USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 49
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
in a wretched state of repair, and the assets of the Knox County Seminary were worse than nothing. Hence, the university trustees concluded that the only plan to adopt to liquidate the debts against the establishment was to sell the property. The buildings and grounds were accordingly sold for $6,500 to St. Gabriel's College board, and became the possessions of the Catholics of Vincennes diocese. From funds realized by the sale the university trustees purchased another lot, in 1840, at Fifth and Main streets, and erected thereon a smaller building in which a grammar school was established, with Rev. B. B. Killikelley, an Episcopalian minister, as principal, and Prof. Chestnut as assistant. In 1841 lot 191, corner Fifth and Busseron streets, whereon the present building now stands, was pur- chased of Dr. Hiram Decker for $500. In 1843 the Indiana legislature passed an act authorizing the Knox County commissioners to seize the as- sets of the university, but no attempt was ever made to execute the man- date. During the same year the trustees employed Samuel B. Judah and Abner T. Ellis to prosecute the university's claims to the Gibson County lands, and suits were instituted for possession against the occupants thereof who were innocent purchasers, and swore vengeance against the lawyers if they persisted in prosecuting the cases. The threats of personal violence of the land owners were so strong that a halt was called on the litigation before the court had an opportunity to pass on the merit of the case. In fact the cases were withdrawn and opposing counsel entered into a com- promise whereby it was agreed to solicit the legislators of Gibson and Knox counties, in both branches of the general assembly, to have a law enacted authorizing the trustees of the university to institute suit in the Marion County circuit court against the state of Indiana to test the right- ful ownership of the lands aforesaid. The bill was duly passed at the session of 1846, and suit immediately brought, resulting in a jury trial and a verdict in favor of the university for $30,096.66, the amount of judgment being based on the lands which had been sold by the state. An appeal on the verdict was taken by the state to the supreme court, which tribunal at its spring term, in 1850, reversed the decision of the lower court. From the decision of the Indiana supreme court the attorneys for the university took an appeal to the supreme court of the United States, and the latter. in 1852, reversed the judgment of the former, by ruling that the lands in question were the property of the university. Referring to the township reserved for seminary purposes, which confiscation by the state made im- possible, the United States supreme court said: "If these reservations had been judiciously managed, they would have constituted a fund at this time (1852) of at least $200,000." Following the foregoing decision the state of Indiana issued bonds to the university for $66,585.
In 1856 the lot at the southeast corner of Fifth and Busseron, on which the postoffice has been built, was purchased by the university for $2,300, and a frame building was erected thereon as a department for female stu- (lents. It was successfully conducted for many years, until all departments
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HIGH SCHOOL AND AUDITORIUM, VINCENNES
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were consolidated in the brick building, across the street. In 1878 the pres- ent structure was built at a cost of $14,616. In 1889 an addition to the south and west ends of the building, costing $4,180, was made.
The Indiana legislature, in 1895, appropriated $15,000 to the university, for which a receipt in full of all claims was demanded from the trustees, who very promptly objected to a settlement in full on such terms. In 1897 the general assembly introduced another bill providing for the appropriation of an additional sum to liquidate the state's indebtedness to the university, but the measure failed to carry. In 1899 the Sixty-first general assembly passed an act authorizing the issue of $120,000 four per cent bonds for the liquidation of said indebtedness. The senate voted almost unanimously for the measure, which subsequently passed the house by a large majority. Governor Mount, however, vetoed the bill upon the ground that it had passed too late in the session for him to fully investigate its merits, at the same time recommending that a committee of three hold-over senators be appointed a commission to investigate the claim and report to the next general assembly. This was accordingly done, and the commission reported the facts (just as the trustees had always contended they were) to the gen- eral assembly of 1901, together with the conclusion that the university had been very inadequately compensated for the wrongs which had been in- flicted upon her by the state. Upon the basis of this statement the senate, when the bill was presented, immediately passed the same by practically a unanimous vote; but in the house action on bill as well as other bills bear- ing heavy expenditures was indefinitely postponed. The bill was again introduced in the session of 1903, too late to secure action upon its pas- sage, but in time to result in the adoption of concurrent resolution-unani- mously adopted by both houses-providing that secretary, auditor, treas- urer of state, and Winfield T. Durbin, governor, be appointed a commission to audit the account between the state and the university. The result of such an investigation was a report from the commission to the effect that the state owed the university the sum of $120,548. The report, however, was submitted so late in the session of 1905 that, by concurrence of both houses, action thereon was deferred until the session of 1907. At the meet- ing of the general assembly in the year last named a bill was drawn pro- viding for payment by the state to the university for $120,548, and passed both houses by an overwhelming majority. Governor Hanly vetoed the measure, whereupon it was promptly taken up again and passed over his veto. The bill provided for the issuance and delivery by the state to the university bonds in the sum of $120,548. The bonds were properly pre- pared by the auditor and presented for his signature to Governor Hanly, who took possession of them and placed them in his office under lock and key until the expiration of his term as governor. Thomas R. Marshal, who succeeded Hanly as governor, in 1908, after giving thirty days' notice of his intention, signed the honds, declaring that the debt was a just one and should be paid. Mr. Hanly thereupon sought to enjoin the secretary of Vol. 1-26
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state from signing and the auditor from delivering the bonds, by filing suit in the Marion superior court, Carter, judge. The university then em- ployed James Wade Emison, Addison C. Harris, Benjamin M. Willoughby, James M. House and Judge Harrison Burns to defend, which resulted in Judge Carter delivering a very able opinion, sustaining the university. Hanly then appealed to the supreme court of Indiana, which sustained Judge Carter, holding the law passed by the legislature in favor of the university constitutional and valid. Hanly then petitioned for a rehearing, which was promptly denied by the court. Immediately thereafter Lemuel Ellingham, secretary of state, signed the bonds, Win. H. O'Brien, auditor of state, delivered the same to the trustees of the university, and Wm. H. Vollmer, treasurer of state, on March 22, 1911, paid Joseph L. Bayard, treasurer of the board of trustees, $14.468.76, being four years' interest on the bonds-from April 10, 1907, to April 10, 1911. And thus the great state of Indiana, after all these years, has partially made restitution for a wrongful aet committed nearly a century ago.
The present board of trustees, who expended money and lost valuable time, without desire of reimbursement, in attending sessions of the legis- lature, to impress members of that body with the justness of the university claim, is composed of the following well-known gentlemen: W. M. Hind- man, Royal E. Purcell, Wm. B. Robinson, Joseph L. Bayard, Sr., Hiram A. Foulks, Wm. P. Gould, Wm. R. Gardiner, Edward Smith, George R. Alsop, John T. Oliphant, Charles Bierhaus, Wm. C. Johnson, Thomas H. Adams and James Wade Emison.
The present faculty consists of Horace Ellis, A. M., Ph. D., president and professor of Latin and Greek; Mary Ellis Purcell, A. M., professor of English; Gertrude Haseman, A. B., professor of Mathematics; Wm. MeAndrew, teacher of English ; Sara Adelaide Fleming. A. B., professor of Modern Language; Thomas Marshal Smith, professor of Biology, Phys- ies and Chemistry ; Sarah I. MeConnell, teacher of Music; Chester A. Me- Ilvain, instructor Vocal Music; Elsie Dawes, violin instructor ; Mary Kath- arine Shank, professor of Oratory; Lucina Harsha, instructor in Draw- ing ; Grace V. Ellis, librarian. Some of the rarest volumes are to be found in the library, to which there is a sentimental and historic value attached far beyond their intrinsic worth. Little did the donors realize when they presented the university with these rare old books, which are conspicuous among hundreds of others, the pleasure and profit future generations would extract therefrom and how helpful their contents would be to the faculty, students and patrons of the institution. Among the collection of books are many volumes which were on the shelves of the first public library es- tablished in Vincennes, which had an existence before the university.
ST. GABRIEL'S AND ST. ROSE'S ACADEMIES.
In the year 1837 Rev. Father John Augustus Vabret, who came from Rennes, France, accompanied by a small colony of Eudists, established St.
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Gabriel's College, a Catholic institution, which was conducted in a build- ing on Cathedral Square until 1839, when the reverend gentleman pur- chased the "seminary grounds" of the Vincennes University and used the buildings thereon for school purposes. Ile was succeeded as president of the college in 1840 by Rev. Father John P. Bellier. The latter remained as head of the institution until 1845. when it was closed by direction of the superior of the Eudist order. The property was then converted into an orphan asylum, and subsequently passed into the control of the Sisters of Providence, who established St. Rose Academy, a school for girls, which is to-day among the worthy educational institutions of the city, where higher branches and the sciences and arts are taught to young ladies. The buildings are costly and attractive, and the property covers an entire block. St. Rose is a boarding school, and among its large number of pupils are many from abroad who have come from remote distances to secure the benefit of its superior facilities and advanced methods of imparting in- struction.
The Cathedral school for boys, located at Church and Third streets, is also under the direction of the Sisters of Providence. It is a modernized building with large rooms and is provided with a commodious exhibition hall.
St. John's school, located on the same block as the church of St. John the Baptist, is another Catholic educational institution. The building, which is modern and substantial, has very attractive surroundings. It is under the supervision of Rev. Father Fleischman, pastor of St. John's, and its corps of teachers consist of four Sisters of Providence, who have an enrollment of more than two hundred pupils.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF VINCENNES.
There are but few cities in the country that can boast of the educational advantages possessed by Vincennes. The common school system, of which Indiana is the parent, with its manifold facilities for fitting the pupil to more readily enter the battles of life, or more fully equip him to invade the fields that lead to a higher education, is not only admirably carried out by an army of proficient instructors within the city, but its beneficent work- ings have been introduced into the district schoolhouses of the county, where antiquated methods of "training the young idea how to shoot" have been discarded for modern ways.
The school buildings of Vincennes, as well as those of the smaller towns of the county, are handsome and modern structures which stand as monu- ments to the intelligence, progress and liberality of the people of the com- munity. The schoolhouses of Vincennes are notably attractive, and the schools, ably directed by Prof. I. R. Hamilton, superintendent, under the management of a board of education composed of John Downey, Mason J. Niblack and John Wilhelm, are second to none in the state. The following
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are the names of teachers having supervision of the various departments : Miss Eleanor M. Beach, physical culture; Miss Lucy Williamson, drawing and art; Miss Rosetta E. Epperson, music ; Miss Helen T. Schwartz, man- ual training.
The public school system may be said to have been inaugurated at Vin- cennes in 1853 by George D. Hay, John W. Cannon and Lambert Burrois, who composed the first board of trustees elected by the people. Funds were inadequate at this period, and for several years subsequent thereto, for much progress along educational lines; and as late as 1855 it was only possible to acquire sufficient revenue for tuition purposes to conduct a three months' school term out of the twelve. In 1857, when Anson W. Jones became principal of the school at an annual salary of $50 per month, five months constituted the school year. In 1860 the first school building (now known as Central) was erected at the corner of Seventh and Bun- tin streets at a cost of $19,000, under the supervision of John D. Lander, William Williamson and Gherard H. Duesterberg, trustees. The building has withstood well thie ravages of time, and presents a very good appear- ance to-day.
The first superintendent of this school was Prof. H. P. Hall, with A. W. Jones, assistant; there were also three other teachers. In 1860, after the building was completed, the school term was lengthened to ten months. In 1863 Mr. Jones was made superintendent, and held the position up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. This was the year of the establishment of the Vincennes high school, which was held in the old building until the erection of the present elegant and costly
HIGH SCHOOL AND AUDITORIUM,
corner Fifth and Buntin streets, which cost, with the addition recently com- pleted, $52,000. The corps of teachers in this building at present is as follows: Harry G. Newton, principal, art and gymnastics; O. F. Fidlar, natural science; Miss Margaret C. Holland, assembly room; Miss Della Wall, history; Misses Blanche Turrell, and Rena J. Dunn, English; Miss Blanche P. Noel, Latin; Miss Lillian G. Carter, Latin and history ; H. M. Monroe, mathematics; D. E. La Duke, science and mathematics; R. A. Walker, commerce; Miss Maybelle Alexander, English; R. M. Hogue, history and mathematics; Miss Rosalie W. Ullmann, German.
SCHOOL NO. I.
The teachers at present employed in this building are R. E. Rielag, prin- cipal, 8th grade; Mrs. Vina Soudriette, 8th grade; H. F. Burton, 8th grade; Mrs. Alice S. Emison, 7th grade; Mrs. Maude W. Beckes, 7th grade; Miss Minnie N. S. Southard, 6th and 7th grades; Miss Rosa M. Stalkamp, 6th grade; Miss Ethelyn E. Keith, 6th grade; Miss Edith Scott, 5th grade; Miss Malvina N. Keith, 5th grade: Miss Mary W. Brittain, 4th grade ; Miss Ida B. Wilhite. 3d grade ; Miss Orpha F. Purdy, 2d grade ;
Graded School. Wheatland. Steen Township
Graded School. Edwardsport, Vigo Township
Graded School. Decker. Johnson Township
Graded School, Sandborn, Vigo Town-hip
Graded School. Bicknell. Vigo Township
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Graded School. Bruceville. Washington Township
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Miss May Avery, Ist grade. School No. I is located at the corner of Seventh and Buntin streets, and is the first building erected in the city as a graded school.
SCHOOL NO. 2.
This house, located at Second street and Indianapolis avenue, was com- pleted during the summer vacation months of 1885, and is still a modern structure. Its original cost was about $12,000, and when first built it was considered a handsome structure. The grades here run from one to six, and are in charge of the following teachers: C. W. Prather, principal, 6th grade; Mrs. Lulu M. Prather, 5th grade; Miss Lyle G. Colglazier, 4th grade; Miss Eva M. Davis, 3d grade; Miss Margaret E. Potter, 2d grade ; Miss Ethel N. Culver, Ist grade.
SCHOOL NO. 3.
For many years the colored pupils of the public school have been taught in a commodious building at the intersection of Twelfth and Seminary streets. R. L. Anthony, who has attained an enviable reputation among colored educators, has been the principal of this school for ten years, and has done effective work, especially in the high school of No. 3, from which quite a few have graduated. Mr. Anthony also teaches the 8th and 7th grades ; C. T. Hyte has charge of the 6th, 5th and 4th grades, and Miss Eurus Ray Carr of the 3d. 2d and Ist grades.
SCHOOL NO. 4.
This building is known as the "Frenchtown schoolhouse," and is located on the corner of Seventh and Barnet streets. Its architectural design is patterned after the style of No. 2, the cost of its construction is about the same, and it was built about the same time. Its teachers are : John Zehner, principal 4th grade; Miss Mary S. Caney, 3d grade; Mrs. Effie T. Zehner, 2d grade; Miss Grace E. Burba, Ist grade. Quite a number of pupils of this school are non-residents of the city, but live in the township.
SCIIOOL NO. 5.
The accompanying illustration will convey an idea of the nice appear- ance of the average lower graded schoolhouses. This building, located at the intersection of Upper Eleventh and Hickman streets, while more
EAST SIDE SCHOOL (NO. 5).
elaborate, perhaps, is hardly a distinct type from the ones which were erected prior to the construction of the North and South Side schools, all of which are attractive structures. G. W. Morris is principal of No. 5 and teaches the 5th and 4th grades. His assistants are Miss Ida Stalkamp, 4th grade; Miss Mary B. Tougher, 3d grade; Miss Nola E.
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Williams, 3d and 2d grades; Miss Ida L. Schaller, 2d and Ist grades; Miss Delia B. Leeds, Ist grade.
SCHOOL NO. 7.
This handsome structure, built three years ago, at a cost approximately of $25,000, occupies an elevated plot of ground at the intersection of Sec- ond street and Eberwine avenue, and harmonizes with the attractive build- ings of that locality, of which several are of recent construction. Among them is the parochial school of the Sacred Heart Catholic church, which is within a block of the public school. The Sacred Heart School is under the supervision of Father Becker, pastor of that church. Its teachers are Benedictine Sisters, who live in a beautiful home hard by the school. The principal of No. 7 is J. S. Tasswell, who also has charge of the 7th grade. He is ably assisted by the following named teachers : J. F. Borden,
NORTH SIDE SCHOOL ( NO. 7).
6th grade ; Miss Goldie R. Helsel, 5th grade; E. W. Stolling, 4th grade ; Miss Corrinne C. Rielag, 4th and 3d grades ; Miss Wilhelmina Shively, 3d grade ; Miss Ethel L. Dixon, 2d grade; Miss Nannie B. Dunn, 2d grade; Miss Mamie J. Meyer, Ist grade ; Miss Lola E. Ritter, Ist grade.
SCHOOL NO. 8.
The most attractive among the public graded schoolhouses is No. 8. The building, which was completed about two years ago at a cost of $27,- 000, stands in the center of an acre of ground at the intersection of Main and Fifteenth streets. It can be seen at a great distance from any of the
SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL (NO. 8).
avenues leading into the city from the southwest or northeast. The prin- cipal of the school is Mord F. Cox, teacher of the sixth grade. His as- sistants are Miss Laura A. Scott, 5th grade; Mrs. Lucile J. Bruat, 4th grade; Miss Ora M. Presnell, 3d grade; Miss Grace P. Powell, 2d grade; Miss Edith P. Presnell, Ist grade.
THE KINDERGARTENS.
In schools Nos. 5, 7 and 8 the forenoons are devoted to kindergarten work, and in the afternoons the little ones of school No. I receive the at- tention of competent teachers. Miss Emma F. Robertson is kindergarten director and has for her assistants Miss Lena L. Kixmiller and Miss Claire H. McCarthy.
THE HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS.
The course of study in the Vincennes high school is very complete and embraces English, History, Mathematics, Natural Science, German, Latin, Political Science, Vocal Music, Orchestra Practice, Free-hand Drawing. Mechanical Drawing. Physical Culture, Manual Training, etc. In con-
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EAST SIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL, VINCENNES
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
structing this course of study, it was recognized, say the school authorities, that each line of study has a value not possessed by the other lines-that each line gives its own peculiar and important culture. An attempt has been made to secure to each student a just and proportionate amount of cach of those cultures and disciplines. While this high school course has a connection, continuity, and completeness as a whole, it is believed by the instructors that should a student find it necessary to discontinue his studies after one, two, or three years, the training that he shall have re- ceived will be the best that could have been given him in that time. The course was built up for those who cannot go to college. It includes more work than the average college preparatory course; but the student who cannot go to college should have the opportunity to pursue his school edu- cation beyond a mere preparatory course in the high school at his home. The trustees make it known that every child in the city is entitled to all the public high school can give him, and no false ideas of life should be per- mitted to rob him of this right.
The Vincennes high school is a commissioned high school, and its diploma admits the possessor to the University of Indiana, Purdue Univer- sity and the State Normal School without examination. Should a student upon entering the high school express or desire to fit himself for college as quickly as possible, the course can be modified so that he can prepare himself for college in three years or earlier.
The parochial schools, under the auspices of the Catholics, Lutheran and Evangelical churches, respectively, teach the English as well as the German languages, and are all very ably conducted, having fitted for the commercial and professional world men and women who reflect much credit upon their alma mater.
The business colleges are in the hands of capable instructors, among whom are graduates from the high school and university. The large num- ber of their pupils holding lucrative positions at home and abroad is an evidence of their ability to teach the branches of which they make a spe- cialty.
The total number of pupils enrolled in the Vincennes public schools is 2,851. At the close of the last term the report placed the figures at 2,828- 1.368 white males, 1,362 white females, 35 colored males, and 63 colored females. The number of teachers employed was seventy-one, of whom eighteen were males and fifty-three females. The salaries of teachers will approximate $5,000 per month. The value of all buildings and property in the city used for public and private school purposes will exceed a half million dollars.
PIONEER AND PRESENT SCHOOLS OF KNOX COUNTY.
The high character of district schools of Knox County and the graded schools in towns and villages of the several townships are the pride of the
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people and a true index of their progressive citizenship. Prof. E. A. Has- kins, who was formerly of the faculty of the Vincennes University, was chosen as superintendent of public instruction of Knox County on May 20, 1909, and under his supervision the schools of the county have materially advanced toward perfection. Immediately upon assuming the office of su- perintendent he inaugurated a system whereby it was made incumbent on each township to provide a standard education for its pupils, which would enable them to enter the higher institutions of learning, or qualify them to engage in the occupation of teaching.
At present there are about 8,305 pupils actually enrolled in the public schools of Knox County, of which number 750 are students in the high schools. In the various townships, exclusive of the city of Vincennes, the number of pupils attending schools is 5,477, of whom 2,819 are white males, 2,616 white females, 21 colored males and 21 colored females. The number of teachers employed in the district schools is 179, of whom 75 are males and 104 females, whose aggregate salaries are $73,034.10. The total amount of special school revenue expended in Knox County during the year 1910, exclusive of salaries, was $152,263.21, of which $63,122.66 was for permanent improvements.
SCHOOLS OF BUSSERON TOWNSHIP.
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