USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 14
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Medoc District-R. G. Sloan, J. S. Enos and Ira Grayson, directors; Win. J. Sailor, teacher. Term began October 7th, and continues five months. Distriet enumeration 97, enrollment over fifteen years of age G, total 71, present 58. Building and furniture second-elass. Seating capacity 56. This is Mr. Sailor's sixth term in Jasper county schools and the Medoc school is doing thorough work under his management. Not a single case of whispering was noticed during any visit. General deportment good. The examination passed by the different classes did eredit both to pupils and teacher. Dr. McPheters, and Mr. Welty, an ex-teacher, visited with me.
Amity District-One and one-half miles east of Joplin; Henry Moore. L. B. Osborn and S. A. Hopkins, directors ; L. B. Osborn, teacher. Term of six months began September 20th. Distriet enumeration 50, enrollment over fifteen years of age 3, total 41, present 31. Building and furniture first-class. Seating ca- pacity 28. In addition to school house and site the district property ineinles a good set of outline maps, a Webster's Unabridged, a nine-inch globe, a teacher's desk and nineteen Victor folding desks.
GALENA TOWNSHIP
Dixon District-Three mites north of Joplin; A. Dixon, Henry Martin and Hiram Snapp. directors; James R. Thomas, teacher. Term of seven months be- gan September 2d. Distriet enumeration 99, enrollment over fifteen years of age 12, total 65, present 42. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 54. Value of distriet property $600. This is Mr. Thomas' first term and he is doing good work for a beginner. This is one of the leading districts of the western portion of the county and always has "number one" schools.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
High Hill District-Four miles southwest of Carthage; Il. Robinson, F. J. Hazelwood and John Hornback. directors; G. B. Lowery, teacher. Term began October 7th, and continues three months. District enumeration 103, enrollment over fifteen years of age 5, total 39, present 32. Building and furniture first- class. Seating capacity 40. Mr. Lowery is teaching his first term and as far as I am informed is giving his patrons satisfaction. ligh Ilill is one of the largest and oldest districts in the county, and although it has a school house much larger than the average, yet it can only seat less than half the pupils enumerated in the distriet.
Lynnland Distriet-John Crandall, George Hlille and John M. Peterson. dl- rectors; Ilarrison Ilunt, teacher. Term of five months began October 21st. Dis- triet enumeration 67, enrollment over fifteen years of age S. total 49, present 28. Building second-class, furniture third-class. Seating capacity 42. Mr. Huut has taught in the county at intervals for several years. Lynnland School has a number of non-resident pupils and is making reasonable advancement under the charge of Mr. Ilunt.
MINERAL TOWNSHIP
Alba School-Henry Hubbard, James M. Haworth and Win. John, directors; J. S. Rees, teacher. Term of five months began October 7th. Distriet enumera- tlon 70, enrollment over fifteen years of age 9. total 45, present 30. Building and furniture second-elass. Seating capacity 30. The Alba school has been hard to govern and the pupils have been allowed to cut and otherwise injure the furniture. Under the management of Mr. Rees, who is now teaching his seventh term in the county, the deportment is rapidly improving and the recitations are becoming more thorough. The directors have placed in some new furniture, Improved the interior of the school house and propose to do their part toward having a good school.
Blood Distriet-O. H. Carpenter, M. A. Estey and E. Kerr, directors; O. W. Rose, teacher. Term began November 4th and continues four months. Distriet enumeration 69, enrollment over fifteen years of age 5. total 32. present 29.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 38. The school house is lo- cated near Salem Church nine miles north of Carthage and is one of the best in l'reston township. A good pine fence with cedar posts and a neat coal house are the improvements made during the summer. Deportment and recitations are good and show that Mr. Rose is master of the situation. Mr. Estey visited with me.
King District-Isaac N. Johnson, James Pitts and Orville Frost, directors; Miss Alice Peterson, teacher. Term began November 4th and continues four months. District enumeration 72, enrollment over fifteen years of age S, total 31, present 23. School house third-class, furniture first-class. Seating capacity 24. This is Miss Peterson's third term and her school compares favorably in deportment and recitations with any in the township. The reading recitation witnessed was excellent. Mr. Pitts, member of school board, visited with me.
Preston District-E. Pinney and 1. Landerbaugh, directors; Miss Della M. Greene, teacher. District enumeration 55, enrollment over fifteen years of age 3, total 39, present 32. Building and furniture have been first-class but are now greatly in need of repairs. Seating capacity 58. The school is without a daily register. The vacancy in the board should be filled without delay as the law requires. This is Miss Greene's fourth consecutive term in this district. The good understanding between teacher and pupils and the thoroughness of the recitations show the advantages arising from retaining a good teacher.
North Fork District-J. W. Underwood, Joseph Cather and Isaac Herring, directors ; J. W. Spaid, teacher. Term began September 10th and continues five months. District enumeration 50, enrollment over fifteen years of age 15, total 43, present 28. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 48. This is Mr. Spaid's second term in Jasper county ; he has thus far secured employ- ment in our best districts and receives the highest wages paid in Preston town- ship. North Fork directors have "a number one" school.
Spring Hill District-J. J. Hall, D. N. Wood and Rees Williams, directors; W. II. Lester, teacher. Term began October 28th, and continues four months. District enumeration 83, enrollment 83, enrollment over fifteen years of age 15, total 64, present 58. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 64. This is the most spacious and best furnished school house owned by any rural district of the county and the Spring Hill people are justly proud of it. Mr. Lester has the school thoroughly systemized. Directors Hall and Wood visited with me and expressed their intention to strike the Eclectic primer, fifth reader and number three geography from the list of studies pursued in the school. This I consider a wise action and think other districts would do well to follow the example.
Hazen District-Alfred Kellum, Dr. Hazen and Virgil Irwin, directors; Mrs. S. A. Phelps, teacher. Term of four months began November 1Sth. District euumeration 33, enrollment over fifteen years of age 14, total 42, present 41. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 31. This is the only dis- trict in the township that owns an Unabridged Dictionary. The school is also supplied with charts and outline maps, and is making good progress under the charge of Mrs. Phelps, who is now teaching her fifth term in the county. George L. Leaming one of Jasper county's leading teachers, visited with me.
Magoffin District-W. F. Stemmons, Geo. MeCormick and Peter Schell, directors ; Hiram Harry, teacher. Term of five months began October 7th. Dis- trict enumeration 45, enrollment over 15 years of age 5, total 39. Building sec- ond-class and furniture third-class. The directors will during the term supply the school with patent desks sufficient to accommodate 40 pupils. Willingness and promptness were noticeable merits in the classes examined and the recita- tions and deportment were good. Distriet Clerk Simmons visited with me.
SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP
Deer Creek District-Jesse Lauderbaugh. Daniel Bishop and James Bro-
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
bert, directors ; J. T. Wolfe, teacher. Term of four months began November 4th, District enumeration 50, enrollment over fifteen years of age 5, total 31, present 25. Building and furniture third-class. Seating capacity 28. Class in mental arithmetic organized and doing thorough work. Our schools need more mental work. more analysis in arithmetic and less prompting from the teacher. Mr Wolfe has taught twelve terms in Bates county. this State, and we are glad to give him a place in our Jasper county schools.
MADISON TOWNSHIP
Schooler District-John N. Schooler. A. Elting and Paul Girton, directors; G. T Rhodes, teacher. Term began November 4th and continues four months. District enumeration 59. enrollment over fifteen years of age 13, total 50, present 40. Building and furniture third-class. Seating capacity 30. Mr. Rhodes is an Ohio teacher of long standing and is now teaching his second term m Jasper county. Here are found order about the desks, a teacher who conduets a roei- tation but does not recite. and pupils who are required to think and express thought. The teacher may direct but the pupil must do the work. That which the pupil does not recite is not recited. Let us think of this at each recitation.
Twin Grove District-Peter Samson, Allen Bobb and Reuben Kelly, directors ; Miss Lizzie Rice, teacher. District enumeration 55, enrollment over fifteen years of age 4. total 43. present 30. Term of four months began October 28th. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 56. Too many geography classes. We have no use for Eclectic No. 3. The Eclectic primary and No. 2. contain much more geography than we will ever succeed in having our pupils remember, and the use of the third book is unnecessary, and only shortens other recitations. Miss Rice has a model class in mental arithmetic. She is teaching her third term in this district, which is the extent of her experience. The school is doing well. The log house of a year ago has given place to an excel- lent and commodious school building of which the citizens of the district are justly prond. The people of Twin Grove believe in progress and have done the handsome thing in erecting and furnishing the building now ocenpied by the school.
JASPER TOWNSHIP
Georgia City District-Jacob Myers. J. M. Woolomes and Thomas Enos. directors; Miss Sue Gray, teacher. Term of five months began September 29th. District enumeration 103, enrollment over fifteen years of age 8, total 50, present 20. Building second-class and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 50. Miss Gray has taught eleven terms in the county and is now teaching her third term in this district. An exercise in phonetic spelling witnessed showed that the pupils had been patiently and thoroughly drilled in orthoopy which, though essential and interesting. is overlooked in some of our schools. The district is the owner of a large and well bound Lille, the only one. I believe, owned by any district of the county. Georgia City pays her teachers liberally and invariably has good schools.
Center District -- Ira Gray. Amos Atherton and J. A. Wilson, directors; Miss Josie Culpepper, teacher. Term began October 14th and continues five months. District enumeration 103. enrollment over fifteen years of age s. total 50. present 25. Building and furniture first-class. Seating capacity 34. School is supplied with out-line maps and charts. Miss Culpepper succeeds unusually well in teaching mental arithmetic. A class of young ladies in civil goverment ar- quifled itself creditaby. Good order and theroughness in all the work gone over characterizes this school.
I'nion Valley District-W. H. Rhoads, George F. Bowers and Isaac Hend- ricks, directors; A. R. Ilaughawout, teacher. Term of four months began Oct. esth. District enumeration 72. enrollment over fifteen years of age, total 46.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
present 43. Building and furniture second-class. Seating capacity 44. The policy of the directors has been to pay the best wages and employ the best teach- ers, and they have thereby given the district a school that in point of advance- ment and thoroughness, ranks with the first district schools of the county. Mr. Hanghawont is teaching his fifth term, and is doing good work, especially with the "little ones" (who are too often neglected) in primary reading and mental arithmetic. Any teacher not in possession of good methods in primary work would do well to witness the exercises of this school.
GALENA TOWNSILIP
Mt. Pleasant District-Six miles northeast of Joplin: S. B. Holden, T. W. Witten and C. J. Parker, directors; J. C. Weddel, teacher. Term of eight months began May 13th. District enumeration 76, enrollment over fifteen years of age 3, total 50, present S. Building and furniture third-class. Seating capacity 24. Mr. Weddel is a teacher of experience, having taught eighteen terms. The examination passed by the pupils present was satisfactory and showed that they were thorough in the work gone over. The daily register showed a large and regular attendance until late severe weather.
TWIN GROVE TOWNSHIP
Smithfield District-David Hopkins. W. M. Temple and John R. Walters, directors, T. A. Stockslager, teacher. Term of six months began September 2d. District enumeration 104. enrollment over fifteen years of age 10. total 67, pres- ont 31. Building second-class and furniture second and third-class. Seating capacity 32. This school contains wide-awake mmpils, earnestly at work and respectful to their teacher who in turn treated them with merited kindness.
These twenty reports the author selected from his one hundred printed reports and they represent the conditions of the county at that date. It will be noted that in a few of the districts the old house and furniture of the ante-bellum days was still in use, also that in most of these, laboring against such adverse circumstances, the schools were a success, showing that, after all, it is the teachers and the pupils that made a good school.
STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION (1878)
The Missouri State Teachers' Association held its seventeenth ses- sion in Jasper county, honoring both Carthage and Joplin with a ses- sion, the visit to Joplin being largely of a sight-seeing tour and for the purpose of seeing the mines and twenty lead furnaces that were in full blast.
The feature of this meeting was the organization of the teachers of the several portions of the state into local associations, the old Sixth District Association changing its name to the Southwestern Missouri Teachers' Association.
The following were the officers of the Southwestern Missouri Teach- ers' Association at this organization meeting : S. A. Underwood, presi- dent; the county commissioner of each of the twenty-five counties em- braced in the association, vice presidents; J. C. Mason, secretary ; Paul Roulet, treasurer.
At the close of the meeting the citizens of Carthage tendered a re- ception to the visiting teachers, using the new opera house for the occasion. The reeeption was a brilliant affair.
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IIISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
SINGING SCHOOL
During the early days it was quite common for the music-loving peo- ple of a county or village school to organize singing schools and they were very popular and largely attended. The largest singing school ever organized in a country school in Jasper county was at Preston during the winter of 1878-9. E. P. Searl of Carthage was secured as instructor and here one hundred singers gathered and sang away the cares of the day. This singing school became quite famous and contained some of the best singers of the county.
UNIFORM TEXT BOOK LAW
In 1879 S. D. Carpenter, through the columns of his paper, the Patriot, advocated a uniform state text-book law, and we refer here with great pride to the fact that the agitation which finally resulted in the passing by the state legislature of a uniform text-book law began in Jasper county.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
W. R. McLane, a negro, was granted a teacher's certificate August 23, 1877; was the first colored person in the county to successfully pass the examination, and was therefore the first colored teacher in the county.
CHAPTER XIII
COUNTY SOCIETIES
OBJECTS OF THE GRANGE-GREAT HARVEST HOME CELEBRATION-POMO- LOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY-MCDONALD TOWNSHIP FARM- ERS' CLUB- JASPER COUNTY SHEEP-JASPER COUNTY IMMIGRATION SOCIETY-THE SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL SOCIETY-COUNTY JAIL- JASPER COUNTY OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION-COLONEL YOUNG AND THE COUNTY OF '65.
During the early 'seventies there came into great popularity in Jas- per county a farmers' organization, the Patrons of Husbandry, but pop- ularly known as "the Grangers."
OBJECTS OF THE GRANGE
I. To develope a better and higher manhood among its members.
II. To cultivate a love of home.
III. To preserve inviolate the laws and customs of the American nation.
IV. To reduce the cost of living and discourage extravagance in local, state and national governments.
V. To promote harmony and encourage patriotism.
VI. To facilitate better and cheaper transportation.
VII. To encourage cooperation and to bring together, in a stronger bond of union, the farmers of the land.
In 1872 seventeen granges were organized and by 1874 the order had spread into almost every school district.
GREAT HARVEST HOME CELEBRATION
On October 1, 1873, the Grangers had a great demonstration at Carthage, which brought together the farmers from both Jasper and Newton counties. The speakers of the day were Norman J. Coleman, editor of the Rural World, and T. R. Allen, grand master of the Mis- souri State Grange. We clip the following from the Carthage Banner, as it will give a vivid idea of the magnitude of the gathering and the importance of the event in farm circles.
THE FARMERS' FEAST.
A PROCESSION TWO MILES LONG-HUNDREDS OF GRANGERS TURN OUT WITH THEIR FAMILIES-TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE WAGONS IN LINE-THEY MARCH THROUGH THE CITY WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS-SPEECHES BY T. R. ALLEN, MASTER STATE GRANOE, AND COL. N. J. COLMAN.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Yesterday was a gala day for the farmers of Jasper county. Although cloudy in the morning. by eight o'clock the sky was clear and by nine the crowds began to gather in the city from all quarters. Farmers with their wives and chil- dren came to enjoy the feast that had long been preparing for them. Everybody turned out-mechanics, artizans, laborers. merchants, lawyers, printers, bankers and speculators, land sharks, bloated bond-holders, and persons bloated who are not. bond-holders, office-holders, office seekers and aspiring politicians, fresh from the barber shops slicked up with hay seed hair dressing. all eager to swell the throng, and anxious to be counted a "friend if not a lover."
On the arrival of the train, a committee consisting of Indge Conard. W. 1. Bullis, and J. A. Bodenhammer met the speakers with carriages and the band and escorted them to the City Hotel where ample arrangements had been made for their accommodation. By ten o'clock the city was full of spectators, and the Grangers waiting on the principal roads a short distance out for the signal of march which was soon given. Dashing Cutler. the railroad's greatest enemy. mounted on his fiery steed, led the van: following was the band wagon carrying the Carthage Silver Cornet hand, discoursing excellent music. Grange after Grange followed, some with the flag of our comtry gallantly streaming, and others with lanners with the name and number of the Grange and mottoes significant and insignificant.
First came the "Marion Grange. No. 4. P. of II. Motto-"Education, Re- trenchment and Reform."
"Preston Grange. No. 23." "Good bye 3 per cent." "Mr. Bonds-No Post Dating in ours."
"No more Sand Stone Steals." "The Ring is Broken." "1874-The farmers will run the machine." "How are you politicians."
"Monopolies render Competition Impossible."
"We Feed the World."
"We foot the bills."
"Farmer's Home Grange. No. 53. P. of IL."-Ceres. "We will vote for no more robbers if we know it."
On the People's Press bammer was inscribed the words: "Live or Die. Sink or Swim, Survive or perish. We will Support the Farmer's Movement."
"White Hall Grange, No. 356." "Down with Monopolies." "Justice to all."
Judge Hornback's wagon carried a banner on one side of which was in- scribed in large letters: "Pay Back the Back Pay." and on the other. "We demand a full Overhauling of our County Records."
"Jasper Grange, No. 119." "Justice to all men."
"T'nion Grange, No. 43." "Farmer's protect your Rights."
"Sarcoxie Grange. No. 252." "Excelsior." Another belonging to the same grange inseribed with "Let us Plough under the foul weeds of Corruption."
"Spring River Grange." "United We Stand. Divided We Fall."
"Pay back the Back Steal." "Farmers at your post."
"Prairie Dale Grange, No. 181." "United We Stand. Divided We Fall."
"Lincoln Grange, No. 31." "I'nion is Strength."
"Avilla Grange."
"Equity before the law. Richland Grange. Live and let live." On the other side were the words: "For our country's welfare; For the enjoyment of our rights: For the elevation of agriculture: We cooperate against rings and monopolies."
"Midway Grange. No. 24. P. of II." "Eureka." "Friendship. Truth and Charity."
Mr. William Collins of Preston, acted as Grand Marshal, and Ellis Serjean. James Spence, John Hornback. F. L. Cutler and Joshua Shafer as Assistant Mar- shals, who conducted them through the principal streets of the city. It was a grand sight to look at, and fully as pleasant to the participants for the weather was pleasant and the streets free from dust. After the parade the throng pro-
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
needed to the public park where a stand had been erected and seats provided for the multitude.
About 12 o'clock. Mr. T. R. Allen, of Allenton, St. Louis county. Master of the State Grange, commenced his address.
His speech was confined principally to the objects and working of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, His work is organization. He wanted "it distinctly understood that we have no antagonism with any legitimate calling. Our war is with corruption and monopoly. We must first organize and by carrying out the principles of the organization we have monopoly by the throat." He said. "there is a wrong somewhere" and it is the farmers' fault. "We must be educa- ted." "Banking corporations and all other organizations are ondeavoring to erush us out." "Farmers are the mere serfs of mankind." "This organization is co-extensive with the Nation." The farmers are equal to all others in number. and timis are powerful. There are too many people engaged in business. The num- ber nuist be reduced. Our action will not only do this in many lines, but will strengthen those that remain."-"Our motto is live and let live." He said ob- jections were made by some to admitting ladies but he thought it was the best feature of the order, and inquired if anybody know anything to fail that the ladies took hold of. Others object to paying $5 initiation and 10 cents monthly dnes, He explained that grangers save $25 a piece on reapers and largely on plows and other implements in proportion. He claimed that the best features of the organization are its social effects; and emphatically stated-on his honor as a truthful man and a christian of forty years in the church, -- that "this grange organization has done more for the brotherhood of man that the christian religion has in 1,800 years." Mr. Allen concluded by explaining that the princi- pal objects to be attained. are to educate the farmers that they may be better able to do their duty as citizens, and reform the abuses that now exist. That they may be able to do their own thinking and not follow leaders. Said farmers have been led too much that they must raise their own speakers, so as not to be obliged to call on lawyers and politicians to do the speaking. He also explained how a new system of crop reports can be gotton up for the whole country on a cheap plan, and one that will be reliable and practicable for all.
In 1874 the Jasper County Grange put under way a proposition to build an implement factory in Jasper county and the farmers proposed to subscribe $100,000 in stock for the enterprise.
Mayor Regan, of Carthage, offered to donate five acres of land for a building site, but the cost of farm implements after this move coming down, the plan was abandoned. The Grange continued to be popular during the 'seventies and did meh good in the way of bringing the farmers together in a fraternal way. It was a great social factor among the husbandmen and useful in many other ways.
POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
On August 24, 1872, the first fruit growers of the county organized the above named society, having for its object the promotion of the science of pomology and the better raising of small fruit.
During the organization meeting Peter Myers placed on the secre- tary's table a Crawford peach, measuring nine and three fourths inches in circumference and weighing seven and one half ounces. The peach was a product of his orchard and was one of many such.
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