History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 135

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 135

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In addition to the teachers mentioned in 1832, Miss Jane Potter was teaching a young ladies' school. On the 10th of March in that year she " returns grateful acknowledgment for past support," and further states that she " will open the school the first Wednesday in April next, in a room now occupied by William Baird as an office."

In the latter part of 1832 the Washington Female Institute was established, under the superintendence of William Orr. The following gentlemen were named as references : Rev. D. Elliot, Rev. Thomas Hoge, Alexander Reed, J. Marshall, J. K. Wilson, Thomas McGiffin, John H. Ewing, Esq., Drs. Wish- art and Le Moyne, and the Hon. Thomas M. T. Mc- Kennan.

Samuel Wetherow commenced teaching school in 1833 in the building first below where Mrs. Doak at present resides, and where the office of the Reporter then was located. On the 5th of July, 1836, Henry Williams opened a school for boys in the room over the market-house. He gave as one of his reasons for opening the school at that time " as the district schools are about closing for the year." On the same day Daniel Baldwin, Jr., opened a common "English School" in a building on Chestnut Street, near the Methodist Episcopal Church.

After the public school law of 1834 went into ope- ration, the borough of Washington became regularly 1 organized into a district. In 1835 the number of in- habitants in the town liable to taxation for school purposes was 389. The tax raised was $320.53. In 1836 the county tax raised in the town was $626.43. There was received from the State $122.94. In 1837, $630.90 was received. The directors" elected for the The first school board of which mention is made in year 1835 were Dr. John Wishart and James Ruple. the minutes consisted of John Grayson, president; John L. Gow was appointed secretary of the board. George Morrison, secretary ; Colin M. Reed, Henry Langley, John Hart, and Professor Robert Milligan. On the 31st of October, 1835, the directors made the following report to the Secretary of the Common- . At this period there were rarely more than two meet- wealth :

"SIR,-In the fulfillment of our duty as School Directors of the Bor- ough of Washington, we proceed to report to you the state and condition of the Public Schools under our care since the beginning of July last, at which time our schools went into operation. A census was taken of the number of pupils attending all the Schools in the Borough some years since, and again immediately preceding the opening of the schools under the present system. In both instances the number fell something short of 200. We have now in operation three public schools, viz .: One for white male children, one for white female children, and one for col- ored children of both sexes. In these three have been entered as fol- lows: Male, white, 167; female, white, 147; colored, 40. Total, 354. Making in all about 160 more than were found upon the rolls of all the

schools under the old system. . . . All the schools have been kept open since the early part of July, and will be continued during the whole year, with the exception of the colored school, which is designed to be suspended for the present year, after the first of November, until the ensning April.

"The Directors have not erected School-Houses, but have rented for the Female School a large and commodious building at $32 per annum, and for the Male School a number of rooms over the Market-House. The Colored School has been taught in the African Meeting-House, for which no reut has been charged. The aggregate amount paid for fitting up the buildings and purchasing stoves is $131.63. The amount of sal- aries paid for teachers and assistant in the Female School per annum is $450. In the Male School per annum is $640. Colored School, $240. For taking care of the school-room for females, $30. Total, estimated at $1395.

" The experience of the present year has satisfied the Directors of the truth of the objection often urged against the old system, viz. : That it did not really provide for the instruction of all whose parents were unable to pay for their tuition, or, in other words, that a spirit of independence (per- haps in a great degree praiseworthy) prevented many poor parents from accepting that instruction for their children which was coupled with the implication of pauperism. It is but fair to infer that a large portion of the difference in number between the rolls of the old system and the new was debarred on this account from the instruction of the schools. This number is fairly estimated at 160, but if we count it at 130, and add 50 for the number actually instructed as poor children under the former law, we shall have 180 pupils, the instruction of whom, at the rates formerly paid, would amount to a sum nearly equal to the whole year's expenditure of the Borough under the present system of our schools.

(Signed) " JOHN WISHART, Pres't." " JOHN L. Gow, Secretary."

After this time, for several years, little is known of the condition of the schools of the borough. In 1838 the district was assessed on two school-houses and one lot of ground, forty by one hundred and twenty feet. The teachers in that year were Edward J. Morgan and Henry Williams. For the period commencing five years later, and extending to the present time, the history of the public schools of Washington is con- tributed by one who is probably better qualified than any other person to furnish it, A. M. Gow, Esq., and is here given.

The school history of the borough prior to May 2, 1843, is derived from tradition, and from fragments of information gleaned from the oldest inhabitants, the newspapers, and from such records as chiefly con- cern the purchase and use of school property. From the above date the minutes of the school corporation have been kept with considerable accuracy to the present time, embracing a period of thirty-nine years.

ings of the board in a year, April or May and Octo- ber. The public schools were continued for about five months, and the school-rooms were then rented to the teachers, who received tuition from subscription pupils for the rest of the year. The amount of tax levied for the public schools for the year 1844 was $582.30. The first corps of teachers of whom men- tion is made consisted of Edward J. Morgan, George Freeby, Miss Sarah Hull, Thomas Officer, Samuel R. Withrow, Miss Martha Smith, Miss Mary A. Morgan, and Philip Potter, the last the teacher of the colored

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WASHINGTON BOROUGH.

school. With the exception of the colored school and those for the very small children, the sexes were taught in separate buildings, in accordance with the prevalent idea that it was not in the interests of mo- rality that boys and girls should be trained in the same school.

The school-houses in use at this period were, first, the basement of the Protestant Methodist Church, containing two rooms, located on West Beau Street, on the lot in the rear of the jail; second, a brick house in the rear of the Baptist Church, consisting of one room, which was reached by Cherry Alley ; third, a one-story brick house of two rooms on the corner of Franklin Street and Cherry Alley ; fourth, "The Lodge" on West Maiden Street, originally owned by the Masons, containing two rooms; fifth, A house erected for the colored school, on the lot in the rear of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of East Chestnut and Lincoln Streets.

The highest salary paid the teachers per month was twenty-eight dollars, the lowest fourteen dollars, the average nineteen dollars.

There was some attempt made at classification in the schools, but no effort to make a system of grada- tion. The government of the schools was rude and harsh. Everything in and about the school build- ings was rough and unattractive, so that it was not strange that after each vacation a committee was ap- pointed by the board to repair the damages to the windows, doors, and to the premises generally.

In April, 1846, a public meeting was called by order of the board to ascertain whether the people would favor an increase of the school tax for the extension of the school term. The appeal was not successful, and it was not until 1848 that the school term covered ten months of the year.

On March 3, 1848, a committee was appointed by the board to confer with the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church concerning the purchase of a lot on Franklin Street, near the corner of Chestnut. On the 11th the bargain was made, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow $402.33, with which to make the first payment. The trustees of the church, from whom the purchase was made, were Alexander Sweney, Samuel Mount, George Lonkert, Jacob Schaffer, and William T. Fleming. The brick church building in the centre of the lot was remodeled to furnish four school-rooms. The school for the large boys occupied the upper story, which was formed by throwing a floor across from the gallery, which occupied three sides of the original audience-room. The purchase of this building gave an impetus to the school system which was exhibited in the effort to increase the tax levy and also to grade the schools.

Brice, O. B. McFadden, and R. H. Koontz. The last two were the new members, and they entered upon the work with such enthusiasm and energy that the entire board was inspired with the desire of making a revolution in school management.

On the 1st of May, after an examination of candi- dates by the college professors, Milligan and Alrich, in presence of the board, Alexander M. Gow was se- lected as teacher of the school for the big boys; Mrs. S. B. Musser, of the school for the big girls; Horace B. Durant and A. J. Teagarden were appointed to teach boys ; Miss Mary Jones and Miss Sarah Hull were appointed to the girls' schools; Mrs. Williams, Miss M. Smith, and Miss Mary Kaine were to teach . the mixed primary ; and N. B. Griffith the mixed colored school. The highest salary paid was $250, the lowest $130, while the average amounted to $174 per annum.

Each school was independent of all the rest. There was no similarity in teaching, discipline, or manage- ment. When a pupil was dissatisfied with one school, the door of another was easily opened. There was no order or method in any part of the work. In each building there was a serious and constant conflict of jurisdiction and authority among the teachers, and of rights and duties among the children. One of the | first efforts to reduce this chaos to order was to bring the teachers into proper relations to each other. It was no easy task, for it involved the idea of subordi- nation, and it was quite as difficult for the teachers to relinquish their ideas of independence as for the chil- dren. In order to effect some systematic government the Rev. Wesley Kenney, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was elected superintendent at a salary of fifty dollars per annum.

As the board was greatly in debt, everything in and about the school property was dilapidated, windows were broken, dirt abounded, fences were down and gates were awry, the coal-houses were open and the fuel was exposed. Efforts were made to correct these abuses, the property was put in good order, and the teachers were held responsible for its preservation. These changes were not effected without considerable friction, but the persistent determination of the board and the teachers overcame the obstacles and a great revolution was effected. The teachers of 1851 had largely increased salaries. John L. Gow, Esq., was invited to serve as superintendent at a salary of fifty dollars per annum. During this year vital change were made in the administration, so that the union graded school may be dated from this period.

Few persons can understand how a community can be convulsed when a radical change is attempted in its school system. The traditions of the school are very dear to everybody. The old methods have a The school board that entered upon duty April 11, ' peculiar sanctity that it is dangerous to disturb.

One day the teacher of the school for big girls was taken ill; her charge fell into incompetent hands,

1855, deserves a special mention for the inauguration of a new era in school affairs. It consisted of Dr. Al- fred Creigh, Adam Silvey, William Mills, George W. and the question arose what should be done with the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

school in order to save it from anarchy. The super- intendent, John L. Gow, suggested to the board that, as the second story of the old church was sufficiently large to accommodate both schools, they should unite the two. It happened about this time that the only male teacher in the corps, besides the principal of the high school, had been discharged for incompe- tency, so that his pupils had to be cared for by some new arrangement. It was no sooner suggested than done. The two boys' schools and the girls' school were incorporated in one. By this change, effected in a single day, the old church was made into a union graded school, with a principal and three lady assist- · ants, two down-stairs and one above, in charge of about two hundred pupils. Here was a shocking change, big boys and girls united in the same school, and many of them to be taught and governed by a lady ! A union school was an entirely new thing to the community, and the doubts and fears of its suc- cess were neither few nor small. The board was reconciled to the plan because it saved the salary of a male teacher, and because they had confidence in the superintendent and the principal, who had been its advocates. The lady teachers favored it, because it would relieve them of some of the responsibility of government. But there were many who could not be reconciled to a change that put boys and girls under the same teacher, and others who would not be convinced that big boys could be brought to sub- · mit to the teaching and government of a woman. These topics were discussed, of course, at home, and the views of the pupils partook of the sentiments of the households. If the father and mother did not think a boy should be taught by a woman, of course their son was of their opinion, and an issue must be made in school to test the question. There were many such issues invented, and the ingenuity and persistence of those who made them showed that the inspiration came from older minds.

Such a change attracted attention, not only at home but abroad. Large numbers of visitors came to see its operations. On two occasions the grand jury of the county visited the school and reported upon its condition. They approved of the new methods of teaching and management, and advocated similar improvements in the schools of the county.

Public examinations were held during the year and at its close, which were well attended by the people. The effect of these was very beneficial, as they awak- ened a new interest among parents, teachers, and ' the school lot.

children. On the 23d of March, after such an exam- ination, which occupied the two preceding days, the superintendent, John L. Gow, Esq., made a report to a large public meeting held in the court-house of the changes effected during the year and upon the condi- tion of the schools. In the spring of 1852, John L. Gow, Esq., was again elected superintendent, and Alexander M. Gow was again chosen principal of the boys' and girls' high school at an increased salary.

In 1853, Alexander M. Gow was elected superin- tendent of schools, when the expediency of build- ing a new school-house large enough to accommodate all the white children of the town began to be dis- cussed, and a committee was appointed to make inquiry for a suitable location. The idea was not well defined in the mind of any one as to the size or cost of the proposed building. The board

Resolved, " That William W. Smith and Samuel Patton be a committee to ascertain how much money can be raised by voluntary subscription for the pur- pose of erecting a new school-house."

Another reason assigned for a new school building was the increasing number of children who began to be attracted to the borough school from the coun- try, The admission of such children occasioned a great deal of trouble and no small annoyance to the schools of the town.

At the session of May 2, 1853, it was unanimously Resolved, "That it is expedient to erect a new school building this season." R. H. Koontz, president, William S. Moore, secretary, Jacob Slagle, O. B. McFadden, Alexander W. Acheson, and George W. Brice were members of the board.

The lots selected were upon the northwest corner of East Beau and Lincoln Streets. Alexander M. Gow, the principal, was sent by the board to Pitts- burgh to secure the services of an architect to furnish plans and specifications for the building. Mr. John Chislett was employed, and submitted a sketch of a Fortunately the school board was composed of men of nerve and sense, who could see that after the storm of clamor and objection arising from ignorance and prejudice should subside, the success of the ex- periment would be assured. They supported the rare fidelity, and the result was that order prevailed, discipline triumphed, prejudices were overcome, and the school became an established fact. school building, which was adopted. It had been supposed that a suitable house could be erected for about nine or ten thousand dollars, but the ideas of the board enlarged the more that they examined the subject until they made contracts for the new house superintendent, the principal, and the teachers with which amounted to about twenty thousand dollars. It required considerable faith and courage for the board to assume such a responsibility, especially as they were largely in debt for the purchase of the old church. The old lodge was disposed of to Mr. An- drew Brady, a contractor of the new building, for the sum of eight hundred and seventy-five dollars.

In order to enable the board to secure funds to carry on the work, an act was passed by the Legisla- ture authorizing them to borrow money for the pur- pose, not exceeding twelve thousand dollars.

In order to afford complete protection to the school property, it was determined in the spring of 1855 to build a janitor's dwelling on the northeast corner of

535

WASHINGTON BOROUGH.

Upon the 3d of July, 1865, the new school-house was dedicated, and an address was delivered by Prof. E. C. Wines, D.D., to a large and appreciative audience assembled for the first time in the new school hall. The occasion was one of great public interest.

An amendment to the act of Assembly of Jan. 25, 1854, was asked by the board, whereby they "might be enabled to borrow a sum sufficient to pay for the grounds purchased, and the school edifice and jani- tor's house thereon erected, provided that the amount borrowed shall not exceed the sum of $20,000." At that time special legislation could be granted by the General Assembly.

On April 20, 1856, the board finally disposed of the balance of the old school property. They sold the house On the 15th of August, 1859, Mr. Lowary gave no- tice to the board that, owing to impaired health, he was obliged to resign his position, the resignation to on the corner of Cherry Alley and First Street (now Franklin) for the sum of $480, and the old Methodist Church for $800; both properties were purchased by , take place at the end of the school year. His term Col. Wm. Hopkins.

In order to supplement the salary of Alex. M. Gow, who had been superintendent for four years, he was elected treasurer of the school board May 2, 1856, and gave bonds in the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of the trust.

On May 2, 1856, the board adopted the following resolution :

"Resolved, That, for the purpose of completing an educational system and furnishing to such of our scholars as desire an opportunity for acquiring the rudiments of a classical education, it is the sense of the Board that another and higher department be established, provided the same can be done without ad- ditional expense to the district. This department is erected as an experiment. If tuition raised from non-residents shall be found sufficient to sustain the said department then the same shall be continued, otherwise it shall be dispensed with, but on no ac- count shall the outstanding fund of the district be appropriated to its support. The said department is to be established on the 1st of September next."

Under the above resolution James M. Gow, then a student in the senior class of the college, was ap- pointed the teacher of the academic division, and taught it during the next school year. He then resigned to accept a position in an institution in Illinois, and on June 11, 1857, John W. Acheson was appointed in his stead, serving also one year. At the expira- tion of the second year the academic division was abandoned, much to the regret of many friends, both of the school and of the college.

June 26, 1857, the official relation of Alex. M. Gow, the third superintendent of the union school, was terminated, he having resigned with the inten- tion of moving to Illinois. His connection with the schools had continued for a period of seven years, dur- ing four years of which he had been the superintendent of the schools, and for the last year the treasurer of the board.

Mr. Gow was succeeded by Mr. D. P. Lowary, who on the 4th of May, 1857, was elected the fourth super- intendent of the school. During his administration a brick school-house was erected for the colored chil- dren upon the end of the lot belonging to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corner of College (now Lincoln) Street and Spruce Alley, sixty by forty- five feet. The lot was purchased from the trustees of the church for the sum of twenty-five dollars and the old building.

In 1858 the Young Men's Christian Association, at its dissolution, donated its library to the school. Rules and regulations were therefore made for the preserva- tion and use of the books.

of service extended over two years.

Upon the 19th of August, 1859, Mr. Alex. Wishart was elected the fifth superintendent of the schools, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum.

May 1, 1861, Mr. Wishart, having raised a military company to assist in the maintenance of the Union, . Offered his resignation to the board. The resignation was accepted, and a resolution was adopted expressive of the good wishes of the board. Capt. Wishart served as superintendeut for two years less one month. The schools were closed at the end of the week suc- ceeding the resignation of the superintendent.

July 15, 1861, the Rev. L. P. Streator was elected the sixth superintendent, with nine assistants. July 22d, Orlando Baglin was elected janitor of the school, and with the exception of a brief interval he has oc- cupied the position to the date of the present writing, 1882.

Aug. 9, 1862, Capt. Alex. Wishart was re-elected superintendent, and occupied the position until the fall of 1866, when he was succeeded by D. F. Patterson, Esq., the seventh superintendent. Capt. Wishart's services were highly appreciated by the board, having raised his salary twice during his term of service. He was superintendent in all nearly six years.

In the fall of 1863, Col. H. Anisansal was author- ized to teach instrumental music in the school, and also French and German, but no compensation was to be paid him by the board. Whatever he received for his services was to be paid by the pupils who were instructed by him. Two pianos were rented by the board for the use of the pupils for the sum of $95 per annum, and one was purchased for the sum of $350. Miss Jennie McAuley was elected music- teacher in the fall of 1864 at a salary of $150, to be paid by the board. She was authorized to charge one dollar per month or $10 per annum, and to collect it from each pupil receiving instruction. Jan. 27, 1865, another piano was taken on trial, and an assistant piano-teacher was employed. It soon became evident · that such an experiment could not be successful : it

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

was too costly, and its benefits were limited to so few that it soon fell into disrepute, and the three pianos were finally disposed of at public auction for much , take place in June, 1877. He occupied the position less than their cost. The effort to compete with pri- vate institutions in this department of education proved a signal failure. It was not the province of a public school to teach instrumental music.

As graduation was one of the elements that served to stimulate the pupils to increased diligence, so the Cabe musical instructor, at a salary of fifteen dollars diploma, the evidence of this distinction, should be- long to the school ; a lithograph plate was accordingly provided at a cost of $85. The high school was established, and on May 16, 1867, the first class of graduates, consisting of five girls, received the di- ploma. per month. Whether it was the quality of the in- struction or the want of appreciation on part of the board, the effort does not appear to have been a suc- cess. It was resumed, however, in the fall of 1878, by the appointment of Mr. M. H. Kellar, of New York, at the more appreciative salary of twenty-five Aug. 5, 1868, Rev. W. J. Wilson, the eighth super- intendent, succeeded Mr. Patterson, who had served the board for two years. Mr. Wilson's salary was fixed at $1200 per annum. The salaries of the teachers were placed uniformly, without reference to experience or length of service, at $330 per annum. dollars per month, which was shortly increased to thirty-five dollars per month. The board, in order to insure the success of this department of instruction, made the study compulsory upon every pupil, allow- ing no one to be excused except for cause. While the results of the teaching were satisfactory, the The graduates of the school in 1870 consisted of four boys and five girls. board did not think it desirable to continue the em- ployment of a music-teacher until the fall of 1881, This year the salaries of the teachers were raised to $350, the superintendent's pay remaining the same as before. when W. K. Stiffey was engaged at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum. Mr. Stiffey has served one year, and is now engaged for a second. From the success attending some publie concerts given by the children, it may safely be assumed the instruction in this department is at last proving successful, and that vocal music will be a permanent study in the schools.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 135

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216