USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 13
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 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
A somewhat commodious, brick building, containing, at first, four rooms, to which additions from time to time were made until there were as many as eight rooms, the whole costing about sixteen thousand dollars. It was located between Wall and Vine streets, north of and bordering on State street, fronting west. There were, at that time, about two acres of land in the campus belonging to the public and dedicated to public school purposes.
This building continued in use and was considered adequate to the needs of the Maryville independent school district until the year 1883, when a more commodious and elegant structure was erected at a cost of about forty-three thousand dollars, containing twelve rooms, heated by steam and quite well equipped with apparatus for elementary work in the natural sciences. At the time of its erection this building, together with its ample grounds and other up-to-date provisions, was the pride and boast of the community; and, in- deed, was, in most respects, a very notable example of the enterprise of the men at the head of the school affairs of that early period.
This effort to provide for the education by the public of the children of the community was still further supplemented, in 1892. by the erection of three ward school buildings, substantial brick structures, each containing three rooms, in which the grades were housed as far as to the fifth, thus affording relief to the overcrowded condition at the Central building. A still further manifestation of the educational zeal and enterprise of our citizenship is seen in the present magnificent Central school building, erected in 1908, on the site of the old Central building. This building surpasses, in architectural beauty and adaptability to the needs of the school for many years. any building hith- erto erected for school purposes in this section of the state. It is a splendid monument to the enterprise of our board of education. Its heating apparatus, ventilating facilities and general equipment are a great credit to the city of Maryville.
Prof. C. A. Hawkins is the efficient superintendent of these schools. under whose management the prosperity of the schools has been continuously progressive. He is supplied by the board of education with a complete corps
136
PAST AND PRESENT
of instructors in the several departments, and the necessary funds to keep the school in a high state of efficiency.
The board of education at present are: W. A. Blagg, president, W. H. Crawford. B. C. Halley, J. R. Brink, W. R. Wells, J. B. Robinson, G. P. Wright, secretary.
The members of the high school faculty are as follows: C. A. Hawkins, superintendent : Miss Grace Wolcott. principal, mathematics; Miss Lillian Lindholm, Latin; Miss Laura Hawkins, history and literature: Miss Alicia Keeler, literature: Miss Emma Lee Molton, history : Miss Florence Briggs. science : Mr. Carl McGee, manual training ; Miss Hazel Petty, history.
The grade teachers at the Washington school are: Miss Eva Mont- gomery. Miss Mary Ford, Miss Jettie Condon, Miss Alice Orcutt, Miss Mayme Dooley, Miss Goldie Airy. Miss Nettie Craig, Miss Vernie Felter, Miss Stella I. Smith, Miss Lelia Bonewitz.
Jefferson ward school : Miss Ada S. Albert, principal, and Miss Sebee Rowley.
Garfield school: Pearl N. Denny, principal, and Myrtle Eckles.
Franklin school : Miss Bernice Williams, principal, and Miss Lois Halley.
BURLINGTON JUNCTION.
The people of Burlington Junction, in the northwestern part of the county, have evinced a very commendable zeal in fostering educational enter- prises. As early as about 1880, before the development of their public school system had become sufficient to meet the educational aspirations of that enter- prising community, there was built up in their midst and liberally patronized a private school, dedicated to the development of advanced educational ideals. This school was conducted by that indefatigable young enthusiast and edu- cator. Prof. J. J. Bryant, under whom the school reached a high degree of usefulness and developed an educational spirit, the results of which are seen today in the very excellent class of citizens of that community. The present efficient public school system of that little city is such as to fully meet the most exacting educational needs and has long since rendered other educational facilities unnecessary. They have a very excellent building, which will be enlarged from time to time as their needs require.
HOPKINS.
The following sketch of the Hopkins public schools was supplied by that capable and genial gentleman, T. W. Porter, who has served so long and so admirably as their secretary. Among other things named in the report given
137
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
by Mr. Porter are these: "Concerning private schools, of which you have inquired. I may say we have none; only had special terms to fill out when terms of the public schools were too short.
"About our public schools, it may be said that it is shown by the records that before the city of Hopkins was laid out, the then residents of what was known as Hopkins independent district had erected a small school building near the banks of the One Hundred and Two river, just north of the city limits, in about the year 1869. Said building was sufficiently large for the purpose intended and was well furnished for that day.
"We find no records to show who was the first teacher at that time up to 1871, when Miss Emma Rose. of Wisconsin, was elected teacher, and it is known that her efforts resulted in a very successful school. The following year after the city of Hopkins was laid out and incorporated the school board found the need of more room and, on demand of the patrons deserving and desiring to have the school site removed to a more centrally located place. did so by moving the said building to a new site on the east half of block 37. within the city limits, where was built another room, thus creating a call for an additional teacher. C. W. Floria was elected principal and Miss Rose, assistant, for the years 1871-'72.
"In 1873. better facilities were needed and the directors were again forced to select a new site and build a larger school building. Through the kindness and liberality of Samuel McFarland, the founder of the city of Hopkins, who gave them a beautiful site in the eastern part of the city, there was then erected a commodious two-story. four-room, frame building, at a cost, including furniture and fixtures, of about three thousand dollars. Pro- fessor Floria and Miss Rose were continued in charge of the schools up to 1875. The result was successful and the board authorized, by a vote, to issue bonds to the amount of eleven thousand dollars, payable as follows : three thousand dollars in five years: four thousand dollars in ten years, and four thousand dollars in fifteen years, drawing six per cent. interest. This was to build on the old site a six-room, brick building, with basement and library and recitation rooms. The same is our present building, except there has been added complete new furniture and real slate blackboards in all the rooms : it is said now to be one of the neatest and best kept school buildings in the entire state. The approximate cost of this structure was about ten thousand, five hundred and sixty dollars; furniture and slate blackboards. one thousand, nine hundred and forty dollars, making a total of twelve thous- and, five hundred dollars. Its present value is fourteen thousand dollars.
138
PAST AND PRESENT
"In October, 1875, it was organized and known as 'Hopkins Independent' school district, when the directors on the board were: Luther Stewart, pres- ident. George H. Hatalong, secretary, Harrison Myers, Philip Dale and S. W. Gerard.
"The records go on to show that the schools were in a prosperous con- dition up to 1892, when. the patrons feeling the need of better facilities and more room, on petition, the board called a special election for the purpose of voting bonds for a six-room, brick building. This election was held May 19, 1892.
"The present ( 1910) corps of teachers are: G. F. Mckinney, superin- tendent : Maud C. Horton, first assistant ; Katherine McNulty, second assist- ant ; Elizabeth McCormick, fifth department : Nellie Hudson, fourth depart- ment; Edith B. Kime, third department; Ethel Aiken, second department ; Golda Roach. first department.
BARNARD SCHOOLS.
Barnard has a good building and has maintained good schools through all the years reaching back to the early establishment of the public school system of the county. Some of our most worthy citizens, now engaged in other employments, have been principals from time to time of these schools, and many of the most promising young men and women of the county have been started along the upward grade in life through the salutary influence of the training received in the Barnard public schools.
Among other towns of the county, equally alive to the importance of public education and equally alert in availing themselves of the advantages derived from public school education, may be named Graham, Parnell, Guil- ford, Quitman, Ravenwood, Skidmore, Clearmont and Pickering, each of which has supplied itself with up-to-date and ample educational equipments and facilities for articulation with the course at our State University, and inducements are thus afforded and incentive offered for the acquisition of the higher courses of instruction.
County supervision, adopted during the second term of the present county superintendent, Prof. W. M. Oakerson, has contributed more, per- haps, than any other one educational factor to the accomplishment of these excellent results. Too much praise cannot be given to this efficient and zeal- ous public official for the progress made in the public schools of the county.
The Barnard schools have a two-year high school course and are in the line of articulation with the State University.
139
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The following is a roster of their teaching force as given by their principal : William R. Lowry, principal; Rose A. Collins, grammar depart- ment; Laura Coggins, intermediate department ; Besse Wray, primary de- partment.
The Barnard school building is sufficient for present needs and is beauti- fully located on an eminence overlooking the town.
RURAL SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
Since the adoption of county supervision of schools for the county, a long-desired change. brought about by popular vote in 1906. the improve- ment in these schools has been very satisfactory, under the wise and efficient management of Superintendent W. M. Oakerson, the present incumbent.
Some of the most helpful results attained during the short time we have had county supervision are :
I. Rural graduation and articulation of rural schools with high schools.
2. Carrying out more fully than ever before the state course of study.
3. Lengthening terms of school.
4. Compulsory school law and enforcement of attendance upon the sessions of the schools.
5. A movement toward the consolidation of rural schools, by which economy in the expenditure of money and better teaching service are secured.
6. The founding of libraries and reading circles and the holding of teachers' meetings for the improvement of the members of the profession and for the building up of a broader and more catholic professional spirit.
7. The offering of prizes by public-spirited citizens of the county for essays by pupils, the best method of procedure in the management of agri- cultural affairs, and for the best specimens of agricultural products.
All these things are now regarded as a necessary part of the education of the people of this grand agricultural section and also are conducive toward keeping the young people on the farm.
To summarize again the results so far attained, we note the following :
A library law, under which libraries have increased in the county from sixteen to one hundred seventy-eight.
The school enumeration has not kept pace with other lines of progress, having fallen off somewhat in the last decade, there being at present eight thousand, six hundred and three whites enumerated between the ages of six and twenty, and thirty-five colored children.
140
PAST AND PRESENT
School receipts, $160,000 ; school expenditures, $140,000; number of teachers, 250; cash on hand, 1909, $13.308 : number of school houses, 184.
An improved method of licensing teachers has been established by law. A law permitting the consolidation of school districts is now operative.
Laws regulating child labor and compulsory school attendance have been adopted.
The establishment of a normal school in the county.
Repeal of the institute law and the substitution of a three-day county association in its place.
There has been a marked improvement in village and rural district school architecture and laboratory equipment.
A very helpful system of school inspection and classification has been adopted.
A uniform course of study for rural and village schools, providing for quarterly and final examinations, graduation and diploma. This gives defi- niteness to the work and encourages boys and girls to attend high schools and colleges. It will result, ere long, in filling the normal schools to overflowing. the colleges will greatly enlarge their enrollment and our university will be led. to seek means to keep down an attendance so large that they cannot pro- vide for their maintenance.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
The following is as complete a list of the above school officers as can now be gathered from records: James Saunders, 1852: C. S. Burns, 1855: C. S. Burns, 1857: C. S. Burns. 1859: L. T. Ellis, 1862; B. G. Ford. 1863: M. G. Roseberry. 1863: A. C. Votaw. 1864: I. N. Albin. 1867; S. C. Mc- Cluskey, 1868: D. L. Chaney, 1881 ; B. F. Duncan, 1886; C. A. Hawkins. 1890: L. C. Cook. 1894; R. E. McCann. 1896: G. P. Wright. 1900: Miss Maggie Paschal. 1902: Ellis Cook, 1904: W. M. Oakerson. 1906.
Rarely has such progress been had in education in any of the counties of Missouri as that under the highly efficient management of Prof. W. M. Oak- erson, the present county superintendent. Splendid advancement is seen along every line of progress promotive of healthful uplift in the rural schools of the county, and Mr. Oakerson is unremitting in energy in his efforts to provide the very best and evinces a rare degree of intelligence and foresight in seeing the things that are best. These schools are now wide awake, the very best teachers are secured and an advance of fifty per cent. is seen in the betterment of conditions.
141
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
THE NORTHWEST STATE NORMAL.
For a period covering about thirty years the question of establishing a school for the training of teachers had been agitated by the people of this section of our state, which reached its culmination in the passage of a bill at the session of our State Legislature in 1905.
This bill received the signature of Governor J. W. Folk on the 25th day of March, 1905. and immediate steps were taken to put in action the machinery through which its provisions should be enforced.
In accordance with the provision of the bill creating the Northwest, or Fifth District Normal, a commission to select a site for the new normal was appointed by the governor, consisting of C. C. Foyle, of Lancaster ; Edmund McWilliams, of Plattsburg; C. A. Calvird, of Clinton; J. W. Cox, of Mon- roe City, and J. C. Jones, of Columbia.
This commission, after visiting the several places which had offered in- ducement to secure the normal location, decided in favor of Maryville, and announced the tender of eighty-six acres of land and fifty-eight thousand dollars in cash on the part of Maryville.
A board of regents, consisting of six members, was thereupon appointed to take charge, in behalf of the state, of these bequests and manage whatever other interests might be involved in the organization and operation of the institution thus established.
The following were named by the governor as constituting the first board of management of the Northwest Normal: Hon. C. J. Colden. Mary- ville, president, term expires January, 1911 : Judge W. D. Rusk, St. Joseph, term expires January, 1911 ; Hon. W. F. Rankin, Tarkio, term expired Jan- uary. 1909 ; Hon. I. R. Williams, Savannah, term expired January, 1909; Dr. A. H. Vandivert, Bethany, term expired January, 1907; Dr. J. C. Tracy, Mound City, term expired January. 1907 ; Hon. W. T. Carrington, state su- perintendent of schools and ex-officio member of this board.
The first faculty selected were: Frank Deerwerter, president; Eudor Mather, training department; T. B. Ford, English department; W. W. Gallaher, civics and pedagogy : George H. Colbert, mathematics ; Jesse Lewis. history : B. M. Stigall, science; J. R. Hale. Latin ; B. F. Duncan, economics and Latin ; Alpha Bigley, drawing and manual training ; P. O. Landon, music : H. M. Cook, physical culture and elocution : Kate McClement, elementary studies ; A. F. Fisher, physiology : Martha B. Clark, librarian; J. H. Felt. architect.
I42
PAST AND PRESENT
Much praise is due to the intelligent foresight and persistent energy of the citizens of Nodaway county in their initiatory efforts in promoting this normal school interest from the time of its inception to the period of the location of the school in Maryville.
This spirit of harmony and hearty co-operation prevailed up to the end of the first year of the school, when a sharply accentuated and bitter con- troversy arose over the presidency of the institution, resulting in the dis- placement of the then head of the school and the substitution of another in the position. The factional spirit thus engendered continued to grow in vir- ulence during the incumbency of the new head of the school, covering a period of two years, when it resulted in his removal, together with a large number of the members of the faculty who were supposed to be involved in the heated controversy.
The school, though it has been in operation but four years, is now under the control of its third president. Dr. H. K. Taylor.
Realizing the extent of the injury sustained through this unfortunate controversy, there seems to be a disposition among the factional leaders to drop it and lend their energies henceforth toward the accomplishment of the great work had in view by some of the people from its first inception -- the building up of a great teachers' training school in northwestern Missouri.
The school has been very inadequately housed during the first years of its existence. being under the necessity of using the old Methodist Episcopal seminary building. erected in the early eighties by the Northwest conference of Missouri, but now a part of the normal property, and such other rooms as the state was able to secure about the city of Maryville; but the mag- nificent new building, erected at a cost of about three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, and one of the best in the state, will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of the first term of 1910-II.
PRESENT OFFICERS AND FACULTY.
At the meeting of the board of regents. held at Maryville on May 24. 1910. the following officers and instructors were chosen : Dr. H. K. Taylor. president, for a period of two years : George H. Colbert, department of math- ematics; S. E. Davis, chair of pedagogy: John E. Cameron, chair of agri- culture : Albert Hogan, assistant in agricultural department : V. I. Moore. superintendent of athletics : Miss Theodosia Raines, department of English : Miss Emma G. Leake, chair of applied pedagogy and supervisor of the
I43
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
training department : Miss Martha Reade, departments of Latin and European history ; W. A. Rickenbrode (registrar ), music and bookkeeping : Miss Hettie Anthony, domestic science: Mrs. M. B. Clark, librarian ; Frank Zimmerer. art : T. H. Cook. elementary school and American history : Miss Hope Lytle. critic teacher, training school; Miss Edna Randall, expression and physical culture : Miss Carrie Hopkins, primary critic : Miss Kate Helwig. teacher in elementary school : Miss Dorothy Bean. stenographer.
In concluding this chapter the writer desires to say that it is by no means free from those defects that will inevitably creep into a narrative covering such a widely diversified field; nor does he think the field has been entirely gone over; but contents himself with the hope that he has aided, somewhat. in preserving the trace of facts that may become of vital importance to those who may write the history of this. perhaps the greatest of civilizing agencies. the public school system of Nodaway county.
The author of this chapter on education acknowledges his indebtedness to Professor Shackleford. of the Cape Girardeau Normal School, for valuable suggestions relative to the division into periods of the progress of educational development in Missouri.
BRIEF HISTORY OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. I. BURLINGTON JUNC-
TION, MISSOURI.
Written by Jennie White as a part of the program of the Annual Patrons' Meeting, 1910.
The history of this school district begins long before the time of the town of Burlington Junction ; when "Where we now sit surrounded by all that em- bellishes civilized life" belonged to the sun-lit rolling prairies of the "Platte Purchase," and was chosen by the people from Ross county, Ohio, for part of the famed Ohio Settlement.
The first school house of which we have an accurate account was built of logs and stood on the corner south of the residence of William Houston. It was furnished with seats made of slabs, with legs, but without backs. One surviving pupil of that school says the rounding sides of the slabs were on the upper side for solid comfort.
This same pupil says he wished to study the second book of algebra. having finished the first in Ohio; the teacher said his certificate did not call for algebra. but that he would help the pupil. But it soon was a case of pupil helping teacher.
The community prospered and in 1861 decided to build a frame school house large enough to have church services in on Sunday.
144
PAST AND PRESENT
Col. J. H. Davis and Austin Jones each gave one hundred dollars toward the building. J. J. Davis gave the ground for the new building : this plot of ground was on the corner east of the William Houston home. Desks and seats for two pupils each were made and the furnishings were up to date for the times. It served for the Methodist meeting house until the church was built on the William Walker farm on a lot just west of the cemetery in 1872.
The Ohio settlement, of which this district was a part, was built on the solid foundation of religion and education. It left an heritage worthy to be emulated by the present inhabitants of the town and community.
After the town of Burlington Junction was started the country school house was too small to accommodate all pupils and rooms in town were oc- cupied by the school. A long, wooden building, called the Wigwam, was used by two of the departments for a time.
In the spring of 1881 a school meeting was held in the country school house at which it was decided to organize an independent district. with six directors and entitled to certain privileges. Three men were elected to com- plete the organization and obtain a site for the erection of the building. These men were Dr. T. A. Hunt, George H. Hotalling and J. Hartzell Heriff, with J. H. Bryant as clerk of the board.
The town lot company offered a block as a gift to the district. The ground which they wished to give was not a really desirable situation, so the board selected the block on which the school house now stands and paid two hundred dollars for the privilege of the choice. It was then part of a corn- field with not a tree near it.
The wisdom of the choice has long been apparent, for it is conceded that Burlington Junction has the most beautiful school grounds in Nodaway county.
Let the city acquire a half block north or west of this and include the intervening streets, plant it in trees and flowers, take out some of the un- sightly trees that are crowding the east walk avenue, lay out tennis court. ball grounds, and outdoor gymnasium, the result would be, with comparative little cost, a campus, city park and assembly ground that would add beauty. healthfulness and moral tone to the town.
When the grounds were secured the frame school house was moved into town and put on it ; an addition somewhat larger was built, making room for two departments. The primary department was located in a building that had been the lumber yard office on West Main street, where the residence of Will Jones now stands.
But soon disaster wrought havoc to the little school house on the hill.
145
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The cyclone in June, 1883, which laid desolate a strip of country including this section, destroyed, with many other buildings, the school house. It was a mass of ruins, beyond hope of repair. The board decided to build a four- room, brick building. Bonds were voted for it at a special election called for the purpose. It was late in the season before the work was begun and it was not ready for occupancy until the spring of 1884. Four teachers were employed and some years later the house was arranged to accommodate the fifth room.
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.