USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Historical sketch of the German-English Independent School of Indianapolis, "our old school," > Part 7
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While there were occasional outcroppings of discontent on the part of the teachers in their relations with the principal of the school, there was less under the first six years of Mr. Dingeldey, than subsequently.
I will quote from letters addressed by some of the teachers to the Schulrath. Under date of February 22, 1871, the following was "fired" at the "Directors":
"To the Directors of the German-English School.
"Mr. Vonnegut, President.
"The undersigned would deem it a favor if the directors would attend our teachers' meetings, and visit our school as often as possibie.
"(Signed) K. L. BERRAN. "A. R. DODGE. "ANNIE S. WATE."
This was a diplomatic way of inviting the attention of the Schulrath to the existing strain between the teachers and the principal of the school, but it must be inferred that the "Directors" did not profit by the kind of suggestions of the lady teachers, so in June, 1871, when the Schulrath asked for a renewal of the teachers' contracts for the ensuing year, Miss Annie S. Wate wrote as follows:
"Had we a principal whose requirements were always reasonable, deportment gentlemanly, and plans for the best good of the school, I am sure it would be quite agreeable to sign myself in subjection to and co- operation with him. In the present state of affairs I do not feel willing to sign for another year's stay, etc." "ANNIE S. WATE." Miss Berran was equally decided, and addressed the Schulrath in language which could not be misunderstood, as follows:
"Mr. Vonnegut:
"I cannot conscientiously promise to be subject in all things to the present principal of the school.
"Place a man here that I can respect as a teacher, and I will be guided, but a man that neither teachers nor scholars esteem, I cannot yield to.
"To the School Board I have long been subject, and have performed everything they asked cheerfully and can today thank them for their kindness and consideration. I have worked hard for the school, and am ready to work still harder if necessary, but cannot subject myself to one, whom teachers and scholars alike disregard. Respectfully,
"K. L. BERRAN."
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Mr. Kraeuter notified the Schulvorstand that he would sever his connection with the school on February 15, 1871. Mr. Bopp, one of the teachers, recommended Lehrer Knodler (Knodel) aus Pforzheim, Baden, as a successor to Mr. Kraeuter.
The meeting of February 14, 1871, gave the following list of teachers then in employ: G. A. Schmidt, George Gramlich, Christian Bopp, Miss Berran, Miss Dodge and Miss Wate.
As shown by the minutes of March 14, 1871, Mr. Ed. Haller was employed since March 2, as a teacher until the arrival of the new teacher from Baden.
Paul Pfaefflin was admitted into the school at this meeting.
On April 25, 1871, Oberlehrer Schmidt reported that 252 children were in attendance at the school.
It was decided to hold a picnic on Pfingstmontag and Messrs. Mayer and Fer- ling were made a committee to look after same.
Mr. Ernst Knodel, aus Pforzheim, Baden, was introduced to the Schulvor- stand by Oberlehrer Schmidt, on May 9, 1871, with the statement that Mr. Knodel had assumed his duties as a teacher the day before.
A report of a teachers' conference with the Schulvorstand may be of interest. "Meeting of the Board of Trustees with the teachers of the German-English School on Friday afternoon, June 30, 1871.
"Clemens Vonnegut, chairman, explains the object of the meeting as a trial to come to a full understanding between the lady teachers and the principal of the school, and to remove all further objections on the part of the first against the im- provements that the latter proposes to introduce into the school, principally the fol- lowing ones:
"1. The distribution of the different lessons of sciences to the teachers in such a manner that one teacher would have to give his or her lessons in only two suc- ceeding classes.
"2. A change in the system of teaching Grammar and Composition by doing away with learning by heart so many rules and definitions and rather to make the pupils change sentences from one mode to another just as they happen to come to his mind in the course of reading, and so to give more life to the instruction and to induce the pupils to exercise their minds.
"3. To change the system of teaching geography by doing away with learn- ing by heart the answers of certain given questions and instituting for it the use of maps, the globes and other objects so as to make the instruction similar to object lessons.
"The next object of this meeting should be the criticism of the school ex- aminations by the principal.
"At the discussion of the first question Miss Wate made so urgent and pas- sionate objections that the discussion had to be given up.
"On motion of Mr. N. Jose it was resolved that the board, in connection with the principal, should stipulate and define the improvements to be introduced, that they should be laid before the teachers and that they must be governed by them if they want to serve further the German-English School.
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THE OLD SCHOOL AS IT APPEARED FROM 1867 ON. FERLING S HOME ON THE RIGHT.
"Mr. C. Bopp demanded the criticism of his examinations of the scholars, which the principal, Mr. G. A. Schmidt, promised to give later."
Mr. G. A. Schmidt, the Oberlehrer, informed the Vorstand on July 25, 1871, that he would sever his connection with the school, to take effect on October 1, 1871. On August 8, 1871, Mr. Haas of Rentheim bei Carlsruhe accepted a position as teacher, and so advised the Vorstand.
From a letter read at this meeting it appears that teacher Gramlich had quit the school some time before and had gone to Grand Rapids, Mich.
On August 11. 1871, the Vorstand appointed Mr. Edward Koessly of 205 East 84th street, New York City, as Oberlehrer.
Oberlehrer Schmidt's connection with the school was severed on August 15, and Theodore Dingeldey, who was on a vacation, offered to take his place tem- porarily, which offer was accepted.
Carl Haas began his term as teacher on September 11, 1871.
On September 26, Custodian Schulmeyer resigned his position.
The annual meeting of September 29, 1871, elected the following officers: President -- Clemens Vonnegut.
Secretary-Albert Reissner.
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Treasurer-Friederich Schmid.
Bookkeeper-Jacob Metzger.
Trustees -- William Haueisen, Nikolaus Jose, Louis Lang, William Kothe and John F. Mayer.
The custodian of the school, Mr. Schulmeyer, having resigned, the "Oberleh- rer," Herr Koessly, recommended Albert Ramp, who served under him in New York City, and the latter was chosen.
On October 10, 1871, Messrs. Clemens Vonnegut, Albert Reissner, Friederich Schmid, Louis Lang, Jacob Metzger, Nikolaus Jose, J. F. Mayer, W. Kothe and W. Haueisen were reported present at the Vorstand meeting.
It was agreed to celebrate Christmas on December 31, 1871, from 4 to 8 o'clock in the evening and the necessary committee appointed on December 5, 1871.
Frau Koessly was installed as Turnlehrerin fuer Maedchen on January 2, 1872. On January 31 the secretary was instructed to explain to Mr. Haueisen the nature of his duties as a member of the Schulvorstand.
It appears that a fair had been held for the benefit of the school, and that the same resulted in a net gain of $1,516.02, but details are lacking.
The Oberlehrer reported on March 12, 1872, that 240 pupils were in attend- ance at school.
At the meeting of April 30, 1872, it was resolved to dispense with the serv- ices of teacher Haas.
Miss Dodge resigned as teacher on May 28, 1872; the Vorstand decided to appoint Miss Abbie R. Wate for the ensuing year in place of her sister, Annie Wate.
Mr. Koessly informed the Vorstand that he would leave at the end of the school year.
Mr. Gramlich notified the Vorstand that he would return to the school in August.
The author was delighted in the extreme when he learned that Annie Wate Brown, the good and kind Miss Wate who came to us as a teacher in January, 1866, is still among the living, sound in health as well as in memory, and proceeded to ob- tain from her a few reminiscences of her school life, which she willingly gave as follows :
"Think naught a trifle though it small appear;" trifles make life. We write a letter, place a stamp upon it, drop it in the letter box and often think little more about it. It was a trifling act, done perchance to prefer a request for some friend. The white-winged messenger goes on its mission and changes the whole course of a life. A life, did I say? Can such a thing be without changing the course of many ?
Such a messenger was a letter written by the wife of one of the directors of the German-English School of Indianapolis in the summer of 1864. It wrought many changes in four New England families. It was the first in a series of events which resulted in seven different teachers for this same school; in three new perma- nent homes in the Middle West and at least two more on the Pacific slope; while in the development of the minds of hundreds of girls and boys, who can measure the results ?
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This letter, fraught with consequences of such import, was addressed to Mrs. E. W. R. Wate of Dorchester, Mass., and asked her to send a good English teacher to Indianapolis if one could be found who would come.
My mother (Mrs. W.) knew Miss Adela Poor to be a good teacher. Her lit- tle daughter Jessie had been under her instruction for two years at the old Gibson school in Dorchester. So, while she hesitated about sending one of the best teach- ers from our own school district, she realized what travel and change and larger salary might mean to a young woman, especially if she were scon (as in Miss Poor's case) to settle down to married life. Miss Poor was the promised wife of Mr. Frank Wood, head master in one of the Boston schools.)
So the position was offered to her, and she accepted it, and proved a most acceptable teacher in her new position. Miss Poor was very attractive in face and form, beside being a good teacher; and there was mourning on the part of pupils, and regret on the part of the directors, when she resigned in the summer of 1866.
(Mr. Wood came to Indianapolis when she was free from school and claimed his bride. They were quietly married at the Episcopal Church, on Circle and Me- ridian streets, and left for their new home in Reading, Mass., immediately.)
Arrangements had been made with the directors for an older sister of Miss Poor, (Adelaide B.) to take her place when school should open in the fall. The school seemed to be very prosperous at this time. Extensive additions were being made to the school building. Many were waiting to enter the school, and rooms must be built and teachers engaged to meet the need.
When I arrived in Indianapolis the previous winter (January, 1866) there were three classes. Mr. Dingeldey was principal, assisted by Miss (Adela) Poor. A younger sister, Miss Cecelia Poor, was caring for the third class. It had been hoped that she could fill this place until the new German teacher should arrive from Germany. But the climate did not seem favorable to her, therefore my mother had been asked to send me out to substitute until Mr. Mueller should arrive. So Miss Cecilia Poor returned to her school in the East, and I substituted for six weeks, with great pleasure to myself.
Whether my pupils learned anything in those weeks I dare not say, but they evidently got some pleasure out of them, for at the close of my work they presented me with an excellent photograph album and a silver fruit knife. The latter I lost while still in Indianapolis, to my great chagrin. The album is still one of my val- ued possessions, (showing long use but in perfect condition). Many dear faces look out from its pages, most of them associated with my life in Indianapolis. Many of the dear pupils are there, and most of the teachers. I cannot realize that those boys and girls are more than twice as old as I was at that time.
Mr. Mueller came about the first of March and took his place in the school. He was strong and bright, full of youthful enthusiasm, good impulses, and withal a fine teacher. (A good friend he was, too. I was quite intimately associated with him during the three or four years he was connected with the school and always found him good and true. We were like brother and sister.) When he left us, late
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in 1870, Cincinnati gained a good teacher and our school was the loser. I am sure he has made his impression in the cities where his lot has been cast.
After Mr. Mueller had taken his place in the school I. still remained with Mrs. Kappes, having been engaged by the directors to take a permanent position in the school when the new rooms should be ready.
Sometime in September the school opened with five classes, five teachers, and some three hundred pupils. Two fine large class rooms had been added to the orig- inal number, a director's room on the first floor, while a large and pleasant hall made a third story to the building. We were very proud of our new school house and prosperous school in those days.
I well remember the large class of little ones, eighty in number, over whom I was installed as class teacher. How I loved the little things! Many of them could not speak English and I had no command of German, but we got on famously.
In those first years each teacher went from class to class, changing every hour, and so came in contact with all the different pupils in the school each day. Later the schedule was changed and each teacher divided his time between two classes. A choice of grades was given me, and I took the beginners and the second grade. A sixth teacher had been added by this time (English) so that this could easily be arranged.
The period which followed (as it seems to me) was one of prosperity to the school and of most pleasant relations between the school board, the teachers and pupils.
The Misses Poor left school first during my stay at school, Adele to be mar- ried in the summer of 1866 and succeeded by her sister Adelaide, who in turn left in the fall of 1867 to go to the deathbed of her sister Adele, who left surviving her a little girl baby, which lived only a year or two when Adelaide resumed teaching down East.
Mr. Klemm, who came to the school the same year I did, left in the fall of 1868 to take a fine position in Detroit, Mich.
His place and that of Miss Adelaide Poor were easily filled. Mrs. Wynn succeeded Miss Poor and Mr. Keilmann succeeded Mr. Klemm several months after the latter departed for Detroit.
Miss Berran came in May, 1868.
Miss Berran and her work are worthy of special note. Of all the teachers with whom I was associated (in my judgment) Mr. Dingeldey and Miss Berran were of greatest value to the school. They gave more of their best years to its up- building than any others. They gave themselves without stint or selfish motive. It seemed to me unfortunate for the best interests of the school that Mr. Dingeldey was allowed to leave it for a position in the Indianapolis High School.
Miss Berran loved her work and was most conscientious in its performance. She loved her pupils, and took especial pride in bringing out the best in those whom other teachers misjudged or undervalued. She had a wonderful magnetism, which won and held her pupils as well as others. She was a blessing to the school, not leaving it till rest and change became necessary for her health.
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Women Who Aided the School
KATHERINA BLANK VONNEGUT.
MARY SACHS BAUER.
CAROLINE ELIZABETH HOCH GALL.
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Women Who Aided the School
MINNA SCHMIDT SEIDENSTICKER.
ELIZABETH EURICH NALTNER.
SUSANNAH MILLER LANG.
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(I will also say that the school was a blessing to her, the happiest years of her life being spent there. She was a child of sorrow; in Indianapolis, so far re- moved from old associations, she was able to forget and throw herself into the work for which she was so well fitted by nature.)
After a year or two of rest and travel she returned to New England and soon began teaching again in Belmont, Mass. Here she remained for years, the same faithful, efficient teacher. But she brooded over her troubles until her mind was unsettled and met an untimely death when about forty years of age (January, 1889).
(She resigned her position in the school on Friday. The following Thursday loving friends gathered to look upon her face for the last time). She never married.
When Mrs. Wynn resigned (1868) and began to teach in the blind asylum (Indianapolis) the directors asked me to send East for another teacher. (Miss Ber- ran had come through my influence.) Miss Annie R. Dodge, a friend and former schoolmate, gladly responded to my invitation and took her place among us late in 1869. She was a young woman of sterling qualities, from a fine old New England family, and was a good and faithful teacher. (While visiting a friend in Ohio dur- ing one of the summer vacations she met Mr. Blakemore, whom she afterward mar- ried.) She remained in the school till June, 1872, when her affianced came to In- dianapolis. They were married immediately and left for Iowa, taking up pioneer work on a large farm. She was a good teacher, wife, and mother, but her life was comparatively short.
My own work in the school also ended in June, 1872. My sister, Abbie Wate, took my position. She had been a member of our "teachers' home" for some years; had taken the course at the Normal Training School in Indianapolis; had substi- tuted for me some months in the summer of 1870, and had now been teaching two years in Lockland, Ohio.
It must have been at this time that my younger sister, Jessie, taught in the German-English school. Miss Abbie Wate was still in the Normal School and would not be graduated until May. My memory of this is not very distinct, however.
I had by this time made a temporary home for my younger sisters and Miss Berran, (a foster sister) which Miss Dodge also shared. To this home my mother and father came in March, 1870, the latter in the last stages of consumption, but long- ing to see his daughters once more. He lived but six weeks ; worn out with grief and anxiety, I returned with my widowed mother to Dorchester for his burial. I was given a vacation of some months and my sisters taught the school for me.
Jessie L. P. Wate had come to Indianapolis in 1869. She fitted for the In- dianapolis High School under the Misses Colgan and had finished her first year in high school. When I returned to New England in 1872 she accompanied me. She was graduated at the Ipswich Female Seminary in June, 1874. After this she spent her happy days sometimes with our mother in the home, sometimes teaching. She also spent much time in copying and translating with the author of Charles Sum- mer's Memoirs of Hon. Edward L. Pierce. The last two years before her marriage were spent in teaching in Milton, Mass. In 1879 she married Rev. Horace F. Brown, and they began life together in the parsonage at Antrim, N. H. After the birth of
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her second son her health failed and a change was tried. She steadily declined, however, and fell asleep in January, 1886. Of a joyous, affectionate nature, she ab- sorbed and gave out to others more happiness in her brief life of thirty years than many would in thrice that number. She was greatly beloved.
Of her work in the school I will leave others to speak, as I was absent from the city when she took up the work. She had every qualification for a good teacher except robust health, and did excellent work in Lockland, Ohio, and in Belmont, Mass., later. A fall upon the ice in the winter of 1875 (I think) was the cause of a subsequent nervous breakdown. She left the school, returned East and was an invalid for some years. In 1878 she had so far recovered that she began teach- ing in Belmont, Mass. Again she was ill, and Miss Berran filled the place which she was obliged to leave.
For some years she remained on the farm in New London, N. H., with her family-some of the time unable to walk without crutches. In 1884 she started for California, threw away one crutch in Boston, another in Omaha, and in San Francisco so regained her health that on her return to Chicago, meeting her lover of long ago, they decided to marry. The wedding took place in New Hampshire in December, 1885, the husband of her younger sister officiating. They left for Chi- cago, where they made their home until 1893. Here their only child, Jessie, was born. Mrs. French, though delicate, was able to care for home and child until 1892, when a bronchial trouble became chronic. She then traveled for a year or more hop- ing to find some climate where she could regain her health. This she never did, but she settled in Redlands, Cal., being nearest to her ideal, where she lived amid great beauty and with every comfort that money could buy until the end came in April, 1896.
When, in July, 1872, I left Indianapolis I expected to return and take up kindergarten work. At this time a somewhat scanty training for such work might be had in Boston. My friends in Indianapolis had promised me pupils if I would re- turn and teach them.
I was turned aside from this purpose, however, by a physician's advice. In my sister's home in Dorchester I kept up my practice in teaching children, however she having three little daughters. For the next seven years I persistently refused all offers of schools which came to me. When, however, my youngest sister, Jes- sie, gave up her school in Milton, Mass., and married, I yielded to her persuasions and braced myself to do what I had thought impossible.
Though I had been out of the harness so long, I easily became accustomed to it and enjoyed my little folks there as much as I had done in the German-Eng- lish School. I remained in the school nearly five years, leaving only when the same dear sister needed me in her New Hampshire home because of failing health. When she died in January, 1886, I remained to care for her children and husband, whom I married in May, 1888.
Looking back to the years spent as a teacher, especially those earlier years, I am filled with pity for my pupils. Home life has always seemed more satisfactory to me. It affords me some satisfaction, however, that the teachers whom I intro-
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Women Who Aided the School
MARIANNA METZGER LIEBER.
1
WILHELMINA ELBRACHT METZGER.
CHRISTINE MEYER KOTHE.
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Women Who Aided the School
LENA WERNECKE BUTSCH.
SUSANNAH BUTSCH GOEPPER.
REGINA BUTSCH FAHRBACH.
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duced to the German-English School so supplemented my own deficiencies that my pupils did not greatly suffer in the end.
I had thought to add something of impressions or incidents, but my narra- tive is already too long.
In my Eastern home I had never met any Germans, and, becoming so close- ly associated with them in Indianapolis, I was in a new world. My fellow-teachers were friendly and enjoyable; my pupils docile and obedient. There were no bad boys or girls in our school. The parents were most hospitable and kind. We were entertained right royally. The coffee parties! I wonder if they still give them, and if the tables are set out with the same elegance and abundance. And the an- nual picnics ; they were delightful (but I did not like the beer). I enjoyed the Ger- man music, especially the concerts; and the singing of the boys and girls as Mr. Dingeldey trained them in the beautiful German songs.
Amusing incidents there were many; but, strange to say, I cannot recall one sufficiently to relate.
Mr. Mueller and Mr. Dingeldey, the latter specially, had a keen sense of humor as did also Miss Adelaide Poor and Abbie Wate. We were often a very jolly group. I can see Mr. Dingeldey's eyes twinkle, and his cheeks dimple, as plainly as though forty and more years did not lie between.
Of Mr. Keilmann I have said little. I think he had a poetical nature, was fond of poetry, music and all beautiful things, but I can't remember him as a teach- er very well. I do remember inviting him to supper before he could speak much English. Mr. Mueller and his affianced, Miss Flora Kunz, were also there. I called myself a fair cook, but I did not understand marketing very well. The chicken which I served proved to be very tough. I was greatly mortified. I think he never visited us again. Tough chicken, however, was not sufficient to daunt the other happy pair. They often gathered with us around the table."
ANNIE WATE BROWN.
Teacher Wilhelm Mueller contributes the following reminiscences:
"Im Februar des Jahres 1865 fuhrein junger Mann, der in die zwanzig getre- ten war, auf der Eisenbahn von Darmstadt nach Worms. Er hatte seine Stellung an einer hoeheren Toechterschule der hessischen Residenz aufgegeben, um sich in der Hauptstadt des Staates Indiana dem Dienste der Jugend zu widmen. Ein Mit- reisender verwickelte den angehenden Paedagogen in ein Gespraech, in welchem letzterer sofort seine dem Westen zugewandte Absicht kund gab. Hierauf stellte sich der aeltere Mann als ein Vertreter der Hamburg-Amerikanischen Dampf- schiffahrt-Gesellschaft vor und erklaerte, dass er schon wiederholt in Amerika ge- wesen sei und auch Indianapolis besucht habe.
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