USA > Montana > Yellowstone County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Park County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Dawson County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Rosebud County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Custer County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Sweet Grass County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
USA > Montana > Carbon County > An illustrated history of the Yellowstone Valley : embracing the counties of Park, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Dawson, state of Montana > Part 58
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A second special election was held Novem- ber 6, 1883. for the purpose of electing dele- gates and delegates at large to the constitu- tional convention with the following result :
C. W. Savage, rep., 449; C. H. Gould,
rep., 237; A. T. Campbell, rep., 241 ; James H. Garlock, dem., 226; Wm. Van Gasken, dem .. 292 ; S. R. Douglas, rep., 281 ; R. L. Edwards. rep., 269: C. G. Cox. dem., 180; Andrew F. Burleigh, rep .. 396; Walter Cooper, dem .. 324.
The result of the general election hell November 4, 1884, was as follows :
Congress-Hiram Knowles, rep., 686: J. K. Toole, dem .. 720.
Council-W. H. Cotant, rep., 1,366.
Representatives-J. M. Holt, dem., 759: S. F. B. Biddle, dem., 710; John E. Kennedy, rep., 635; W. A. Burleigh, Jr., rep., 676.
District Attorney-Henry N. Blake, rep .. 727 ; Robert P. Vivian, dem., 691.
Sheriff-Thomas H. Irvine, dem .. 612; C. W. Savage, rep., 795.
Clerk and Recorder-L. C. Deer, dem., 781; E. A. Kreidler, rep., 528; R. C. Web- ster, Ind., III.
Treasurer-M. Brandenberg, dem .. 8.45 ; B. W. Ladd, rep., 551.
Assessor-Sam. O'Connell. dem., 731 : Robert Aitchison, rep., 634.
County Commissioners-Vito L. Cross, Ind., 39: George Myers, dem., 587; L. J. Whitney, rep .. 643: C. B. Towers, Ind., 1.49. Probate Judge-W. C. Staehle, rep., 605: W. E. Cotter, dem., 520; Charles Walker, Ind .. 274.
Public Administrator-A. H. Bertrand. (lem., 611; W. H. Ross, rep., 612.
County Surveyor-C. B. Tabor, rep .. 724; A. Hall, dem., 670.
Superintendent of Schools-A. C. Logan, clem., 1.378.
Coroner-R. G. Redd, dem., 851; J. J. Wood, rep .. 551.
The election of November 8, 1886, resulted as follows :
Congress-J. K. Toole, dem., 1.002: W.
F. Sanders, rep .. 624. Council-J. J. Thompson, dem., 1,052; J. W. Strevell, rep., 551.
359
HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
Representatives-E. H. Johnson, dem .. 1,067 ; J. M. Holt, dem., 1,038; WVm. Harmon, rep., 547 ; T. J. Bryan, rep., 531.
County Commissioners-George Rhode. dem., 652: Charles Daly, dem., 516; George W. Allerton, rep., 1.053: L. A. Huffman, rep., 921.
County Attorney-George R. Milburn. dem., 663: W. H. Ross, rep .. 575 : C. R. Mid- dleton, ind., 371.
Probate Judge-F. M. Schwartz, dem., 750; Wm. C. Staehle, rep., 868.
Treasurer-M. Brandenberg, dem., 950; F. E. Hammond, rep., 656.
Clerk and Recorder-L. C. Deer, dem., 1,055; A. M. Leroy, rep., 567.
Sheriff-T. H. Irvine, dem .. 918; C. W. Savage, rep., 702.
Assessor-T. J. Thompson, dem., 882; N. Borchardt, rep., 709.
County Surveyor-George Scheetz, dem .. 921 : C. B. Tabor. rep., 696.
Superintendent of Schools-Mamie R. Southmayd, dem., 776; Louisa Cooley, rep .. 838.
Coroner-R. G. Redd, dem., 1,008; W. F. Green, rep., 601.
Public Administrator-W. E. Buckman. dem., 752; H. McIntire, rep., 636.
A special election was held August 25, 1887, for the election of delegates to the terri- torial council which resulted as follows :
W. A. Burleigh, rep., 192; J. H. Garlock, dem., 108.
At the general election held November 6. 1888, the vote was as follows :
Congress-W. A. Clark, dem., 616; T. H. Carter, rep., 650.
Council-C. R. Middleton, dem., 652: J B. Kempton, rep .. 594.
Representatives-E. H. Johnson, dem., 627; Thomas Alexander, dem., 624; L. B. Rea, rep., 649; F. M. Kreidler, rep., 615.
Sheriff-T. H. Irvine, dem., 778; John fully, rep .. 495.
Treasurer-C. L. Merrill, dem .. 778; H. F. Bachelor, rep., 602.
Clerk and Recorder-L. C. Deer, dem. 760; A. T. Campbell, rep., 511.
County Attorney-G. R. Milburn, dem., 514: W. A. Burleigh, rep., 749.
Assessor-T. J. Thompson, dem., 781 : J E. Farnum, rep., 491.
County Commissioners-George Scheetz, dem .. 721: N. Hockett, rep., 541.
Probate Judge-F. M. Schwartz, dem., 717: W. C. Staehle, rep., 552.
County Surveyor-E. P. H. Harrison, dem .. 658; C. B. Tabor, rep., 612.
Coroner-L. Payette, dem., 648: John Gibbs, rep., 612.
Superintendent of Schools-Mrs. E. C. Carpenter, dem .. 548: Louisa Cooley, rep .. 719.
Public Administrator-J. H. Ware, dem., 649: Charles S. Young, rep., 611.
On account of the admission of Montana to statehood an election was necessary and was held October 1. 1889, which resulted as fol- lows :
Congress-T. H. Carter, rep .. 653: Mar- tin Maginnis, dem., 489.
District Judge-W. A. Burleigh, rep .. 506; G. R. Milburn, dem., 632.
Senator-Wm. Ferdon, rep., 530; R. G. Redd, dem., 601.
Representatives-Wm. Courtenay, dem., 499: E. H. Johnson, dem .. 460; C. H. Lou, rep .. 627 ; H. M. Moran, rep., 628.
Clerk of District Court-F. M. Schwartz, dem., 573; C. W. Seyde. rep., 563.
Sheriff-T. H. Irvine, dem .. 569; E. J. Jones, rep., 595.
Clerk and Recorder-L. C. Deer, dem., 528; A. A. Swerdfiger, rep., 635.
Assessor-C. B. Tabor, rep., 552; T. J. Thompson, dem .. 604.
Treasurer-J. M. Holt. dem., 428; W. F. Savage, rep .. 756.
360
HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
County Attorney-John Fairfield, dem., 557: W. H. Ross, rep., 600.
Public Administrator-A. D. McAusland, rep., 658; R. G. Wear, dem., 483.
Surveyor-E. P. H. Harrison, dem., 835. Superintendent of Schools- Louisa Coo- ley, rep., 614: Mrs. E. V. Lewis, dem., 543.
County Commissioners-W. N. Haynes, rep., 662; T. J. Graham, dem., 517: J. R. Mckay, rep., 661; George G. Rhode, dem., 481 ; Jepp Ryan, dem., 389; W. S. Snell, rep., 576.
Coroner-W. A. Goff, dem., 457; C. S. Young, rep., 628.
For Constitution, 801 : Against Constitu- tion, 59.
All county and district officers elected in 1889 hold their offices for three years.
The result of the election of November 4. 1890 for the purpose of electing a delegate to Congress was as follows :
T. H. Carter, rep., 340: W. W. Dickson, dem .. 279; Andrew L. Corblay, ind., 26; W. T. Field, Ind .. 4.
The second general election since the ad- mission of the state was held November 8. 1892, with the following results :
Congress-Benjamin R. Atkins, pro., 15 : W. W. Dickson, dem., 541; Caldwell Ed- wards, peo. p., 74: C. S. Hartman, rep., 642. State Senator-Reno Swift, rep., 648 George Scheetz, dem., 602.
Representatives-E. S. Becker, dem., 532; W. A. Cameron, peo. p., 93; L. A. Huffman, rep., 637 ; George W. Meyers. dem .. 465 : J. R Mckay, rep., 701; A. F. Wilson, peo. p., 52. District Judge-George R. Milburn, dem., 612; J. W. Stevell, rep., 655.
Clerk District Court-F. M. Schwartz, dem. and peo. p., 522 ; W. J. Zimmerman. rep .. 739.
County Commissioners-J. T. Brown, dem., 536; Frank Emerson, dem., 523: W. R. Graham, peo. p .. 104: Wm. Harmon, rep .. 654; T. E. Hammond, rep., 680; L. M. King.
dem., 376: James Simpson, peo. p., 114; J. W. Watson, rep., 715.
County Attorney-C. H. Loud, rep., 957. Clerk and Recorder-A. Hall, peo. p., 223; A. H. Swerdfiger, rep., 964.
Sheriff-W. H. Bullard. dem., 381 ; J. B. Hawkins, Ind., 494; E. J. Jones, rep., 436.
Treasurer-A. P. Flanagan, peo. p., 181 ;
W. E. Savage, rep. and dem., 1,054.
Assessor-H. E. Bourdette, dem., 587; C. H. Lansing, peo. p., 107; G. E. Newman, rep., 608.
Public Administrator -- Alonzo McNeil, dem., 607; Henry Nave rep., 629.
Coroner-J. H. Austin, rep., 596; C. B. Lebcher, dem., 656.
Superintendent of Schools-Mrs. J. E. Light, rep., 670: Kate Mckenzie, dem .. 508; Mary E. Mckay, peo. p., 124.
County Surveyor-C. E. Sexton, rep., 1,020.
The election of November 6, 1894. shows the county to be divided politically with the People's party gaining. The results are as follows :
Congress-H. S. Corbett, dem., 397; C. S. Hartman, rep., 718; B. F. Maiden, soc., 16; R. B. Smith, peo. p., 176.
Representatives-J. T. Brown, dem., 513; S. Gordon, rep., 594; Thomas Gibb, peo. p., 212 ; James S. Hopkins, dem., 573; T. B. Kel- sey, peo. p., 107; B. Waddingham, rep., 496.
Joint Representative with Dawson County -J. C. Auld, rep., 636; James R. Conditt, dem., 489; A. P. Flanagan, peo. p., 17I.
Clerk and Recorder-J. W. Laney, peo. p., 144: C. F. Smith, dem., 362; A. H. Swerd- figer. rep., 828.
Sheriff-J. B. Hawkins, ind .. 619; W. F. Jordon, dem., 253; S. A. Pepper, rep., 505.
Treasurer-L. C. Currier. peo. p., 196; H. M. Moran, rep., 503; J. S. Truscott, dem, 639.
County Attorney-C. H. Loud, rep., 901 ; G. W. Myers, dem., 403.
361
HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
Assessor-George F. Sharp, Ind., 214; W. S. Snell, rep., 521; A. B. Snow, peo. p., 71 ; John I. Zook, dem., 538.
Superintendent of Schools-Louisa Coo- ley, rep., 672; Kate Mckenzie, dem., 658.
Public Administrator-Louis Bach, rep., 621 ; Alonzo McNeil, dem., 425; W. C. Ward, peo. p., 243.
Coroner-P. G. Whited, rep., 762.
County Surveyor-George Scheetz, dem., 614; C. E. Sexton, rep., 680.
At the election held November 6, 1896, a strong Republican gain is shown and the Peo- ple's party losing ground. Results were as fol- lows :
Congress-O. F. Goddard, rep., 711 ; C. S. Hartman, dem., 405.
State Senator-J. R. McKay, rep., 741 ; Jepp Ryan, dem., 664.
Representatives-H. W. McIntire, rep., 781; J. C. Lyons, rep., 526; J. T. Brown, dem., 691; T. W. Longely, dem., 547.
Judge District Court-C. H. Loud, rep., 857 ; C. R. Middleton, dem., 512.
Clerk District Court-A. T. McAusland, rep., 795 ; Sam O'Connell, dem., 526.
County Commissioners-J. E. Farnum, rep., 765 ; A. Beidle, rep., 700; S. B. Shaffer, rep., 495; Thomas Gibb, dem., 456; W. H. Bullard, dem, 482; R. G. Wear, dem., 522; Louis Bach, ind., 344.
County Attorney-T. J. Porter, rep., 756; Ed Butler, dem., 589.
Clerk and Recorder-H. B. Darnall, rep., 585; F. M. Schwartz, dem., 737; J. E. What- ley. pp., 42.
Sheriff-John Gibb, rep., 580; J. W. Drum- mond. dem., 481 ; J. W. Laney, pp., 141 ; S. D. Long, ind., 163., D. C. Kelty, ind., 72.
Treasurer-John S. Towers, rep., 615; John S. Truscott, dem., 730; B. T. Smith, pp., 46.
Assessor-James Hunter, rep .. 785; A. H. Terry, dem., 545; W. M. Ward, pp., 46.
Public Administrator-A. Kircher, rep., 784; A. McNeil, dem., 503.
Coroner-Joseph Bateman, rep., 680; L. C. Bruning, dem., 578; W. H. Harmon, pp., 64.
Superintendent of Schools-Ada M. Ben- net, rep., 664; Mrs. Laura Zook, dem., 738.
County Surveyor-F. B. Canard, rep., 594; George Scheetz, dem., 678; A. Hall, pp., 73. The election of November 8, 1898 resulted as follows :
Congress-A. J. Campbell, dem., 398; T. C. Marshall, rep., 662; T. S. Hogan, pp., 100. Representatives-J. T. Brown, dem., 536; F. W. Finch, dem., 448; H. R. Marceyes, rep., 630; G. T. Ingersoll, rep., 662.
Sheriff-O. C. Cato, dem., 454; John Gibb, rep., 440; J. B. Hawkins, ind., 380.
Treasurer-F. M. Schwartz, dem., 659; C. E. Coggshall, rep., 440.
Clerk and Recorder-W. H. Frank, dem., 468 ; A. H. Swerdfiger, rep., 74I.
Assessor-B. S. Crawshaw, dem., 505; James Hunter, rep., 733.
County Attorney-C. L. Merrill, dem., 404; T. J. Porter, rep., 823.
Superintendent of Schools-Mrs. Laura Zook, dem., 582; Catherine Wilson, rep., 694. Coroner-E. S. Beeman, dem., 545; Jos. Bateman, rep., 657.
Public Administrator-John Davidson, rep., 835.
County Surveyor-George Scheetz, den., 504 ; W. P. Flynn, rep .. 718.
At the election held November 4, 1900, the entire Republican ticket was elected with the exception of the surveyor and superintendent of schools. The results were as follows :
Congress-Sam G. Murray, rep., 961; Caldwell Edwards, dem., 636.
Judge District Court-C. H. Loud, rep., 1,569.
State Senator-Kenneth McLean. rep., 942; E. H. Johnson, dem .. 656.
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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
Representatives-E. S. Becker, rep., 864; C. D. Newberry, rep., 854; James S. Hopkins, dem., 710: Frank D. O'Neil, dem., 685.
Clerk District Court-A. T. McAusland, rep., 1,074; H. V. Beeman, dem., 545.
County Commissioners-M. G. Maples, rep .. 885; J. W. Stith, rep., 865; Charles S. Bull, rep., 923; R. G. Wear, dem., 739; Thomas Gibb, dem., 642 ; Geo. S. Mendenhall, dem., 607.
County Attorney-J. H. Johnson, rep., 921; Sidney Sanders, dem., 695.
Clerk and Recorder-A. H. Swerdfiger. rep., 989; J. F. Deckert, dem., 621.
Sheriff-W. E. Savage, rep., 881 ; O. C. Cato., dem., 789.
Treasurer-J. R. Mckay, rep., 894; F. M. Schwartz, dem., 735.
Assessor-E. F. Crosby, rep., 920; J. H. Burgess, dem., 714.
Public Administrator-H. B. Twombly, rep., 925 ; John Smith, dem., 644.
Coroner-Jos. Bateman, rep., 955; T. J. Newman, dem., 640.
Superintendent of Schools-Mrs. K. W. Smith, rep., 701; Mrs. Laura Zook, dem., 951. County Surveyor-W. P. Flynn, rep., 749; George Scheetz, den., 870.
The results of the general election of No- vember 6, 1902, are as follows :
Congress-Joseph M. Dixon, rep., 559, John N. Evans, dem., 300; George B. Sproule, pro., 12; Martin Dee, soc., 22.
Representatives-Z. W. Burt, rep., 562; H. N. Sykes, rep., 540; J. S. Truscott, dem. 416; G. W. Myers, dem., 246.
Sheriff-W. E. Savage, rep., 641; C. E. Tozier, dem., 356.
Treasurer-G. E. Robbins, rep., 576; G. W. Gerhart, dem., 395.
Clerk and Recorder-H. B. Darnall, rep .. 510: John McAusland, ., 46.
Assessor-E. F. Crosby, rep., 722; S. G. Hotchkiss, dem., 236.
County Attorney-J. H. Johnson, rep., 531; Sydney Sanders, dem., 441.
Superintendent of Schools-Ida E. M. Wiley, rep .. 546; Laura Zook, dem., 430.
Coroner-Joseph Bateman, rep., 572; W. F. Millard, dem., 370.
Public Administrator-J. B. Hawkins, rep., 619; Steven Forseth, dem., 326.
County Surveyor-W. P. Flynn, rep., 428; George Scheetz, dem., 530.
At the general election held November 8, 1904, the entire Republican ticket was elected with safe majorities. The results are as fol- lows :
Congress-A. C. Gormley, dem., 354; J. M. Dixon, rep., 809; J. H. Walsh, soc., 19.
State Senator-K. McLean, rep., 618; O. C. Cato, dem., 575.
Representatives-H. N. Sykes, rep., 713; G. W. Burt, rep., 564; Sydney Sanner, dem., 503; R. H. Beasley, dem., 271.
Sheriff-W. E. Savage, rep., 821; Lee Tucker, dem., 414.
Treasurer-G. E. Robbins, rep .. 765 : Thomas Gibb, dem., 433.
Assessor-G. E. Crosby, rep., 848; C. H. Emerson, dem., 344.
Clerk and Recorder-H. B. Darnall, rep., 764; J. F. Deckert, dem., 423.
County Attorney-T. J. Porter, rep., 618; Jos. C. Smith, dem., 574.
Clerk District Court-A. T. McAusland, rep., 721 ; Emil Knutson, dem .; 477.
Superintendent of Schools-Ida E. M. Wiley, rep., 1,170.
Public Administrator-J. S. Towers, rep., 881.
County Surveyor-B. M. Melum, rep., 642; George Scheetz, dem., 534.
Coroner-Joseph Bateman, rep., 795; T. J. Newman, dem., 397.
CHAPTER V
EDUCATIONAL.
Custer county is in no way behind the other counties of Montana in educational matters and in some cases is far in advance of them. The population of this county has always been wide awake to the necessities of educational facilities for her sons and daughters, and steady progress has been made since the day of the first primitive school house to the present time when many commodious buildings dot the hillsides in charge of a corps of teachers up-to- date and capable.
The county of Custer and the town of Miles City both came into existence in the year 1877. School district number one formed that year, extended from the Dakota line west to Gallatin county and from the Wyoming line on the south to the Canadian line on the north and was undoubtedly the largest school dis- trict in the United States. During the first year of the county's existence no school was held, but in 1878, Miles City realizing the need of an educational institution for its children, at once took steps to start a school. A two- room frame building was secured which stood near the site of the old Grand Central hotel and here it was with a Mrs. Harris as teacher that the first school in Custer county saw the light. At this first school seven pupils attended. who were: May Maxwell, Flora Brown, Em- ma Brown, Laura Brown, Kittie Burke, Essie Bishop and a colored boy by the name of George Mercer. Here, in the small frame school house with only the most primitive necessities, educational matters were given an impetus that has lasted until the present and now Custer county stands among the first in the state in this line.
Miss Nettie Rogan was the second teacher in this school and under the supervision of
Miss Rogan the pupils had an easy time. The teacher was in love with a lieutenant at the fort and whenever he came to see hier during school hours, the school was dismissed much to the delight of the pupils.
On June 1, 1879, there being a vacancy in the office, C. W. Savage, county treasurer, was by the board of county commissioners, de- clared to be, by virtue of his office, county sup- erintendent of common schools, and on that day assumed his office. On the same day the county commissioners created a school district to be known as school district number two, em- bracing all that part of Custer county lying west of a line drawn north and south through the town of Huntley.
During the year 1879. three teachers were granted certificates to teach in Custer county. they were: W. B. Givens, Miss Anna Alling and Miss Ella Sheridan.
The Yellowstone Journal of October 2. 1879, said : "We take pleasure in announcing that the Miles City school will open on Mon- day next, the 6th inst. The district trustees have rented a building from Mrs. Whitney on the road to the old town, a few minutes' walk from the court house, and have engaged Miss Ella Sheridan as teacher. She will enter upon her duties with a roll of twenty to twenty-five pupils. The school bell is one that was taken from the wrecked steamer Yellowstone."
The school report for the year 1879 was as follows :
Number of persons of school age, 37; private schools, taught at military posts, 3; average pay of teachers, male, $70, female, $50; amount of per capita, $19.23: amount unapportioned, $271.42; total amount raised by county tax for schools, $711.76; number of teachers employed, 3. On account of lack of teachers' reports, the average attendance, and number of days
364
HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
school taught cannot be given. C. W. Savage, county superintendent.
On December 6, 1879, school district num- ber three was created to comprise Pease Bot- tom1.
The school report for the year 1880 is rather meager. The persons of school age for that year is given as males, 130, females, 150, and the total amount of money collected from all sources was $961.90.
In 1881 school district number four was created to include all that portion of the county lying west of the east line of range 24 east of the principal meridian of Montana. The dis- tricts of the county were rebounded and the boundaries as fixed in this year are as follows :
District number one-Bounded on the east by O'Fallon creek and on the west by Big Porcupine.
District number two-Bounded on the east by Big Porcupine and on the west by Pompeys Pillar.
District number three-Bounded on the east by Pompeys Pillar and on the west by Canyon creek.
District number four-Bounded on the east of Canyon creek and on the west by Galla- tin county.
District number five-Bounded on the west by O'Fallon creek and on the east by Dawson county and Dakota territory.
School report by superintendent of schools C. W. Savage for the year 1881 was as fol- lows :
Persons of school age. male 200, female 158; Average attendance, 91 ; private schools, 2; average pay of teachers. $56.66; value of school houses, $700; amount raised by tax for schools, $1.376.93: amount appor- juned. $1,627.93.
June 28, 1881, the citizens of Miles City Voted on the school house question. Forty- three votes were cast for the school house and forty-two against, a majority of one in favor of building a suitable structure.
February 17, 1883, the bill authorizing a new school house at Miles City passed the Territorial Council.
The school report by superintendent of schools, A. C. Logan for the year 1883 was as follows :
School census, 722; number attending, 318; num- ber of teachers, 12; number of school houses, 5; num- ber graded schools, I at Miles City; average pay of teachers, male, $87.50, female, $62.50; value of school houses $1,200; amount raised by tax, $4,397.90 ; amount per capita, $6.54.
The first teachers' institute held in Custer county was held at Miles City October 28, 1883 and marks an epoch in the educational affairs of Custer county. It was largely at- tended and great interest was manifested by all present.
The following is the school report for the year 1884 by A. C. Logan, superintendent of schools :
School census, 802; number attending. 282; num- ber of teachers, 10; school houses, 6; graded schools, I ; private schools, 2; pupils, 42; average pay of teach- ers, male, $70. female, $62.50; average value of school houses, $3,000; total value of school houses, $18,000; amount raised by county tax, $8,628.06; per capita, $10.78; total amount apportioned, $8,854.06.
The school reports for the next few years are rather vague and hard to get accurately, but the schools of Custer county progressed rapidly and great advancement was made in every district and especially in the city schools of Miles City.
A review of the Miles City schools pub- lished in the Yellowstone Journal of Septem- ber 17, 1887, is appropriate here and we quote from that journal :
"The history of the public schools of Miles City is a matter worthy of careful record and in order that future residents may not be without information as to the growth of the educational facilities in our city, we have gathered the most important facts in regard to the schools from their inception to the present time. The first session of public schools ever held in Miles City was taught by a Miss Schofency (should be Mrs.
365
HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY.
Harris) in a frame building on Park street opposite the Grand Central hotel. The next building occupied by the school is a log house on Main street opposite Conrad's store. This building is now used for a Chinese laundry. The next school found shelter in the Grand Central from which it moved to a frame build- ing-once a hospital-on the corner of Pleasant and Ninth streets. From the hospital building which was burned in 1883, the school returned to the Grand Cen- tral and thence to their present quarters in the hand- some brick building which stands on a half block on Palmer street between Eighth and Ninth streets. This building which cost $15,000. is two stories high with a large basement underground. The upper story contains a hall with a seating capacity for 200, a school room and a library. Through the center of the building on both floors extends a spacious hallway. The upper floor has no stairways communicating with other doors. The basement has ample storerooms for wood and coal and also contains two large Ruttan furnaces which supply every room of the building with pure, warm air, thus combining ventilation and heating in a successful man- ner. The building is a substantial brick structure, well finished, furnished and lighted. The yard, which is surrounded by a neat iron fence, contains about forty growing cottonwood trees, that will one day make the school house square a place of beauty to the eyes of all beholders."
The advancement of the schools of Custer county is very apparent when we compare the report of 1884 and report of 1901, which was as follows :
Persons of school age, male, 697, female, 642. number of teachers, male. 35, female, 34; private schools, I; number attending private schools, 31; num- ber of days attendance, 82,061; average daily atten- dance, 556; school houses, 17; value of school houses and grounds, $47.995; school houses built, 2; amount raised by tax, $47,664.27. Mrs. Laura Zook, Supt.
The school report for 1902, shows a slight decrease caused by the organization of Rose- bud county. The report was as follows :
Persons of school age, male 702, female 685; one private school with eight pupils at- tending ; school houses built 4; daily attend- ance 92.157 ; school houses in county 21 ; value of school houses and grounds $36,570; amount collected by tax $33,770.16. Mrs. Laura Zook. superintendent.
The report for 1904 by superintendent of
schools, Mrs. Ida E. M. Wiley, shows a small increase over that of 1902. Below is the re- port :
Persons of school age, male 815, female 725; number of teachers employed, male 5, female 30; two private schools in county with an attendance of 7 pupils ; number of days at- tendance, 102.651 ; number of school houses, 26; value of school houses and grounds, $41,331; total school money collected, $38,- 703.26.
School report for the year 1905 was as fol- lows:
Census, male 876, female 761 ; average sal- ary paid teachers, male $60, female $50; num- ber of teachers, male 8, female 35; number of private schools, one with 20 pupils attending ; average attendance in county schools 960; value of school houses and grounds, $37,660; amount expended for text books, $911.20; number of volumes in libraries, 4,645; value of libraries, $3,194; number of school houses owned by districts, 28; cash on hand August 4, 1904, $11,999.39; amount applied to dis- tricts, $17,070.72 ; total amount raised and on hand, $41,731.72; disbursements $30,185.24. Mrs. Ida E. M. Wiley, Superintendent of Schools.
The school report for the year 1906 is not yet completed but will show an increase in at- tendance, value of school property, and more advanced lines of study.
A county high school was established at Miles City in 1902 and a part of the city school building was secured in which to hold school. An election was held in December 1905 for the purpose of voting on the question of bonding the county for $35,000 to build and equip a free county high school. The bond issue carried by a majority of 227.
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