USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. I > Part 38
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At the close of school in May, 1889, it was apparent more rooms must be supplied by fall. To meet this demand the board rented a large hall on the third floor of the Duck block and con- verted it into three school rooms. The high school was moved to these quarters temporarily and remained here till the Benton and Blair buildings were erected in 1892.
At a special election held May 21, 1892, the citizens of the district authorized the issuing of $15,000 in bonds for these two new buildings. The sites were selected at a board meeting held June 1, 1892. Lots 6, 7 and 8, block 4, Seymore's addition, was purchased for $450 as a site for the Blair school, and lots 5 and 6, block 25, Dodson's addition, was selected as the site for the Benton school, these lots costing $1,000. At this meeting of the board Mr. J. J. Eldridge submitted plans for a four-room brick building. After discussion the same was adopted by the board
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and upon motion of the board it was decided to erect the build- ings, using the same plans and specifications for each. The con- tract for erecting the buildings was let June 15, 1892, to Mr. F. Dye for the sum of $13,051.50. The Benton school was completed and accepted by the board September 19 and the Blair October 19 of the same year. Teachers were employed and occupied all four rooms of both buildings during the school year of 1892-93. Miss Linda Martin was the first principal of the Benton school . and Miss Anna Clack, the present instructor of history in the high school, was the first principal of the Blair building, while Miss Fannie Lowe, the present principal of the Blair school, taught the first primary.
The opening of these new buildings made it possible to give the upper floor of the Central building to the high school, which gave much needed relief, but the quarters were still inadequate. The school population increased rapidly and the board soon found that all rooms were overcrowded, but this condition did not last long, as the board provided for this surplus by renting rooms.
At the spring election, April 7, 1896, the citizens decided to again bond the district, this time for the erection of a modern six-room brick building. The site for this new, or Bryan, school, was selected May 13, 1896, the lot being purchased from Messrs. Landman and Medinger for $525. Mr. H. M. Hadley submitted plans for a six-room brick building, which was accepted at this meeting. On May 15 the bonds were sold to the Pettis County Insurance Company, of Sedalia, Mo., for $10,075. The contract for the building was let to J. A. Daly, June 17, for $7,193.68, exclusive of plumbing and heating. Mr. Daly pushed the work on the building and had it completed by October. 5, 1896, at which date it was accepted by the school board. Five of these new rooms were occupied by teachers during this fall, with Miss Anna Gill as principal. The following year, 1897, all six of the rooms were occupied.
THE ANNEXATION OF DISTRICT 48-WEST WALNUT SCHOOL.
The first application for annexation was made by the citizens of district 48 April 30, 1888, when Maj. W. W. Prewitt appeared before the school board as a special representative to present the claims of district 48 for admission. After due consideration by
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the Nevada school board it was decided that it would not be to the best interests of the Nevada school district to annex this outly- ing territory. The next move was made by the citizens of Nevada on May 19, 1888, when it was decided by a vote of the citizens to extend the western limit of the city to take in a portion of district 48, this new territory then becoming a part of the Nevada school district. In 1895 the Missouri Legislature passed a law which provided that cities extending their limits, taking in a portion of a school district, must include all of the district with the school district of the said city if the remaining portion voted to become a part of the village district. As soon as this act became a law the citizens of that portion of district 48 lying with- out the city limits held a special election and voted to unite with Nevada school district, but they were refused admission 'by the Nevada school board, who held that the law of 1895 did not apply in this case, as the city extended her limits in 1888. Man- damus proceeding was brought in the circuit court at Nevada to compel the Nevada school board to admit the outlying portion of district 48. This suit was brought in the name of Mr. Litson and others. The board of education of the City of Nevada lost in this court but took an appeal to the Kansas City court of ap- peals, where they lost the second time, and as a result of this last decision the board on the 21st day of January, 1897. an- nexed that portion of district 48 lying without the city limits. Miss Lizzie White. who was teaching in old district 48 at the time of annexation, became a member of the Nevada corps and continued her work for the remainder of the year at the Walnut school.
High School. The Nevada High School was first organized in the late '70s, during the time when Mr. S. S. Simpson was prin- cipal of the Nevada schools. The first graduating exercise be- ing held June 10, 1880, class consisting of ten members. since this date, with the exception of one year, 1881, the high school has annually held graduating exercises. The smallest class was that of 1883, being composed of one member, Miss Agnes Hill, the largest class was the one of 1904 and was composed of forty-four members. In all thirty graduating exercises have been held and 663 students graduated. At first there was no definite course of study adopted by the Nevada school board, but the board ap- pointed a committee whose duty it was to examine each can-
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didate for graduation, but gradually the work of the high school assumed a more definite form and the first course of study was adopted by the school board in 1886. The work from this time became more methodical. The high school course of study has been changed from time to time, keeping pace with the other high schools of the state. In 1890, Latin was offered as a regular subject and in 1892 a change was made at the beginning of the year by which the eighth grade was dispensed with and the high school course of study was changed from a three year course to a four year course, although most of the freshman year was made up of eighth grade work. In 1893 there were but three special departments, viz., mathematics, Latin, literature and his- tory, leaving the sciences and other work to be distributed promiscuously among the other teachers.
The reorganization of the high school on the upper floor of the Central Building, in 1892, gave better facilities for work than were possible on the upper floor of the Duck Block.
The school was completely organized on the department plan for the school year 1894-95, two rooms having been fitted up in the basement for science work and five teachers were em- ployed to give special instructions. But the rooms were crowded and additional quarters were needed, the teachers did excellent work and school was approved for the first time in all depart- ments by the State University examiner.
At the opening of school in the fall of 1905 the eighth grade was removed from the high school and placed in the Ward build- ings, thus giving eight complete years' work before pupils enter the high school. A new course of study was adopted for the high school, in which the three years work was extended to a four years' course. The work is approved in all departments by both the state and the university for twenty-two and one-half units. The work of our high school is of such a character, since entering our new building, that it has been approved by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. This enables our graduates to enter the leading colleges and univer- sities without examination.
The new high school building. though badly needed. was not authorized until February 16, 1906, when the voters of the district authorized the issuing of $50,000 bonds for the erection of a new high school building by an almost unanimous vote. there being
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1,229 votes for, with but 95 votes against. The bonds were sold to the Compton Bond Company. The firm of Garstang & Rea was employed as architects. Contract was let June 12, 1906, to Mr. J. A. Daly, the cost of the building, including seating, plumbing and wiring and exclusive of architect's fees, was $50,- 075.15. On August 5, 1907, a special committee of contractors, consisting of Messrs. Sears, Mabry and Rice, reported to the school board that Mr. Daly had completed the building accord- ing to plans and specifications and the building was accepted on this date. The new high school building is of red brick, trimmed with terra cotta and on solid foundations of concrete, and on the site of the old central building, which was sold and removed. The dimensions of the building, exclusive of projections, are 120x76 feet. It is three stories above the basement or ground floor in the center and two stories at the sides, has nine class rooms, study hall, gymnasium, manual training room, auditorium, library room, offices for superintendent and principal, school board room, physical, chemical and biological laboratories all equipped and furnished in modern style with up-to-date appliances and conveniences, such as lockers, toilets, closets, and heat and light. The enrollment for this year is 2,273 and the expendi- tures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, aggregated $48,- 884.57, but this included the payment of $10,000.00 of bonds and over $3,000.00 of interest. Nevada is justly proud of her public schools and of the work they are doing in shaping the characters of the boys and girls for good citizens and worthy women.
Nevada is fortunate in the character of the school men that she has had at the head of her schools, both as principals and superintendents. The following men have been principals of the Nevada High School, although they were known as first assist- ants. The first man who was elected as principal of the Nevada High School was W. P. Roberts, in 1889.
Principals have been: W. H. Martin, elected in 1884, first assistant; S. S. Lonsdale, elected in 1885, first assistant; Harry B. Bryson, elected in 1886, first assistant; D. W. Miller, elected in 1887, first assistant; W. T. Roberts, elected in 1888, first as- sistant; W. T. Roberts, elected in 1889, principal; F. N. Peters, elected in 1890, principal; H. C. Harvey, elected in 1892, prin- cipal; D. L. Roberts, elected in 1893, principal; J. M. Guinn, elected in 1895, principal; J. C. Pike, elected in 1897, principal;
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W. E. Veerkamp, elected in 1899, principal; O. F. Munson, elected in 1904, principal; F. H. Barbee, elected in 1907, principal; M. J. Hale, elected in 1910, principal; E. R. Foster, elected in 1911, principal.
The first superintendent of schools was Mr. W. J. Hawkins, who was elected to this office in 1886. Prior to this time the head of the school was elected as principal and the greater part of his time was employed in teaching.
Mr. J. L. Lewis, elected first principal of the village schools, 1871; J. C. Bennett, elected principal in 1873; J. R. Rick, elected principal in 1875; Miss Thornton (s), elected principal in 1876; S. S. Simpson, elected principal in 1877; Mr. Wolf, elected prin- cipal in 1881 (or 82, date not definitely known,); Mr. W. J. Hawkins, elected principal in 1883; Mr. W. J. Hawkins, elected superintendent in 1886; A. W. Duff, elected superintendent in 1897; J. C. Pike, elected superintendent in 1899; E. S. Clark, elected superintendent in 1902; J. W. Storms, elected superin- tendent in 1905.
COTTEY COLLEGE.
Cottey College is the development of an idea which found its place in the heart of the founder of the institution early in life ; and toward which all the energies of her nature have been · directed for the past twenty-six years. The college was founded in 1884 for the purpose of affording young ladies superior facili- ties for obtaining a thorough, practical, yet liberal education. It is the earnest endeavor of the president and faculty to secure a symmetrical development of the mental, moral, æsthetic, social and physical natures; to strengthen the pure and noble quali- ties, and to weaken and destroy evil and unholy tendencies.
Solid, practical knowledge, and thorough training must super- cede display, affectation and pretense. Realizing the great fact that God has called woman to a high and holy destiny, in that He has commissioned her to be a co-laborer with Himself in the great work of enlightening and saving the world, the prime object of this school is the adjustment of women to this, her natural and God-given relation. The present age demands a broad and full curriculum for the education of young women, since her abilities in intellectual pursuits are now recognized as equal to those of man. But while it is the aim of Cottey College
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to maintain the highest intellectual culture, the moral, religious and domestic training are strongly emphasized as necessary to a complete education ; hence habits of neatness, industry, economy and practical lessons in general housekeeping are prominent features of our school work, but not intended in any way to detract from or weaken a thorough mental discipline. A strong faculty, trained in the best colleges and universities, will strive in every legitimate way to awaken and deepen the interest neces- sary to success.
We trust the blessing of God may rest upon our labors to build up an institution which shall reflect credit upon the com- munity in which it is located, and where the daughters of the land may be trained for Him and for lives of usefulness.
The year 1910-11 has been prosperous for Cottey College. Of the 250 pupils 132 were boarding students. Cottey has en- rolled girls this year from as far west as Evans, Wyo., Boise City, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash. From Colorado, twenty-seven en- rolled.
The tenor of the year has been peaceful and fruitful for the pupils. Cottey College will have eleven graduates and has a junior class numbering twenty. At commencement time the stu- dents will show the progress of the year with piano, voice and violin recitals, and art and domestic science receptions and the annual play by the expression department.
On May day the corner-stone of the new building, an exten- sion of the north wing, was laid by the senior class. This build- ing has large, airy, attractive recitation rooms, two society halls, a spacious office suite and added dormitory space and a finely equipped laboratory. Altogether a cornucopia of good gifts have been lavished on the college this year.
The college was founded in 1884, by Miss V. A. Cottey, now Mrs. V. A. Cottey-Stockard. The first building was a brick structure fronting east 42x40, two stories above basement. By most economic management it was made to accommodate eighteen boarding pupils, besides recitation and music rooms.
In 1886 another building of equal size was added to this, but was soon found to be inadequate to the demands of the school.
In 1889 a third story was placed on the first building, and a wing added to the north.
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In 1894 an excellent steam plant was added to the equipment of the college and the campus greatly improved.
In 1899 a new wing was added on the south, and other im- provements made in the interior of the building, but the rapid growth and development of the college soon demanded another building, which was erected in 1903.
During the years 1905-06 $5,000.00 was spent in reconstruct- ing the interior of the east building so as to make it conform to the highly popular "grouping" plan of the west building. New hardwood floors were laid in the halls, and handsome new stair- ways replaced the old ones. An addition was also made to the boiler room, and a new Ideal boiler added to the steam plant.
In 1908 the front entrance to the college was greatly im- proved and beautiful by the addition of an extensive concrete porch.
In 1909 an extension was made to the south (conservatory) wing, by which provision was made for sixteen additional piano rooms, and the capacity of the dining room almost doubled.
During these twenty-six years the college has had but one president, and several of her co-laborers have been associated with her almost from the beginning.
Cottey College was chartered by the State of Missouri in 1887. On the 18th of March, 1907, the college property was transferred to a board of trustees, and made an interdenominational college for the higher education of young women. A new charter was provided at this time. By provision of the constitution, Mrs. V. A. C. Stockard is to remain president of the institution so long as life and health will permit.
The college now consists of two buildings connected by a beautiful, well-lighted corridor, 35 feet in length. The east building is a large, commodious brick structure consisting of main building, and wing on each side with a frontage of 170 feet. Substantially built, two and three stories above basement, with three towers, it commands a beautiful and imposing ap- pearance. It is thoroughly lighted and ventilated, halls and cor- ridors running from north to south and from east to west.
The west building, erected in 1903, at a cost of $20,000 is a handsome structure of brick and stone 54x89 feet, three stories above ground, with slate roof, and practically fire proof. The first floor is an auditorium with seating capacity of 600, and
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rostrum capable of seating our choral societies of more than 100 voices. The second and third floors are dormitories. An unique and attractive feature of this building is the grouping of single rooms about a common sitting-room. This is an original plan and is received with high favor by our students and patrons. It prohibits the necessity of uncongenial or unhealthful room-mates, and yet prevents the exclusiveness of each student being entirely alone. There are also rooms for two when sisters or special cases demand it, and a few large front rooms are arranged to accommodate three or four students.
With this arrangement, and the present faculty, Cottey Col- lege may justly claim equipment and advantages superior to those of any college for young women in the southwest. The entire building is heated with steam and lighted with gas and electricity.
A complete suite of bath and toilet rooms is found on the second and third floors of both buildings. The entire house has been refitted with elegant new furniture, making it a delightful abode for the inmates of the college home.
The grounds, embracing an area of five acres, are situated upon the highest, dryest and most beautiful section of our re- markable city, and command in all directions a fine view of the surrounding country. Beautiful granitoid walks, carriage drives, tennis courts, basket ball and croquet grounds serve to entice the weary student and make the recreation hours, what in very truth they should be, a means of imparting vigor to the body and rest to the mind. Choice lawn shade trees, evergreen, and beds of blooming flowers enhance the beauty of the grounds and cause them to present a most attractive appearance, while the public may rest assured that no pains will be spared in the future to render our college, both in external appearance and internal training, all that a Christian home of culture and refinement should be.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEVADA.
It is always a matter of interest to trace the genesis of a community, especially where it has attained to the prominence which Nevada has achieved in this state. Most western com- munities were the result of chance, springing up haphazard around a few settlers' homes, finally developing into trading posts, and if a railroad happened to strike them, rapidly becom- ing cities. Other thriving communities were planned in advance by the railway builders, who platted townsites in advance of the work of construction and on their maps decreed that such and such points should be towns and cities.
Nevada did not originate from either of these sources, although it was a deliberately planned city. Its founding grew out of public and official acts, which were incidental to the municipal organization of Vernon county. There was no thought of com- mercial eminence in its founding, but solely of convenience and accessibility as the permanent county seat. Two commissioners were appointed to make this selection-John W. Boyd, of Jasper, and Abram Cassell, of Cass. On October 1, 1855, these two gen- tlemen met to consider the location for the permanent county seat, and on the same day arrived at a decision. The location they selected was the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 4, township 35, range 31. This property belonged to Thomas H. Austin, having been entered by him less than a year previously, or on October 20, 1854. In addition to the Austin property the commissioners also selected ten acres off the west end of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of the same section, which was then owned by Benjamin Baugh. Originally it had been the property of James Skaggs, who had entered it November 3, 1853, and had later sold to Baugh. In view of the prices of property in Nevada today it is of interest to look back on what the original townsite of fifty acre cost the county. For his forty acres Mr. Austin was paid $200, or $5 an acre, while Mr.
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Baugh received $50 for his ten, which was also $5 an acre. And these were undoubtedly fair prices, according to the land values of that early day.
The commissioners having made their selection, the next pre- liminary was to obtain its confirmation by the county court. This tribunal was then in session at Noah Caton's, and on October 2, the day following the selection, the commissioners made a re- port to it of their action. The county court gave hearty approval to their work. In recommendation of their selection was the fact that the site was so near the exact geographical center of the county, therefore easy of access from all parts, while the natural beauty of the site made it extremely desirable.
It now became necessary to give the county seat a name, a function that rested with the county court. The county judges were generally in favor of the name of Fairview, which they thought was apt and descriptive of the beauties of the new town's location. This was not an original thought of the judges, how- ever, as the locality had already been called by the same name by many persons. Fairview it would have been, only for the interposition of Col. D. C. Hunter, who was then the county and circuit clerk. Colonel Hunter called the attention of the judges to the fact that there was already in Cass county a postoffice and village of the name of Fairview, and that to create another town of the same name would lead to endless embarrassment and con- fusion. The judges took the same view of the matter, but having no other name in view, Justice Still, who was presiding, turned to Colonel Hunter and said :
"Well, Hunter, you give it a name."
Colonel Hunter had some years before been infected with the gold fever, and had spent a number of years in California and other points on the Pacific coast. Among the other places he had visited in the search for the auriferous metal was Nevada City, then, as now, the county seat of Nevada county, California. Colonel Hunter's recollections of Nevada were exceedingly pleas- ant ones, and after a few moments' thought he replied :
"Why not call it Nevada City ?"
The suggestion seemed to please the judges, who, after a short discussion as to the fitness and propriety of the name, gave their assent to it, and the new town was officially christened Nevada City.
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Having settled upon a name, the next thing taken up was the platting of the city. It was ordered that the town be laid off in blocks 320 feet square, with streets sixty feet in width, be- ginning at the southeast corner of the tract, and "leaving two blocks on the east and one on the south, and reserving the next for a public square-numbering said blocks from the northeast corner of said square. The above blocks to be laid off in lots 160 feet long and 80 feet wide, reserving three blocks on the east to be sold by the block; the remaining fractions to be sold by the fractional block."
A sale of lots was then ordered, and the court appointed Thomas H. Austin county seat commissioner to supervise this sale. His instructions were to sell the alternate lots in each block, after proper advertising. The sale was ordered to take place on the public square on Monday, November 19, 1855, and to obtain the widest publicity for the sale advertisements were inserted in the Osceola "Independent," the Jefferson City "En- quirer" and the Springfield "Advertiser." Notices of the sale were also posted up in three public places in the county. The terms of the sale were fixed at six months' credit, the purchaser to give a note due in two installments of six months each, with approved security. The work of surveying and laying off the town was placed in. the hands of Colonel D. C. Hunter, who as deputy county surveyor, did the work, and on November 16 pre- sented the county court with a plat of the survey and a bill for the expenses, which amounted to $45.
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