USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 25
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resolution before the board: "Resolved, That the university of Vincennes has been adopted as a county seminary in Knox County, and by an act entitled an act supplemented to an act es- tablishing a county seminary in Knox County, we enjoy the same privileges as are enjoyed by the citizens of other counties in sim- ilar institutions ; and whereas parties fail to make return to us of moneys belonging to the seminary fund, and that it becomes the duty of the board through the prosecuting attorney to inquire by what authority the Rev. S. J. Scott returned to Mr. Harrison, trustee, $300 in paper which is now worth nothing, and why the board does not receive the seminary fund."
At the same term John Stork, Daniel Judkins and John Stan- ford were appointed school superintendents for Harrison Town- ship, William Raper for Palmyra, A. G. Roberts for Washington, Samuel Chambers for Widner, J. S. Mays for Johnson, James Dick for Decker, and Samuel McClure for Busseron Township. The seminary trustees October 3, 1828, consisted of D. L. Bow- man, J. O. Holland, Hiram Decker, Andrew Burnside, Andrew Armstrong, J. C. S. Harrison, G. W. Johnson and David Kuy- kendall. Of these Armstrong was president, Harrison treasurer, and Johnson secretary of the board. The total school fund, for 1829-30 and 1831 amounted only to $217.72. The available school fund in 1844 amounted to $10.46. According to the re-
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port for 1849 the congressional school fund amounted to $4,- 389.66; of this $4,021.93 was considered good, $285.42 doubtful, and $82.71 bad. In 1849 $2,050 was expended in building a new seminary. Under the new constitution, instead of school superin- tendents for each township, there were three for the county. The first of these were W. M. Sitzer, Levi Stowell and H. S. Cau- thorn. In 1857 A. W. Jones was chosen school examiner, a po- sition which he held, except a short interval, from 1867 to 1873. For the year 1857 there were expended for public school purposes $7,002 in the county. For the year 1864-65 the enu- meration for the county outside of Vincennes was 4,931, the emoluments was 3,583, and the average attendance was 2,151. The value of school property was $65,825, the amount ex- pended in tuition $2,000, and the pay of school officers was $564. The enumeration for 1868 in the townships was 5,555, the enroll- ment was 4,029, the attendance 2,402, the value of school prop- erty was $61,150, the amount expended for tuition was $3,805, and the expenses of school officers was $849.95. The enumera- tion for 1871 in the county was 6,215, the enrollment was 4,475, the average attendance was 2,732, the value of school property was estimated at $53,725, the amount paid for tuition was $3,286, and the expense of school officers was $600.
In 1876 the enumeration was 6,786, the enrollment was 5,078, the average attendance was 2,859, the value of school property for the same year was $43,000, the amount paid in tuition was $4,000, and the pay of the trustees amounted to $1,668. The enrollment for 1884 in all the townships was 4,868, the attendance 2,985, the value of school property was $81,05, the amount of tuition paid was $6,300, the amount paid to trustees was $2,016. The number admitted into the schools for the year 1885-86 was 5,948, the average attendance for the same year was 3,979, the value of school property was $87,105, the cost of running schools, salaries of trustees only, was $2,291. The cost of special and local tax was $20,380.
STATISTICS, ETC.
From Supt. Pennington's last report it is learned that Busseron Township has 1 brick and 5 frame schoolhouses, the value of which, with apparatus, is $9,900; that there are 7 male, 5 female,
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
white, and 1 colored female teacher employed; that the average wages of male teachers is $2.23, of females $1.96, and the amount paid the trustee is $220 per annum, and that the length of school term is 120 days. In Decker Township there is 1 brick and 5 frame houses, and the total value of school property is $2,575; that there are employed 6 male teachers at an average of $2.16, and that the amount paid the trustee is $100, and the length of school term is 105 days. Harrison Township has 19 frame houses and school property amounting to $10,000; that there are employed 11 male, 7 female white teachers and 1 colored male teacher; that the average cost of male teachers is $2.01, and fe- male teachers, $1.86; that the trustees receive $150, and the school term is 120 days. Johnson has 10 frame schoolhouses and school property worth $7,800, and employs 5 male and 6 female teachers, the cost of the former being $2.18, and the latter $2.27 per day; the trustee receives $160, and the school term is 150 days. Palmyra has 11 frame schoolhouses, the total value of which is $4,730. It has 6 male and 5 female teachers, the former averaging $2.31 and the latter $1.96; the trustee receives $125, and the school term is 100 days. Steen has 9 frame school- houses and school property worth $3,600, and employs 6 male and 4 female teachers; the wages of the former are $2.17, and the lat- ter $1.29; the trustee's salary is $114, and school term 120 days. Vigo has 9 brick and 6 frame schoolhouses, valued at $15,400. There are employed 7 male and 17 female teachers, the wages of the former being $2.31 and the latter $2.01; the salary of the trustee is $422, and school term, 115 days. Vincennes Township has 2 brick and 9 frame schoolhouses, the value of which is $12,800. There are employed 2 male and 8 female teach- ers, the wages of the males being $2.12, and the latter $2.02; the salary of the trustee is $300, and school term 160 days. Wash- ington has 5 brick and 6 frame buildings, valued at $12,200, and employs 10 male and 3 female teachers; the wages of the males is $2.37, of the females, $2.08; trustee's salary, $225, and school term, 120 days. Widner Township has 7 brick and 3 frame houses, worth $8,100. There are 5 male and 7 female teachers; the wages of the males is $2.49, of the females, $2.11; salary of the trustee is $75, and the school term is 106 days. Monroa
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
City has 3 teachers-1 male and 2 female; the male teacher gets $2.62 per day, and the female $2.45. The number of graduates for the year 1883 was 71; for 1884, 49; for 1885 it was 66, and for the year 1886 it is estimated at 50.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF VINCENNES.
Schools for the first half of the present century were either private or parochial schools except what accommodations were afforded at the university or seminary. The free school system was inaugurated in Vincennes in 1853. At that time George D. Hay, John W. Canan, and Lambert Barrios were chosen trustees. Want of funds prevented them from making the schools very efficient. . In 1855 the schools were only three months in length, and three teachers were required to do all the teaching at salaries ranging from $40 to $50 per month. The schools in 1857 had increased to five months. From that time till 1861 A. W. Jones held the position of principal at a salary of $50 per month, In 1860 the Seventh Street school building was erected at a cost of $18,949.49 by the trustees, Messrs. Lander, Williams, and Duester- burg. Prof. H. P. Hall was chosen superintendent, and A. W. Jones assistant; also there were three other teachers. The school term in 1860 was increased to ten months, and has been main- tained at about that length since. A. W. Jones was again made superintendent in 1863, and held the position till his death in 1873. The Frenchtown school building was erected in 1878 at a cost of $7,275.
The North Vincennes school building was erected during the summer of 1885. This building is an elegant structure, and cost about $10,000. In 1853 the number of teachers employed was only 3; in 1861 it was 5; in 1863 it was 6, and now the number, not including the superintendent, is 21. The course of study embraces twelve years' work, four of which are in the high school. There is both an English and a Latin course. The school being a chartered institution, its graduates are entitled to enter either of the State institutions without examination. The high school is equipped with chemical, philosophical, and astro- nomical apparatus. There is also a good library of reference accessible to all pupils. Promotions to the different grades are
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made semi-annually. There are special teachers for music and German. Since the adoption of a regular course of study for the city schools there have been about 150 graduated from the high school. The number of children enumerated in Vincennes in 1864 was 1,394, the enrollment was 710, the average attend- ance was 365, and the value of school property was estimated at $3,000, and the cost of the schools was about $1,500. In 1868 the enumeration was 1,834, the enrollment 690, the attendance 345, the amount paid in tuition was $1,669.61; the pay of the board was $300. The enumeration for 1871 was 2,118, the enrollment was 699, the attendance 458, and cost of tuition, $5,685. In 1876 the enumeration was 3,392, the enrollment 1,010, the at- tendance 580, and the cost of tuition $7,630. The enrollment for 1884 was 947, the attendance, 817. The enrollment for 1885 was 999, the attendance was 827. The enrollment for 1886 was about 1,050, with an estimated attendance of 800. The high school was brought to the standard of a high school under Prof. S. J. Charlton, who began work at Vincennes in 1873. He was suc- ceeded by Prof. Townsend in 1879, and he by Prof. Edward Tay- lor in 1881, who is still superintendent, under whose manage- ment the schools have been eminently successful. The principals under him are Miss Joe Crotts, Sixth Ward; Miss Annie Flynn, Frenchtown; Miss Amabel Fleming, high school; Miss Mag- gie Holland, assistant, and J. F. Lewis, principal of the colored school.
SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
The schools of this township were first taught in neglected residences, barns or hastily improved buildings. Many of the settlers were accommodated with schools in the lower part of the township at Old Indiana Church, and those in the upper part of the township at Mana Creek, near Emison's mill. The ministers of these churches not unfrequently taught to increase their scanty salaries. Rev. Richard Posey, a pioneer Methodist minis- ter, was also a teacher. Others were Johnson, Willard, Thomp- son and Montgomery. William and Horace Shepard were also widely known as teachers. A man named Mendenhall taught at Emison's mill, also in other parts of the township. James Polk was also a prominent teacher of this township. The people of
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
this township are now well supplied with schools, there being eleven houses outside of Bruceville, of these houses five are brick, and six frame. The public schools of this township are six months in length.
Schools bave been taught in Bruceville and vicinity since 1820. It is only within the last decade that the schools of this place have grown in such favor. The present building was erected in 1873, at a cost of $6,000. The building is a handsome two-story brick, and is well provided with apparatus. One very encouraging feature of this is that the work of furnishing the house is due largely to the teacher and pupils, by means of liter- ary and other entertainments. The schools enroll between 150 and 200 pupils; of these about sixty are in the high school de- partment. The course embraces a full common school course. The schools are under the management of C. M. Carpenter, prin- cipal; O. C. Hill, assistant principal; Flora Kessinger, interme- diate, and Jessie Gude, primary. In addition to the public schools a normal school has been maintained at Bruceville since March, 1878. This school was organized in 1878 by John W. Milam, at Edwardsport, assisted by E. B. Milam, at that time county super- intendent, and W. H. Pennington, the present county superintend- ent, and Miss Currie, of Vincennes. The number enrolled for the first term was ninety-four. In the spring of 1879 the school was opened by Messrs. Milam, Pennington and W. A. Cullop. The last named gentleman having been chosen for a position in the Vincennes University, his place was filled by Jonathan Keith. In 1880 the school was opened at Bruceville, as being a more desira- ble place on account of its central location. The term for 1880 had forty-six pupils enrolled; for 1881, sixty-two, and in 1882 there were seventy-six. Successful terms were taught in 1883 by S. P. McCrea and B. F. Wharton, and in 1884 by W. H. John- son and C. B. Kessinger. The normal for 1885 was under the management of C. M. Carpenter and W. H. Johnson, the enroll- ment reaching eighty-five. Again, in 1886, the school opened under C. B. Carpenter and assistants with flattering prospects. The normal seems to be a permanent institution.
STEEN TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
As this township was mainly of Harrison and Palmyra Town-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ships the schools were closely identified with these townships. Nancy Steen has the honor of being the pioneer schoolmistress of Steen Township. She taught for a number of years in the vi- cinity of where Wheatland now stands. Harrell Warther taught a term of school at a very early day in a house in John Steen's yard. A very prominent teacher of the time was James I. Prather. Other teachers followed these whose names are not now recalled. Steen Township now has nine schoolhouses, and a school term of six months.
VIGO TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
The first schools in the northern part of Vigo were taught in the Slinkard neighborhood, between Black Creek and the river. These schools were in the regulation log house, with dirt floor, mud chimney, clapboard door and paper windows. One of the first teachers in this neighborhood was M. Johnson, and another was John Clark. Very few even of the old pupils are alive who at- tended these schools. Anna Rollin was the pioneer female teacher. In this group also should be mentioned James Frost, Samuel Anderson and a man named Golden. At these schools the families of Andersons, Scomps and Slinkards attended. In the lower part of the township schools were taught by John A. Lemon, John Robinson, an eccentric Irishman named Donahue (who was a good scholar but only a fair teacher), Amasa Has- kell, John Donaldson, D. P. Telf and a Mr. McMillan. The lat- ter taught about the year 1834.
James Polk, still living, was one of the first teachers in Ed- wardsport. The first schoolhouse in Edwardsport was a log building and was blown down in a storm in 1834 or 1835. In this house Martin Lucas kept store for a time. The next house in the place was built in 1859, which is still in use. As an effort was being made at this time for the creation of a new county to be called Logan, an erroneous idea had for a long time prevailed that this house was intended for a court house for the new county. Its peculiar appearance doubtless tended to confirm that idea. The building was erected through the influence mainly of Alfred Simonson, Dr. Hilburn, J. B. Irving, David Killian and Thomas Curry. The building contains three large and a number of smaller rooms now used for recitation rooms. Five teachers are
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
employed in these schools, the length of the term being seven months. The teachers for 1885-86 were C. Cockrum, principal; Emily Keith, assistant and teacher in the high school; Emily Culbertson, grammar grade; Emily Hollowell, intermediate, and Lida Smith, primary.
The school building at Sandborn was erected soon after the laying out of the town. The building is a two-story brick and contains three schoolrooms. The course is the same as others of the county. The enrollment of the school is about 125 pupils. Mr. Elmore Shirtz is principal of the schools, and J. M. Pickel teacher in the intermediate department, and Miss Threlkeld in the primary.
The present school building of Bicknell was erected in 1883 at a cost of $5,500. This is a beautiful brick building of two stories high and elegant finish. The schools are well patronized and since their organization have been well managed. Prof. Johnson is principal of the schools, Mrs. Mamie Breton teacher in the intermediate department, and John Buck in the primary grade. Since all the schools of Bicknell, Sandborn and Edwardsport are under the control of the township trustees they are of the same length and have the same course.
PALMYRA TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
One of the first schools in this township was in a house built near the line between Palmyra and Harrison Townships. This was built after the pioneer plan. Among the early teachers in this part of the county were John Black, G. Brewster and William Gambel, all of whom have long since passed away. The families of Adams, Williams, Seltzers and Weltons attended this school. To the children in the west and northwest part of the township schools were held at Indiana Church. A schoolhouse was built, or a house used for school purposes, on the farm of Samuel Langdon, where Mr. Langdon himself taught for a time. Royal Oak, near the northeast part of the township, was another favorite place for schools. John Donaldson, a very good teacher, was one of the first teachers at this place. L. Paddock, a native of New York, taught at the same place for a time. James Mundy, a good teacher, and Robert Jordan, a very indifferent
18
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
one, were employed at a later date. Houses were built also on the farms of Snyder and Roberts. There are now eleven schools in the township with an average length of five months.
SCHOOLS OF DECKER TOWNSHIP.
Except in a small area Decker Township has always been sparsely settled, for the reason it has labored under disadvan- tages in the way of schools. What few schools there were, were either taught in old private houses that had been abandoned, or temporarily improved buildings. The first teacher in the town- ship is said to have been Samuel Goodwin. He was an excellent teacher for that day. Another excellent teacher of Decker was Thomas Jones; he was from the East. James Simms and John Small were teachers at a later date. Among the attendants at these schools were the families of Deckers, Dicks, Anthises, Jacobuses. Nearly all of these have passed away. The rapid increase of school funds and development of the waste lands of the township have enabled the people to provide more liberal means of education. There being no towns or villages in the place, schools are confined wholly to the country. The township now supports six schools, one brick house and four frame houses, and has a school term of between five and six months.
BUSSERON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
The schools of Busseron (formerly spelled Bosseron) Town- ship were among the earliest in the county. The well-known Shaker settlement at what was called Shakertown, was the seat of learning for that peculiar people, as far as education went with them, as early as 1810. The rudiments of an education and the peculiar tenets of their doctrine were taught the children there were among them with zealous care. One of the first school- houses built in this township was on the farm of Sproatt, who was one of the first settlers in the township. This house was erected about the year 1825. Another house was built on the farm of John Ochiltree, some distance from the Shaker settlement. The families of settlers mentioned in the chapter on settlements at- tended these schools. Another schoolhouse was erected a little later at Hogg's Hill. Among the early teachers in this township
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
were Judge Latshaw, who taught about the year 1830. Another was Charles Shaw, who was a fine scholar, but a very eccentric Yankee. James Carnahan was both a teacher and a preacher. James Polk, the talented octogenarian, was also an early teacher. Many others might be mentioned, but their names only are re- membered, though their characters were enstamped upon the hearts of the young of that day. A peculiarity of the Shaker school was that the sexes were taught in different apartments; the boys were taught by male teachers, and the girls by females. The rapid increase in wealth and population, as well as an in- crease in culture, has led to the establishment of a sufficient number of commodious houses for the accommodation of the children of the township. Good brick or frame houses have taken the place of the old log house, and teachers of training have taken the place of uncouth pioneer teachers. The schools have been managed with ability by Dr. Pugh for the last four years, and there are now nine buildings outside of Oaktown, with . an average length of six months.
Schools have been taught in Oaktown since the laying out of the town. The present building is an elegant brick structure, erected at a cost of about $6,000. The house is built in a beau- tiful spot surrounded by a grove, and capable of accommodating about 200 pupils. This, the graded school, has three depart- ments-primary, intermediate and high school. Of the first, Mrs. Susie Sullenger is teacher, Miss Hattie Polk of the second, and B. F. Templeton is principal of the high school. The school is well supplied with school books and school apparatus, and in- struction is given in the high school in some of the higher branches in addition to the common school course.
SCHOOLS OF HARRISON.
The first schoolhouse in Harrison Township is said to have been at Nelson Creek, on the land of James Junkins. This house was of the regulation size, about 16x20 feet, with dirt floor and stick and mud chimney. A log was cut out on one side for a win- dow, and closed by greased paper. Benjamin Duty taught at this place for $10 a year per scholar. He was a good scholar for the time, but was considered tyrannical. Daniel Webb and Stephen
.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Webb were also early teachers of that section. Of those who attended these schools Samuel Snyder, William Hoffman, Mrs. Rice (sister of ex-Gov. Williams ) and Robert McCoy are believed to be the only ones living. At a later date a schoolhouse was built on old man Like's land, also one in the Myers settlement. Many schools were taught in private houses or barns. Among other early teachers were Isaac Thorn, James Stoat, McClure and Barnett. Dr. Adams, of Petersburg, taught school as late as 1845. After the adoption of the new constitution school- houses began to become more numerous. The first were gener- ally log houses, built partly by the State and partly by the assist- ance of the community where they were located. Within the last two decades these old log buildings have been replaced by handsome frame structures. The township now has sixteen schoolhouses outside of Monroe City, and a school term of at least six months in the year. Until the incorporation of Monroe City the schools were under the control of the township trustee, but since the incorporation they have been under the control of the school board. The present school building is a two-story frame, erected in 1864. It is insufficient for the wants and com- forts of the growing town of Monroe City. The school terms of Monroe have a length of about eight months. The schools are under the management of Allen Campbell, who is principal of the high school. The assistants are Mrs. Lucy Milam, of the intermediate department, and Cora Welton, of the primary. The school board consists of A. C. Falls, J. R. R. Snyder and Harvey Baldwin.
SCHOOLS OF WIDNER TOWNSHIP.
The first school ever taught in Widner Township was taught by Joseph Helt at the house of John Widner in 1808. As each house was then almost a fort in itself it would now be a strange sight to see children gathering at such a place. Schools were taught at Maria Creek Church, the pioneer of that region, the first being in 1809. Titus B. Willard, who was an excellent teacher, taught as early as 1816. John Leman was also a favorite teacher of that region. His schools, or some of them, were held in some of the old forts of which the country "did abound." James Gray, another pioneer, was engaged in the work of teaching as early as
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
1818-20. Numerous home and itinerant teachers filled the space between the date last given, and the putting into full operation of our present excellent system of public schools. The township out- side of Freelandsville has seven brick and three frame school- houses, and a school term of five months.
The first school building in Freelandsville was built about 1850. This was before the town was laid out. The rapidly increas- ing population soon required additional school room. The present building was erected in 1874, and is a substantial two-story brick structure of three school rooms. Since its erection excellent schools have been maintained in it. The present corps of teachers are J. A. French, principal; B. F. Shepard, intermediate; Hattie Keith, primary. The schools of Freelandsville are among the best in the county. They are under the management of the township trustee and are subject to the same restrictions as the country schools. An excellent private or normal class is usually taught after the close of the public schools.
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