USA > Kansas > Wabaunsee County > Early history of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, with stories of pioneer days and glimpses of our western border.. > Part 6
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
District 56, organized April 7, 1371: first meeting April 22; Eli Samson, C. M. Trueblood and Eli Trueblood, first board: R. M. Tun- nell, county superintendent.
District 37, organized 1871; R. M. Tunnell, county superintendent.
District 38, organized July 10, 1871; first meeting July 28; R. M. Tunnell county superintendent.
District 39, established January 1, 1872: W. F. Cotton, county superintendent; first meeting January 16.
District 40, organized April 23, 1872: W. F. Cotton, county superin- tendent.
District 41, June, 1872; W. F. Cotton, county superintendent; first meeting July 8.
District 42, July 27, 1872; W. F. Cotton, county superintendent.
District 30, 1872; W. F. Cotton, county superintendent.
District 43, organized March 13, 1873; first meeting at house of S. S. Walkley: W. S. McCormick, county superintendent.
District 44, formed March 18, 1873, by W. S. McCormick. county superintendent; first meeting at Chas. North's, April 19.
District 45, formed March 17, 1873, by W. S. McCormick, county superintendent; first meeting at Herman Mueller's, April 19.
District 36, formed March 31, 1873, by W. S. McCormick, county superintendent; first meeting at J. H. Durham's April 30.
District 47, formed by W. S. McCormick, county superintendent, Jnne 23, 1873; first meeting at J. M. Brown's July, 1873.
Districts 48, 49, 50, formed June 23. 1874; officers of 48, P. Reding, A. J. Van Syckle and Henry Ronneau; first meeting held August 13; W. S. McCormick, county superintendent.
District 51 was formed in 1874 by W. S. McCormick, county super- intendent; first officers, J. D. Tabor, J. P. Gleich and A. Thowe, sr.
District 52 was formed at an adjourned meeting of the voters on July 15, 1876, by the election of T. Ronsse, director, T. D. Allison, clerk, and Michael Sweeney, treasurer; W. E. Richey, county super- intendent.
District 53 was formed February 19, 1878, by W. E. Richey, county superintendent.
District 54 was formed July 13, 1878, by W. E. Richey, county superintendent; first meeting at house of C. J. Malone August 8.
District 55, first meeting July 13, 1878, by W. E. Richey, county superintendent.
District 56 was formed in 1878 by W. E. Richey, county superin-
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN. 57
tendent
Districts 57 to 82, inclusive, and joint district 85 were formed by Matt Thomson, county superintendent, as follows: 57, first meeting held April 22, 1879: 58, first meeting held July 19, 1879; 59, first meeting held September 6, 1876: 60, first meeting held April 2, 1881; 61, first meeting held April 16, 1881; 62, first meeting held June 10, 1881; 63, first meeting, August 11, 1881: 64, first meeting, October 18, 1882; 65, first meeting, March 10, 1883; 66, first meeting, June 16, 1883; 67, first meeting, July 26, 1884; 68, first meeting, September 29, 1884; 69, first meeting. September 29, 1834; 70, first meeting, September 10, 1884; 71, first meeting, July 6, 1885: 72, first meeting, July 13, 1885; 73, first meet- ing July 18, 1885; 74, first meeting, July 18, 1885; 75, first meeting, July 18, 1885; 76, first meeting, August 18, 1885: 77, July 10, 1886; 78, first meeting, July 17, 18$6; 79, first meeting, August 12, 1886; 80, first meet- ing, August 12, 1886: 81. formed September 10, 1887; 82, first meeting, April 7, 1888; joint 85, first meeting, June 12, 1888: joint 100, first meet- ing, August 24, 1889, W W. Ramey, county superintendent: 83, first meeting, July 26, 1890, W. W. Ramey, county superintendent; 84, first meeting, July 24, 1890, W. W. Ramey, county superintendent: 85, first meeting, July 18, 1893, G. L. Clothier, county superintendent: 86, first meeting, July 27, 1893, G. L. Clothier, county superintendent; 87, first, meeting, October 5, 1893, G. L. Clothier. county superintendent; 88, first meeting, September 12, 1895, C. C. Carter, county superintendent.
SCHOOL NOTES.
The first school in Wabaunsee county was taught by Miss M. H. Cotton ( Mrs. J. T. Genn) in the town of Wabaunsee in the house occu- pied by Mr. A. J. Bownam as a residence. The house was built for a church. The size of the original structure was 14x20. Miss Cotton boarded with a family living in a sod house with a canvass roof. The size of this house was 12x14.
The first school house in district 3 was of logs and was built in 1862, size of building 12x16. It was located three-fourths of a mile northwest of Mr. C. D. Bean's residence. This was replaced by the stone building (afterwards abandoned on account of the cracked walls) in 1875. Miss Milda Gillespie taught the first school in the district. Miss Jennette Rose taught in 1863 for $8 per month, A. W. Gregory, district clerk.
The first school in district 4 was taught in 1860 by Miss Anna Keyes; wages $4 50 per week. The building was 14x18 feet and after- wards moved to the farm of Mr. A. F. Wade and used as a corn crib.
The first school in district 5 was taught in 1860 by Miss Mary Gar-
1
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
rison in a log house 14x16, located on the farm since owned by Mr. George Barnes. Four dollars a week was the wages paid. Miss Garri- son was afterwards married to Dr. Allen, secretary of state.
The first school in district 6 was taught by S. H. Wellingham in 1857. in a log house 12x14, located just across the road from the stone building since used for school purposes; wages $20 per month.
The first school in district 8 was taught by G. B. Woostrow, who received for his services $15 per month. The school house was of logs and for the time, one of the best school houses in the county. The building was valued at $200 and was located about 200 yards southwest of the present site, on the farm of Mr. Peter Thoes.
The first school house in district 9 was built of shakes or clap- boards and located on the farm of William Kreig, now owned by Henry Reuter. The first school was taught in 1862 by Miss Emma Bisbey; wages $8 per month; size of building 14x16
Mr. Carl Berner taught the first term of school in district 10 (Tem- plin) in 1865, receiving $15 per month. The house was of logs and although the district was formed in 1864, the school house was not built till the year following, for the reason assigned by the clerk in his report to the county superintendent: "Owing to the Indian ex- citement " The Kaw reservation was but a few miles away, and so apprehensive were the settlers of a threatened uprising that a stone fort was built within two hundred yards of the present site of the school house in anticipation of a raid from the Kaws
The first school in district 11 (Wilmington) was taught by Miss Mary Herron in 1860; wages $8 per month. School was held in a con- crete stone building of one room 10x14 erected by Mr. Spear for a shoe shop.
Miss Anna Harvey taught the first term of school in district.13 in 1860, in a log house 14x18; wages $6 per month. Miss Harvey boarded around. The school house was located on the farm of Mr. George Sanner, who occupied the building as a residence after the completion of the stone building near the residence of Mr. Joseph McCoy. Mr. W. A. Doolittle taught several terms in the old log school house.
Mr. G. B. Woostrow taught the first school in district 14 (Halifax) in 1863: wages $20 per month. The house was built of logs and after- wards weather-boarded; size of building 16xIS. The house was located just north of J. B Crumb's home, but was moved one hundred yards west and used as a residence. The writer taught a six months term of school in this building in the winter of 1877-78.
The first school in district 19 was taught in Mr. John Frank's
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
house in 1876 by Miss Eola Warner. The building was of logs and the size of building 12x14. There were but two pupils, Ulysses and Gabriel Frank.
Miss Arvilla Keyes taught the first school in district 21, in 1868, in a log school house 12x16; wages $20 per month.
The first term of school in district 22 was taught by Miss Ella A. Dibble, in 1868. The school house was of logs and located on the farm of Mr. S. C. Gladden. Size of building, 10x12.
Miss Ermina Halderman, in 1868, taught the first term of school in district 23-in a double log house on the farm of Horace Paul. School was taught in the west room, the east room being occupied by the family of Mr. George Vannatta. After the west half was torn away the east room was occupied by Mr. Walker, an old bachelor.
The last log school house was built in district 24 in 1869, of logs hauled from the Pottawatomie reserve, after being cut by a squatter for his own use. The building was 18 feet square and used for school purposes until replaced by a stone building in 1884, after which the log house was used as a crib. The building stood on the hill one half mile south of the present site and for a number of years church services were held in the old log school house.
Marion Meredith taught the first term of school in district 27, in the 10x14 log cabin belonging to an old bachelor named Enoch Colton. Mr. S. G. Cantrill afterwards bought the log cabin, moved it onto his farm and used it as a corn crib.
In a small house sided with flooring, Miss Elmah Montgomery taught the first school in district 29, in 1870. The house was used by Robert Haslett and John Sudweeks when both were bachelors. Miss Montgomery is now Mrs. Micajah Hamilton.
In district 40, Mr. Micajah Hamilton taught the first term of school in 1872, in the shed room of the house occupied by Marion Reynolds. Mr. Andrew Mairs bought the property and for many years resided there.
The first school house in district 41 was built of logs, on the farm of John McCrumb, who after making some alterations, used it as a residence. The stone house was then built but later sold and the frame building now in use at McFarland erected.
Miss Eva Ames taught the first school in district 48, in 1875, in a frame house on the farm of Mr. Henry Ronneau.
The first school in district 49 was taught in the stone house that afterwards served Mr. Peter Taylor as a residence.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
By consulting the records further relative to the question of wages we find that the amounts paid, though small, was perhaps due more to a scarcity of funds than from a stinginess on the part of district boards. In 1860 the clerk of district 13 in his annual report says: "At our an- nual meeting last year we voted all the tax the law would allow. When all is collected it will amount to about $33." In that year the district paid their teacher, Miss Harvey, $6 per month for a three months term and two years later employed Miss Rachel Dunmire- now Mrs. Joseph Richards, of Burlingame, the same wages as were paid Miss Harvey.
In 1861 Miss Louisa Todd received $8 per month in district 11. In 1864 Mrs. Harriet E. Woods received but $2 per week for a five months term in district 13. In 1862 Miss Susan Andres-Mrs T. O. Hill- taught a term of school in district 12 for $10 per month.
It is fair to presume that in cases where low wages were received the teacher boarded around. But the custom was not universal. In 1861 Mr. W. F. Cotton received the comparatively high rate of $20 per month as teacher in district 2. In 1864 Mr. George Daily received $22 per month in district 5. Mr. Daily would doubtless look upon the amount paid as hardly adequate to support his family, to say nothing of laying aside a nest egg for a rainy day. In 1864 Mr. J. H. Gould re- ceived $20 per month in district 1 and two years later Mr. J. E. Platt received $25 per month in the same district.
The school houses at an early period of our county's history put forth no claims to architectural beauty without nor was there any at- tempt at inordinate display within. The rude bench or table besides serving the purpose of the more luxurious appendages of today had this to commend them-they were the best the people in their straightened circumstances could afford. A people to whom poverty was no stranger were concerned about what could be obtained rather than what they might desire.
In the old log school house of the past, pupils with intellects as bright, from homes just as hospitable, eagerly listened to the instruc- tion imparted by teachers who labored as hard as any to be found in the educational field today.
The auxiliaries that tended to advance the cause of education in the past were just as helpful as are their prototypes today. The spelling school was equally beneficial (and more frequently called to- gether) the singing just as pleasant and the Sunday meeting none the less edifying than are similar gatherings of the present-at least for those who might be tempted to smile at the picture suggested by the log school house of the past. for 'twas but yesterday that we-our brothers, our sisters and ourselves-sat on the rude benches and listened to the voice of song from men and women just as prayerful
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MRS. DAISY THOMSON PALENSKE, Alma.
MISS AMANDA FIX, Yampa, Colo.
MR. JAMES L. THOMSON (dec'dl), Plumb Township.
MR. EMERSON SHOECRAFT, Eskridge.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
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MR. JOHN WINKLER, McFarland.
MR. JOHN WINKLER, McFarland, as an officer in the Prussian army.
MR. WM. HORNE, SR., Spring Creek.
MR. JACOB HORNE, Alma.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. ED. WORSLEY, Maple Hill. Former County Commissioner.
MR. D. U. MILLISON (Register of Deeds), and family. Alma.
PROF. C. M. LOWRY, Principal of the Eskridge Schools.
MR. W. C. COOK, Eskridge.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. AUGUST HANSON, McFarland.
MR. G. H. MEIER, Alma.
MR. WM. TREU (Dec'd), Former Sheriff.
MR. W. D. DEANS (Dec'd) Former County Surveyor.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. J. M. HUBBARD. Wabaunsee. Lieut., 11th Kansas Volunteers.
MR. A. A. COTTRELL, Wabaunsee.
MR. L. RICHARDS, Rock Creek. Former Probate Judge.
MR. J. W. MOSSMAN (dec'd), Mission Creek.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
DR. W. H. H. SMITH, Alma.
DR. C. E. SMITH, Alma.
MR. L. PALENSKE, Alma. Former Representative.
MR. J. M. ECK (dec'd), Alma. Former County Commissioner.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. C. B. LINES (dec'd), Wabaunsee. Former Representative.
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MR. W. S. WILLIAMS (dec'd), Wabaunsee.
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MR. G. G. HALL (dec'd), Wabaunsee. Former Probate Judge.
MR. E. J. LINES (dec'd), Wabaunsee, Former County Attorney.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABA UNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. PETER RIYNARD (Dec'd), E.kridge.
MR. SAMUEL WOODS (Dec'd). Harveyvlile.
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DRUMM BROS., Eskridge.
MR. THOS. OLIVER, Mapic Hill.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MRS. MARY LOUISA KLOCKMAN, Alma.
MRS. ANNA ANDERSON (dec'd), Alta Vista.
MR. HERMAN ARNDT, Templin.
MR. AUGUST WOLGAST, Templin.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. CHAS. N. EARL (dec'd), Eskridge. Former County Commissioner.
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MR. FRANK RICKERSHAUSER, near Paxico.
MR. ANDREW BELL, Kaw Township. ] County Commissioner.
MR. JOSEPH SCHUTTER, Farmer Township.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
just as earnest, just as devout, as is the devotee of to-day. In the early days pupils received instruction from teachers deserv- ing of equal praise to that accorded the occupant of the highest chair in our State University. They were the pioneers of education- engaged in the work of spanning the gulf that separated barbarism from civilization.
Interested in the New Education.
In the early days interest in school work was not lacking; teachers of experience were. in all cases, given the preference. The teacher, · though a stranger, was received with that spirit of welcome so charac- teristic of the people. A case in point was that of a teacher from an eastern state. His recommendations secured him a hearty welcome in a district, the people of which, were anxious to enjoy the advantages of which his coming gave promise. Arrangements being made that were mutually satisfactory our new teacher entered upon his duties. After a time a member of the board who took a deep interest in the cause of education, concluded to visit the school-on a rainy day, when his services on the farm were not particularly needed. Having heard much of the progress in matters pertaining to education, and being desirous of knowing something more of a system of teaching far beyond that within the range of his own experience he was doubly anxious to see for himself the wonders of the new education. On opening the door what does he see? There is but one pupil present (by reason of the inclemency of the weather) but he is making good his claim to apt scholarship, for the teacher, stretched at full length on one of the rude benches is fast asleep, and his pupil, beneath the bench. equally oblivious of surrounding objects, is trying to rival his teacher in his endeavors to raise the roof-by his snoring. This true story is of no particular value in the line of corroborative testimony relative to the correct estimate to be placed upon the average teacher's recommendations.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABA UNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
Wrote His Sentiments.
The teacher was handsome and her visitor had been honored by the voters of the county and he was doing the people good service as their county attorney. But realizing the truth of the old adage that all work and no play tends to make of Jack, a dull boy, our county official with the flowing beard concluded to go on a vacation.
To go to the mountains of Colorado was out of the question for it was at a time when competitive rates were unknown for the very good reason that the large majority of the railroad lines had an existence only on the maps.
But among the pretty school maams at the examination was Miss ----. from lowa, his own native state. She was teaching near Dover and he would go down and incidentally assist in disposing of a few of Mrs Loomis's pies.
Being a school teacher by profession it was but natural that he should visit the school, and as such visitor he was expected to write his name in the teacher's register-in that part of the book every teacher can refer to with pride-for as a rule in the column of "Re- marks" nothing but flattering testimonials ever finds a place.
Looking over the visitor's register our ex-pedagogue learns that Mary Jones has left in the record: "Good school: good teacher." John Smith has supplemented the statement, with "Good teacher: excellent order." When the county superintendent called-a few days before the election, he expressed his admiration of the teacher's work by: "An earnest and efficient teacher and an interesting and progressive school." Having no blotter at hand it is possible that our visiting superintendent returned the book to the teacher unclosed-for fear of blotting the page, of course. More than likely he expected an invitation home to supper and there is a bare possibility that he wasn't disappointed.
But this matter cuts no figure with our ex-pedagogne out for recreation. He finds that Mrs. Williams had indicated her approval of the teacher's methods by: "Am well pleased with the school." Peter Wilson, a farmer's boy bluntly says: "Teacher all right: school, ditto." When the director called he left in buld characters: "Disci- pline perfect. am glad to see the pupils interested in the great cause of
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
education; in future years they will realize that knowledge is the power that moves the world."
But our visitor who was elected by the suffrages of the people to an important office is no copyist. He looks about him and views with complacency the evidences of good government and excellent intellec- tual development. The prompt answers elicit his unqualified approval and warmest approbation. But he sees more than all this. He ob- serves the sparkling eye that is responsible for any talismanic effects that may be indicated by the prompt responses to the questions propounded by the teacher. It may not be out of place here to state that our visitor was the owner in fee simple of an Iowa farm, and the occupation of a farmer embodying (to his mind) all the phases of an ideal existence all that was needed to render his future a life of unalloyed happiness was a home on the farm and a handsome ex-school- marm to preside at the opposite end of the table. With this explana- tion these written words in the register need no further interpreta- tion: "I like the teacher very much."
Among the old letters on file in the County Superintendent's office is one Indicating the difference in the methods of examining teachers then and now. The letter is from a patron of a country district inquiring as to the date of the superintendent's contemplated visit, accompanied by this statement: "Miss - is teaching our school and wants to be examined for a certificate when yon come into our neighborhood." The method has this to recommend it-it is more convenient to the teacher and the expense of an examining board is dispensed with.
'The teacher's work in the school room should tend to the forma- tion and development of correct habits-the foundation of a good character. The work of each day of a pupil's school life should add to his ability to fight the battle of life successfully: should tend to make of each and every pupil a useful member of society.
The teacher who neglects to avail himself of the opportunity afforded on the last day of school to create a lasting impression on his pupils throws away one of the best of his opportunities. Though an air of solemnity pervade the exercises no fears need be entertained as to their harmful effects. However painful the parting words, it will hold, none the less, a valued place in memory's storehouse. It will the better serve as a medium to impress illegibly upon plastic minds such lessons as only on such occasions as this may be readily inculcated. No pupil. however listless during the long weeks of the term about to
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABA UNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
close, but feels the impressiveness of the occasion. However regard- less of the teacher's timely admonitions he may have been, he more than ever before realizes the value of time lost; more than ever is enabled to place a proper estimate on advice unheeded -on opportuni- ties that may never again be presented. As the last whispers of a dear departing friend are ineffacibly engraved on memory's tablet, so may the teacher's parting words to his pupils on the last day of school serve as a beacon to many a darkened pathway-exert a potent influence in shaping the course of a hitherto aimless life. Be careful lest the opportunity be thrown away: take heed lest a blighted existence be laid at your feet.
At the close of the State Teachers' Association, held during the past winter, the President. while addressing the teachers, bluntly asked the question, "What is all this about?" "What are we here for?" We might well make a personal application of the answer suggested. Unless we shall go forth from our labors here the better prepared to assist the pupils of the schools in the work of preparation for future usefulness, then our coming together as teachers has been in vain. We feel assured that each and every teacher will go hence capable of doing better work: that they will be prompted by nobler impulses We feel warranted in the statement that your aims will be higher, and that greater results will be accomplished. We trust that your labors here and in the school room will be appreciated in a man- ner commensurate with your most extravagant anticipations. May your labors be lightened by that hearty spirit of co-operation so neer s- sary as an auxiliary in bringing about a correct solution of the educa- tional problem. We trust that you will bring to your assistance every possible aid. The essential elements of success are embodied in a thorough knowledge of your surroundings, a conscientious regard for the welfare of your pupils, and a strict application to duty.
Let some potent influence enable us to realize the magnitude of our undertaking-that the footsteps of the little ones placed in our keeping may be guided aright. To them the future is a dark unfath- omable mystery. The great world beyond the portals of the school- room is a labyrinth of mysterious windings which will lead to success or failure. We can provide the chart leading to the one, or we can, by our carelessness, permit the placing of such obstacles in the way as will insure the destruction of all their hopes. The chart once supplied let its markings be clear and unmistakable. Here, in a cool, shady nook, Idleness is ever lounging, and at this point we will place our first danger signal. Just beyond, Pleasure. awaits the coming of the youthful travelers. We will detail, as a guard, our faithful auxiliary. Duty, lest Pleasure fire of her wards and give them in charge of her
twin sister. Vice. With Industry as a constant companion, and Honor, as a guide, where dangers threaten, we need have no fears but that our charges will reach the haven of their hopes, and we receive our reward in the heartfelt thanks of our patrons, the lasting grati- tude of our pupils, and the consciousness within ourselves of having performed our duty .-- From Matt. Thomson's address at close of Insti-
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