USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 33
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Logansport Schools .- The initiatory step toward the develop- ment of the excellent school system of this city was taken immedi- ately after the first permanent settlement had been made. On the 10th of April, 1828, the original town plot was surveyed. In May and June following, the first residences were constructed of logs, cut from the adjacent grounds. Gen. John Tipton, then Indian agent, and Col. John B. Duret, his secretary, Maj. Daniel Bell, Chauncey Carter, proprietor of the town, Alexander Chamberlain, Joseph Barron, Hugh B. McKeen, Gillis McBean and Dr. Hiram Todd, were among the first settlers. They were men of energy and enterprise, who, seeing and feeling the importance of a judicious educational system, upon which society in the future might build, began, early in the month of September of that year, to consider and adopt the means in their judgment best calculated to accom- plish the end in view.
A subscription was raised at once, aggregating nearly $500, of which sum, Gen. Tipton, the prime mover, paid $150. September 27, 1828, a meeting of citizens was held, when a building commit- tee was appointed, and a committee, also, on organization. These committees reported, at a subsequent meeting held on the 29th, when the organization was perfected, the contract let for the erec- tion of a brick building, 20x40 feet, one-story high, for $300, on a lot (No. 55) donated by Mr. Carter. This organization was thence- forward known as the "Eel River Seminary Society," and was in- corporated by that name on the first day of January, 1829. John Tipton was the first president.
The building was so far completed that a school was opened the first week in March, 1829, under the charge of Mr. John McKinney, then recently from Detroit, at $100 per quarter, the grades of tui- tion being $3 and $4 per term. Mr. Mckinney remained but one term. A summer session was not held. The winter session was for six months, commencing December 8, 1829, with George Lyon, principal, and Mrs. John B. Turner, assistant teacher, on the same terms and conditions as Mr. Mckinney.
At a meeting of the board of trustees, June 2, 1830, the school
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year was divided into two sessions of five months each, the first, or summer session, to commence on the first Monday in June, and the second, or winter session, on the first Monday in December. The school was also divided into four classes, the first to consist of those studying first principles and orthography; the second, of reading, writing and arithmetic; the third, of English grammar and geog- raphy; the fourth, of surveying, mathematics and the languages. Terms for the summer session:
First class, per session, books furnished. $3 00
Second class, per session, books and stationery. 5 00
Third class, per session, books and stationery. 6 00 Fourth class, per session, books and stationery. 7 00
Contingent expenses for winter session. 1 00
Rev. Hiram A. Hunter was employed to take charge of this school, as principal, at a salary of $500 per year, and a residence, which should be secured to him at $75 per year.
Mr. George Lyon was employed for the winter session, of four months, at a salary of $120 per term. The summer session of 1831 was under the management of Selby Harney.
In April, 1832, the stock and funds of this society and the Cass County Seminary were united, and became the property of the Eel River and Cass County Seminary, by which name the joint corpora- tion was afterward known.
As the population increased additional facilities were demanded to meet the wants of our educational system. Accordingly, Novem- ber 14, 1836, it was determined by the society to sell the old prop- erty and make a reinvestment of the funds in a building of greater capacity and more judicious arrangement. This new building was of stone, and three-stories high; the contract price for it was 86,465.11, but it cost much more. It was opened for educational purposes the second week in September, 1849, with Rev. M. M. Post, as principal, with an efficient corps of subordinate teachers.
Up to this period the school system of Logansport was slowly, but surely, developed to a standard, warranting the introduction of more advanced methods of instruction. As a rule, the "school-mas- ters," according to their facilities, did good service after the " sledge- hammer" style, laying a solid foundation, perhaps, for the more successful culture of advanced instructors.
With the opening of the Seminary building, in 1849, a new era in the educational economy of the city dawned upon the public as
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additional interest was manifested. Father Post was succeeded in the management of the school under the auspices of the Cass County and Eel River River Seminary Society, by Mr. Irwin W. Gates, and he by Rev. H. W. Shaw, a gentleman of scholarly attain- ments and successful experience. At that date, and for a few years subsequent, the school was conducted chiefly as a matter of private enterprise, depending for support wholly upon the success of the lessees of the building.
Prior to 1854 no steps had been taken to utilize the provisions of the new school law of 1852. During that year an enumeration of the children between the ages of five and twenty-one years showed the number to be 1,026; when the apportionment of school funds was made, the city received but $566, and there was but one public school building. In 1855 the enumeration showed 1,097 children entitled to school privileges, of whom 596 attended school within the year, and the amount expended for their instruction was $1,173.
Enlarged facilities for educational purposes being necessary, an assessment of $2,515.30 was made that year as a fund for building schoolhouses. The following year an additional sum of $2,510.38 was levied for the same purpose. Again, in 1857, a further assess- ment of $1,117 was made. During that year the expenses of educa- tion were $922, nine teachers being employed at an average of $35 per month. In 1858, the same number of teachers were employed at the same average compensation, to whom, in the aggregate, $1,370 , was paid. The school term of 1859 averaged sixty-five days, the aggregate attendance being 840 pupils, under the instruction of thirteen teachers. Of the 840 pupils. 200 attended the high school and were instructed by six teachers-three males and three females.
In 1862-63 two new ward-school buildings of brick, two stories high and adapted to primary and intermediate grades, were erected and furnished with all the approved appliances. At this time, the first steps were taken preparatory to the introduction of the graded system. This work was commenced under the auspices of the board of trustees, of which Hon. D. D. Pratt was president, assisted by T. B. Helm, County Examiner, and Stewart T. McConnell, Esq. The first term under this system was commenced on the 19th of October, 1863, under the management of an efficient corps of teachers, and continued six months. With the experience of the
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past in view, the system continued to be improved and perfected, until the most satisfactory results were obtained during the suc- ceeding three or four years. For a time there was no other super- intendency than that afforded by the township trustee as director. Finally on the 2d of November, 1865, the necessity for such an officer became manifest and Mr. Thomas B. Helm was appointed by the board superintendent of the city schools.
The grades originally established were four-primary, inter- mediate, grammar and high school. The first two grades occupied the ward-school buildings, while the other two were in the Semi- nary, or high school building. From 1864 to 1866, the schools in the Seminary building were under the management of Prof. Joseph Baldwin as principal, and Thomas B. Helm as teacher of higher mathe- matics and the languages. As a part of this management a normal term of ten weeks was held each year, with the most satisfactory results. Prof. Sheridan Cox succeeded Mr. Baldwin in his depart- ment, and on the 5th of July, 1867, was appointed superintendent. The first class, consisting of three young ladies, having completed the prescribed course, graduated from the high school, in 1871. In 1872, another class of five-three males and two females -- grad- uated under the same regulations; in 1873, a class of three; in 1874, a class of four. All of these had been instructed, except during the school year of 1873-74, under the supervision of Prof. Cox and his wife, as principal and assistant. George C. Shepard was superin- tendent from July 14, 1873, to August 27, 1874.
With the commencement of the fall term of 1874, Prof. John K. Watts became superintendent (August 27) and a division of the grades before recognized was made, establishing three grades instead of four, by the omission of the intermediate, so as to con- form with the general usage throughout the State, but continuing the four years' course. In 1875 there were seven graduates; in 1876, sixteen; in 1877, thirteen; in 1878, eleven. From that time until the present, classes, larger or smaller in number, have gradu- ated at the close of each succeeding school year. From 1873-74 to 1881, Mr. M. S. Coulter was principal of the high school depart- ment. In 1886, Mr. Watts' term as superintendent having expired, Prof. James C. Black was appointed in his stead September 1, 1886.
In 1874, the old Seminary building became inadequate to the
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public demand, and was torn down during that year and replaced with the present magnificent structure, known as the High, or " Central School Building." In 1874 and 1875, excellent ward- school buildings were erected, known as the west side, north and south side buildings respectively, according to their location, thus securing the most ample privileges to all departments.
With the opening of the new high school building, in Janu- ary, 1875, a training school was organized, as a part of the system of school work, to which were admitted graduates of the high school and others, for special preparation as practical teachers. A class was graduated from this department in 1875 and another in 1876. Most of these graduates have since rendered efficient service as teachers in the city schools. This department was eminently suc- cessful. The wisdom of the board in setting it aside is questionable.
As a brief expose of the present condition and previous manage- ment of the city schools, the following extracts from the last gener- al report of Supt. Waltz, filed July 31, 1886, will furnish the neces- sary information on these points of interest. During the year just closed "the whole number enrolled was: Boys, 982; girls, 1,053; total, 2,035, an increase of 33 over the previous year. The average number enrolled or belonging was 1,621, an increase of 71 over the previous year. The average daily attendance was 1,545, an in- crease of 75 over the previous year. The per cent of attendance on the average number enrolled was 95.3. This is an unusually high per cent, and the best record the schools of this city have ever made.
"The average daily attendance was 76 per cent of the whole number enrolled. This is a record seldom reached in any city, 3 better than the excellent record made by your city schools the two years before. For each of these years the average daily attendance was 73 per cent of the whole number enrolled. By reference to the report published for 1880, page 10, it will be seen that the per cent of attendance on the whole number enrolled prior to 1876, ranged from 51 to 61. In 1876 it went up to 65, and has never fallen be- low since. In 1880 it was 67.2, the best record reached up to that time, and fully up to the average of other cities. The number of teachers employed was the same as the year before. Including the superintendent and supervisor of music, there were 38 teachers-8 men and 30 women.
9
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"The statistics and the results of the instruction show the year to have been the most prosperous one in the history of the public schools of this city. The cost of instruction, including supervision, for each pupil enrolled, was $8.05. Based upon the average num- ber enrolled, it was $10.11 for each pupil; based upon the average daily attendance, it was $10.60 for each pupil." * * *
"The schools have especially made great progress in speaking and writing good English. The instruction in the English language and composition has been made to occupy a prominent-I might say the most prominent-place from the day the child entered school until he completed the senior year of the high school."
The following is a complete list of the superintendents of the city schools, with dates of appointment: Thomas B. Helm, Novem- ber 2, 1865; Sheridan Cox, July 5, 1867; George C. Shepard, July 14, 1873; John K. Watts, August 27, 1874; James C. Black, Sep- tember 1, 1886.
Hall's Business College .- This institution was established in Logansport, in 1867, by E. A. Hall, who, just previous to that time, came from Ashtabula County, Ohio, having received his education at Green River Institute, Spencer's Writing Academy, Kingsville Academy and Oberlin College.
At first it commenced operations in a small way in the building situated on the corner of Market and Bridge Streets, in the fall of 1867, where, by perseverance and strict application to business, the institution so grew in popular favor that removal to more commodi- ous quarters became necessary. This removal took place in 1873, and the location was accordingly changed to No. 44 Fourth Street. After several years of accumulating prosperity, another change of location became necessary, and the institution was again removed to its present ample quarters, in the second story of the building situated on the northwest corner of Market and Pearl Streets.
As now situated, with its attendant advantages and modern con- veniences, the institution presents educational facilities equal to any business college located in any of the larger cities of the Union. The course of study is recognized by educators of experience as be- ing of the highest order, and is separated into three distinct depart- ments: First, The commercial course, which embraces theoretical and practical book-keeping, suited to the operations of all trades, phases of business and professions; practical penmanship, commercial law,
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commercial arithmetic, business customs, punctuation, spelling, wording, analysis, etc. Second, The shorthand and typewriting de- partment, which fits the student for verbatim, speech and law re- porting, and for operating the typewriter in the most skillful manner. In this department penmanship and spelling are also taught. Third, The normal penmanship department, for those who wish to devote themselves exclusively to penmanship and make a special study of commercial law and of artistic penmanship with the view of instruct- ing others. For those wishing to learn any particular branch of the pen art, this course was especially designed.
The number of students who have attended this school from the date of its organization to the present time, is. 2,660. Students holding lucrative positions, as far as can now be ascertained, num- ber 1,250. The number of students who have attended during .the past year is 202, including those both in the day and night schools. Twenty-five per cent of this number attended the night sessions. Thirty per cent also took a full commercial course, and a trifle over forty per cent are students from a distance. In the above number of students eleven States have been represented. Five teachers have been employed the past year.
Smithson College .- This institution was the immediate out- growth of a desire on the part of the Indiana State Convention of Universalists to establish within the limits of the State an institu- tion of learning, which, while it was in no sense sectarian, was to be under the immediate supervision and control of that body. The name is derived from Joshua Smithson, of Vevay, Ind., who be- queathed a portion of his estate, in trust, for the up-building and maintenance of a school above the grade prescribed by the public school system.
Smithson Academy, to be located at Muncie, Ind., was the first step proposed toward the attainment of the object aimed at by the State Convention. Neither the grade nor the location were, in all respects, satisfactory, hence these two features became open questions before final action was had. As a consequence, the eligibility of several other points was taken into consideration. Finally, Mrs. Elizabeth Pollard, widow of the late Philip Pollard, of Logansport, proposed a donation of $20,000, on condition that the grade of the institution, instead of taking that of an academy, should be a college or univer- sity, whose sphere would unite the common school with the highest
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grade of instruction found in the colleges, East or West, and that it should be located in Logansport.
The proposition was accepted, and a bond executed for the future conveyance of ten acres of ground, embracing a very eligible site for such an educational edifice, occupying an elevated position on the north of, and overlooking, the entire city of Logansport. This, at its estimated value, with the money proposed to be donated, made the aggregate sum of $20,000, of which $10,000 was to be used as an endowment fund.
These conditions having been satisfactorily complied with, the central building was put under contract, and on the 9th of May, 1871, the corner-stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies. In due time the building was completed, and on the 2d of January, 1872, Smithson College was opened for the reception of students, with prospects seeming to warrant the commencement of a brilliant ca- reer. The course of instruction was excellent, and the president and faculty were fully equal to the task imposed upon them, entering upon their duties with zealous interest, and, with the prestige of long and successful experience, directing their energies toward the elevation of the educational standard, such as had been contemplated by its owners and projectors. For a time the prospect was auspicious and ultimate success seemed to be assured. After years, however, established the futility of the enterprise, and the spring of 1878 recorded the fact that Smithson College, as an educational institu- tion, had ceased to exist.
The American Normal College, while not founded upon the ruins of Smithson College, secured a lease of the property and buildings, and in January, 1883, through the instrumentality of Prof. J. Fraise Richards, as principal, and a corps of teach- ers, opened a school, of the class designated as normal, with a respectable number of pupils preparing for teachers' work. Prof. Richards continued in charge, as principal of the institution, until
some time in the following year, when Prof. Walter Sayler became principal, with Charles E. Kircher, assistant principal; J. C. Gar- rett, professor of languages; W. S. Harshman, of mathematics; A. H. Beals, of sciences; Mary E. Jackman, of belles-lettres; C. B. Minor, commercial department; Mrs. Mattie Sayler, music; Florence Borradaile, fine arts; Ida Washburn, common branches; Elizabeth Branson, phonography and type-writing; P. S. MeNutt, violin and flute.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
With the close of the college year in 1885, Prof. Sayler's term of service ended, and at the commencement of the new year Prof. Kircher succeeded to the principalship, a majority of the old faculty continuing in the several departments, the necessary vacancies being supplied by the appointment of additional professors. At present, the principal is Prof. Kircher; W. S. Harshman, E. M. C. Hobbs and Bart B. Bigler, assistant principals.
The fall term commenced August 10, 1886; the second fall term commences October 19, 1886, and the winter term January 11, 1887; and the next annual commencement will be held Angust 4, 1887, as prescribed by the regular course.
Country Schools .- Clinton Township .- The first school in the county, perhaps, outside of Logansport, was in Clinton Township. Indeed, the first settlements in county other than those in Eel Town- ship and the county seat, were also in Clinton and Washington Townships; hence, it was, in the very nature of things, the place to open the first school, though humble and unpretentious in its advent and the sphere of its operations. The first building occupied as a schoolhouse was not erected with the expectation that it would ever become the receptacle of an educational institution, the nucleus, indeed, of the excellent schoolhouses and school system that the experience of more than half a century has developed. That rude log edifice-constructed of poles rather than logs-the cracks filled with "chinks" and daubed with "cat and clay," with puncheon floor, and door of clapboards like the roof, and a clay chimney rest- ing on a foundation of stone, was situated on the Simons farm, just below the bluff which tapers downward to the east into the old William Neff place. The building was originally con- structed in 1828-29, as a family residence-the home of one of the pioneer settlers in that locality.
The first school in that house was taught by John Martin in the winter of 1830-31, for which he received, it is said, about $8 per month, though the school was a " subscription " one and the pupils did not exceed fifteen in number. It was sufficiently popular to keep up ordinary vitality during the short period of its existence -some three months. At the end of one year, however, neither the teacher nor his school were retained in the memory of patrons or pupils.
The next school in that house, about the year 1833, was taught
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by a Mr. Fuller, whose success was little more apparent than that of his predecessor; yet, it was a school of the magnitude of those days, and he filled his place in the long catalogue of teachers-or rather " school-masters "-who in times past have wielded the birchen rod in Clinton Township.
The second building appropriated to the use of a schoolhouse was on John Fitzer's farm, and, like the first, was originally de- signed as a family domicile. Who it was that practiced pedagogics in the dilapidated cabin is not now remembered. It was conspicu- ous in its day, nevertheless.
In the early fall of 1837, a substantial hewed-log building was erected on the land of Hewit L. Thomas, now owned by Isaac Myers, and, during that and the succeeding winter, schools were taught by Mr. Thomas, who proved to be a very efficient instructor, and his school took rank with the best in the county. He was fol- lowed by other excellent instructors, during a long series of years. in the same building, which was probably the first schoolhouse built in the township pursuant to the provisions of the school law.
About the year 1838, another schoolhouse of the character of the Thomas building was erected on the farm of George Shideler, and was occupied for school purposes for several years, the teachers in which are now no longer remembered. The last of the early schoolhouses of the township was in the Justice and Porter neigh- borhood, built, probably, about 1839, or the year preceding. Like the others it was generally occupied during the winter season. When the new school law of 1832 took effect there were four school- houses in the township, and all of the same class. A few years later other buildings were erected, of a better elass than the former, which in time superseded the old ones.
Clay Township .- While the settlements in this township were more extensive than in Clinton in 1830 and 1831, and the interest equally great, no school was taught there until the winter of 1831-32, and that one by Charles Demoss, in a cabin not originally con- structed for school purposes. So far as can now be ascertained, a log schoolhouse, the first in the township, was erected on the farm since owned by Mr. Wells in the fall or winter of 1832-33, and an- other in the Sutherland neighborhood in the fall of 1833. Of the teachers who first occupied these buildings and others subsequently erected, we can only recall the names of Mr. Crozat, Mr. Sumwall,
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Felix Mclaughlin, Daniel McCanfil and Mr. Moore. Of these, Mr. McLaughlin was an eccentric Irishman, a superior scholar and pop- ular teacher. Mr. McCanfil, also, was an Irishman, and had previ- ously large experience, but at the time of which I write he failed to make his labors successful in that field, although he taught there several consecutive terms. In 1853, only three schoolhouses were reported in the township, and these of an indifferent quality but in 1860 there were six, most of them in fair condition, and schools were taught in them during the winter season especially, while there were occasionally summer sessions. In 1861-62, the schools were remodeled and placed upon a more uniform basis, since which time they have continued to increase in popularity and usefulness.
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