USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 47
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There are at present ten public school buildings in the city; the build- ings and sites together with equipment are valued at $367,903.86. The school population is 5,650, of which 4,355 are enrolled in the public schools. There are 105 teachers and supervisors beside various other employees. The annual expenditures are about $100,000. Every effort is made by the citizens to maintain a thoroughly progressive, practical and efficient school administration.
NEW PALTZ.
New Paltz has been for over 200 years one of the chief educational centers of Ulster County. To the Huguenots is due the credit of organ-
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izing and maintaining schools during the early period of settlement of this section of the county. The French language prevailed not only in the home and in the church, but in the school from 1677 to 1735, being gradually supplanted by the Dutch language. History has preserved the names of two early French schoolmasters, Jean Tebenin, who wielded the birchen scepter from 1696 to 1700, and Jean Cottin, who taught at prob- ably an earlier period.
In this connection it is worthy of mention that the stones from the building used as a church from 1717 to 1773 were used to construct the building occupied for school purposes from 1773 to 1874, a period of 101 years. This building was afterward remodeled, and is now (1906) occupied by John Drake as a dwelling. In 1874, a brick school building with two large rooms was erected, which structure still remains intact.
True to the spirit of the age, the people of New Paltz in 1828 estab- lished a classical school for the benefit of the well favored, and for those fitting for the professions. The sessions of this organization were held in the upper story of the public school. Among the principal organizers of this forerunner of New Paltz Academy may be mentioned Dr. Jacob Wurts, Rev. William R. Bogardus, Peter Eltinge, Solomon Eltinge, Jacob Eltinge, Zachariah Freer, Philip Deyo, Mary DuBois, Nathaniel LeFevre, Jacob I. Schoonmaker, Roeliff Hasbrouck, Jacob J. Hasbrouck, Maurice Hasbrouck, Josiah R. Eltinge, Dr. John Bogardus and Daniel DuBois. The first president was William R. Bogardus and the first secretary was Benjamin Van Wagenen.
So great was the demand for higher education that the organizers of the classical school saw the necessity for enlarged accommodations and a broader curriculum. As a result, the New Paltz Academy was incor- porated in 1833 with the following Board of Trustees: Rev. Dow Van Olinda, Jacob J. Hasbrouck, Dr. John Bogardus, Benjamin Van Wagenen, Levi Hasbrouck, Solomon E. Eltinge, Peter Eltinge, Josiah DuBois, and Jesse Eltinge. The original capital was $2,500, but that sum was after- ward greatly increased. The first president of the Board of Trustees of New Paltz Academy was Rev. Dow Van Olinda. Among his successors were Solomon E. Eltinge, Derick W. Eltinge, Alfred Deyo and Ralph LeFevre; Mr. LeFevre became president in 1881, and he still serves in that capacity, though the organization has now only a nominal existence.
The first principal of the New Paltz Academy was Eliphaz Fay, a man
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of broad scholarship, large executive ability and manifold talents. Under his efficient management the school grew and prospered; its membership came from far and near. An all-round education was Mr. Fay's motto, and the work done in the Academy at that time would compare favorably with that done in many of our best secondary schools to-day.
In 1841, Principal Fay resigned to accept the presidency of an Eastern college. He remained in that position for three years, during which time William Parker served as principal. In 1844, Mr. Fay returned to New Paltz as principal, and remained until 1847. Following that year, Mr. Munsell, Mr. Butler, Mr. Steele, Rev. J. Sinclair, Frederick R. Brace, John H. Post and Mr. Walsh served in the order named. In 1861, Prin- cipal Walsh resigned to enter the army, and D. M. DeWitt was elected principal. In 1862, Mr. DeWitt's election as District Attorney of the County necessitated his resignation. Charles H. Hayward, Henry Gal- lup, Jared Hasbrouck and Dr. H. M. Bauscher served during the time from 1862 to 1881.
The administration of Dr. Bauscher from 1867 to 1881 was notable in many ways. He was a German, and a thorough student; possessed of much energy, he imparted enthusiasm to all with whom he came in con- tact ; his theory of discipline was firm kindness, and his success is attested by all who were fortunate enough to be his students. Previous to Dr. Bauscher's time there had been no regular graduating class; he systema- tized the course, graded the school, and from that time regular graduating exercises were annually held.
In 1881, Frederick E. Partington was elected principal. In 1884, the Academy was burned to the ground, and Principal Partington resigned to accept the principalship of Staten Island Academy. Previous, how- ever, to leaving New Paltz, Mr. Partington was very active and successful in the effort to raise funds for rebuilding the Academy. Others specially active in the work were Rev. Ame Vennema and Jacob LeFevre. To raise $25,000 was no small task, but the townspeople responded nobly, as did many people from other towns. Major Thomas Cornell of King- ston may be mentioned as one of the most liberal contributors. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Jenkins paid $1,250 in all toward the work. Members of the alumni came promptly forward at this critical time, not only with their own money, but with that given by their friends. The task of col- lection being completed, it remained to construct a new building. This
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work finished, the Academy Trustees met on January 22d, 1885, to take account of stock and to discuss the future. The new principal, Henry A. Balcom, was much interested in Normal schools. The matter was dis- cussed at some length with the result that Dr. Balcom and Ralph LeFevre were appointed a committee to determine upon the practicability of turn- ing over the Academy to the State for Normal school purposes, and to secure needed legislation to that end if deemed practicable. The com- mittee promptly commenced the work.
All the normal schools of the State at that time, with the exception of the Albany Normal, were in the western and northern counties, and there was a demand for a training school in the southeastern section. Petitions favorable to the New Paltz plan were secured from Poughkeepsie, Goshen, Kingston, Montgomery, Yonkers, Saugerties, Newburgh and other towns. The leading men of the county were enlisted, and finally near the close of the legislative session in 1885, the bill was passed and signed by Governor David B. Hill, who showed a friendly feeling. The Committee, the Board of Academy Trustees and others who had assisted in the work, had encountered various obstacles and overcome much opposition, but they had achieved a splendid victory not only for New Paltz, but for Ulster County and for education in general. In this connection special mention should be made of the services rendered by Messrs. Jacob LeFevre and Josiah J. Hasbrouck, while outside of New Paltz very great assistance was rendered by Thomas E. Benedict of Ellen- ville, Dewitt Peltz of Albany, and Gen. George H. Sharpe and Judge Alton B. Parker of Kingston.
The first Local Board of the New Paltz Normal school consisted of Alton B. Parker, George H. Sharpe and Jacob D. Wurts of Kingston, Albert K. Smiley of Lake Mohonk, Jacob LeFevre, Josiah J. Hasbrouck, Solomon Deyo, Charles W. Deyo and Lambert Jenkins of New Paltz.
Dr. Eugene Bouton, with six assistants, constituted the first faculty. At that time there were less than 100 students. Principal Bouton was succeeded by Dr. Frank S. Capen, who served from 1889 to 1900. He was a man of great energy and the number of students rapidly increased.
The present principal is Myron T. Scudder, who, with nineteen assist- ants, is conducting one of the most progressive and successful Normal schools in the country. At the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 the gold medal was awarded to New Paltz for the best educational
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exhibit from the Normal schools of New York State. This school has taken an advanced position in regard to manual training, domes- tic science and such subjects as tend to correlate the public schools with real life. The system of student participation in government, known as the School City, is of special importance to all who are inter- ested in the development of civic reforms and social service. The New Paltz Normal School attracts many visitors from other schools and col- leges throughout the country, as well as from Alaska, Cuba and Mexico, and has received delegations from Teachers' College, New York Uni- versity, and many city school systems. Also from such bodies as the Federation of Women's Clubs of New York City and the Federated Clubs of Massachusetts, besides a number of other associations devoted to the study of educational problems. After carefully looking over the normal schools in the East, the United States Government during the temporary occupation of Cuba, sent sixty Cuban young ladies to New Paltz for normal training. These young ladies are now reported as being among the most efficient teachers in the schools of Cuba. Nearly 1,000 teachers have been trained in this school to take positions in the schools of the State, and besides the New Paltz Normal furnishes instruction to all New Paltz pupils of whatever grade.
During the past winter the building was destroyed by fire. However, through prompt action by the Commissioner of Education and the legis- lature, the insurance money was reappropriated for building purposes, together with a sufficient amount additional to construct a larger building on a larger and commanding site. In placing the matter in its proper light before the legislature, in order to secure the necessary appropriation to rebuild, a great amount of labor was performed by Assemblymen Cunningham and Fowler and Senator Cordts of this county ; likewise by Hon. Frank J. LeFevre, Judge G. D. B. Hasbrouck and Bruyn Hasbrouck. The future of the Normal school now seems assured.
SAUGERTIES.
We have shown that common schools for Ulster County were intro- duced and fostered by the Dutch. However, the early settlement of the county was somewhat unique. The Dutch settled in Esopus, the French in New Paltz, and the Palatines in Saugerties. Thus the efforts of the Dutch in educational matters were supplemented on either side.
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History tells us that the Palatine colony, founded in 1710, built a school house within a few months. Another school house was built at Katsbaan. The history of these schools was not unlike that of the other schools of the county. They met the same difficulties, overcame the same obstacles, and gave the young people of those early days the rudiments of an educa- tion and a thorough training for the hard pioneer life they were to live. The discipline of those schools was of such a character as to restrain any tendency to convert into license their newly found liberty. Instead of being helped over every difficulty, the pupils were obliged to work out their own salvation, thus fitting them for the stern realities of their primi- tive life.
The schools of Saugerties passed through the various changes incident to an increasing population and changing laws. The school commissioners, elected under the law of 1812, divided the town into twelve districts, which number has been increased to twenty-one. Ludwig Roesle (now Russell) was a noted teacher before the Revolution. In 1768 he prepared a manu- script arithmetic which is preserved to this day. Efforts were made from time to time to secure the advantages of higher education. The Sauger- ties Academy flourished for a number of years, but it finally declined and the school was closed. In 1866 the Saugerties Institute was founded ; this institution was for a number of years a strong conservator of educational interests in this town.
On January 13th, 1893, Saugerties Union Free School district No. 10 was formed from what were then known as districts Nos. 10, 15 and 21. A provisional charter for the establishment of an academic department was granted by the Regents of the University on the 5th day of June, 1894, and on June 28, 1897, a permanent High School charter was granted. Since that date, the Board of Education has maintained a thoroughly equipped and up-to-date school system. The graduates of the Sauger- ties High School rank well in higher institutions of learning, and the teachers employed have been thoroughly trained and competent. The present members of the Board of Education are R. B. Overbaugh, Presi- dent ; George Seamon, Samuel M. Gray, William L. Darbee, John T. Washburn, Jr., Edward J. Lewis, John A. Snyder, William Ziegler and James T. Maxwell. They have under their supervision four school build- ings, an enrollment of 510 students, and they employ fifteen teachers and a superintendent. The citizens of Saugerties have a commendable degree
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of interest in their schools, and every effort is made to provide the children of the town with the best educational advantages. The district has just voted to erect a new school building at a cost of $55,000.
ELLENVILLE.
The first authentic record of the Ellenville schools is of a meeting held at the house of Nathan Hoornbeek in district No. 13, of Wawarsing, on November IIth, 1828. Elisha Sheldon was chairman of this meeting. The village was but a small hamlet with buildings scattered here and there amid the corn and wheat fields, and it is quite probable that district No. 13 served for the schooling of the children of a large territory. Annual school meetings, according to the minutes, seem to have been held either at the tavern of Nathan Hoornbeek, or in Patchens' Hall until the year 1833, when, for the first time, it is recorded that a meeting was held in the school house. This school house, called by way of distinction for some years afterward, the "Brick School House," is still standing, and it forms a part of a tenement on the corner of Main and Warren streets, opposite the old pottery site.
On July 8th, 1837, a special meeting was held. The records of this meeting show a broadening of school sentiment. After the routine busi- ness had been dispatched, the following resolution was passed :
Resolved, That the school house be enlarged by building an additional story of brick on the top of the present house. That $200 be raised by assessment on the district for above purpose. That if there be an over- plus, it shall be used for fencing the lot and for such other improvements as the trustees deem proper.
During the year 1839, district No. 15 was probably created, and the records show that district No. 13 divided and turned over certain public moneys to the newly formed district.
On April 28th, 1845, it is recorded that by order of the town Superin- tendent, districts Nos. 13 and 15 were united, to be known thereafter as district No. 13. In the same minutes the "White School House" is men- tioned for the first time to distinguish it from the "Brick School House" of the old district. The "White School House," located on Canal Street, was enlarged and transformed into a dwelling now occupied by F. W. Campbell. At the annual meeting, Dec. 31st, 1845, some of the progressive men of the village began to agitate the question of a new building which
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should be sufficiently commodious to accommodate all the school children. This movement was bitterly opposed by certain taxpayers, but on Novem- ber 13th, 1846, it was voted to commence the building. This building was termed by the opposition the "Mammoth School House," though accord- ing to the report twenty years after it was stated that its utmost seating capacity was only 200. The Trustees who were instrumental in bringing about this change were George A. Dudley, Alvah B. Preston and Ditmus Hardenburgh. These men deserve special mention as pioneers in the educational advancement of the town. Through their efforts, and through the efforts of Willet S. Northrop and John H. Van Wagenen, the first principals of the new school, Ellenville took first rank in the county in educational matters. These two principals were disciples and followers of that distinguished educator, David P. Page, the first principal of the Albany State Normal School.
At that time the public school curriculum was simple and unpretending, requiring only spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and grammar. The school apparatus was limited to a Globe, Outline Maps, Blocks to illustrate the extraction of square and cube roots, a Normal Chart and a rickety Orrery. Scant as were these appliances, they were obtained chiefly by filching from the annual library appropriation. The teaching was characterized by patient, painstaking effort; expo- sition and demonstration were rigidly required. The ability of a pupil to explain his lesson so that it could be understood by others was held to be first proof that he himself had mastered it; hence blackboard work was regarded as highly essential.
Spelling was either oral or written; the reading classes were trained in modulation and enunciation; during those days the teachers believed that pupils learned by imitation, and some of the most difficult passages were read over and over again by the teachers. Pupils were required to watch for error on the part of their classmates, thus insuring better attention and increased interest in the lesson. Geography was studied and recited in the usual manner, except that more map drawing was re- quired; for this purpose, the large blackboards were utilized. Students in arithmetic were required to place problems upon the blackboard, after which they were expected to pass again to the board, and with the aid of a pointer explain their work step by step. Each student so reciting was subject to criticism by the teacher and by any member of the class.
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Mental arithmetic was all that the title implies; the schools usually had but one copy of the text book, and this was in possession of the teacher. The mental arithmetic of those days developed concentration, attention, memory and reason ; it also developed ease and correctness of expression. At first Colburn's text book was used ; this was afterwards supplanted by a book, the author of which was John F. Stoddard of the town of Wa- warsing. Singing and elementary algebra were taught, and composition and declamation were weekly exercises. Not infrequently the teacher gave short talks on various subjects of interest; lessons in astronomy were illustrated by the orrery, which was wont to move in a mysterious way. Altogether, the school maintained a high standard for those days.
The year 1853 was memorable in the school history of Ellenville. Sev- eral of the progressive and leading citizens desiring better school privi- leges than could be furnished by the common school, organized a stock company and built an academy. Some years after, this same company built a residence for the teachers, and boarding accommodations for out of town pupils. The first principal of this academy was John H. Van Wagenen, who had demonstrated his ability and fitness by his successful management of the district school. After several years of service, Mr. Van Wagenen resigned, and was succeeded by S. A. Law Post. Mr. Post, a graduate of Yale, proved to be not only a competent teacher, but a successful business manager as well. After some years, Mr. Post pur- chased the property, improved and embellished it, reorganized the school and caused it, by act of legislature, to be placed under the visitations of the Regents. These changes resulted in giving it a wider reputation, increased patronage, and a standing among the high schools and semina- ries of the State. In 1866, the district school was made a union free school and a Board of Education was elected to have charge of common school matters. At this time, the "Mammoth School House," although greatly relieved by the Academy and private schools, was taxed to its utmost capacity. In 1867, a larger school house was built, in the eastern part of the town, and seven years later a still larger one was erected on the cor- ner of Main and Warren streets. Nine years after, the Board of Educa- tion, desirous of establishing an academic department, purchased the old academy property, which had been closed for some years on account of Mr. Post's death. This building has been refitted and enlarged from time to time as requirements have been increased. The revival and restoration
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of high school privileges, and the incorporation of a union free school have proved of great advantage in many ways.
The school is under the supervision of the Regents, is well equipped with books and apparatus, and its curriculum enables students to prepare for entrance to the Normal schools and colleges. A teachers' training class is also carried on with great success, and a large number of non- resident students are enrolled each year. The largely increased attend- ance and the corresponding increase in the teaching force led to the elec- tion of a superintendent in 1883. Mr. Ira H. Lawton was the first super- intendent, followed in succession by Rev. F. W. Woodward, Dr. John W. Chandler, and the present vigorous and efficient incumbent, Mr. E. C. Hocmer. Besides the working libraries in the several schools, aggregat- ing 1,200 volumes, there is also in the district a well equipped Free Public Library of over 5,000 volumes.
The schools of Ellenville were never in a more prosperous condition than at present ; 638 resident pupils and 77 non-resident pupils were re- ported in 1906. The annual expenditure for school purposes is over $12,000. The teaching force consists of eighteen teachers and a superin- tendent.
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CHAPTER XLVI. THE SHIPPING OF TWAALFSKILL. BY HENRY H. PITTS.
T HE old North or Hudson River Sloops were of a peculiar model and construction, and were specially planned and adapted to navigate smooth inland waters, with broad full bows shaped somewhat like the head of a huge fish, and great breadth of beam for their length. With masts 90 to 110 feet long, a main boom 75 to 85 feet, a top mast 60 to 85 feet and a jib, they could spread from 3,000 to 5,000 yards of canvas, and sail closer to the wind than vessels of any other rig or model.
Some of them were fleet and could outsail the smartest yachts of their time; they were known among all sailors and boatmen, and their peculiar type and model was not to be seen elsewhere. Most of them carried a crew of 5 men, Captain, Ist, 2nd and 3rd hand, and a first-class cook. All of them set good tables and were furnished with the best food, for all were hearty eaters. The Captain did no work. On account of their great spread of canvas and lofty masts, the sloops presented a beautiful appear- ance when under full sail. On a bright day in summer with a free wind the Hudson would often be dotted with them for miles.
The good sloop Dollie was owned and sailed by Captain Gurnee of South Rondout. She was the pet of all the Hudson River boatmen, and was believed by them to be almost human, and to know her way on the river as well as the crew, and to be able to find her way in the Rondout Creek in the darkest nights alone. Captain Gurnee related to the writer this story. He was on his way home from Albany to Rondout, but just off the mouth of the Saugerties Creek the wind and tide gave out, and he was compelled to anchor. There being no wind he left all sails standing, and told the crew they could turn in and he would keep anchor watch. After a while the Captain became sleepy and lay down on the locker in the cabin, and fell asleep. How long he slept he does not know, but he was awakened by the noise of the sheet block dragging across the deck on the traveler. Thinking the wind was coming up he dozed off again, when
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he was again awakened by the same noise. Thinking it was now time to call the crew and get up anchor, he went on deck and to his surprise found the Dolly fast at her regular dock at Rondout. Captain Gurnee ex- plains this as follows: When the tide rose she tripped the anchor and the Dolly was free. The sails being all set and the wind just right she stood off for the east shore. When near the east shore the wind again changed, the boom went over and she stood off for the Rondout Creek, which she made, having just headway enough to carry her to her regular dock in the creek.
The old sloop Hoaxer, built in the year 1832, and owned by Cox and Company at Eddyville, had the name of always being unlucky. She had many owners and captains who always had bad luck. Her last owners were the Booth Brothers, who being practical men and very skeptical, bought her for a song, and placed her in command of Captain Theodore Bush, a young and skilled boatmen. Her first cargo was a load of Wilbur ground lime in barrels. Before she left the dock Mr. Rand of the firm of Smith and Rand, powder manufacturers at Rifton, came to the office of Booth Brothers and begged them to put on 100 kegs of powder for a special hurried order. Captain Bush gave his consent, and the powder was put on on Saturday afternoon in July, 1862. That night the tide was so low that the vessel grounded and could not leave her dock; the crew all went ashore, leaving Captain Bush in charge. The Captain was awakened late Sunday morning by smoke coming through the bulkhead in the cabin. A few springs, and he was on deck and gave the alarm. The hatches were taken off, and the Booths were the first to jump in the hold and pass out the heated kegs of powder to the men on the dock. Twice the owners had to be taken out of the hold in a suffocating condition caused by the heat and fumes from the slacking lime. Finally, all the powder was taken out but one keg, which being fast between the swelling lime barrels, could not be moved. A hole was broken in this keg and water poured in until thoroughly saturated. The hatches were put on and the fire smothered.
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