USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, from the first settlement to the close of 1892 > Part 21
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).
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 | Part 37 | Part 38
CLOSSAR (OR UNION ) DISTRICT, NO. 61.
A petition of Daniel Corell and a number of the neighbors was pre- sented for the formation of a district in the southwest corner of Richland township. There is no record of the date of this, but it seems to have been formed sometime in 1870. The officers for that year were: J. F. Chamberlain, director ; F. M. Mendenhall, clerk ; and Samuel Hull, treas- urer.
FROG POND DISTRICT, NO. 62,
Was formed May 18, 1872, on a petition of P. H. Cherry, G. Spicer and others, and is situated in the southeast corner of Neosho township.
MOUNT TRIUMPH DISTRICT, NO. 63.
James M. Kinnamon, Isaac Wylch and others presented a petition for the formation of a district in the central-northern part of Mound Valley township. It was formed June 18, 1872, an order for its formation hav- ing been made on May 20th, 1872. It lies in both Osage and Mound Valley townships.
CRANSTON DISTRICT, NO. 64.
A petition of James Cahill, Wm. O'Brien, Timothy O'Conner and a number of others was presented to the Superintendent for the formation of a school district embracing the central-northern part of Walton town- ship. This petition seems to have been acted upon, and the district formed in June, 1870. There is no record giving anything definite as to its formation farther than is here stated. November 10, 1871, on the application of Wm. M. Rogers, the first election was called for this dis- trict.
GLOBE DISTRICT, NO. 65.
Miss Ida Stevenson taught the first school in the district, in the fall of 1870, in a small claim building belonging to J. O. Stotts. There is no record showing when the district was organized, but it was probably early in 1870. The record shows the board in 1870, which must have been the first board, consisted of - Ames, director ; O. F. Presson, clerk ; and George McDole, treasurer. The first public school was taught by Mrs. H. A. Boleman, in one of the rooms of her dwelling, commencing in the
207
EDUCATIONAL.
fall of 1871; she taught several terms in succession there. The district is located in the northeastern part of Mound Valley township.
LEE DISTRICT, NO. 66,
Is situated in the northwestern corner of Labette township. We have no record of its formation or work prior to 1872, when Alfred H. Lee, E. D. Graybill and John B. Daniel were reported as the board.
M'CLINTOCK (OR TRENTON) DISTRICT, NO. 67,
Was organized December 15, 1870, and embraced the southeast corner of . Howard township. The first meeting in the district was in the house of E. B. Baldwin, on April 8, 1871, at which the following officers were elected : W. J. Mcclintock, director ; E. B. Baldwin, clerk; Benjamin Wade or J. M. Hart, treasurer. This was the first district organized in Howard township. The first school in the district was taught by J. M. Hart, in a little cabin on his place, in the fall and winter of 1871. This was a subscription school. In the spring of 1872 a new school-house was built, and, commencing April 22, 1872, W. J. Millikin taught the first public school in the district.
FAIRVIEW DISTRICT, NO. 68,
Is located in the western part of Mound Valley township. C. H. Lesley, E. Stapleton and Alexander Moore were interested in the securing of its organization, which was effected under an order made December 30, 1870. The first school-house was built by subscription, out of native lumber, and a school taught therein by Mrs. Hess, in 1871. That year bonds were voted, and the house was remodeled and fixed for a winter school, which was held the following winter. After the division of the district in 1883, additional bonds were voted, and a new school-house was built in 1884. Elisha Stapleton, J. J. Dickens and A. Moore were the first officers.
UNION DISTRICT, NO. 69,
Was formed January 31, 1871, and embraced the southwest corner of Labette township. The first meeting was at the house of Isaac Padget, February 20, 1871. In the summer of 1871 the first school-house was built in the district ; this was the first school-house in the township. The first school in the township was taught in this building by Miss Carrie M. Beggs, commencing the first of December, 1871. Andrew J. Heaton, Robert Vance and S. M. Hinshaw were the first officers ; in the spring of 1871, John P. Hight, Isaac Padget and S. M. Hinshaw were elected.
FOLAND DISTRICT, NO. 70,
Was formed February 8, 1871, and lay in the eastern part of Hackberry township and western part of Richland. The first meeting was held at the house of Isaac Butterworth, in February, 1871. The first officers
208
HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
were Samuel Cellars, L. H. Reed, and L. H. Lockwood. The school- house was built, but not plastered, in the fall of 1871, and in that winter James Dickey taught the first school. A new school-house was erected in 1892.
NEWELL DISTRICT, NO. 71,
Was formed May 1, 1871. It lay in the southwest corner of Fairview and the northwest corner of Hackberry. The first meeting was held at the house of G. W. Williams, and the following elected as the board : James Newell, director; Samuel B. Good, clerk ; James Pottenger, treasurer. The first school was taught in a building belonging to James McCoy.
VALLEY DISTRICT, NO. 72,
Was formed May 3, 1871. It lies in the central-eastern part of Elm Grove township. The first meeting was held at the house of Henry Pit- man, on May 15, 1871. L. Edmondson, D. S. Robbins and C. - were the first officers.
WIMMER (NOW EDNA) DISTRICT, NO. 73.
An order was made May 3, 1871, for the formation of District No. 73, lying in the central part of Elm Grove township, and an election called for May 15, 1871, at the house of Owen Wimmer. The district failed to or- ganize under this order, and on May 30, 1872, a new order was made for the organization of the district, and the first election called for May 30, 1872, at the house of P. C. Goodwin. The building in the district was erected in the fall of 1872, and completed the fore part of December. It was completed on Monday, and on Tuesday W. J. Millikin opened therein the first school in the district. The building stood in the southeast cor- ner of the northwest quarter of section 30, township 34, range 19, and when the railroad was laid out the projected line ran directly through the building. It was then sold to Thomas Bickham, and moved a little to the north and used as a Free Methodist church. In the fall of 1886 a new four-room school-house was erected and furnished, at a cost of $2,000.
PATRICK (OR SHROUT) DISTRICT, NO. 74,
Embraced a tract of land lying north and west of Oswego, extending from the Neosho river to the west side of the township, and was organ- ized May 8, 1871, on a petition dated April 14, 1871, signed by J. H. Holt, R. P. Bagby, Elisha Hammer, A. C. Baker, and others. The first elec- tion was held May 19, 1871. This district has undergone many changes since its organization. After the organization of the district the school was taught for some time in the old college building. After that was torn down and removed a new school-house was built.
ELMWOOD (OR SLOCUM) DISTRICT, NO. 75,
Is located in the central and northern part of Mound Valley township, and was on the petition of Josephus Moore, Seth Wells, R. W. Simpson,
209
EDUCATIONAL.
and others, organized by order dated May 12, 1871. The first was held May 25, 1871. The first school officers were S. W. Slocum, Wm. Rob- bins, and Henry Terwilliger. The school-house was built in the summer of 1871. The following winter a three-months school was taught by Mr. Jones, at a salary of $25 per month.
ST. JOHN DISTRICT, NO. 76.
This district is situated in the central and western part of Osage town- ship. I have not been able to find any record giving an account of its formation, nor have I found any of the old settlers who can give such in- formation. But the order for its formation was evidently made in 1871. It is said that the first teacher in the district was Miss Sadie Chambers. This has been one of the most enterprising districts in the county, and the school has always stood high.
PLEASANT HILL DISTRICT, NO. 77.
On July 27, 1871, George W. Blake, J. A. Jamison, P. Stevenson, and a great many others petitioned for a district in the southeast part of Osage township, on which the superintendent made an order October 20th, 1871, forming it into District ?? , and appointing the first school meeting to be held at the house of J. L. Hills. The first officers consisted of J. T. Hills, director; George W. Blake, clerk ; P. Stevenson, treasurer.
WILLOW BRANCH DISTRICT, NO. 78,
Lies in the western part of Mount Pleasant township and eastern part of Canada, and was organized on an order made October 20, 1871. The first meeting was held at the house of S. Briner, November 19, 1871. W. H. Steel was elected director, D. S. Jackson treasurer, W. H. Mapes, clerk. The first school-house was built by subscription, and in this the day and Sunday schools were held until the erection of the new house.
SYLVAN DALE DISTRICT, NO. 79.
This district is situated in the northwest part of Osage township, and was organized in 1870, on the petition of Wm. Padget and others. The first school was taught by Miss Maxwell; Maggie Adams and Edna Blake were early teachers. The first officers were David Lensy, Paulus Eisley, and A. H. Lockhart.
ELSTON DISTRICT, NO. 80,
Was formed January 3, 1872, on the petition of J. T. Waller, John El- ston, J. O. King, Thomas D. Bickham and others, on December 19, 1870, in the corners of Fairview, Liberty, Labette and Mount Pleasant town- ships. The first meeting was held January 20, 1872, at the house of M. V. B. Watson. The following officers were elected : Silas Prayther, director: M. V. B. Watson, clerk; J. O. King, treasurer.
-14
210
HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
MILLER (OR THE BRICK) DISTRICT, NO. 81.
On June 10, 1872, an order was made for the organization of District 81, in the northwest corner of the county, on the request of J. B. Quinn, It seems that this territory was thereafter formed into a union district. and on March 18, 1875, a new district with this same number was organ- ized, in the southeast corner of Walton township. The first meeting was held April 24, 1875.
CALDWELL DISTRICT, NO. 82,
Originally embraced three miles square in the northeast corner of Labette township, and was formed January 10, 1872. The first meeting was held at the house of John M. Caldwell, January 5, 1872, at which the follow- ng officers were elected : L. A. Wood, director; John M. Caldwell, clerk ; James Martin, treasurer. Miss Carrie M. Beggs taught the first school, in a private claim house. School-house completed in 1872.
HENDERSON (NOW WILSONTON) DISTRICT, NO. 83.
On January 1, 1872, E. M. Reeder and a number of others petitioned for a district in the central and western part of Labette township. On May 15, 1872, an order for its formation was made, and the first meeting called for May 30th, at the house of William Collins. In the summer Miss Carrie M. Beggs taught the first school, in a claim house. School- house built in 1872.
EMMONS DISTRICT, NO. 84.
This district was formed in the northwest part of Canada township, on an order made March 5, 1872. The first election was held at the house of J. Herrington, March 28, 1872. Otho Wilson taught the first school. Bonds in the sum of $1,000 were issued, and a house was built in the fall. Alexander Duncan taught the first school therein. The first board was composed of J. J. Higgins, Alexander Duncan, and James Sweet.
LIEB DISTRICT, NO. 85.
On March 26, 1872, Christian Lieb and a number of others petitioned for the formation of a district in the southeast of Canada and northeast part of Howard townships, and on May 15th an order was made for its formation. The first election was called for May 30th, at the house of Christian Lieb. This school-house was built in the summer of 1872, and that winter J. K. Russell taught the first school therein. The first board consisted of Christian Lieb, John D. Vance, and Jonathan Pearson.
SUNNY SIDE DISTRICT, NO. 86,
Was formed June 3, 1872, in the territory adjoining Chetopa on the north. The first meeting was held in the house of J. C. Wright, June 14, 1872, at which the following officers were elected : J. C. Wright, director; L. D. Bovee, clerk ; J. B. Sartain, treasurer. A house was built that year.
211
EDUCATIONAL.
CECIL (OR LIGGETT) DISTRICT, NO. 87.
Is situated in the southwest corner of Hackberry township. The record of its organization and early history is all a blank. A house costing $600 is said to have been built in 1872; and the first officers are said to have been William Liggett, director; W. B. Trissol, clerk; A. J. Barnes, treasurer. EXCELSIOR DISTRICT, NO. 88,
Was formed in the northern part of Mound Valley township, May 3, 1873. The first meeting was held July 30, 1873. Samuel Mayginnis, J. D. Elli- son and J. F. Butts were the first school officers. The first school was taught by J. F. Finley, in a house belonging to J. F. Butts, in 1873. The school-house in the district was built in 1874.
NOBLE DISTRICT, NO. 89.
In 1872 a large petition was presented for the formation of a district in the southeast corner of Mount Pleasant township. There is no record of the formation thereof until the spring of 1873. The first meeting was held and the officers elected May 27, 1873.
KEELER DISTRICT, NO. 90,
Was organized in the northwest corner of Elm Grove township, April 26, 1873. The first meeting was held June 5, 1873.
BELLE DISTRICT, NO. 91,
Was formed in the west part of Mount Pleasant township, December 31, 1873. The first meeting was held January 31, 1874.
HAWKINS (OR KINGSTON) DISTRICT, NO. 92,
Is located in the southwest corner of Elm Grove township, and was or- ganized January 29, 1874. The first meeting was held March 3, 1874.
TWIN MOUND DISTRICT, NO. 93,
Was formed in the northwestern part of Osage township, April 4, 1874. The first meeting was held May 23. 1874.
RICHLAND (OR YOUNG) DISTRICT, NO. 94,
Was formed in the northern part of Canada township, June 18, 1874. The first meeting was held August 1, 1874. A school-house was built in the district in the fall of 1874. The first school in the district was taught by Richard Mckenzie.
JANES DISTRICT, NO. 95.
April 15, 1872, W. H. Mapes and others petitioned for the formation of a district in the southwest corner of Mount Pleasant township. It does not appear to have been organized prior to June 18th, 1874, when the order therefor was made and the organization completed, August 1. 1874. The first school meeting was held at the residence of Noah Guy- man. John Hulse was elected director and Milo Hildreth clerk. The
212
HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
first school was taught in the summer of 1874, by Mrs. Mary Owens, in a house belonging to Mr. Decker, with an average attendance of less than 4 scholars. School was held in rented buildings until the fall of 1878, when a new school-house was erected, the first school in which was taught by Mrs. Eliza Rust.
HAZEL DELL DISTRICT, NO. 96,
Is a joint district, situated near the northwest corner of the county, in connection with territory in Montgomery county. It was organized in 1872, or at least steps were taken as early as that to secure an organi- zation, and a house was built very soon after its organization. The first board consisted of W. T. Fallon, director; J. T. Finley, clerk ; J. W. Phebus, treasurer. The first school was taught by John Stroud.
M'KENNAN DISTRICT, NO. 97,
Was formed in the northwestern part of Howard township, March 11, 1873. The first meeting was held April 10, 1873. The school-house in this district was first built on the west side of Pumpkin creek, and was thereafter removed to the east side of the creek.
BAYLOR DISTRICT, NO. 98,
Located in the southeastern part of Hackberry township, was formed March 12, 1873. The first meeting was held April 15, 1873.
BELL MOUND DISTRICT, NO. 99,
Was formed in the southeastern part of Mound Valley township, March 14, 1873. The first meeting was held April 11, 1873. The first officers were Cyrus Hopkins, M. F. Wakefield, and Ira Ross. In December, 1873, Herman Wade opened the first school. Colin Hodge was treasurer of this district for a number of years.
PIETY HILL DISTRICT, NO. 100,
Was formed in the southeastern part of Richland township, April 15, 1873. The first meeting was held May 22, 1875. That fall a school- house costing $900 was erected.
WOODRUFF (OR MILL VALLEY) DISTRICT, NO. 101.
Notices of formation of this district were posted October 8, 1880. Offi- cers were elected and organization completed November 8, 1880. This district is situated in the western part of Oswego township.
MAPLE GROVE DISTRICT, NO. 102,
Was organized July 16, 1881, in the northwestern part of Osage township. The first meeting was held at the house of M. E. Sparks, July 16, 1881.
COOK DISTRICT, NO. 103,
Is situated in the southern part of Richland township, and was organized July 28, 1881. The first meeting was held at the house of Wm. Cook,
213
EDUCATIONAL.
July 28, 1881. Daniel Corell, E. C. Albrook and a number of other parties petitioned for the formation of this district. The order is dated June 18, 1881.
M. K. & T. DISTRICT, NO. 104,
Is located in the northwestern part of North township, and was organ- ized June 10, 1882. The first meeting was held at the house of S. E. Cornelius, June 10, 1882.
PLEASANT VIEW DISTRICT, NO. 105,
Is located in the eastern part of Mound Valley township, and was organ- ized December 8, 1883. The first meeting was held at the house of R. Terhune, December 8, 1883. The first school officers were A. B. Gibs, H. K. Baker, and J. C. Lesley. A school-house was built in 1884, and the first school was taught there in the winter of 1884, by Miss Lina Gibs.
BALLOU DISTRICT, NO. 106,
Is situated in the northern part of Labette township; was organized February 16, 1884. The first meeting was held at the house of Robert N. Davis, January 11, 1884.
MOOREIIEAD DISTRICT, NO. 107,
Is located in the northwestern corner of Osage township, and is a joint district.
ROSEDALE DISTRICT, NO. 108,
Located in the western part of Fairview township, was organized May 6. 1884. The first meeting was held at the house of F. M. Poe, May 16, 1884.
ROSE HILL DISTRICT, NO. 109,
Located in the south-central part of Elin Grove township, was organized April 30, 1884. The first meeting was held April 30, 1884.
BARTLETT DISTRICT, NO. 110,
Is situated in the central part Hackberry township, including the town of Bartlett, and and was organized June 3, 1889. The school-house was built that fall, and in it, commencing in December, J. L. Edmundson commenced teaching the first school in the district.
JARBOE DISTRICT, NO. 111.
On February 27, 1892, J. A. Jarboe and William Scott applied for the formation of a new district, and on March 1st the order was made for the formation of a district embracing territory in Walton and Osage town- ships. An appeal having been taken from the action of the County Su- perintendent, it was not until July 8th that the hearing was had before the Commissioners, when the action of the Superintendent was sustained. The first election was held July 18th, at which the following officers were elected : William Turner, director; William Scott, clerk ; J. A. Jarboe, treasurer. Bonds were soon issued. and a new school-house costing $500
214
HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
was erected on the southeast corner of section 13, in Osage township, in which, on October 10th, the first school was opened, by Lillie Willi.
GRADING COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
Prior to 1889 no attempt had been made toward securing uniformity in the course of study and standard of scholarship in the various country schools. At the request of the County Superintendent the County Com- missioners made an order on July 3, 1889, authorizing a set of Welch's Classification Records for the use of each school district in the county, together with proper blanks for making reports, etc. A circular letter was sent out by the County Superintendent to each of the teachers, giv- ing information in reference to the examinations that would be required for promotion and graduation. Nearly all the schools in the county adopted the prescribed course of study and made preparations for their students to take part in the examinations that should thereafter be held. The first examination under this arrangement was held on April 18, 1890, at a designated place in each township, where schools in such township could be represented. Ninety - nine applicants were examined, 34 of whom ( 5 boys and 29 girls ) attained the required average, and passed. Commencement exercises were held during the early part of June at sev- eral places in the county, and on July Ist the final commencement for all of those who had passed the examination was held at the opera house in Oswego. This work has been continued each year since, with very grat- ifying results. The entire graduation thus far is as follows: 1890, 5 boys, 29 girls, total 34; 1891, 16 boys, 34 girls, total 50; 1892, 23 boys, 32 girls, total 55.
INSTITUTES.
The first teachers' institute in Labette county was held in Oswego, June 1-4, 1869. It was called and conducted by R. J. Elliott, County Superintendent, with the assistance of the teachers of the county. Peter Mc Vicar, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was present one day, and lectured in the evening. On November 9-12 of the same year a second session was held, at Chetopa, under the same general direction, with an attendance of 24 teachers. On July 12, 1870, the next session was held in Chetopa, under the charge of the Superintendent. Prof. B. F. Mudge was present at this institute, and rendered valuable assistance. The next session was held in Oswego, commencing June 12, 1871, with Colonel J. W. Horner in charge, and 28 teachers in attendance. General Fraser, State Superintendent, visited this institute, and lectured. Two sessions of the institute were held in 1872, the first at Oswego, commenc- ing February 5th, with 35 teachers in attendance ; the second at Chetopa,
215
EDUCATIONAL.
commencing November 25th. At the close of this latter session, on No- vember 28th, a county teachers' association was formed. In January, 1873, Miss Mary A. Higby came into office as County Superintendent, and continued to hold the position for six years. Under her superin- tendency the institutes were even more successful than they had formerly been. One session each year was held at Oswego during the first four years of her administration, viz., 1873-'76, all of which were well at- tended and gave good satisfaction.
NORMAL INSTITUTES.
. In the winter of 1877 the Legislature provided for a four-weeks session, with paid instructors, and a charge to those who attended. Previous to this the institutes had been only from two to five or six days; the in- struction had been free, generally given by the County Superintendent and some of the leading teachers in the county. On August 6, 1877, the first institute under this law opened in Oswego, with Prof. J. B. Holbrook as conductor, and over 100 teachers in attendance. The most satisfac- tory results were attained. This institute went far toward popularizing the idea of a long institute under paid instructors. With the exception of two years, all of the normal institutes, commencing with 1877, have been held in Oswego. Those for 1880 and 1892 were held at Parsons. Up to 1885 the attendance at the institute ranged from about 100 to 135. Since that time, with possibly one exception, the attendance has been considerably larger, reaching 200 in 1891 and 302 in 1892 ; the latter be- ing, it is said, the largest normal institute ever held in the State. The institutes have been under the charge of a conductor, with usually two and sometimes more assistant instructors. The following is a list of the conductors : 1877-78, J. B. Holbrook; 1879-80, L. M. Knowles ; 1881, Buel T. Davis ; 1882, Lee Tomlin ; 1883, J. N. Ross ; 1884, Lee Tomlin ; 1885-86, J. W. Weltner; 1887, D. E. Sanders; 1888, J. N. E. Monroe ; 1889, C. H. Harris ; 1890, T. W. Conway ; 1891, C. H. Harris; 1892, J. W. Weltuer.
TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
No formal organization of the teachers of the county was had prior to 1872, although teachers' institutes had been held since 1869. On Novem- ber 28, 1872, the teachers' institute having just closed, the teachers who had been in attendance came together and organized a county teachers' association. Miss Mary A. Higby, who had just been elected County Superintendent, was elected its first president, and Mrs. E. Williams sec- retary. An association has been maintained most of the time since then, a part of the time in a very efficient condition, but sometimes indications of life were scarcely discernible. The meetings have been sometimes
216
HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
quarterly, and sometimes not so frequently. Nearly all parts of the county have been favored with these meetings, and they have done much toward unifying the work in the county and maintaining a sympathy be- tween the teachers and the patrons of the schools.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.