USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 27
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The Teachers' Institute in 1903 was held at Aledo and was one of the most inspiring and successful ever held in the county. It was in charge of Superintendent Gregory. Miss Cora M. Hamilton gave instruction in primary work; Professor Hall, of Aurora, instructed
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on various subjects, including arithmetic and agriculture, and Mr. Prince told the teachers how to give instruction in music. The attendance was about one hundred and fifty. Other sessions were held the same year and also in 1904. Many prominent educators from outside came in to assist local instructors. From 1900 to 1904 there had been almost wholly completed in this county the following reforms: (1) County uniformity of text-books; (2) a good library in every school if possible; (3) great improvement in school build- ings and grounds. There had been, during this period, almost a complete revolution on these particulars. Especially was the uni- formity of text-books fully and permanently established. This was of great importance to tenants, who passed from farm to farm every year and were thus saving the expense of purchasing each year new books for their children. Almost every school in the county now had a library, and in most cases bookcases had been provided by the school authorities. The libraries, it was found, had awakened great interest in literary work and had expanded and broadened the minds of the children. By the use of the diplomas offered by the state department and also by personal work, much had been done to improve the conditions of school buildings and grounds. The yards were cleaned and planted with trees and shrubbery, school buildings were repaired, repainted and otherwise improved, and the teachers employed were of a higher standard than ever before. This was due to the fact that better wages were paid. The total number of children in the county under twenty-one years of age in 1904 was 8,368; total number between six and twenty-one years, 6,003; total
enrollment, 4,423. There were at this time 115 school districts in the county. In the high schools were the following teachers and pupils : Aledo-143 pupils, 5 teachers; Keithsburg-49 pupils, 3 teachers; Viola-30 pupils, I teacher; Seaton-21 pupils, I teacher; New Boston-20 pupils, 1 teacher. The number of volumes in the high-school libraries were as follows : Aledo, 1, 120; Keithsburg, 824; Viola, 60; Seaton, 275; New Boston, 180.
In the fall of 1906 the grammar grades at Aledo were completed, as were also the more thorough grading of high schools. This year the Teachers' Institute was held in March, there being present 120 teachers. Prof. Frank M. Hall made the opening address on Accu- racy in Arithmetic and Spelling. He insisted that 80 per cent perfect was not sufficient. Prof. L. B. Mitchell, of W. & V. College, read a paper on A Broader Approach to Academy and College; Prof. J. Percival Huget read one on Looms of Life. County Superintendent Gregory gave important instruction at this institute. The exercises
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were progressive and instructive and great interest was shown by all the teachers present.
In the county, in 1908, were 7,406 children under the age of twenty-one years; number of boys in the graded schools, 1, 103; num- ber of girls in graded schools, 1,244; total enrollment in the county, 4,318; number school districts, 116.
In April, 1911, a new school building was planned for Aledo and soon afterwards was constructed. It was ready and occupied in September that year. This year the literary work of the high schools was more elaborate and of a higher class than ever before. The high schools were making a specialty of this feature of improvement.
In 1912 the Teachers' Institute enrolled 170 members. There were present W. H. Cheever, Western State Normal; S. B. Hurst, of the same; E. L. Philbrook, professor of music.
In 1913 there were in the Aledo high schools 136 pupils, and in all the schools, 460. This was the first time that domestic science and manual training came before the schools to be taught. The subject had been considered for several years, but the school authori- ties had not decided definitely until this year. The apparatus was not ready in September, but as soon as it arrived instruction in these important departments was commenced. Prof. H. K. Whittier had charge of the instruction in manual training and Miss Mabel Stone that in domestic science. At that time, as never before, there was demand from every center of population in the county for experi- enced teachers and for better work in the schoolroom than ever before. Wages had gone up and now ranged from sixty to ninety dollars per month in the leading country districts, and to from sixty- five to seventy-five dollars in others. As a whole the schools of the county in 1914 were up to the standard of the best in the state.
On March 13, 1897, William Drury died at his home, Verdurette, in this county, aged nearly eighty-eight years. He had come to the county first in 1833, but had returned to Indiana and the following year came back and took up a claim and settled down near the Bluff. In 1840 he returned to Indiana, married Vashti Lewis, daughter of Caleb and Polly (Willits) Lewis, and brought her to their house in this county. In 1835 he was elected county recorder, to which the duties of county clerk were added in 1836. In that year he formed the partnership of Drury & Willits at New Boston, which packed the first pork for shipment in this county. In 1871 he helped to organize the Farmers National Bank at Keithsburg. He occu- pied many responsible positions with credit and was a member of the Universalist Church which flourished for many years at the
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Bluff. He was also a member of the Society of Independent Thinkers which in early times distinguished the settlements in the western part of the county. During his lifetime he amassed a large property, which was disposed of in his will. In that instrument he made the following statement:
"I have long contemplated founding an Educational Institution in Mercer County, Illinois, which might prove of benefit to the youth of the coming generations and it has been my thought and desire that such a school might be conducted along polytechnic lines where the education would be practical and of a mechanical and industrial character as well as scientific and classical, and free from denominational and sectarian bias or influence."
This statement reflects the views which he entertained in his life- time. He wanted the "Educational Institution" thus established to be "free from denominational and sectarian bias or influence," but did not prohibit religious services where denominational or sectarian bias or influence was excluded. The will was filed of record March 25, 1897, and the necessary legal proceedings were instituted by the trustee to free the property for the uses specified by the testator. A careful estimate of all the property left to the college showed its value to be $169,269.31. The will provided that all of his property should be held during the lifetime of his wife for her benefit, she to have the income thereof until her death, and thereupon the property should all be converted into money for the establishment of an institution of learning which was to be named William and Vashti College, to be established in the town of Mercer County which would subscribe the largest amount for its location and support. The will provided that the fund should be divided into 100 parts and nine parts were given to certain of his nieces and nephews and the balance of the fund was left for the benefit of the college. He provided also that the chairman of the board of supervisors and the county officers should be the trustees of the college. Mr. Drury did not have any children and his wife was dissatisfied and renounced the will. She and James H. Connell were the executors and in the meantime Mr. Drury had bought a large amount of western land in the sub-arid regions of Colorado, Nebraska and Texas and had undertaken an irrigation project in which he invested a large amount of money, and which was absolutely lost.
On July 25, 1906, James H. Connell, trustee, reported the estate closed up so that steps to establish the school could be taken. The sum thus to be used was found to be $112,397.98. The will provided for a college building and accordingly Judge Connell called for
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bids for its construction. Aledo made a cash bid or bonus of $6,210 and the William E. Marsh collection of geological and paleanto- logical specimens. At once a building to cost about forty thousand dollars was planned and a site for the institution was sought. The Hammond block was finally decided on, the price being $5,000. Four acres adjoining were purchased of Horace Bigelow for $1,200. A brick residence standing on the property was remodeled and made suitable for a residence for the school officials. In March, 1907, the contract for the college building was let to Harney Brothers, at $39,525, the structure to be 65 by 107 feet and to be built of brick and stone. The cost of the finished building alone was about forty-five thousand dollars.
On September 16, 1908, the institution was duly opened with an enrollment of sixty students and with the following faculty: Presi- dent, T. J. Davis; professor of mathematics, W. R. Woodmansee; professor of Latin and Greek, L. B. Mitchell; professor of German and French, Eric Greenfield; instructor in music, Josephine E. Moore. The institution was named "William and Vashti," which were the given names of Mr. Drury, the donor, and his wife. In 1909 Drury Academy was established as a preparatory school for the students who designed to enter the college. The enrollment of the college has been as follows: 1908-9, 98; 1909-10, 141; 1910- II, 285 ; 1911-12, 301 ; 1912-13, 272.
Judge Connell died before his task as trustee was completed, whereupon a board of trustees was appointed to finish the work, as follows: H. E. Burgess, W. T. Church, Fred Hendrickson, John W. Dilley and E. L. Wickett, of Keithsburg. When the work was completed the following permanent board was appointed as pro- vided in Mr. Drury's will: H. E. Burgess, Fred Hendrickson, John W. Dilley, C. A. Clark and W. T. Church.
Soon it was seen that the endowment was not sufficient for the needs, expansion and success of the college. In January, 1911, and later, meetings were held to devise ways and means of increasing the permanent endowment and hence the annual income. It was decided to try to raise $200,000 for this purpose and at once earnest and persistent efforts were made toward this end by organized bodies of both men and women. The Woman's College Federation organ- ized and commenced active work. So effective was the work that by November, 1911, Mercer Township's donation to this endowment fund amounted alone to a little over one hundred thousand dollars. About twenty thousand dollars was obtained from other sources. The money began to come in and Robert L. Watson was appointed treasurer to care for it.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
The Marsh collection of specimens was turned over to the college by the Columbian Club in April, 1912. In March of the year before Dr. Frank E. English was elected president of the college. Since the start other buildings have been erected and other neces- sary expenses incurred until the endowment of $200,000 is urgently required. The following table shows the cost of the entire insti- tution :
College building $ 58,606.27
Gymnasium .$ 4,291.22
Dormitory
29,188.54
New sewer plant. 55.00
Boiler house.
2,204-73
Miscellaneous
352.24
Tunnel
883.56
Grounds
9,873.70
Residence
2,473.93
Athletics
73.98
Total $108,003.17
Late in 1913 the following statement was prepared to show the financial condition of the college :
RECEIPTS
From William Drury's estate $112,397.98
From Sophia Miller's estate. 9,418.14
From interest on the fund. 1,810.37
From location notes and interest. 6,067.19
From annual support notes and interest ... 4,260.13
From miscellaneous contributions
1,500.09
Total
$135,453.90
CONSTRUCTION EXPENSES
College building and equipment. $ 63,358.79
Boys' dormitory and equipment. 30,917.85 Heating plant. 2,486.63
Gymnasium and equipment. 643.20
Real estate and improvements thereon 10,577.85
Other improvements. 602.71
Total $108,587.03 The following statement concerning the endowment fund was made by Robert L. Watson, treasurer, on July 1, 1914: Subscriptions collected and loaned. $ 32,600.00 Rock Island Southern bonds subscribed. . 13,800.00 Original subscriptions yet uncollected. 63,150.28
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
277
Collections under the 19 per cent subscrip- tion clause $ 9,789.94
Cash on hand 1,272.12
Total $120,612.34
Total paid out. 14,914.94
Balance income producing fund
$105,697.40
Vol. 1- 18
CHAPTER XII
THE LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND OTHER RIGHTS OF WOMEN
The oppression of women by the other sex is an illustration of the cruelty and tyranny of men. In the earlier stages of the human family, married women had no rights, legal or financial, that were recognized by men. The latter, by reason of their superior physical strength, tyrannized over women and were cruel beyond expression. In the earlier stages of the human family the man could take the life of his wife with impunity. She was condemned to perform all of the drudgery and hard labor and she could not own or possess any property in her own right.
As the nomadic condition of tribes changed to that of a more permanent home, women's influences became greater and the husband treated her with more leniency and respect, and gradually the laws and customs of society became such that the husband could no longer take the life of his wife without being prosecuted as a criminal, but he still held her in bondage, largely, and she was still practically his slave, condemned to perform the greater part of the menial labor and largely to support the family.
By the boasted common law of England with the encomiums of Blackstone thereon, and which is still largely praised by the lawyers of the present day as the wisest and best laws ever devised, a woman had no right after marriage to earn or acquire property in her own right. If she owned any property when she was married, her per- sonal property immediately passed to the possession of her husband; this included her money and all other personal property, except her wearing apparel; and if she owned any real estate, her husband im- mediately became entitled to the rents and profits of the same during the life of the wife. If a child was born to such marriage, the husband became entitled to the rents and profits of her real estate during his lifetime, although the wife might die the next day.
A married woman could neither sue nor be sued by the common law of England, and Blackstone says that a man could flog his wife and correct her by physical punishment. This boasted common law
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
of England was with very few modifications the law of Illinois until 1861.
The woman received very little education and was shut off from the colleges until recent times, and the churches joined largely in keeping women in absolute subjugation to the other sex. St. Paul ordered them to keep their heads covered in church and be silent, and suggested that they should obey their husbands, and the church ritual provided in the marriage ceremony the woman should promise to obey the man. All the old religions practically ignored woman, and until the Christian religion set aside the Jewish, she had no place in religious privileges and promises. Woman could do nothing but protest against this enslavement, and she had to submit quietly to all demands of her husband.
It was not hers to reply, It was not hers to reason why, It was not hers to defy, It was hers to obey or die.
Among other things the husband, in case of separation of husband and wife, was entitled to the custody of the children even in tender years. However, in the courts of Illinois, the judge in a contest would almost always give the wife the custody of the children during the tender years of infancy, and public opinion was so strongly mani- fested against a man for whipping his wife that he was almost universally despised. Physical punishment of the wife came to be regarded as cruelty and she would be entitled to a divorce for re- peated cruel treatment.
In 1861 the Legislature of Illinois enacted what was usually known as "The Married Woman's Act," which provided that a mar- ried woman should possess, control and own personal property, that she could sue for the same, and that she could be sued for any indebt- edness, or for what is legally known as a tort. She could receive and use the rents of her real estate, but until 1874 she could not sell or convey her real property without her husband's joining in the deed with her, but by that act she could convey her real estate without her husband joining. The courts were still so adverse to the law that after the act of 1861 they construed it very strictly until the passage of the acts of 1867 and 1869, which were so strongly ex- pressive of the married women's rights that the judges were compelled to construe the law more liberally. The law of 1869 also gave a married woman the right of her own earnings after marriage.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
But women married or unmarried had not the right of franchise upon any question under the laws of Illinois until 1891, when they were permitted to vote for school offices, and subsequently by an act of the Illinois Legislature, women were eligible to act as school directors. In 1913, by an act of the Legislature, women were em- powered to vote, who had the same qualifications of residence and age as men were required to have, for all statutory offices-that is, all offices that are not provided for by the constitution of the state. After the passage of this act women voted at the next election for city and township officers and others, and on questions of local option, but their right to vote was questioned, and it was decided by the Circuit Court in favor of the right in this regard. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court of the state and the decision has just recently been announced sustaining the right of women to vote under this act of 1913. This settles the question so far as to the right of women to vote for all statutory offices or upon all statutory questions on the same terms as men are entitled to vote. There had been for many years a spirited contest by many women for a change of the common law, and for a right to vote and to hold offices on equal term with the men.
The women of Mercer County, with the other women of the state, took a lively interest in this question, and in 1871 there was a literary society organized in the Congregational Church, Aledo, com- posed of women. During its existence, they secured a number of lecturers, among whom were Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Phoebe Cousins. These three women were strong "equal rights women." Miss Susan B. Anthony assisted the women of Aledo in organizing a woman's suffrage society, of which Mrs. Martha F. Mathews was made president and Miss Amanda D. Frazier, secretary. Soon after this organization was formed there was a national women's suffrage convention held in St. Louis, Missouri. Among the number of ladies who went from Aledo were Mrs. Martha F. Mathews, Mrs. Emeline Graham and Misses Matilda and Amanda Frazier. Miss Amanda Frazier served as secretary for that great body. Mrs. Martha Mathews is the only one now living of the women who were members of that society. Women were permitted by law to hold the office of county superin- tendent of schools and Miss West was about this time elected to fill that office in Knox County, and in 1873 Miss Amanda Frazier was elected in Mercer County. The latter made a very efficient super- intendent of schools. It is universally conceded that she and Miss West had shown a capability for that office superior to that of many
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
of the other sex who had filled the position. Since that time women have filled that office in different counties of the state, with eminent satisfaction and ability, but the political bosses have most generally combined to prevent them from being elected or nominated to fill the office, for the reason that they want a man nominated, who will have more influence in getting voters to support their nominees. Other women later were active upon this subject, but had no organi- zation, and after women were empowered to vote at school elections there was much activity among the great number of the women in the county, not only in voting at the election for school officers, but in advocating a change of the law, so as to give them the right to vote upon all questions the same as was exercised under the law by men.
The right of women to hold any political or municipal office was not recognized until recently, except in a few countries where she could by the laws become a reigning sovereign, a queen, or a duchess, as the case might be. But where she simply had the title of queen, as the wife of the king, she was subject even to be put to death by the order of the king, as was the case in England by Henry VIII as late as the sixteenth century. He had two of his wives executed, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Elizabeth, first queen of England, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, made a very brilliant record, and there was Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII, and Anne Stuart, daughter of James II, and her sister, Mary, who how- ever, reigned jointly with her husband, William III, and subsequently Queen Victoria. Some of these women showed great ability.
There is no statute or law in Illinois by which a woman can hold any political office except that of school director, trustee, superin- tendent and notary public. There was a very thorough argument in a case in Illinois just decided, holding the validity of the law author- izing women to vote for all statutory offices, and the case was most thoroughly considered by the members of the Supreme Court. It was sustained by a bare majority of four out of seven judges, and Justice Cooke wrote a very lengthy, able, but ineffective dissenting opinion. The vote of the women in this first election under the law of 1913 put at rest the argument often made that women would not turn out to vote, because there was quite a heavy vote. On one ques- tion particularly-the saloon question, more generally known as the wet and dry question-they voted heavily. The vote of the women in a majority of the election precincts was against saloons, and in a great many of them decided the question for the drys. In Mercer County the one place where saloons were licensed was Keithsburg,
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and the vote of the women there decided against the saloons and made Mercer County unanimously anti-saloon.
With reference to the education of women in Illinois, as well as in other places, there was quite a struggle for coeducation of the sexes in the colleges. In former years a woman could enter the great majority of the colleges, but in some of the states they were insulted and hooted and almost driven away from the school. Now nearly all colleges are open to women the same as to men, and it has come to be regarded necessary for women not only to have an education in music, good manners, etc., but in classics, sciences and domestic duties. Gradually laws for the better protection and elevation of women in the most of the foreign countries, and especially in the United States, and in the State of Illinois, have been passed. Such laws were passed and are now being enforced generally against what is called the white slave trade, the degradation of women; and the men are laboring as hard as the women to have such laws enforced. For the same purpose also laws have been enacted protecting young women from the social evil, all of which shows that men have become con- vinced of the real civilizing value of women, and are doing much to improve not only the laws which are necessary for their protec- tion, but for their social and religious ideals, her real position in the family and in society, giving her more influence and power which she is exercising for the good of the home.
Among the other laws in Illinois have been those protecting her in various employments in which she was compelled or induced to labor too many hours, and under conditions which injured her health. In the first instance a law was held to be unconstitutional in the State of Illinois. In 1893 there was an act passed by the Legislature pro- hibiting the employment of women for more than eight hours of the twenty-four in any day, in shops and factories, and providing a penalty against the firm, company or corporation employing her for a longer period each day. Women were employed by a certain manu- facturing firm in violation of that statute, and suit was brought and a fine of $5 imposed for a violation of the law by the Circuit Court. On appeal the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Circuit Court and held that the law was unconstitutional. (See Richie vs. the People, 155 Ill., page 98.) In 1909 the Legislature passed a similar statute prohibiting employment of women in factories for more than ten hours during any day. A suit was commenced against a manufacturing firm under this statute, and the lower court, follow- ing the decision made under the former statute, decided the law unconstitutional, and on appeal the Supreme Court reversed the deci-
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