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 41
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The college sustains the following courses and departments : Four general college courses, law course, two business courses, department of instrumental music, department of voice, de- partment of art, the model school.
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The faculty has consisted of from 15 to 25 members since 1880, the number at this time being 23.
The board of trustees consists of seven members, all residing in Danville. They are Judge Thos. J. Cofer, G. T. Pattison, Rev. Townsend Cope, Chas. L. Hollowell, O. E. Gulley, J. D. Hogate and C. A. Hargrave. The first two are president and secretary, respectively. They are chosen annually by the stock- holders.
The college has two large buildings known as Chapel Hall and Recitation Hall. They are entirely devoted to school uses, being in no part dormitories or boarding houses. They give ample accommodations for 1,000 students. The library is located in Chapel Hall. The laboratories are located in Recitation Hall. There also are the society rooms, the studio and the large business hall. A large supply of new physical and chemical apparatus has just been purchased. Maps, globes, skeletons, manikins, microscopes, a telescope, a stereopticon, and many other valuable aids are provided. There are available nearly 1,000 microscopic slides.
The sole support of the college is the tuition paid by students. Not a cent is received from church or state.
The attendance has varied from 750 to 1,500 different students annually. The average term attendance for the year has been from 300 to 400.
Twenty-five thousand students have attended the college, and at least twenty-five hundred have graduated from the various de- partments. It is probable that the C. N. C. has enrolled more In- diana teachers than any other college. At this writing (Feb. '04) thirteen states and territories and fifty-three Indiana counties are represented.
Dr. Kinnaman is the best equipped president the college has ever had. He has about him a strong faculty. The desire of every member is to do honest work. The attendance this year is 20 to 25 per cent. better than one year ago. The scientific class is larger than ever before, and in it are twenty graduates of commissioned high schools. The model school is now a per- manent feature, under charge of Mrs. E. E. Olcott. There is
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evidently a place for the college and it will put forth every effort to meet all demands upon it.
e. TRI-STATE NORMAL COLLEGE, ANGOLA.
This school was founded in 1884. It is owned by five people, who appoint the board of trustees. The faculty is made up of fifteen regular and ten irregular members. The equipment consists of three buildings with laboratories, furnishings and library, costing about $40,000. The support of the college is wholly by tuition.
f. THE MARION NORMAL COLLEGE, MARION.
The first movement toward the establishment of the Marion Normal College was made in the year 1890. In this year thie Normal School Stock Company of Marion was incorporated and a brick college building erected on Thirty-eighth and Washing- ton streets, a location then outside the corporate limits of the city. The school was organized with a business department, normal and academic courses and a department of music. In 1894, a new building was erected on Washington and Forty- second streets. This building is a modern structure of pressed brick and stone, ninety feet long, eighty feet wide and three stories in height. In the year 1897, the school passed into the hands of its present owner, Prof. C. W. Boucher. The school was then placed on a sound financial basis. It was immediately reorganized. The school year was divided into five terms of ten weeks each, making practically a continuous session of fifty weeks each year.
The work of the normal school proper is divided into four successive courses, each requiring a year of fifty weeks each. These courses are: Preparatory, teachers' common school course, scientific course, and classic course. In connection with the nor- mal school proper is a practice training school, which is a part of the city school system of Marion, yet organized and used as a practice school for students in the normal school who have advanced far enough to take the method and practice work ad- vantageously. Students entering the school are not required to take any one of the regular courses, unless desiring to graduate
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from the institution, but are free to choose any subjects which they may desire to pursue.
There is also sustained a school of oratory and dramatic art, which consists of a full two years' course in both class and private instruction.
The business university consists of the departments of teleg- raphy, stenography and typewriting, bookkeeping and commercial law. These departments are thoroughly equipped with all of the modern instruments and appliances, and are as complete as it is possible to organize them.
Another department of the school is a conservatory of music, in which instruction in all kinds of instrumental music is given as well as a thorough course in voice culture. There is also a two years' law course, the completion of which admits the graduate to the bar in the state of Indiana. In 1890 another college building was erected, at a cost of about $25,000. In this are conducted the school of music and all departments of the business university, thus removing all noise and confusion from the normal school proper.
The school is regularly incorporated under the laws of Indiana, and is empowered to confer such degrees as the various courses may warrant.
The school is private, its officers consisting of president, vice- president and secretary.
The faculty consists of seventeen members.
The school is equipped with two large buildings, erected espe- cially to accommodate the various departments of the school. It has a chemical and physical laboratory and a good working library. The business school is thoroughly equipped with the best telegraphic instruments, the various makes of modern type- writers, and a full line of offices and banks for actual business work in all lines of practice bookkeeping and commercial work. There has been added a manual training department, fully equipped for all lines of desk-work. This is for giving special instruction to teachers in the normal school, as well as for the general student.
The enrollment varies from 600 to 1,000 annually, varying at different periods of the year.
The institution is supported by tuition paid by the students.
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As the school is now organized and equipped, it meets all the demands of those desiring to teach in any grade of public school work whatever, and fits young men and women to meet the most exacting demands in all lines of business work. The work is thorough and in accord with advanced educational ideas. The standing with both private and state institutions is excellent, all grades being accepted at their full value. The school is prosperous in all of the various departments, and grows steadily in numbers and influence. It occupies a commanding site on Washington street, the main thoroughfare of the city, while the electric cars run to the doors every twenty minutes. It has all the city conveniences and free mail delivery twice each day. The school is progressive and the surroundings such as to make it desirable in every particular.
g. ROCHESTER NORMAL UNIVERSITY, ROCHESTER. -
The school was founded in 1895. The charter provides for conferring ordinary college degrees.
The aim of the projectors of the school was to offer courses of study that would meet the needs of district and high school teachers; that would furnish academic work exactly adapted to the wants of those who wished to prepare for college or university ; also to furnish advanced courses in science, history, literature, language, mathematics, forensics, civics, and oratory, that should entitle students to college degrees. Accordingly, the school was chartered under the laws of Indiana, and is competent to confer degrees upon those who are entitled to receive them.
A department of music was established, and appropriate work in voice culture and piano, organ, band, and stringed music has been offered. Commercial, shorthand and typewriting courses were likewise added.
This aim has been well met, and friends of the R. N. U. do not hesitate to place its work in the highest rank of excel- lence. The president, W. H. Banta, says: "It is our policy to do all our work so thoroughly well that the school shall be known for the good scholarship of its students, and the superior qualifications of its teachers."
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The board of trustees were first selected by a committee of citizens, but are now chosen annually by vote of board under the charter.
The faculty consists of eleven instructors.
The present equipment is that of a modern academy-good scientific laboratory and good library, and fairly good general equipment.
Present enrollment, 350.
The institution is supported entirely by tuition from the stu- dents. No endowment.
h. GOSHEN COLLEGE, GOSHEN.
The Elkhart institute was founded at Elkhart, Indiana, in 1894, and was continued at that place as a bible and preparatory school until 1903, when it was moved to Goshen, enlarged into a junior college, and named Goshen college.
The college is owned and controlled by a stock company com- posed of Mennonite stockholders who elect from their own num- ber a board of directors of 25 members. This board elects its own officers and a local executive board, which has full charge of affairs between the annual meetings of the directors.
The faculty now numbers 16, of which eight devote all their time to the work in the college.
The college has a campus of ten acres and two buildings. The main building is used for the college work and the other building for a general dining hall and a ladies' dormitory.
In the main building are an assembly hall, seating 700, library and reading room, three laboratories, gymnasium and bath room, 14 recitation and lecture rooms, and offices.
The enrollment for this year is 135.
The institution is supported by tuition, income from endow- ment and donations. It has now, in real estate, equipment and endowment, property amounting to $75,000.
The college has the following departments: Junior college, academy, normal, bible, commercial, elocution, music, and art.
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i. TIIE INDIANA KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL, INDIANAPOLIS.
When the Indianapolis free kindergartens were inaugurated in 1882, their maintenance was undertaken by a private associ- ation known as the Children's Aid Society, a branch of the Social Science Club. Mrs. Eliza A. Blaker, as superintendent, directed the first kindergarten and supervised the two others opened during the first year. She instituted a private normal school to provide competent assistants for the free kindergarten work. In 1884 the free kindergarten organization was incor- porated as the Indianapolis Free Kindergarten and Children's Aid Society. A year later the normal training school was adopted as an integral part of the system and has since main- tained its vital relations with the free kindergartens.
The trustees of the normal school are those of the free kinder- gartens-the officers, the twelve members of the executive board and the advisory board of ten members. Mrs. E. A. Blaker, superintendent of free kindergartens and domestic training schools, has always been principal of the normal school. The foregoing officers and trustees are elected at the annual meeting of the Free Kindergarten and Children's Aid Society, whose members are qualified by the payment of an annual fee.
The normal school was for twenty-one years without perma- nent or adequate accommodations for its work-occupying at various times free kindergarten buildings, church and office rooms and dwelling-houses, until it outgrew them all. Keeping pace with the kindergartens, its work has grown uniformly and healthfully to its present proportions. From a one year's course, enrolling eight pupils in 1882, it has increased its dimensions to a three years' course, with a present enrollment of one hun- dred and eighteen students. In 1903, through the zeal of Mrs. H. S. Tucker, treasurer of the society, and others, the present edifice was erected. Its cost of forty thousand dollars was raised entirely by private subscriptions. The new structure, known as the William N. Jackson Memorial Institute, is hygienically located near the northern outskirts of the city and is substan- tially built of brick and stone. It is perfectly adapted to the purposes of its existence, with comfortable offices, library, large
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assembly hall, gymnasium, adequate class-rooms and a full equip- ment for domestic training, which is an essential feature of the normal course.
The school has a regular faculty of fourteen members, besides the special teachers and lecturers in physical culture, vocal music, cooking and culture subjects. Nine of these members are asso- ciated with the morning kindergartens as supervisors and direc- tors. All are departmental teachers of the normal school. The course of study was for the first few years a one-year's course to which a post-graduate class in primary work was added in 1886. A third-year class was organized in 1890 for students specially adapted for normal work. In 1898 the certificate at the close of the first year was abolished, and all students were required to complete two years' work before graduation. The third year is still optional, but gives evidence of increasing pop- ularity, as the necessity for thorough preparation for kindergar- tening is recognized.
Until the year 1902-1903 the work of normal school and kin- dergarten was entirely supported by private donations, supple- mented by the fees of the students and voluntary offerings of the parents. Through the efforts of the executive and advisory boards of the Indianapolis Free Kindergarten Society, the leg- islature of 1901 passed a bill providing for a special tax levy for kindergarten purposes, of one cent on every hundred dollars, in all cities of six thousand or more inhabitants. By special dispensation and in recognition of its efficient service and eco- nomical administration, the money so raised in Indianapolis is given to the Free Kindergarten Society. This has enabled the society to continue and enlarge its work and has given it courage to undertake the execution and maintenance of the present nor- mal school building. Although the funds for the normal school are still raised by private means, its connection with the free kindergartens enables the institution to do its work economically without in any way crippling its effectiveness.
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D. SPECIAL STATE INSTITUTIONS.
1. STATEMENT.
In a government where the education and training of the youth toward intelligent and capable citizenship is a necessity, the work is best done by the state. Hence, we have our system of free public schools. In the operation of these, numbers are found who from defects are incapable of receiving education by the usual methods, and the state is obliged to organize and maintain special schools where the needs of such may be met-not as charities, but as parts of the great scheme of public education. Such are the state schools for the education of the deaf, the blind, and other de- fectives. These schools are educating both the head and the hand of both sexes-the best possible training for citizenship. Among the graduates are ministers, teachers, writers, artists, scientists, skilled laborers in many branches of industry-self- supporting, honorable citizens.
a. THE INDIANA STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. BY RICHARD OTTO JOHNSON, SUPERINTENDENT.
The Indiana Institution for the Education of the Deaf was founded as a private school in 1843, incorporated as a state school in 1844, and was the seventh state school for the deaf established in the United States, those preceding being in Con- necticut, 1817; New York, 1818; Pennsylvania, 1820; Ken- tucky, 1823; Ohio, 1829; Virginia, 1839. Although established and referred to as an "asylum for deaf and dumb," following the nomenclature of the day and without adequate conception upon the part of the founders of its educational scope and future de- velopment, it is in no sense an asylum for the deaf nor a place of refuge for those who can not talk-neither is it a prison, a reform school, an almshouse, a children's home, nor a hospital. It is strictly an educational institution -- a school in its widest and best sense, and a part of the common school system of the state, where- in all children of the state too deaf to be properly educated in the public schools receive an education as a matter of right, not as a matter of charity. It was the second educational institution
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established in Indiana, the first being the Indiana State Uni- versity in 1828, and preceded the institution for the blind three years and the hospital for the insane, four years.
In Indiana in 1830 there were 114 deafmutes, in 1840 the number had increased to 312, and yet no provision had been made for their education as had been done in six of the other states. In 1841, however, one James McLean, a deafmute and a reputed graduate of the New York school, appeared in Parke county and opened a small school for deafmutes with five or six in attendance. This, the first school for the deaf in Indiana lasted only a few months, but long enough to greatly interest William C. Bales, sheriff of Vermillion county, whose deaf son was receiving an education in the school for the deaf in the adjoining state of Ohio. Just at this most opportune time Mr. Bales was elected a member of the general assembly and through his efforts, on February 11, 1843, the following preamble and resolution was passed by the assembly, a first and formal acknowledgment of the obligation of the state to provide means for the education of the deaf :
Whereas, It has been represented to this general assembly that James McLean is a deafmute school teacher, and as such has been teaching deaf and dumb orphans and indigent children of Indiana for fifteen months past without any adequate compensation; and, whereas, it has been fur- ther represented to us that the said McLean is poor, and believing as we do that due encouragement should be given to such laudable efforts to ameliorate the condition as far as possible of this unfortunate portion of our people, and that efforts of that kind on the part of a deaf and dumb citizen of Indiana should not be received as a gratuity by the state; be it
Resolved, By the general assembly of Indiana, that the treasurer of state be, and is hereby authorized to pay to said McLean the sum of $200 out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, as compensa- tion for services rendered as aforesaid.
One year later, on February 4, 1843, Mr. Bales, still a member of the general assembly, introduced a bill providing for a tax of two mills upon each one hundred dollars worth of property for the purpose of "supporting a deaf and dumb asylum." This bill was passed by the assembly, became a law, and stands as the first direct tax levy ever made anywhere for a school for the deaf.
A short time after this William Willard, a deafmute, a grad- uate of the Connecticut school and later a teacher in the Ohio school, came to Indianapolis for the purpose of establishing a
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private school for the deaf. Consultation with leading citizens followed and a meeting was called on May 30, the friends of deaf- mute education coming from various parts of the state. The sense of this meeting was indicated by resolutions :
Resolved. That the successful example of Ohio and other sister states, in providing for the instruction of the deaf and dumb within their bounds is in the highest degree creditable and worthy of our prompt imitation, and that, as citizens of Indiana, we are gratified with the interest taken in it by the last general assembly in the enactments contemplating pro- vision for an asylum for deafmutes in this state, of which there are, according to the last census, three hudred and twelve.
Resolved, That the testimonials submitted by William Willard from His Excellency, Governor Shannon; H. N. Hubbell, Esq .. superintendent of the Ohio deaf and dumb asylum; Rev. Dr. Hoge and other distin- guished gentlemen of Ohio, showing that William Willard has been for many years an instructor of deafmutes in that state, and has justly gained for himself a high reputation as a teacher-that he is a gentleman of good moral character, of the first respectability and every way worthy of the most favorable consideration in reference to the instruction of deafmutes, are highly satisfactory: and we are gratified with the visit of a gentleman, himself deaf and dumb, so highly recommended by those who have been connected with an institution of such distinguished repute as the one at Columbus, Ohio.
Resolved, That we approve of Mr. Willard's proposed visit to different parts of the state for the purpose of communicating with deafmutes and their friends in relation to their instruction in this state; and that we recommend that he should, after such a visit, commenee a school for deafmutes on a small scale at Indianapolis, preparatory to such further action of the legislature and other encouragement as may be given for the establishment of an asylum: and that in such visit we cordially recom- inend Mr. Willard to the kind attention and hospitality of the citizens of Indiana.
On October 1, Mr. Willard opened his school on the north side of Washington street, midway between Illinois street and Capitol avenue, with twelve scholars in attendance who, while paying for boarding, paid nothing for instruction.
Gardener bright from Eden's bower, Tend with care that lily flower; To its leaves and roots infuse Heaven's sunshine, heaven's dews. "Tis a type, and 'tis a pledge, Of a crowning privilege.
The general assembly convening in the following December, its members reflecting the awakened interest of the people, still
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further enhanced by the glorious work already commenced, felt itself in duty bound to take charge of, and defray the expenses on behalf of the state of the private school now under way. An in- corporating board of nine trustees was appointed January 15, 1844, and at once organized the "Indiana Asylum for Deaf and Dumb." This board of trustees was composed of some of the most prominent citizens of the state, being Governor James Whit- comb, Royal Mayhew, Esq., treasurer of state, Hon. John H. Thompson, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Rev. Phineas D. Gurley, Rev. Love Jameson, Livingston Dunlop, M. D., Hon James Mor- rison and Bishop President Matthew Simpson of Asbury college. Mr. Willard, who had performed such mighty work, was natu- rally and justly made the chief officer with the title of principal, and under the new arrangement the first session was commenced October 1, 1844, in rented quarters, at the southeast corner of Illinois and Maryland streets, "a large and commodious building with pleasure grounds of sufficient extent to afford the pupils ample opportunity for exercise and recreation," the same having been obtained at a rental of $300 per annum. The number of pupils starting in was sixteen, coming from the following coun- ties : Bartholomew, 2; Henry, 1; Carroll, 1; Marion, 2; Clark, 2; Monroe, 1; Dearborn, 1; Randolph, 1; Fayette, 1; Tippe- canoe, 3; Vermillion, 1.
The school remained in its first quarters until the close of the school year in 1846, when the number of pupils pressing for ad- mission became so great, steps were taken to procure larger and more commodious quarters. On October 1, 1846, the school was opened in a large three-story building of imposing appearance upon the south side of Washington street, midway between Penn- sylvania and Delaware streets, and for which a rental of $500 per year was paid. At the time of incorporation a permanent location had not been agreed upon, and a warm contest now sprang up between various parts of the state as to which should have the location, the rivalry principally being between Blooming- ton and Indianapolis. The superintendent at the time, Mr. James Brown, entered into quite an extensive correspondence with the heads of other similar institutions in the United States, concern- ing the location, and laid the same before the committee on edu-
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cation of the general assembly, to which the question had been referred. They finally decided not to accept the liberal offer of Bloomington, pledging a bonus in land and cash amounting to nearly $4,000, and one per cent. on each one hundred dollars' worth of property within the county, but thereupon located the institution at Indianapolis because of its being the capital, a rail- road center accessible from all parts of the state, and for other good and sufficient reasons.
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