USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 54
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 54
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
districts, known respectively as Sharp, Chapel, McCormick and Carroll schoolhouses. The districts have since been increased, and modern buildings erected. The citizens of Sherman take great pride in their schools, which in point of efficiency will com- pare favorably with those of any other township in the county.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
One of the first schoolhouses in Adams Township was a log building, which stood in the southeast corner, not far from Tay- lor's mill. The second house erected especially for school pur- poses stood on William M. Thomas' farm, in the northeast corner of the township, and was used in an early day by a Mr. McBeath. This building was used until the breaking out of the war. Build- ings were erected in different parts of the township late in the sixties, since which time schools have been well maintained.
DALLAS AND GRANT TOWNSHIPS.
The first school in what is now Dallas Township was taught in a part of the residence of James McCoy, as early as the winter of 1846-47. The teacher, whose name has long since been for- gotten, was a well educated old bachelor, whose compensation amounted to $10 per month and board. The school was gotten up by Mr. McCoy, who charged so much per scholar, and paid the teacher out of the proceeds, retaining the surplus. The school was patronized by the McCoys, Williamses, Woods and other early families in the neighborhood. An early school was taught in the eastern part of Grant Township by Isaac Peete, the build- ing used having been a vacant log cabin, previously erected by an early settler by the name of Ward. The school was attended by about fifteen pupils, and is said to have been very successfully conducted. A hewed log dwelling house was subsequently built in the same locality, in one room of which Braxton Buster taught a small subscription school about the year 1849. He was an un- educated man, poorly qualified for the business of teaching, and is said to have abandoned the work before the completion of his term. The Clark schoolhouse, in the eastern part of the town- ship, was erected about the year 1850, and answered the purposes for which it was intended until the organization of the township into
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
public school districts. Stephen B. Merritt was an early teacher in Grant Township, having conducted a subscription school in an unoccupied dwelling belonging to Mr. Wood, some time prior to 1850.
POLK TOWNSHIP.
Probably the first school ever taught in the northern part of the county was conducted by one Jonathan Chenoweth, in a small log building erected about the year 1845 or 1846, near the southern boundary of Polk Township. It was built especially for educational purposes, and stood on the farm owned at this time by James Lindley. The school lasted less than three months, and was patronized by the families of Samuel Livingston, James Shaw, Simeon Herndon, David Miller, Mr. McGaughey and Mr. Fitchew. The next teacher in the same place was David Miller, who is said to have been a good teacher for the time. About the same time a small log schoolhouse, 16x16 feet in size, was built on the land of Marshall McQuinn, in the northwestern part of the township. It was first used by Jacob Tribble, whose school was patronized by the families of C. E. Vaughn, Robert Stewart, Carroll Means, Lewis Gibson, Marshall McQuinn and the widow Henry. The second term was taught by Mary Stew- art, and the building stood about eight or ten years. As early as 1849 a frame schoolhouse, the first of the kind in the township, was built on the land of Mr. Robinson. It was known as the Wil- burn schoolhouse, and was in use for a number of years.
GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP.
The first school in this township was taught early in the forties by one William Collier, who used for the purpose a vacant log dwelling, which stood on the land of Edward Smith. This was one of the earliest schools in the county, and was patronized principally by the families of Edward Smith, Thomas Hixson, William Hunter and Anderson Smith. Mr. Collier earned the reputation of a competent instructor, and is still held in grateful remembrance by those who attended his school. The Liberty schoolhouse, in the eastern part of the township, was erected about the year 1850, and is still standing. The Parrott schoolhouse, about two and a half miles northwest of Cameron, was erected
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
early in the fifties, and a little later the Garden Prairie house, in the northwest part of the township, was built and opened for educational purposes.
SCHOOLS OF MAYSVILLE.
As stated in a previous chapter, the first school in Maysville was taught in the old log courthouse by James M. Arrington, one of the earliest residents of the town. Of Mr. Arrington's scholastic attainments but little is now known, but from what can be learned he appears to have been especially prominent in de- veloping an interest in educational matters. As an instructor he is said to have ranked among the best of the time in this part of Missouri. He taught as early as 1845. Since his time Mays- ville has enjoyed the labors of many excellent educators, among whom was Jacob Kearney, a native of Ohio, and a man of fine scholarship and superior professional training. He had charge of the schools of the town for a period of three or four years, and did much toward awakening an interest in educational affairs. Prof. Edwin R. Richardson, now a distinguished clergyman of the Episcopal Church, was identified with the city schools prior to 1860, and is remembered as a very competent instructor. Co- temporary with Richardson was Prof. George W. Covell, now a lawyer of Nebraska City. Later came a number of others, to name whom in the order of their service will be impossible.
In 1871 the increase of the school population foreshadowed the necessity of a building of enlarged proportions; accordingly that year plans were adopted for a new schoolhouse, which was put under way as soon as circumstances would admit. It was completed the following year at a cost of $10,000, and in point of neatness, convenience, and everything that goes to make a com- fortable building, is one of the best specimens of school architect- ure in Northwest Missouri. It is a large two-story brick structure, contains four schoolrooms, all well finished and furnished.
With some embarrassments, but with generally progressive success, the schools of Maysville have gradually won for them- selves a creditable standing among the best schools in the western part of the State. All available means have been used to further their progress. They are justly the pride of the citizens, and so
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
well established has their merit become that many families from the surrounding country have moved into the city for the purpose of availing themselves of its superior educational advantages. So completely have the schools become identified with the main interests of the people, that many who were once opposed to their establishment have become their zealous advocates, and they are recognized as the safest and surest means of advancement in civilization and prosperity,
The schools at this time are under the efficient superintendency of Prof. L. T. Moulton, assisted by Mrs. L. T. Moulton, Miss Ida Nelson and Miss Lou Wilson. The following is the course of study of the high school:
Junior Class .- Elocution-modulation, tone and the art of delivery ; arithmetic-higher; geography-higher, completed and reviewed; grammar-Reed & Kellogg's book second, reviewed and continued to modifications of parts of speech; civil government, physiology, orthography, writing.
Senior Class .- Elocution ; algebra; etymology ; orthography- written; physical geography; grammar-Reed & Kelley's book second, completed; natural philosophy; writing-Book 6.
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
"C" Class .- Reading-fourth reader; articulation, empha- sis, inflection, and the correct meaning of words and sentences ; arithmetic-intellectual, practical to fractions; geography-ele- mentary completed, with map drawing; grammar-Reed & Kel- logg's first book to parts of speech; United States history- orally from outlines; spelling-oral and written, abbreviations; writing-book No. 2.
"B" Class .- Reading-fifth reader, special attention to articu- lation, emphasis, inflection and expression; arithmetic-practical continued; geography-higher commenced, map drawing; gram- mar-Reed & Kellogg's first book completed and reviewed; United States history; spelling-oral and written, abbreviations ; writing book No. 3.
"A" Class .- Reading-fifth reader, general review and drills in styles and personation; arithmetic-practical reviewed and completed; geography-higher continued; grammar-Reed &
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Kellogg's book second commenced; United States history --- reviewed and outlined; spelling -- oral and written, rules for spelling; writing -- book No. 4.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.
Reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, spelling, drawing, object lessons, physiology, language lessons.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Chart reading, writing, geography, numbers, object lessons, drawing, reading, language lessons, lessons on anatomy.
SCHOOLS OF STEWARTSVILLE.
It is not now known who taught the first school in the town of Stewartsville. The schools were suspended during the war, but revived about the year 1866 by Prof. W. H. Haynes, who opened a school in the southern part of the town on Clinton Avenue. The directors a few years later purchased the Congregational Church building, paying for the same $1,500. In 1875, this and the first building used were joined, and the school reorganized as a graded school, under the principalship of Prof. J. S. McKee, who taught one year. Prof. W. M. Stigall had charge of the schools in 1876-77 and was succeeded by Z. T. Wilson. From 1878 un- til 1881 Prof. L. T. Moulton was principal. He was succeeded the latter year by W. C. Lint, after whom came in regular suc- cession B. F. Meek, Josie Mitchell, J. S. McKee and Henry Saunders. A fine two-story frame building was recently erected. The schools are in excellent condition, and rank with the best in the county.
Stewartsville College .- This superior educational institution was established in the fall of 1860 as Stewartsville Academy, by Prof. John A. E. Summers, who taught about one year. It was a private institution for instruction in the higher branches of learning, and early achieved much more than a local reputation. It continued in operation until 1861, when it was suspended on account of the war. It was re-opened in 1863 by Prof. W. O. H. Perry, who purchased the building, and started what was known as the Stewartsville Seminary. The original building was a two-
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
story frame structure, 30x46 feet in size, and cost the sum of $1,800. Prof. Perry in 1879 greatly enlarged the building, giving it a two-story frontage of eighty-four feet, and fitting it up with twenty-five rooms and a boarding apartment, at an outlay of $5,000. An additional building for a ladies' boarding house was subsequently erected at a cost of $500, and the entire structure situated in a beautiful campus of four acres was anobject of which the citizens of the town and county were deservedly proud. The institution was chartered May 21, 1879, as Stewartsville College, and as such was empowered to confer degrees in the arts. The college soon took high rank among the educational institutions of the State, and its course of instruction as well as discipline was in- ferior to none. The faculty in 1884-85 was composed of the fol- lowing instructors: Rev. W. O. H. Perry, president, teacher of English literature; Louis Weber, A. M., natural science and an- cient and modern languages; Henry W. Saunders, B. S., mathe- matics; W. F. Perry, B. S., commercial branches; Louis Weber, A. M., instrumental and vocal music; Mrs. W. O. H. Perry, ma- tron and teacher of ornamental and fancy work.
In 1885 the college buildings were completely destroyed by fire. The destruction proving a great calamity to Stewartsville. No efforts have been made to rebuild or revive the institution, and it is now numbered among the things that were.
SCHOOLS OF OSBORNE AND COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
Prior to the erection of the present graded school building, the schools of Osborne were taught in temporary and inferior structures which had been fitted up for educational purposes. So far as now known the first school in the village was taught in 1859 by Miss Sallie Hitt. Miss Fannie Howard taught a little later in the house of Joseph Truex, across the line in Clinton County, and about the year 1867 a kitchen in the dwelling of Abel Lee was fitted up and used for school purposes.
The present building, a spacious two-story brick edifice was erected in 1873 and represents a capital of $7,000. It stands on the block bounded by Amelia, Hunt, Francis Streets and Clinton Avenue, and ranks among the finest specimens of school architect- ure in De Kalb or adjoining counties.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
The graded school was organized soon after the erection of the building by Prof. Job McVeagh, a distinguished graduate of the University of Virginia, and a man of superior professional ability. He taught successfully for a period of three years, and was succeeded in 1876 by Prof. A. Shumate, a fine scholar and excellent teacher. Prof. George Dawley taught in 1878 and 1879, and was followed by Prof. H. Palen, who had charge of the schools from the latter year until 1881. The next principal was Prof. F. W. Houchens, who was succeeded by Prof. Manring, and he in turn by the present principal, Prof. Kinser. The assist- ants at this time are Miss Nannie Hughes and Mrs. Hanlan- The citizens of Osborne take a livé interest in the schools, and none but competent teachers are employed. The attendance is- large, and in point of efficiency the schools will not suffer in com- parison with those of any other town in the county.
Among the earliest school buildings in Colfax Township outside of Osborne was the Smith schoolhouse, about four and a half miles north of the town. The Smith schoolhouse was built in 1871, the "Highland " building one year . later, and in 1874 a frame schoolhouse was erected in the northwest corner of the township.
PRESENT STATUS OF THE DE KALB COUNTY SCHOOLS.
ENUMERATION, ETC.
Males.
2,659
Females.
2,348
Colored males.
20
Colored females
25
Total number of pupils enrolled.
4,258
Total number of days attendance, 1886
321,792
Average days attendance.
76
Number of days school has been taught 10,369
Average number in attendance each day
2,418
Number of teachers employed. 117
Average salary per month.
$37 70
Number of rooms occupied.
79
Seating capacity of all rooms
4,869
Number of white schools.
78
Number of colored schools
1
Cost per day per pupil.
069
Value of school property.
62,028 00
Average levy.
52
Number third grade certificates.
91
Number second grade certificates
24
Number first grade certificates 2
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
FINANCIAL.
State moneys.
$1,500 00
County moneys. 2,403 07
Township moneys. 2,184 17
Direct tax.
23,716 84
Total receipts for schools
.38,707 54
Total expenditures.
.30,657 14
County funds
24,083 03
Township funds.
19,721 28
Total of all funds.
.43,824 31
Fines, penalties, etc.
493 82
Received from public funds
00 00
taxation.
24,104 86
Tuition fees ..
42 95
Paid teachers 22,416 36
Paid for fuel.
1,385 11
Paid for repairs.
1,234 26
Paid for apparatus
2,005 24
NEWSPAPERS.
Hand in hand with the church and school, and scarcely less. in its influence upon the character of society than they is the printing press, the introduction of which marks an era in the history of any town or community. The coming of the printer with the black letter, the " stick," the ink pot, "pi " and "devil" is always an era anywhere, and among any people. In a young and fast growing community it is an event of great por- tent to its future, for here above any other institutions are incalculable possibilities for good and sometimes well-grounded fear for evil. A free press in the hands of a man aware of the great responsibilities resting upon him is a blessing, like the discoveries and inventions of genius that are immortal.
In the dingy printing office is the epitome of the world of action and of thought, one of the best schools in Christendom, one of the best churches. An eminent divine has truly said: " The local paper is not only a business guide, but it is a pulpit of morals; it is a kind of public rostrum where the affairs of State are considered; it is a supervision of streets and roads, it is a rewarder of merit, it is a social friend, a promoter of friend- ship and good will. Even the so-called small matters of a village or incorporate town are only small to those whose hearts are too full of personal pomposity." In the eloquent language of another :* "The press is the drudge and pack horse, as well
*H. C. Bradsby.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
as crowned king of all mankind. The gentle click of its type is heard around the world; they go sounding down the tide of time bearing upon their gentle waves the destinies of civilization, and the immortal smiles of the pale children of thought, as they troop across the face of the earth, scattering here and there im- mortal blessings that the dull blind types patiently gather and place where they will ever live.
It is earth's symphony which endures, which transcends that of the ' morning when the stars sang together.' It is fraught with man's good, his joy, his happiness and the blessings of civiliza- tion."
The newspaper's past and present are totally different in many respects. Take the country sheet of fifty, nay thirty years ago, and what an institution it was. Its ponderous editorials stagger us even at this distant day as we read them, and its foreign news from eight weeks to three months old may have been highly entertaining then, but would be con- sidered a little stale now. The editor too was a big man in the estimation of the public. His editorial thunder was hurled at the heads of his political antagonists like battering rams, and his readers were regularly regaled with column after column of matter which they seldom read. The paper had its influence, however, and the mere fact of its existence forms an important page in the history of the town and community.
The first newspaper ever published in De Kalb County was the Stewartsville Telegraph, established about the year 1858 by Messrs. Alstott and Williams, who ran it for some time as an independent local sheet, devoted to the interests of the county in general and the town of Stewartsville in particular. From what is now known of the Telegraph, it appears to have been a fairly well edited paper, and through its columns the productions of several ambitious local writers were given publicity. It remained under the editorial control and management of Messrs. Alstott and Williams about two years, at the end of which time the office was purchased by F. T. Disney, who converted the paper from an independent to a Democratic sheet, and ran it in the interest of the Breckinridge wing of the party. Mr. Disney was a forcible writer and good editor, and during the time the
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Telegraph continued, it acquired a fairly remunerative patronage. The strong stand Mr. Disney took upon the question of slavery and other great questions which agitated the public mind at the breaking out of the war, made his paper peculiarly obnoxious to certain classes, and finding that he could not continue it success- fully as a strictly partisan sheet he suspended its publication about the year 1861.
The De Kalb County Register was established at Maysville in 1865, by Messrs. Day & Howe, of Gallatin, Mo., who were at the time connected with the North Missourian, a paper published in the latter place. After publishing the Register a short time they sold the office to Messrs. Bell & Schrader, who enlarged the paper from a five-column folio to a quarto, and otherwise im- proved it, making it one of the most successful local sheets in Northern Missouri. Mr. Schrader was the principal writer, and is remembered as a very successful and aggressive newspaper man. He subsequently purchased his partner's interest, and after continuing the paper a short time, sold out to R. J. McNutt, who about the year 1878 disposed of the paper to Messrs. Dalby & Glazier. In the meantime, the last named gentleman pur- chased the Stewartsville News, and moving the office to Mays- ville consolidated the two papers under the name of the Register News, which they issued as partners, for a short time. Henry E. Glazier subsequently purchased the paper, and assuming entire control changed the name to the Maysville Register, by which it has since been known. When first started, the Register was a Republican paper, and continued as such until Messrs. Dalby & Glazier became proprietors, at which time the politi- cal complexion underwent a complete transformation. They made it the local organ of the Democracy of De Kalb County, a distinction which it still enjoys. The office of the Register is well equipped, the printing being done by a steam power press, the best of the kind in this congressional district.
In its mechanical make-up the paper will compare favorably with any local sheet in the State, while in its columns is found nothing but home matter. It is in size an eight-column folio, and at this time has a liberal advertising patronage, and a circu- lation in excess of 1,000. It is a spicy local paper, devoted to
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the interests of Maysville and De Kalb County, and is an earnest and uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Democratic party.
The Stewartsville News, to which reference is made above, was a small independent paper, established at Stewartsville in the year 1870, by Messrs. Hicks & Eby. It was a well con- ducted paper, neat in its mechanical appearance, and as a spicy local sheet compared well with any of its successors. After continuing the publication about two years, Messrs. Eby & Hicks sold out to Dalby & Glazier, who moved the office to Maysville, where the paper was subsequently consolidated with the Register.
Conspicuous among the successful local papers of Northwest Missouri is The Stewartsville Independent, the first number of which made its appearance in May, 1877. It was started by C. L. Fowler, who moved to Stewartsville from Henry County, Iowa, in the above year, and who has since that time gained much more than a local reputation as a clear, forcible writer and successful editor. The Independent, as first started, was a seven-column folio, and continued to be issued as such until 1887, when it was increased to its present size, an eight-column folio. Mr. Fowler began the publication of his paper in the face of many adverse circumstances, but, with the energy and determination characteris- tic of the man, he has fortunately surmounted them all, and won for the Independent a prominent place among the most success- ful local papers of the State. In 1882 his office was consumed in the great fire which laid the town in ashes, and again in 1883 he suffered a second loss by fire, from the effects of which but few men would have so soon recovered. The complexion of the Independent is indicated by its name, but upon all the leading political, social, religious and scientific questions of the day the editor has decided views which he does not hesitate to give pub- licity. His columns are open to free discussion of all topics, and from its firm stand in favor of all enterprises for the public good the paper has proved a potent factor in promoting the material interests of Stewartsville. The present circulation of the paper is 1,000.
The De Kalb County Republican .- The history of this paper,
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
the Republican organ of De Kalb County, dates from the year 1877, at which time the first number appeared, bearing the name of Dr. L. H. Weatherby as editor. Mr. Weatherby, after issuing the paper a few months, sold the office to Messrs. Brown & Put- nam, under whose management it was regularly issued for a period of about two years, gaining a circulation of over 900 dur- ing that time. From the appearance of the first number the Republican's success was assured, and but few months elapsed until it had a well paying circulation and a remunerative adver- . tising patronage. Messrs. Brown & Putnam spared no pains or expense to make the paper a success, and such was their deter- mination in this direction that they failed to realize any great fortune from the venture. Under their management, however, the Republican soon took high rank among the local papers of Northern Missouri, and to it more than to any source is due the credit of publishing to the world the great natural resources and superior advantages of De Kalb County as a point for immigra- tion. Douglass Ogle, an able journalist and successful newspa- per man, succeeded Messrs. Brown & Putnam, and continued the publication of the paper about two years. During that time the Republican grew steadily in favor, and as a political sheet did much toward the unifying of the party's interests and leading it to success in the local campaigns. Succeeding Mr. Ogle came J. S. Stevens, who, after acting as editor about three months, sold out to Charles Branscomb, under whose management the paper made its periodical visits for only a limited period. Messrs. Randolph & Atterbury were the next proprietors, but having had no pre- vious experience in journalism they disposed of the paper in De- cember, 1884, to J. K. Gwathmey, who has since been editor and proprietor. Mr. Gwathmey is an experienced newspaper man, and by strict attention to his paper has made it worthy the patronage of the public. The Republican is an orthodox party sheet, devoted to the interests of the Republican party of De Kalb County, and as a medium for the discussion of leading pub- lic questions is fair, honest, and free from abusive personalities. . The paper is an eight-column folio, neat in its mechanical make-up, and with a circulation of 900 we bespeak for it a future of great prosperity.
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