USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 14
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To secure admission, tuition must invariably be paid in advance. Patrons residing in the district will receive the benefit of the school fund. A com- petent female teacher will be engaged for the en- suing year.
Applications to be made to the undersigned.
Z. A. MORROW, C. A. DAVIS, L. W. LINK.
Carrollton, Dec. 31, 1851.
Directors.
The new school building referred to in the above was completed and dedicated on the 3d day of January, 1852. The old school room formed an ell on the north side of the new front, which consisted of two rooms on the ground floor and one above.
The following which we find in the Car- rollton Gasette of January 10, 1852, con- tains an account of the dedication : "On Sat- urday night last our splendid school edifice was dedicated. A very large audience was present and listened to the exercises with evident gratification. The Carrollton Brass Band performed, and, it is needless to say, in good style. Besides this, a gentleman and lady who had come to town for the pur- pose of giving concerts, sang and per- formed on this occasion. An address was delivered by Judge Woodson, who held the attention of the audience enchained. If sound principles and enlightened views, com- bined with elegant language and impressive style of speaking, entitle any one to the claim of eloquence, the address on that oc- casion may be termed eloquent. We hesi- tate not to say that every citizen present looked around him with profound gratifica- tion that our town can boast of such a struc- ture, devoted to the cause of education."
The school continued on in charge of Professor Russell during the remainder of that year, when he was succeeded by Henry Bonfoy. It does not appear that at this time there existed what we now call a grad- ed school. The tax books show that it was not until 1855 that the school tax was regu- larly levied.
In 1855 Mr. David G. Peabody, from the state of Vermont, was employed as prin- cipal at a salary of $600. He organized the school upon the graded basis, and the enrollment for this year was 220. He was
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assisted by his sister, Miss Hannah G. l'ea- body. He was re-employed and served six months of the following year. The assist- ant teachers for this year were paid $300 each ; in 1856, $350 each, and in 1857, $400 each per year.
In the fall of 1857 Charles K. Gilchrist was employed and served two years. He afterward became Judge Gilchrist of Utah. From this time on there was a change of principals nearly every year, no one serving longer than two years. Dr. Justus Bulk- ley, at that time pastor of the Baptist church in Carrollton, taught a very large and well advanced high school for two winters at a salary of $650; he had two.assistants.
The names of Alfred Harvey. Francis W. Parker, who became prominent educa- tors and who filled high and responsible positions in the educational realm, and many others dear to the memory of those who profited by their instruction, proves that the schools-some of them at least-were in earnest and capable hands. However, it was impossible to have a systematic organization when the principal and most of the assistant teachers were changed every year.
At last the school building became inade- quate to the wants of the people, and, after a vast amount of discussion, it was voted to build a new school house. The board of directors, George W. Davis, Thomas Boyd and Rev. E. L. Craig, pushed the matter forward with vigor and during the summer and fall of 1870 an elegant and and commodious school building was erected, which at once became "The Pride of Car- rollton" and formed the most striking ob- ject in the town to the eye of the passing traveler. The building was of brick, faced with stone, three stories in height, with a
basement. The upper story Mais ey hare sard, and the whole set off withey quare tower which rose from the center of the building in front, eighty feet from the ground. It was finished mside with ber nate walnut and ash panels, oak fours hard- finish walls, and was well provided with blackboards, and seated with Andrews lat- est style of school desks. The original cost of the building, including furnace, was $44,000.
In this sightly and commodious build- ing the Carrollton public schools were gath- ered, and continued under the supervision of able and beloved instructors, for eigh- teen years, when, on a still night. November 17. 1888, the wild cry of Fire! was heard and "The Pride of Carrollton" was discov- ered to be in flames, and in a short time the sightly edifice was totally destroyed.
Just at this point I am constrained to re- produce an article written for an anniver sary number of The Patriot, by Miss 11. G. Peabody.
Miss Peabody was prominent as a suc- cessful teacher in the Carrollton schools ยท for 20 years, and tells in graphic manner her varied experiences during her connection with them. She still resides in Carrollton. highly esteemed and beloved by all :
"PRIDE OF CARROLLTON." (By Miss II. G. Peabody.)
Though always interested in the busi- ness prosperity of our town, in the enlarge- ment of our borders and the increase of happy homes, my chief attention has been given to the school, with which I was so long connected, and of which 1 shall always consider myself a part.
My acquaintance with Carrollton was
7
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
formed several years before the advent of The Patriot. At that time, instead of side- walks, the streets were bordered with dog- fennel and jimson weed. Domestic animals had the freedom of the town, and seemed peculiarly fitted to reach private inclosures.
We then occupied the old school house, now the Marmon building, on Locust street. One day, a tall, slim porker climbed the steps of the style and landed in the yard. I can fancy his elevated head and wise coun- tenance as he deliberated what next to do.
Soon after, a pupil on leaving her room, saw the strange intruder in the building, in- terviewing the dinner baskets, and I still seem to hear her shrill, high-toned cry, "A hog in the hall! A hog in the hall !"
During my first season here I went out with another teacher to make calls upon our pupils. As we took the street south from the Christian church we picked our way through weeds higher than our heads. I have forgotten how far the street extended, but think the last house was the kitchen part of the Rumrill building. One place we wished to find was the home of Mr. Nichols, step-father of one of my boys, now Alder- man Ladd. We asked a little girl, who was sitting on the top of the fence, if she could tell us where Mr. Nichols lived. The an- swer was, while pointing with a finger, "Yes, he lives over there, but his name isn't Nichols any more, he married Mrs. Ladd the other day."
I have lost trace of the child, but fancy she may now be enlightening the world upon woman's rights.
Carrollton was then a very pleasant place. Parents appreciated what we en- dleavored to do and there were never more lovable pupils. The town was not so large
but that each person knew all the rest, and a most social, friendly feeling prevailed.
After a few years absence I returned and took my old place in the school. The house had become too small for the increas- ing number of pupils and a new one was to be constructed. The year 1870 was our last in the building. There were few conven- iences, even blackboards were so worn they could hardly be induced to receive a chalk- mark, and things in general were out of order. We were so soon to leave the place it was not thought advisable to spend money for repairs.
The upper story was divided in the cen- ter by a thin board partition, each half oc- cupied by a teacher and a large class of pupils. When ordinary study and recita- tions were in progress we got along quite well, but if the musical side enjoyed a season of recreation the other side was in a state of distraction. I had the east side, the pupils on the west having to pass into my room to reach the stairway. One day, when all was still, a heavy crash was heard, then, after an instant's pause, another, and then a third. At this the west door flew open and out poured all the pupils, tearing down stairs as though the walls were falling. Soon the house was empty, all bewildered as to what had happened. On investigation it was found that a heavy piece of plaster had fallen from the ceiling upon a desk that had become detached from the floor; that had fallen upon another in the same condition, and that also had taken a leap, banging as it fell.
We had many experiences, undesirable at the time, but they became sources of amusement afterward.
December 16, 1870, was our last day
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
in the old school house. We were glad of the prospect of a better building, but left our love and blessing with the one so long occupied.
On the 24th of May previous the cor- nerstone of the "Pride of Carrollton" was laid. Preparations had been made for the day and we had learned our part. . At I o'clock in the afternoon teachers and pupils arranged themselves for marching, taking the center of the street, as sidewalks extend- ed a short distance only beyond the square. Mr. Dobbin was our marshal. We were preceded by a band of musicians, Odd Fel- lows and Knights Templar. Col. Nulton headed the Knights and made a fine appear- ance, riding in military style on his white charger, his dark suit enlivened by white sash and feather.
After an invocation, in which the chap- lain became somewhat confused by the in- tricacies of the Lord's prayer, the school gave a song, commencing :
"Let every heart rejoice and sing. Let choral anthems rise. Ye reverend men, and children. Bring to God your sacrifice."
The cornerstone was laid with much ceremony, and pronounced by the one in authority, to be in true and exact position. .At the same time, all could see it was sev- eral inches out of place, but to say it was all right, was, I suppose, a part of the pro- gram. Among many articles placed in a tin box, hidden away in a recess prepared for it, were the names and so-called like- nesses of the teachers at the time. The pictures were startling caricatures of a not too handsome group at best, and it would have been fortunate if all others, taken at that time, had shared a similar fate.
After Judge Workson's address, more singing and some other exercise, we marched back to the square. wears but cheered by Mr. Dobbin's telling andhe Itad been very proud of the part we had taken.
On January 9. 1871, the new Moulding opened its doors to receive us. Imve for- gotten the number of pupils in the house, but my department averaged fifty-three. We found our work hard, but that we had ex- pected and did not complain. Our house was a handsome building, and we admired the great elm on the west side-more a a thing of beauty then than now, for it was in its prime.
The place had been a cornfield not long before and a few stalks remained, as if pro- testing against our not acknowledging corn a greater king than education.
When spring came and weeds began 10 show themselves, workmen were sent to prepare the ground for something better.
Small trees were planted, and such was the interest felt no child was ever known to injure one of them. Elder Craig, one of the directors, often came in the morning, about the time the school opened. to sow grass seed. Ile carried this in a white apron and scattered it to right and left by hand. He so strongly reminded me of a picture in an ancient Bible that I turned to the parable of the sower and the seed, and the children and I read it together.
Mr. Dobbin was an earnest worker and rightly believed that weeds of idleness and misconduct should no more be tolerated within the school than poisonous weeds should be left to multiply on the grounds.
Ilis stay with us was short, but he left the school much better than he found it, both in scholarship and discipline.
In September, 1872, Mr. Doolittle be-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
came principal. His first task was to di- vide the school, as' one would a garden, into suitable plots, and assign to each the spec- ialties belonging to it. His seven years of faithful service advanced the school greatly in all right directions.
I must tell one little anecdote relative to that time. A boy belonging to a lower room gave his parents and teacher much trouble by frequent, unauthorized departures from school. Once, after having been absent a day or two he ventured into the yard to share the amusements of recess, and became too much interested to fear capture. He was, however, discovered, and a hand was laid upon his shoulder. The Bible injunc- tion to agree with one's adversary quickly seemed to have been well learned. His hand was at once thrust into his pocket, bringing out his fortune, and he excliamed, "Here, I'll give you a nickel if you'll let me off."
He retained his nickel and was not pun- ished, but as I am not writing for the "Teachers' Instructor," I shall not say he was so deeply touched by gentle treatment that he was ever after a model of good be- havior. I am more inclined to think he ran away again next day, taking a companion with him.
In 1882 Mr. Felmley accepted the place of principal. He came with new ideas and youthful ardor, giving impetus to what was already being done. He remained with the school several years and left a lasting im- press of his good instruction upon many mincls.
It was during his administration that, on a still night, November 17, 1888, we were startled by the wild clangor of bells and the shriek of steam whistles, that said, as plainly as words could have spoken,
"Fire! Fire!" Great was our consternation when we learned our beautiful school house was becoming a ruin.
Grief was in the hearts of old and young alike, and more than one man shed tears that night. The loss of property seemed to be less regarded than the destruction of an object beloved.
Time was not wasted in regrets. Soon another building, more commodious and convenient, though less symmetrical, was planned, and in 1890 it was ready for occu- pation.
At the time of the fire the trees had gained good proportions, making ample shade, and the grounds were covered with verdure. Some of the trees were injured in clearing away rubbish and others were re- moved to make room for a larger building, so the yard has not now its former beauty.
We all know, or ought to know, the su- perior excellence of our school at present. To go through it and see the working of each department makes one wish to be a child again.
One, whose acquaintance with schools of a high grade is not confined to this sec- tion of the country, lately said he had met no other its equal.
The wise claim that good citizens are the best wealth of a nation; then to be instru- mental in giving the training to our young people to make them such must be a work of importance. Mr. Slone and his large corps of assistants, fitted in mind and heart for their calling, are doing much in this di- rection.
It is a delight to look back more than forty years and note in our school the con- stant growth of that which is best. I think nothing will retard its further development.
I like a story that ends well, giving prom-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
ise of something better to come, and with this feeling I close these simple reminis- cences of the Carrollton school.
Into this building on the first week in January, 1871, Mr. Dobbin transferred the pupils and proceeded to organize and grade the school. To do this with a school of several hundred children was a difficult task ; but Mr. Dobbin succeeded in bringing order out of chaos, in which he was ably assisted in the high school by Miss Alice Judd, afterward teacher of German in the Decatur, Illinois High School, and in the lower grades by Miss Mary Pike, afterward principal of the Fourth Ward School in Bloomington, Illi- nois : by Miss Anna Pike, Miss Della Schenck, Miss II. G. Peabody and Miss Nan- nie Price.
Thus began a new and better era for the Carrollton schools ; a course of study was marked out and a strict record kept of each pupil's advancement. Mr. Dobbin resigned at the close of the year, and Mr. W. II. Wil- son was elected to succeed him. He was a gentleman of fine attainments, but his stay was so short that he did little more than make a beginning. When, in the fall of 1872, the high school was organized, under charge of E. A. Doolittle, very few of the okl pupils entered the school, so that it was necessary to begin at the foundation again. Mr. Doo- little was assisted in the high school by Miss Hattie E. Dunn, who was a graduate of the State Normal and had taught with great suc- cess in the high schools of Bloomington and Springfield, Illinois, before coming to Car- rollton, and subsequently became principal of the Bloomington high school. Mr. Doo- little, finding that the high school was com- posed of young men and women whose in- telligence demanded instructions of a higher
grade than arithmetic and go graphy. a course of study was gradually developed, covering four years, although at first only two years of the course were represented by classes.
Mr. Doolittle continued as principal for seven years when he resigned and became an attorney-at-law and is still practicing his pro- fession in Carrollton. He was succeeded in the schools by J. S. Kenyon, now of Emporia, Kansas, who served as principal until 1882 when David Flemley, now president of the State normal at Normal, Illinois, was chosen, and assumed control. Mr. Felmley contin- ned in charge until 1800, when he resigned to accept the position of professor of mathe- matics in the State Normal. It was during his occupancy as principal that the former "Pride of Carrollton" was destroyed by fire, as described in Miss Peabody's article above, and the present magnificent edifice erected. On that eventful and long to be remembered night of November 17, 1888, in the light of the flames that blotted out the former build- ing the Board of Education, composed at that time of J. P. Morrow, Leroy McFar- land. H. II. Montgomery, R. H. Davis, W. L. Armstrong and Ed Miner, held a meeting on the grounds, and planned for future ac- tion. Rooms were secured on the square and other points and in a week's time the schools were again in operation and preparations begun for rebuilding.
Sixteen thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars were received from in- surance, and bonds were issued to the amount of $12,000 plans were adopted, and the contract was let for $23.968. The building was completed and occupied by the school Janaury 20. 1800, and the total cost includ- ing furnace and furniture was about $28,000. This building is modern in every respect and
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
was planned and constructed with a view to the health and comfort of those who occupy it. Its dimensions are 125x107 feet, the west front being seventy-seven feet high. The foundation is of Joliet stone, the walls of Litchfield brick, with stone trimmings, and the roof of slate. The sanitary conditions of the building are almost perfect, the heat- ing and ventilating being accomplished by the most modern and approved systems. The interior is conveniently arranged, well lighted and handsomely furnished. There are nine school rooms, several recitation rooms, li- brary, etc., on the two main floors, while in the basement is a laboratory for physics and chemistry classes, beside ample play rooms for inclement weather. Upon the resigna- tion of Mr. Felmley in 1890. Clyde Slone, then assistant principal was appointed prin- cipal, which position he held for nine years, and not only fully sustained the enviable reputation the Carrollton schools had long maintained, but kept them on the up-grade. He was a graduate from the Carrollton high school in the class of 1883, and from the University of Michigan in 1888. He is at present principal of the Cairo, Illinois, high school. In the year 1899 Mr. E. A. Thornhill, graduate of the State Normal University, and of Harvard University, was chosen principal. Mr. Thornhill continued in this position until 1903, when he was stic- ceeded by Mr. A. B. Carroll, who served one term and was succeeded by Mr. J. R. Sparks, the present incumbent.
Mr. Sparks receives a salary of $1,500 per year as superintendent, and is assisted by the following splendid corps of teachers who receive the salaries set opposite their names :
Per month.
W. J. Mcharland, principal, salary .$70.00 Annie Sides, is1 assistant, salary 60.00
R. H. Hebberling, 2d assistant, salary. 55.00
W. D. McLemore, 8th grade, salary. 60.00
Mrs. O. Seiverling, 7th grade, salary. 55.00
Aris A. Campbell, 6th grade, salary.
Floss Wright, 5th grade, salary. 45.00
45.00
Jennie Stone, 4th grade, salary. 40.00
Catherine Shallue, 3d grade, salary 40.00
Louisa Campbell, 2d grade, salary 45.00
Nellie Hardcastle, 2d primary, salary. 10.00
Nettie Robinson, Ist primary, salary 50.00
Janitor, Harvey Epps, salary. 50.00
The number of pupils enrolled the pres- ent term is 421. The tuition pupils number sixty, and tuition collected this year will amount to $1,250. The tax levy for the district is $9,500. The library, apparatus, furniture and contents of school building at the time as shown by an inventory recently taken amounts to $4,000.
CARROLLTON CITY CHURCHES.
In a not remote souvenir edition of the Patriot, by Charles Bradshaw, we gather something of the history of the Carrollton churches, of which organizations there are six, each having their own church edifices, and all supplied with the preaching of the gospel. The church history of Greene coun- ty dates back almost to the beginning of the county itself. According to some au- thorities an anti-mission Baptist church was organized in Carrollton in 1821, the same year the county seat was organized. Their meeting house was a log cabin which stood just east of the southeast corner of the square. It is said that Governor Carlin was a member of the organization. It afterward became what is now the Providence church, about seven miles east of Carrollton. The organization of the first Presbyterian church in the county was effected in the old log court house at the county seat, May 4. 1823-
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
The Dodgson family coming to the county in 1821 from England were the pioneers of Methodism here. They settled about two and one-half miles north of Carrollton, and organized a society called Hopewell Class, which was the first organization of Method- ists in the county. A few years later this society built a brick church a little north of the residence of Daniel Morfoot, which con- tinued a preaching place for many years.
Among the early preachers who made stations in this county were Father Breech, a Presbyterian; Eller Van Cleve, a Meth- odist, and Elijah Dodson, Moses Lemen, Ja- cob Bower, and Alvin Bailey, Baptists. A.s stated elsewhere in this history, the celebrat- ed Lorenzo Dow, in 1831, preached several nights in Carrollton.
METHODIST CHURCHI.
In 1832, with Rev. John Van Cleve as preacher in charge, assisted by Levi Springer, the Methodist Episcopal church of Carroll- ton was organized. The congregation first worshiped in the court house, and afterward in a school house on the east side of the square. In 1836 a brick church building was erected which served until 1850, when it was razed and gave place to a more pre- tentious building in which the congrega- tion worshiped until 1883, when the present handsome edifice was erected at a cost of $20,500. This building is of brick with stone trimmings, and its interior includes a commodious auditorium, with inclined floor. and beautifully frescoed walls, and a lecture room connected therewith by a rolling par- tition. The building is heated by steam and is an imposing and handsome edifice. In 1889 a handsome parsonage was erected on the lot adjoining on the east.
The present pastor is Rey D. J Black The official board of the durch i- vodofone ! of the following : Trustees, June 11. Mc- Pherson, J. 11. Curnutt, Samuel Beebee, (). T. Purl, Thomas J. Raffety, John Clough ; clerk, J. J. Hamilton ; stewards, J. 11 Curn utt, O. T. Purl, Thomas J. Raffety. L. K. Jones, George Clough, S. L. Simpson, F. W. Painter: secretary, J. J. Hamilton.
A large and flourishing Sunday school is conducted by O. T. Purl, superintendent : also a large Epworth League, Ladies' Mis sionary and other societies auxiliary to the church.
The officers of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society are: President, Mrs. John Clough; first vice president, Mrs. 1. Pegram : second vice president, Mrs. Edward Smith : recording secretary, Mrs. Boyd ; cor- responding secretary, Mrs. Linder ; treas- urer, Miss Lizzie Clark.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Under the ministry of Rev. Henry Her- rick, the Presbyterian church of Carrollton was organized July 23. 1831. The ruling elders chosen at that time were Julius 1. Willard, Joseph Gerrish and Anthony Potts. For several years the congregation was 11- able to build a church but worshiped regu- larly in the old blacksmith shop near the northwest corner of the square, sustaining a Sunday school and making a steady growth. In 1837, during the pastorate of Rev. Hugh Barr, a church building was erected ta ont of $2.500, and dedicated free from debt. Rev. Barr continued as pastor for ten years. and 103 communicants were added under his ministrations. A few years later a por tial disorganization occurred. but in 1850 the church was re-organized, and on 1851
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