USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume I > Part 39
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children vary greatly in their mental aptitudes and physical abilities. The old-fashioned set course of study with cultured aims has caused many failures, produced hundreds of misfits, and driven innumerable boys and girls to leave school as soon as the law will permit. To avoid these results in so far as possible a few special features are introduced.
"It is asserted that 20 per cent of the children in the public schools of the United States fail to pass in their grades. For several years East Chicago has employed the best grade teachers that could be secured to assist or coach backward pupils. In the school year 1911-12 the per- centage of failures was 11.7 per cent, while the average for fourteen cities in Indiana was 12.7 per cent. Their per cent of failures for the
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CHICAGO AVENUE EAST OF FORSYTH AVENUE
first term in 1912-13 was 6.5 per cent, the greater number of which were in the first grade, where it is especially hard for foreign children to master the English language.
"The coach teachers assist pupils during their study periods, the aim being to develop proper habits of study. The children recite in their regular classes. Many children come to the school directly from European schools, with no knowledge of English. They are assisted by the special teachers and are soon able to take their proper places in the grades.
"In the Lincoln and Riley buildings the special instructor teaches reading exclusively, and the regular teachers coach their backward pupils.
"It was found that some children, especially in grades five, six and
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seven, seemingly could not do the regular work and were repeating for the second and in some cases for the third time. Special classes have been formed. One-fourth to one-third of the time is spent in the manual training and domestic science departments, where the work is closely correlated with the book work and made just as practical as possible.
"One-fourth to one-third of the time is spent with the special teacher, who teaches the work of each grade to these children. The absolutely essential and most practical phases of English, arithmetic, geography and civics are presented. The remainder of the time is spent in regular classes. Last year some of the boys passed under these conditions, not only the grade in which they had failed, but the next grade as well.
"Additional teachers have been employed and this work extended and more carefully organized. It is planned so that these classes run parallel with the regular classes and that children may pass from one to the other without losing grades. If a boy 'finds himself' he can pass back into his regular work. The work for these classes consists of English, including writing and spelling, and arithmetic of the most practical nature; geography as related to the industries of the com- munity and thus reaching out into all parts of the world, together with carefully prepared lessons in civics and hygiene. Elementary science, which relates the work to the industries and practical life, is made also a very large part of the work. The children visit the labora- tories where the older children are at work and make in their manual work apparatus for the simple, practical experiments.
"The work is open to not only boys and girls under fourteen who are still in school, but to those over fourteen who have quit school and were loafing. Such pupils do not have to go back into lower classes from which they dropped, but are given the work which they can do in the special ungraded classes.
"The work in the high school is being planned in the same way. Pupils who have had the special work in the grades may enter and complete the high school without handicap. They could not and would not care to pursue the usual college preparatory course, but their studies are such as fit them for the industries into which they may go-elemen- tary and practical mathematics, business English, including spelling and writing, general science, bookkeeping, typewriting, civics, mechan- ical drawing, shop work, cooking, sewing, millinery and general house- hold arts.
"Continuation classes are provided for boys and girls who are employed, but who wish and are permitted by their employers to spend a part of each day or one day in a week in school. A few boys and girls are availing themselves of this opportunity, thanks to their own
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ambition and the liberality and foresight of their employers. May the tribe of each increase. With this school, as with all others, the best work for these classes is as yet undetermined. We are using what seems best and possible at present.
"In order that boys and girls may be induced to remain in school, or to return to school for all or part of the time, and in order that they may be fitted properly into the suitable positions awaiting them in the community, a committee of vocational guidance has been organ- ized, with the supervisor of manual and industrial training as chairman. All the principals and the industrial teachers, together with the attend- ance officer, are members. It is the business of this committee to study carefully the adaptabilities for work of every boy and girl in and out of school and to keep a card record of the same, to collect and tabulate complete data concerning the industries of the community and to instruct children in the requirements, opportunities, advantages and disadvan- tages of each kind of employment. They shall co-operate in every way possible with parents and employers in placing boys and girls in suitable positions and give them advice as to how to continue their school work, whether it be in part time classes or regular high school and college work.
"Many pupils are not failures and are not necessarily backward, but are unable to do the average amount of work. On the other hand many pupils are capable of doing much more work than the average done by the class. Assignments are made in accordance with the above principle. If the average pupils of the class are assigned fifteen prob- lems, the slower pupils are assigned but eight, ten or twelve typical problems, while the bright pupils are given twenty or more. The same principle is applied easily in geography and history and to some extent in the English work. In the high school it is employed in the English, science and commercial work. The principle is to adapt the work to the ability of the boy or girl. It prevents slow children from becoming discouraged and affords the brighter ones opportunity to advance as rapidly as is consistent with health and proper development. One very successful fifth grade teacher says that it has solved absolutely the problem of discipline. There is no jealousy on the part of pupils. and parents make no objections.
"Believing that the energies of pupils are unnecessarily divided and dissipated by the increasing number of subjects with which the course is burdened, the following plan was adopted :
"In the four lower grades there is one long period each day given to language work, the material for which is found in literature, history and nature study. These subjects all form one line of closely related work and are not given separate places on the daily program.
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" In grades five and six the study work is centered around reading, arithmetic and geography. The fifth year history, which consists of American history stories, is presented as a part of the geography of the region and is used as supplementary and home reading. European history stories are used in the same way in the sixth grade. Seven B pupils study and recite reading, arithmetic and geography, while 7 A pupils substitute grammar and history for reading and geography. Eight B pupils carry reading. arithmetic and history and change to grammar, arithmetic and physiology in 8 A. There are thus but three lessons to prepare and recite, to which six 30-minute periods are devoted daily. Five 30-minute periods each day are devoted to the drill subjects, manual training and play.
"Seventh and eighth grades are centered in the Washington and MeKinley schools and the work is fully departmented. In these build- ings the work of the fifth and sixth grades is done partly on the depart- mental plan and partly on the regular grade or room plan. thus bridg- ing over the gulf between the two plans.
"The board employs several teachers for the full year, and the fol- lowing work of the summer school is offered to both grade and high school pupils :
"1. Opportunity to make up work in which the pupil for any reason is behind his regular class.
"2. Classes in which pupils who are especially strong may make up an extra grade.
"3. All phases of industrial work. The home garden work is espe- cially emphasized and competent teachers are in charge.
"4. Playground activities are continued throughout the summer with the regular directors. The Commercial Club for the past two years has given prizes for lawns and gardens. In September splendid flower and vegetable exhibitions were held in the Lincoln and Wallace buildings.
"East Chicago organized the first night schools in Lake County. The work consists of :
"1. Classes for foreigners, whose first aim is to learn the English language. As rapidly as possible they are given practical arithmetic and civics.
"2. Commercial Subjects-Business English. bookkeeping. type- writing and stenography.
"3. High School-Any subject for which twelve or more people apply.
"4. Mechanical drawing. shop work and domestic science and arts.
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Especial effort is made to give the men and women work that correlates with and supplements their daily occupations.
"The enrollment for the present year in all departments of the night school is 250.
"In the Washington and Mckinley buildings physical training is a regular part of the department work, with competent teachers in charge. In the other buildings the regular teachers do the work. At least one 30-minute period each day, in addition to the various shorter periods, is devoted to physical development.
"The board has supplied full equipment for indoor and outdoor baseball, volley ball, soccer ball and various games. Dumbbells, Indian clubs, wand and other drills are emphasized. The playgrounds are being equipped by the special and industrial classes.
"Two practicing physicians examine all pupils yearly and make spe- cial examinations and recommendations whenever requested. Parents have, as a rule, co-operated and many physical defects of pupils to which attention has been called have been corrected.
EAST CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL
"The East Chicago High School was commissioned in January, 1902. For the past nine years it has been a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
"The dominant idea in arranging the different courses offered in the high school has been to give the pupil the opportunity of pursuing the course of study that will best prepare him to pursue his chosen line of work after finishing the high school course. If a pupil so desires, he can take a full year's course in the high school without any thought of preparing to enter a university after graduating. For the pupil desiring a business education a two years' course is offered, embracing not only strictly commercial subjects, but also other studies that will tend to broaden his view and better enable him to follow his business vocation successfully. For the boys two years of manual training and three years of mechanical drawing are offered; for the girls, two years in domestic science, including cooking and sewing. Either of these subjects may be taken as elective work in the regular courses. Subjects will also be given in the high school especially adapted to the needs of those boys and girls recommended for such work by the board of voca- tional guidance, whose work is discussed elsewhere in this article.
"On the contrary, there are offered in the college preparatory course all the various subjects required for entrance into the university. Among the subjects offered in this course are four years of English, four of
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Latin and German, four of science, four of mathematies, including plane trigonometry, and three years of history and eivies.
"The high school takes pleasure in the fact that of twenty-three graduates of the 1912 class eight are now taking university work; and of these eight students three have been awarded scholarships for excel- lent work done in the high school and university.
"Although the high school is seriously handicapped through lack of room and the equipment necessary to meet the growing demands of the region, its enrollment has increased about 225 per cent within the past five years."
THE METHODIST CHURCH
The churches of East Chieago and Indiana Harbor, like the schools, have been organized to meet the peculiar conditions of an industrial and business community drawn from many nationalities and races. They are so numerous that we can do no better than to give an idea of the nature of their diversity and mention some of them by name.
The first churches to be established in East Chicago-and they are still large and growing-were the Methodist and St. Mary's Catholic.
A few years after the organization of the church in Hammond an organization was effected by the Methodist people in East Chicago. the exaet date of which is not known owing to the failure of keeping a cor- reet record. However, it is recorded that the first church was dedicated in 1889, when there was a membership of 36. R. C. Wilkinson being the pastor. The frame structure was later enlarged to meet the demands of the growing congregation. This answered the purpose, until 1912, when owing to the rapid growth of the city and the prospect of a much larger population in the near future, it was deemed advisable to sell the old site and obtain a new location. This was secured through the generous gift of the East Chicago Land Company of four lots at the corner of Chicago and Baring avenues, in the very heart of the city. Here was erected in 1911-12, and dedicated in July, 1912, the present commodious and well-appointed edifice. costing $30,000. The financial burden necessary to the building and maintaining such a house of worship presses heavily upon this heroie and self-sacrificing congrega- tion, but they are bearing their burdens cheerfully and successfully. The board of home missions and church extension will undoubtedly come to their relief in a generous appropriation. This church bids fair to be one of the strong churches of Northern Indiana. The member- ship is 275. Sunday School enrollment is 260. All the other depart- ments are well organized and doing efficient work. This congregation
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has been served by 16 pastors, some of whom are now occupying pulpits in large city churches. The present popular pastor is R. H. Crowder.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Mary's Catholic Church was founded by Rev. Henry M. Plaster, so long in charge of St. Joseph's Church of Hammond. IIe celebrated first mass in the old Tod Opera House, and in 1889 bought a site from the East Chicago Company. General Torrence, who was so prominent in the founding and upbuilding of East Chicago, donated the first bell, which had originally belonged to the pioneer public school. Father M. J. Byrne was the first permanent pastor of St. Mary's, after two years of service being transferred to the Sacred Heart Parish at Whit- ing. The charge at East Chicago again became a mission, its growth into a, flourishing parish dating from 1899 and the coming of the pres- ent pastor in charge, Rev. George Lauer. At his coming the strength of St. Mary's was represented by about thirty families. The church and priest's house on Forsyth Avenue were soon built, the latter being afterward converted into a sisters' convent. In 1901 a schoolhouse was completed just north of the church, and by the fall of that year 170 children were in attendance. A new schoolhouse was erected in 1913 with a capacity of 350 pupils. At the same time the rectory. built in 1902, was made into the sisters' convent, and the priest's residence installed in the school building. Successive additions and improvements have been made to the church building to keep pace with present-day requirements and the constant expansion of membership, which now represents about 160 families, or 850 souls.
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ST. STANISLAUS PARISH
There are a number of other Catholic churches in East Chicago, some of them founded on clearly defined racial membership, such as St. Michael's and St. Stanislaus, both supported by the large Polish element. St. Stanislaus Church was founded as early as 1896, but since 1888 the community had been visited by various pastors of St. Casimir's Polish Catholic Church in Hammond. In 1896 Father Casimir Kobylinski secured a site at Baring Avenue and One Hundred and Fiftieth Street and erected a church building thereon, the parish at that time number- ing about two hundred souls. The present grounds were purchased under the pastorate of Rev. John Kubacki in 1901, comprising a block fronting on Magoun and Forsyth avenues. After the church was moved thither it was enlarged and improved. In 1901 Father Kubacki also erected a school building, residences for the sisters and the priest were built, and the entire property has been continuously improved under
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successive pastors. The present incumbent is Rev. Peter Budnik, who was placed in charge of the parish in 1909. Under him a union church and school building has been erected at a cost of $40,000, the old build- ings being devoted to social purposes. St. Stanislaus parish claims 600 families, or about 3,500 souls.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The First Congregational Church of East Chicago was organized December 31, 1889, in the Tod Opera House. A council met in response to letters missive and was composed of the following congregations: Hammond, Indiana ; South Chicago, Illinois; Elkhart, Indiana; Hobart, Indiana; Michigan City, Indiana; Ross, Indiana. All of the following churches were represented by pastor and delegates. Mrs. G. H. Bird was elected moderator and Rev. D. W. Andrews, scribe. Mrs. W. H. Penman was the first clerk. Rev. F. P. Sanders, the first pastor, had been in the field previous to the above date.
The church was organized with a membership of eight, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Loucks, Myrtle Berry, Birdie and Laura Johnson, and Mrs. Lewis.
Regular services were held in the third floor of the Tod Opera House from that time on until a new stone church on the corner of Magoun Avenue and One Hundred and Forty-fifth Street was completed.
The little church served as a church home for the Congregational people from 1890 until June, 1913, when the building was razed to be replaced by the large building that now stands on the site.
The present pastor, Rev. Alexander Monroe, was called to the church September 1, 1910. The congregation has prospered greatly under Brother Monroe's administration. The beautiful church is due largely to his efforts. The charter members of the church show six women and two men. It now has a Congregational Men's Club numbering fifty men. The Sunday school is one of the largest in the city, having an attendance of 200. The membership of the church is now over three hundred and fifty. The new building is one of the best planned church for work and worship in the State of Indiana. The total cost of the building and fixtures, including pipe organ, is $42,000.
OTHER EAST CHICAGO CHURCHES
The Holy Trinity Hungarian Church, Rev. Stephen Varga, pastor, has also a strong membership among his people, and the Magyar Re- formed Church, under Rev. Ladislaus Gerenday, has also a large fol- lowing.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutherans have a representative organi- zation.
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THE METHODISTS AT INDIANA HARBOR
The Methodist was the first church to be founded in Indiana Harbor. Meeting first in a small storeroom on Peacua Avenue, under the min- istration of Rev. U. G. Leazenby, in 1901, it was planted with the found- ing of Indiana Harbor. A little later the members met in Klein Hall on Michigan Avenue, and the congregation a few years afterward bought from the Evangelical Association the present location on Grape- vine Street. Here they worshiped in the basement of the church, expecting to finish the building according to the original plan, but the city and congregation were growing so rapidly that the trustees wisely decided to wreck the basement and to build instead a larger and more modern edifice. This was done and on September 29, 1911, the present beautiful house of worship was dedicated by Bishop John H. Vincent. The church has a membership of about 260, a Sunday School enroll- ment of 450, a vigorous Ladies' Aid Society and one of the largest Men's Bible classes in the region. The following pastors have served the congregation : U. G. Leazenby, H. P. Ivey, A. H. Lawrence, O. B Rippetoe. Israel Hatton. R. H. Johnston.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Disciples of Christ, or Christian Church, has been established at Indiana Harbor since 1903. when Rev. C. J. Sharp commenced preach- ing in Klein's Hall over a blacksmith's shop. Within the coming year the society erected a house of worship. The present pastor of the Christian church is Rev. Herbert A. Carpenter ; membership about 150.
OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES
The First Baptist Church is under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph E. Smith; St. Alban (Episcopal), Rev. M. M. Day; German Lutheran, Rev. Bruno Schreiber ; First United Presbyterian, Rev. Allen J. Crooks, and Evangelical Swedish Mission, Rev. Simon Carlson.
The B'nai Israel Congregation is a well-known organization of Jewish residents.
Roumanians, who are non-Catholies, have a church known as St. Joseph Roumanian Orthodox, Rev. Simon Mihaltian, pastor, while the Catholics are represented by the following five churches: St. Francis Lithuanian, Rev. Joseph M. Jazsztys; St. George's Servian, Rev. John V. Markovich ; St. John Cantius Polish, Rev. Anthony Stachowiak; St. Patrick's, Rev. John C. Wakefer.
In 1906 Rev. Peter A. Budnik, of East Chicago, founded St. John's Parish of Polish Catholics at the Harbor. The church has increased to Vol. I-28
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more than four hundred families, and some four hundred children attend the parochial school.
St. George's Servian Church, organized in August, 1912, has an esti- mated membership of some four thousand souls. In October, 1914, a building was completed as the religious home of one of the largest foreign elements in the Calumet region. The pastor from the first has been Father Markovich.
THE I. O. O. F.
It was not until East Chicago had reached a population of twelve or fifteen hundred that its English-speaking and thoroughly American- ized citizens felt themselves strong enough to attempt the organization of the various lodges and societies, without which the typical community of the United States seems stagnant.
In June, 1891, the Odd Fellows entered the field and organized East Chicago Lodge No. 677. Its charter members were Edward DeBraie, Charles H. Hungerford, Henry Hanneman, Edwin C. Wedgewood, E. G. Palmer, Frank W. Clinton, James Robinson, C. M. Baker and Rev. J. H. Simons. One of the most prominent local members of the order is Dr. Jacob Goldman. Lodge No. 677 owns the building in which its meet- ings are held, which was erected in 1907 at a cost of $15,000, and has a membership of nearly two hundred.
James A. Garfield Encampment No. 205, I. O. O. F., was instituted in November, 1913, by Dr. Jacob Goldman, O. R. Rahr, E. L. Williams, Prof. T. E. Williams, J. F. Thompson and W. A. Richeson. David J. Reid and Professor Williams have held the office of chief patriarch, Doc- tor Goldman being the present incumbent. Moses J. Hayward is scribe. Present membership, forty-five.
The Odd Fellows have also a growing auxiliary, known as the Daugh- ters of Rebekah, Miriam Lodge No. 407.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES
The Knights of the Maccabees organized in 1892 as East Chicago Tent No. 44. It has a present membership of over one hundred, and its successive presiding officers have been S. W. Winters, A. J. Whitmer, A. J. Rieland, William Zybell, J. H. Jordan, F. G. Wall, J. L. Lund- quist, R. Bird, A. E. Peters, E. C. Wedgewood and William Walsh.
MASONIC BODIES
East Chicago Lodge No. 595, F. & A. M., was organized in July, 1893. Among those who have been most prominent in its activities may be mentioned Stephen W. Winters, John Sandiland, Henry M. Brown, Joseph P. Hartley, Herbert E. Jones, Richard Jenkins, William
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H. Jeppeson, Abraham Ottenheimer, John H. Steele, Waldo C. Bailey, David J. Lewis, Willard B. Van Horne, William L. Babcock and W. John McRae. In 1913 the East Chicago Masons completed a fine temple costing $30,000, at the corner of Magoun and Baring avenues. It is a handsome three-story brick building, with tasteful stone trimmings. Lodge No. 595 now mimbers nearly three hundred members.
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