USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876 > Part 17
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1849 .- Joseph Kauffman, President. Trustees: H. J. Armstrong, J. H. Elliott, Jos. King, W. S. Crissey. N. P. West, Clerk; B. H. Cassell, Assessor and Treasurer; H. Goodman, Constable.
1850 .- Joseph King, President. Trustees: W. J. Stamper, Wm. Prather, C. H. Pringle, Wm. Wheeler. B. H. Cassell, Clerk; Wm. Wheeler, Constable; B. H. Cassell, Assessor and Treas- urer.
1851 .- Wm. S. Crissey, President. Trustees: Wm. Prather, C. H. Pringle, Joseph King, W. J. Stamper. B. H. Cassell, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor.
1852 .- W. J. Stamper, President. Trustees: W. S. Crissey, Wm. Prather, C. H. Pringle, Jos. King. B. H. Cassell, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor.
1853 .- Wm. Prather, President. Trustees: W. S. Crissey, W. J. Stamper, Joseph King, John Ricketts. B. H. Cassell, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor.
1854 .- William Prather, President. Trustees: William J. Stam- per, William S. Crissey, Joseph King, Thomas H. Wingate. B. H. Cassell, Clerk.
1854 .- Thomas H. Wingate, President. Trustees: William S. Crissey, Willam Martin, Elias Tanner, John Ricketts. B. H. Cas- sell, Clerk; H. Churchman, Constable.
1855 .- Thomas H. Wingate, President. Trustees: A. L. Kel- lar, J. R. Gorin, William S. Crissey, William Martin, B. H. Cassell, Clerk.
CITY COUNCIL.
*1856 .- John P. Post, Mayor. Aldermen: Frank Priest, Ist ward; E. O. Smith, 2d ward; J. R. Gorin, S. P. Ohr, 3d ward; J. J. Ballentine, H. Taylor, 4th ward. C. C. Post, Clerk and At- torney.
* An election was held for city officers, under a special charter, on the 7th of January, 1856.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY,
1857 .- William A. Barnes, Mayor. Aldermen: George Good- man, Joseph Mills, ist ward; H. B. Durfee, George Dempsey, 2d ward; A. T. Hill, John P. Post, 3d ward; Israel B. Gring, Geo. Wessels, 4th ward. J. P. Boyd, Clerk and Attorney.
1858 .- James Shoaff, Mayor. Aldermen: Joseph Mills, J. B. Trull, Ist ward; H. B. Durfee, Isaac D. Jennings, 5d ward; John P. Post, Samuel F. Greer, 3d ward; George Wessels, O. Powers, 4th ward. S. S. Goode, Clerk and Attorney.
1859 .- A. T. Hill, Mayor. Aldermen: James Simpson, J. L. Mansfield, ist ward; John W. Bear, M. Haworth, 2d ward; Sam- uel F. Greer, Willian Lintner, 3d ward; O. Powers, J. C. Benton, 4th ward. S. S. Goode, Clerk and Attorney.
1860 .- Sheridan Wait, Mayor. Aldermen: James Simpson, S. S. Hale, Ist ward; E. McNabb, William J. Scanlan, 2d ward; Wm. Lintner, Peter M. Wykoff, 3d ward; J. C. Benton, John L. Peake, 4th ward. J. R. Gorin, Clerk and Attorney.
1861 .-- E. O. Smith, Mayor. Aldermen: F. Priest, long term, Chas. A. Tuttle, short term, Ist ward; James Millikin, William J. Scanlan, 2d ward; W. H. Bramble, P. M. Wykoff, 3d ward; Joel C. Benton, long term, William A. Barnes, short term, 4th ward. J. R. Gorin, Clerk and Attorney.
1862 .-- Thomas O. Smith, Mayor. Aldermen: F. Priest, D. H. Elwood, ist ward; James Millikin, Lowber Burrows, 2d ward; Henry Goodman, W. H. Bramble, 3d ward; Joel C. Benton, Ben- son Henkle, 4th ward. J. R. Gorin, Clerk and Attorney.
1863 .- J. J. Peddecord, Mayor. Aldermen: D. H. Elwood, David S. Hughes, Ist ward; James Millikin, Lowber Burrows, ad ward; William H. Bramble, Henry Goodman, 3d ward; John Ullerich, Benson Henkle, 4th ward. J. R. Gorin, Clerk and At- torney.
1864 .- J. J. Peddecord, Mayor. Aldermen: C. A. Tuttle, D. L. Hughes, ist ward; M. Y. Givler, James Millikin, 2d ward; M. Forstmeyer, J. G. Starr, 3d ward; Benson Henkle, long term, T. B. Albert, short term, 4th ward. K. H. Roby, Clerk and At- torney.
+ Resigned. * To fill vacancy.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
1865 .- Franklin Priest, Mayor. Aldermen: Charles A. Tuttle, Charles H. Fuller, ist ward; M. Y. Givler, William J. Usrey, 2d ward; M. Forstmeyer, E. A. Barnwell, 3d ward; +Benson Henkle S. T. Trowbridge, 4th ward. K. H. Roby, Clerk and Attorney.
1866 .- Franklin Priest, Mayor. +Charles H. Fuller, S. F. Haw- ley, Ist ward; W. J. Usrey, E. McNabb, 2d ward; E. A. Barn- well, M. Forstmeyer, 3d ward; G. Howell, short term, H. Muller, long term, 4th ward. +A. B. Bunn, Clerk and Attorney.
1867 .- John K. Warren, Mayor. Aldermen: S. F. Hawley, Joseph Mills, Ist ward; E. McNabb, 2d ward; M. Forstmeyer, J. R. Gorin, 3d ward; H. Muller, B. F. Dodson, 4th ward. C. H. Fuller, Register.
1868 .- Isaac C. Pugh, Mayor. Aldermen: D. P. Elwood, Joseph Mills, Ist ward; L. L. Haworth, S. Burrows, 2d ward; M. Forst- meyer, J. R. Gorin, 3d ward; B. F. Dodson, H. Prather, 4th ward. C. H. Fuller, Register.
1869 .- Wm. L. Hammer, Mayor, Aldermen: D. P. Elwood, D. S. Shellabarger, ist ward; L. L. Haworth, J. L. Libby, 2d ward; M. Forstmeyer, G. S. Simpson, 3d ward; H. Prather, W. F. Busher, 4th ward. C. H. Fuller, Register.
1870 .- F. Priest, Mayor. Aldermen: +E. M. Misner, D. S. Shellabarger, Ist ward; Benj. Dill, * E. McNabb, 2d ward; G. S. Simpson, M. Forstmeyer, 3d ward; W. F. Busher, E. Harpstrite, 4th ward. C. H. Fuller, Register.
1871 .- E. M. Misner, Mayor. Aldermen: Joseph Mills, * Wm. J. Myers, Ist ward; Benj. Dill, E. McNabb, 2d ward; M. Forst- meyer, Wm. H. Bramble, 3d ward; E. Harpstrite, Wm. Gabbler, 4th ward. C. H. Fuller, Register.
1872 .- D. S. Shellabarger, Mayor. Aldermen: Joseph Mills, W. J. Myers, Ist ward; F. Hardy, E. McNabb, 2d ward; A. T. Hill, Wm. H. Bramble, 3d ward; Wm. Gabbler, B. B. Richards, 4th ward. George P. Hardy, Register; Thomas Lee, Attorney ; M. K. Hatch, Treasurer; G. V. Loring, City Engineer; John W. Haworth, Marshal.
1873 .- Martin Forstmeyer, Mayor. Aldermen: Geo. Stare, W. J. Myers, ist ward; Frank Hardy, L. F. Muzzy, 2d ward; A. T. Hill, T. J. Able, 3d ward; James Peake, B. B. Richards, 4th ward;
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
Joseph Leake, A. Shoemaker, 5th ward. Geo. Hardy, Register; I. A. Buckingham, Attorney; G. V. Loring, City Engineer; M. K. Hatch, Treasurer; John W . Haworth, Marshal.
1874 .- F. Priest, Mayor. Aldermen: H. W. Waggoner, Geo. Stare, Ist ward; E. McNabb, L. F. Muzzy, 2d ward; J. T. Able, Isaac Ehrman, 3d ward; James Peake, J. W. Butman, 4th ward; Joseph Leake, R. N. Mills, 5th ward. Geo. P. Hardy, Register; I. A. Buckingham, Attorney; M. K. Hatch, Treasurer; Geo. V. Loring, City Engineer; John W. Haworth, Marshal.
1875 .- R. H. Merriweather, Mayor. Aldermen: H. W. Wag- goner, W. J. Myers, Ist ward; Wm. M. Boyd, H. B. Durfee, 2d ward; Isaac Ehrman, B. F. Stephens, 3d ward; James Peake, J. W. But- man, 4th ward; Joseph Leake, R. N. Mills, 5th ward. George P. Hardy, Register; M. K. Hatch, Treasurer; I. A. Buckingham, Attorney; John W. Haworth, Marshal; S. Burgess, City Engi- neer.
1876 .- W. B. Chambers, Mayor. Aldermen: W. J. Myers, W. J. Wayne, Ist ward; H. B. Durfee, L. F. Muzzy, 2d ward; I. W. Ehrman, B. F. Stephens, 3d ward; James Peake, Edward Harps- trite, 4th ward; Joseph Leake, Kilburn Harwood, 5th ward. Geo. P. Hardy, Register; I. A. Buckingham, Attorney; M. K. Hatch, Treasurer; S. Burgess, City Engineer; John W. Haworth, Mar- shal.
ITS WATER WORKS.
The Sangamon river furnishes ample facilities to the city of De- catur for fire protection and water privileges. It runs within a short distance of the southern limits of the city. At the most avail- able point on the river, just above the crossing of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, and above the drainage and sewerage from the city, is located the city water-works. There has probably been no acquisition to the city, since the construction of the railroads, that has added more to its advancement and permanent improvement than the water-works. At the time of their construction there were a few grumblers opposed to their construction, for reasons they no doubt thought were plausible, but at the present time it is safe to say that there is not any enemy to them. It is a remark often made that for fire protection alone more property, in value, has been saved by means of the water-works than the entire cost of
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
their construction and operation. They were constructed under the direction of the city council, in 1871, at a cost of $35,000, and the additional mains, machinery, and other incidental expenditures up to the present time amount in the aggregate to $130,000, which has been paid with the exception of the original debt. The works are constructed upon the holly system; the engines being located at the river, and the water forced from that point to all parts of the city. Hydrants are placed at different points upon all the principal streets, so that by the attachment of hose to them, we have what is equal to a steam fire engine at the corner of almost every block in the city. The mains are tapped by persons desiring the use of the water for domestic, manufacturing and other purposes, and the rev- enues derived from this source are now about equal to the expenses of running the works, including labor, repairs, fuel, etc. There are about 81/2 miles of pipes laid, and Si fire plugs, which are being extended from time to time, as necessity requires. The capa- city of the works is about eight hundred thousand gallons per day, which will be sufficient to meet the demand for years. The water furnished being filtered, is pure, and suitable for all domestic pur- poses, in fact is very much preferable to that obtained from the wells in the business part of town. The water is not impregnated to any considerable extent with lime deposits, which renders it suit- able for manufacturing purposes.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In connection with the water works, it is proper to notice the Decatur Fire Department. It is, as at present organized, perhaps as efficient as any similar organization in the State. The compa- nies, though unpaid, are prompt and energetic. The fire apparatus of the various companies is excellent, and kept in good condition, and is controlled by the companies with almost as much skill as is displayed by the regular paid companies in our large cities.
The Hook and Ladder Company was first organized, which was in June, 1868. Some of the members of this company are among our most wealthy merchants and business men. At present it has a membership of fifty men, and is well uniformed, and has all the implements pertaining to such companies. Homes Cloyd, fore- man; Enos Kepler, Ist assistant; Chas. Fletcher, 2d assistant.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
Rescue Hose Company, No. I, was organized in 1871; W. W. Foster is foreman; George Craft, Ist assistant; N. Pringle, 2d assistant.
Eldorado Hose Company No. 2, was organized in 1871; Andrew Shoemaker is foreman; John Sutler, Ist assistant; 2d assistant.
Neptune Hose Company No. 3, was organized in 1875; W. J. Wayne is foreman; Samuel Funk, Ist assistant; James Hughes, 2d assistant.
The department is under the control of a chief and two assistants, viz: H. B. Durfee, chief; William Dodson, Ist assistant; John Ulrich, 2d assistant.
MAROA, ILLINOIS.
This is the largest and most important town, except Decatur, within the limits of Macon county, and is located 13 miles north of the latter city. It is situated at the junction of the Illinois Central and Illinois Midland Railroads. The original plat of the town was jointly laid out by the "Associated Land Company" and the "I. C. R. R. Co." The Illinois Central Railroad was opened to the pub- lic in 1854, and that may be stated as the commencement of the town of Maroa. Mr. John Crocker was appointed the first agent of the road, which position he held until 1866.
The first house built in Maroa was in the fall of 1855, by G. J. Schenck, which was then, and still is used by him as a dwelling; part of it, however, has been used as a store-room.
The second house erected was also by Mr. Schenck, but was for Mr. Barndt, in 1856; and Mr. Friedman erected the next two-a dwelling and a store-house. He started the first regular store in Maroa, and he has continued in business to the present, and is the oldest store-keeper in Maroa.
In 1858 Wm. Greer erected the "Prairie Hotel," which was the first hotel, though prior, and even since that time, Mr. Schenck's hospitable home has alwas been a place open to the weary traveler. In the same year the first school house was erected in Maroa, and Robert Collins was the first school teacher. The present Maroa school house was erected in 1866, at a cost of $7,000, and furnishes accommodations for 200 pupils.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
Maroa Lodge No. 314, I. O. O. F., was organized May 3, 1865, and the following officers installed: Thomas Hunter, N. G .; M. Friedman, V. G .; O. J. Harlow, S. ; James Huff, P. S .; Jonah Lingle, Treasurer. The lodge now numbers about 75 members.
Maroa Lodge No. 454, A . F. A. M., was organized July 4, 1865, and the first officers installed were: John H. Crocker, W. M .; R. C. Crocker, S. W . ; O. J. Harlow, J. W .; G. W. Conover, T. ; A. C. Keever, S. D .; Jacob Cooper, J. D., and W. L. Webb, Tyler.
Maroa Lodge, No. 102, Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was or- ganized January, 1873, with 27 members, with the following offi- cers: J. B. Garvin, M .; Henry Jones, Overseer; J. B. Gardner, Lecturer; John Longstreet, Steward; A. Wykoff, Assistant; J. B. Parkhurst, Chaplain; W. P. Funk, Treasurer; Joseph Jones, Sec- retary; W. O. Williams, G. K .; Mrs. Emma Williams, Ceres; Miss Mary A. Garvin, Flora; Mrs. K. Cooper, Poma.
The Maroa Library Association was organized August 27, 1870, through the instrumentality of the Rev. J. A. Hood, and is at pre- sent organized under the State law. The library, though quite small, has been a source of improvement to its patrons, and no doubt will, in the course of a few years, become the nucleus of a library that will be an honor to its founders and the citizens of Maroa .- Among the liberal donors to this institution, as to all others that have the improvement of his fellow-citizens as their object and aim, we mention, specially, Elder John Crocker.
The Maroa Steam Flouring Mills were erected in 1866, by Con- over Bros., at a cost of from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. It has a capacity of about fifty thousand bushels per year, and is re- garded as one of the best mills in Central Illinois. It is at present under the management of W. J. Compton.
The Maroa Steam Elevator was erected in 1867, by J. W. Rich- ards & Co., of Chicago, but is now under the management of Messrs. Crocker & Co., and has a capacity for storage of 14,400 bushels, and can shell and load five hundred bushels per hour. We might mention still other business houses of Maroa, but space forbids .- We can truthfully say, however, that the business men of this town, as a class, are energetic and successful. In fact, the tact of the business men of Maroa has made the town what it is to-day. As a town, it has had no more natural advantages than many others in
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
Central Illinois that it has outstripped and quadrupled in population and advancement. As a shipping point, there are few, if any other places along the entire line of the I. C. R. R., that excel it. There has been shipped from this point, in a single year, as high as 650,- 000 bushels of grain. It is the second town in size in the county- the population at present being about 1,500-and has reached that point in business and commercial importance, which assures it a steady and onward progress. The town of Maroa was incorpora- ted by special act of the legislature, March 7, 1867. Job A. Race, John B. Cary, Henry Stauffer, Joseph Wilson and Henry Jones, being the incorporators. Mr. Race was the first President of the Town Board, and Mr. Cary, Secretary. Maroa has four churches, viz: Presbyterian, Methodist-Episcopal, Methodist-Protestant, and Christian. The former was organized January 30, 1850, by the Rev. A. J. Norton, and its church edifice erected in 1867. It has a regular pastor, a large membership, Sunday school, etc. The Christian church was organized by Elder A. N. Page, May 4, 1868, and the present church edifice was erected the following year. The membership is large, and the Sunday school well attended.
The Methodist-Episcopal and Methodist-Protestant churches are in a good condition, so far as membership and progress are con- cerned. Their church edifices are ample in size, and meet the de- mands of respective congregations.
Maroa and surrounding community has supported a weekly newspaper for several years. The first paper published was the Times, in 1867; T. J. Sharp, editor. This was succeeded by the Tablet, and that in turn by the Tribune, in 1868; A. H. Corman, editor. This paper was removed in 1872, to Decatur, and was suc- ceeded by the News, which is at present owned by Mr. Corman, and is an eight-page, forty-column sheet.
THE CITY OF MACON.
This place was incorporated as a city on the 19th of April, 1869. The first house built was commenced by Esquire A. J. Harris, one Sunday Morning in the spring of 1860. The first store-house was built by Charles Williams and James Seamens, in the year 1859. The first hotel was kept by the station agent, Mr. Ruby. After the incorporation of the town, the first officers were J. H. Mat-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
thews, Mayor; T. C. Drinkall, Clerk; and C. A. Turner, M. Dun- lap, Charles Van Horn and Jacob Frick, Aldermen. Its present officers are C. A. Turner, Mayor; J. W. Harrah, Clerk ; and James L. Hight, Daniel Kalips, J. D. Peters and William Whitaker, Al- dermen.
In 1865, the present school house was erected at a cost of about $4,000. It has a capacity for about 250 pupils.
Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. A. M., was organized in 1865, and is in a flourishing condition.
There is also a Lodge of the I. O. G. T., No. 884, that has been in existence several years.
There are two large grain elevators in the town; one owned by W. Harbert & Co., and the other by N. Failing. The former was erected in 1874, and has a storage capacity of about thirty thousand bushels, and with its facilities can shell and load two thousand bush- els of grain per day, and in the shipping season employs four or five men. The firm owning this elevator are W. Harbert and C. Dunkel; the former has been a resident of Illinois since 1874, and the latter since 1876. The "Macon" elevator was erected in 1867, by John Hatfield, Fletcher Miller, N. Failing and D. C. Webb, and is at present owned by Mr. Failing. This elevator has a storage capacity of twenty thousand bushels, and can shell and load five thousand bushels per day. This elevator and machinery cost in the neighborhood of twelve thousand dollars, and furnishes em- ployment for four men. Mr. Failing came to Macon from Rock Island in 1863, and has represented his town in the board of super- visors for several years. He is a thorough and safe business man, and has done a great deal for the advancement of the interests of his town. Macon formerly was one of the best shipping points for grain on the I. C. Railroad, but the building of the town of Blue Mound, on the St. Louis branch of the T. W. & W., has taken from it one- third at least of its original shipping interest. The population at present is in the neighborhood of 650. The business men of Ma- con compare favorably with those of all our inland towns. It has four churches, viz: Methodist-Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Lutheran-all of which are well sustained. The church edifice of the former was erected in 1865; the Presbyterian and Catholic in 1867, and the Lutheran in 1871.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
BLUE MOUND.
Soon after the construction of the Decatur and East St. Louis Railroad, in IS68, this town sprung into existence, and has contin- ued to increase in population and a commercial point of view from that time since. It has some residences and store-houses that would be a credit to a much larger place, and its streets often present a scene of activity and business astonishing to one not acquainted with the thriving, go-ahead character of its merchants and business men. There is more business transacted in some of our railroad towns in one day than there is in a week in towns of double their size in some of our eastern states; and Blue Mound is a fair illus- tration of the truthfulness of this remark. The town was laid out through the influence of Doctor Goltra, who owned at the time of the location of the railroad, the land upon which the town plat was laid out.
This town has its churches and school-all of which are in suc- cessful operation. It derived its name from two large mounds, situ- ated not far distant. These mounds have been objects of specula- tion and curiosity to our citizens from the time of the first visit of white men to this vicinity. Whether they are of natural or artifi- cial origin, will, in all probability, remain matters of conjecture, and upon which the writer, in this connection, does not deem it proper to add suggestions.
NIANTIC,
Is situated on the main line of the Wabash Railroad, west of De- catur, and is an energetic, lively town. It is surrounded by an excellent agricultural country, which was practically donated to Macon county, as elsewhere noticed, because it was thought to be absolutely worthless. Niantic and Niantic township present a marvelous outgrowth of the swampy appearance it presented in early days. It is affirmed by some of our early settlers that the swamp land commissioner could not have disposed of the whole township for ten cents per acre in the first settlement of the county. Now it is one of our best townships, and its town is one of our most thriving and energetic.
Niantic is the home of the erratic poetical genius, Captain Joab Wilkinson, who worships at the shrine of the muses, and whose
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
daily conversation bubbles up with poetical gems from Milton and Burns.
HARRISTOWN,
Though situated too near Decatur to ever become large, deserves special mention as a shipping point for the surrounding country. It is the home of J. H. Pickrell, our famous breeder of short-horns, elsewhere noticed; also of M. G. Camron, who, as a member of our board of supervisors, has been faithful and vigilant in guarding the interests of the county.
WARRENSBURG,
In Illini township, has grown up within the last few years, since the construction of the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad. As a point for the shipment of grain and stock it is destined to be of very considerable commercial importance.
MOUNT ZION,
Though until the construction of the P. & D. (now I. M.) Rail- road, was without railroad facilities, has been known for a quarter of a century as the location of the Mt. Zion Seminary, which at one time, was a flourishing school. The village is located near the junction of the I. M. and M. S. & D. Railroad, and is in one of the oldest, wealthiest and earliest settled neighborhoods of the county.
FORSYTII,
Is situated on the I. C. Railroad; has an elevator, and is one of the best grain markets in the county.
ARGENTA AND OREANA,
On the I. B. & W. Railroad, are towns growing in importance and will, in a few years, become points of considerable commercial interest.
OAKLEY, SANGAMON, WIIEATLAND, BOODY,
Are villages of local interest to their surrounding neighborhoods, and all have stores, and some of them elevators and other conven- iences for shipping.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
A history of the county without noticing the educational interests, would be incomplete, and yet we are unable to give much valuable information in regard to the early school system of the county. The fact is the early schools of the county were like angel's visits are said to be, few and far between; and the whole educational system-if sys- tem it may be called-of Macon county, in common with the state, was almost without order or management. There were good schools taught, but as compared with the present system, and its advanta- ges, they were far inferior. There were some good "school mas- ters" in those days, who were very successful in rearing the tender minds and teaching the young ideas how to shoot; but the majority were but poorly qualified for the duties of instructors. The popu- lar standard of education was low, owing to the peculiar incidents and surroundings of pioneer life. The country was sparsely set- tled, and the people generally poor; and however anxious they may have been for good educational advantages, it was utterly impos- sible to obtain them. But few who had qualified themselves for the profession of teaching wandered so far west. The school mas- ter was generally some unfortunate, poverty-stricken wretch that had been wafted to the outskirts of civilization, and had become snow-bound, water-bound, or frost-bitten, and was compelled to "take up a school" to keep soul and body together until a favorable opportunity presented itself, for him to get to his destination, or back to his home in the east. Not infrequently did it happen that a man was to be found who was too lazy, in the popular estimation, -30
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
for anything else than a school teacher, who was induced to pass around his "subscription for signers," and "take up" a school! Some people seemed to have entertained the idea that laziness was one of the qualifications of a school teacher! The Biblical camel could about as well accomplish the needle's eye feat as one of these living specimens of inertia could properly manage and "keep a school," in those days, when the big boys were boiling over with mischief, and had no great respect for the restraint of the school room, any how. The teachers were, of necessity, poorly paid, and, all things con- sidered, perhaps, rendered as much instruction in proportion to the compensation, as those of the present day. It was certainly no pleasant task in those days the teacher had to perform. He usually "boarded round" with the scholars, and in this respect was like a stray dog, having no fixed place of abode. He was compelled to make long and laborious journeys to and from his temporary stop- ping places; which, taken in connection with the fact that the poor fellow was often poorly clad, and possessed no great amount of vitality, at any rate, rendered him an object of mingled commisera- tion and pity. He was likewise made the target at which was hurled all the knotty questions of theology, mathematics, science and politics, that had descended down to the different households from generation to generation.
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