History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 91

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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that the number of inmates was increasing rapidly. But all this necessitated addi- tional improvements to barns, sheds and other buildings. In short, the superin- tendent emphasized that the institution was certain to grow rapidly, and that therefore the Legislature was in duty bound to anticipate this growth and provide the necessary means for its proper control. For the year 1913 there were 1,000 patients. For the year 1914, 1,050 patients. The total cost of maintenance, wages, repairs, furnishings, power plant, barn and land in 1913 was $264,000. In 1914 it was $256,200. As compared with other states, the insane population of South Dakota was only about one-half, and all were cared for at the one state hospital. No one was in an alms-house or jail, or but very few. At this time Dr. L. C. Meade was superintendent.

For the biennial period ending June 30, 1912, the South Dakota Training School was fairly prosperous and was meeting the expectations of the state authorities. A new well had been drilled and the water was pumped with a gasoline engine. It was 250 feet deep and the supply of water seemed unlimited. The cost of the well was about one thousand two hundred dollars. A hot water heater and tank had been secured, and the institution was lighted by the city electric light plant at a flat rate of $50 per month. A greenhouse and a root cellar were projected in 1914. The products of the farm and garden were large during this biennial period. The institution was well equipped to teach the chil- dren many trades. The tailor shop had been abandoned. In the carpenter shop many boys were employed and all were enthusiastic. They did much work at repairing, worked in the engine room, were busy around the barns, and all worked more or less on the farm and in the garden. Several boys showed excep- tional skill in the care of live stock. The garden was large and productive and all work was done under the supervision of an expert. Here the small boys were employed where they could be under the eye of the instructor at all times.

The girls employed most of their time at sewing and house work, but also did considerable fancy work. They did all the sewing for the girls' department, mending for the boys' department and made night shirts and jackets for the boys. All the girls were strictly and rigidly instructed in all branches of housework. The girls also were employed to take care of the dairy house, milk, cream, butter and other products. Several of the girls showed great aptitude in raising chickens. They also took much interest in lighter kitchen work and even in truck growing. The educational department throughout was satisfactory, and everything indicated that the young people here were in proper care. The health of the inmates was remarkably good, which fact was no doubt due in a large measure to the outdoor exercises, to the work, and to their regular habits. The superintendent recommended that additional facilities with which to teach the inmates all branches of work, particularly some useful trade should be furnished. The main building was extremely crowded and more room was needed. A horse barn was also needed to be in keeping with the rest of the institution. The horses were still old and crippled. New and younger animals were needed. As the institution was growing fast, it was necessary to make provision for the expected development, said the superintendent, A. R. Schlosser. The cost of living had advanced, the number of children had increased, and therefore addi- tional facilities were necessary for the proper maintenance of the institution. Appropriations for fences, horses, manual training, and dormitory capacity were needed. Many repairs called for attention.

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For the biennial period ending the summer of 1912, the South Dakota School for Deaf showed fairly satisfactory results. The compulsory education law for the deaf and blind which had been passed by the Legislature in 1911 had resulted in a great increase in the number of attendants. The number present June 30, 1912, was greater than ever before, and there were promises that this number would still further rapidly increase. The institution at this time had been placed upon the approved list by the authorities of Gallaudet College, the national college for the deaf at Washington, D. C. As the number of scholars increased, it had been found necessary to add additional instructors. Four scholars were gradu- ated in the class of 1912. As a whole, the health of the school was excellent. A few cases of fever and measles had quickly responded to treatment. There were facilities for the students to learn the printing business, shoe making, carpenter work, tailoring and garden work of all kinds. The girls were given instruction in domestic science and all branches of sewing. From the appropriation made by the Legislature, numerous improvements and repairs had been made until the institution was in good working condition by the summer of 1912. H. W. Simpson was superintendent at this time.

In 1912 the South Dakota School for the Blind was advancing rapidly in use- fulness. The institution consisted of four buildings, two of which, the girls' dor- mitory and the new heating plant, had been finished during the last two years. The superintendent expressed the wish that the forty odd blind children of the state who had not been enrolled here should be permitted to do so, and that necessary provision for their care should be made. The superintendent declared he wished he could make parents understand the injustice they were doing their blind children by depriving them of the education which had been provided for them by the state. Thirty-seven had been in attendance during this biennium. During this time the department of physical training and the department of do- mestic science had been established. The health of the institution was excellent. A new heating plant costing $5,000 had been established. The new girls' dormi- tory was also completed and furnished. The first floor was fitted up for a gymnasium, and the second was furnished to accommodate twenty girls. In the building was a reception room and a guest room. A regular course of eight grades was provided for the education of the students. The pupils took great pride in the fact that they were pursuing mainly the same studies that were taken by the sighted children in the public schools. During the previous two years, five eighth grade certificates were granted to pupils of this school by the county superintendent of Deuel County. A four year high school course was provided, and three pupils were graduated during this biennium. The music department was particularly attractive and well attended. It was very thorough and fitted the unfortunate students for many pursuits which had music for their basis. In the industrial department the pupils were taught how to use their hands, and here the older boys turned, hoping to learn a trade or occupation which would enable them to make a living. Several were engaged in learning piano-tuning, broom-making, and basket-making, and to make hammocks, fly nets, cane chairs, etc. The departments of domestic science and physical training were elaborate, scientific and well conducted.

This institution is located at .Gary and the privileges of the school are free to all persons so blind that they are unable to attend the schools for the sighted.

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Tuition, books, board, room, washing, mending and medical attendance are free to all pupils. They incur no expense except traveling and clothing. Four depart- ments are maintained : Literary, music, industrial and household. Typewriting is taught, also the raised point system. The institution is in no sense an asylum, but is strictly educational and is thus classed among the educational institutions of the state. The school is in session nine months of the year ; it was established in 1900.

For the biennium ending June, 1912, the sanitarium for tuberculosis, saw great growth and prosperity. The institution was opened April 1, 1910. The Legisla- ture of 1909 passed the law creating this institution and authorized the State Board of Charities and Corrections to select a suitable location. After a careful investigation the board chose 150 acres five miles south of Custer. Of this tract from 80 to 100 acres were under cultivation, and a natural spring of water of great purity was flowing. The Government leased the property to the state with- out consideration for a term of ninety-nine years. In the vicinity were large tracts of forest land, fuel in unlimited quantities, stretches of beautifully wooded parks, seclusion that was desirable to the unfortunates and other agreeable surroundings for people suffering with this disease. The act which established the sanitarium gave the institution annually $5,000 for its maintenance. The first amount became available July 1, 1910, and was spent wholly on preparatory and preliminary work. On July 1, 1911, there was available by an act of the Legislature $5,000 permanent maintenance fund and an additional $7,000 specially provided. There were also provided the sums of $10,000 for buildings and $1,500 for light and power. During the winter of 1910-1I a pavilion accommo- dating fourteen patients and containing a dining-room, office, drug-room, ice-house and superintendent's residence was constructed. The buildings though small were well arranged and convenient. The superintendent in 1912 was R. E. Woodwarth. In the summer of 1912 there were in the state about three thousand five hundred cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The institution at the start was prepared to care for fourteen cases and was obliged to refuse admission to scores of others on account of lack of room. In order to care for even a limited number of the total in the state, the facilities would have to be more than quad- rupled. These facts were called to the attention of the Legislature. The superin- tendent asked for title to fifteen acres of land adjoining the property on the south, the same to be used for sewerage purposes. This would cost the state about three hundred dollars only.

In the summer of 1912, the state parole officer reported that fifty-three in- mates had been paroled from the penitentiary and thirty-nine from the training school. Twenty-two of the former and nineteen of the latter were released from parole. Two from each institution had broken their paroles. On June 30, 1912, nineteen were on parole from the penitentiary and thirteen from the training school. The parole officer reported satisfactory progress in his department. He had made a special study of the inmates, and felt confident that good results would come if the right methods were adopted and continued.

For the biennial period ending June 30, 1912, the Northern Hospital for the Insane or School for the Feeble Minded showed a prosperous condition of affairs. At the beginning of the period there were ninety-one male and eighty-two female inmates. There were admitted during the period forty-four males and

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forty-two females. There were present at the end of the period 110 males and ioo females. The total number of applications received was 470 and the total number admitted, 353. Nearly all counties of the state were represented. At one time there were thirty cases of typhoid fever in the institution. The attack was exceptionally virulent and directly or indirectly caused the death of six children. It was not learned what caused the epidemic. As the wards were badly overcrowded, the immediate cause escaped discovery. During the biennial period a new cottage was built and was formally opened in May, 1911, by the children, who gave a public exhibition of the operetta "Cinderella in Flower Land." Tickets were sold at $1 each and the citizens of Redfield and vicinity responded liberally so that the proceeds were sufficient to purchase a complete set of scenery. The normal capacity was 192, but in June, 1912, 210 inmates were crowded together in more or less dangerous fashion. At this time it was established that in the state were about one thousand one hundred feeble minded children; only one- fifth therefore were in this institution. The other four-fifths were either in their homes, on the county poor farm, or were running at large.

In July, 1907, the superintendent purchased thirteen head of young registered Holstein cattle. By the fall of 1910, the herd had increased to fifth head, twenty- three of which were milk cows. During the year ending June, 1911, the institu- tion had a milk herd of twenty-three cows and secured from each an average yield of 4,995 pounds of milk. During the year ending 1912, the institution milked twenty-three head of registered Holstein-Friesian cows, each of which furnished an average of 10,772 pounds of milk during the year. A few of the young cows produced as high as 18,000 pounds of milk in one year. The superintend- ent demanded more land. The place now consists of 487 acres. This institution is a school, not a prison. It is a home, not a pen. All are instructed along advanced courses of study. The necessary expert instructors are present. The discipline in order are exceptionally good. Every influence to improve the inmates can be found here. Dr. J. K. Kutnewsky is superintendent.

By 1913 the State University had a total income of a little more than one hundred thousand dollars. It was doing its work as well proportionately as were similar institutions in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. In 1902 half of its students were in the preparatory department. In 1906 over one hundred were in the same department. In 1913 the preparatory department had practically vanished. This condition forced the rural student who wanted a higher educa- tion to go to the high or normal schools to prepare for college. Yet it was believed wise from other standpoints thus to differentiate between students of the preparatory department and students of the university proper. Their habits, ideals, discipline, needs and class system and government were different. In 1892 the graduates numbered 5; in 1902, 17; in 1907, 45; in 1912, 72. There was at last in 1913 a real university. At this time no student was obliged to leave the state to secure a broad and liberal education set at high standards.

The proposition in the Legislature of 1913 to concentrate or consolidate all of the educational institutions at one place, aroused the school authorities in all parts of the state. Through the press and otherwise towns and cities expressed their opposition to such a change and gave elaborate reasons against its wisdom. The heads of the institutions declared that it would require at least ten years to bring about harmony after such a change had been made, and that the institutions

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should not be allowed to suffer in the meantime, providing such a measure was put into effect. As the state was growing rapidly and was expecting and demand- ing higher and better service from these institutions in the way of extension work, demonstration work, etc., special provision for their continuance during the period of change should be made. After reflection the people throughout the state generally were of the opinion that no such change should be made. Many reasons for and against the movement were expressed on the platforms and in the press and the consensus of opinion was that the revolution would be both too uncertain in results and too expensive in time and money. However, numerous meetings were held on which occasions opinions both for and against the movement were expressed. Of course, no city would give up its state institu- tion until every effort had been made and all hope of keeping it had failed.

Regent A. E. Hitchcock, on all suitable occasions, urged the passage of the law which would consolidate all the higher educational institutions of the state, and relocate them at some central point, or leave them where they were, but as branches of the same unit. Generally while it was admitted that this course might improve the institutions by concentration, few believed that the steps should be taken or that it was practicable. Mr. Hitchcock succeeded at an educational meet- ing in having the following resolution passed: "That we most heartily recon- mend the early consolidation of our higher state educational institutions at some central point believing that this will result in an inmediate saving to the tax payers by the elimination of the present duplicate work and equipment." It must be admitted that there were not a few throughout the state who were in favor of this revolutionary proceeding. All saw that the difficulty would be in deciding on the precise place where the state's educational enterprises should be grouped. All realized that trouble worse than the capital contest would result should this ques- tion be placed before the voters. There were many difficulties in the way of carrying out this program. The Agricultural College had a farm of nearly one thousand acres which could not be moved away from Brookings. At the univer- sity there were nearly one hundred acres fastened to that portion of the state. At every other state institution were properties that could not be removed, upon which the citizens and the state had spent many thousands of dollars. It would therefore require great expense to carry out this procedure if actual removal were demanded. However, on the other hand, it was clear that any city which would be given the whole group of state institutions would no doubt be willing to give and would lose no time in giving whatever land and buildings were neces- sary for such a combined institution even though the sum should reach a million dollars. The charge of great cost was therefore not well taken. The consolidation of all the institutions would unquestionably give to the state a single institution that would attract the attention of the whole country at once. The total number of students in attendance would be greatly increased, because such an institu- tion would draw many students from neighboring states and the institution itself would almost at once command the same prominence and distinction of those at Madison, Wis., and Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Much has been said recently of the proposed consolidation of the various state educational institutions upon one campus, and the suggestion has gained considerable popularity with a few of our legislators. The proposed consolida- tion at this time seems a trifle inconsistent in view of the fact that South Dakota

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has built up and maintained six or seven fairly well equipped colleges at an enor- mous expense. A centralized system of collegiate schools may be an admission of great pith ; it may be in harmony with the accepted views of those best informed upon the economical possibilities of the movement, as it would be to reflect the best intelligence of our state. The university, agricultural college, school of mines and the various other institutions are accomplishing great things in their fields and it is to be deplored that several of these schools are absolutely disregarded by some of our citizens. Let us work for the upbuilding of South Dakota normal schools, colleges and universities in a consistent, rational way, rather than give ear to the siren call of the real estate promoters of certain South Dakota cities who are only too anxious to accept the opportunities such a change would offer." -- Grant County News, February, 1913.

Upon retiring President Gault from the headship of the university, the regents substituted a so-called commission form of government by making the deans of the five colleges of the institution a board or commission to act as the executive head. Instead of giving the commission the powers of the executive, the regents made the entire faculty the executive. They were no doubt led to do this by the advice of a portion of the faculty surcharged with notions of "democratic" administration. This curious executive institution at once made detailed rules of administration and student conduct after laborious debates and applications of the caucus rule, constituted the board of deans a part of its police force along with several committees, and came to grief over a question of student discipline in a few weeks after it organized. The regents were compelled to overrule its action in suspending certain students for participation in hazing and hastened to appoint a president. The faculty administration had a "splendid burial" in the joy of the students, alumnae and friends of the university about the state over the appointment of Dr. Robert R. Slagle, then the head of the College of Agriculture and Mechanics Arts, on December 5th. Most of the faculty, too, were glad to be relieved of executive duties under such a guise. The brief interreg- num of "democracy" visited the ire of alumnae and many other citizens of the state who knew the facts upon its immediate sponsors in the faculty, but was otherwise at once forgotten.

"The state board of regents has been compelled to abandon its plan of com- mission government for the State University. The plan worked all right for a few weeks, but as soon as there was need for a real head to the institution it showed itself a fizzle. The real cause of the regrettable conditions which now exist in the State University is the lack of a head in that institution. A good live president with some tact and a backbone could have settled the recent hazing trouble there in twenty minutes. The board of regents has at last taken action in naming a successor to President Gault. It has selected Robert L. Slagle, now. president of the State College at Brookings and one of the ablest educators in this state. The only regret is that the board did not wake up long ago."-Argus- Leader, December, 1913.

In December, 1913, Robert L. Slagle, of Brookings, was chosen president of the State University by a board of regents. He was well known to the state and was acceptable to everybody. He was born in 1861 in Pennsylvania and in youth attended the public and private schools in Hanover, his native town, and upon reaching early manhood entered Lafayette College from which he was

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graduated in 1883 with the degree of A. B. In September, 1887, he first came to Dakota as a professor of natural sciences in the Collegiate Institute at Groton. The following year he returned East, took a post graduate course in science at Johns-Hopkins University and received the degree of Doctor of Science. Later he conducted experiments in the laboratory of Harvard College and also as as- sistant under Prof. W. O. Atwater, of Middletown, Conn., and New York City. In 1889 he was elected professor of chemistry in South Dakota Agricultural College, and two years later was transferred to the School of Mines where he served as president until 1898. In 1905 he was elected president of the State Agricultural College and so remained until he received the above appointment to the university.

"President Slagle has tendered his acceptance of the position offered him and his regard as an educator and executive would indicate that the state institu- tion will have a real head. During the time Doctor Slagle has been at the head of the State College, that institution has made a remarkable record and has grown from a comparatively insignificant institution to a really creditable educational department of the state institutions, with a reputation for thorough and able work in developing students. Doctor Slagle's work at the state school of mines is also testimony of his ability and fitness and the state is to be congratulated upon secur- ing his services. The craze for the commission form of government ought never to have been extended to the State University and no doubt the regents have discovered their error in this matter."- Alexandria Herald, December, 1913.

"Admittedly the past year of the Vermillion institution has been fruitful of some perplexing problems. The experiment of governing the university by com- mission met with difficulties and engendered some feeling which is not for the best interests of that splendid school. At Brookings Doctor Slagle accomplished many notable things. He kept the State College on a straight road with a clear conception of its importance to the state and the special way in which it is im- portant. He has brought it up to a high standard, made it the equal and in many instances, the superior of any agricultural college in the land. He has shown executive ability in organization and qualification highly necessary to the start of a successful administration at the university."-Watertown Daily Public Opinion, December, 1913.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 91

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146