USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Flint > The book of the golden jubilee of Flint, Michigan 1855-1905. Published under the auspices of the Executive committee of the golden jubilee and old homecoming reunion > Part 11
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"This was certainly bringing the free public school to its lowest terms, and a continuance of the same policy must soon have lead to the total abandonment of the whole system. But the people were not ready for such a catastrophe, and ever after, at the annual meetings, voted as liberally as the law allowed for the support of schools, and would gladly have anticipated, by a decade, that release from the thraldom of rate-bills which the Legislature ultimately gave. So far from abandoning the academic course, it was made still more prominent. Prof. Wil- liam Travis, an accomplished teacher, was placed in charge for three years (from 1856 to 1859), and by his ability, culture, energy, and enthusiasm gave a new impetus to the cause of education which left a lasting impression. At the annual meet- ing in 1859, it was voted unanimously to organize a graded school under the act of the Legislature, approved February 16, 1859, and the following board of trustees were elected, viz .: Levi Walker and Daniel Clarke, for three years; S. N. War- ren and Grant Decker, for two years; John Delbridge and C. N. Beecher, for one year.
"It would be impossible in the limits of this sketch to note all the teachers whose faithful labors have done so much to lay the foundation upon which the reputation of our schools is being built; but we can not forget the patriot scholar, Capt.
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THE WALKER SCHOOL.
THE OAK STREET SCHOOL.
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Simeon C. Gould, who, at the call of his country in the hour of her peril, left the charge of his school for the tented field, where he gave his last and noblest lesson, that of chivalrous devotion to his country, when he laid his young life, so full of the promise of future usefulness and renown, upon her altar, falling a victim in the affair at Fort Wagner, where 'some- body blundered.'
"Considering the length of the period that he labored here, nine years from 1865 to 1874, as well as his superior executive ability, no one has done more for our school than Zelotes Trues- del. It was during his administration that the several schools of the city were eventually all brought together, and made to constitute one grand Union School District, including the whole city as it does today.
"April 3, 1869, is a most important date in the educational history of Michigan, and worthy a semi-centennial remem- brance, as being the day when No. 116 of the Acts of the Legis- lature for that year, by virtue of which rate-bills were finally abolished, and the free public schools really established, was approved by the Governor, and became the law of the state.
"This event gave new vitality to the cause of education, which, together with the constant growth in population and wealth, soon placed the school on a much higher plane than it occupied before the division, and the over-crowded school house again brought up the ever-recurring question as to how the want could best be supplied."
Before continuing this line farther we will go back and follow the schools of the First, Third and Fourth wards up to the time they became merged in Union School District as men- tioned above. "District No. 3 which contained the largest number of pupils proceeded to erect a brick house on Oak street in the Third ward." This old building, although very unsuitable continued to do duty for school purposes until 1898
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when it gave way to the present fine building known as the Oak street school. The location is a beautiful one in a grove of primitive oaks, but it is to be regretted that more land was not obtained at a time when it could have been done at small expense.
"District No. 4, which contained the least territory, with the smallest number of scholars, and a larger proportion of taxable property, instead of building, purchased an unfinished dwelling house on Grand Traverse street, known as the Blades House, and fitting it up as an apology for a school house, kept up a school here for several years. It was not a very success- ful educational enterprise, and an effort was made in 1861, by petition to the board of school inpsectors, to have it united with No. 3, but, being opposed by a remonstrance, the inspec- tors declined to act, referring the subject to the voters of the Third and Fourth districts at their annual meeting; and in 1863, there being a decided expression of public sentiment in favor of the measure, and the formal consent of the district officers in writing having been obtained, the measure was effected. The democratic principle of free public school seems to have been but dimly recognized in this enterprise, for we find that in a remonstrance against abandoning the Blades House and substituting the city hall building, a measure demanded for the accommodation of more pupils, it was claimed that, as they had escaped the burden of a school-tax in a great measure in the past, immunity should be continued as a vested right in the future.
"Notwithstanding the decided expression in favor of dis- union in 1855, it was soon found by experience that the panacea had not yet been found. The evils of isolated and divided action soon became apparent; and while other cities and vil- - lages were sustaining their prosperous union graded schools, which were giving them credit and renown, it became evident
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that Flint was falling into the back ground. A general senti- ment had grown up that something more must be done for edu- cation, and in 1867 Districts Nos. 1 and 3 were reunited, under the title of Union School District of the City of Flint, by the act of the Legislature, approved March 9, 1867.
"The school was reorganized under this act, with the fol- lowing board of trustees, after the annual meeting, viz .: Levi Walker, president; William L. Smith, secretary; George R. Gold, treasurer ; Paul H. Stewart, Sumner Howard and Daniel Clark. The reunion made the necessity for further accommo- dations more urgent; and, as the best temporary relief which could be obtained, the unfinished building on the corner of Saginaw and Third streets, known as the city hall building, was leased of the city for a nominal sum, and fitted up at an expense of about $5,000, for the accommodation of the high school. This house continued to be used for this purpose until the completion of the new high school building. After this time a male principal was employed in addition to the super- intendent, Mr. S. R. Winchel being the first to occupy that position.
"The trustees report at the annual meeting of 1870 shows the employing of two male and thirteen female teachers. Whole number enrolled in the district between the ages of five and twenty, 1,269 ; whole number attending school, 1,157; of whom 150 were non-residents.
"By an act of the Legislature, approved March 18, 1871, amending the charter of the city of Flint, the School District No. 1, of the town of Flint, was annexed to the city as the Fourth ward; and by the consent of both parties, became merged in Union School District, its property being trans- ferred and its liabilities assumed.
"A brief sketch of this school illustrates the rise and progress of schools in a new country, and verifies the old adage
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'that where there is a will, there is a way.' The territory now comprising the Fourth ward, for some years after the settle- ment of Flint, was mostly occupied by a dense growth of pine, forming a most striking feature in the landscape, and giving the new-comer the impression that he had at last reached the border of that vast pine forest of northern Michigan, of which he had heard so much. After the establishment of the State Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind in this vicinity, this pinery was exterminated and a vil- lage platted, and, being connected with the business portion of the city by a new bridge, a settlement commenced. As the nearest district school house was at an inconvenient distance, the need of another was soon felt, and April 9, 1859, this terri- tory was set off as District No. 1, of the town of Flint, and soon after organized by a meeting at the house of Geo. F. Hood, Esq., at which time it was reported that all the qualified voters in the district to the number of twenty-one, including one female, had been notified. The following officers were elected, viz. : D. McKercher, moderator; H. G. Beach, direc- tor, and H. W. Whitney, assessor. At a special meeting, held April 28th, on motion of G. F. Hood, it was voted that the board have power to purchase material and put up a suitable shanty for a school to be kept in, said shanty to be 18 by 28 feet. This shanty was built upon the site occupied by the present house at a cost, including furniture of about $140. It did good service, being used eleven years, and then, after the completion of the new house was sold at auction for $33. At the annual meeting in 1867, the number of scholars having increased to 100, the shanty had become too small, and the necessity for a new house being felt, it was resolved to raise $1,000.00 by tax and $3,000 by loan for that purpose. A plan submitted by P. C. Cleveland, Esq., of Flint, was adopted,
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and the present house was built. This was a two story brick building, surmounted with a belfry, and furnishing a spacious school room on each story." This continued to serve the pur- pose of the district fairly well, and in 1902 gave way to the present elegant Hazleton Street School. "The burden of building did not prevent the liberal support of the school, for we find that at the next annual meeting, in 1868, on motion of G. L. Walker, Esq., it was resolved, by a vote of 28 to 8, that $2 per scholar be raised by tax for the support of the school, amounting to $262.
"In 1869 a graded school was established and a board of six trustees was elected, viz. : L. P. Andrews, G. L. Walker, G. Stanard, J. Williams, O. Maltby, and J. Haver.
"The reported state of the finances at this time was an empty treasury, rate bills abolished by law, and teachers un- paid. However these difficulties were overcome, a male teacher, Mr. C. Donelson, was employed, and in the absence of further records, we can only say that this school continued to flourish until absorbed into the union school of the city, in 1871, and will now compare favorably with any other school of its grade in the city."
We learn from the records of the board of school inspec- tors of the town of Flint that School District No. 2, embracing the present First and Fifth wards of the city, was formed March 8, 1845. In the following year a brick school house was built on Detroit street, at present occupied as a grocery store. This is noted not only as being the oldest house extant, but as being the first brick building erected in our city. A small building still standing just south of the Doyle school on Sagi- naw street, and at present occupied as a dwelling house, was used for school purposes prior to the building of the brick school house next described.
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"The early records of this district are lost, or inaccessible. It seems not to have been very prosperous, or to have soon fallen into decay, judging from the remarks of the director, H. W. Wood, Esq., at the dedication of the new house, Dec. 6, 1858. These remarks we quote, not only as giving a graphic picture of the slough into which educational interests had fallen, but also, and more especially as showing what can be accom- plished by indomitable energy, under the most adverse circum- stances.
"Mr. Wood says: 'Having always been deeply impressed with the great importance of good schools, and the proper training and education of the rising generation, it was with deep feelings of mortification that the undersigned, in com- mon with many others in the First ward, beheld the low and inefficient state and condition of the public education in this ward during several years past. It was a source of great annoyance to hear our ward and district spoken of disparag- ingly by the inhabitants of other and more favored localities. On every side of us schools were in flourishing and prosperous condition, and growing rapidly into importance in the esti- mation of the people ; and for some time it was a question asked by some one in this district, with great solicitude, whether something could not be done to elevate the character of our school. But there were many obstacles in the way. There was no suitable building; the old brick school house on Detroit street was in a dilapidated and ruinous condition. It was, in short, a stigma on the public spirit of the ward, a by-word and reproach. It was located on a plat of ground inaccessible and inconvenient; and it was found that before anything effectual could be done to advance the cause of education among us, a large sum of money must be expended in purchasing gounds and erecting suitable buildings. This necessity has been appre- ciated for several years by almost every one of intelligence in
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the district. But to this step there was manifestly at first a spirit of opposition, based, as many thought, on tenable grounds, but, as others thought, without any just foundation. The financial crisis of 1857 was just coming upon us. Prop- erty was depreciated, and general terror and alarm pervaded every mind; and under such a state of things it was almost preposterous to hope that anything could be done. Yet it was determined to make an effort and succeed or else dispense with the miserable apology for a school which at that time pretended to exist. Accordingly at the annual meeting in 1857, the pro- ject was started, generally discussed, and those in favor were highly gratified that more were with them than they expected. After the discussion, various plans were submitted ranging from a few dollars of repairs upon the old house to the building of one larger, more elegant and commodious, convenient and expensive. A committee of three intelligent gentlemen was appointed to investigate and report at a subsequent meeting a plan of operations. After thorough investigation, the commit- tee reported in favor of a new school house, recommended the purchase of the present site, and the building of the present elegant and convenient house which you see before you. To the gratification of every one, the report of the committee was adopted, and $1,000 were raised to aid the enterprise. The board were authorized to purchase the site and let the job for building. The job was let to good workmen and responsible parties, and, as a result, you see before you this noble struc- ture, which is alike an enduring monument to the generous and high-minded public spirit of the patrons of schools in this part of the city. True, it has been an expensive enterprise and the times have been hard. It has borne heavily upon many of us. Yet we are proud of it; we are glad the enterprise was gone into, and successfully. It is admitted by all that we have the best house that has been built for the amount of money in this
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vicinity. And, as we have the best house in this county, your director, in taking leave of this part of the subject, would earnestly recommend to every one to be united, cheerful, and zealous in maintaining a school worthy of your house, of your- selves, and to which the rising generation, in after years, may look with pride, gratitude, and affection.' This building known for many years as the Saginaw Street School continued to serve the purpose of the district until 1901, when it was replaced by the present handsome and commodious Doyle School.
"It is highly gratifying to find that zeal in a good cause did not spend itself in building the house, but went on to estab- lish and sustain a first class school including, not only the higher English branches, but the classics, and some of the modern languages, supplying also the appliances necessary for success, including maps, books of reference, and a library of miscel- laneous books; and doing this with alacrity, while heavily taxed for the expense incurred in building.
"At the annual meeting in 1859 a graded school was organized under the act of the Legislature then recently passed, and the following gentlemen were elected a board of trustees, viz. : D. S. Freeman and D. S. Fox, for one year; A. McFar- lan and O. Adams, for two years; and F. H. Rankin and H. W. Wood, for three years.
"In 1865 valuable philosophical apparatus was bought, and $2,000 raised by tax to enlarge the new school house, which had become inadequate to accommodate the increasing mass of pupils.
"In 1867 the enlarged house again became crowded, and another known as the Branch House, was built on Second street at the corner of Lyon street." This building is now known as the Stevenson School and has since been greatly enlarged and improved.
THE DOYLE SCHOOL. THE FLINT HIGH SCHOOL.
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THE SCHOOLS OF FLINT.
"The following named gentlemen have had charge of the schools in this district for periods of greater or less length since the renovation, viz. : Messrs. H. C. Jones, E. M. Mason, W. Tennant, S. B. Kingsbury, T. M. Wells, and F. M. Hamil- ton. The list of female teachers who have done faithful work in this field, the full value of which can never be appreciated, is too long for rehearsal here.
"The movement which had been inaugurated in the Union School District, on the south side of the river, for building a new house attracted the attention of educationists in this ward; and, at a special meeting of the qualified voters, held Nov. 10, 1871, a preamble and resolutions were adopted in favor of union, on certain conditions. These conditions being assented to after further conference, the consolidation of the four wards of the city in one school district was effected by an act of the Legislature, approved March 28, 1872.
"Thus the prosperous school, in the full tide of its success, became merged in that grand enterprise which has brought all our schools into one organization, in which relation we trust the good record of the past will be amply sustained.
"Each increment of the Union School District rendered the call for a new house more urgent, the temporary relief obtained by occupying the city hall building having been out- grown by the rapid increase of our growing city. And, accord- ingly, we find that at the annual meeting, held Sept. 2, 1871, the board of trustees in their report, after noting the highly prosperous condition of the school, and its favorable standing among the other schools of like grade in the state, most strongly urged the absolute necessity for enlarged accommodations ; and, at the same meeting resolutions were adopted that a site be pro- cured, and plans and estimates obtained for a new building. A tax of $5,000 was voted for purchasing a site, and the issu- ing of bonds to the amount of $20,000 (all the law allowed)
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
authorized. A series of adjourned meetings were held, at which the proposition of District No. 2 for union was favorably received, $55,000 were added to the amount authorized, per- mission having been obtained by legislative action ; and, several attempts having been made to fix upon a site by vote of the tax-payers, that subject was referred to the board of trustees, who having no better success, left the decision of the question to a committee consisting of President Angell, of the State University; Prof. Eastabrook, of the State Normal School; and Hon. M. E. Crofoot, of Pontiac. This committee, after viewing the premises, expressed their preference for the Pier- son block, in the Second ward, as the most eligible; but in view of better reconciling all parties, recommended the adoption of the Lamond block, in the Third ward,-the site now occupied by the High School building. Their award was acceeded to by the board, and subsequently adopted by the tax-payers, who in view of the fact that the owners of the property declined to sell on what were deemed reasonable terms, directed that legal measures should be taken to obtain it. The south four lots of that portion of the block now occupied were thus obtained, by an award of a jury, at a cost of $8,500; and the north four lots were subsequently obtained by negotiation at a cost of $10,000; making the expense of the eight lots, including the expenses of litigation and back taxes, $19,060.
"While negotiations were going on to secure a site, efforts were also being made to procure plans and estimates. Commit- tees were apointed to visit and inspect other school houses, and to investigate materials and methods of heating and ventila- tion. The final result was that, after deciding upon the site, ground-plan, and general arrangement of the building, the subject was referred to Porter & Watkins, architects, who subsequently submitted a draft, with plans and specifications of the building, which has since been erected; and which, we trust,
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will long stand as a graceful monument of the skill and taste of the architects, and of the faithful labors of the contractor and all engaged in its construction.
"Proposals having been advertised and received, the con- tract was awarded to Ruben Van Tifflin, Esq., June 16, 1873, at $68,000, to be completed July 1, 1875; which contract was faithfully fulfilled, to the entire satisfaction of the board of trustees, as expressed in a well deserved resolution of com- mendation unanimously adopted. The whole amount paid the contractor, as appears from the printed schedule of the secre- tary for 1875, was $77,377.62. This excess includes the expense of various changes and additions, ordered or approved by the tax-payers; as the building of a boiler-house, it being designed in the original plan to place the boilers in the base- ment; the substitution of artificial stone for window caps, in place of galvanized iron; the tuck-pointing of the whole build- ing; besides the construction of out-houses, two large cisterns with the necessary conduits, and other matters of less note.
"The heating apparatus, which combines the direct with the indirect radiation, by the use of steam, was furnished and put in by Cane Bros., of Chicago, on contract, at $6,674. The test thus far has been highly satisfactory, both as to the plan and the workmanship.
"The desks and seats for the pupils, which are substantial, elegant and convenient, were furnished by the School Furni- ture Company, Sterling, Ill., at a cost of $1,678.50. The teachers' desks were furnished by W. B. Colson, of Flint, and are a practical demonstration of the skill of our mechanics.
"The bell, which weighs 2,000 pounds, was furnished by Meneeley & Kimberly, for $804.20; and the clock, which is a beautiful piece of mechanism, and testifies its own accuracy, by the Howard Clock Company, of Boston, for $650.
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"The public are indebted for the judicious selection of these valuable and indespensable adjuncts to the skill and good taste of Wm. Stevenson, Esq., to whom that duty was assigned by the board.
"The building having been completed, was dedicated July 13, 1875, on which occasion a highly interesting and instruc- tive address was delivered by Hon. Duane Doty, of Detroit.
"August 30, 1875, the school was opened in its several departments under charge of Mr. T. W. Crissey, assisted by an able corps of teachers, and is now in full tide of successful operation; and we trust that the good work so auspiciously begun will go on until the Flint schools shall become potent in aiding to build that foundation of education and morality which alone will form a stable basis for free institutions."
The foregoing sketch in quotation was written by the late Dan'1 Clark, M. D., early in 1876, and was used in a history of Genesee County issued by Messrs. Everts and Abbott in 1879. Since the organization of this district the law has been twice amended. The limits of the district are the same as those of the city, the trustees are elected by ballot at the same time as the city officers, the first Monday in April, three trustees being elected each year for the term of three years.
Going back to 1874 when Mr. Truesdel left after seeing the result of his labor in a perfectly united Union School em- bracing the whole city, and the new High School building well under way, we will briefly mention the superintendents who since that time have had charge of our schools.
Mr. S. Montgomery succeeded Mr. Truesdel, but only remained one year.
He was succeeded by Mr. T. W. Crissey in 1875, who remained for five years and did excellent work. Mr. Mar- shall T. Gass took charge of the schools in 1880, and was very popular with the scholars. He left during the year 1883, and
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was succeeded by Mr. Irving W. Barnhart, who remained till 1886. He was followed by Mr. Wesley Sears, who remained for two years and was succeeded by Mr. David Mckenzie in 1888. Mr. Mckenzie had been principal of the High School for some years previous. He continued as superintendent for four years and did splendid work for our schools, bringing them to a high state of efficiency. He had the respect and esteem of everybody, school board, parents and children alike.
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