USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 19
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August 12, 1865. Resolved, That a col- ored grade of school be established to which all persons of African descent shall be ad- mitted. The right was reserved to close the school and dismiss the teacher when- ever it might be thought best. Mrs. J. H. Roell was appointed the teacher of the school at a salary of $25 per month.
October 3, 1865. it was ordered that the regular meetings of the teachers be held once each month instead of twice as had been the practice heretofore.
On the 17th of October the following was unanimously passed :
Resolved, That in cases of suspensions from the schools all appeals from the de- cision of the superintendent shall be heard and determined at a meeting of the board. This action was taken because the son of a prominent citizen had been suspended for absence as the rule of the board provided ; the father, to whom the superintendent was " persona non grata " determined not to ask the officer to reinstate the boy but finding
two members of the board in a private office appealed directly to them. Without think- ing what effect their action would have upon the authority of the superintendent they reinstated the pupil. When their at- tention was called to the matter, the above rule was at once passed. It is, perhaps, fair to say that this is the only instance, in thirty-eight years, where there has been any difference between the board and the super- intendent concerning his duties.
Early in 1866 the superintendent was authorized to buy ink for the use of the schools and to spend not exceeding five dol- lars in the purchase of books for poor chil- dren. He was also directed to purchase five globes for the schools at a cost of not more than $12 each.
The duty of beautifying the school grounds was early recognized by the board and in the spring of 1866 a number of " sil- ver maples " were purchased at 6oc each of one Smith. a Bloomington man, which he set around the Church street school. C. D. Humphreys was paid the same price for boxing them.
On June 5, 1866, Caleb C. Burroughs was re-elected a member of the board for three years.
On the twenty-first of June, 1866, the board accepted the plans prepared by Ebenezer MlcNabb for a two-room school house in the Fourth ward and ordered that bids should be received until July 7th for its erection.
Bids were received from Messrs. Whit- mer and Campbell, and E. McNabb to whom the contract was awarded for the sum of $3.876.96.
August 6. 1866, ordered that the board purchase of Messrs. Durfee & Warren lots II and 12, of the re-survey of block 7. of Read & Co.'s addition. for the sum of $2.400. Also lot 10 of the same block of Thomas H. Read for $1,000. The high school stands upon these lots.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
September 14. 18. A petition was pre sented asking that German be made a part of the course of study in all the ward schools the question was fully discussed an fit was decided that it was not practica He to do this. This question was finally settled in 1854. when Miss S. Nice Judd was appointed a teacher in the high school with the understanding that one-half of her time would be given to the teaching of fier man. This has proved to be a very satis factory solution of this question. The fier mans are pleased and the district has been saved the expense of trying to introduce another subject into the grades.
October 25, 182. On the request of Miss Vary P. Baker, assistant principal of the high school, the superintendent was directed to purchase a table for the reference books at ; a case for geological specimens. This was the beginning of the collection of speer mens of natural history for the illustration of the statements made in the text books. The case is still in use in the front hall of the high school.
It was also ordered that the rent re- curved from a circus company for the use of the lots purchased for a site for a high school be expended in securing books for the me of poor children.
On January 1, 18o ;. the superintendent was authorized to introduce United States History into the upper grades of the gram mar schools. He was also directed to change the exercises in the primary depart ment of the Church street school Viss Mattie Beeman, teacher-so that half the children would attend school in the forenoon and the other half in the afternoon This was the beginning of the half-day system in the first primary departments of our schools It met with considerable opposi tion at first but for many years no coll- prints have been heard against the plan from thoughtful parents.
On the sixteenth of April. 1. the clerk
was directed to have one hundred blank bonds printed forty for Sow each, and thirty for $250 each, and thatty for Sow cach He was also directed to have a bon 1 book made and to register in it all bonds that might be issued. The bands were printed and the book made by the late Wil ham J. Usrey. It is in the safe in the office. It contains a full history of every bond ever issued by the board.
May 3. 1867, the superintendent was di rested to introduce at the beginning of the fall term Hillard's readers in place of Me- buffy's, if the teachers favored the change. and if it could be done without expense to parents and children. It has always been the policy of the hard to make changes in text books only when the teachers who were using such books favored a change.
May 7. 1867, bids were received for erect- ing a school house in the First ward accord- ing to plans and specifications prepared by 1. 1'. Randall of Chicago, in 1805. The con- tract was awarded to I. M. Whitmer on condition that he give a bond for $5,000 with good security and that he forfeit $25 per day for every day after September I that the house remained unfinished. He declined to comply with the conditions and the contract was awarded to MeNabb & Hislop, who filed a bond and contract con- ditioned as above.
May 20, 1807, ordered that the board pur- chase of Henry B. Durfee loty 3. 4. 5. 0. 7. 8. 9. and to in block 3 of Durice & King's addition for $2.400, and that bonds bearing 109 and maturing in to years be issued to pay for the same. The present Marietta street school is created on a part of this pur chase No use was made of the lots for seventeen years.
On the twentieth day of June. 1867. the hist class graduated from the high school. Having completed a three years course. The flowing is the programme:
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
PROGRAMME.
Prayer. By Rev. W. C. Dawson Music.
Essay-" The Two Hemispheres," Miss Rachel Hummell Essay-" The Works of Nature," Miss Emmaretta Williams Music.
Essay-" The Fountain of Youth,"
Miss Emma Hummell Essay-" Decatur and the State House," Miss Alice Roberts
Music.
Address and Awarding Diplomas,
Rev. D. P. Bunn, Pres. Board of Edu- cation.
Benediction.
Music. Rev. F. G. Thearle
On June 11, 1867, President David P. Bunn retired from the board after having refused to be a candidate at the election held on the 4th instant. Henry B. Durfee took his place in the board. The following was passed by the old board before adjourn- ment :
Whereas, a great amount of extra labor has been required of the members of the board of education for the last two years- owing to the selection of and purchase of suitable grounds upon which to erect the necessary school houses as well as to super- intend the erection of the same-also the fencing of said lots of ground. and
Whereas, The charter of the Decatur school district provides that the board of education may vote themselves reasonable compensation for such extra labor per- formed by them. Therefore be it
Resolved. That the sum of fifty dollars be allowed each member of the board as a compensation for extra services during the past two years.
William L. Hammer was unanimously elected president of the new board and E. A. Gastman, clerk.
July 4, 1867, bids were opened for erect- ing an addition of four rooms to the school house in the Third ward according to plans and specifications prepared for the same by Joseph Mills: The contract was awarded to D. C. Shockley and he filed the required contract and bond on July 16, 1867.
July 25, 1867, ordered that bonds num- bered seventeen to thirty-six, inclusive, for $500 each and bearing 10% semi-annual in- terest, payable in two years from August I, 1867, be issued and placed in the hands of J. L. Mansfield for sale with instructions that they must net at least 96 cents. Mr. Mansfield took these bonds to New York and offered them for sale. The brokers laughed at him and offered fifty cents for them. He finally found W. P. Hazelton, who agreed to give 95c for them. The board accepted his offer and he furnished all the money the board wished to borrow up to the time of his death, about 1890.
On April 16, 1868, the board examined tracings of plans for a high school building. The clerk was directed to inform the archi- tect, G. P. Randall, of Chicago, of the changes desired.
May 18, 1868. Mr. C. C. Burroughs ten- dered his resignation to take effect when his successor was elected. At an election held on June 2. 1867, Samuel F. Greer was elected for one year and Win. L. Hammer for three years.
On June 13, 1868, bids were submitted for the erection of the high school. The con- tract was awarded to D. C. Shockley, it being understood that the plastering and painting were not included in his bid. The building was first occupied by the school in September, 1869.
September 8, 1868. the superintendent was authorized to purchase such books as might be necessary to furnish indigent chil- dren in a proper manner.
The Rev. Soule was employed to teach vocal music in the high school at $1 per
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY
lesson and two lessons per week. This was the beginning of musical instruction in the on the records schools. The pupils were not supplied with properly graded books and the experiment was not very successful.
November 1. 188, the contract for plas- tering the high school building was award of to Messss. Sollars & Hanks for $850. They were the lowest of five balders. It is but proper credit for work well done to say that not one dollar has ever been spent for repairs on the plastering of the old part of the building and it is now (1903) appar- ently as good as when it was first done. This applies to the blackboards as well as to the walls and ceilings.
In the 23d of January, Im), the board contracted with W. A. J'ennell & Co., of Normal, to deliver and superintend the set- ting of four of Hawley's No. 4 air warmers in the new high school for $2,000, the board agreeing to pay for the brick work and the actual expenses of the superintendent.
April 20. tang, the following was umani- monsty passed. Ordered, that the clerk of the board go to New York, taking with him the System worth of band ordered to be issued March 20, 1 g, and that he settle with W. I' Hazleton, taking up the bonds How held by sand Hazelton against the dis- trist amounting to $24,500; also the bonds of the City of Decatur amounting to $12.00), paying any interest which may be rightfully due on said bonds and receiving the balance in cash, which balance he shall deposit to the credit of J. Millikin & co., in the Metro politan National Bank, of New York, this beng m accordance with the written in- structions of the treasurer. J. R. Gorin.
It was ordered that the board bus lot 9. block ; Read & Co's addition, for $820. This purchase completed the high school grounds as they are now.
June 3. 18m), the contract for painting the high school was awarded to M A. Vier for $1.322
June 5. 1800. the i Dowing entry appears
Ordered, that Sallie Kou. Emma Reeme. Carrie Hubbard, Katie Jones, Hattie Fuller, and Frank L. Brooks be allowed to grad nate from the high school, they having com pleted the course of study in a satisfactory manner. This seems to be the first time that the board authorized the graduation of a class from the high school The other two classes were graduated by a sote of the teachers.
On June 1. 18m), Sammel F. Greer re. curved 350 votes and Joseph Mills 207 votes for member of the board of education.
June 21. 1800, the president and clerk were appointed a committed to secure form- ture for the high school. It was also or deres that an addition of two rooms be built to the Fourth ward school house, provided. parties can be found to do the work and take the bonds of the board in payment : provided, also, that the cost shall not exceed $4.500. The matter was left with the presi- dent with directions to report his actions to the board. On the tith of July follow- ing he reported that he had let the contract to Messis. Aver & Brandt for a sum not to evered $4.500, they agreeing to take bonds in payment. This is the north front addition to the present Jackson street
During the summer of 18 the Second ward school house was thoroughly repaired. The large upper room was divided into two modern school rooms. A new foundation was built under the central partition and the whole bulling was replastered and painted throughout The work was done by "e Vabb & Bishop and Sollars & Hanks. The expertise amounted to about $2.000.
August 14. 1. it was ordered that Ginvet's geographic be introduced in place of Mitchell's, provided, the publishers would exchange book for book during the school year, so that the text books used
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
should all be Guyot's; all books to be taken that were fit to be used by the pupils.
The superintendent was directed to buy pens and holders for the use of the children in the schools.
November 9, 1869, it was ordered that the physical apparatus used in the Decatur seminary be purchased for the use of the high school and that an order for $150 be issned to the estate of Henry Prather in payment.
On January 1I, 1870, the clerk was di- rected to meet with the treasurer, J. R. Gorin, and to destroy all orders which had been paid by him during the preceding six months and to mark the word paid upon the record of the issuance of such order in the journal. This was continued for several years but later it was so modified as to pro- vide that the treasurer should return month- ly to the clerk the orders paid by him and that the journal should be marked at the regular monthly meeting of the board. This is still the custom.
On the 8th of February, 1870. Samuel S. Jack was elected the principal of the high school at a salary of $1.500. He took charge of the school at the beginning of the spring term. On February 10, 1871. he resigned to go into business.
May 10, 1870. it was ordered that a bond of $800 be issued to Edward Sweeny in payment of lot 14, block 5. in Plant & Tut- tle's addition. This lot adjoins the site of the First ward school house. For some rea- son Mr. Sweeny declined to complete the transfer but on May 22. 1875. he conveyed the same lot for $650. The board sold the dwelling house on the lot for Sioo to Mr. Hughes.
October 26, 1871, the treasurer, J. R. Gorin, agreed to furnish all overdrafts that the board might wish to make at 8 per cent. It is believed that is the first time that the board could negotiate short loans for less than 10 per cent.
March 12, 1872, it was ordered that Black- mer's graded songs be used in the schools. This was the first text book in vocal music introduced. The president was authorized to have the city water brought into the high school.
May 16, 1872, Messrs. Hamsher and Mos- ser asked that they be furnished with a copy of the proceedings of the board to be published in the columns of the daily Repub- lican. The clerk was directed to comply with the request.
On January 14, 1873, the following reso- lutions were unanimously adopted :
Whereas. It has pleased God to remove from this board our worthy friend and fel- low-laborer, James G. Roach, therefore,
Resolved, That we feel that in his death the cause of education has lost a true and considerate friend and the board of educa- tion an active and earnest member,
Resolved, That we hereby tender to the family of the deceased our deepest sym- pathy,
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon our records and a copy, properly at- tested, furnished the bereaved family.
Dr. Enoch W. Moore was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy in the board caused by the death of Mr. Roach until the time of the regular school election in June next.
June 12, 1873. a committee of the board reported in favor of building an addition of two rooms to the First ward school house and on June 19th the contract was awarded to D. C. Shockley on his bid of $4.362.62.
On July 25. 1873, the following was passed :
Ordered, That the proposition of Captain Ira Harris, Jr .. to sell a plat of land in the Fifth ward for a school house site for the sum of $1.500 be accepted and that, bonds for $1,000 and $500 be issued in payment ; the second payable February 1. 1874, and the first April 1, 1876. Both bonds to bear
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MICON COUNTY
interest at so per cent per annum but the interest in the first is not to comment be- that hehad part. com| tax it Sig which Fore April Best
On August S. 1873. the president and dark were directed to certify to the comity clerk that the board required that the sum of Strony be levied as a special school tas in the Decatur school district. Heretofore the board Had required that a certain per cent be listed but a change in the state law ale the present action necessary.
Fairly In 1854. Messis, Lowber Burrows and others asked that they be relieved from the payment of certain school have- which Had been Tested upon an errances des acht On April 14. 1874. Hon. Arthur ! Gallagher reported that the board had not power to relieve any one from the payment at taxes which had been turned over to the proper offices for collection.
Mas 18. ist. it was ordered that the city walter should be supplied to the schools in the Second and Third wards.
I'm June 9. 1874. W.m. 1 .. Hammer retired after serving nine years as a member and Seven years as president of the board. Il Was succeeded by Wm. ( John.
August 27, 1875. the question of adopting Krust's drawing books for use in the schools was carefully discussed and laid over for future action. This seems to have been the first time that it was seriously proposed in introduce drawing as a regular study in the schools. The board was not ready to take that step"
Sept 17, 1875. I. R. Gorm was elected treasurer on condition that he pay 3 per rent interest on daily balances in his hab. The payment amounted to Smooth for the fiscal year and it was the first , et halle the board. The treasurer fow pays - per cent on daily balances.
property and asked that it be refunded The matter n. - deferred tool. C. Johns, Esq For investigation. At the Best meeting In reported that the amount ought to be ro turned to Ur Durice and it was done.
J. H Man & and others asked the board, arch 15. 1820, 10 Build a high board tence around the 3rd ward school yard to present persons froneassembling there at night . rd disturbing the neighborhood by disorders conduct. The pet tony was read and place! on file, where it still remains
was directed to purchase writing paper for future examinations so that the pupils might have constant practice with pen and ink. instead of using portals as had been the practice previously. He was also direct- ed to keep the account of the receipts and expenditures of the funtion fand in the regu lar journal and ledger of the board.
President Witham A. Barnes and the clerk were directed. December 11, 1876, 10 see what would be the cost of common tables and chairs for use in the basement of the high school billing. This was the beginning of the discussion which led to the establishment of the high school labora tory. Nothing was done until the fall of 18 == when about Sigo was appropriated to secure furniture and hit up the room now used for coal on the west side of the center part of the building.
On May 8, 1877. Reggent John M Gregory of the Industrial University at Urbana. III . proposed asystent of examination which. I was hope 1. will bring the high sch wils
He deb was directed to mi-
Un Vendere. 18-5. it was ordered that dem li that he board would co operate the High School Hogy and Tune Book Je allegh with him to berigtig abient so de Thingwas the beginning chase it.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
which has been a powerful influence in causing boys and girls to attend the higher institutions of learning.
On the 9th of October, 1877, Lowber Burrows was elected the second treasurer of the board of education. He succeeded Jerome R. Gorin who had been treasurer ever since the organization in April, 1865.
Messrs. Volney Barber and Edmiston Mcclellan asked permission, November 24. 1877, to send their children to the high school without payment of tuition, although they lived outside of the school district, be- cause they owned property and paid taxes in the Decatur district. It was agreed that the question should be submitted to the state superintendent of public instruction. In a somewhat lengthy opinion, which is filed among the " valuable papers " in the office, he held that the payment of taxes did not entitle persons to enjoy the benefits of the schools unless he had a bona fide residence in that district.
On the same date it was agreed that the district schools might be closed at four o'clock in the afternoon from November Ist to February Ist, instead of 4:30 o'clock as in the past.
April 9, 1878, on the request of the high school Alumni association, it was agreed to hold the graduating exercises on Thursday evening so that the association might hold the annual reunion on Friday evening.
May 21. 1878. On motion of H. B. Dur- fee, it was agreed that in the future, all teachers must secure certificates from the county superintendent of schools. This ac- tion was taken because the supreme court had held, in a case involving the right of boards of education acting under the gen- eral laws to issue certificates, that the lan- guage employed did not give them the power to dispense with the certificate of the county superintendent, but simply granted the power to hold any additional examinations that they might deem desir-
able. As the language used in our special charter is almost identical with that em- ployed in the state law, it was thought not to be wise to rely upon it for authority to issue certificates in the place of those grant- ed by the county superintendent.
Dec. 10, 1878, Messrs. E. McNabb, Wm. B. Harry and Michael Troutman presented the following report which was received and ordered published :
To the honorable board of education : Your committee appointed to examine the second ward school house, beg leave to re- port that on examination we find that the building has been so repaired that we con- sider it as safe as other school buildings in the city.
The following are the minutes of a meet- ing held Jan. 20, 1879; present, Messrs. Barnes, Ullrich and the clerk :
The president states that this meeting was called to consider what disposition should be made of the bonded debt, all of which would become due April I, next.
After a full discussion it was decided that $5,000 should be paid April 1, 1879. It was further ordered that the remaining $15,000 should be refunded and that $3,000 should be made payable five years from April I, 1879, and $3,000 on the first day of April every year thereafter until all the debt is paid. The president was directed to re- ceive propositions to take the new bonds until March 1, when they will be issued to the parties offering to take them at the low- est rate of interest ; the bonds to be issued in sums to suit purchasers, provided that no bond be for a less sum than one hundred dollars. On March 11, 1879, these bonds were sold to W. P. Ilazelton, of New York City, at par and 6 per cent interest, pay- able semi-annually at the banking house of Laidlaw & Co .. in New York. The lowest rate of interest heretofore paid on bonds was 9 per cent.
July 8, 1879, the bid of Harrison S. Baker
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACOS COUNTY.
to build an addition of two rooms on the In April following, he reported that he north side of the second ward school house could not secure a good teacher for a part of the year. according to plans and specifications pre- pared by 6. 1. Randall, of Chicago, for the sum of $2.735. was accepted and his hond approved.
Sept. 1. 1870. it was agreed to buy of the Champion Iron Fence Company, Ken- ton, Ohio, one hundred fifty-three feet of No. 14, two rail, 25 inch round picket fence for $250 to be set up on the east and south sides of the third ward school.
I proposition was received from the Western Union Telegraph Company to put telephones into five schools at an annual rental of $150. It was laid over for future consideration.
Det. 14. 18-0, the thanks of the board We're voted to Dr. Silas T. Trowbridge, of Vera Cruz, Mexico, for his present to the high school of thirteen beautiful photo- graphs of ancient ruins in the states of Yu- catan and Chiopas. The superintendent was directed to have them framed, marked with the name of the donor and hung in the high school building.
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