History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 26

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 26
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 26
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

SCHOOLS IN -HOWSWICK.

In Shawswick Township the schools are more numerous than in any other part of Lawrence County. and in some parts there are too many

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They exhaust the resources of the township without obtaining the full benefit that might be secured in a less number but better and longer terms. The only brick schoolhouse in the county outside of Bedford and Mitchell is in this township, and they are all well fitted with patent seats and supplied with good apparatus and other necessaries in the modern schools. No township in the county is provided with better school . honses than Marshall, and none are better furnished. The one at Guth - rie was built in 1881, at a cost of $1.500. It is a good frame with two rooms, and is generally attended by about fifty pupils. Levi Smallwood has taught all the public schools that have been kept in this house. Within the last three years three other new houses have been built in this township. One of the very best township schools in the county is at Tunnelton. in Guthrie Township. At the head of this school is Mr. D. F. Maxwell, and Miss Anna Beherrall is teacher in the primary department.

SCHOOLS OF MITCHELL.

The town of Mitchell is of but comparatively recent date, and the history of its schools is more easily obtained than in some other portions of the county. In the year 1555 the whole township of Marion had but 833 children of school age, which then ranged from five to twenty-one years. Now. in 1SS4. the whole township of Marion. including Mitchell, has a total school population of 1.420. and this with a year less latitude in age-being now from six to twenty-one years. This gives an increase in twenty nine years of 597 school children. This is very nearly the same time in which the town has been developing. In 1856 a small brick schoolhouse was built in the eastern part of Mitchell, and the first term was tanglit here in the winter of 1856-57 by E. M. Baldwin. who remained several winters, the summer schools being taught by others. All the schools taught in this building were supported by subscription. and the house was built entirely in the same way. The school of 1859-60, which had use of public money, supplanted this, and the building is now used by the colored folks as a church.

THE MITCHELL SEMINARY.

This institution has the following history as given by Isom Burton: The winter of 1859-60 Simpson Burton (who had just graduated from Franklin Collegel. opened a high school in a dwelling house on corner of Main and Fifth Streets (now occupied by Mrs. Bartlett). The fol- lowing spring he, with others, began raising a stock company to erect the building now known as the Baptist Church The first meeting was held at Freedom. Church. near town September 4. 1860, with the following persons present: Robert Todd. George Miller, John Toliver, Timothy Murray, Joseph Miller, R. M. Parks and the following Burtons: Allen C .. John W .. William A .. Caswell R .. Zachariah, Simpson. William J ..

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Wiley G., Eli, John H., Alexander and Hardin. R. M. Parks was made Chairman and Simpson Burton, Clerk. The object was stated to be the organization of an educational society, to build a building to be known as Mitchell Seminary.

A constitution was read and adopted that provided that any person paying $25 into the treasury should be a member; its officers to be President. Vice- President, Treasurer and Secretary and twelve Trustees. two-thirds of the Trustees to be Baptist. The first officers elected were: A. C. Burton, President; Simpson Burton. Clerk: Simpson Burton. Olly Owens. A. L. Munson, Hugh Hamer, R. M. Parks. Alex Burton, Isaac Corother, William J. Burton. C. D. Giles, B. B. Walker, Silas Moore and Hugh F. Burton, Trustees. The last Trustees elected were: David Kelly, Eli Burton, C. L. Burton. J. W. Burton. John Edwards. Alex Burton. A. C. Burton, G. W. Miller. Edwin Wood. Lewis Murray and Isom Burton.

The constitution of the society provided that the lower story of the building should be used for educational purposes and the Trustees to grant the upper story to the Missionry Baptists for religious worship. The building is of brick, of modern style, and cost about $6.000. School opened in the fall of 1860. with Simpson Burton as Principal. assisted by Carrie Graus and May Mantorga: afterward J. K. Howard was added to the faculty. and for a number of years the school flourished under the direction of Burton and Howard. No school in this part of the State did better and;more permanent work than this one to be of so short duration. The Rebellion. together with the public free school system. caused the institution to weaken, and in 186S Burton and Howard gave up the school. The following winter Prof. C. L. Donalson and wife conducted the school. but soon gave it up for reason before named. There went from the school to the war the following: Simpson Poke, Anselm Wood. Aaron Pless, John W. Burton, Riley D. Burton. Wesley Edwards, Will. iam H. Edwards. Isom Burton. The school sent to the leading profes- sions: Law-Heffron, Seldon Fish, J. W. Burton, W. H. Edwards, Zack E. Burton, J. R. Burton, William S. Burton, Joe O. Burton, Louis Mun- sou: ministry-J. R. Edwards, Isaac Wood, John Howard. Charlie Wood; physicians-Ed Millis. Arthur McDonnell. Isom Barton.

THE MITCHELL GRADED SCHOOL.

This was established in 1869. and gives Mitchell the honor of being one of the first towns in Southern Indiana to adopt the graded school system. The first high school building was constructed at a cost of nearly $3.000. It was a good two-story frame, and served its purpose until the present commodious and well arranged building was erected in 1879. This is of brick. and was contracted for at the price of $5.000. but before its completion cost $2.(MW) in addition to that amount. No

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graded school in this part of the State has been more of a success than this, and in the Annual Prospectus for 1882 the following statement is made: "Forty-tive teachers have gone out from the Mitchell graded school. six physicians, six attorneys and two ministers."

THE SOUTHERN INDIANA NORMAL COLLEGE.

This popular institution of higher education was founded April 6. 1850. and incorporated as a college June 7, 1880. Many prominent men of Southern Indiana were interested in establishing a school at which teachers could be trained for the public schools, and at which young men and women could receive a thorough and practical education in less time and with less expense than required by the regular colleges of the State. By the energy and interest manifested by the citizens, Mitchell was chosen as the seat of the new institution. Among the prime-movers of the enterprise may be mentioned Prof. J. N. Selby. Prof. W. F. Harper, Dr. H. L. Kimberlin, MI. N. Moore, Dr. J. L. W. Yost, J. Y. Bates, John Dodson. Alfred Guthrie. Dr. G. W. Burton. Anselm Wood, MI. A. Burton. Isom Burton. Dr. W. A. Burton, Allen C. Barton. E. P. Ever- sole. James D. Moore, M. Z. Moore, Dr. E. S. McIntire, with the hearty c.)-operation of all the citizens of Mitchell and vicinity. A Board of Reference was formed, including many prominent educators of the State. with leading men of other States, which with few changes remains as first established. This organization includes such men as the following: Prof. J. M. Bloss, Muncie. Ind .; Hon. M. G. Urner. Frederick, Md .; W. B. Wilson, Esq., Flora. Ill .; Judge E. D. Pearson, Bedford, Ind .; Prof. W. A. Bell. Indianapolis. Ind .; Rev. R. M. Parks. Bedford, Ind .; Hon. Thomas Clarke. Shoals. Ind .: Dr. Richard Owen, Now Harmony. Ind .; Prof. W. B. Chrisler, Bedford. Ind. To these and many others recently have been added the names of Hon. B. C. Hobbs. Bloomingdale, Ind., and Hon. J. W. Holcombe. State Superintendent.

About the beginning of the year 1550 active steps were taken in secur- ing a faculty and advertising the opening. Prof. W. F. Harper was elected President, and Prof. J. N. Selby, Business Manager; Prof. W. E. Lugeubeel, teacher of mathematics: Prof. H. T. Pickel, teacher of Latin and common branches: Miss Mamie C. Murphy, teacher of German. and Mrs. Polk, teacher of instrumental and vocal music From the first movement in the matter success rewarded the managers. Upon the morn- ing of April 6, orders were given that all the bells in the town be rung for half an hour to usher in the new order of things. The stores were closed. and the business meu with their families repaired to the Baptist Church to witness the organization. The spacions audience-room was tilled to overflowing. and the enthusiasm was intense. Bright hopes of success were entertained by the men and women who had given liberally of money and time to the new work. This sympathy in the objects of the

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school drew the people closely to the students, and this kindly spirit has manifested itself during all the career of the college. It is a general remark that in no other college town can be found anch friendly relations between the students and the citizens. It was this spirit as much as the earnest labors of the teachers that brought such signal success the year following the auspicions opening recorded. The attendance included students from Indiana. Illinois and Kentucky. In July of this first year a teachers' class of six members was graduated. The number of differ. ent students in attendance reached about 150. In September following, the year began with regular classes, scientific, teachers' and business classes. This was a prosperous year, and at its close the Trustees turned the entire management over to the President. Prof. W. F. Harper, who assumed complete control. By this change the Trustees retained only advisory powers, placing the active management in the hands of the Pres. ident, as well as the financial obligations. This plan has been contin- ued to the present.

Owing to the vast amount of work devolving npon the Principal of such an institution. Prof. Harper found his health failing and in the spring of ISS2 he resigned. The Trustees immediately elected Prof. W. E. Lugenbeel to succeed him. All recognized this as a most fitting tribute to one who had been with the institution from its founding. and who had given his best energies for its success. His administrative abil. ity had long been recognized, and the change was made without a jar. Under his careful and untiring management, the institution has sent its graduates into every department of society. and to all portions of the United States. His policy has been to build surely and firmly: to accom. plish only thorough work. The character of the school is thus impressed upon its graduates, and they may be recognized by their earnestness and qualifications. This policy has made the school known in every State of the Union, and it now draws students from the East, South, West and North. The success of the work under President Lugenbeel's administration has been uniform, except a terrible calamity in the spring of 1883. Im- mediately preceding the opening of the spring term, a man came to the town from Vincennes. He was soon reported to be a small-pox patient. As many persons had ignorantly been exposed to the contagion. the ex- citement became intense. Exaggerated reports were immediately cireu- · lated in all the surrounding towns. Many of the students in attendance departed, and those who had made arrangements to enter for the spring and summer were frightened away. Instead of 300 in the various de- partments, the enrollment barely reached fifty the spring term and only about one hundred during the summer session. The Principal lost per- haps $3.000. Notwithstanding this heavy loss, he continued all depart- ments and began advertising again as from the beginning. From this calamity the institution has risen stronger than before, and now has an

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enrollment which will reach 500 this year (1584). The popularity of its methods is so great that a branch institution was established at Milan, Tenn .. September 1, 1584, which opened with 250 students the first day. The entire faculty of this Southern school were chosen from the graduates of the Southern Indiana Normal College. The Alumni (1884) number 125. Such in brief is the history of this institution which gives Mitchell almost a national reputation, and which has revolutionized the methods of teaching in the common schools of Southern Indiana. It is a school of which Lawrence County is proud. The teachers who have been connected with the various departments are: W. F. Harper, Pres. ident 1550-1852; W. E. Lugenbeel, President 1 82; J. N. Selby, 1590-60: H. T. Pickel, 1550-81; Miss Mamie Murphy, ISS0-S1; Miss Emma McAvoy. 1950->1 : Miss Edith L Jackman. 1\81; A. W. Dudley, 1681-82; C. C. Harper. 1SS2-52; J. Fraise Richard, 1882-82; Hamilton Stillson. 1952: J. W. Stotis. 1SS2: E. E. Urner. 1983-84; Miss Anna R. Turner. 1583-84; C. S. Lugenbeel. 15$3. The teachers of the branch school at Milan. Teun., 1984. are: W. E. Lugenbeel. President; E. E. Urner. Principal; Miss Bertha F. Wolfe, Miss Anna R. Turner. K. E. Harn. D. E. Keen.

SCHOOLS OF BEDFORD.

The first school was taught in Bedford by Capt. Hill during the win- ter of IS26-27. This was in the court house and was attended by thirty.six scholars. That was in the days of select schools that were maintained by private subscriptions. The tuition in this school was $2 per quarter for each pupil and instructions were given in grammar, alge. bra, rhetoric. higher arithmetic and the lower branches. Thus began the education of the youth at the capital of Lawrence, and in much the same manner it continued for the next four or five years. In January, 1831, the State Legislature passed an act providing for the establishment of a seminary.

THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SEMINARY.

The building that was first erected for this institution is yet standing in Bedford and occupied as a dwelling. At the date of building it was considered as one of more than ordinary importance, as it was a good and substantial brick. For a while, during the infancy of this school, it was well patronized and the youth from the entire county were in attendance. It is probable that the first teacher employed was a man named Lynn, although he did not remain a great while. For the two years of 1832 and 1833 this school was presided over by a man who has since occupied a prominent place in this State. This was Hon Richard W. Thompson. His successor. Hon. George G. Dunn. was a man of no less ability and fame. After two years of success as a teacher he was followed by Joseph Still-on. who has long been one of Bedford's physicians. His term as instructor also lasted two years. and closed in the early part of 1838.

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This school was managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Cir- enit Court who were to hold their office for a period of three years. In March. 1838, Gustavus Clark, Matthew Borland, Isaac Denson. Daniel R. Dunihue and George G. Dunn were appointed as such Board for the next three years. and in a report to the County Commissioners in the fol. lowing January they say : " Upon examination they found the Seminary building considerably out of repair and in a condition subjecting it to rapid decay, destitute of a teacher, under the control and surpervision of the Trustees, the institution in debt and without a very exalted reputa- tion as a high school. The Board caused the necessary repairs to be made to the building without delay. and have it now in good order for the comfort and accommodation of two teachers and at least 100 pupils. All debts, except some trifling amounts, against. the institution, have been paid off, and there is yet remaining in the treasury the sum of $93.594, which, together with such sums as may be constantly coming in from fines assessed before the justices of the peace and in the Circuit Court of said county, will be amply sufficient to keep up repairs, make all neces- sary improvements, and in a short time. we trust, to purchase a suitable library for said institution. A female school by Miss Lovey Kittredge has been taught in one room of the building under the inspection of the Board. and by the reports of the Examining Committees of the schools, it appears that the conditions of that department of the school are highly creditable to Miss Kittredge and beneficial to those under her care. The best of order is observed in her school. although large ; entire harmony and good feeling exists in her school between the pupils themselves and between them and the teacher. and the scholars are making rapid improvement in all the useful branches of female education. The other room is occupied by Mr. Minard Sturgis. a young gentleman of superior acquirements, amiable disposition, gentle manners, industrious habits and strict morality. These qualities render him a valuable acquisition to the Seminary, as he proposes taking it permanently under his charge. The present condition of his department is prosperous and interesting, in every respect. we believe. meeting the entire approbation of the public. The following are the rates of tuition and contingent expenses estab- lished by the present Board, to-wit : Reading, writing and arithmetic. $3 per quarter; English grammar, book-keeping. geography. composition and declamation. 83.50 per quarter: the classics and other higher branches. 86 per quarter. to which is added upon each pupil the sum of 25 cents per quarter as a contingent fund. out of which are defrayed all expenses necessary to the comfort and convenience of the pupils and teachers as connected with the seminary. The Board thought it necessary to fix the rates thus high in order to secure competent persous as teachers and guard the institution from degenerating into a mere town school, benefiting only a few individuals, instead of being. as it was

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intended. the resort of all who desire to procure the advantages of a lib- eral education .**

This report was signed by D. R. Dunihue and George G. Dunn as committee. and gives a good idea of the condition of the school at that time. In May, 1841, another Board was appointed and of this Gustavus Clark was President, John Vestal Treasurer. and Michael A. Malott Secretary. In September, 1842, a report was made by the Secretary, and from that it is learned that a MIr. John Dale had for some time before then been in charge of the school as teacher, and part of the time employing an assistant. The institution lingered along under various instructors until the Legislature, in 1552, provided for the sale of County Seminaries and applying the proceeds to the common school fund. This une was sold at public sale to R. M. Parks, who had formerly been one of its teachers, for $1,050, and thus died the Lawrence County Seminary.

THE SELECT SCHOOLS.

When the Lawrence County Seminary was gone the demands of the community for a good school were imperative and necessitous. In the fall of IS54. Rev. J. M. Stalker opened an academy in the base- ment of the Presbyterian Church, which he continued for about two vears, and in 1556 Prof. Conley began the Lawrence High School. In this J. M. Stalker. William May, William B. Chrisler. Prof. Crutsinger. Bruce Carr and others taught in different years until 1888 or 1969. when this school was merged into the Bedford Male and Female College. This institution was incorporated, and the following persons were the incorporators: Stever Younger. J. M. Mathes, Joseph Stillson. A. J. Hotetler. David G. Gray, John M. Daggy. George W. Adams. J. N. Hos. tetler and William B. Chrisler. It was said in the articles of incorpora- tion that the purposes of this association were to " establish and perpet. nate in the town of Bedford, Lawrence Co .. Ind .. an institution of learn- ing of the highest grade, for the education of males and females: to pro- inote the arts and sciences and inculcate the evidences and morality of the Sacred Scriptures." This school was held in the basement of the Christian Church, and its existence continued until the year 1550. when it finally became defunct.

In the latter part of the sixties the present system of graded schools began to be agitated und Bedford was among the early towns in the State to adopt it. Prof. Frank P. Smith. Superintendent of the present graded school, furnished the following account of the origin:

THE BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL.

In 1569 an attempt was made to establish a graded school for the benefit of the civil township in which the town is located. and the enter- prise had proceeded so far as that the foundation was laid for such a

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building. on the present site, by the then Township Trustee H. B. Rich - ardson. The movement caused great dissatisfaction between the residents of the town and those of the township outside of the town. This resulted in the incorporation of the town and it- severance from the civil township in school matters. In the division of school funds, the building already begun became the property of the town, and was completed in 1871. The plans were prepared by J. A. Vrydagh of Terre Haute. Ind.

It was a six-room building, very much similar in appearance to the present one, with capacity to seat 300 pupils. J. W. Mannington was the contractor for building. excepting the inside work, which was done by S. MI. Edmondson. The house was furnished by George H. Grant & Co .. Richmond. Ind. It was heated by Boynton's hot-air furnaces. The cost was 827,000. School opened in it September, 1971. November 24. 1>71. it was destroyed by tire. Cause unknown. There was no insur- ance. At a meeting of the citizens on the day of the burning the Trustees were ordered to build a more commodions house. Plans were immediately prepared by T. N. Stevens, architect, Bedford, Ind .; and before the arches of the old building had grown cold they were being removed to make room for the new one. While the new building was being prepared rooms were rented in various parts of town and school continued. The present building was completed in 1573. It contains nine rooms, and has two spacious halls twenty feet wide. running through the building. The stairs are broad and easy of ascent. It will accommodate 500 pupils. It is a brick building two stories high. has slate roof, and is heated by four hot-air furnaces. Total cost. $27,000. The history of the school has been that of continued success, and although in its earlier days it had to undergo many hardships and labor under many disadvantages, yet it has advanced so rapidly in efficiency and educational standing that it now ranks among the best schools of the State. In 1872 a separate school was opened for the colored children, and kept open the same length of time as the other schools. A special teacher in the German language has been employed by the School Board.

SCHOOL. TIL-TELS.

G. W. Friedley, appointed April 5, 1971, resigned January 3, 1872; T. N. Stevens, appointed April 5, 1871, expired April 9, 1872: W. C. Winstandley. appointed April 5. 1971. expired April 9, 1872; H. B. Richardson. appointed January 10. 1571. expired April 9. 1872; Francis Wilson. appointed April 9, 1872, expired April 1, 1873: Davi- Harrison. appointed April 9. 1872. expired April 1. 1973: W. C. Winstandley, re appointed April 9. 1872. expired April 1. 1573: D. Harrison. re-appointed April 1. 1573, expired April 1, 1574: W. C. Winstandley. re-appointed April 1. 1573. expired April 1, 1575: D. W. Parker, appointed April 1, 1573. expired April 1. 1876: D. Harrison. re-appointed April 7, 1874, expired April 1. 1877.

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The law concerning School Trustees was amended in 1875, and under the new law D. W. Parker was appointed June 8, 1875, expired June 8, 1876: Davi- Harrison, appointed June %. 1875, expired June 8. 1877; W. C. Winstandley. appointed June S, 1875. expired June 8. 1878.

LIST OF TEACHERS.

In 1\71-72 were J. H. Madden, Superintendent and Principal High School; Miss Ollie Keeler. First Grade; Misy Sue Borland, Second Grade; Mi -- Sallie Culbertson. Third Grade; Mrs. J. H. Madden. Fourth Grade; Miss Ennmma Clifton, Fifth Grade: Eugene Balden, German department; Mrs. Ada Hodge. Colored School.

In 1972-73 were J. H. Madden, Superintendent and Principal High School: Mrs. J. H. Madden. Assistant; Miss Ollie Keeler, First Grade: Miss H. Simpson. Second Grade: Miss Sallie Culbertson. Third Grade: Miss Belle Conner, Fourth Grade: Miss Sue Borland, Fifth Grade; Miss Reba Evans. Sixth Grade; Theodore A. Hinz, German department; Miss Alice Eldridge. Colored Sebool.

In 1873-74, J. H. Madden. Superintendent and Principal High School; Mrs. J. H. Madden. Assistant; Mis- F. C. Simpson, First Grade: Miss Isis Duncan. Second Grade: Miss Sallie Culbertson. Third Grade; Miss Belle Conner. Fourth Grade, Miss Sne Borland. Fifth Grade: Miss Reba Evans, Sixth Grade: Theodore A. Hinz, German department: Miss Alice Eldridge. Colored School.

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 26

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954