USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Williamson County, Illinois, in the World War : containing a brief review of the World War-complete history of Williamson County's activities-photographs and service records of Williamson County's soldiers, sailors and marines > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
Mr. Swan was suceeded by R. O. Clarida, who served twelve years. During this time, the popu- lation of the County doubled in numbers. This, of course, increased the responsibility and perplex- ing problems along the teaching line. The number of teachers required in 1902, 159; in 1914, there were 320. The great growth made in educational lines is noticed in the value of school property increasing about 600 per cent within the past twelve or fifteen years. The most important along with the increased value of property, is the better school equipment and the better sanitary buildings and school conditions. Long before any State law was enacted, concerning properly lighting and ventilat- ing school buildings, Williamson County had several model school buildings, as suggested by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Williamson County Fair Association has ren- dered great assistance along this particular line, first by erecting a model one room school building in the fair grounds. This, with liberal premiums offered every year, has given quite an impetus to the County. .
Williamson County at this time had four ac- credited High Schools, two of which were excellent Township High Schools, and with the requirements under the law for scholarship, and more adequate preparation, the County was better prepared to meet this law than a good many other counties not so well favored with excellent school conditions.
Mr. Clarida was succeeded by J. W. Mckinney, the present incumbent, who is putting forth efforts, not only to maintain, but to make continued progress along educational lines. He was elected in 1914, and again in 1918. Now we have the four High Schools before mentioned, which are accredited with the State University, all of which have made marked
€
85
5
DIST.SI DE VMAINE CAL
DIST. 14 JEFFERSONVILLE
-
DIST, 48 BRAINBRIDGE
DIS
SPRINGTOWN
DIST. 94 COOKSEY
DIST. 49 SKAGGS
improvement. Marion High School is a member of the North Central Association. The Marion and Herrin Township High Schools have added several departments, including Domestic Science, Manual Training, and Agriculture. The number of teach- ers and enrollment of pupils in each of these High Schools have almost doubled within the past five years. Everything considered, we think these schools rank well with the best High Schools of Southern Illinois. Carterville and vicinity voted a new Com- munity High School District in 1918, and is now operating under the Community High School Board with increased efficiency. An adequate building will be erected in the near future. The Johnston City High School has been taken over by a new Town- ship High School District, voted in the Spring of 1919, and is now operating under the new Township High School Board. The contract has been let for a new building to cost approximately $115,000.00. Besides these High Schools, Williamson County now has four High Schools, recognized by the State Department as follows: Creal Springs was given permanent recognition for three years of work in the year 1916. Hurst-Bush erected a fine building and organized a two years' High School course, which was given permanent recognition in the year 1915. Stone Fort was given probationary recogni- tion for two years in the year 1915, and was changed to permanent recognition for a three years' course in the year 1918. Crab Orchard was given proba- tionary recognition for a two years' High School course in the year 1919. The enrollment in High Schools last year was 904-86 graduated. This year there were 509 eighth grade graduates and the number enrolled in the High School will be more than one thousand. Marion and Herrin are both building additions to accommodate the increased en- rollment, which will aggregate about $150,000.00.
We need the advantages of the High School to prepare for the increasing demands of the day. There is no important avocation of life today but what is demanding a higher standard of education than ever before. All lines of business are demand- ing it. He who engages in business without the advantage of a liberal education will not have the same assurance of success as those who possess this education. The same is true in all the professions. The High School training is needed to prepare for the teaching profession, the medical profession, the legal profession and for the ministry. The profes- sional man today without the advantage of a liberal education, is a failure.
In 1919, the General Assembly enacted a law creating a Non-High School District in all counties of the State, which is composed of all territory of the County not included in a Township High School District or a Community High School District, or a district maintaining a recognized four years' High School course, for the purpose of levying a tax to pay the tuition of all eighth grade graduates residing
in such Non-High School District, including pupils attending a recognized two or three years High School, conducted by a local school district. This makes it possible for all eighth grade graduates to attend High School, and the expense for tuition will be paid by .the Non-High School Board at the rate of the per capita cost of maintaining the High School attended.
The number of tuition students and the amount of tuition paid to the respective High Schools for the year ending June 30, 1919, was as follows: Carterville, per capita cost, $62.00; tuition students, 16; amount of tuition received from Non-High School territory, $1,006.10., Marion Township High School, per capita cost, $53.18; tuition students, 16; amount of tuition received from Non-High School territory, $724.83. Herrin Township High School, per capita cost, $55.00; tuition students, 5; amount is the tuition for 14 students at a per capita of $230.00. Johnston City, per capita cost, $54.30; tuition students, 8; amount of tuition received from Non-High School territory, $247.22.
The following recognized High Schools are in Non-High School territory, and the Non-High School Board is required to pay the total cost of maintain- ing the High School, which was as follows: Creal Springs, 22 tuition students, at a per capita cost of $91.86; total tuition, $1,684.67. Stone Fort is located in two counties, Williamson County's part are the tuition for 14 students at a per capita of $107.91, counting only days present at school, amounting to $1,294.92. Hurst School had an en- rollment of 19 students at a per capita cost of $54.73, amounting to $1,040.00; the total amount of tuition paid by the Non-High School Board was $6,227.74. These tuitions being paid, not only makes it possible for all eighth grade graduates to attend High School, but it enables the Board of Education to maintain a better High School for those who attend.
In 1915, the General Assembly enacted a Sani- tation law, standardizing the heating, ventilation, lighting, seating, water supply, toilets and safety against fire for the public school rooms and build- ings, making it the duty of the County Superin- tendent to inspect the plans and specifications for building and O. K. the same, and authorizing the withholding of the State funds of said districts until the minimum requirements of the new law be met. Williamson County led other counties in meeting this law, 50 new school buildings have been erected, and all but three of the remaining buildings of the County have been remodeled to meet the require- ments, 40 of which are almost the equivalent of new ones. We have been slow to standardize until every rquirement be made. At present, we have 15 standardized schools, and about 60 others that could standardize with an expenditure of from $25.00 to $50.00.
87
DIST. 30 N.SUNNYSIDE
DIST. 54 SPILLETOWN
DIST. 114 PITTSBURG
.....
DIST. 37 CRAINVILLE
DIST. 20 SCHOHARRIE PHEV -BUILDING
DIST. 51 LA MASTER
DIST 29 COLP
All but about three schools have modern heaters, single seats, slate blackboards, teacher's desk, a com- plete set of wall maps, globe, dictionary and a fair library. A number have a large flag and a bell. The Boards of Education in the City Schools set aside a good sum for materials to be used by the teachers in construction work, drawing, writing, etc., and a number of the rural boards are coming to do the same. We believe that within the next two or three years most of these schools will be teaching the rudiments of music, serving hot lunches and make a number of other advanced steps.
The organization of schools is much better than formerly, since every school in the County favors the Illinois State Course of Study. This not only insures a uniformity of work throughout the County and State, but pupils do the particular work best adapted to their each and every development, and their time is conserved, since there is but little or no repetition. The rural schools alternate, teaching first, second, third, fifth and seventh year's work in the terms beginning in the even years and the first, second, fourth, sixth and eighth year's work in the terms beginning in the odd years. By follow- · ing the State Course, pupils are ready for the County Superintendent's examinations, and their work may be standardized and pupils prepared for promotion. We have a few teachers who oppose the State Course of Study, and they are "singing their last little song."
The enrollment in the grades and High School is 14,434. The number of teachers the present year is 350, 50 of whom are High School teachers. The qualifications of the teaching body are as follows: Six are graduates of both a College and State Nor- mal School; 20 are graduates of a College only; 28 are graduates of State Normal only; 40 are graduates of a four year High School, only; 4 have attended College; 237 have attended State Normal; 7 have attended High School. The number and class of certificates held by teachers of Williamson County are as follows: Third class, 19; second class, 245; first class, 85; kindergarten certificates, 6; special certificates, 8; High School certificates, 19; Supervisor's certificates, 19; State certificates, 5; total, 406.
The amount of salaries paid teachers is $204,- 486.00. The total value of school property is $842,- 450.00. The total number of books in the libraries of the schools, 12,519.
The new certificating law requires that the teacher hold a certificate in keeping with the grade she is teaching, which insures a special preparation for the respective positions. A state examining board has been created, which passes upon the literary quali- fications of teachers, while the County Superintend- ent passes upon the moral qualifications and high professional attitude.
A uniform professional credit sheet has been adopted throughout the State, requiring all teachers
employed, to earn 200 professional credits for re- newal, and registration of their certificates, and for teachers not employed, 100 professional credits. These credits are distributed so as to allow for successful teaching, attendance at the annual insti- tute, County meetings, National, State and Divi- sional meetings, local meetings, doing the State read- ing circle work and reading other professional books, school journals, attending school, making reports promptly, and such other credits as the County Superintendent may deem proper to extend their professional attainment. Thus, it will be seen, that a teacher cannot remain in the work without becom- ing a better teacher.
The General Assembly enacted a State Teacher's Pension and Retirement Fund law for Illinois, which is managed by a board of trustees, and went into effect July 1, 1915. All teachers having con- tracts prior to that date were known as elective members, and may elect as they choose, any time prior to September 1, 1920. All teachers beginning July 1, 1915, are compulsory members, and their board of directors is required by law to check off one dollar per month for the first five months of their salary. There are three classes of contributors: Up to ten years of experience they pay one dollar; the second class, those who have taught more than ten years, but not more than fifteen years, pay two dollars per month; the third class are those who have taught more than fifteen years, who shall pay six dollars per month for the first five months of each school year. In addition to this money with- held from the teachers' salaries, the State contributes one-fifth of one mill annually to the support of this fund. When one has taught twenty-five years and attained the age of fifty years, she may retire on a pension of $400.00 a year. Williamson County has now about one hundred fifty contributors; three have retired and become annuitants.
It will be interesting to note the contract between the last institute held August 18-22, 1919, and the first one held in the County. We held five days. The instructors were Dr. Robert A. Armstrong of the University of West Virginia; Dr. H. T. McKin- ney of the University of Illinois; Professor J. W. Yoder of Philadelphia; Miss Marie Burns of Free- port, Ill. The enrollment was 326. The total cost of the institute was $509.00. Last year the Institute Fund had a balance on hand of $336.01. Besides the monthly teachers' meeting, held under the direc- tion of the County Superintendent, and a series of Township meetings held in each Township, the Teachers' Association annually votes an extra assess- ment of one dollar to maintain a two days' meeting following Thanksgiving, at which time the best talent in the country is secured, and a meeting equal to that of any educational meeting held in the State is brought to our County for the benefit of the teachers, officers, and as many of the patrons as may be interested.
5
89
5
DIST. 11 HARRIS
DIST. 93 LENTZ
DIST. 92 NEILSON
DIST. 16 LIBERTY
DIST. 15 GRAND CENTER
DIST. 45 CHAMNESS
DIST.36 HURRICANE
DIST. 47 WHITEVILLE
Roll of Honor --- Service Men Williamson County Schools
OREL TURNER
FLOYD BRACEY
CLIFTON L. BAKER
ROBERT MORGAN
LESLIE DEASON
LENN GRANT
HENRY PRITCHETT
CARL CHAMNESS
LAWRENCE CHAMNESS
EARL MILLER
HARRY MUNDELL
LEONARD MCARTHY
CLAUDE HUDGENS
WALTER GRAY
LEO ODUM
GEORGE CAVITT
HERMAN L. KESSLER
RALPH BURNS
ELMER PULLEY
E. B. BROCKETT
ROBERT SIMMONS
DICKSON ODUM
GEORGE CUTRELL
RALPH STRINGER
A. R. LEDBETTER
JOSEPH BOZARTH
ALVIN BRATTEN
ROBERT LENTZ EARL SIMMONS
HARRY LENNON
O. L. RUSHING
CARL ALLEN
RAYMOND SMITH
R. R. PYATT
CHARLES SUMMERS
TROY WELPER
W. B. HUGHES
W. O. ROESSLER
OTTIE REESE
J. ARTHUR WILLIAMS
EMERY WILLIAMS EUGENE ECKERT
LEE McANELLY
L. W. SHAKELFORD
OREN COLEMAN ALVIN FELTS
HUGH BELFORD
LLOYD McDONALD
H. C. CRAIG
I. A. PALMER THOMAS COBB
CARL GREGG BYRON PHILLIPS
W. T. BATTS HOSEA STOTLER
ELVIS HOLMES ALDEN DEATON
CLAUDE FERRELL
91
ALBERT LEDBETTER
-
5
5
ALLEE LEL
CREAL SPRINGS
DIST. 35 CARTERVILLE S.SIDE
DIST. 35 CARTERVILLE N.SIDE
it
-
JOHNSTON CITY E.SIDE
DIST. 13 JOHNSON CITY W.SIDE
DIST. 62 CRAB ORCHARD
80
WAR WORK OF THE SCHOOLS.
The teachers of Williamson County have done their part in winning the great war. Some have returned, some are in the cantonments, and a num- ber are in France. However, we shall welcome them back as rapidly as their work is done, and their certificates shall be made valid without a fee. This Honor Roll represents some of our most suc- cessful teachers and they were equally successful in serving their country.
We have come to the conclusion that working to win the war has improved school work. Our teach- ers agree that the war work has not interfered with the work of which the system of education is main- tained, but that on the other hand participation in these activities has resulted in very definite changes which will enable the schools to function much more completely as an educational institution.
The public schools of Williamson County have sold "Thrift" and War Saving Stamps, Liberty Bonds. Organized Junior Red Cross Societies, sold Red Cross Seals, and otherwise contributed their part in this the greatest of all wars. All these with food con- servation and surveys increased the interest in arith- metic; the work in geography has been stimulated by studying relations that existed before the war with the changing conditions; the study of history has received a new impetus as the facts of the past are considered relative to their bearing on the present crisis. Other wars are now studied with a new motive. Other studies have likewise received new motivation.
While the schools have benefitted, as above stated, they were on the other hand greatly handicapped. Millions of men were called into the army; hundreds of thousands, both men and women were needed for munition plants, ship-yards and other industries con- nected with the war. The burden of supplying food and raw material for the Allies was great. Calls for subscriptions to loans and other war work act- ivities were continued; the cost of living was much greater than before the war. With the decrease in the purchasing power of money, and the increase in the need for labor, wages increased to such an extent, that the temptation became even stronger for older boys and girls to leave school and work for wages, and for teachers to leave their work for other forms of employment in which the pay was larger. Many of the best teachers remained in the service of the schools, in the face of temptation of large pay elsewhere, which certainly was a patriotic service, worthy of mention.
We shall speak of some of the work done by the schools as a whole, and later refer to individual schools. The Junior Red Cross work was universal. The report for the year ending April 1, 1919, showed a total of $1575.89 turned in from the schools and about 75 schools having contributed, many of which were 100 per cent. Following is a report by schools, which is not complete:
DISTRICT NUMBERS: 2, $65.36; 3, $10.75; 5, $2.75; 8, $3.25; 11, $5.50; 12, $4.00; 15, $5.50; 16, $3.50; 17, $28.75; 18, $12.50; 20, 6.00; 21, $7.00; 22, $20.75; 24, $23.75; 26. $5.25; 28, $10.00; 33, $5.50; 34, $4.50; 36, $8.60; 40, $15.00; 41, $9.75; 42, $4.75; 45, $3.25; 46, $3.75; 48, 75c; 49, $7.25; 50, $9.75; 51, $36.00; 53, $3.10; 54, $12.50; 55, $12.75; 56, $6.00; 57, $5.25; 61, $5.00; 62, $14.00; 63, $8.75; 65, $4.50; 66, $8.00; 67, $23.75; 71, $8.00; 72, $7.25; 78, $6.50; 83, $3.75; 89, $8.25; 91, $12.50; 93, $7.75; 94, $17.50; 95, $7.75; 96, $7.00; 100, $4.75; 102, $24.00; 106, $3.75; 14, $8.00; 85, $8.00; 109, $3.00; 10.7, $5.00; 108, $2.50; 113, $5.50; 114, $43.79; 116, $4.25.
The schools were also organized for the purpose of selling Red Cross Seals. Most schools of the County sold a number of these, but for lack of space, we shall not mention the work done by in- dividual schools. Suffice it to say that several hundred Dollars worth of Red Cross Seals were sold by the schools.
The county was organized by Townships for the purpose of entering into an essay contest for cap- tured German helmets, which were to be given for the best essay on "Why my father or mother should buy Victory Bonds." Each contestant was required to have his father or mother read the essay and endorse it as follows: "I have read and approved this essay." The City schools and Township High Schools were permitted to contest among them- selves. Eighteen helmets were given away, which goes without saying that the schools were more than instrumental in the selling of many Victory Bonds.
Following is a brief account of the work done by some of the City schools:
The Johnston City Schools with Prof. C. J. Rain- sey, Supt., took an active part in the Y. M. C. A., Red Cross, and other war work, a Junior Red Cross being organized in the schools with a mem- bership of 824, some rooms being 100%. Also through the schools, $6,000.00 worth of Thrift and War Savings Stamps were sold- by the children. A nice flag was offered by some leading citizens as a prize in a contest between the East Side and West Side Schools, thus creating much interest in the sale of War Savings Stamps.
The Hurst Schools were very active in the war work. The school consists of 600 pupils, and every pupil became Junior Red Cross members. Most all bought Thrift Stamps, a number buying to the amount of $100.00. All helped in the raising of the flag, and in the Red Cross Drive, $750.00 was raised by the School.
The Carterville schools enroll approximately 1000 students. Through the efforts of Superintendent O. A. Towns and his efficient corps of teachers, the school was made 100% in Junior Red Cross mein- bership. A Red Cross Sewing Club was organized,
93
11939
WEST SIDE SCHOOL BUILDING , HERRIN. ILL.
Ü
SOUTH SIDE TO
-
FFEE
4131
NORTH SIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL, HERRIN, ILL.
6
EFFE
HERRIN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, HERRIN, ILL
2231
5
consisting of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, under the leadership of Mrs. Brotherton. The girls labored gladly through the long summer months making some of the necessary articles that might prove a source of comfort to those suffering across the sea. The school took great interest in the Y. M. C. A. work, the largest amount given from any one room being $42.00, which won the prize, offered. On Red Cross County Tag Day, under the leader- ship of Mesdames O. A. Towns, Effie Dowell, and Tena Thompson, a contest was entered into by fourteen girls. These tags were to be sold for not less than 10 cents, and before night more than $200.00 had been realized from this sale. Two girls, Irene Stewart and May Brown selling through the day, $94.00 worth of tags. Thrift Stamps, Bonds and War Saving Stamps, received their share of attention. Nellie Rowatt, a pupil of the eighth grade, sold the largest amount of bonds through the schools, having sold $4000.00 worth at one time. During the remaining months of the war, the school participated in every activity, including the "Four Minute Men Essay", and when the struggle was finally ended, the Carterville schools could say, "We have at least done our best".
The Marion City Schools were thoroughly or- ganized for the Junior Red Cross work. They contributed in 1917-18 and '19, about $950.00. They also contributed largely to the Y. M. C. A. and Army fund, considerable work was done by the girls in the schools in making clothing for the Belgian children and bandages for the wounded soldiers. They bought liberally of War Saving Stamps and Liberty Bonds, aggregating $25,000.00. The pupils were responsive to the needs of the times, and the spirit of patriotism and loyal service was ever pre- sent. Two teachers, Leon W. Grant and Hugh Belford responded to their Country's call, and were in active service in France. Marion City Schools are well organized. The welfare of the children is the first and fundamental proposition. Their aim is to make socially efficient boys and girls, and to help develop them into socially efficient men and women. Much credit is due city Supt. B. F. Parr.
The Herrin City Schools, with Prof. Roy V. Jordan, Supt., did their part. Every one of the seven men teachers of the System, were registered for service. Of these, George Cutrell, Emry Wil- liams, E. B. Brockett, Robert Morgan and Eugene C. Eckert were either called to the colors or vol- unteered. These men went in the true spirit of service and made honorable records. A large num- ber of former pupils of the schools saw service,
many of them over seas, where they made the supreme sacrifice and now rest beneath "The Lilies of France or Poppies of Flanders". All the teachers of the System gave a large amount of time in act- ing as advisors to the registrants in the filling of their questionnaires. When the school closed down for the "flu" last November, the teachers spent a day canvassing the City for the "Fourth Liberty Loan". This canvass did a great deal to stimulate the sale of bonds among patrons of the school. The teachers turned in $6000.00 subscriptions as the result of the days work. The school helped in every "Drive" which the Government made. As soon as Thrift Stamps were issued, the schools he- gan their sale. There was also distributed all kinds of Government Bulletins. The Herrin City Schools organized a "Modern Health Crusade", which was promoted with great success. Eleven hundred pupils won the title of "Knights" in the Modern Health Crusade, and received Pins. To become a "Modern Health Crusader", and receive a certi- ficate of enrollment and the title of Page in Health Knighthood, each pupil was obliged to perform at least fifty-four chores for two weeks. Seventy-two chores per week a perfect record, while it is pos- sible to earn seventy-seven. From Page, the pupils advanced in rank as follows: Five weeks, Squire; Ten weeks, Knight; and fifteen weeks, Knight Ban- neret. The result of the Modern Health Crusade, was physical improvement and preventing disease among children and their families, moral discipline through regular attendance hygenic duties and the awakening of community responsibility. The total number enrolled in the Health Crusade in the Her- rin City Schools, was 1302. There were 1244 who ranked as Squires and 1168 as Knights.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.