USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume I > Part 67
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COST OF MATERIALS AND NEW EQUIPMENT.
Lumber, high school. $ 43.61
Lumber, grades seven and eight. 169.45
Lumber, grade six. 2.50
Hardware, high school. 19.22
Hardware, grades six. seven and and eight. 43.15
Paints, varnishes and stains, high school .
10.15
Paints, varnishes and stains, grades seven and eight
7.00
Cardboard and material for portfolios-
Grades four, five, six, seven and eight 113.28
Glue for all grades. 25.88
New tools for high school 105.96
$540.20
Respectfully submitted, SINCLAIR J. WORK, Supervisor of Manual Training.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Robert I. White, Superintendent of Schools :
Submitted with this special report are the regular tabulated reports giving the enrollment by grades, the enrollment and average daily attendance by months and semesters, the number promoted to the high school and the num- ber entering from June, 1901. to date, and the number and percentage of whole enrollment graduating each year. The semester reports of the teachers, giving lists of their classes with grades, promotions and work covered, are arranged according to subjects and prepared for binding.
The reports above mentioned, as well as those on file in the office relating to the grading of pupils, indicate that the year of 1907 and 1908 has been one
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
of growth and advancement for the school. The following table, showing the enrollment and average daily attendance from 1900 to date, shows that with the exception of two years there has been a fairly constant increase. The reports will show that the number entering those two years was below the average :
Enrollment for year.
Average enrollment.
Average attendance.
1900-190I
507
441
418
1901-1902
550
470
447
1902-1903.
538
456
4,36
1903-1904.
535
449
422
1904-1905.
594
498
477
1905-1906.
586
507
49
1906-1907.
643
567
531
1907-1908.
66
566
545
The increase in attendance is due not mainly to increase in population, nor to the larger number entering the high school. It is due to the fact that pupils are remaining in school better than formerly. The following table shows the number leaving school during each school year from 1900 to date :
Left school first semester.
Left school second semester.
Total.
1901-1902.
37
57
94
1902-1903. .
54
102
155
1903-1904.
14
80
94
1904-1905.
18
87
105
1905-1906.
21
35
56
1906-1907.
31
50
81
1907-1908.
15
37
52
That the number leaving school within the last few years has been lower than in former years is more significant when we remember that it has been during a period of marked industrial and commercial activity, with urgent demand for labor.
As a result of fewer dropping out of school the percentage of those that entered, remaining to graduate, has been rapidly increasing. Below is given a table showing the number entering and the number and percentage remaining to graduate in classes graduated since 1900 :
NUMBER ENTERED.
Total entered.
January. 1897.
124
September, 1897
97- 221
January, 1898 57
September. 1898
82- 139
January,
1899 88
September. 1899
114- 202
January,
1900 96
-
muLots SOMBOL ELGINATLY
LINCOLN SCHOOL, ELGIN.
111
THANKUN FOR CHOOL
FRANKLIN SCHOOL, ELGIN.
771
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
September. 1900
102- 198
January.
1901.
79
September, 1901 .
117- 196
January, 1902.
70
September, 1902
104- 174
January,
1903.
65
September, 1903.
97- 162
January,
1904.
99
September, 1904
120- 219
NUMBER GRADUATED.
Boys.
Girls.
Total
Per cent of number that entered.
June, 1901
33
32
65
30
June, 1902.
18
33
51
36
June, 1903
16
55
71
35
June, 1904
24
37
61
31
June. 1905.
27
50
77
39
June, 1906.
15
54
69
40
June. 1907
24
50
74
45
June, 1908
57
53
IIO
50
Mr. Francis G. Blair, superintendent of public instruction for the state of Illinois, says our school is graduating a remarkably high percentage of its pupils, and has asked for a copy of the table above to incorporate in his next official bulletin.
These indications of a keener interest in school work on the part of pupils and an increasing appreciation of the value of the education the school gives are supported by the class records of the teachers, showing the quantity and quality of work done in the different departments of the school. We have never had so large a number doing excellent work.
Several causes have been operating to bring the school to its present ef- ficiency. First of these is the good interest in education shown by the patrons of the school and the just estimate of the value of secondary education in preparation for efficient living. Second is the strong corps of teachers with a fine enthusiasm for their work and high ideals for their pupils. Complement- ing this is the strong teaching force in the grades, giving adequate preparation and zest for the work the high school is to offer. Third is careful supervision of both the elementary and high school courses and a proper adjustment of the work of the school to the preparation and needs of the pupil. The fourth cause is the healthful school spirit, genuine loyalty to the school, that pervades the whole student body.
The work in the "manual arts" in the form of manual training and do- mestic science and the laboratory work of the sciences makes more apparent to the pupil the relation of his studies to everyday life, and so increases his inclination to stay in school. More of the practical has added interest to the work in science. In physics, problems involving the reading of gas and electric
772
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
meters. the relative efficiency and cost of electric and gas lights, the cost of power supplied by the electric motor as compared with actual horsepower, etc., have been appreciated more than the ordinary problems found in the text. In chemistry tests for preservatives and adulterants in foods, finding percentage of butter fat in milk and the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air as found in the different rooms in the building. thus determining if our ventilating sys- tem is adequate, and many like applications of the subject have changed it from the abstract to the concrete and practical. The tendency is toward a better recognition in schools generally of the culture value of what we term hand training. A class is already formed for the added year in our course in manual training.
A large number of the graduates are going to college. More than fifty of this year's class have already announced their intention of going to college. Many will decide later. Among the colleges and universities in which we shall have students next year are University of Illinois, University of Chicago. University of Wisconsin. Northwestern University. Beloit College, Rockford College. Northwestern College. Wheaton College. Lombard College. Armour Institute, Cornell University. Brown University. Amherst College. Dartmouth College. Williams College, Mount Holyoke College. Wellesley College. Wells College. Western College for Women, Western University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania. Several will be in our state normal schools. In these and all schools that give certificate privilege our graduates are admitted without examination.
The plan of semi-annual promotions to the high school proves specially advantageous. It enables us to begin classes in nearly all subjects each semes- ter and thus gives the pupil a better opportunity to get what he wants when he wants it. It enables some who because of sickness or other causes fall behind in credits to use the extra half year and graduate with their class. The ma- jority of those that would finish in January remain in through the year and do extra work. Fifty-five of the class this year had more than the thirty-two credits required for graduation. The average number of credits for the class was above thirty-three.
Five public programs were given this year by the high school. namely. the ninth and tenth grade declamation contest, the junior exhibition, the senior declamation contest, the memorial exercises and the concert by the glee clubs and chorus. Each of these was of a high order and much appreciated by the school and its friends. There has been an increasing interest in reading and public speaking. due in part to the introduction of public speaking into the course. More than fifty elected work in it. It has been most helpful along the line of debating and extemporaneous speaking. It has increased the interest in the debates given in the classes in English. More of the pupils have spoken before the school at general exercises than formerly. We were more than creditably represented in four declamation contests offered by colleges. Edwin Hinsdell, of the junior class, won first place in the one given at Beloit College. With the work next year in charge of a special teacher with extended prepara- tion it should be particularly strong.
773
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
The "Students' Loan Fund." in the hands of the treasurer, Mrs. Effie Morgan Tapper, has done excellent service in helping deserving students to a college education. We have been able to add nothing to it this year, as there were no profits from the Mirror. At the middle of the year it was changed from a monthly to a weekly publication, and the subscription and advertising rates could not then be changed for the year. The paper is more helpful to the school in its present form.
The "Art Fund" was increased $106.78 by the combined net receipts of the public entertainments, including the concert by the glee clubs. The fund was drawn upon to the extent of twenty-five dollars in part payment for the second-hand piano purchased last year. The remainder of the fund will be used to purchase slides for a stereopticon to be used in the various departments of the school.
Since the publication of the last report of this kind the new part of the building has been completed and occupied. It is excellent, well lighted, well heated and well ventilated. The new laboratories prove to have been well de- signed. They are among the best to be found anywhere. But the building as a whole is not adequate. The manual training and drawing are still housed in the Franklin building. For the other work there are not as many class rooms as there are teachers. We need an auditorium, where the school can meet in a body, see itself as a whole and get the influence and inspiration of so large a body of students. It would add unity and school spirit. Such a room is needed for public entertainments given by the school. In the building when completed there should be a well-equipped gymnasium for physical training for all. Such training for all would be much better than the more intensive training for the few that make up our athletic teams. Respectfully submitted,
W. L. GOBLE, Principal of High School.
ELGIN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Public Library of Elgin was formally opened March 19, 1874. The rooms were densely filled by the cultured citizens of Elgin and speeches were made by several leading gentlemen of the city amid much enthusiasm and en- joyment. L. H. Yarwood was the first librarian, the library being located on the third floor of the old Home Bank block, then but three stories high. It was afterward removed to the new block just east of the bridge, on the south side of Chicago street, now the book bindery, where Miss Cecil Harvey was librarian. She continued in that capacity until her death, when Miss Katherine Abbott. the present librarian, was selected.
The ground on which the beautiful Gail Borden Library now stands was presented to the city by Messrs. A. B. and Sam Church, and is the library pride of Elgin. This splendid donation was presented with the single condi- tion that the town library should adopt the name of Gail Borden. To place a suitable structure on the lot the city voted to allow the directors nine thousand dollars. The new building is one hundred and twenty by fifty-two feet. two stories high, and has a very pleasing architectural appearance. The entire building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The new library was
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
opened with appropriate ceremonies on February 22. 1903. and represents an outlay of fifteen thousand dollars and contains over sixteen thousand volumes. The Gail Borden Public Library occupies an ideal location for its purposes, but one block either way from two of the main lines of street cars, yet it is upon a wide, quiet thoroughfare, bordered with lovely lawns and great shady trees, fronting on Spring and extending from Milwaukee to Division streets, with a wide alley in the rear : its broad windows command all the light nature bestows. The large, artistically decorated reading room, with the wide, invit- ing armchairs, containing newspapers from the entire country and magazines galore, was patronized by over fifty thousand readers during the last year.
THE ELGIN ACADEMY.
Professor A. G. Sears, then principal, wrote as follows in 1875 :
"The original charter of the Elgin Academy was granted to Solomon Hamilton, Colton Knox. George McClure, Vincent C. Lovell, Luther Her- rick, Reuben Jenne and Burgess Truesdell by an act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois, approved February 22. 1839. In 1843 an unsuccessful attempt was made to erect a building and establish a school under this charter, as appears from the records of that date.
"In 1848 the Free Will Baptists laid on the grounds now occupied by the academy the foundation of a college. to be called the Northern Illinois College. This property was purchased in 1855 by a stock company organized under the charter of 1839, as amended February 14. 1855. with the following board of trustees : B. W. Raymond. B. Truesdell. William C. Kimball. A. J. Joslyn, O. Davidson, M. C. Town, A. Adams, Solomon Hamilton, John Hill and Dr. Joseph Tefft.
"This amended charter still remains in force. Its liberal spirit is manifest from some of its provisions :
"'Section 7. The said institution shall be open to all religious denomina- tions, and the profession of no particular religious faiths shall be required, either of officers or pupils.'
"That it contemplated a school of a high order may be inferred from an extract from section 2: 'The corporation shall have power to confer on such persons as may be worthy such academical or honorary degrees as are usually conferred by similar institutions in like cases.'
"The initiatory steps toward the above mentioned transfer were taken in 1854, as is seen from the report of the proceedings of the trustees at a meeting held at the Waverly house August 12 of the same year :
"'On motion.
" .Resolved. That a committee of three, consisting of A. J. Joslyn. Dr. J. Tefft and O. Davidson, be appointed to examine the propositions made by the trustees of the Northern Illinois College to transfer their property to this board.
"'On motion of A. Adams. A. J. Joslyn was appointed agent to procure subscriptions of stock. O. DAVIDSON, Secretary.'
POSTOFFICE, ELGIN.
-
GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, ELGIN.
777
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
"To the subscriptions thus obtained were added the smaller contributions of those who, thinking such an institution almost a necessity in the community, made willing sacrifices in its behalf. Yet a claim (since extinguished) of nearly three thousand dollars incumbered it as late as 1858. The school was opened for students December 1, 1856. Robert Blenkiron, a ripe scholar and successful teacher, was its first principal. He was followed in succession by James Sylla, Clark Braden, C. C. Wheeler, Dr. Nutting, W. T. Brydges, B. C. Cilley, A. S. Barry and A. G. Sears.
"Though the frequent change of principals, made necessary sometimes by death and at others by failing health, has been a serious obstacle in the way of the prosperity of the school, yet the useful and responsible positions in life filled by many of its graduates are the best possible evidence that it has been in the hands of earnest and able educators.
"Its war record, comprising, as it does, seven commissioned officers, six non-commissioned staff officers, twenty-one non-commissioned officers and twenty-three privates is alike honorable to teachers and students. Nine of its volunteers sealed their devotion to their country with their blood.
"In 1872 the law known as the 'new school law' was passed, requiring teachers to be examined, in addition to the common English branches, in 'the elements of the natural sciences, physiology and laws of health.' Elgin Acad- emy introduced into its previously established normal department these studies, making them a specialty, and has sent out since that time a large number of teachers-a fact shown by the records in the county superintendent's office, and also recognized in the state superintendent's report for 1874.
"During the years 1873-4 the grounds were graded, a front fence built, walks constructed and new rooms fitted up at an expense of nearly fifteen hun- dred dollars. These more recent improvements, as well as the payment of the debt of 1858, are due to the determined efforts of the trustees ( who have, from the first, in addition to their contributions of money, given freely of their time and labor, with no compensation but the knowledge that they were furnishing to the youth of Elgin and the surrounding country increased facilities for ob- taining an education), aided by the friends of the institution both in the city and in the country. The board of trustees now ( February, 1875) consists of Dr. Joseph Tefft. president; O. Davidson, secretary; M. C. Town, William C. Kimball, Hon. S. Wilcox, William G. Hubbard, B. W. Raymond, A. B. Hinsdell, Henry Sherman, I. C. Bosworth, Henry Bierman and Colonel John S. Wilcox.
"The courses of study in 1875 were as follows : Preparatory, normal, En- glish, classical, Latin, scientific, college preparatory, and business.
"The number of students (winter term 1874-5) was two hundred and forty-seven."
Since the above was written the academy has made great and permanent improvements, until now it is on a lasting foundation as an endowed and affili- ated academy of the Northwestern University. Professor A. G. Sears re- mained until 1881 and his departure was lamented by all connected with the school. Following him came Professor A. G. Wilson, 1881-83, of Lake For- est ; Professor J. A. Schmidt, 1883-86, and Professor N. Thompson, 1886-90;
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
A. M. Mattoon. 1890-91 ; Alfred Welch, 1891-97 : George P. Bacon, 1897-98; George N. Sleight ( present incumbent) 1898-08.
In speaking of the securing of the endowment necessary to affiliate the academy with the university, Mrs. L. L. K. Becker, in her "History of the Academy." says :
"Scholarships were first offered to students under Professor Welch and also the Laura Davidson Sears medal for proficiency in mathematics. In June, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Lord rubbed out the academy debt with seventy-eight hun- dred dollars. This kindness caused great satisfaction among all friends of the institution. The boys found it a happy occasion for a demonstration and marched through the streets at night. singing and shouting. and ending their display with their favorite song :
" 'On the banks of the old River Fox, my boys. The academy ever more shall stand. For has she not stood since the time of the flood ? And we hail her the best in the land.'
"The chorus was followed by their 'Slogan,' the academy yell.
"Professor Welch resigned in 1897 to take a position in Lake Forest. He left the academy in a flourishing condition, and he was universally re- gretted. He was succeeded by Professor George P. Bacon. A.M .. of Beloit. whose steady, quiet course was in marked contrast to that of the man before him: but it was needed to tide over a critical period in the history of the school. Professor Bacon remained but one year, but long enough to leave the highest standard of upright living and teaching as an example to be followed.
"The present principal. Professor George Newton Sleight, came to the academy in 1898, and has been the director through many changes. He has identified himself with its greatest interest and has effected important move-' ments. The affiliation with the Chicago University was the first one, which was a great step in advance. It commenced in 1899 and inspired great hopes. Those hopes were realized in larger facilities and in changed conditions. A laboratory for physics and one for chemistry were fitted up at considerable expense. Two teachers were added to the force and each teacher in the school was restricted to his specific subject. Physics no longer borrowed from mathe- matics, nor history from English. The university passed upon the choice of instructors. and upon the standing of students, from examinations submitted to it. Academy students were admitted directly to the University of Chicago courses of study. The announcement of the affiliation was considered mutually beneficial as an advertisement. The academy was still sustained by the tuitions and the trustees. The benefactions of Mr. and Mrs. Lord had been continuous for many years. A. B. Church was a liberal donor. and there were others.
"But there were signs of a change in the weather. There was a senti- ment, even before it was spoken, that the academy might rest upon a larger body and not upon a small number of individuals, like the trustees. It had been intimated for some time that Mr. and Mrs. Lord were interested in so
779
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
inany plans of benevolence that it would be impossible for them alone to sup- port the academy. Mr. Church was no longer a trustee; others were silent. Dr. Harper felt it would be unwise to undertake the responsibility without a large endowment.
"The years 1901-02 were not encouraging ones to Professor Sleight at the academy. The serial subscriptions stopped and there were no overtures in sight ; and yet this master of the ship knew that ever since the affiliation with Chicago University it had moved at a steadier, better rate of speed than ever before. The tuitions had steadily increased along with numbers. And being on the lookout, he descried a stately vessel not far away. But he pondered over all these things in his own mind.
" 'On the banks of the old River Fox, my boys, The academy ever more shall stand,'
sang the students unwittingly-was it the little finger of destiny or was it the survival of the old thought of good? Who knows?
"As early as 1878 the idea of a fifty-thousand-dollar endowment for the academy was promulgated, with little result ; again in 1887, with a like experi- ence. Citizens who were patrons were often generous, but something more definite was needed. Two trustees passed away, leaving conditioned sums from their estates-but these gifts were never realized. Specious promises had raised expectations that were not fulfilled. Of the stockholders some were dead; some were no longer residents, and still others were indifferent except as to the final disposition to be made of academy property, upon which their ideas were clear and unmistakable.
"A meeting of the trustees was in progress late in the spring of 1902. During a slight pause in the rather somber discussion of the next move relating to academy interests, a messenger was announced and admitted, a student, who advanced and said: 'Some of the boys and girls of the school wish to help a little toward keeping it going.' And he withdrew, leaving a small canvas bag on the table. When opened the receptacle disclosed various sums of money to the amount of one hundred dollars.
"The close of the school year 1903 was near at hand before Professor Sleight beheld, alongside, the gallant Northwestern University he had signaled.
"After due conference and consideration an agreement was arranged between the trustees and the university by which the academy should be main- tained as an institution of secondary and higher instruction. For this pur- pose five thousand dollars per year for five years, beyond tuitions, were pledged to the university, for the use of Elgin Academy, beside the assurance of a bequest to the academy of forty thousand dollars ( since paid) from President and Mrs. Lord. For this sum certificates of academy stock were issned to President and Mrs. Lord, who in July, 1903. turned the shares over to the university. The Woman's Club and several other stockholders donated their stock directly to the university, which has thus secured a controlling interest in the management of the institution, although it does not bind itself to use any of the funds of the university for the support of Elgin Academy.
"In this manner was effected the affiliation of 1903.
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
"The amended charter of 1885 remains in force, the institution is still unsectarian and undenominational, though 'pervaded by Christian ideals.'
"The close of fifty years shows the value of a great thought and it's influence in this fair valley of the west."
THE ILLINOIS NORTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
The Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane, one of the best institutions of its class west of the Alleghany mountains, is situated on the west bank of Fox river, about a mile southwest of Elgin. The view of Fox river, the railroads and surrounding country, from the upper portico in front of the hospital, though not so extensive nor so striking as similar scenery in a moun- tainous or hilly country, is yet full of quiet beauty and never fails to impress the visitor.
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