USA > Pennsylvania > Columbia County > A history of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. From the earliest times. > Part 13
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The proceedings and recommendations of the public meeting having been certified to the Board of Trustees, then in session, the Board on the same day appointed a building committee, consisting of L. B. Rupert, P. Billmeyer, and F. C. Eyer, and authorized it "to contract for the erection of the building with Prof. Carver at his bid of thirty-six thousand dollars, in accordance with the rec- ommendation of the citizens," and it was accordingly so done, and the building was put in process of construction.
On the 2d of May, 1869, the stockholders elected the following : For three years, Robert F. Clark, William Elwell, William Neal; For one year, Elias Mendenhall.
It being thought best to have the building committee members of the Board, Judge Rupert, Judge Elwell, and William Neal, were elected.
On the 23d of June, the Board met to consider the subject of the Normal School Building. It was "Resolved, that the following
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specific articles be put in the corner-stone of the new building, to-wit : A copy of the Bible, a certified copy of the charter, names of the Board of Trustees as follows : L. B. Rupert, Presi- dent ; John G. Freeze, Sccretary ; Elias Mendenhall, Treasurer ; Robert F. Clark, Conrad Bittenbender, John Wolf, Joseph P. Conner, William Elwell, and William Neal ; Catalogne of Fac- ulty and Students, State School Board as follows : Maj. Gen. Geary, Governor of the Commonwealth ; Hon. J. P. Wickersham, Superintendent of Common Schools ; C. R. Coburn, Deputy Su- perintendent; last message of Gov. Geary ; copy of School laws ; history of the Institute and school buildings ; one copy of The Columbian, The Republican and The Democrat ; proprietor of the grounds, and first treasurer, Wm. Snyder deceased ; building committec, Leonard B. Rupert, William Elwell and William Neal; architect and builder, Henry Carver ; advisory architect, Samuel Sloan ; one specimen of each of the following currency : 1 three cent postal currency, 1 five cent postal currency, 1 ten cent postal currency, 1 three cent silver piece, late issue, 1 five cent silver piece, old issue ; and programine of the anniversary exercises.
The laying of the corner stone of the Bloomsburg State Nor- mal School was performed upon the 25th day of June, 1868.
At 1:30 p. m., the Hon. C. L. Ward, delivered an oration in the hall of the Institute. At its close a procession was formed, head- ed by the Board of Trustees, and proceeded to the corner where the stone was to be placed. Arrived there and opening to the right and left, Gov. Geary, Mr. Wickersham, and other distin- guished gentlemen, came forward. Rev. Mr. Waller offered prayer. Gov. Geary then laid the corner stone, after having de- posited within it, the articles mentioned. After the stone had been placed, with appropriate ceremonies, the Governor made an address. Judge Elwell then, on behalf of the Board of Trustees made an address, Judge Rupert, read a history of the Institute as deposited in the corner stone. Governor Geary then handed the plans of the new building to Prof. Carver, with a short address ; Prof. Carver accepted them, promising to urge the completion of the building as rapidly as possible. In the evening Mr. Wicker- sham met and addressed a large audience, in the hall of the Insti- tute, on the subject of education generally, and of Normal Schools, particularly.
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Thus this new and important enterprise was fairly under way, and a reasonable prospect of sufficient interest in it to insure its completion. There was still a small element of croakers, clogs on all progress, who sneered at the whole matter and predicted it would never succeed. As it is intended that their names shall be forgotten, they do not appear in this sketch.
What do they think now, however, when they see following that enterprise, the erection of the best hotel within the forks of the Susquehanna-the building upon Second street of more than a dozen first-class three story brick buildings-of extensive im- provements and repairs in all parts of the town-the erection of an Opera House-the introduction of gas and water-the removal of unsightly obstructions from the streets-the opening, grading and extension of thoroughfares-the large influx of permanent and desirable citizens.
It is but fair to say that little, if any, of all this would have happened had not those buildings first been erected. They are an advertisement of the town of which it has not yet shown itself to be, collectively, entirely appreciative. It was the first deter- mined effort at improvement and progress, aud it was an effort whose far-reaching good can never be measured. And it brings moncy, and reputation, and population to the town, as well as providing healthful educational influences to thousands of our coming men and women.
On the 19th of February, 1869, the Legislative committee, com- posed of Messrs. Hon. Wilmer Worthington, Hon. James C. Brown, Hon. George D. Jackson, and Hon. Henry M. Hoyt, met at Bloomsburg for the purpose of inspecting the buildings, grounds &c., preparatory to recommending it to recognition as a Normal School. The report was unanimously favorable, and the an- nouncement was heard with lively satisfaction. Speeches were made by Judge Rupert, Hon. Thomas Chalfant, Gen. Ent, and others.
On the 22d February, 1869, the proclamation of the Depart- ment, recognizing it as a State Normal School, was published, and our legal existence dates from that famous day, the birthday of Washington.
The following is the full report of the State Superintendent of
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common schools on the official recognition of the State Normal School of the sixth district :
"A communication, was received at this department, dated February 8th, 1869, and signed by L. B. Rupert, President, and John G. Freeze, Secretary, of the Board of Trustees, of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute, stating that said board had ob- tained grounds, erected buildings, and opened a school, which they desired to have inspected by a committee appointed according to the provisions of the act of Assembly approved May 20th, 1857, with the design of having the institution recognized as the State Normal School of the Sixth District.
Accordingly, with the consent of the Governor, the following named gentlemen were appointed the committee: Hon. Wilmer Worthington, Hon. Jas. C. Brown, Hon. Geo. D. Jackson, and Hon. Henry M. Hoyt; the several County Superintendents in the counties composing the district were notified, and Friday, the 19th day of February, was agreed upon as the day for the examination.
All the members of the committee were present on the day appointed, and they, in connection with the State Superintendent of Common Schools, and the County Superintendents of the coun- ties of Columbia. Montour and Union, proceeded, at 9 o'clock A. M., to discharge the duties of their appointment. They first at- tended the opening exercises of the school in the Chapel of the institution, and then spent some time in visiting the several class- rooms and listening to recitations in the various branches. After this, they were conducted by members of the Board of Trustees and delegations of citizens over the grounds and through the buildings. All the official papers appertaining to the institution were duly examined, its deeds, charter, by-laws, rules and regula- tions. Full explanations were elicited in reference to the organ- ization of the school, the constitution of its faculty, its plan of study. &c., &c.
The committee retiring for consultation, then organized by electing Wilmer Worthington, President, and J. P. Wickersham Secretary, and, after due deliberation, adopted the following pre- amble and resolutions, and thereto appended their proper signa- tures :
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Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Feb. 19, 1869.
WHEREAS, The "Bloomsburg Literary Institute," having made formal application to the Department of Common Schools for the appointment of a committee to examine its claims to be recogniz- ed as the State Normal School of the Sixth District, according to the provisions of "An Act to provide for the due training of teach- ers for the Common Schools of the State," approved the 20th day of May, 1857 ; and
WHEREAS, The undersigned, being duly appointed and author- ized under said act, and having personally, and at the same time, on Friday, the 19th day of February, 1869, visited and carefully inspected said Institute, and made a careful examination thereof of its by-laws, rules and regulations, and its general arrangements and facilities for instructing, and having found them to be sub- stantially such as the law requires ;
Resolved. That the "Bloomsburg Literary Institute" is, in our opinion, entitled to recognition as a State Normal School, with all the privileges and immunities enjoyed by other institutions of like character in this Commonwealth.
WILMER WORTHINGTON, Chairman. GEORGE D. JACKSON, JAMES C. BROWN, Committee.
J. P. WICKERSHAM, Sec'y. HENRY M. HOYT, C. G. BARKLEY, County Supt. Columbia Co, C. V. GUNDY, County Supt. Union County. WM. HENRY, County Supt. Montour County.
This report was announced to a large audience, which had as- sembled in the Chapel of the institution to hear it, and was receiv- ed with the most lively satisfaction. Prof. Henry Carver, the Principal of the school, presided at this meeting, and addresses were delivered by different members of the committee, Judge Rupert, President of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Thomas Chal- fant, General Ent, and others. In the evening a "Sociable" was held at the school, and this was followed by a banquet at one of the hotels.
The following is the proclamation of the Department recogniz- ing the Bloomsburg Literary Institute as a State Normal School:
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1 DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS, HARRISBURG, February 22d, 1869. )
WHEREAS, In pursuance of the application to this Department of the Trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute for the ap- pointment of a committee to examine its claims to recognition as
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the State Normal School of the Sixth District, according to the provisions of "An Act to provide for the due training of teachers for the Common Schools of the State," approved the 20th day of May, 1857, the following gentlemen were appointed, viz: Hon. Wilmer Worthington, of the County of Chester ; Hon. James C. Brown, of the- County of Mercer ; Hon. George D. Jackson, of the county of Sullivan, and Hon Henry M. Hoyt of the County of Luzerne ; and,
WHEREAS, The committee so appointed, in conjunction with the State Superintendent of Common Schools, C. G. Barkley, Esq., County Superintendent of the County of Columbia, C. V. Gundy, Esq., County Superintendent of Union. and William Henry, Esq., County Superintendent of the County of Montour, the County Superintendents of the other counties in the district-Northum- berland, Snyder, Dauphin, Perry, Juniata, and Mifflin-being unable to be present, after having, on the 19th day of February, 1869, visited and carefully inspected said Institute, and made a careful examination thereof of its by-laws, rules and regulations, and its general arrangements and facilities for study, reported unanimously that said Institute is entitled to recognition as a State Normal School, with all the privileges and immunities enjoyed by other institutions of like character in this Common- wealth:
Now, therefore, I, State Superintendent of Common Schools, do hereby give notice, as required by law. that I have recognized the said Bloomsburg Literary Institute as the State Normal School of the Sixth District, composed of the Countics of Columbia, Union, Montour, Snyder, Northumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Juni- ata, and Mifflin.
L. S.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Department of Common Schools, at Harrisburg, the 22d day of February, 1869.
J. P. WICKERSIIAM, State Superintendent of Common Schools.
It is not the purpose of the writer to follow chronologically the course of events in the history of the school. It is impossible, if it were desirable, to describe the struggles of the Trustees in con- tinuing and carrying forward the work of building. The very large amount of money required, the falling off of subscribers, the want of prompt payment of those which were good, the talk of those who were not in sympathy with the movement, were all discouraging circumstances. The Trustees were therefore obliged to assume personally the cost of carrying on the work. They have had upon themselves at one time, as a personal obligation
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-more than twenty thousand dollars. Repairs, expenditures and deficiencies to the amount of from one to three thous- and dollars annually, have been provided for by them, on their personal responsibility. They have given days and nights to the business of the school, they have borne for the public and general good, burdens which no man in the town has struggled under in his own business. When State aid came slowly or not at all, when subscriptions failed, when the daily pressure of debts was almost unbearable, when Prof. Carver left us so unceremoniously without a Principal, the Trustees shouldered the work aud accept- ed the responsibility. Sometimes it seemed doubtful on Friday evening whether there would be a teacher or a student on the hill on the coming Monday morning; but Professors Brown and Ferree were true as steel to their duty, and with the other mem- bers of the faculty kept off the daily threatened catastrophe. This is only a mere outline of the daily and nightly toil and anxiety, and no man needs to wish a closer acquaintance with the busi- ness. But the school was without a head, the Sheriff had sold the lease of Prof. Carver for his debts, and all parties were hang- ing by the eyelids. The Board called upon Mr. Wickersham for ad- vice and assistance, and he inet them on the 19th of December 1871, at the office of Col. Freeze. After a long and confidential talk upon the subject, Wickersham suggested Charles G. Barkley, Superintendent of Columbia County Common Schools, as a proper person for Principal ; and on mnotion of R. F. Clark, Esq. he was unanimously elected. He accepted the position upon condition that he should be relieved as soon as the Trustees could supply his place. The Board of Trustees met at the Hall the next morning, December 20th, accompanied by Mr. Barkley and Mr. Wickersham. Col. Freeze announced to the Faculty and School the action of the Board in the election of a Principal, and Mr. Wickersham ad- dressed them, warmly endorsing the selection. Some changes were made in the management and a visible inprovement oc- curred.
Mr. Barkley continued in charge of the school until March 27, 1872, when at his own request he was relieved, and the Rev. John Hewitt was elected, and on Thursday March 28, the Board, accompanied by Mr. Hewitt, proceeded to the building. Mr. Barkley called the school to order, Mr. Freeze announced the
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election of the Principal, and Mr. Hewitt made an address. and took formal charge of the School. He continued to conduct it until the end of that school year, June 26, 1873, and the iniprove- ment begun under Mr. Barkley continued, closing the year in a condition much ahead of the opening in every respect. But, although all felt that the crisis in the affairs of the school was past, yet there was a large deficiency, and the Board was again obliged to sit day after day and night after night as a committee of ways and means. It would be most monotonous to repeat here what has before been said as to pressing pecuniary difficulties. Again the Trustees were obliged to step into the breech and pledge their own names and means to satisfy creditors, and save the property and credit of the Institution. I am pursuaded that the time and labor have not been fully appreciated by the com- munity who are reaping the benefit of the expenditure. But let that pass ! Dr. Griswold assumed the duties of Principal at the Commencement in June, 1873, and it is not proposed here and now to speak of the management and success of the school under his administration ; but it is only justice to state that he made it pay expenses-a thing it never did before. In May, 1874, at a meeting of the Stockholders, Hon. Wm. Elwell, Elias Meudenhall, Conrad Bittenbender, Leonard B. Rupert, Jacob Schuyler, John A. Funston, William Neal, John Wolf; and John G. Freeze, were elected Trustees; and on May 3, 1875, the same persons were re- elected, together with J. J. Brower, Hon. C. B. Brockway, and Joseph Sharpless, the Legislature having increased the Board to twelve. At the same time the Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion appointed on the part of the State the following named gen- tlemen, viz: Hon. C. R. Buckalew, Charles G. Barkley, D. A. Beckley, Col. Samnel Knorr, Hon. M. E. Jackson, and C. W. Mil- ler, Esq.
On Wednesday, August 25, 1875, the school opened with the largest list of students ever entered upon its books, and we were one and all looking forward to an increasingly successful school year. But in a moment, as it were, all our hopes were dashed to the ground.
On Saturday afternoon, September 4th, the Boarding Hall was observed to be on fire, and in two hours the magnificent building was a mass of ruins. It was a total loss, the $30,000 of insur-
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ance being less than half the value of the building, not including furniture and fixtures. But the Board of Trustees, with the effi- cient aid of the citizens of Bloomsburg, grappled with the emer- gency, and took immediate measures to begin the erection of a new, enlarged, and improved building. Their late experience now stood them in good stead, and they pushed the work with great energy.
The Corner Stone of the new Normal Boarding Hall was laid on Saturday October, 30th, 1875, and although the day was very inclement, there was in attendance a large concourse of people. The ensuing winter was an unusually mild and open one, and with the exception of a very few days the work of re-erection and construction went rapidly forward. So much so, that on Wednes- day, April 26th 1876, the building was formally dedicated to use, and opened for the admission of students, and the beginning of the spring term. After some time Dr. Griswold was superseded, and the Rev. David J. Waller Jr. was elected Principal. His ad- ministration of the school has been successful and satisfactory, and it is to be hoped that a brilliant career is now open to the Bloomsburg State Normal School.
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CHAPTER XIX. COMMON SCHOOLS.
The common school system had been in existence in the state since 1835, with more or less success, when in 1854 an Act crea- ting the office of County Superintendent and defining his powers and duties passed the legislature. Although considerable opposi- tion was manifested, yet upon the whole the effect has been favor- able to the advancement of the schools. Better teachers have been employed and better diecipline has been maintained. During all these years however, owing doubtless to the continued inefficiency of the public schools, private schools as distinguished from the com- mon, have been supported at different places in the county. Up to within a very short time, at Bloomsburg, at Berwick, at Catawissa, at Millville, and at Orangeville, there have been schools, and at some places there are yet, in which the classics and higher matbe- matics have been taught. Sometimes they have flourished with great vigor, and at others have languished or died out under the blighting inefficiency of the principal. Nevertheless, in all the schools, both public and private, there has been great improvement. It has been manifested not only in the character and acquirements of the teachers, and in the grade of studies, and the higher stan- dard proposed, but also, and notably, in the better character of the school houses, and their appointments. Thus, not only in this coun- ty but elsewhere, the common schools have superseded the pri- vate, and have thus also improved their tone and character. Year by year the school department issues very elaborate reports on the educational system, with statistics and tables, and as these are con- stantly changing, and are as regularly coming into the hands of my readers, it has been thought not to be expedient or necessary to trouble any one with columns of figures, which while the book is passing through the press are becoming incorrect and mislead- ing.
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The early history of schools, school houses, and education is more interesting than any presentation of the present condition and future prospects of the subject ; and I therefore gladly avail. myself of the report of William H. Snyder, late County Superin- tendent, concerning the early schools in Columbia county, and which he has very kindly allowed me to copy. Mr. Snyder says :
"These schools, with but one exception, were supported by sub- scription, and the houses were generally built in the same manner up to 1834, when the public schools were established. The branches usually taught in them were spelling, reading, writing, and written arithmetic. A pupil's outfit was a very modest affair. A Webster's spelling-book, an English reader, or a Testament, a Daboll's arithmetic, a slate, a goose-quill, and a few sheets of pa- per, covered the entire range of known material for winter after winter, as long as he might go to school.
After public schools were established, Malte Brun's geography and Smith's grammar, on the inductive system, were soon adopt- ed. Seeing the numerous algebras, geometries, histories, rhetorics, philosophies, physiologies, copy-books, drawing-books, language- books, etc., in the schools at the present day, one can scarcely real- ize the vast improvement.
How much higher and broader the schools shall be elevated, is only a question of time.
BEAVER.
The first school in Beaver, was taught in Mr. Kostenbauder's grist-mill, by Isaac Davis, in 1821. Four years later, Mr. Davis opened another, in his private dwelling, which stood where Davis church now stands. In speaking of private dwellings, or residence we shall omit the word "private," hereafter.
In 1825, Henry Schell taught in a dwelling which stood near where the church now stands, by the road leading from Beaver to Mainville, and Adam Holocher, in a similar building, which was located on the land now owned by Charles Michael.
After teaching several terms, which were usually held during winter, Mr. Schell permanently closed bis school, when another was opened in a dwelling which was situated on the land owned by Joseph Lehr. The instruction in these schools was principally in German.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
BENTON.
During the year 1799, there were but two families living in the vicinity where the village of Benton now stands. Here Isaac Young opened the first school, in a private dwelling. After it permanently closed, another way opened in a similar building, which stood where Eli Mendenhall's barn now stands, above the village. As the pine forest fell before the sturdy axeman, a small log school-house was built on West creek, above, and another be low Benton, where Stephen Lazarus now lives.
Honorable Alexander Colley, who died Monday, June 6th, 1881, at the age of nearly 95 years, having been born August 17th, 1786, was for many years the only surviving member of the first public school board. He was a man of sound judgment, a surveyor, a school teacher, and had been a member of the lower house of the Legislature.
BERWICK.
A mist enshrouds the early school history of Berwick. Before 1800, Berwick had its schools, but under what teachers, and of what character nothing is known.
From 1800 to 1837, it was customary to hold school for a few months in each year. Prominent among the teachers of this pe- riod were Mr. Holloway, David E Owen, son of the founder of the town; Doctor Dutlon, David Jones, Doctor Roe and James Dilvan. These men taught between the years 1800 and 1818, and were, without exception, men of education. The prominent teach- ers from 1800 to 1837, were Messrs. Comstock, Hoyt, Richards, Reverend Crosby and Simon Haiks.
The market-house and Quaker church were the only school- buildings during this time. In 1837, on the site of the market- house, the academy was erected.
This was a prominent step for Berwick. Among the distin- guished teachers who taught in it were Rev. J. H. Rittenhouse, George Waller, Joel E. Bradley, and Mr. Runk. The school flour- ished for several years, but finally, the building was sold for public school purposes, and has since been torn down.
In 1872, a splendid brick structure was erected, which cost in- cluding all necessary equipments, $15,000.
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BLOOM.
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