The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc, Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Kansas City Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1056


USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 37


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


law for the public schools of Missouri. II. To extend the course to such other branches as are best calculated to lay the foundation for a broad and liberal culture. III. To combine with the foregoing, such practical instruction in school organization and management, principles and methods in teaching and order of studies, as will enable the student to secure the best possible results when he assumes the duties of teacher; and IV. By a more careful study of standard authors, on the philosophy of education, supplemented by judicious lectures, to impart correct and comprehensive views of the true end of education."


At a meeting of the state superintendent, R. D. Shannon, the princi- pals of the three state normals, respectively, J. Baldwin, G. L. Osborne, L. H. Cheney, held December 28, 1875, the following measures to secure uniformity of work in Missouri, were recommended to the several boards of regents for adoption :


"I. That fourteen years be the minimum age at which students shall be admitted to the normal schools. II. That the standard for admission be as follows: A fair knowledge of reading, spelling, the use of lan- guage, descriptive geography, and arithmetic as far as percentage. III. That a model school, or school for practice, be established as soon as practicable, in connection with each normal school, in which nor- mal students shall be required to teach before graduation. IV. That an examination for candidates for graduation, be held near the end of each scholastic year, by the state superintendent and the three presidents of the normal schools, upon the results of which, graduation shall depend. V. That the diplomas of graduation from the elementary course and the full course, be different in form and general appearance, the former bearing in bold type, the words 'elementary course.' VI. That the course of study in the normal schools be uniform."


The board of regents of the second district was the first to accept these rules. They are now in force in all.


For 1876 and '77 the same faculty was retained entire, and no change has been made since, save in some of the lower grades. Four hundred and eighty-one students were in attendance. This is the largest annual enrollment since the existence of the school.


At this time the state appropriated annually for the maintenance of her normal schools, $22,500; $7,500 to each. They were all in a prosperous condition, so prosperous, indeed, as to excite the envy of other institutions of learning.


The greatest struggle of their lives was yet to be gone through with. Normal schools, as institutions for the preparation of efficient, complete teachers, were to be tried by the crucial test of most adverse criticism. The old question, as to whether the schools should teach matter as well as


309


HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


method, was again to be discussed, and in a manner to threaten their very existence as then organized. Their course of study was to be established !


Happily, a triumph is to be recorded.


An eminent educator in Missouri led the attack. It was claimed that the office of normals, under the intent of the law, was simply to supply teachers for the district schools of the state, and that to do this in a wor- thy manner, only necessitated the " Elementary Course," with the princi- ples of a correct presentation of the subjects therein contained. The " Advanced Course," it was held, belonged only to the university and academies.


Educators throughout the state took sides upon the vital question, affecting as it did the great system. R. D. Shannon state superintendent, was the champion of the schools, and most ably defended them upon their present basis, and pointed out elearly the selfish bias which led the oppo- sition. The arguments for a complete education of the teacher as pro posed under the existent plan, were palpable, and though the fight* was carried into the legislature, where an appropriation for their maintenance was pending, the schools came through the fire unharmed. There was also a belief growing in this body, at this time, that they were an unnec- essary expense to the state-that no direct benefit accrued from the expenditure-but the better judgment of the thinking portion prevailed and this fallacy was exploded.


From a journal published at this time, we take the following arguments in favor of the schools teaching matter sufficient to make the teacher sent forth, a true scholar:


"He who studies with a view to the presentation of a subject in the school room, will not study it as he does who wishes to learn simply. The student teacher will observe all the bcauties and deformities of the subject, that he may preserve the one and guard against the other. He will out- line it. He will perfectly master it. He will study its adaptation to m ind culture. He will fasten upon that mode of presentation best calculated to lead out the faculties. In a word, he will study it to teach it. To the teacher, matter is just as necessary as the marble to the sculptor. The teacher who goes into the district school, should go full-armed for his work. He should be an efficient teacher and not of that class who


Dismiss their cares when they dismiss their flock, Machines themselves, and governed by a clock.


He should be not merely a teacher of the alphabet, he should be un edu- cator. "As the twig is bent, the tree inclines." . More work should be


*In this eonnection, it is right to record the valliant services of Hon. F. C. Farr, from Johnson county, who bravely and eloquently met every advance of the enemy, and to whom lasting credit is due.


.


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


put upon the moulding of the child into the student, than upon the stu- dents entire life. The teacher then in the district school has the import- ant work to do in education. How needful a broad culture! What a danger of narrowness!


Again, the position of the Missouri normals was thus ably defended, in a paper read before the National Teacher's Association, in 1880, by Prof. G. L. Osborne.


"It is claimed that academic training properly belongs to the literary institution, and that the normal school in assuming to instruct in language, mathematics or natural science, is for that reason venturing beyond its proper sphere. True, our academies, seminaries and colleges address themselves largely to this work, but it does not necessarily follow that they do it by exclusive right. The fact alone does not make it their special prerogative. If any principle of education is well established in this country, it is that the professional school, whatever its kind, may legiti- mately teach those branches which underlie and immediately effect the successful practice of that profession. This is true of the military school, the naval academy, the law school and the medical college; and why not


the normal school, also? The military school, in all that pertains to the management of troops, both in the garrison and in the field, imparts actual instruction in those branches of science which are essential to the successful practice of the profession of arms. The naval academy is con- ducted on the same principle. The law school prescribes a course in let- ters, as essential to the intelligent practice of law. The medical college, although possibly less exacting, makes similar claims; and there is no good reason why the normal school should constitute an exception to this rule. Its claims are surely as pointed as in any of the cases above cited.


" It is urged, further, that 'academic instruction in a normal school is needless repetition.'


" This is a question of expediency in which each case should be decided on its merits; and until our literary institutions thoroughly occupy the field, furnishing the kind and degree of training needed, it cannot be used as an argument against the right of the normal school to give "instruction in subject-matter." Indeed, it seems to me, that under any circumstances, the normal school would clearly have the right to give such instruction as would harmonize the academic with the didactic training, thus giving unity to the professional culture.


"Again, it is claimed that this work would be better done in the literary institution.


" This point is not established. It is natural for those preparing for any given work, both to desire and seek the best training attainable for the purpose. If this claim were well founded, the demand for academic train-


311


HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


ing in the normal school would gradually diminish, and, finally, cease, the supposed evil correcting itself by force of circumstances. But, on the contrary, the demand seems quite as urgent now as in the beginning. My experience has been that those who have received the greater part of their academic training in other schools, usually rank among the most unsatis- factory of our graduates. The exceptions are rare. The training is apt to be unsymmetrical. In one case the student has been rushed forward in Latin, and the higher mathematics, while English and the natural sciences have been slighted. In another, the attention has been directed to advanced study, and the elements neglected; and, worse than all, the knowledge is apt to be of the mechanical, text-book order, which dis- courages original thought, accepts everything on authority, and almost disqualifies the student for effective work as a teacher. Until these evils are corrected, the normal school will be compelled to give academic train- ing in self-defence. * * * The object of normal schools is the same everywhere-to promote civilization by furnishing a class of trained teachers, skilled in every phase of school work. The details of manage- ment and execution only, are, in different countries, adjusted to the politi- cal circumstances and educational needs. In all, we find three distinctly- marked lines of training: Academic, didactic, and practice teaching. These are equally professional, for all are taught with especial reference to the teachers work. In fact this is the focal point upon which every exercise is directed. The professional education of the teacher, then, comprehends a symmetrical training in all these departments. Anything short of it impairs the unity of culture, and in that degree injures his use- fulness as a teacher."


There was no reduction of the annual appropriation at the meeting of the assembly in 1879. And the feeling of opposition has diminished much more rapidly in the two years succeeding this climax than it had grown during the two previous years. The almost universal success which has attended the actual work of the graduates of the normals throughout the state has demonstrated incontrovertibly the soundness of their position, and it is safe to say that the question as above revealed will never again „receive more than passing notice.


The enrollment for the scholastic year of 1877 and 1878 reached the number of four hundred and fifty-two.


George L. Osborne, president, intellectual and moral philosophy and school economy; Richard C. Norton, mathematics and natural history; John J. Campbell, English language and literature; William F. Bahlmann, · ancient and modern languages; Miss Ida M. Carhart, drawing and botany; Miss Kate Lowen, geography and United States history; John T. Paden, assistant in mathematics; John N. Summers, penmanship.


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


With the exception that William Sanburn was also an assistant in mathematics during 1878 and 1879, the above was the faculty for the years 1877 and 1878, and 1878 and 1879. The attendance during the lat- ter year numbered 349. This rapid decrease was owing to influences entirely without the school. It will be remembered that this was the beginning of "hard times" in Missouri, consequent upon many disasters.


At this stage of the history of these schools in Missouri, we cannot better estimate their accepted worth than by the following statement made to the legislature by State Supt. R. D. Shannon:


" The normal schools have done more for the improvement of public education in Missouri, by furnishing better teachers to the common schools, and more of them, within the last six years, than has been accom- plished by all other agencies combined, for twenty years."


Since the inception of the system the Warrensburg school has suffered for want of room. An effort was made, in the report above alluded to, to call the attention of legislators to the fact, but of this no notice was taken.


The scholastic year of 1879 and 1880, has a showing of 372 students, while that of 1880 and 1881 increases, this number to 390.


At the last *biennial session of the legislature the sum of $10,000 was appropriated toward completing the building, which, it will be remem- bered, was left unfinished in 1871, after a squandering of one hundred and forty-five thousand dollars of the peoples money. The second and third stories will be immediately putin readiness for occupancy, and it is believed that with these extra accommodations a new era of prosperity will dawn.


The total number of graduates during the past decade in the elemen- tary course is 312, and in the advanced course is 78. It will be interest- ing to note the gradual increase as marked in the succeeding table:


Scholastic year.


Principal in Charge.


No. Graduating in | Elementary Course.


No. Graduating in Advance Course.


Total Number.


1871 and 1872|George P. Beard.


7


0


1872. and 1873 James Johonnot. .


13


0


13


1873 and 1874 James Johonnot ..


43


0


43


1874 and 1875 James Johonnot ..


49


8


57


1875 and 1876 George L. Osborne ...


28


7


35


1873 and 1877


George L. Osborne ...


16


10


26


1877 and 1878 George L. Osborne.


30


10


40


1878 and 1879


George L. Osborne ...


40


12


52


1879 and 1880 George L. Osborne ...


46


13


59


1880 and 1881|George L. Osborne ...


40


18


58


*Great credit is due here to Hon. John W. Harmon, who advocated this measure before that body with skill and earnestness. The fight was made against decided odds, brought about by a combination of party issues and the baneful spirit of retrenchment.


313


HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


In connection with this table it must be remembered that there are fully 1200 teachers now engaged in actual work in the state who have received training and instruction in the school.


We name now the present board of regents :


Hon. Ashley W. Ewing, Jefferson City; Henry C. Fike, Warrensburg; Judge William McLean, Warrensburg; Hon. Wm. P. Greenlee, Henri- etta; John E. Ryland, Esq., Lexington; Hon. A. W. Rogers, Warrens- burg; Hon. R. D. Shannon, state superintendent public schools, ex officio.


Among these gentlemen, * Henry C. Fike, Esq., has had the largest official connection with the school, having been the treasurer of the board for the second district when it included the state officers and but two regents from each district. He is now secretary of the present board.


Always active, earnest and laborious, he has most efficiently discharged the trust imposed in him by the state, and has largely promoted the wel- fare and the onward progress of the school.


Wm. McClean for years has been president of the board and has faith- fully met every requirement of his office.


Messrs. Rogers and Ryland are newly appointed members; but have entered upon their duties with carefulness and responsibility.


Of Hon. R. D. Shannons' work mention is made elsewhere.


Regarding the last year's work of the school it can be said that it was marked with unusual prosperity. It is true, that the able corps of instruc- tors, lost a laborious teacher in Prof. R. C. Norton, who, early in the year, accepted the presidency of the Cape Girardeau normal. But extra work upon the part of the remainder, together with that of those elected to fill his position, overcame the attendant difficulties. The students were noted for their excellent demeanor, honesty of purpose, and depth of study. The commencement was brilliant and witnessed by a large concourse of visi- tors from abroad.


The legislature having increased the appropriation to $10,000 annually for the ensuing two years, additional professional help will be engaged to the material advancement of the students and the needed release of the old force.


In the matter of discipline, the school possesses the most admirable reg- ulations. Arbitration can nowhere be seen. The student is thrown upon his own responsibilities, with reason as his guide, and only such rules of conduct as would guide the thoughtful one in any upright walk of life are required. The highest code of ethics only is sought to be impressed. The ultimate relation of the pupil to humanity prompts this, for it is held


* Thanks are here tendered to Mr. Fike for the free use of the records of the institution which he has most carefully preserved throughout his term of office.


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


that his work as a teacher lies in the founding of all that is pure in char- acter and peaceful in government.


The course of study as has been shown before is broad and thorough, and through all its various branches is enunciated the principle, that "man must conquer knowledge for himself by a rigid struggle with himself." In the beginning of the work, one idea is stamped forcibly upon the mind, that labor is the key that unlocks all mystery. In this way harmony per- vades, and no exacting purpose actuates scholar or teacher. The fact is never lost sight of that the student-teacher is but a storehouse of thought through which others are to seek the way to life.


The matter of graduation is unmistakably pointed out to be only the stepping of a single, unattended contestant into the arena of action. It is taught that the battle of life is fought in soul-land, and that the weapons are truth and beauty. When the student is sent forth as a teacher one truth is imbued into his very nature-that the material with which he deals is more precious than the remnant of creation, more powerful than the mysterious elements.


As a factor in the educational system, what is to be the future of the normal school? We cannot but think that these predictions of another year will be fulfilled:


1. "As to culture, the normal school will be the peer of the college.


2. As to methods, the normal school will be a model. The highest results reached by the best thinkers, will be embodied in its practice.


3. As to teaching, the normal will be a professional school, and will rank with theology, law and medicine."


The normal school must come to be held the keystone of the arch that bends above our liberties, for in its ideal perfection lies the matchless sym- metry of all other institutions. And as the scope of human knowledge becomes broader, and as the laws of mental action are discovered from the chaos of what is now the unknown, so must the work mount nearer and nearer to the bosom of the sun of infinite revelation.


Striving to look through the future of the individual school, whose history we have recited, we are brought back to the thoughts with which we started. The ray of light that pierces the heart of a rosebud, may shake the ether depths of a far distant universe; and from a pebble that ruffles the features of the placid lake, rush the wavelets that kiss the circling shore. The multiform destinies of idle words are fathomless, and the influence of directed effort is infinite. Let us believe that the song of labor which the soul sings within its walls will be heard again in the symphonies of hearts divine, yet uncreated.


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315


HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


CHAPTER XIII .- TYPOGRAPHY IN JOHNSON COUNTY.


General Observations-Names of Editors-The Warrensburg Standard-Biographical Sketch of Roderick Baldwin, Editor-The Journal-Democrat-A Sketch of its Editors-The Holden Enterprise-The Knob Noster Gem-The Knob Noster Review.


The meagre materials attainable, render the compilation of a concise history of journalism in Johnson county, impracticable. In all that per- tains to newspaper enterprises, what is known, does not differ essentially from that of other localities. It amounts to the same old story-tedious toil, incessant vexation, enormous expenditures, poorly recompensed. Here, as elsewhere, a day spent in a printing office would dispel the imaginary charm that many persons fancy surrounds printing presses."


It has been but little more than a quarter of a century since the first press was introduced, and the first newspaper was published at the county capital. A history of journalistic enterprises, with biographical sketches of journalists for that brief period, without even a personal mention of meritorious typos, would of itself be a large book. Astounding as this statement may appear to the reader, he will doubtless give it credence after examining the following numeration of those who have heretofore been editors, and those who are now editing.


Names of editors and present abode are as follows:


N. B. Holden, dead; James Middleton, dead; Wiley Sankey, dead; Hillory Dobbyns, Kansas; S. K. Hall, Colorado; N. B. Klaine, Kansas; J. M. Julian, California; David Nation, Texas; Norman Conklin, San Diego; J. M. Vaughan, Kansas; Finis C. Farr, Jefferson City; C. C. Mor- row, Washington City; Ben. Lemmon, Warrensburg, Mo .; W. P. Baker unknown; H. J. Ruthraff, Sedalia; H. Martin Williams, Cosmopolite; J. N. Richards, Warrensburg; Mrs. Wiley Sankey, Warrensburg; C. A. Middleton, Warrensburg; Samuel Zimmerman, Iowa.


Names of those editing July, 1881: Roderick Baldwin, editor of the Standard; W. H. Davis, editor of fournal-Democrat; J. B. Naylor, editor of fournal-Democrat; R. A. Cruce, editor of fournal-Democrat; John W. Mittong editor of Holden Enterprise; Will D. Carr, editor of Knob Noster Gem; B. R. Tompkins, editor of Knob Noster Review.


Outside of metropolitan cities typography has never been a lucrative occupation. Hitherto none of the above named editors have amassed fortunes in the newspaper business. Happily, however, historians seldom measure men by a money standard-never use a metallic rule to find the altitude of a level-headed editor. A wooden dunce may do for a figure head for a ship, and may not sink her, but there is no place for such inanimate wooden headed men about a newspaper office, as a brainless fool would inevitably swamp any such concern. It requires brains and


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


plenty of them to successfully conduct a popular journal. All those knights of the quill, whose names have been enumerated, possessed a respectable share of intellect, all of them prepared acceptable literary feasts for their patrons, all of them were eager for editorial glory. It is to be regretted that the compiler of this volume cannot allot to each of them their share of glory. As before stated, it is found to be imprac- ticable. Without designing invidious distinctions, without proposing partiality to any particular party, without exhibiting personal favoritism to any man; the historian here furnishes the names of all the journals now (July 1881) published in Johnson county, with a brief biographical sketch of the editors of each of them.


THE WARRENSBURG STANDARD .- Republican in politics. Established June 17, A. D. 1865. At present Col. R. Baldwin, editor-Baldwin & Richards publishers.


The enterprising publishers of Warrensburg Standard have been progressive, and have utilized all the improvements in the art of printing. They now occupy a grand stone structure on Pine street, which is sup- plied with all the modern mechanism and ingenious appliances pretaining to a first class printing establishment. Their weekly paper which has hitherto been delivered to patrons with remarkable regularity, is the folio sheet of more than orninary size, oftentimes supplemented, presents from top to bottom a captivating appearance to newspaper readers. It has a larger number of subscribers than any other paper published in the county, perhaps larger than any other in the sixth congressional district.


A biographical sketch of COLONEL RODERICK BALDWIN, editor of the Warrensburg Standard :


The able, sagacious editors of partisan journals, that wield a wonderful political influence, are usually both loved and hated. It may here be asserted without fear of contradiction, that no cotemporary has more devoted friends, more ardent admirers, and none a larger number of embittered enemies-vituperative maligners, than Col. R. Baldwin. If there be insufficient praise in this sketch to satisfy the first class, they may, when reading, supply omissions with extempore laudation, and if there is not enough derogatory abuse to suit the other, they may likewise add defamation, or be oblivious.


Col. Baldwin was born in Delaware county, New York, A. D. 1833. He received a liberal education, and graduated at Hamilton college, which has the reputation of being one of the best institutions for impart- ing thorough scholarship in the Empire State. One piece of parchment was not enough to satisfy his ambition. He spent years in the law depart- ment of his Alma Mater, and was awarded for literary merit and legal proficiency, a first-class diploma. Learned in the law as he was, he




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