USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 31
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During the summer of 1854 better and more extensive ac- commodations were provided for the schools. A new three- story brick building was erected, and two smaller buildings rented, and on the eighteenth day of September all the schools of the city were again opened. But in the fall of the same year the supreme court of the State declared the one hundred and thirtieth section of the law entitled, "An act to provide for a general and uniform system of common school," unconstitutional. By this decision the taxes levied for the support of the schools could not be collected, and the superintendents found that the money in their possession was sufficient to pay the expenses of the school for only half the year. They petitioned the common council for aid, but without success, and Friday evening, February 2, 1855, the schools were closed until the law was so amended as to enable the superintendents to reopen them.
It will be observed that the graded schools of New Albany were commenced under very favorable auspices, but owing to the decision of the supreme court referred to, and a subse- quent decision declaring the first section of the act of 1855, entitled an Act to authorize the establishment of free public schools in the incorporate cities and towns of the State, un- constitutional, they were kept in an unfinished condition for a long time and could not be made efficient for the want of funds. The trustees (the school officers were called trustees after May, 1865, ) had no power to levy and called a local tax for tuition purposes, and hence the length of the term each year depended entirely upon the amount of funds received from the State department. The schools were opened at ir- regular times, and when the money in the treasury was ex- hausted they were closed sans ceremonie.
August 16, 1855, Charles Barnes, of Madison, Indiana, was elected to the double office of principal of the high school and superintendent of all the schools of the city, at a salary of $1,000 per annum from and after the time his services were required. He did not enter upon his duties until the open- ing of the schools January 1, 1856. Mr. Barnes was re-elect- ed in July, 1856, and was connected with the schools unti May, 1857. July 2, 1867, Professor James G. May, a teacher of experience and scholarly attainments, was elected to suc- ceed Mr. Barnes. Professor May heid this position over two years. The schools were opened September 5, 1857, but were closed January 29, 1858, immediately upon receiving the second decision of the supreme court mentioned above, and the rooms were rented to the teachers in which to open private schools.
In the spring of 1862 a number of the school buildings of the city were leased to the United States for hospitals for sick soldiers by John R. Nunamacher, Esq., president of the
175
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
board of trustees, through Captain W. Jenks, assistant quar- termaster of the United States army. The Government oc- cupied the buildings for a little more than a year, when, upon the request of the trustees, they were vacated and turned over to the school officers. They were thoroughly cleansed and refitted, and on the first Monday of September, 1864, the schools, which had been closed for over three years, from June, 1861, to September, 1864, were again reorganized; and as the law in the meantime had been amended so that the trus- tees were enabled to obtain more funds for tuition purposes, they have been continued regularly in session a full term each year ever since.
· At a meeting of the trustees held July 30, 1864, Professor George P. Brown was elected to fill the position formerly held by Mr. Barnes, and at a subsequent period by Professor May. Miss Ada Farrington was elected assistant teacher of the high school. The duties of the double office held by Mr. Brown becoming too great for one individual to perform with credit to himself or justice to the schools, in January, 1865, the trustees elected Virgil P. Hall assistant principal of the high school. By the election of Mr. Hall, Professor Brown was enabled to devote all his time to the general supervision of the schools. April 17, 1865, Mr. Brown tendered his resignation as superintendent of the New Albany schools to the board of trustees, which they accepted, and from that date until 1873 the schools of the city were conducted without a general superintendent.
The public schools made slow progress for a number of years after they were reorganized, and although they kept open ten months each year, they were not as efficient as they might have been. During the period of three years-from 1861 to 1864-that they were closed, a number of private schools were organized and were in a flourishing condition long after the public schools were reopened. They were patronized by many of our best and wealthiest citizens, so that in 1868 there were only two more teachers employed, and only about three hundred more pupils enrolled in the schools than in 1854, yet there were double the number of children of school age in the city; and as late as 1870 only twenty-eight per cent. of the school children attended the public schools.
In the fall of 1870 the male and female pupils of the high school were separated, and the female high school organized in another building, which had been especially fitted up for that purpose with J. M. Bloss as principal and Miss Maggie Hamilton and Miss Fannie Fawcett assistant teachers. Mr. W. W. May was elected principal of the boys' high school, and Miss C. C. Warren assistant. About this period new life was infused into the schools and they have gradually im- proved ever since. Each succeeding year has added to their efficiency and 'popularity, and to-day all classes of our citi- zens send their children to the public schools. All the pri- vate schools, except the parochial (Catholic) schools, have been closed; and consequently the attendance at the public schools has greatly increased. As to thoroughness and uni- formity of instruction, methods of discipline and economical management we will let others speak. There are in the city thirteen school buildings-ten brick and three frame. They furnish accommodations for fully thirty-three hundred pupils. Three of the buildings mentioned are used for the colored schools of the city. The number of pupils enrolled in the schools this year is about thirty-one hundred. There are fifty-six teachers employed, to wit: One music teacher, six in the high school, and forty-nine in the grammar, interme- diate, and primary departments. Since the establishment of separate high schools for male and female pupils eight classes
have graduated at each school. The total number of female graduates is one hundred and forty-three. The number of male graduates is forty-nine.
The people of New Albany point with just pride to the graduates of their high schools. Three of the male gradu- ates have gone to the United States Military academy at West Point, where they have taken honorable positions in the classes; while a large number have either entered one of the professions, or are filling responsible positions in banking or other business houses. Of the female graduates twenty- eight are now teaching in the schools of the city, and others are teaching elsewhere, while not a few are at the heads of interesting and happy little families. Dr. J. B. Reynolds is principal of the boys' high school, and Dr. George P. Weaver of the female high school.
The system of graded public schools now in successful op- eration in New Albany is complete and thorough in every particular. These schools afford the poor and rich alike su- perior advantages for giving their children an excellent prac- tical education, and no man who lives in the city can have the least excuse for permitting his sons and daughters to grow up in ignorance.
In the history of these schools some of the most intelligent and influential men of the city have filled the position of trustee. In June, 1873, the trustees elected H. B. Jacobs (the present incumbent) superintendent.
In closing this brief history we wish to state that during an experience of nearly eighteen years in school work, we have never labored with school officers who discharged their duties more conscientiously than those with whom we have been associated during the last six years, viz: Colonel W. W. Tuley, Colonel W. P. Davis, E. S. Winstandley, and Charles H. Fawcett.
Mr. Jacobs is yet (1881) superintendent of the schools of New Albany, and no important changes have occurred since the above statement was made. The number of teachers in the schools is now fifty-four, a reduction of two in the high school having been made.
Following is a list of the trustees of the New Albany public schools from the time it was in- corporated as a city until the present :
SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
Ashel Clapp.
1839-40
Ashbel Steele. . 1839-40
William Plumer
1839-42, 1844-51
William M. Wier
1839-40, 1853-55
Obadiah Childs. . 1839-43
Abram Case. 1841-42, 1843-52
Seth Woodruff.
1841-44
Israel C. Crane.
1841-42
Elias Thomason 1842-44
R. R. Hickman. . 1842-43
Noah H. Cobb.
1843-52
David Crane. .1843-48
1844-51
Peter A. Roan
1846-47
Salem P. Town
1846-47
John Brunner. 1848-51
William A. Scribner
1851-52
Michael Streepy . 1851-52
P. S. Shields 1852-53, 1855-57
Henry M. Doroling
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
T. L. Smith. 1852-53
Charles VanDusen.
1852-53
V. A. Pepin.
1852-53
James Collins. 1852-53
Jesse J. Brown.
1853-55
R. R. Town.
1853-55
George V. Howk
1853-54
Thomas Humphrey 1853-54
Hiram Wilson.
1853-54, 1857-58
Horaee B. Wilson
1854-55
Peter R. Stoy
1854-63
John D. Rodgers
1855-58
Charles Wible.
1855-61
Thomas R. Austin.
1855-61
John Loughmiller.
1855-57
William Jones. · 1855-59
William C. Conner.
1855-60
John R. Nunemacher. 1855-63
Thomas Rucker. 1855-56
I. P. Smith. 1856-58
E. Sabin .. 1857-58
John Q. A. Smith 1857-65
John Culbertson. 1858-59
John B. Ford. 1858-59
William A. Tabler 1858-61
James A. Doll. 1858-59
Joseph St. John
1858-62
James Johnson 1859-65
George W. Laping 1859-61
P. M. Wileox. 1859-61
Augustus Bradley 1859-60
James G. Marshal. 1860-61
Daniel Snively. 1860-61
D. W. Lafollette 1861-68
William Cooper. 1862-65
E. Benjamen. 1863-65
Wesley Pierce. 1863-65
Elijah Newland . 1365-72
James V. Kelso 1865-68
George Lyman 1868-72
W. P. Swift. 1868-73
W. W. Tuley. 1872-79
I. S. Winstandley 1872-79
M. A. Wier 1873-74
W. P. Davis. 1874-78
Charles H. Fawcett 1878-81
M. McDonald.
1879-82
G. E. Sackett is the present secretary of the school board.
MR. COTTOM'S ACCOUNT.
In 1873 Mr. Cottom wrote as follows regard- ing the schools :
There are in the city ten elegant and very large briek school buildings, and one frame school building. The value of these buildings is about $150,000, and they furnish ac- eommodations for fully three thousand pupils. Eight of the buildings are used for the primary, intermediate, and gram- mar sehools, and one as a male high school, and one as a female high school. The system of grading is a most perfect one, and works admirably and efficiently. Tuition is abso- Intely free in all departments; and the pupils who pass all the grades and graduate through the high school receive a thorough English and scientifie education, and are compe- tent for any department of business, or for any of the pro- fessions. The city has erected a first-class brick edifice as a
school-house for the colored inhabitants of the city, who have the same rights to admission in their own schools as the whites have into theirs-the same law governing both. Forty-five white and two eolored teachers are employed in these public schools, while the average attendance of pupils is about two thousand three hundred. The annual cost of the sehools is not far from $30,000, and the total number of school children in the city entitled to the privileges of the sehools is seven thousand one hundred and thirty. The schools are managed by a board of three school trustees, elected by the city council, which secures to them perma- neney, and the best educators in the way of teachers.
AS THEY ARE NOW.
The following list shows the present number and character of the schools, and location of the school-houses :
Male high school-situated on Lower First street, southwest corner of Spring. J. B. Rey- nolds, principal; S. A. Chambers, assistant.
Female high school - situated on Spring street, northeast corner of Bank. Dr. George Weaver, principal ; Mrs. Maggie Shrader, first assistant ; Miss Fannie Faucett, second assistant.
Upper Spring street school-situated on North side of Spring street, between Upper Fifteenth and Vincennes. William Rady, principal.
Independent German-American school-sit- uated on Market street, between Upper Eighth and Ninth. J. B. James, principal.
Upper Main street school-situated on Main street, between Upper Seventh and Ninth. John R. Weathers, principal.
Upper Fourth street school-situated on Up- per Fourth street, between Spring and Elm. John T. Smith, principal.
Upper Eleventh street (colored) school-sit- uated on Market, southwest corner of Upper Eleventh. William J. Scott, principal.
Lower Second strect (colored) school-situat- ed on Lower Second, southwest corner of Elm.
Lower Market street school-situated on Mar- ket street, between Lower Fifth and Sixth. Miss Sue E. Hooper, principal.
Lower Spring street school-situated on Spring street, between Lower Fifth and Sixth. Jacob B. Starr, principal.
Lower Albany school-situated on the west side of Jackson street, between Second and Third. E. T. Leach, principal.
West Union school - situated on Jackson street, west of Hildreth. William S. McClure, principal.
West Union (colored) school-situated on Pearl street near Union. J. B. Jones, principal.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
In the last report of the State superintendent of public instruction, much valuable statistical matter is found regarding the schools of the State and the different connties. From this it is ascertained that the number of children enrolled in Floyd county in 1878 was 9, 116, an increase of 629 in the county in the last ten years. There are in the county i48 square miles: the number of children to the square mile on an average be- ing 61. That but little more than fifty-four per cent. of the children of the county is enrolled in the public schools seems a somewhat startling statement, and shows that there is much room for improvement in the school laws. Out of the 9, 116 children in the county the number who did not attend school in 1878, was 4,107. This state of affairs cannot but lead to more stringent laws, and probably to compulsory education. On this subject the report contains the following :
It is not enough that the State makes by its laws a system of schools possible. The system must be a compulsory sys- tem. The State should compel the location, establishment, and maintenance of a sufficient number of schools for the education of all its children.
If it were left to each locality to establish schools or not at its will, the system would in no sense become a general system. A permissive system would soon become no system at all.
There were 689 colored children in the county, of whom less than fifty per cent. (325) were enrolled in the public schools. The enum- eration of children in the city of New Albany in 1878 was 6,342. The length of the school year was 127 days. The number of teachers in Floyd county was 91. Throughout the State the aver- age pay of teachers in the city was $3.17, and the average pay of teachers in the country $1.80 per day; this average of country teachers was ex- ceeded in this county, it being $2.10. The amount of Congressional school fund, arising from the sale of every sixteenth section, was $14,753.50, or $1.62 per capita.
SELECT SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
Many schools of this character have been es- tablished from time to time in New Albany, but most of them, after a brief career, have either been compelled to close for want of proper sup- port, or have been merged into the public schools.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SEMINARY.
The Methodist Episcopal church started a seminary here about 1835, with the expectation
of making it a permanent establishment for the education of young people in their religions faith, as well as in secular matters. A frame building was erected on Market street, on the corner of the alley below.State, west side. The school was placed in charge of George H. Har- rison, from Ohio, and was continued with varying success for something less than ten years. The building has long since disappeared from this site, having been moved to Spring street, above Thirteenth, where it is now occupied as a tene- ment house.
ANDERSON'S FEMALE COLLEGE.
This was an important educational institution in its day, but long since disappeared. It was a private school started by John B. Anderson about the time the above mentioned seminary went out of existence. A commodious brick had been erected fronting the park for a private dwelling; Anderson purchased it, and, building an addi- tion, opened at first a school for girls, but after a few years the building was enlarged and a depart- ment for young men added. The noted Confed- .erate general, John Morgan, was one of his pupils at one time. The school was continued until about 1854, when Mr. Anderson went into the printing business and gave up teaching. The school was closed, and buildings converted into a board- ing house, in which condition they are found at present.
Soon after the closing of Anderson's college Rev. Mr. Woods started a select school on the corner of Lower Fifth and Market streets. He erected here a brick building for this purpose, and continued the school three or four years.
AYERS' UNIVERSITY.
The New Albany Theological seminary, or Ayers' university as it was generally called, was started with the most flattering promises of fut- ure success about 1847. Elias Ayers was the founder, and gave $15,000 as an endowment to the institution. This gentleman was a great friend of the cause of education, making a donation of a large sum to Hanover college, lo- cated in Jefferson county, in this State. Build- ings for the purpose were erected on the corner of Seventh and Elm streets. The institution was intended for the education of ministers of the Presbyterian church, and was conducted here several [years, [but for some reason was
23
178
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
moved to Chicago about 1854-55. Rev. Dr. McMasters was president, and Rev. James Woods and Dr. Scoville were professors.
Two years after the removal of the school to Chicago a Mr. Hines occupied the buildings with a select school, but for many years the buildings have not been used for school purposes. They are now occupied as private dwellings, and for an undertaking establishment.
DE PAUW COLLEGE FOR YOUNG WOMEN.
This is a living and live institution of to-day, though it has had its ups and downs in life, and has only survived by being more fortunate than its contemporaries above named in finding stead- fast and powerful friends to assist in time of trouble. The institution is the property of the Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and occupie's a pleasant and command- ing situation in the most beautiful part of the city, being on Main street at the corner of Ninth. The building, or a portion of it, was erected in 1852 for a young ladies' boarding-school, under the name of the Indiana Asbury Female college. The institution struggled along for fourteen years under many discouragements, its principal trouble being a debt and mortgage that hung over it and continually threatened its existence. During that time five different presidents had charge of it at different periods, but the accumu- lation of debt retarded its progress, prevented its success, and finally resulted, in 1866, in the transfer of the property to other owners.
In the above-named year the Methodists de- termined to celebrate the anniversary of Ameri- can Methodism by a repurchase of their college, and, through the liberality of the citizens of New Albany, and especially by the munificence of Hon. W. C. DePauw, the object was realized and the college presented, free from debt, to the Indiana conference, and accepted by that body. Rev. Erastus Rowley, D. D., a graduate of Union college, New York, was elected president, and the college reopened in September, 1866.
Under the stimulus of the good times succeed- ing the war, the college began a prosperous career. As the number of students increased, additional room was much needed, and again Mr. DePauw came to the rescue, erecting, at the expense of $10,000, a large, handsome, and commodious wing to the building, and the name
of the institution was changed to DePauw Col- lege for Young Ladies. The name has been since slightly changed, as will be seen above. Since that time Mr. DePauw, by the donation of a well-selected and valuable library and other gifts, has added much to its success and useful- ness. At the present time the college is free from debt, and its friends are sanguine of its future success. About two years ago the building was partially destroyed by fire; but being refitted it is more commodious and attractive than before.
The building is of brick, three stories in height, with main building in center and two wings, its capacity being sufficient to accommodate seventy students with room and board, and as many more day pupils. During the first ten years of its existence, forty-eight young ladies graduated at the institution, and since it changed to DePauw college, seventy-three young ladies have been enrolled on its graduating list.
At present it is in charge of Mr. F. A. Fried- ley, a graduate of Asbury University of Green- castle, Indiana, who is now in his second year. Rev. W. R. Halstead had charge for one year prior to Mr. Friedley becoming principal. Last year there were sixty-eight students; this year about ninety, with eight teachers. There are five school-rooms and two recitation-rooms in the building. The rooms for boarding pupils and teachers are all carpeted and comfortably furnished.
This is probably, with one exception, the only strictly Protestant female college in the State. It is the purpose of its trustees to make this an institution that shall embrace every advantage of Roman Catholic schools in discipline, and at the same time impart a thorough and substantial education. The very best teachers are employed to give instruction on the piano, organ, guitar, and in vocalization, through whom this has be- came one of the most popular departments of the institution. The government is of a mild and parental character, equally removed from weakness and austerity. Pupils boarding in the institution are treated as members of the family of the president, and submit to such wise regula- tions as will, in his judgment, most promote their interest and that of the college. The domestic and social life of the college is com- mitted to the responsible direction of the resident lady teachers, under the supervision of the presi-
179
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
dent. The president resides in the college building, and with his family presides at the same table with the pupils.
The following-named gentlemen are the pres- ent officers of the institution : W. C. DePauw, president ; A. Dowling, secretary; P. R. Stoy, treasurer; W. C. DePauw, P. R. Stoy, Rev. G. D. Watson, Rev. J. L. Pitner, S. J. Alexander, M.D., J. H. Conner, Asa Iglehart, W. H. Sul- livan, J. H. Forman, M. A. Wier, J. G. Harrison, E. R. Day, F. E. Dishman, Rev. I. N. Thomp- son, J. A. Wood, M. Wood, A. Dowling, board of trustees.
CHAPTER IX. THE PRESS OF NEW ALBANY.
THE FIRST PAPER.
The history of the press of New Albany, as of probably every other city, shows a continued succession of failures. It would seem that the business of printing, especially newspaper print- ing, were one of the most precarious in which men could engage. It is difficult, perhaps im- possible at present, to enumerate all the news- papers that have been started in New Albany since it was laid out in the woods in 1813. Nearly all, however, of importance, have left some record behind, enough to establish the most prominent fact-that of repeated failure be- fore final success was assured.
So far as can now be ascertained, Ebenezer Patrick was the pioneer publisher; but the name of his paper has been lost. It has been repeat- edly stated, both orally and in print, that the Microscope was the first journal published here; but this has been ascertained to be a mistake. The first number of the Microscope, at this time in possession of a lady of New Albany, bears the date of April 17, 1824. It was then printed at Louisville, and was subsequently brought to this place. Mr. David Hedden, yet living, says he came to New Albany in 1820, and Ebenezer Patrick was then publishing a paper, his office being in the upper part of a two-story double log cabin that stood on the corner of Bank and
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