USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 49
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The sessions of this court were held at first in the upper story of a frame building owned by John Shirts. This building stood on Walnut street, near the site of the present Cameron Hotel. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1871. The sessions of the court were then held for one or two terms in the rear room of the Cameron Deposit Bank building, on the southwest corner of Main and Third Streets. It was next moved to a room in the upper story of DeStiger's building, on Third Street, where it continued to assemble till the period of its abolishment by act of the legislature, as above stated.
CHAPTER XXVII.
SCHOOLS.
STATE CONSTITUTION - TEACHERS' INSTITUTES - ENUMERATION FOR 1350-FUNDS- SCHOOL HOUSES-COMPARISONS-ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN M. McMICHAEL.
Our State Constitution lays down, as the very foundation of society and good government, the following principle : "Schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged in this state. One school, or more, shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."
Thus we find, in the fundamental law of Missouri, the plain and unequivocal announcement of the principle that every state is bound to see that its citizens are educated. It is a voluntary avowal of the fact that the happiness, wealth and prosperity of a nation must depend on the intelligence and virtue of the people.
In the act of congress (1820) authorizing the people of Missouri Territory to form a constitution and state government, the sixteenth section of each township, or its equivalent, was devoted to the purpose of supporting schools in each township.
Twelve salt springs, with six sections, or thirty-eight hundred and forty acres of land adjoining each, were also granted to the state, and those were afterwards devoted by the legislature to the same object.
The first act passed by the legislature of the state on the subject of education, was on the 17th of January, 1825. This law enacted that each congressional township should form a school district, to be under the control of the county court in all matters pertaining to schools. It also declared that all rents (of school lands) fines, penalties and forfeitures accruing under provisions of this act, should be set apart and appropri- ated exclusively to a school fund, and, in no case, should it be otherwise applied.
January 26, 1833, the legislature authorized the governor to appoint three suitable persons, whose duty it should be to prepare a system of primary school instruction, as nearly uniform as practicable, throughout the state, and to make report to the next meeting of the legislature.
By act of June 23, 1836, the office of Superintendent of Common Schools was first created. Peter G. Glover was the first to fill this office. He was required in the month of January of each year, to make distribu-
465
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
tion of the "School Moneys" amongst the several counties in which there may be any school, based upon the number of white children between the ages of six and eighteen years.
During the session of 1853, a committee composed of Acock, of Polk County, Hickman, of Boone, and Kelley, of Holt County, ty authority of the legislature, matured and presented to that body the law in force on the statute book, up to the passage of the second State Constitution, and with some modifications substantially the same as exists to-day (1881). The first distribution of state school moneys was made in Jan- uary, 1842, when only thirteen counties received any portion of the fund. These were Benton, Boone, Clark, Cole, Cooper, Greene, La Fayette, Livingston, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Saline and Shelby. The aggregate amount of this apportionment was $1,999.60. The number of children in the report here fails appear. In 1859, the number of children reported was 367,248, and the amount appropriated, $253,401.12.
One of the earliest educational conventions, held in Northwest Mis- souri, was during the year 1844. in Buchanan County. Its object was to discuss the benefits accruing to the teacher, from teachers institutes and associations, and to devise the best means for the mutual improve- ment of teachers. The remarks made at that meeting by a Mr. Stratton, a teacher himself, upon the subject of teachers' conventions will, doubt- less, be read with interest by those who are engaged in the same pursuit now (1881). Mr. Stratton said :
How shall teachers become better prepared for their profession ? How can they be continually improving their minds and their systems of instruction ? And how shall every teacher receive the light which the more experienced are constantly throwing upon the subject of instruction ? We know of no means so common to all, and so favorable, as county conventions of teachers. Heretofore there has been but little communication between teachers. The improvements which one has made have not been made known to others ; the incompetency of teach- ers, and the bad effects of teacher have not been made to elevate and honor their profession. Other classes of men have had their conventions-men of science, ministers and statesmen, to ensure enlightened and united operations, appoint their conventions to redress wrongs, to correct errors, and make known the improvements and able suggestions that may be discovered or proposed by any one of the party.
The wisdom and experience of these conventions not only enlighten the people and sit in judgment upon their errors, but produce through- out the whole country similarity of feeling and harmony of efforts for the peace of the church, the advancement of science and the prosperity of the country.
Such conventions are absolutely necessary, but are not conventions of teachers equally as necessary for the prosperity of our schools? Does not the difficulty and responsible position of teaching require all the light and knowledge that can be obtained on the subject ? Does not the incompetency of teachers invite all the aid that can be obtained on this subject ? Does not the incompetency of teachers invite all the aid that
30
466
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
can be furnished from those who are better qualified by experience and from other literary men ?
"Certainly !" every one will say, "such assistance is highly import- ant ; it would afford that necessary aid which teachers now have no means of obtaining."
Yet so great is the apathy of the people that we seldom hear of a teachers' convention. The introduction of a teachers' convention, it seems, has but just found its way into Missouri. Hence but a small number of our teachers have been profitted by them. But how shall teachers improve themselves, if not by such conventions ?
Works on education have a very limited circulation. Not one teacher out of a hundred reads anything on the subject ; nor will they read before the living voice exercises their attention. There are but few seminaries for educating teachers, and rarely a lecture delivered on school-keeping. Teachers are seldom qualified when they enter into the profession, and they have neither the assistance of teachers in the vicin- ity nor intelligence from abroad, either from books or the speaking lec- ture. This should not be so. There are many means which teachers may use to prepare themselves for their profession and for improving them- selves while engaged in their duties ; and we know of none so advan- tageous to teachers, and that is attended with so little expense and within reach of all, as frequent county conventions. If these are gener- ally announced and faithfully attended, they will not only be highly interesting to teachers, but of the greatest benefit to our schools. They should be attended not only by teachers, but by all the friends of educa- tion ; each individual should go prepared to contribute to their interest and usefulness and with a hearty desire to promote the general cause of education. Each county association should have a correspondence with similar associations in adjacent counties and so throughout the United States. By this communication all the improvements or changes which have been made may be made known. It should be the object of these conventions and communications with other associations to discover the origin of the defects in the present system of instruction, to acertain the actual condition of schools throughout the United States, who are in school, and the number who do not use the means of education. To ascertain the true interest which parents are taking in educating their children, to convince the people of the necessity of general intelligence in a free government, and to make known the duties which every one owes to the free institutions of his country. The mutual improvement of teachers is one of the first objects of these conventions. To render this mutual instruction each teacher before the convention should describe his system of instruction and his form of government. From this inter- change of views on the best methods of teaching and governing many valuable suggestions will be elicited and many evils and defects dis- closed. Individuals should be appointed to deliver lectures before these conventions, the object of the lectures being either to illustrate or simplify the branches which are taught in our schoois, or to make known the best methods of instructing. These, with many other advantages, too numer- ous to mention, are the happy results of county teachers' conventions.
467
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.
The first teachers' institute organized in Clinton County was held in the court house, in Plattsburg, on the 21st day of July, 1866. At this meeting B. F. Poe was chosen president, and A. J. Everly secretary.
The permanent officers elected were : J. H. Thomas, president ; B. F. Poe, vice president ; A. K. Porter, treasurer ; A. J. Everly, secretary.
This institute adjourned to meet on the first Saturday in September following. Not being fortunate enough to obtain the proceedings of this meeting, we present the minutes of the Clinton County Teachers' Insti- tute, which was held in Plattsburg, in October, 1867:
October 17, 1867. Institute met ; president in the chair.
The constitution drafted by the committee was adopted by sections, after some slight change in the phraseology of article 4 of section I. Committee discharged.
A collection was then taken up for the purpose of buying blank book and stationery for the use of the secretary.
Regular performance met in order.
L. H. Webster gave a very appropriate lecture on English Gram- mar. His method of teaching being entirely oral. The rest of the teachers on performance were either absent or unprepared.
Performance for next meeting : Lecture on arithmetic, by L. H. Webster ; lecture on geography, by J. H. Watson ; lecture on reading, by W. H. Price ; lecture on grammar, by A. J. Lott ; lecture on writing, by James Huffaker ; lecture on ancient history, by G. W. Russ ; lecture on modern history, by T. C. Weadin.
Debate : Question-Resolved, That we become more happy as we become more learned. Affirmative-Thomas B. Holt, J. W. Huffaker and J. H. Thomas. Negative-A. G. Rogers, B. F. Poe and A. K. Porter.
There being no further business to transact, institute adjourned to meet on the fourth Saturday in November, 1867, at 9 o'clock A. M., in the chapel of the Plattsburg Academy.
J. H. THOMAS, Secretary pro tem.
These institutes have been continued down to the present time (1881), and have accomplished great good. They have not only been the means of bringing together the teachers from the different sections of the county for an interchange of thought and feeling, thus binding them more closely in the bonds of sympathy and social feeling, but they have materially aided in the practical methods of imparting instruction and simplifying the lessons of the school room and economizing time.
Prior to 1866, the county superintendents of schools were called county commissioners. The first county commissioner of public schools was T. D. W. Yonley. His successors in office were : John T. Hughes, James E. Hughes, W. P. Hooper, county clerk, acting commissioner, B. F. Poe, A. K. Porter, county superintendent, and V. P. Kelley. Mr. Kelley has been county superintendent of public schools since about 1871, and makes an excellent official.
468
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ENUMERATION FOR 1880.
Number of white male persons in the county between six and twenty years of age .. 2,701
Number of female white. 2,522
Number of male colored persons in the county between six and twenty years of age.
184
Number of female colored
185
Making a total of .. 5,592
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION.
Cash on hand April, 1880. $14,346 82
Amount of revenue received from state fund by auditor's
warrant, 1880 3,959 95
Amount of revenue received from county funds, interest on notes and bonds in 1880. 882 29
Amount of revenue received from township fund, interest on notes and bonds, 1880. . 2,229 78
Amount received from district tax. 1880. 32,276 17
Amount received from all other sources
1,714 96
Total amount. $55,409 97
Total amount expended for the year 1880 38,513 54
Cash on hand
$16,896 43
PRINCIPAL OF VARIOUS SCHOOL FUNDS.
Amount of township school funds. $19,513 16
Amount of county public school funds 11,086 60
Total $30,590 76
Amount received during the year 1880, for fines and penalties. 253 50
This amount was added to the county public school fund, which is being constantly increased by fines, penalties, tax upon circuses, etc. Witness fees, which have not been called for by the parties to whom due, after the lapse of two years, are also transferred to this fund.
The township school fund is derived from the sale of the school lands, or every sixteenth section. Quite a revenue also has accrued from the sale of swamp lands, the internal improvement, and the three per cent fund, all of which are now utilized in the establishment and maintenance of public schools.
There are now sixty-nine school districts in Clinton County, and between seventy-five and eighty school houses. A few of these have been constructed of brick and stone, while the great majority have been built of frame. They are generally in good condition, and are furnished
46g
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
with all the means afforded the best public schools of the country. In fact, the public schools of Clinton County are well organized, well con- ducted, and in a prosperous condition, perhaps more flourishing now than at any other period since the date of their organization.
When we compare Clinton ,County with Clay, Buchanan, DeKalb, and Caldwell Counties in reference to the condition of their public schools, we find that Clinton County does not suffer at all by the com- parison. We have no correct data at hand, other than the state super- intendent's report for 1878.
CLAY COUNTY.
According to the superintendent's report for 1878, we find that the number of male and female persons, white and black, between six and twenty years of age to be.
4,955
Number of pupils, white and colored, attending schools dur- ing the year 3,475
Number days attendance by all pupils
Average number of days by each
245,755 70
Number of male teachers during the year
54
Number of female teachers during the year
$46.00
Average salary of teachers per month, male .4
.. female
Number of school houses in county
Number of buildings rented for school
Number of pupils that may be seated in school houses
3,936
Number of white schools in operation
59
Number of colored schools in operation.
5
Average cost per day for tuition of each pupil .073
Value of school property . $52,750.75
Average rate per cent. levied for school purposes on $100. 401
Amount on hand beginning of school year .
$5,898.18
Amount received from public funds, state, county, and town- ship. 8,920.52
Amount realized from taxation
14,012.62
Amount paid for teachers' wages
17,842.82
Amount paid for fuel
527.00
Amount paid for apparatus and incidental expenses in county for the year . 760.25
Amount paid for building school houses
2,835.00
Amount paid for past indebtedness 1,450.00
Amount of unexpended school funds at close of the year 6,068.58
Number of persons between the ages of sixteen and twenty- five
1,053
CALDWELL COUNTY.
Number of white and colored persons between six and twenty years of age . . . 4,644
Number of white and colored persons attending public schools during the year. 4,172
30
$35.40 60 1
470
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Number of days attendance. 285,276
Average number of day's attendance by each 68
Number of male teachers during the year . 67
Number of female teachers during the year.
58
Average salary male teachers. $27.40
Average salary female teachers
18.80
Number of school houses in county
71
Number of buildings rented.
I
Number of pupils that may be seated in schools 4,206
78
Number of colored schools in operation
3
Average cost per day tuition for each.
.07
Value of school property in county .
$75,225
Average rate per cent. levied for schools ..
52
Amount on hand at beginning of school year
$11,032.54
Amount received public funds-state, county and township
8,783.79
Amount realized from taxation
21,848.63
Amount paid for teacher's wages
17,431.25
Amount paid for fuel.
1,397.50
Amount paid for apparatus and incidental expenses.
1,640.60
Amount paid for building school houses
1,306.35
Amount paid for past indebtedness.
7,050 50
Amount expended for library
960 50
Amount of unexpended school funds at close of year
9,517 46
BUCHANAN COUNTY.
Number of white and colored persons between six and twenty years of age .
6,124
Number of white and colored attending public schools.
4,230
Number of days of attendance.
282,164
Average number of days by each
66
Number of male teachers
71
Number of female teachers
22
Average salary of teachers per month-males
$45.00
Average salary of teachers per month-females
35.00
Number of school houses. .
72
Number of pupils that may be seated in schools.
3,939
Number of white schools in operation.
72
Number of colored schools.
Average cost per day, tuition, each
.07
Value of school property.
$39,931.00
Average rate per cent. levied for schools
4.10
Amount on hand beginning of school year
$3,204.00
Amount received from public funds-state, county and town . 6,316.00 Amount realized from taxation. 15,737.00
19,291.00
Amount paid for fuel. 792.50
710.65
Amount paid for building school houses.
1,046.17
Amount paid on past indebtedness
1,812.68
Amount of unexpended funds at close of year.
5,389.62
Amount paid for teachers' wages
Amount paid for apparatus, etc
Number of white schools in operation.
471
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
DE KALB COUNTY.
Number of white and colored persons between six and twenty
years of age .
4,290
Number of white and colored persons attending school 3,608
Number of days of attendance .
260,299
Average number of days by each
72
Number of male teachers.
67
Number of female teachers ..
47
Average salary of teachers-male. female
$38.46
Number of school houses.
Number of pupils that may be seated in schools
3,524
Number of white schools in operation.
68
Number of colored
2
Average cost per day tuition, each
$0.06
Value of school property
$42,187.00 06.1
Amount on hand at beginning of year
$5,811.67
Amount received from state, county and township funds.
6,586.92
Amount realized from taxation
$14,888.87
Amount paid for teachers' wages
16,830.78
Amount paid for fuel.
1,137.85
Amount paid for apparatus, etc.
813.53
Amount paid for building school houses
507.25
Amount paid for past indebtedness
2,732.09
Amount paid for library.
21.20
Amount of unexpended funds
4.473-35
CLINTON COUNTY.
Number of white and colored persons between six and twenty years of age
5,415
Number of white and colored pupils attending school during the year
3,555
Number of days attendance
294,188
Average number days attendance for each
65
Number of male teachers
79
Number of fernale teachers
68
$50.00
Number of school houses ..
75
Number of white schools in operation
66
Number of colored schools in operation
9
Average cost per day tuition, for each.
$0.08
Value of school property. $55,230.00
.05
Amount on hand at beginning of school year.
$9,288.65
Amount received public funds, state, county and township 6,788.75
Amount realized from taxation .
33,473.20
Amount paid for teachers' wages
27,198.00
Average salary of teachers-male .. female
38.00
Number of scholars that may be seated in schools
6,000
Average rate per cent. levied for school purposes .
$28.64 68
Average rate per cent. levied for schools
473
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Amount paid for fuel.
$1,077.84
Amount paid for apparatus, etc 800.00
Amount paid for building school houses 3,200.00
Amount paid for past indebtedness 750.00
Amount unexpended close of year. 11,498.80
It will be seen from the above reports for the year 1878 that Clinton County had a greater number of school houses than either Clay, Buchanan, De Kalb or Caldwell ; a greater number of pupils than Clay, Caldwell, (both older counties than Clinton) and DeKalb, and but a few less than Buchanan ; a greater number of teachers employed than either of the other counties, and a greater average of salaries paid. It will also be seen that the value of school property in Clinton County exceeds that of either of the other counties named ; that the amount realized from taxation is greater than that realized by either of the other four, and that Clinton county had a greater amount of unexpended school funds at the close of the year than either Clay, Buchanan, DeKalb or Caldwell. These facts speak well and eloquently for Clinton County, and show that her people are wide awake upon the subject of public schools.
We will close our chapter on schools by publishing in full the excel- lent address of Hon. John M. McMichael, delivered before Thomas H. B. Turner's school in the south eastern part of Clinton County in May, 1870.
Patrons and Students-I have been invited by your worthy pre- ceptor to join you in the festivities and intellectual pleasures of this bright May-day, and to say something which might, perchance, stimu- late and encourage a perseverance, on your part, in the cause which has occasioned this pleasant assemblage. To the performance of a duty so laudable, so full of inspiration to an enlightened conception I approach with many misgivings of competent ability to discharge so grave, and yet so agreeable a duty. I would, therefore, invoke that this kind indulgence which your appreciation for honest purpose, indifferently manifested, will doubtless grant. The subject of education is replete with prolific interest. The greatest minds of all ages have discussed it with the depth of thought unkindled by the munificence its possession created. To be fully appreciated and enjoyed, it must adorn the mind. In proportion to our knowledge do we learn to estimate its worth. Since mankind first learned the rudiments, a thirst for more of this life-giving sustenance has rapidly increased. The individual who is deprived of education, journeys through life without an aim or an object. Indeed, to him life is a blank, a desert without a single oasis to cheer him on in the dark and perilous way unseen by him which marks his "footprints on the sands of Time." Education! What is it? The untutored mind cannot define it, for it is deprived of the source whence cometh the power of its elucidation. Some one has most truthfully said, " What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul." Man, we are informed by Revelation, was created in the image of his Maker. He came into exist- ence wearing the badge of Divinity upon his brow. Mind constitutes the immortal essence of his being. Mind elevates him above the brute.
473
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Mind leads him to discover his origin, reveals the secret of his own existence, and points him to an attainable happy future. His superiority over all terrestrial creation is evinced in his possession of reason. In consequence of the possession of this invaluable inheritance, he has com- plete dominion over all inferior creation, which was designed by Provi- dence to subserve his purpose for happiness. The happy recipients then of this beneficient gift, it should be our object to improve and develop this distinguishing element of our nature.
It was the design of our Creator in vouchsafing reason to man to fur- nish him with the means of his defense against the encroachments of all the animal kingdom. For this is the citadel of his strength, the armor with which he is panoplied in the battle of life. It fortifies him against the attack of all his foes, and places him in an attitude from which he bids defiance to all the world. Mind constitutes the majesty of man ; virtue the accompaniment of its culture, his true nobility. History speaks adown the steeps of time the honored truth that education is the moral lever that controls the destiny of nations. Read the story of impartial writers from the day that witnessed the entrance of our ances- tors into blissful Eden until the present hour, and you will learn that intelligence has conquered ignorance in every engagement. Enlight- ened, educated armies have invariably put to rout the combined hordes of barbarism. In every combat fought on earth, truth, the outgrowth of education, has triumphed. The cultured Romans subdued the world by the invincibility of their valor and the prowess of their armies. Archim- edes defied the bravery of innumerable hosts of Roman legions by his knowledge. Upon the culture of the mind, the durability of government rests. Despoiled of the refining and moralizing influence of education, mankind subside into anarchy, into barbarism and servility. War, under all circumstances a curse, becomes doubly so when its excesses are not restrained by the wholesome effects of education. Even after the Romans were emancipated from the thraldom of despotism by the feeble rays of light which had dawned upon them, they sold their captive pris- oners, no matter what their color, race or sex, into perpetual slavery. Many of their prisoners were slaughtered outright. But as the beams of education fell upon them, thus partially christianizing them, they became more humane. At every stage in the history of our world, we see that an educated race must triumph over an illiterate one. England holds the heroic race of Ireland in subjection to this day, simply because she surpasses her in intelligence, not natural but cultivated.
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