USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > Education in Indiana. An outline of the growth of the common school system, together with statements relating to the condition of secondary and higher education in the state and a brief history of the educational exhibit. Prepared for the Louisiana purchase exposition, held at Saint Louis, May 1 to November 30, 1904 > Part 16
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
63
Pike
114
31
145
144
100 00
205 00
64
Porter
43
102
145
142
100 00
236 40
65
Posey
78
70
148
148
5
100 00
246 00
66
Pulaski
59
141
200
158
5
100 00
276 32
67
Putnam
100
125
225
200
5
100 00
185 00
68
Randolph
102
101
203
194
5
100 00
323 42
69
Ripley
78
74
152
147.3
5
100 00
211 96
70
Rush
60
73
133
128.2
5
100 00
174 50
71
Scott
51
41
92
76
5
62 40
109 65
72
Shelby
160
142
302
286
5
100 00
250 00
73
Spencer
73
82
155
150
5
50 00
220 00
74
Starke .
41
49
90
89
5
100 00
195 00
75
St. Joseph
98
204
302
225
5
100 00
265 00
76
Steuben
38
112
150
142
5
100 00
183 00
77
Sullivan
110
137
217
235
5
100 00
275 00
78
Switzerland
80
58
138
110
5
50 00
145 70
79
Tippecanoe
100
218
318
300
5
100 00
290 00
80
Tipton
101
45
146
135
5
100 00
207 97
81
Union
22
38
60
55.3
5
50 00
183 40
82
Vanderburgh
29
53
82
81
5
50 00
267 50
83
Vermillion
59
55
114
109
5
100 00
200 00
84
Vigo
173
307
480
425
5
100 00
215 00
85
Wabash
76
151
227
227
5
100 00
350 00
86
Warren
50
81
131
125
5
100 00
180 00
87
Warrick
125
64
189
152
5
100 00
201 00
88
Washington
162
66
228
200
6
100 00
322 50
89
Wayne
50
165
215
215
5
100 00
318 00
90
Wells
101
60
161
156
5
50 00
183 64
91
White
92
93
185
181
5
100 00
209 53
92
Whitley
61
80
141
138
100 00
325 00
Total
7,621
8,899
17,025
173.3
457
$8,462 40
$21,469 53
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 crercher crercher chercher
drawn from the
stitute.
161
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
2. TOWNSHIP INSTITUTES.
Local school officers and teachers give increasing attention to township institutes. These are the most valuable meetings held in Indiana in the name of education. The assembling of all of the teachers of a township at least once each month during the school term to discuss matters of educational concern is of great value to the state. It is a great institution for the regeneration and educa- tion of the rural teaching corps.
«. STATISTICS.
Township institutes held during year ending July 31, 1903. 6,421
Average number held in each township. 6.3 Cost in wages to teachers for year. $149,602.20
b. THE LAW.
(1889, p. 67. Approved and in force March 2, 1889.)
Township Institutes. 9. At least one Saturday in each month during which the public schools may be in progress shall be de- voted to township institutes, or model schools for the improve- ment of teachers ; and two Saturdays may be appropriated, at the discretion of the township trustee of any township. Such insti- tnte shall be presided over by a teacher, or other person, desig- nated by the trustee of the township. The township trustee shall specify, in a written contract with each teacher, that such teacher shall attend the full session of each institute contemplated herein, or forfeit one day's wages for every day's absence therefrom, unless such absence shall be occasioned by sickness, or such other reason as may be approved by the township trustee, and for each day's attendance at such institute each teacher shall receive the same wages as for one day's teaching: Provided, That no teacher shall receive such wages unless he or she shall attend the full session of such institute and perform the duty or duties assigned. (R. S. 1894, §6009 ; R. S. 1897, §6230.)
1. A trustee failing to comply with the above is subject to prosecu- tion and removal from office.
11 - EDUCATION.
X. SCHOOL JOURNALS.
A. THE INDIANA SCHOOL JOURNAL.
The Indiana state teachers' association was organized at Indi- anapolis, December 25, 1854, and at the first session the subject of an educational journal was considered. The project of establish- ing a journal was referred to the executive committee with instruc- tions to report at the next annual session.
The second association met at Madison, Ind., in December, 1855, and the following report was submitted by Prof. E. P. Cole, principal of the Indianapolis high school :
Resolved, (1) That this association will publish an educational journal, similar in size and typographical execution to the Ohio Journal of Educa- tion. (2) That this journal be conducted by nine editors appointed by the association, one of whom shall be styled resident editor.
The report was promptly adopted, and the paper was named the Indiana School Journal. Members of the association sub- seribed for 475 copies, and W. B. Smith, of Cincinnati, Ohio, do- nated $200 to aid the enterprise. The first number was issued in January, 1856, and it bore the name of the Indiana School Jour- nal until the summer of 1900, when it and the Inland Educator, of Terre Haute, were consolidated at Indianapolis under the name of the Educator-Journal.
After the first number of the Indiana School Journal had been issned Prof. E. P. Cole aeted as traveling agent for same for only a few months, and as a result the subscription became large for a new publieation. The editors selected were as follows: Geo. B. Stone, superintendent Indianapolis sehools, resident editor; asso- eiate editors, W. D. Henkle, E. P. Cole, Geo. A. Chase, Rufus Patch, B. F. Hoyt, Mary Wells, and Jane Chamberlain.
In 1858 Mr. Stone left the state and W. D. Henkle became resi- dent editor of the Indiana School Journal, and in 1859 he was sneceeded by Mr. O. Phelps, to whom the management of the Jour- nal was transferred by the Indiana state teachers' association in
(162)
163
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
December, 1859. In 1862 Mr. Phelps, with the consent of the state teachers' association, transferred the Journal to Prof. Geo. W. Hoss. In 1869 Prof. Wm. A. Bell, principal of the Indian- apolis high school, became half owner. In July, 1871, Professor Hoss, having been elected president of the Kansas state normal, sold his interest in the Journal to W. A. Bell, who then became editor and sole proprietor, and he continued as such for twenty- eight years, when he sold the Journal to Hon. D. M. Geeting, state superintendent of public instruction, and his deputy, Hon. F. A. Cotton, the latter selling his interest to Mr. Geeting a few months later. In July, 1900, the former owners of the Inland Educator, which had been published at Terre Haute since 1895, united their interests with the owners of the Indiana School Jour- nal, and the Educator-Journal Company was incorporated. for $20,000, and the first number of the Educator-Journal was pub- lished at Indianapolis in August, 1900. The first issue consisted of 20,000 copies.
In January, 1901, the following editor and officers were chosen : Hon. D. M. Geeting, editor ; Wm. H. Wiley, superintendent Terre Haute schools, president; Chas. F. Patterson, superintendent Edinburg schools, treasurer; J. W. Walker, secretary and business manager.
In 1903 Dr. Robt. J. Aley, professor of mathematics in Indiana university, became editor.
From its first issue in 1856 the Journal has been thoroughly representative of the best thought and sentiment in Indiana, and its circulation now extends to almost every state in the union. Its subscription price is one dollar per year. The paper was never more prosperous than at present.
B. THE TEACHER'S JOURNAL AND OTHER EDUCA- TIONAL PAPERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUB- LISHED IN THE STATE.
In January, 1869, A. C. Shortridge, superintendent of the Indianapolis schools, George P. Brown, superintendent of the Richmond schools, and W. A. Bell, principal of the Indianapolis high school, started The Indiana Teacher. At the end of six
164
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
months W. A. Bell bought out his associates and merged the Teach- er into the Indiana School Journal and thus became half owner of the Journal. W. B. Chrisler, who was for many years at the head of Bedford male and female college, edited and published a paper called The Common School Teacher. This paper continued for a number of years and had more than a local circulation. The exact date of this publication is not at hand, but it was in the seventies.
In 1873, A. C. Shortridge, superintendent of the Indianapolis schools, and Geo. P. Brown, principal of the Indianapolis high school, started the Educationist. This paper continued for two years and was edited with much ability. In March, 1875, the Educationist was merged in the School Journal and Messrs. Short- ridge and Brown became for a time associate editors of the Journal.
In January, 1874, II. A. Ford, editor of the "Michigan Teach- er," at Lansing, Mich., started The Northern Indiana Teacher and published it at South Bend, Ind. The body of this paper was the same as that of the Michigan Teacher, which did not at all detract from its merit, but its miscellaneous and personal departments were especially devoted to Indiana interests. In July, 1876, W. A. Bell bought this paper and merged it in the Journal.
The Normal Teacher, edited and published by J. E. Sherrill, was started at Ladoga in 1878, but soon afterward, when the Central Indiana normal school was removed from Ladoga to Danville the paper was also changed to that place. The paper represented largely the thought of the normal school, although not formally connected with it.
The Normal Teacher was pushed with great vigor and secured an extensive circulation. After some years the name of the paper was changed to the Teachers' Examiner. In 1892 Mr. Sherrill sold the paper and its standard was not kept up by its new proprie- tor. In a short time after this change W. A. Bell bought it and filled the time of its subscribers with the School Journal.
In 1881 a paper was started at Valparaiso, called the Northern Indiana School Journal, and in 1884 W. J. Bell bought ont his partner and became sole owner and editor. In December of this same year Mr. Bell sold the paper to a man, who changed its name to "The American," and in 1886 removed it to Iowa.
165
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
The Student was the name of a paper edited and published by Prof. Bogarte, of the Northern Indiana normal school, from February, 1891, to October, 1892.
In 1882 John M. Olcott started The Educational Weekly. This was the only weekly educational paper ever published in Indiana. it was pushed with Mr. Olcott's characteristic energy and in a short time secured a large circulation, but was never made to pay financially. In 1884 Mr. Olcott accepted the superintendency of the Greencastle schools, but continued to edit the Weekly. In November, 1885, the paper was sold to the New England Journal of Education.
The Teachers' Journal is an educational monthly published at Marion, by A. Jones, editor, and O. W. Ford, business manager. The proprietors are both members of the faculty of the Marion normal school. The first issue of this paper was in July, 1901. and it now claims a circulation of 7,000. It has among its con- tributors some of the best educational writers in the state.
Numerous county papers have been published by county super- intendents, some of them lasting many years. Some of these were well edited and served well the purpose for which they were in- tended. That these school papers have been a help to teachers and thus been a means of advancing the educational interests of the state, can not be doubted.
XI. INDIANA UNION OF LITERARY CLUBS.
NOTE .- Mrs. Eva B. Rohboek, president of the Union, appointed Mrs. Elizabeth (. Earl to edit the above chapter and acknowledgments are due Mrs. May Wright Sewall. Mrs. Martha N. MeKay, Miss Merica Hoagland, Mrs. C. B. Woodworth, Mrs. George Felts and Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith for co-operation.
The Indiana union of literary clubs was formally organized in Richmond, June 3, 1890, during a convention in which were dele- gates representing twenty-six literary clubs. The preliminary work of the organization, however, had been undertaken by the executive committee of the Indianapolis woman's club, Miss Eliza- beth Nicholson, with whom originated the idea of a state union of clubs, was chairman of this committee. The initial step in the organization was a reception given by the woman's club of Indi- anapolis in October, 1889, to the literary clubs of the state, when, for the first time, members of clubs met socially.
The object of the union as set forth in the constitution is "the discussion in open annual meeting of questions pertaining to so- cial, educational and literary matters, and of methods for the best culture and advancement of the state." The annual convention has been marked by comprehensive programs, strong speakers and rich social opportunities ; while notable art exhibits and excellent musical programs have characterized many of the meetings. Four- teen annual conventions have been held in the following places : Richmond, Terre Haute (twice), Lafayette (twice), Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Huntington, Connersville, Warsaw, Bloomington, Evansville, Valparaiso and Crawfordsville. The presidents elected annually have been representative of the different sections of the stato-1890, Mrs. Josephine E. Martin, Richmond; 1891, Mrs. A. B. McGregor, Indianapolis; 1892, Miss Elizabeth Nicholson, Indianapolis: 1893, Mrs. J. H. Smart, Lafayette: 1894, Mrs. C. R. Drver, Terre Haute: 1895, Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Cam- bridge City : 1896, Mrs. O. W. Connor, Wabash : 1897, Miss Mer- ica Hoagland, Fort Wayne: 1898. Mr. John B. Wisely, Terre Haute: 1899, Mrs. Frances M. Swain. Bloomington ; 1900, Mrs. Emma Mont McRae, Lafayette : 1901, Mrs. George F. Felts, Fort
(166)
167
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Wayne; 1902, Mrs. S. Elliott Perkins, Indianapolis ; 1903, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Earl, Connersville; 1904, Mrs. Eva B. Rohbock, Wabash.
The delegates from constituent clubs made reports to the first conventions concerning the work of their respective clubs, but soon the membership grew so large that the very valuable plan was necessarily abandoned. The importance of continuity in club work and the advantages of printed programs soon became appar- ent and the eagerness for exchange of programs was a marked fea- ture of the earlier conventions, but with age and experience clubs have come to take their own initiative, so there is now little de- mand for exchanges. The reports of the constituent clubs soon disclosed the need for libraries universally felt outside of the larger cities. Study programs participated in by members is the general plan pursued by the clubs, therefore access to reference books is imperative. A few clubs early adopted the plan of each year purchasing with club funds a number of books relating to the subjects of the year's study ; this excellent plan could not, however, be generally adopted and in consequence there is found recurring again and again in the minutes of the conventions resolutions re- lating to public libraries and library laws. At the Connersville convention the discussion assumed a more definite form, Miss Har- riett Noble, Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Mr. Jacob P. Dunn and others making some valuable suggestions, but it was at the Warsaw convention of 1897 that the Indiana union of literary clubs took definite steps toward securing better library legislation and time has proved what earnestness of purpose will accomplish. In her president's address Miss Merica Hoagland "entered a plea for a library law which would establish a public library commission and secure to even the smallest towns free public libraries." At the last session of the same convention Mrs. Elizabeth C. Earl, of Con- nersville, introduced the following :
Resolved, That the president of this convention appoint a committee of five, of which she shall be one, to co-operate with the state library association, in framing a law which shall secure to Indiana a library com- mission, and this committee shall report progress at the next convention at Bloomington.
The union adopted the resolution and the following legislative committee was appointed : Mrs. Elizabeth C. Earl, Connersville ;
168
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Mrs. Jacob P. Dunn, Indianapolis : Miss Sarah A. Catlin, War- saw : Prof. T. F. Moran, Lafayette ; Miss Merica Hoagland, Fort Wayne. After a year's careful study of the library laws of the more progressive states, the committee submitted to the Blooming- ton convention its report, which contained the following provi- sions: The creation of a public library commission, said commis- sion to assume charge of the state library, render the use of many of the books contained therein accessible to the whole people of the state : to give advice and information concerning the administra- tion and organization of public libraries and make possible the establishment of a system of traveling libraries and the organiza- tion of township libraries. The report was adopted and the com- mittee continued, as a legislative committee, with instructions to have the bill introduced into the next general assembly.
Inadvertently while working toward an ideal centralization of library interests separated in administrated form, though closely related to the school system of the state, the committee found itself somewhat involved in the state and nonstate school controversy which was coming up in the assembly of 1899. Prof. T. F. Moran, of Purdue university, resigned from the committee and Mr. James F. Stutesman, of Peru, was appointed by Mrs. Frances M. Swain to take his place. The committee introduced what it considered an ideal bill, "Senate Bill 58 (Brooks)" and allowed it to be amended by the senate committee to which it was referred. The irritation caused by the original measure has never wholly disappeared and the most interested in the library development of Indiana now feel that the elimination of that section relating to the state library was unwise, as there is little doubt but that it could have been carried.
As a direct result of the efforts of the Indiana union of literary clubs, in 1899, there was secured the passage of a law, creating a public library commission, providing for a system of free traveling libraries, appropriating $3,000 for them and making possible the establishment of new township libraries. Governor Mount ap- pointed as library commissioners Mrs. Elizabeth C. Earl, of Con- nersville : Mr. Jacob P. Dunn, of Indianapolis, and Mr. Joseph R. Voris, of Bedford. Governor Mount reappointed Mrs. Earl, and Governor Durbin, Mr. Dunn. At the expiration of his term Mr.
169
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Voris, declining a reappointment, Mr. William W. Parsons, of Terre Haute, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
To meet an apparent need, the commission induced the general assembly of 1901 to make a sufficient appropriation to admit of ex- tending the traveling libraries and the appointing of a library or- ganizer. Miss Merica Hoagland, of Fort Wayne, was appointed library organizer. The value of the commission's services to the state commended itself to the legislature of 1903 and it granted for the further extension of library interests an annual appropriation of $7,000. At present this is being expended in four departments of work: Purchase and circulation of traveling libraries; office and publication ; instruction of libraries and library institutes ; organization and improvement of public libraries. In all the com- mission's legislation the Indiana union of literary clubs has given valuable assistance.
The commission purchased and equipped 34 traveling libraries, which were ready for circulation August 26, 1899. By October, 1900, these had increased to 80 and at present number 127. Dur- ing the second and third fiscal years, for some reason there was a decline in the popularity of the traveling libraries, 87 being sent out in 1901 and 72 in 1902. With the transfer of the administra- tion and custody of the books to the commission's office the interest has been revived and the report for the year 1903 shows 244 trav- eling libraries circulated in the state. Miss Georgia Reynolds, of Elkhart, was appointed librarian of the traveling library depart- ment October, 1902.
From the opening of the office of the public library commission, November 1, 1901, information has gone out from it concerning the selection and classification of books, library organization, im- proved methods in administration, instruction of librarians, best building plans, etc.
The erection of the Henry Henley library building at Carthage and of 39 library buildings, the gifts of Mr. Andrew Carnegie to various cities in the state, has laid upon the commission the in- spection of plans and the giving of advice concerning the essentials of library buildings.
From the first, the commission has given much attention to the instruction of librarians, assembling a class of thirteen members in its office October 31 to November 7, 1901. The first school for
170
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
librarians was held at the state house, April 17 to May 15, 1902. In May, 1903, the commission secured the services of Miss Anna R. Phelps as permanent instructor.
The second course of the school for librarians was held in 1903 at Winona Lake in connection with the assembly and summer school. At the same place will be held the third course in 1904. The course has gradually been improved until it ranks among the best in the country.
In May, 1903, the public library commission, following the plan of New York state, divided Indiana into seventeen districts for the purpose of holding library institutes similar to the teachers' and farmers' institutes. The Indiana union of literary clubs and the Indiana state federation of women's clubs are co-operating with the commission in appointing district library institute directors who will become responsible for the library interests in their sec- tions. This concentration of attention upon a circumscribed area can not but be effective in the library development of the state.
Under the Mummert library law of 1901, amended in 1903, it is possible for any incorporated town or city to organize a free pub- lic library and the efforts of the public library commission is to en- courage such organization, the library organizer visiting any place desiring to secure organization.
The part played by the Indiana union of literary clubs in the recent library development must not only be gratifying to each member of its affiliated clubs, but to every citizen of the common- wealth. In the very beginning it was decided that membership in the union should not be limited to women's clubs, but that men's clubs and mixed clubs should be included, and to this ideal the union has remained loyal. During its entire existence, however, there has been an element in the union that desired affiliation with the general federation of women's clubs. This, of course, was im- possible while the constituency of the union included men's clubs and mixed clubs. When the "Indiana federation of women's clubs" was organized, in 1901, naturally some of the women's clubs belonging to the union withdrew in order to join that organi- zation, thereby reducing the number of clubs in the union, which had reached 190 in 1900 to 136 in 1903. This loss in membership is explained in order to forestall incorrect inferences.
171
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
The annual convention of 1901 authorized four standing com- mittees, the object being to secure definiteness of aim and concen- tration of effort in promoting "the best culture and advancement of the state." These standing committees were: Fine arts (music and architecture), education (schools, libraries, clubs and press), home economics (home and municipal housekeeping and the pro- tection of family life), and business (executive work of the an- nual convention ). Each committee was given the responsibility of a program for one session of the annual convention in addition to the task of interesting the constituent clubs in their respective subjects.
Mrs. C. B. Woodworth, of Fort Wayne, was appointed chair- man of the "standing committee on fine arts." Up to the present time three traveling picture galleries have been purchased; one, of 45 photographs dealing with the technique of art; one, of 72 photographs on French painting; and a third, of 82 photographs and etchings outlining American art. These galleries are sent to any club of the union, the club becoming responsible for ex- pressage one way and having the privilege of retaining the desired section two weeks or more. The committee is also prepared to send lecturers on art whenever requested to do so.
Mrs. May Wright Sewall, of Indianapolis, was appointed chairman of the "standing committee on education." The pur- pose of the committee was to find a means of relating clubs to the other educational agencies of the state, the home, the school, the church and the press.
"The whole world has always agreed that women have a right to be interested in their children, and a democracy more cer- tainly and continually than any other form of government takes children out of the home. It is because children are taken out of the home by democratic institutions that under democratic institutions women must go out of the home to follow the ehil- dren. Each woman by her personal influence follows by her care and her criticism her own children to and fro from their daily school, into the Sunday-school of her church ; she may, if she will, dictate to her children what and how much of the daily paper they may read ; she may, if she will, dictate to her children what publie entertainments they may attend. It is in their organized capacity within the club that this function of guardianship, which
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.