USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 18
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"One form of punishment was for the pupil to stand on the floor holding his finger on the head of a nail; another, to hold a book out at arm's length; still another, to have a wedge between his teeth, thus tiring the muscles by keeping them in an unnatural position".
Miss Lizzie Hadley read the following on July 25, 1943, at a Historical Society luncheon, giving a later picture:
"Schoolhouses were much alike, usually on some less fertile spot in the center of population. Number seven, between the Barre road and the old town road, was a square building, facing east. One entered through a shed which held chunks of wood for the big sheet-iron stove in the schoolroom. An entry led from this, with hooks on each side of the school- room door for hats and coats. A shelf was at the opposite end of the entry with a water pail and dipper. Germs were not heard of at that time! Privileged ones were allowed to go to the village pump for water.
"Around the stove were seats built to the walls, with a box filled with wood underneath. Upon these seats pupils sat to get warm, if the long stove funnel running clear across the room did not heat enough. Often it didn't!
"Upon entering the room, a motto, 'Welcome', greeted you from the chimney protruding into the room. 'God Bless our School' was over the entrance door. Plants were in the south windows, and pictures hung on the walls. Seats were built close to the wall at the back and either side of the chimney. Desks ranged in aisles toward the front, growing smaller and
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smaller to the seats in the front without desks. Under the open desks were kept the dinner pails of those coming from a distance. Under an open seat of one in the front was kept a small-sized globe, an object of interest and much study at times.
"The pupils sought the privilege of sitting together on the wall seats to study geography, explain an example to a back- ward pupil or to write a language lesson - which may have been a social note. Woe to those who were caught whispering too much!
"Good little girls and boys were given 'rewards of merit', ten of which earned a card. It was a pleasure to stand by the teacher's desk and choose from a lot laid out there.
"A number of pupils had to take their dinners in tin pails. It was a great occasion when some of the rest were allowed to do likewise on account of storm or absence of parents. They enjoyed 'Roll the Plate' or 'Clap in and Clap Out' at noonings."
Contributed by Clifford Day:
"For countless years, the old village primary school, next door to the pillared church, started children on their school careers. The great stove alternately blistered and chilled. Outside, the schoolyard pump still served, ever ready to give duckings to those deserving them. Even teacher resorted to pouring a glass of icy water down a lad's neck, as a sure cure for nosebleed."
In 1869, the district system was abandoned in favor of the town system. At that time, the town again became the owner of all the school buildings, the appraised value of which was $11,846.88.
As the population of the town increased, the little one-room district schools gave way to more commodious structures. In 1834, a wooden building was erected in East Templeton, on
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a lot adjoining the present site of the Methodist Church. This was a one-room building but larger than the old district schoolhouses. It is still standing and is used by the Boy Scouts.
In 1844, the town hall and a schoolhouse, a brick structure, was built in the center of the town by combined action of town and district. On the ground floor were two school- rooms - one for the primary school and one for the grammar school, so called. The second floor was used for a town hall and armory. Later, for several years, the high school was domiciled in this room. The building was abandoned as a school building in 1942, and is now used by the Scout or- ganizations.
In 1850, a two-story wooden building was erected in Bald- winville by the district. It has not been used as a school building for several years but is in a good state of preserva- tion and houses the Baldwinville branch of the public library. The upper story is used for lodge rooms.
The older children were crowded into a new wooden struc- ture which had been built across the river and was used also for the high school.
A schoolhouse was built in Otter River in 1860. There were two schoolrooms in the building and a public hall on the second floor, secured by contributions of the people of the village. The teacher of the primary school in 1862, we are told, had eighty-one pupils; and her salary was twenty-two dollars a month! This building was in use until 1933, when it was destroyed by fire.
East Templeton became a thriving village because of its industries; and the increase in population made a second school building necessary. In 1874, a two-story, two-room building was erected. This was for many years the pride of the village, for it had an imposing spire! It was abandoned in 1922, when the fine modern brick structure was built. The
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old building has been converted into an apartment house.
In 1898, the school facilities in Baldwinville proved entirely inadequate, and the school housing problem was solved when the "extravagant" new brick building, with its new-fangled plumbing and wondrous ventilating system (according to the old-timers) came into being. It contained four rooms and since its erection, has housed the first four elementary grades.
The old wooden building on the south side of the river, which was used for the grammar grades and high school for many years, was burned December 18, 1921. The hall at the Otter River school building was used temporarily to house the high school. By using the platoon system, reopening the old Elm Street building and doubling up some of the grades, all classes were opened on time, January 6th, after the Christ- mas holidays.
The present building was completed and opened to the public November 24, 1923, at a cost of $97,000. In the last twenty-five years, the town has provided three new modern buildings: the wooden structure at Otter River, replacing the one destroyed by fire in 1933; the modern brick building at East Templeton, erected in 1922; and the four-room modern building at the center, completed in 1942.
During these years, there have been many good and faithful teachers who have given to the town long periods of service in our elementary schools. Miss Margaret Leland taught at the center for many years and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. Her name recalls the following amusing incident: It was recess, and the children were playing games in the yard. Miss Leland was looking over some papers at her desk, when a boy rushed in and said, "Miss Leland, come quick, Edwin has got stuck". She ran out and saw the body of a small boy, with legs wildly kicking but with no head visible. Some of the cement had worked out from part of the under-
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pinning of the building, leaving a three-cornered hole between the rocks. Edwin's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided he would find out what lay beyond the stones. He pushed his head through the opening; and when he found that he could see nothing but blackness, he became frightened; and with all his wriggling and twisting, he could not pull his head out. He screamed, but to no avail. When Miss Leland appeared and placed her hand on his back, she said, "Edwin, be quiet. Let us think a minute. You put your head through the hole, so you can pull it out. Raise your head a little - no matter if the stone scrapes the top of it a bit. Your hair is thick, so it will not hurt you." The rescuer held him by the shoulders, directing his movements, and after some coaxing the head came through, the lad a sadder but wiser boy. It may be of interest to relate that Edwin Hawkes later became the dean of Columbia College.
In addition to Miss Leland, there was Miss Maria Cutting who taught at Partridgeville and later at Otter River. Mrs. Rose Glasheen Coleman was for forty years identified with schools of Templeton. She began her career at District No. 2, in the south part of the town. She was later transferred to Baptist Common, then to Otter River and finally to Bald- winville, where she taught the grammar grades for thirty-two years. After these many years of service as teacher, she was elected to the school board and served in this capacity for twelve years. There are many who would bear witness to her untiring interest, and count it a rare privilege to have been under her enthusiastic instruction through those formative years. Mrs. Coleman is still living (1946).
Two teachers with twenty-five years or more to their credit are still on the school roster: Miss Mary Ahearn, principal of the elementary school at Baldwinville and Mrs. Clara Hobbs, principal of the school at East Templeton.
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From time to time, private schools have been conducted for short periods in the town. Mrs. Lucy Richardson's Private School for Girls was well known outside of the town as well as locally. Mrs. Richardson taught for several years in the public schools and then opened a school for girls in her home - the house now occupied by Mrs. Rollin Johnson. She had both boarding and day pupils, and for many years, her school was a great asset to the town. Mrs. Richardson was a born teacher; she was also a woman of integrity, refinement, great kindliness and understanding. Her influence was far reach- ing. It was her son, Moses Richardson, who later gave the Templeton Inn to the town.
In 1830, some of the citizens of Templeton, feeling that provision should be made for the higher education of its young people, formed an association and established a private high school. This school was largely attended and much interest was manifested. It was located in the brick house now owned by Miss Elsa Stone. The first principal was Jacob Bachelder, a graduate of Dartmouth College and a true edu- cator. He served the school until 1835. He was succeeded by Martin Snow Newton and Daniel B. Parkhurst, each serv- ing as principal for one term. Sylvester Judd was the last principal.
The school was discontinued in 1837; and for the next twenty years, there was no high school in the town. Occa- sionally, some teacher would open a private high school in his home or in the town hall for one or two terms.
In the same brick house, Charles Wellington Stone, a native of Templeton, founder of the famous Stone School for Boys, in Boston, conducted a summer school. His great thought was always his boys, and he worked hard for their success.
Once he prepared a pupil for his Harvard examinations and
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taught him the Greek grammar through the "Anabasis" in a week, and the boy stood the test.
He loved Templeton and hoped some time to write its his- tory, but his many duties prevented this accomplishment. Mr. Stone added much to the cultural life of the community, through his lectures and addresses and written articles.
The first public high school in the town was opened in 1856. The first term was held in the autumn of that year in the grammar school at the Center, with fifty-one pupils enrolled. Hosea F. Lane was principal. L. W. Russell was principal during the second term, the session being held in Baldwinville. Mr. Lane returned for the third term, and for forty years re- mained as principal, missing but one day of school during that period.
Until 1866, there were two terms of school each year; but in 1873, with increasing attendance, the school year was ex- tended to four terms, kept alternately in each village: the spring term in Baldwinville, the summer term in Otter River, the fall term at the Center, and the winter term at East Tem- pleton. Pupils from all parts of the town walked or drove to that section where the session was held. It is said that in the cold weather, when Mr. Lane, who lived at the Center, was obliged to drive to Baldwinville or East Templeton, he wore a dress coat, a light-weight overcoat, a heavy overcoat and sometimes a buffalo coat and tippet. He carried his books in a carpetbag and took with him an extra hat in case one blew away, as strong winds swept across the hills and snowy fields.
The girls he faced in the schoolroom were dressed warmly in winter in long plaid dresses, protected by aprons. In sum- mer, they wore long gingham dresses and straw hats banded with long ribbon streamers. Some of the boys went barefoot, walking in four or five miles or more from outlying farms.
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Education meant more than just having a good time. Along with school and farm work, many of these boys still found time to work in the chair shops to earn money for further education. Some of them later became nationally known and have been a great credit to their school and town.
When the enrollment warranted, an assistant was employed. Several young women, from time to time, served in this capa- acity for short periods. But the name of Miss Mary Welling- ton Stone, who was Mr. Lane's assistant much of the time during the last twenty years of his incumbency, will remain in the memory of those who had the rare privilege of coming under her instruction. Her painstaking thoroughness, her lucid explanations, her fine personality - these will never be forgotten.
In the fall of 1886, a high school was established at Baldwin- ville for the greater convenience of the students in that village and Otter River. E. B. Vining was the first principal of this school, known as Baldwinville High School. Mr. Lane remained as principal of the Templeton High School, located at the Center and serving that village and East Templeton. During his last ten years, with a smaller enrollment, Mr. Lane had no assistant most of the time; often his two classes were conducted simultaneously - one being assigned written work during the recitation period of the other. Such a pro- gram required skillful planning.
The first class of graduates, receiving diplomas, was in the spring of 1885, just previous to the establishment of the Baldwinville High School. Classes were graduated regularly each year after that, in both high schools. Previous to this time (1885) no classes had been graduated, pupils continuing as long as they desired.
In 1896, after forty years as principal, Mr. Lane retired from active service. He lived until May 23, 1902. In 1901, the two
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high schools were consolidated, Baldwinville being chosen as the location.
Hosea F. Lane was a native of Ashburnham. As a young man, he attended Cushing Academy, but the way was not opened for college training. His strong aptitude for learning led him to choose teaching as a profession. Mr. Lane loved his profession. The remarkable success which attended his efforts is evidenced by many of his former pupils who have become eminent teachers and educators and who pay high tribute to his instruction. Possessing a real thirst for know- ledge himself and having found it necessary to rely largely on his own efforts and study to satisfy that desire, he inspired those with whom he came in contact with the feeling that an education is available to any one who has the purpose and determination to acquire it. In the presentation of a subject he was unique and forceful; his illustrations were homely and effective. He stimulated individual thinking and expression. Hosea Lane was indeed one of the great teachers. For forty years, he also served as justice of the peace and was librarian of the Boynton Public Library from the date of its establish- ment in 1873, until his death. He refused to serve as a town official, but his counsel and advice were often sought and freely given.
After Mr. Lane's retirement, Miss Grace E. Blodgett became principal of the Templeton High School, which position she held most acceptably until the two high schools were consolid- ated in 1901.
There were several principals of the Baldwinville High School, serving for longer or shorter periods. Probably Mr. Nathaniel Cutler acted in this capacity for the longest period of time. Later, he was principal of the Athol High School for several years, until ill health forced his retirement. Mark E. Stinson is the present principal (1946). Mr. Stinson came from
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Wiscasset, Maine in 1922 and is a graduate of Bates College. Through the years - nearly a quarter of a century - he has won the esteem and affection of his pupils. He has an able corps of assistants. The enrollment today is approximately 250.
Templeton has been fortunate in its school committee. Sev- eral of our fine citizens, both men and women, have given years of service in this capacity. We would mention, among those with the greater number of years to their credit, Francis Leland, Asa Hosmer, Percival Blodgett, Dr. S. E. Greenwood, Dr. W. F. Robie, Mrs. Rose E. Coleman, Miss Grace E. Blod- gett.
In the late 1880's through funds allocated for that purpose, the State Department of Education made it possible for groups of towns to form a union for the election of a school super- intendent who would give his entire time to the supervision of the schools in that group. Templeton early took advantage of this opportunity, and together with Phillipston, Royalston and Hubbardston, formed such a union in 1889, the second in the state.
The first superintendent in this district was Randall J. Condon, a young man of fine personality and ability. He introduced a unified course of study and laid a foundation for more effective school work. Mr. Condon, in later years, became widely known as the superintendent of schools in Cincinnati; and it was said that he was the highest salaried superintendent in the United States.
W. Scott Ward was one of the earlier superintendents - a man who will always be remembered for his inspiring per- sonality and high ideals. Some of his methods became widely used throughout the state. Mr. Ward later served as super- intendent in Athol for over thirty years, until ill health forced his retirement.
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The town has been very fortunate in having several able men to serve in this capacity for longer or shorter periods of time. Asa Jones was here for fifteen years - from 1909 to 1924. Leon Prior has just completed a term of seventeen years, retiring from active duty in the summer of 1946. Through depression and war, Mr. Prior has valiantly carried on, con- tinuing the high standards to which he was committed.
In 1881, the Templeton High School celebrated its 25th anniversary. Invitations were sent to all former pupils (Mr. Lane had kept a very accurate list), and July 14 was the day set apart for the reunion. An abundant dinner was served in Chapel Hall by the townswomen. Then, at the call of the bell - which Mr. Lane had always used - the guests assembled in the Town Hall for a program of reminiscences and the historical address of Mr. Lane. It was an occasion long to be remembered. At that time, a School Alumni Asso- ciation was formed, with the following officers: President, Francis Leland; Vice-President, Asa Hosmer; Secretary-Treas- urer, Mary W. Stone.
No reunions were held after that until 1894, when the alum- ni came together for their 38th anniversary. In 1906 - after the consolidation of the schools - an alumni association was organized, with Henry Wheeler as president. For many years, an annual picnic was held by the alumni at Lake Dennison. During World War I, these were cancelled. In 1926, the alum- ni association was revived under the stimulus of the present principal, Mr. Stinson. The association has met annually, except during the recent war years. In the summer of 1946, the annual meeting was resumed.
When we think of the small beginnings - the short terms, the meager appropriations - it is interesting to note that in 1946, there were in the school system of Templeton:
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Pupils in elementary schools 562
Pupils in high school 204
Teachers in elementary schools 21
Teachers in high school 8
The appropriation for schools was $73,382.10.
THE TEMPLETON CENTER SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Since March 19, 1945, hot lunches have been served at the Center School under the National School Lunch Program. This program was instituted nationally in 1943, when it was found that the health of many school children was endan- gered by a lack of properly balanced home meals. Many parents were engaged in war work through the day, often leaving the children to choose an inadequate diet, either at home or in a restaurant.
The principal functions of this program are to provide any child in any United States community where the program is in operation, with a well-balanced meal which provides at least one-third of the day's nutritional requirements, and to clear from the market available surplus foods. The latter function acts as a support to prices for the encouragement of farmers who are the backbone of the nation.
A group of parents whose children attended the Center School organized as the Templeton Center School Lunch Committee. This group entered into a contract with the Community School Lunch Programs, 600 Washington Street, Boston, to supply a meal on every school day; this meal to furnish each child desiring it one-fourth quart whole, Pas- teurized cow's milk, one or more slices of bread and butter, two ounces of meat or other protein and three-fourths of a cup of fruit or vegetable dish or combination of these. The contract also specified features of cleanliness and other points
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too numerous and complex to describe here. Under the con- tract, each child pays a sum for the meal, and a portion is also contributed by the Federal Government, the funds being handled, in Massachusetts, through the departments of Edu- cation and Public Welfare. Before commencing the program, the local committee surveyed the center district and found that of a school population of some 150 pupils, about one-half were carrying cold lunches and would welcome a hot noon meal. The Templeton School Committee graciously gave per- mission for the use of a room in the basement; and local groups and individuals contributed goods, cash and labor to provide the necessary minimum equipment.
The program has operated successfully. Currently (1946), meals are being served to 100 children daily, exclusive of teach- ers and workers. It is anticipated that in two full years of operation, presently accomplished, some 35,000 meals will have been served. Two paid workers have prepared the meals, and women volunteers have generously assisted on many days.
The lunchroom equipment is available, under reasonable conditions, for use by outside groups who may meet at the school evenings.
During the past year, a gas stove was installed; and the purchase of an electric refrigerator is under consideration when the equipment and funds are available. The group which organized the local program is still actively function- ing; and its continued daily performance sets a mark for voluntary non-profit organization. The committee consists of Charles R. Henshaw, Chairman; Mrs. Lillian Evenson, Secre- tary; Christopher H. Evenson, Treasurer; Mrs. Mildred Hen- shaw, Mrs. Joan Miettinen, Mrs. Louise Petrie and Joseph Leseneschal, new principal of the school. The Templeton School Committee, Emil Wirkkala, Carl Welch and Mrs. Ber- tha Conners, and the new Superintendent of Schools, Roger
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K. Poole, act in an advisory capacity. Mrs. Lydia Wilgren is the cook, assisted by Mrs. Hilda Pankala.
It has been the constant aim of the committee to make a contribution to the health and happiness of the Templeton Center school children; and the results attained are indeed gratifying.
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Templeton in the Wars by
IRA B. KNIGHT
TEMPLETON IN THE WARS
T HE township now known as Templeton was founded as the direct result of a war. In 1728, the General Court of Massachusetts awarded two townships, each six miles square, to certain soldiers who had taken part in the Narragansett In- dian War, as part payment for their military service. It was not, however, until 1743 that the first building was erected in the township - a sawmill, located in what is known as East Templeton. With this as a beginning, the township was rap- idly settled.
Since the power of the Indians had been broken years be- fore, the colonists here were spared the fate of some of their neighbor towns in the Connecticut Valley to the west. There is no record of the early settlers being aroused by the war cries of raiding Indians; nor is there any report of settlers being slain by the savages. It is true that the original sawmill was burned by them; but this was probably the work of a stray band, bent on destruction and can hardly be classified as a war-like act on the part of the redskins.
The real history of Templeton at war begins with the Revo- lution. The news carried by Paul Revere on the evening of April 18, 1775, reached Templeton around noon on April 19; and before nightfall, 36 soldiers had taken up the march to Boston. From that time until the end of the war, several companies of men from Templeton served in the various cam-
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