USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume I Pt. 2 > Part 16
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EARLY SCHOOL HOUSE IN RICHMOND - 1812-13.
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(now Mrs. Commons, of Winchester), Josephine Logan (now Mrs. Ruhl), Rebecca Johnson (now Mrs. Farnham), Anna Scho- field, Mrs. Hulda Estes, and Susan P. Owens (now deceased). In these years the number of pupils in the city exceeded the accommodations of the building on North Eighth street, and other buildings were of necessity occupied. The children residing south of Main street were placed in a two-story schoolhouse at No. 134, South Seventh street, near South B, and in the old brick build- ing of two rooms which stood on the Public Square, on South B street, in the First ward. The first mentioned of these houses belonged to the estate of Rev. George Fiske, and from a peculiar- ity of its construction was named by the children "Flat Roof." At the old house on the Public Square, Hulda Estes and Susan P. Owens were the teachers several years. In 1860 George P. Brown was employed for superintendent. He had been principal at .Waynesville, Ohio. He remained in charge of the schools of Richmond four years, and, although criticized by some, brought the schools into better organization than had been their condi- tion previously. The length of the term that could be furnished by the public money was less than the full year; and, either be- fore or after the public term, there would be held subscription schools for several months. Superintendent Brown proposed to conduct the two kinds of schools-the "free school" and the "pay term"-upon one plan of organization continued through the whole school year, thus preventing the interruption of the classi- fication of the pupils and the changing of the teachers. For sev- eral years schools were maintained for the full school year, by connecting the public term with subscription terms, conducted by George P. Brown.
Jesse H. Brown, who had been principal teacher in the ad- vanced department, in Room No. 9, for the two years previous, was the superintendent for 1864-5. That year the high school was established, and the pupils admitted thereto were separated from the Grammar grades and seated in Room No. 6 (of House No. 3, on North Eighth street). Erastus Test was the teacher that year, assisted by the superintendent, who heard the recita- tions of some classes. Latin, Algebra, Natural Philosophy, Phys- ical Geography and Bookkeeping were among the branches pur- sued that year. Samuel R. Mitchell had charge of the Grammar grade, in Room No. 9. For 1865-6, William A. Bell was super- intendent and Matthew Charles was teacher of the high school. The next year Jesse H. Brown was returned to the superintend-
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ency. In the fall of 1867 George P. Brown was again made su- perintendent and remained in that position two years. The en- actment of the "local tuition law," in 1867, and the "school- house bond law," in 1869, permitted the people of Richmond to contemplate longer terms of school and better schoolhouses. In this second period of George P. Brown's superintendency, the term was lengthened, the grading improved, the high school firmly established, and the large building on the Public Square (South B street) erected. Cyrus W. Hodgin was principal of the high school, which had grown until it required Room No. 9 to ac- commodate its pupils. Mr. Hodgin succeeded William Menden- hall, who resigned on account of ill health before the close of 1867-8. Mr. Hodgin completed the year and taught the next. Julia E. Test became teacher of the first year primary grade in 1867. She taught in the same room, in House No. 3, for eighteen years.
James McNeill, a graduate of Antioch College (Ohio), under Horace Mann, and for several years principal of the schools of Hagerstown, was chosen superintendent in 1869. He remained at the head of the public schools of Richmond four years. In 1871 Mrs. Jane G. Holcombe, who was appointed a teacher in the high school in 1869, became principal, a position she held until 1885. The first public graduation from the high school took place in 1871. By changes in the law, in 1873 and 1875, the entire board of school trustees was chosen in each of those years. Prof. John Cooper was called to the superintendency in 1873. He was a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; had taught and supervised schools twenty-four years, thirteen of them being in the neighboring town of Dublin. Professor Cooper was the first superintendent in Richmond whose full time was required by the duties of the position. Former superintendents gave some part of the day to hearing recitations. He instituted a thorough sys- tem of examination, reports, etc. In the year 1874 the high school was removed to a separate building, on the corner of Twelfth and South A streets. Next year the graduating exercises were per- formed in a public hall for the first time.
Superintendent Cooper was retained eight years. In that time the public schools of Richmond had a marked growth. After 1876 there were no other schools in the city except three parochial schools, two of them taught wholly in the German language. The public schools were expected to accommodate all who desired an elementary or academic education. The number of teachers was
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increased ; House No. 6, on South Eighth street, was erected and other houses provided, as is set forth elsewhere. The course of study was revised and published in pamphlet form. Music was added to the course in 1873. The building on South Eighth street (No. 6) was assigned for the bi-lingual schools, and all pupils who wished instruction in both English and German were required to attend that building. This arrangement was made in 1878. and that year Dr. Zaccheus Test was appointed to supervise the teaching of German. Provision was made for separate schools for colored chil- dren, started in 1869, by securing property as needed. in both di- visions of the city. This was kept up only for a short time. Prof. Jacob A. Zeller was chosen superintendent in 1881. He was a graduate of Miami University and had been for many years the suc- cessful principal of the Evansville High School. While he was superintendent two large buildings were erected on North Fifteenth and North G streets. Mr. Zeller remained at the head of the schools for three years and was followed by Justin N. Study, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, who had been superintendent of the Anderson schools for ten years, and at Greencastle for three years. Mr. Study was superintendent of the schools for twelve years, dur- ing which period the efficiency and high standing of the schools steadily increased.
The present superintendent, Thomas A. Mott, succeeded Mr. Study, in 1896. He has been connected with Wayne county schools for many years, having served as County Superintendent from 1891 till 1895. He was superintendent of the Madison schools in 1895-96. Since he has been superintendent the Master's degree has been con- ferred on him by Earlham College. The schools have advanced steadily during Mr. Mott's superintendency, many new courses have been added, and the corps of teachers increased. It has been mentioned that there was not, in the earlier years of the public schools of Richmond, public money sufficient to maintatin free schools throughout the school year. The legislation of 1853 pro- vided that school corporations might levy taxes to continue their schools after the money distributed by the State was exhausted. This provision was nullified by the Supreme Court in 1854. The next year an act was passed empowering towns and cities to levy taxes for the extension of their school terms. As a result of this legislation, graded schools were established in many places and considerable enthusiasm was awakened. But in 1857 that law was also declared unconstitutional. The graded schools were suspended in some places, the terms shortened, and much disappointment felt.
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Some teachers sought employment in other states; others endeav- ored to "piece out" the year with subscription schools, while they remained and labored for better laws. For about ten years, in Rich- mond, the term of free schools would be preceded or followed- sometimes both-by several months of private schools. Frequent- ly, teachers employed in the term of public school would organize subscription schools of pupils in their respective grades, to follow the public term. But often the teachers of the private schools had no connection with the public schools, except to use rooms in the public buildings. The organizers of subscription schools, in those years, sougth patronage wherever it could be found, regardless of previous or future gradation. Hence, all classification was de- stroyed ; and confusion reigned when pupils of different subscrip- tion schools and the children who had not attended any school since the previous public term were thrown together at the opening of the next term of free school. George P. Brown, while superinten- dent, in 1861, attempted to provide an escape from these evils, by a scheme in which the school trustees were to conduct schools throughout the school year, retaining the same teachers in their places, collecting tuition fees for the part of the year's session not provided by the public money. The grading could be preserved by this plan, whereas, previously, the subscription schools were some- what "mixed," and consequently broke up the classification of the public terms. To carry out this plan, George P. Brown was elected Trustee, in 1861, and had reasonable success, considering that the Civil war was in progress at that time.
In 1865 the rate of State taxation for tuition was increased from ten cents to sixteen cents ; and in 1867 a law avoiding the un- constitutional features of the laws of 1852 and 1855 was enacted, whereby a local tuition tax was allowed. With these ways of in- creasing the tuition revenue, the length of term was increased to nine months, in 1868-9; the supplemental "pay term" was rendered unnecessary after the spring of 1868; and the course of study was extended through the full number of years assigned to Primary, Grammar, and High School grades.
It has also been mentioned that, at times, the number of pupils in Richmond exceeded the accommodations afforded by the public buildings. The first large house (opened in 1855) was full the first year, and two rooms in its attic story were occu- pied. As the population increased rooms were rented at different places, and the basement of that first house was fitted up for two schools. It was not till after the legislation of 1865, giving
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trustees authority to levy a tax for buliding purposes, distinct from tuition, that the trustees of Richmond could undertake the erection of needed buildings. In 1868 the large house on the old Public Square (now School No. 1) was commenced. By an act of the legislature in 1869, city councils were empowered to issue bonds to secure means for erecting schoolhouses. Since that en- actment Richmond has been able to increase her facilities as the growth of the city demanded. Nevertheless, there were times when the houses owned by the school corporation of Richmond were inadequate, and additional quarters had to be sought. The attic and basement stories of the First Ward building (No. 1), and the old frame on that square ; the Lutheran school-house and base- ment of the church on South Seventh street; and the Friends' Academy on North B street, were places occupied by public schools at different times between 1869 and 1883.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Since the completion of the Fairview School, in 1897, Rich- mond has used ten large brick school buildings, all conveniently located and beautifully constructed, capable of accommodating 3,200 or 3,300 pupils. These buildings are all well lighted and thor- oughly heated, are beautiful in design and construction, and are surrounded by beautiful grounds. All the buildings have rooms for lavatory purposes within the buildings, which are large, well lighted and heated, and equipped in a hygienic manner.
The Finley building is the oldest school building now in the city. It was built on the Public Square in 1869. This is a three- story brick building, pleasing in appearance and beatifully located. The grounds are very large and are well set with trees and shrub- bery. The building contains eight rooms on the first and second floors. In the third story are three rooms-one used for public entertainments, one for basket ball, and the third is being equipped for Domestic Science by the Mother's League of Finley School.
The Warner School stands at the junction of Seventh street and Ft. Wayne avenue. This is a large eight-room building, of an attractive architectural plan. In heating, lighting and ventilation the building is modern in every particular. A part of the ground now occupied by this building was formerly used for meeting and school purposes by the Hicksite branch of Friends for many years, and afterward by Hiram Hadley for his private school. It was bought by the School Board of Richmond in 1870, and was used
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for a public school until 1884, when the lot was enlarged by the purchase of the rest of the triangle, as it now stands, and the pres- ent building was built. The entire cost of buildings and grounds as they now stand was about $41,000.
The Starr building was erected in 1883, at a cost of $22,842. It is located upon the half-square lying upon the east side of North Fifteenth street, between C and D streets. When first built it con- tained eight rooms. In 1905 it was remodeled and an addition built. It now has twelve rooms. The building is lighted, venti- lated and heated in the best manner, and is one of the most beau- tiful buildings in the city.
The Whitewater School building is located on the northeast corner of North Thirteenth and G streets. It is an ample eight- room building, with large corridors and lavatories on each floor. It was erected in 1883. Its equipment is modern in every way. It has a capacity for about 400 pupils, which is more than ample for the needs of the district north of the railroads. Before this build- ing was built the old Friends' Meeting House was used for school purposes in the North End.
The Hibberd building, located upon the corner of South Eighth and F streets, was built in 1878. It is of brick and contains twelve school rooms, with ample corridors and spacious lavatories. Two rooms were added in 1900. The grounds are large and are set with beautiful trees and shrubbery. Pupils from the entire city who wish to take up the German language while in the primary and intermediate grades attend this building. In no other building is German taught until the pupils enter the Garfield School.
The Vaile building is located on the corner of South Four- teenth and C streets. It is a handsome eight-room building, with ample corridors and well arranged lavatories upon each floor. It has a large beautiful playground, well set with trees. This build- ing was built in 1884.
The Baxter building was built in 1882 and is located upon the corner of West Third and Randolph. It is a large eight-room building, containing wide corridors, well arranged lavatories on each floor, and is lighted and heated in the best manner. The grounds are ample and are very attractive.
The Fairview building was completed in 1897. It is located on Ridge street, opposite Maple street. This is a commodious six- room building. In the manner of lighting, heating and ventilation, and of the water supply, it is arranged in the most approved man- ner. Its architectural plan is very pleasing, its surroundings and
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general location adding much to the general attractiveness of the building.
The old Garfield building, which stood upon the same ground as the present one (now a part of the High School building), was completed in 1854, and was one of the earliest of the large school buildings in this part of the State. It was the historic land-mark in educational growth in Wayne county for many years. In 1894 this building was removed and the present large building was com- pleted in 1895. There are few school buildings in the country more beautiful and appropriate in their architecture, or better adapted for the use for which they are built than this. It was built for the use of the eight grades of the city and is intended as a union school. The work in this building has been conducted on the de- partmental plan. Although this was at first an experiment, it has proven to be far the best arrangement of teachers and classes for these grades. The plan has been every way successful. Having special teachers in each of the studies has added much to the interest, as well as to the thoroughness of the work, on the part of the pupils. This plan puts upon the pupil more responsibility in the matter of individual study than the usual plan of placing one teacher in charge of a body of pupils to teach all the studies. The pupils of this school range from twelve to fifteen years of age, and the workings of this plan have shown that they can do more work and do it more successfully in a school arranged for special teach- ers in each branch of study than by the usual system. The recita- tions are all heard in class rooms and the large study rooms are kept quiet for study purposes, which greatly assists the pupils in their individual work. The results are seen in the better prepara- tion of the pupils for the work of the high school, and in the fact that a larger percentage of the pupils leaving the eighth year go on to the high school than under the old plan.
In these grades the course of study has been so modified that the pupils entering 7A work have the privilege of beginning their work in either Latin or German, preparatory to entering high school at the end of the eighth year.
The old High School stood on the same ground as the build- ing on the corner of South Twelfth and A streets, formerly used for the High School, but now known as the Garfield School. The building was erected by James McNeill, who expected to have a high school there, but he sold it to the city instead, in 1874. In 1888 that building was removed and the present structure built. It is an eighteen-room building and cost $40,000.
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THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
In 1895 the Board established a city Training School, which continued its work for six years. The work done in this depart- ment offered to high school graduates and others of more extended scholarship an opportunity for special training and preparation for the work of teaching. The course of study required one year's work in professional study, under the principal of the school, and one semester of practice teaching under a skilled critic teacher. The work of the department was most satisfactory to all concerned. Most of the graduates of the school are doing excellent work as teachers at the present time. In 1901 this department was closed on account of its cost and on account of the fact that the number of graduates who were ready to take work in our schools made its existence unnecessary at the present time.
As a result of the work of this department all new teachers who have been employed in our schools during the past seven years have either graduated from this course or have, in addition to high school training, taken two or more years in a college or normal school. The excellent work of this department is evidenced in the earnest devotion to duty, the progressiveness and resource- fulness in method, on the part of its graduates. Miss Emma Craig was principal of the Training School from 1895 to 1897; Mrs. Mar- garet Dennis Vaile was principal from 1897 to 1901. The critic teachers in the practice work were Miss Anna Lupton and Miss Catherine Reese.
MUSIC.
The Department of Music was introduced into the public schools. G. M. Cole entered the Richmond schools in 1875 as Spe- cial Supervisor of Music. By his earnest, well directed and per- severing labor he brought the work in music up to a high degree of efficiency. He remained only one year, and was succeeded by W. J. Stabler, who held the position until 1895, when T. J. Reese was elected to fill the position. He served one year, when Will Earhart took the position, and is still teaching. He has been suc- cessful and has made the music department one of the best in the State.
KINDERGARTENS.
During the past eleven years kindergartens have been con- ducted in the Whitewater and Hibberd schools, under the manage-
EARLHAM COLLEGE.
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ment of the School Board. In 1897 a kindergarten was established in the Fairview School ; in 1900 in the Baxter School ; in 1902 in the Finley School, and in 1905 in the Warner and Starr schools.
DRAWING.
Drawing was made a separate department of the course of study of our schools and placed under the direction of a special teacher in 1885. The work of this branch has always been under the charge of efficient teachers. Although there has been several different supervisors in this branch all have been well equipped for their work and the instruction has been of the highest character. Each person who has filled this position has been a graduate of the Massachusetts State Normal Art School.
MANUAL TRAINING.
Manual Training was organized and placed under the direction of W. S. Hiser, in February, 1900.
ART IN THE SCHOOL.
Richmond has done much during the past few years to make the school rooms beautiful and attractive. Besides taking care to have the school rooms decorated in colors pleasing to the eye, each building has a good collection of pictures and casts by great artists, representing some of the world's master pieces of art.
EARLHAM COLLEGE.
A period of over seventy years has elapsed since the Friends of Eastern Indiana took the first step toward building an institu- tion for higher education. They were a progressive people, en- dowed with more than average intelligence, and they recognized the lack of organization and system in the schools of the day and the general apathy of the public on the subject of education. Recognizing the need for better educational facilities for their chil- dren, the Yearly Meeting of Friends, held at Richmond in the fall of 1832, discussed ways and means of improving the educational progress of the State, with especial reference to their own chil- dren's needs. The initial movement thus taken was followed by further efforts until the purpose assumed tangible form in the purchase of a tract of 300 acres of land near Richmond for the site of a boarding school. With determination, these pioneers set
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about to raise a building fund, and a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. The record shows a total of $137 subscribed the first year ; $11.50 was added in 1834, nothing reported in 1835, and $7 in 1836. The committee put forth a greater effort in 1837 and was able to report for the year $59.8534, thus bringing the total building fund up to $215.5334. Those were times when every frac- tion of a cent counted and the fraction of a cent resulted from contributions of the 614-cent silver pieces. During the year 1837 Joseph John Gurney, an English banker and a prominent minister among Friends in England, subscribed and paid $50 to the boarding school fund. A desire to inculcate the doctrines and beliefs of the church, and among them a love of peace, influenced the Friends to establish a school for higher education. As a matter of principle they stood opposed to war and to mere force exerted by a stronger people against a weaker people. The Friends had no sympathy with the doctrine that might makes right. The Black Hawk war served as an object lesson to impress their beliefs, and the move- ment to establish a Friends' boarding school was inaugurated at the close of that war, and continued with increasing persistence until it was crowned with success.
So the Yearly Meeting in 1837, with a faith almost sublime, re- solved to continue the struggle for the establishment of a school. Not discouraged by the small progress made in earlier years, but ever looking happily to the future, a plan was formulated for the organization of all the elements and forces favorable to the opening of such an institution as had been contemplated from the begnning. A committee of thirteen men of deep convictions and earnest pur- pose was chosen to perfect the work with a fund of $215.343/4 in the treasury. The first man on the committee was Elijah Coffin, of Richmond, and the thirteenth was William Hobbs, of Salem. Contracts for building material were let the following year. An organization, known as the Association for Young Friends, by systematic methods added to the funds for beautifying the grounds and constructing the buildings. The work gradually moved for- ward so that each year marked some distinct gain, although it was retarded by periods of depression. At one time, it seemed that all work would have to be indefinitely postponed, but perseverance won the day and we have the simple record that on "the seventh day of the sixth month, 1847," the Friends' boarding school was opened in the west wing of the projected building, which was afterwards named Earlham Hall. The number of students was not large and the equipment was scant, indeed. The efforts put
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