USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 35
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"Still sits that schoolhouse by the road, A ragged beggar sleeping .; Around it still the sumachs grow, And blackberry vines are creeping ;
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Within the teacher's desk is seen, Deep scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial;
The charcoal frescoes on its wall; Its door's worn sill, betraying The feet that creeping slow to school Went storming out to playing !
For many years have wintry suns Shone over it at setting ; Lit up its western window panes, And low eaves icy fretting."
The writer was delighted to hear recently that the old build- ing had been abandoned and the children of the neighborhood are now conveyed to Jerusalem for instruction.
"Education is a living into better things." The country boy who knows only hard work sees little of the divine joy of rural life. Under the old regime this was too often his portion. Educa- tors had long been considering his case, and at a meeting of the National Educational Association in 1897 the Committee of Twelve on Country Schools reported in favor of consolidation or centrali- zation.
Many good movements often meet with open hostility or at least with indifference and such was the fate of the consolidation idea when first presented in Logan county.
Rural schools in northeastern Ohio, having tried the plan, had found in it higher educational advantages and were publishing abroad the good news. Some of this literature found its way into the hands of two public-spirited young people of Union township, a youth and a maiden, who immediately had a vision. The little "red school house," with its charcoal frescoes, had given place to a two-roomed edifice. On its delicately tinted walls hung choice works of art. A well-filled bookcase graced one side of the room while a table nearby was piled with current literature. The school yard was no longer barren and cheerless, having been transformed into a place of beauty by trees, flowers, vines, and shrubs.
The longer they meditated the more enticing grew the vision. Without consulting the wise men of the neighborhood, the young enthusiasts invited a gentleman from Toledo to come and present the subject with all its advantages. They knew the speaker would expect some remuneration, but of course his convincino words would draw from deep pockets a sum sufficient for all expenses with a surplus for Perry pictures and flower seeds ..
The eventful evening came ; a capacity house greeted the speak- er, who eloquently told what great things were being done else- where. The youthful promoters were much elated at first, but long before the gentleman from Toledo concluded they realized by ominous shakes of gray heads and disapproving looks that passing the hat would be useless.
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THE STORY OF LOGAN COUNTY
"All's well that ends well," and it did for the speaker, the maiden's father coming to the rescue. Union township, however, still supports her original number of one-room rural schools.
Logan county was slower than many other counties in adopting the new movement, but in course of time, she, too, fell into line. There are now twelve village and centralized schools, as follows: DeGraff, S. A. Frampton, superintendent; Quincy, Guy Garwood, superintendent; Stokes township, Clyde Lynn, superintendent; Mc- arthur, Huntsville, Ohio, H. Maffet, superintendent; Bellecentre, J. Ralph McGaughy, superintendent; Rushsylvania, H. B. Straws- burg, superintendent ; West Mansfield, Don Pyers, superintendent ; Perry township, J. E. Dunaway, superintendent; Zane township, Panzy Grabiel, superintendent; Jefferson Township, Mentor Row- and, superintendent ; West Liberty, S. H. Stanley, superintendent. These twelve men have the supervision of 114 teachers. All but Stokes maintain first-grade high schools, Stokes having a second- grade.
Four of these, Washington, McArthur-Huntsville, Perry, and Zane are wholly centralized. All of Richland township except one district is centralized at Belle Center and McArthur-Huntsville.
The first in Logan county to centralize were McArthur-Hunts- ville and Perry, the former beating the latter by twenty-four hours.
To carry into successful effect the new movement requires the remodeling of old structures and the building of new ones. Belle- centre remodeled her grade building this year and has a fine up-to- date high school under process of construction. The new centralized building of Zane, located at Middleburg, is a fine modern structure, containing a large auditorium and a room for domestic science and manual training, though not yet equipped for either. Washington's new building, located at Lewistown, is modern in every respect, equipped for home economics and manual training, having a gym- nasium and a large auditorium in which is installed the latest mo- tion-picture equipments. McArthur-Huntsville's building is also modern, its equipment being similar to that of Washington.
Monroe township voted centralization in 1917 and a new build- ing is now being constructed, which when completed will close nine more one-room schools.
The war has somewhat interfered with the centralization of schools, but with the dawn of peace, it is hoped that building opera- tions may be resumed and the one-room rural be a thing of the past.
By the new school code county boards have the power to make transfers of townships or parts of townships. This means of cen- tralization tends to consolidate schools at trade and social centers. Harrison township in Champaign county is now being attached to the West Liberty district by the joint action of the two county boards. If all goes well, the result will be a centralized school at West Liberty and a new high school building.
The aim of centralization is not to make the rural school a duplicate of the city school, or to abolish it entirely ; but, by means of a pleasanter environment and the advantages of a graded system, to enlarge and enrich the life of the country child, and to make the rural school "an expression of the intelligence and pride of the com-
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munity as well as a place to develop both." It is the only plan pro- posed that deals with the special characteristics of farm life and its facts.
Supervision is an improving factor in the present day rural school. Under the working of the new code, which went into effect in 1914, the schools are under the close supervision of county, dis- trict, and village superintendents, who meet monthly to consider plans for the betterment of the schools under their care.
J. W. Mckinnon, well known as one of the Ohio's foremost educators, was the first county superintendent. His death occurred during his first term, and A. B. Lynn was then chosen to fill the vacancy, and also served one year afterward. Prof. E. A. Bell, for years a successful teacher in the county, is the present very efficient supervisor. Harry Ansley, also well known throughout the county, is the district superintendent, and has some sixty teachers over whom he must keep a watchful eye.
Another important educational factor is the County Normal, located at West Liberty and established in 1915. H. W. Holycross, formerly of Belle Center, is its most efficient director. Its students are given a year of professional training, free. The average yearly enrollment has been twenty-five. The untrained teacher is almost unknown in Logan county.
All of the village schools are admirably managed. The super- intendents are very efficient and each is ably assisted by a corps of excellent teachers. Two of these schools deserve special mention : De Graff is the only village high school in the county offering chem- istry and the only one having the honor to be on the recognized list of the North Central College association. The impress left upon West Liberty's schools by Prof. P. W. Search has deepened through the services rendered by succeeding superintendents and their able assistants. Her high school is now entitled to a place on the accred- ited list, though it has not, as yet, been formally enrolled thereon.
Bellefontaine is having "a boom" in school building this year, planning to spend $145,000 for remodeling, repairing and building. The East building, erected in 1878 at a cost of $35,000, is being remodeled ; the high school and the North, South, and West build- ings are to be repaired, and a new building in the southwest section of the city is to be constructed in 1919.
From a copy of the "Bellefontaine Union School Offering," pub- lished in 1855, the writer gathered much interesting information regarding the schools of our city when it was but a small village. Among the many items gleaned from that record of the long ago was the startling fact that our town was nearly a quarter of a century old before she had a single public school building.
Prior to the year 1844 Bellefontaine had relied upon employing teachers who furnished rooms for school purposes as necessity might require or opportunity permit. Usually there were schools in dif- ferent parts of the village. Frequent changes in teachers and school- rooms, with no uniformity in teaching or in discipline, made it necessary for the rapidly growing town to provide better school facilities. Consequently four brick houses were erected for common school purposes, one house being located in each of the four corners
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THE STORY OF LOGAN COUNTY
of the town, which then covered sixteen blocks. These single room buildings soon filled with pupils of every grade and degree of prog- ress. Classification was impossible, and the schools were conducted with as much success as the unfavorable circumstances permitted.
The continued growth of Bellefontaine and the progressive spirit of its citizens demanded better educational privileges for its young people. In 1852, by popular vote, it was determined to levy a sufficient tax for a Union School building; but the tax for that year, having been enjoined, necessary funds were not secured until the following year.
Through the industry and energy of the School Board, consist- ing of Gen. Isaac S. Gardner, S. B. Taylor, William Thomas, M. D., William D. Scarff, M. D., B. S. Brown, M. D., and A. Casad, a very plain, three-story building was erected and furnished at a cost of $12,000. An excellent superintendent and a corps of eight experi- enced teachers having been secured, the Union School was formally opened in December, 1854.
The members of the Board of Education were the fathers of the school, watching its growth and progress with all the anxiety of a parent. Their frequent, almost daily, visits encouraged the pupils and strengthened the teachers, as did also the many visits of patrons and friends.
The building contained eleven large rooms and an auditorium, not then dignified by so classical a name, but called The Hall. The rooms were seated after the most approved model, and the black- boards were extensive and the best in the state. Included in the furnishings were two pianos, a library, a laboratory, and a geological cabinet.
The course of study for the grades was similar to the one now in vogue, but not so complete. What is lacked was amply provided for in the high school curriculum. The mathematical requirements began with philosophical arithmetic and ended with differential and integral calculus. Nothing of mathematical nature was omitted. All of the 'ologies and 'osophies then known to scientists were included in the scientific course.
Latin and Greek, plenty of both, were offered to gentlemen only. German and French were optional, but ladies were eligible to both. The modern languages were taught by a real German, Prof. Reinhold E. Henninges, whose pupils, from their excellent pronunciation and accuracy in speech, were often taken for native German. He was also the musical director, both instrumental and vocal music being taught.
A commercial college was connected with the Union School. Its faculty consisted of Supt. Parsons, Hon. Benjamin Stanton, Hon. William Lawrence, Hon. William H. West, and Robert Lamb. In- struction was given in bookkeeping and its collateral branches, polit- ical economy, commercial law, commercial ethics and penmanship. This extensive course of study required five years for completion. The first and second years constituted the academic department, and the remaining years the collegiate. The course was much sim- plified long before the writer had any personal acquaintance with the high school.
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School activities, though not numerous, were not entirely lack- ing. Connected with the school were three prosperous literary societies, which at the close of each term gave an entertainment in The Hall. The gentlemen displayed their oratorical ability, much attention being then given to public speaking, and the ladies their proficiency in theme writing. Trios, duets and choruses enlivened the exercises.
A few excerpts from "The Offering" show the school spirit of the time :
"Bellefontaine Union School: May it ever prosper and stand first in its onward course. May it spread its fame to an admiring world."-R. P. K.
"Bellefontaine: May it continue to rise until it becomes a city of vast importance."
"Board of Education : Bright shining stars in the literary firma- ment ; may their luster never be dimmed by the clouds of adversity; may they ever be the polar star of the youths of Bellefontaine to guide them over the boisterous waves of life's ocean."
"The Bellefontaine Union School Offering: The opening bud of our Union School. May its leaves ever bear the impress of truth, beauty, and intelligence ; may it continue to increase in importance as its contributors do in knowledge; may it never droop for want of sustenance, or be withered by the harsh criticism of the literati ; may it ever bear its truthful motto: 'Acknowledged ignorance is the beginning of wisdom.'"
The following is suggestive of the spirit of him who did much in later years to beautify his home town:
"Within the last few weeks there has been considerable im- provement in our town of Bellefontaine, and especially that portion called the Public Square. Some beautiful trees have been planted, which not only look well, but are an ornament to the town. May the citizens continue their good works and extend their labors, even to the Union School yard, where such improvement will be duly appreciated, and efficient service rendered in aiding such improve- ment. Try it and see for yourself."-R. P. K.
"Bellefontaine Union School Bell: Long may it be heard ring- ing in this pleasant village, calling the youth to their studies. Long Live the Bell !"
Though old and homeless, the bell is not entirely friendless. Many who once heeded its call are now hoping that it may soon resume business at the old stand. Tardiness was not permitted in the early history of the school. The tones of the bell rang out on the clear air for a stated period, then for five minutes it was tolled. At the last stroke the doors were shut and tardy loiterers were forced to homeward wend their weary way. "The Offering" is considerate and reveals naught of the culprits' reception by father or mother.
All examinations were oral. A board of twenty-four members, consisting of Dr. Jesse Holmes, William H. West, Rev. E. Raffen- sperger, Hon. Benjamin Stanton, Dr. Lord, William Hubbard, Rev. John Goodlin, C. W. B. Allison, Dr. T. L. Wright, Hon. William Lawrence, N. Z. McColloch, Matthew Anderson, and others, was
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THE STORY OF LOGAN COUNTY
chosen to examine pupils and report on the condition of schools. If the youthful aspirant for promotion satisfactorily answered the questions asked by the examiners and the judgment of the teacher approved the decision of the board, a certificate of promotion was granted, which, if marked O. K. by the teacher to whom it was presented, the child "passed." Rather a unique method of pro- cedure, but surely a conservation of paper, midnight oil, and peda- gogical nerve force.
Supervised study hours were unknown. Teachers gently but firmly urged pupils to do their own thinking. If an entire evening was spent in determining how far the hound ran to catch the hare, what did it matter to the boy, so he was in at the death? If it required days to know the horizontal distance between two inacces- sible objects, there being no point from which both could be seen, there was no reason why one should not discover this for himself; necessary measurements being given and a table of logarithmic sines and tangents furnished, time would do the rest.
The school enrollment for the years 1854 and 1855 was 697. The names of R. P. Kennedy and Merrill Miller appear in the cata- logue of students. A few years later the name of Julius Chambers was placed on the roll; and later still, that of Brand Whitlock.
In the late fifties the members of the mathematical department were asked to write a short paragraph on a subject interesting to them. The time allotted was fifteen minutes. One member wrote the following :
"May your names be distinguished for the glow of moral senti- ments and intellectual attainments. May they adorn the pages of our country's history and shine on like fixed stars in undiminished lustre from age to age."
Has not this wish of the past been largely fulfilled in the present ?
The founders of our schools insisted that all the faculties, mental, moral and physical, should be carefully and equally culti- vated; that there should be no display in the schoolroom at the expense of more solid attainments. Their motto was "Esse quam videri." With such a beginning, is it any wonder that our schools have attained their present status?
Bellefontaine had one school building in 1878. Now she has six, all up-to-date and well equipped; then her teaching force did not exceed twelve, now there are forty-five names on the teachers' pay-roll; then its alumni roster numbered fifty-one, now it numbers approximately nine hundred and fifty graduates. Bellefontaine high school is on the accredited list. A fair percentage of her graduates enter some college or normal school. Busy and useful men and women are they, splendidly contributing to the world's work. In recent years the branches of manual training and domestic science have been introduced in the grades, and the studies of agriculture, home economics, public speaking and argumentation have been added to the high school curriculum.
Bellefontaine is very proud of the fact that her schools have furnished to the home town so many teachers whose services, through a long term of years, have never been surpassed. Today
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the principals of her six schools, with one exception, are all home products, ably assisted by many who can claim old Logan as their birthplace. The Bellefontaine schools are under the efficient man- agement of Prof. R. J. Kiefer, superintendent.
The schools of Logan county have played an important part in the world's greatest war. Many brave boys just out of school and others who cast books aside, eagerly answered the call to the colors. Blue stars on service flags have been replaced by golden ones. Many of our stalwart youths have made the supreme sacrifice and now sleep on foreign soil ; others will come back to us maimed and weak- ened for life. Their service was cheerfully given to secure and preserve to others those inalienable rights for which this nation was founded. That their service shall not have been in vain, those that remain must make "governments of the people, by the people, and for the people" safe for the world.
Teachers mould the habits and the ideals of the boys and girls of today who soon shall be the men and women of tomorrow. Not greater intellectual ability, but greater earnestness and a deeper sense of responsibility is now needed in the classroom, that the boys and girls may successfully solve the great problems of the future. The world needs high-minded men who know the right and dare maintain it.
The Past has made possible the Present, which in turn is respon- sible for the Future. What shall be the future of Logan county's schools ?
Belle Center, the rural metropolis of the northern border of the county, has a lively little history all its own. The original pur- chasers of government land in this vicinity included Duncan Mc- Arthur, James Taylor and Walter Dunn. These early purchasers of large tracts sold subdivisions to settlers as they came prospecting for homes, the first among whom appears to have been James Hill and family, who had spent several years in Zanes Town (1810-1817), when they decided to take up a new tract in the virgin lands of the north. By the end of a dozen years there had followed them first, Thomas Rutledge and Thomas Burton, and in their train the names of Dowling, Scott, Thompson, Wilmuth, Hendricks and Hemphill, Wilmuth settling upon the land which became the site of North- wood, Hemphill upon that where the village of Richland was subse- quently laid out, while James Boyer became proprietor of a thousand acres which embraced the Indian village of Solomon's Town, now for many years the farm of A. C. McClure.
Daniel Colvin purchased the tract upon which the village of Belle Center now stands. The Powers, Wysons, Grays, Harrods, Clarkes (Rev. Thomas), Brooks, Sesslers, Johnstons and numerous others were also of an early period, and Robert Boyd, Isaac Patter- son, Gersham Anderson and Cornelius Jameson had settled there before the end of the thirties. With few exceptions, these families were all from eastern states.
The route of Hull's Trace was followed in opening the first thoroughfare which connected the northern settlements with the rest of the world, beginning at Cherokee, where it was met by a road from the county seat, Bellefontaine, and running to Richland
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THE STORY OF LOGAN COUNTY
village, where it struck off to the northwest. Upon this route, which bridged the swampy portions with stretches of "corduroy" and traversed by the Springfield and Sandusky stage line, John Hemp- hill dreamed of a fair little town to which the gay yellow coaches (often sadly spattered with black prairie mud, it must be surmised), should bring prosperity. He awoke and platted his dream upon paper, and the town became a reality, of log dwellings, and larger buildings, housing a "general store," and a hostelry surmounted by the sign, "E. Bain. At Home." A postoffice was established at once, Albert Chapman distributing the pioneers' mail. A church was organized, and presently a "frame meeting-house" and then a log schoolhouse reared themselves from among the stumps of the disappearing forest. Johnston and Mitchell opened a larger store, and frame dwellings began to replace the more primitive log archi- tecture.
All this while, a new style of corduroy road, in which the logs were ridden by iron rails, had been creeping from Sandusky down into the valley of the Miami, toward Dayton, at the mouth of Mad river. The survey reached the northern settlements at last, and the tide of little Richland's affairs approached the flood. But alas! While Richland hesitated over the small concessions of depot site and water supply, heeding not at all the warnings of its wiser citi- zens, landholders at Belle Center held forth liberal inducements, and the Mad River railroad built its station on the wide plain there, leaving Richland to slow collapse.
Prosperity hops to the doorsill of those who have the courage to reach out and pluck it. The sugar orchard of 1846 had, in 1847, become Belle Center, a village growing apace. J. S. Johnston had moved hither his "general store," housing it in a building which rested its four corners solidly upon as many sturdy tree stumps. "Horton's Tavern" was erected about the same time, and the year after the "brick hotel" was built.
It took twenty-one years for the village to reach its majority, but it was at last incorporated, and its first election held in 1867. Its first official family was: J. H. Brown, mayor; T. S. Patrick, recorder ; David Herron, a member of the town council. A Masonic lodge had preceded the incorporation of the town, and the Odd- fellows organized soon after. The Methodists were the pioneer church builders of Belle Center, their first "class" having been formed in 1819, with the Hill family and a few friends, one negro (called Tom), and several Indians, the meetings being held at the Hill cabin, and from there taken to the house of (Rev.) William Brooks, thence to Daniel Colvin's, and then to the schoolhouse, until the building of the first little brick church in Belle Center, in 1850. The Disciple church was organized in 1839, at James Harrod's dwelling, with Rev. William Dowling, the Harrods, Patricks, Roberts and others, including Mary Cooper, Rebecca Hover, Nancy McIntyre and Elizabeth Howell. The services were removed in 1852 to a schoolhouse, and a year later to their first edifice in Belle Center. The Presbyterian church at Belle Center was organized December 9, 1852, with Rev. H. R. Price, Elders Samuel Hover and J. H. Gill, and twenty-five members, including the Hemphills, Lam-
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