paper. Upon Mr. Bailey's de-
419
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
parture the county lost one of its oldest and most persevering newspaper men. Although he aided in the establishment of many papers in this sec- tion, and for a time had sole or part ownership of some six or eight, he never succeeded in accumulating sufficient money to achieve what, in the common acceptation of the term, is called success. He was a fair writer, an industrions workman, and possessed of many good traits of character. He will be long remembered among the newspaper fraternity of this sec- tion and by many people of this county among whom he lived.
The Brighton " Sun " began to shine in January, 1878. It was lighted up by Fleak & Son, and kept blazing by Son till April, 1879, when the Brighton "Sun " lapsed into the "Greenback World," revolved by C. C. Heacock.
The Brigliton " Reporter " was established January 1, 1880, by Laban C. Fleak. This gentleman, though one of the youngest newspaper editors and publishers in the State, and the " Reporter" one of the youngest papers, it is, nevertheless, sprightly and newsy, and the Brighton people are proud both of the editor and the paper. The "Reporter " is emphatically a home paper. Not only is it devoted exclusively to the local interests of Brighton and vicinity, but the publisher learned what he knows about the business at Brighton, and has lived there from childhood.
Besides the news already spoken of there was another paper, tlie " News." published at Riverside. S. C. Bruce was the publisher. In more recent times still another paper was issued at Riverside, but it appears that it was printed at Muscatine, and but one or two numbers were issued.
During the year 1857, when the Washington College was in its prosper- ity, and some of those who now are among the most successful business and professional men of this and adjoining counties were boys at that insti- tution, there was a college paper started. It was called "The Bower of Literature." It is regretted that no copy of that characteristic sheet re- mains that a sample of its style and a more extended account of its leading features might be given .. There are certain sober and bearded-faced men in these parts who would, by such an account, be led back to those happy days, free from care, when they were beardless boys together.
The following was issued by the " Press," January 1, 1860:
CARRIER'S ADDRESS.
Toll the bell! the year is dead- The heavy, brave old year! Gather ye the evergreens To lay upon his bier. His has been a busy life- All his work is done;
He never paused, as others do, At the set of sun. But through darkness and through light Labored he with all his might.
Toll the bell and let him rest, Crown'd with joy and crown'd with sorrow; For him comes no future day- For him comes no bright to-morrow; We may look upon his grave, But may hope to see him never ; Low he lies !- the year is dead! Gone from us and gone forever.
1
420
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Where are now the hopes of Spring; Where are Summer's golden pleasures; Where are all the rainbow dreams ? Gathered with our Autumn treasures; Down Oblivion's shadowy river They are gone, and gone forever.
Some there were who 'round our path Gathered when the year was young: We have heard their last good-night- Heard the chorals they have sung- Missed their light and asked, with tears, "Have they crossed the chilly river? " Comes to us the sad refrain, "Gone from us and gone forever."
Some there were who loved us then, But we saw, as time grew older, Eyes, and hearts, and hands estranged: Growing colder, growing colder. " Is it ever thus ?" we said, "Is there naught abideth ever; Must we even over hearts Chant the requiem 'Gone forever '? "
Toll the bell! silence keep! Toll the bell! toll the bell! Solemn ringing through the world. Listen! listen! 'tis his last; The passing bell-'tis past, 'tis past.
Ring! ring! ring! Peal out for the glad New Year! Welcome him in with a laugh and a shout, And toss the bumpers and balls about! Dance to the music! away, away- Throw care to the winds, we've a holiday! Ring, ring, and welcome him in! He waves the shadows away with his hand, Poised on an icicle see him stand! Glistening, golden, rosy and bright, His fair young head encircled with light; With never a frown and never a tear- Welcome thee, beautiful glad New Year!
Ring! ring! the children sing! Up and down on the frosty street Patter their little, busy feet; Their roguish eyes glancing far and near, Wishing each passer a Happy New Year;
Thinking, perhaps, of the " goodies " to come: Thinking of father, and mother, and home, For, God be thanked, in our happy land, We have none of that wretched band- The children of Famine-with hollow eye, Craving their bread of the passer-by.
Give praise to God on this New Year's morn, The goddess of Plenty, with laden horn, Unfurls her wings o'er our Western land, And scatters her treasures with lavish hand; And Peace, with Heaven's uplifted eyes, Raises her branch of olive high, A sign to the world that bloody War Drives not hither his teeming car; For of late to our ears came borne along From the land of the East this mournful song:
421
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
"Weep, oh. freeman, in your glory; Weep for those whom war hath slain; On the field, all damp and gory. Thousands are in slaughter lain .
"Thousands on the field of battle, Victims of a sovereign's power, Where the cannons loudly rattle. Where the war-clouds darkly lower.
"Dying, not for freedom holy, Dying, not for home and hearth; Dying, not that all the lowly May be lifted from the earth;
"Not for sacrificial altar, Not for Israel's guiding God; Then it would be sin to falter, And a joy to kiss the sod.
" Worms of earth, whose love of power, Waked the demon War again, Must, in God's appointed hour, Give account of all the slain."
Now, what of our own good Washington, As dear a spot as the sun shines on ? There's a sound of labor and thrift each day, Shaping itself to this merry lay:
Ring out the sound of the hammer and saw! Ring out the mandate-labor is law!
Ring out the sound of the chisel and plane! A million of freemen will join the refrain.
Shout for the harvest a glorious song, The farmer is bearing his burden along; His motto is "Progress!" he stands, in his pride,
The peer of a king, with his sheaf by his side.
Excelsior! the steed of the prairies has come, His bit bears no blood and his nostrils no foam; Unwearied he halts, though his journey is long, Puffing fire and smoke while we sing him a song.
How proudly he stands in our own lovely town, He has met every barrier and trampled them down; He is waiting impatient to bear us afar! Huzza! sing a song for the steed of the car!
Three cheers for the fire-steed! wave him away, For who would check speed in this glorious day?
" Go ahead!" is the watchword from high and from low, Then give him the rein! let him go! let him go!
And now, good patron, a word with you, For whom we have labored the long year through : But we won't keep you waiting, so quick as a flash, Dive into your pockets and hand out the cash. And may all your New Years be brimming with joy, Is the wish and the hope of the Carrier Boy.
422
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools of the county are sharing with the contents of the newsboy's bundle the title of universities of the poor. 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 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 afford less room for the growth of effeminacy and pedantry; it educates the youth among the people, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which some are the only factor, the education which the public schools afford, especially where they are of the superior standard reached in this county, do fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart than can be attained by private schools or acade- mies.
Washington county educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. The contrast between the settler's school and the present accommodations has been marked. The puncheon floors and desks, and doorless aperture for entrance, have given place to more finished editices, in some cases ele- gant ones, possibly not more thorougly ventilated, but more comfortably so.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodi- ous 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 ladies who have held the office of superintendent for quite a term of years, the schools and educational inter- ests are attaining a high standard.
The county teachers believe in the interchange of thought, also in the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a study as well as practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of regular and frequent occurrences, and are well attended by those who take a special in- terest in the work. The superintendent's examination-grade is now of such a standard that all applicants do not attain it, and for those who are successful, after diligent study and preparation, it shows a much more creditable standing, besides furnishing a more efficient class of teachers.
The first schools of the county were held in school-houses to suit the times. Somne idea of those school-houses can be gathered from the follow- ing description of a typical one.
It was built of round logs, the space between them chinked and then daubed with mud. About five feet from the west wall on the inside, and about five feet high, another log was placed and running clear across the building. Puncheons were fixed on this log and in the west wall on which the chimney was built. Fuel conld then be used of any length not greater than the width of the building, and when it was burned through in the middle the ends were crowded together; in this manner was avoided the necessity of so much wood chopping. There was no danger of burning the floor, as there was none. The seats were made of stools or benches, constructed by splitting a log, hewing off the splinters from the flat side and then putting four pegs into it from the round side for legs. The door was made of clapboards. On either side a piece of one log was cut out,
423
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and over the aperture was pasted greased paper which answered for a win- dow. Wooden pins were driven into the log running lengthwise immedi- ately beneath the windows, upon which was laid a board and this consti- tuted the writing desks. The school-district in which this wonderful strne- ture stood extended from the east part of the county to the adjoining township line, and from Skunk river on the north as far south as one could see. Since the day of school tax levies the people are a little more definite in defining their subdistricts.
After the first term of school had closed in the above described house a meeting was called and it was resolved "that we build a good school-house, twenty feet square, plank. floor, glass windows, batten door, pointed with lime, provided it don't cost more than fifty dollars."
The first schools of the county were subscription schools: the teachers "boarded around," stayed one night at one house and the next at another. The conrse of study was spelling and the three "R's-Readen, Riten and Rethmetic." The leading principle in didactics was, "no licken, no larnen."
The contracts between teacher and patrons were perhaps similar to the following entered into between one Weller, who taught the first school in an adjoining township, and his patrons:
"Article of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of Jannary, 1846, between R. F. Weller, of the Territory of Iowa, and the undersigned, witnesseth that the said Weller agrees to teach a common school for the term of three months, viz: spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic."
"The undersigned, citizens of the said county, agree to pay said Weller one dollar and fifty cents per scholar; also, to furnish a suitable house and fire-wood, and board said Weller; the above amount may be paid in mak- ing rails at the customary price, one-third to be paid on or before the ex- piration of each month. School to commence when twenty scholars are signed."
The first school in Washington was tanght by Miss Ashley, in the sum- mer of 1840. The school-house was a cabin situated in the southwest part of town. The school continued three months and the teacher's salary, amounting to $50, was raised by subscription. Several of the most distin- guished citizens of Washington patronized this school by sending their children and paying their proportionate part of the fifty dollars. As before mentioned the court-house was used for a school building till a public school building could be erected. The commissioners gave permission to Miss Sarah Yonng to teach a school in the court-house in the fall of 1842. The rent of the room was fixed at six dollars for the three months, and the patrons of the school assnined the payment of it.
On the 5th of Jannary, 1843, the commissioners passed the following order:
Ordered, That the sheriff shall, upon the expiration of the term of school in which Miss Sarah M. Young is now engaged, take into his immediate possession the lower rooms of the court-house, and keep the same in repair and locked except as hereinafter mentioned. He shall give possession for religious exercises and may at his discretion let said room for school purposes at a fair rent, and may also permit the holding of public political meetings. Yet in no case shall he allow any meeting to be held therein that has or is calculated to lead to unlawful or riotous conduct.
The meetings here referred to as calculated to lead to riotous conduct
424
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
doubtless, were the anti-slavery meetings, which were being held in various parts of the county at that time.
Norman Everson and Caleb B. Campbell organized and carried on schools in the old court-house in early times. The early beginnings of the public school system, which has now assumed such grand proportion's, will be noticed more fully and in detail in connection with the township history, which will be found further along in the work.
The following statistics show the more important features of the common school work. They are given for various years back that an estimate may be formed of the continued and rapid development of the system. Some items are also given from a neighboring county in order that the reader inay draw a comparison:
1863.
1872.
1879.
No. of independent districts.
84
No. of subdistricts
114
124
48
¥
schools in county.
201
131
156
pupils in county
5,051
6,206
7,542
Average attendance
3,303
4,127
3,614
No. of teachers.
204
253
169
Cost of tuition, per week.
$
18 $
43 $
.28
Amount paid teachers.
$14,464 52 $29,000 97|$30,002 63
Av. compensation of teachers, per month
$
31 96$
26 50
No. of school-houses
91
129
132
Value of school-houses.
$38,326 00|$92,663 08 $99,131 00
KEOKUK COUNTY.
1868.
No. of sub-districts
123
schools
110
pupils.
5,048
Attendance .
2,874
No. of teachers
217
Cost of tuition, per week
$
80
Amount paid teachers
17,788 70
Average compensation of teachers, per montli
28 66
No. of school-houses
112
Value of school-houses
$ 77,758 00
1879.
No. of sub-districts.
24
independent districts
116
schools
155
pupils
5,932
Attendance
3,747
No. of teachers
251
Cost of tuition, per week.
$
1 20
Amount paid teachers.
32,512 21
Average compensation of teachers, per month
32 69
No. of school-houses .
137
Value of school-houses
$103,220 20
425
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The following is a record of the normal institutes which have been held in the county, with the names of the conductors and number enrolled:
1874-Conducted by J. S. Hurd. Assistants, D. W. Lewis, Alex. Stephens, M. J. Creys, J. Thompson. Enrolled, 106.
1875-Conducted by E. C. Sinith. Assistants, Mrs. Crays, Mr. Mountz, Mr. Cramer. Enrolled, 81.
1876-Conducted by E. R. Eldridge. Assistants, D. W. Lewis, Mrs. M. A. Peck, Mr. Shotwell. Eurolled, 100.
1877-Conducted by D. W. Lewis. Assistants, Mrs. M. A. Peck, Mrs. M. H. Lewis, Messrs. Mountz and Cramer. Enrolled, 165.
1878-Conducted by D. W. Lewis. Assistants, Mrs. M. H. Lewis, Miss Tillotson, Miss Disbro. Enrolled, 165.
1879-Conducted by D. W. Lewis. Assistants, Mrs. Lewis, Miss M. A. Roberts, Mr. W. Crame.r Enrolled, 192.
In 1872, the following number of teachers' certificates were issued : 1st class, 77; 2d class, 106; 3d class, 47.
Of late years the number of applicants increased so rapidly that the county superintendent has made the examination much more rigid, and consequently there has been a falling off in first and third-class certificates and an increase in second-class. In 1878 there were issued as follows: 1st class, 66; 2d class, 179; 3d class, 41.
SCHOOL FINANCES.
According to the county superintendent's report for the year 1879, the following was the condition of the school finances.
School-House Fund. $ 3743 88
On hand at last report.
Received trom district tax 6057 16
1232 22
Total debit
$ 11033 26
Paid for school-houses and sites
3948 20
Paid on bonds and interests
451 38
On hand
1862 64
Paid for libraries, apparatus, etc
15 60
Contingent Fund.
On hand from last report
$ 4385 69
Received from district tax
7407 43
Received from other sources
550 88
Total debit.
$ 12344 00
Paid for rent of school-houses and repairs
1179 23
Paid for fuel . .
2764 76
Paid for secretary and treasury
41 54
Paid records, apparatus, etc
2044 59
Paid other purposes.
335 47
Paid insurance.
780 60
Paid janitors
4263 86
On hand.
933 94
Received from other sources
426
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Teacher's Fund.
On hand at last report .. $ 15558 57
Received from semi-annual apportionment 10483 00
Received from district taxes 21714 66
Received from other sources.
721 81
Total debit .. $ 48478 44
Paid to teachers 30002 63
Paid other purposes
800 01
On hand
17676 30
HIGHER EDUCATION.
Althongh the people of Washington and the county have ever fostered and encouraged the common schools, they have from the first, manifested a disposition to establish and support a school for higher education. Shortly after the first settlement of the county and even before they had commodi- ous places of worship or even comfortable homes, measures were set on foot by certain individuals to establish a college. The persons most active in agitating the establishment of the college and most liberal in contributing to that end, were members of the United Presbyterian church, which from the first has been the dominant denomination and probably has done more than any other organization to mould the religions and moral sentiment of the community.
After some time spent in agitating the subject of establishing an institu- tion of higher education, rooms were procured at various places in the town of Washington, where facilities were furnished for pursuing an academical course of study and as soon as sufficient funds conld be procured, a ground site was purchased and the erection of a college building begun. The site chosen was a most beautiful and convenient one, it being at the head of a principal street, on a high piece of ground, covered with a natural grove. The premises now belong to Nathan Littler, and the stranger who visits Washington readily pronounces it the most picturesque location in the city. The accumulation of funds for the erection of eleemosynary insti- tntions is always a difficult task, and it was a peculiarly hazardous under- taking in those days when the people of Washington county were all poor and so much needed assistance themselves. However sufficient funds were secured by 1856 to erect a very elegant building 50x75 feet, three stories high. Beside this there was an endowment fund of about fifty thousand dollars. The building was dedicated March 23d, 1868. The institution continued to prosper till the beginning of the war when it began to go down, owing to the fact that so many able-bodied men went to the war, nearly all the male students were withdrawn either to take their place iu the ranks or on the farm and in the shop to fill the places left vacant hy those who had enlisted. The financial depression of 1860 and 1861 also be- gan to tell on the institution. The college however, would have been en- abled to live through these discouraging times but for the fact that in 1864 a storin damaged the building so that it was pronounced unsafe, and its demolition became a necessity. About the same time the college at Mon- month, Illinois, under the control of the same denomination, needing assist- ance and favorable overtures having been made to unite the two institu-
427
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
tions, the plan was adopted and after a career of some seven or eight years, Washington college closed its existence. While the college was having its palmy days it had a far reaching reputation and influence, and many of the most successful professional and business men in the State were educated there. From a notice of the commencement exercises we learn that in 1858 there were 158 students in attendance. The notice appeared in the "Press" of July 14, 1858, and was as follows :
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