USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 20
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An effort was also made to conduct an "educational column" in the Hancock Democrat, beginning with January, 1865. The first article, a full column, appeared "On the Improper Use of Language." and another on "The Responsibility of the Teacher."
After a few weeks, however, no more articles appeared. "The Han- cock County Normal Institute" seems to have met about the same fate as its predecessor, the "Hancock County Teachers' Institute." There were teach- ers in the county who were earnest in their efforts to raise the standard of their profession, but the difficulty lay in interesting the profession generally.
In 1865 a law was passed making provision for holding county insti- tutes under the supervision of the county examiners. In 1873 another law
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was passed creating the county superintendent's office and giving the county superintendent of schools and the county board of education greater powers in the administration of the school work. Following the enactment of these laws the following resolution touching upon teachers' meetings was adopted by the county board of education of Hancock county at their December meeting. 1873:
"The county superintendent is hereby authorized to hold a county insti- tute at Greenfield on the fourth Saturday of each month having five Satur- days, for the interest, benefit, and professional improvement of the teachers of the county. Such institutes shall begin at to a. m. and close at 4 p. m .. and each teacher of the county shall attend the full session of each institute or suffer the same penalties therefor as prescribed in section for non-attend- ance at township institutes." (Author's Note : The penalty was to "forfeit one day's wages for each day's absence therefrom and fifty cents for each hour or fraction thereof.")
In the above resolutions the teachers' meetings are designated as "insti- tutes." hitt the meetings above contemplated were in addition to the town- ship institutes and the county institutes as we know them today. The record indicates that at least two general teachers' meetings of the county were held for several years. . At some time before 1880. however, these meetings were combined into one, and a one-day session was held on the Saturday before Christmas, or during the holidays.
Among the teachers who were active in the profession for several years or more in the early seventies and during the decade or two following, should be mentioned : Lee O. Harris, George W. Puterbaugh, Henry Wright, Will- iam M. Coffield, Ella Bottsford. Vania Gates. Scott Mints, Alpheus Rey- nolds. A. V. B. Sample. Will T. Walker, Maggie Brown, Mary E. Dille, Sarah J. Wilson, Florence C. Taylor, W. H. Glascock, Ida Geary, Jennie A. Buchel. Vard Finnell. Joshua Barrett, J. W. McCord. Anna Harris, J. S. Jackson. C. M. Curry. E. E. Stoner. J. H. White, Moses Bates, W. B. Botts- ford, Anna Chittendon, Mattie .A. Sparks, William .A. Wood, Morgan Car- away. John Thomas, Kate R. Geary. Mattie J. Binford, Duncan MeDougall, E. C. Martindale. A. N. Rhue, Angie H. Parker. Henry B. White, George Caraway, Walter S. Smith, Ezra Eaton, Ira Collins, Worth Trittipo, S. C. Staley, Clara Bottsford. W. Il. Craig, Harvey Barrett, N. B. Brandenburg. W. H. Simms, Maggie Buchel. Mary Lynch. Robert Hurley, Victor Lineback, J. W. Smith. C. A. Ogle. Lulu Dove, Rena M. Wilson, William M. Lewis. James K. Allen, Isaac Ilunt. W. P. Smith. R. A. Smith, Dugald MeDougall,
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
R. H. Archey. William Elsbury, James L. Foley, Allie Creviston, W. W. Harvey, W. J. Thomas, J. F. Reed. Quitman Jackson, Addie Wright, Jolin WV. Jones, Porter Copeland, Aaron Pope, Will F. Handy, Edwin Bacon, Lizzie Gilchrist. Clara Fries, S. S. Eastes. R. Warrum, J. P. Julian, J. L. Smith, Jennie Willis, James Goble, J. W. 'Stout, Edward H. Tiffany, George S. Wilson, Philander Scudder, Charles J. Richman, Emma Hill, Allen S. Bottsford, Fannie Fish, May McDougall, Sallie Cotton, A. E. Lewis, Frank Morgan, W. C. Atherton, John Brooks, Anna Woerner, John W. Winslow. Logan Glascock, Flora Love, M. O. Mints. O. P. Eastes, Ada Anderson, Laura Dance, Cicero Reeves, Arthur L. Foley, Clay Vanlaningham, Edwin Braddock, William Whitaker, Kate Applegate, Lucy Hill, B. F. Eubank, Ellsworth Eastes, Kate Armstrong, Asa L. Sample, John W. Scott, J. D. Dennis, E. W. Felt, S. C. Staley, Laura Pope, Thomas J. Wilson, Alice Corey, Emma Parnell, Fassett A. Cotton, I. N. Hunt, J. A. Everson, Ada Mitchell. James M. Bussell, J. V. Martin, George C. Burnett, E. B. Thomas, Charles R. Reeves, Edwin Keller.
At the May meeting. 1886, the county board resolved "that the township institutes be dismissed in the month of December in townships where the teachers agree to attend the county association." About 1895 the association began holding two-day sessions annually on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. The work was usually given in large part by the teachers themselves and touched all phases of the problems presented to the teaching profession. In 1908 the plan of a one-day session was again adopted, and since 1909 the teachers have convened annually in general session on the second Saturday of November.
Among those whose faces have been familiar in the county meetings of the teachers for several years or more during the last quarter of a century, and who are no longer engaged in the profession, or have gone elsewhere. are : O. J. Coffin, Etta Barrett, .A. C. Van Duyn, Leona Wilson. Lawrence Wood, Date Glover, Alice Meek, J. W. Jay, John Hervey. Harvey Apple, H. L. Thomas, W. A. Service, J. E. Radcliffe. John Larrabee, Jeremiah S. Bates, James Furgason. Maggie Addison, Charles L. Collingwood, Charles C. Collier, W. G. Bridges, Clarence Luse, Cora Weber, Eunice Barrett. Ahvah N. Reeves, Estella Boyce, Isaac I]. Day, John F. Wiggins, Millie McCord, W. H. Larrabee, Minnie M. Grist, Leora Jessup. O. W. Kuhn. Nida Card. Albert Frost. John T. Wilson., Barclay O. White. Rhoda Reeves, Neva Roney, Milo Gibbs, Kizzie Staley. Luella Eastes, Anna Ostermeyer. J. F. McCord. S. B. Prater. William A. Meyers. Eliza Everson, Inez Martin. O. F. Boyce. Walter H. Welborn, W. H. Alger. Gilderoy Winslow, Ozrow
McCORDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
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EDUCATION.
Kemerly, G. C. D'Camp, Marshall T. Hittle, Will Leamon, J. Q. McGrail, Pearl Green, W. B. Stookey, Elwood Morris, Kate D. Wilson, Lizzie Bald- win, Nancy V. Cook, Merritt Wood, Clarence Dunbar, Bert Cohee, O. L. Morrow, Edward Eikman, Bessie Z. Jackson, George B. Thomas, George H. Trees, Estella Ham, Hugh Souder, Mande Bradley, Frank McClarnon, Car- lin Griffey, Edgar Hope, Arthur Boone, John T. Johnston, Gertrude Mur- phy, George W. Kennedy, Leonard Cook, Myrtle Garriott, Harvey Rhine, Ilarvey Power, Samuel S. Cory, Eva Pusey, Mabelle Ham, Chester B. Mur- phy, Adolph Schreiber, Mande Thomas, Virginia Morton, Lillian New, Maud Jackson, Mabel Smith, Belle Schramm, LaVaughn Evans, Mary Sample, Allen Eastes, Raymond Wilson, O. S. Julian, Minnie Staley, Ethel Smock. John T. Rash, Jennie Pope, J. M. Pogue, Audrey Binford, Charles E. Cook, Will E. Curtis, Rhoda Coffield, Stella Newhouse, Clara Armiger, Sallie Bolander, Gertrude Larimore, Minnie Houck, Ethel Clift, Robert F. Reeves, Charles H. Wright, Ethel Harlan, Horace Martindale. Herman Ehlert, Chal- mer Schlosser, Martha Wiggins, W. C. Goble, Frances L. Petit, Ethel Ake- man, Edward Slaughter. J. Henry Perry, Pearl Stant, Jennie Jackson, Clar- ence Trees, C. May Heller, Horatio Davis, Claudia Teel, Pearl Collyer, Mildred Trittipo, Hannah M. Test, Martha Stockinger, Roscoe Thomas. Albert Reep, Catherine Pusey, Verna Walker, Bess Hittle, Abbie Henby. Margaret Black, Elmer Bussell, Clara Hagans, John A. Coffin, Tamma White, Alpha Green, Nellie Larrabee, C. M. Cannaday, Viola Ham, Anna H. Randall, Mack Crider, James O. Davis, Effie L. Alford. Pet Roland. Carrie Jackson, Shady Wilson, Elsie Hudelson, Myrtle Binford, Nettie Bates. Earl R. Gibbs. W. R. Neff, Maggie Martin, Hettie Hunt, Tillie Craig, Har- riett White, Earl Binford, Hugh Johnson, John H. Whitely, Sarah White. O. W. Jackson, Henry Hammer, Frank L. Marsh, Lee Justice, Hattie Silvey, Venice Curry, L. L. Lydy, Kate Morton, Ora Staley, Alta Trittipo, Maude Iliff. Laura Black. James Snodgrass, Stella Z. Miles, Nelle Martin, Mabel Felt. Edith Weber, Mary Binford. Nelle Reed, Nannie Hagans, Marion Bottsford, Lester Foster.
COUNTY NORMALS.
Following logically the earlier efforts that had been made in the county to raise the standard of the teaching profession, county normal schools were organized annually for a series of years. The first one was organized in Greenfield in 1875 by Ex-County Superintendent John H. Binford. In 1876 norinal schools were organized at Greenfield. McCordsville and Charlottes- ville. The school at MeCordsville was conducted by W. H. Motsinger, prin-
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
cipal of the public schools at that place. County Superintendent Smith con- ducted the one at Charlottesville, assisted by R. A. Smith and J. Worth Smith. The following notice, published in the county papers, gives a good idea of the school :
"NORMAL INSTITUTE.
"I will conduct a Normal Institute at Charlottesville. Hancock County. Indiana, beginning July 17, 1876, and continuing seven weeks. The Course will comprise a rapid review of the Common Branches together with such other instruction as is necessarily involved in the science of teaching.
"A Model School will probably be conducted in connection with the Institute.
"The best teaching talent will be secured.
"For Circulars, address.
"W. P. SMITH, Co. Supt .. "Greenfield, Ind."
The enrollment at this school consisted of forty-eight students in the normal department, and forty-one pupils in the model school. Among the students who attended were: Mrs. Florence Taylor Larimore. Mrs. Belle Craft McCraw, Mr. - Campbell, J. K. Allen, Mary Ross Allen, Miss Overman, Mary Morrow.
The following advertising literature gives facts concerning the normal conducted by Mr. Binford in 1876:
"Instructors-John H. Binford, B. S., principal Greenfield graded schools: Prof. W. A. Yohn, of Valparaiso Normal School; Mattie Binford. .1. B., Earlham College: Kate R. Geary, formerly of Greenfield schools.
"Lecturers-Hon. James .\. Smart, state superintendent : Prof. George W. Hoss, of Indiana University: Prof. D. Eckley Hunter, of Bloomington, Indiana.
"A Model School. under the immediate instruction of Miss Kate R. Geary, will be one of the many commendable features of the school. Ilere teachers will first learn by observation, then by practice, under the eye of the critic teacher.
"The Course of Study will embrace a thorough review of the common branches : the science of pedagogics, and beginning and advanced review classes in the higher branches to suit the wishes of advanced pupils.
"Tuition-Per term, $5.00; in the Model School. $2.00 to $3.00."
These excerpts from the advertisements of the county normals give a
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EDUCATION.
good idea of the schools. They were continued in this county until 1880. Others were held in 1887. 1888. 1891 and 1896.
Among the instructors at these normals who are well remembered in the county are : Perry Smith, Walter Smith. R. A. Smith, Quitman Jackson, W. H. Sims, J. W. Jay. E. D. Allen, E. M. Blanchard, W. Il. Glascock, J. Worth Smith, Dr. L. B. Griffin, W. H. Motsinger, Mrs. Leon O. Bailey. J. V. Martin, W. 11. Craig, W. A. Wood, George S. Wilson. A. H. Reynolds, H. D). Barrett, Olmie C. Steele.
That these normals did efficient service for the upbuilding of the teach- ing profession in Hancock county is evident from the following list of per- sons who enrolled at some one or other of the sessions: William C. Ather- ton. Amanda Kinnick, Iduna Smith Barrett, Jennie Snodgrass Major, Fred Lipscombe, Walter Orr, Cynthia Fries Peacock, Mary MeDougal, Anna Snodgrass Neier. Riley Luse. W. H. Sherry. Ada Mitchell Fort. Sadie Els- bury Warrum, Vania Gates, Mattie Black Gipe, Ida Geary. J. F. Reed, John S. Frost, Alice Creviston Glascock, Bertha Scott Hunt, Victoria Lineback White. Jasper McCray. Jennie Buchel Hogle. Julia Fields. Howard Barrett. Harvey Barrett. Anna Harris Randall. W. A. Wood, Clara Bottsford, Will Reeves, W. E. Walker, N. B. Brandenburg, M. O. Mints. R. A. Roberts, Mary Goble. Iola Coffin Bragg, Flora Catt Thomas, George Grimes, James Goble, George S. Wilson, Berry White. Ida Cook Curry, Rhoda Goble, AAgnes Jordan, Millie McCord, W. H. Craig. O. S. Coffin, E. W. Felt, Mellie Thomas Lowry, Mrs. Cassie Veach Barrett, F. O. Fort, Frank Larrabee, Will Bar- rett, Henrietta Gates, Laura Pope Reed, Charles Reed. W. H. Glascock, Victoria Wilson Morford, Pharaba Wolfe, Roscoe Anderson, Maggie Buchel AAshcraft. Elva Thornberry. Mark Catt. Joshua Barrett, Agnes McDonald Hamilton, Emma Parnell. Ella Bottsford. Mabel Bottsford Cooper, Edith Lamb, W. J. Walker. Mary Lynch, Robert Hurley, Mand America Everett. W. M. Coffield. Ella Bogue. Irene Wilson Stoner. Eugene Lewis, Christine Gilchrist, Thomas Wilson, Manie Chandler Burke. George Burnett, Isaac Ilunt, Kate Bussell, J. W. Jones, Rosa Grass Quick, W. H. Handy, Mattie Thomas Felt. Fanny Denton.
ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
At least two attempts have been made to procure the location of higher institutions of learning within the county. The first effort made was to procure the location of the
INDIANA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
At the time the question of the location of the state agricultural col- lege was before the people, James L. Mason represented Hancock county
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in the state Senate. He introduced a bill into the senate in 1867, providing that this school be located in this county. Efforts were being made by a number of counties to secure this institution, but it seems that Mr. Mason had sufficient support in the Legislature to give the people of the county some hope of getting it. At that time our board of county commissioners offered to donate $100.000 toward the establishment of the school in case it should be located within Hancock county. The matter remained undecided for the next two years, when on February 6, 1869, our board of county commis- sioners met in special session to consider further what this county should do. After deliberating upon various propositions and hearing representative citi- zens of the county, action was taken by the board and the following order entered upon their record :
"The board of county commissioners of Hancock county. in the state of Indiana, propose, offer and bind said board of county commissioners of said county, and their successors in office. to pay to the state of Indiana, on condition that the proper authorities of said state will locate and erect the contemplated agricultural college of said state in the vicinity of Greenfield in said county, the sum of $100.000 in cash, by the first day of June, 1869. or for that purpose they will pay to the state of Indiana the sum of $125,000 in cash in three equal annual installments, the first installment on the first day of June. 1870. $41.666 2-3: second installment. June 1. 1871, $41.666 2-3: third installment, June 1, 1872. $41.666 2-3.
"And the state of Indiana hy her proper authorities shall have the option of the acceptance of either of the above propositions. . And when so selected and accepted by the said state the accepted proposition shall be binding on said county of Hancock.
"WILLIAM NEW. "JAMES TYNER, "Commissioners."
The location of the college still remained undecided through the sum- mer of 1869. In November of 1869. however, Mr. Purdue. of Lafayette. made an offer that was unequalled anywhere else in the state, and procured the school for his county. This decision was announced to the people of Hancock county by the Hancock Democrat with this finishing touch :
"\ Mr.' Purdue, of Lafayette, offered one hundred thousand dollars of his own money. in addition to the offer of the county, for the location of the agricultural college at the Battle Ground. His condition is that it shall be called 'Purdue Agricultural College.' This is a most munificent offer. but why should the Legislature favor the rich against the poor?"
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During the winter of 1880-81 a movement was begun to establish at Greenfield a normal known as the
INDIANAA NORMAL SCHOOL.
An association was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state to promote the project. The incorporators were S. S. Boots, Nelson Bradley, Morgan Chandler, Noble Warrum, William New, Philander H. Boyd, Israel P. Poulson, Henry L. Moore, Ephraim Marsh and T. E. Glid- den. In the fall of 1881 the incorporators each subscribed one thousand dollars, on condition that ten thousand dollars additional be subscribed. The following resolution was adopted relative thereto :
"Be it resolved, that when ten thousand dollars shall be donated to the 'Indiana Normal School,' we will proceed without delay to erect suitable buildings in or near the city of Greenfield, to accommodate all the students that may attend said school, and will thereafter maintain and operate the same."
John W. Jones, an attorney of the Hancock bar, was the moving spirit in this project. He published a number of articles in the county papers nrg- ing the expediency and advantages of establishing such a school in this county. On February 15. 1882, the incorporators asked Mr. Jones to set a date for a general discussion of the matter, at which the citizens could attend and he- come acquainted with the probable results of such a school. Such a meeting was held February 27, 1882, at the court house. A number of speeches were made at this meeting and much more interest was taken than at any previous time. A resolution was adopted unanimously favoring the purchase of a tract of land by the city, to be turned over to the incorporators. A number of petitions were circulated among citizens asking the city council to order an election at an early day to take the sense of the voters on the question. In the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 2. 1882, appeared the following :
"Our people are becoming stirred up on this subject. The public impor- tance of the school is so apparent and the opportunity now at hand is so favor- able and the fear that if this enterprise does not now succeed it will never be offered again, are each combining to stir up the energy of our citizens."
The effort, however, did not succeed. Subscriptions to the necessary fund were not forthcoming, and the movement was soon abandoned entirely.
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP INSTITUTES.
The act of March 6, 1865. also made provision for holding county an ? township teachers' institutes, and for appropriating fifty dollars annually of (15)
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the county funds to help defray the expenses of the county institute. In Hancock county the first institute was held in the fall of 1865, at Greenfield. There were but a few teachers present. Instruction was given in orthography, reading, arithmetic and English grammar. In 1866 no institute was held. In the county examiner's record. under the topic of "Teachers' Institutes." appears the following note: "Failure. County commissioners would make no provision as other counties and as the law provides."
The first full report of a county teachers' institute held in Hancock county was made by James A. New, county examiner, in 1871. The report is as follows :
"I. Number of teachers' institutes held within the year, one.
"2. Where held. Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana.
** 3. Number attending -- males, 92: females, 25; total, 117.
Branches taught, orthography. oral grammar, grammar, writing. geography and map drawing.
"5. Number of evening lecturers, two.
"6. Money drawn from treasury, $50.
"7. Total cost of institute, $35.
·S. Number of township institutes held, one.
** 9. Number of townships sustaining teachers' associations, one.
"JAMES A. NEW, Examiner, . "Greenfield, Indiana."
There were difficulties to be overcome in those days, as disclosed by the following entry made in the county examiner's record on August 17, 1871 :
"The following is a list of the names of persons who have paid the requisite fee, and become regular members of the institute. and who shall and will receive the advantages derived from being members of same to be given by examiner and trustees.
"This measure becomes necessary in order that the Common Schools may be benefited, and that the expenses incurred by Institutes be paid.
Names.
Residence.
John Thomas
James McKean
James E. Johnson
Philadelphia. Indiana
William .A. Wood Philadelphia, Indiana
John M New Westland. Indiana
Harper F. Sullivan Westland, Indiana
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Name
Residence
William S. Fries
. Greenfield. Indiana
Henry Wright
Mt. Comfort. Indiana
William A. Dann
Philadelphia, Indiana
Benjamin F. Marsh
Westland, Indiana
Theodore Winn . Greenfield, Indiana
Morgan Caraway . Westland, Indiana
Isaac N. Hunt
Westland. Indiana
James K. Allen
Cleveland, Indiana
George W. Puterbaugh
Greenfield, Indiana
Lee O. Harris
Greenfield, Indiana"
That some of the teachers were interested in better supervision and a more effective organization of the schools of the county is evident by the adoption of the following resolution at this institute :
"Resolved, That it is the opinion of the members of this institute that- there should be a county superintendent of public schools in every county, whose duties, in addition to those at present performed by the examiner, shall be to devote his entire time during the continuance of said schools to visiting and superintending the same. And further: That said superintendent should in all cases be a professional teacher. Therefore, we the teachers of Hancock county do earnestly commend this measure to the consideration of our state Legislature.
"Resolved, that while we feel thankful to those citizens of Greenfield and vicinity who have been present at our institute, and have felt encouraged thereby to continue our labors in the educational work, we cannot but deplore the lack of interest shown by our township trustees and many teachers of the county, as manifested by their absence throughout the entire week. This we mention more in sorrow than in anger, and still hope for better times and more energetic men.
"Resolved, that we, the members of this institute. believe that our school law should be so changed or modified as to make the drawing of the public money by each county contingent upon an additional amount to be raised by a tax within said county for the purpose of continuing our public schools for a period of at least six (6) months.
"Resolved, that we consider the principles contained in the foregoing resolutions of vital importance to our county ; that a committee of three be appointed by the president of this association to wait upon the representatives from this county and the senator for the counties of Hancock and Henry
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
immediately after the election and call their attention to these, our wishes, and earnestly solicit them to work for this end in their official capacity.
'GEORGE W. PUTERBAUGH, "WILLIAM A. WOOD. "LEE O. HARRIS.
"Committee on Resolutions."
The first county institute conducted by a county superintendent of schools was held September 29 to October 3. 1873. Superintendent John H. Binford reported eighty-six males and thirty-five females present : "The eight com- mon branches, orals, composition, science of government. theory and practice. etc., etc." were presented. The cost of the institute was sixty dollars. . At the bottom of the report is the following note: "The number reported includes many that were not teachers-there was an average of actual teachers of about thirty. The institute was a decided success."
During that year there were ninety-nine teachers in the county, so that only about one-third of them were in actual attendance at the institute.
During the next ten or fifteen years the work of the county institutes was directed toward a discussion of the subject matter of the common branches. Possibly it was because the opportunities for qualifying were lim- ited as compared with today, and that necessity demanded that the teachers concern themselves with achat to teach, rather than with how to teach it. During the eighties and nineties, however, and with the increase in the num- ber of colleges and universities, the instructors who came to our county insti- tute took up questions of method, psychology, etc., and the greater emphasis was placed on how subjects ought to be presented. During the last decade the inspirational feature of the county institute has been perhaps even un- July emphasized. With the passage of the vocational law of 1913 the atten- tion of our institute has again been directed to the question of achat to teach in these new lines.
The attendance at the Hancock county institute has remained about the same as reported by Superintendent Binford in 1873. The cost of conducting it. however, has increased greatly. Able institute instructors are paid on an average of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per week, and the total ex- penses of conducting our institutes for several years have been respectively : 1889. $141.00 : 1890, $158.00: 1802, $165.00; 1894, SI81.00: 1808. $200.00 ; 1902. $227.00; 1905. $249.77 : 1900. $200.00 : 1910, $291.00: 1913. $2.42.25 : 1914. $268.11. To defray these expenses, one hundred dollars is drawn from the county treasury. An institute fee of one dollar is collected from each
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