USA > Texas > Johnson County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 18
USA > Texas > Hill County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 18
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J. R. Kennedy and M. A. Turner had a school for boys and girls in 1875.
The Irving Select School for Young Ladies, of which Professor Peyton Irving is principal, was first established by him in 1877, in a building in the central portion of the city. At first he limited the number of pupils to twenty-five; but the patronage unexpectedly increased, and at the end of four years, May 3, 1885, he secured a charter from the Legis- lature, granting the right of conferring the degree of Magistra Artium and inferior de- grees. The following gentlemen were named as trustees: Peyton Irving, A. II. Yeager, A. W. DeBerry, J. S. Claytou, Rev. C. S. M. See, Dr. C. C. Francis and Governor T. B. Wheeler.
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At length Professor Irving employed his daughter as assistant, and now, with about titty-five pupils, they are teaching in a neat two-story frame building in the north edge of the city, in a beautiful, retired locality.
The distinctive characteristics of this school, as set forth by the calendar, are: 1, Strictly u school for young ladies and misses; 2, it is n select school; only the best pupils desired; 3, all teachers of high literary attainments, and trained especially in the art of instruction ; 4, students instructed individually, as well as by classes; 5, recitations conducted in writing, as well as orally; 6, all " show" or " display" serupulously avoided; thorough scholarship inculcated and insisted upon; 7, bi-monthly reports, showing the exact stand- ing of the pupil, in every study pursued by said pupil, sent to the parent or guardian; 8, examinations conducted in writing; manu- scripts carefully valued, and sent to parent or guardian.
The course of study comprises the common English branches from the fifth reader up to the classical languages, mental and natural philosophy, physiology, astronomy, mechan- ies, chemistry, botany, zoology, algebra, geometry, civil government, bookkeeping, a normal department and music.
The degrees are: 1, Graduate of English and Science; 2, Graduate of the Normal School; 3, Filia Artium, or A. B .; and 4, Magistra Artium, or M. A.
CLEBURNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
When a man is seeking a home for his family, the facilities for education are always
investigated. Illiteracy no doubt accompanies the lower stages of society, while culture and refinement are found following close in the wake of educational progress, States vie with each other in the effort to impart infor- mation to their citizens until the end in view seems to take more of a civic character than that broader, deeper knowledge that makes good citizenship incidental to a perfect man- hood.
Cities and towns are infested with the same ambition, and all through this fair Texas land of ours we find a struggle against ig- norance being maintained, from the little, unpretentious schoolhouses in the rural dis- triets to the grand institution at the Stato capital, which has been so munificently en- dowed by the heroes of other days. But in none of these various departments of work has so much progross been made as in the public-school systems of the larger towns, and in proof of the assertion attention is called to our own little city of Cleburne.
In 1883 the people voted the control of the public schools to the city council, author- izing that body to appoint a board of six trustees. In accordance with this authority, the council appointed B. A. Poolo, V. Gray, C. W. Mertz, E. T. Lewis, W. F. Ramsey and W. C. Smith, who qualified Decomber 14. 1883, and W. F. Ramsey was elected sec- retary. The board advortised in the Galveston News for a superintendent, and on January 15, 1884, elected Prof. Frank M. Johnson for one year at a salary of $1,200 (eight months at $150 per month). The superintendent was instructed to report for duty March 15,
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1884, and the first Monday in April was des- ignated for opening the schools. The follow- ing is the roll of teachers during the first session, with salaries per month annexed: Prof. J. N. Long, $65; Mrs. George, $50; Miss Cora Hart, $50; Miss Abbie Chase, $50; Miss Ollie Lewellen, $50; James O. Taylor, 850; Mrs. G. B. Colby, 850; Ilenry Smithers (eol.), 850. On July 1, 1884, Prof. W. M. Rivers was elected principal, at a salary of $100 per month, and gave him nine assist- ants, the remaining salaries being unchanged. On February 15, 1885, Prof. Frank M. John son was re-elected for another year, at the same salary ($1,200), but he resigned June 10, 1885. The board fixed the salary of superin- tendent at $150 per month, and principal's salary at $100 per month. It was further decided to employ a superintendent, a princi- pal and nine assistant teachers, the minimum monthly salary being 850.
On July 20, 1835, Prof. D. A. Paulus was elected superintendent and Prof. W. J. J. Terrell, principal. It was further decided that all assistant teachers should be examined by the superintendent and principal, said ex- amination to take place in the presence of the board of trustees. It was during this admin- istration that the board ordered the schools to be taught by the calendar month instead of the scholastie month, as is enstomary in almost every other city in the State. Two reasons have been given for this action; either on account of the good salary then being paid the superintendent ($150 per month, with ten or eleven teachers), or it was advocated as a policy measure by some interested party.
As it is. 850 per month here is about the same as $45 elsewhere. The better plan would be to employ the superintendent by the year and pay by the calendar month as now, and employ the teachers by the scholastic month. During the administration of Prof. Paulus the following rates of tuition were charged for those over sixteen and under eight years of age $2, 81.50 and $1 per month. On September 8, 1885, a committee of the school board was appointed to assist a com- mittee of the aldermen in seleeting plans for an additional schoolhouse. Two members of the board were appointed to visit the school cach week, and Mr. E. T. Lewis was in. strueted to see to fitting up a room in the city hall for use of the superintendent. The session was interrupted for the space of one month by the burning of the city hall. There seems to have been no record of the minutes of the school board from October 16, 1885, to April 19, 1886, and we are left to infer that no meetings were held, It is not likely, how- ever, that all the necessary inconveniences of seeuring temporary schoolhouses, etc., were overcome without some meetings. The more correct conclusion would be that the minutes, if kept, were not recorded. The schools closed April 30, 1886, having opened Sep- tember 1, 1885: the session would have been eight months had the interruption of one month not been caused by fire. Prof. Paulus, however, elaimed his salary for the entire time, and brought suit against the board, recovering judgment including costs of $119.13.
There having been trouble between the
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board of trustees and Superintendent Paulus concerning a settlement at the beginning of this year, the board decided to combine the positions of superintendent and principal, and elected Prof. W. J. J. Terrell as super- intendent-principal, and Prof. J. D. Gold- smith as assistant principal. It was further agreed by all parties that only the actual time spent in teaching should be compen- rated, Prof. Terrell receiving 8100 per month and Prof. Goldsmith $75.
In June, 1886, the board decided that all teachers should be required to hold first-grade certificates, but this action was rescinded at the following meeting.
About this time is the first record coneern- ing the change in the scholastic age; it being fixed at from seven to eighteen years. The session of schools opened September 16, 1886, and closed May 16, 1887 -- eight months. During this session a principal and eleven other teachers were employed. A resolution was also passed requiring the principal to act as teacher, which would imply that in the carly history of the schools the superintend- ent or principal did little or no teaching.
On June 1, 1887, it was determined to have the schools taught by the calendar month, and that the services of twelve teach- ers would be required. The superintendent principal should receive $100 per month and the assistant principal 870, each of the teach- ers $15. This was a decrease of salary of $5 per month in all positions below the prinei- pal. Profs. Terrell and Goldsmith wero re- elected to their former positions, but Prof. Terrell declined to accept and Prof. Long was
elected in his place. This is the first year which furnishes a report of the condition of the schools. The scholastic population was 721, and the assessed value of taxable prop- erty was 81,122,374. The estimated value of school property was $23,150. Actually enrolled in the schools, 728. The cost of instruction per month based on salaries and actual attendance, 81.70; based on salaries and total enrollment, 94 eents; based on total expenditure and actual attendance, 82.06; based on total oxpenditure and enrollment, 81.006. The entire expense of the eight months' session was 86,755.80. On page 7 of this report we find the following: " Your committee to whom was referred the course of study for the ensuing year, has adopted a course prepared with reference to complying with all the requirements for affiliation with the State University ut Austin, so that pupils who may choose to do so, after completing our preseribed course, may enter said uni- versity without re-examination." There is no reason given why application was not made for affiliation before last year, but such had been the case. Schools opened Septem- ber 12, 1887, and closed May 11, 1888- eight months. During this year there was some trouble with the colored people. An application for the transfer of the children of twenty-nine parents, was tiled with the board. After considerable discussion, it was finally agreed to allow the transfer.
On June 4, 1888, Prof. J. N. Long was re-cleeted superintendent, and Prof. J. D. Goldsmith principal. The salaries remained the same as the precoding year. On Febru-
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ary 26, 1889, the board passed a resolution against State uniformity of text-books, and requested their representatives in the Legis- lature to oppose the measure.
The annual report of the schools for this year shows scholastic census to have been 765. We doubt the correctness of this, on account of the careless methods then in vogue in many cities in taking the census. The entire number enrolled is reported as 802, but there may be some duplicates. The average daily attendance was 453 2-9; value of city taxable property, 81,265,201; received from city school tax, 82,546.17; received from State fund, $3,061; tuition collected, $150.50, making a gross income of $5,- 760.67. In the written report several sug- gestions are mado, the most important being the adoption of the half-day session in pri- mary rooms and the employment of a super- umnerary teacher on full pay.
On June 1, 1889, Prof. Long was re- elected superintendent, and Miss Mollie Allen elocted principal. Before the schools opened Miss Allen resigned, and Prof. J. A. Stanford elected to fill vacancy. During this year the people voted an additional tax of one- fourth of one per cent. for school purposes, and authorized the council to issuo " schoolhouse and improvement " bonds to the amount of $10,000, also voting the same tax, one-fourth of one per cent., to pay interest on bonds and to provide a sinking fund. The scholastie age was changed this year from seven to eighteen, back to eight to eighteen. Ou April 29, 1890, the salaries were changed, the superintendent to receive $125 per month,
principal 890, the two assistants in the high school $70 each, and all others $50. The gross income for the schools this year (1889- '90) was $6,681.03; total enrollment reported, 918; value of school property, $21,200; vatno of city taxable property, 81,242,709.
Pending the election of superintendent for the ensning year, the whole town was sad- dened by the death of Prof. J. N. Long. Agreeable in his manners, energetic in the discharge of his duties, honorable in every action, he was a model Christian gentleman, one'of Nature's noblemen.
Jnne 3, 1890, Prof. S. M. N. Marrs, of Ilamilton, Texas, was elected superintendent, with Prof. J. D. Goldsmith principal. During the fall private residences were rented for primary schools until the new houses conld be constructed. The schools were finally located comfortably, January 1, 1891, and the work of supervision made manifest by the thorough organization of the grades and unifying the efforts of the teachers, directing them along a special line of work.
PROF. S. M. N. MARRS, superintendent of the Cleburne publie schools, was born in Fayette county, Virginia (now West Vir- ginia), January 2, 1862, and was reared and educated in the public schools of that section of the State. Ilis father and five uncles were soldiers in the Confederate army, so that his sympathies were naturally with the South in her reorganization and reconstruction. Ilo began teaching at the age of sixteen, and taught three winters in the public schools of Fayette and Nicholas counties. At his first examination he would have received a certif-
S.In. n. Mars"
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jeste of the first grade had it not been against the policy of the examiners to issue said certificates to an inexperienced teacher. However, the two succeeding schools were taught under first-grade certificates. Teach- ing country schools four and five months in the year was not very remunerative, so he spent the intervening summers in working on the farm and in the coal mines which ubound in that State. A part of his farm life was as a hired hand, rocoiving $8 and $10 per month.
In the spring of 1881, at the age of nine- teen, he came to Texas, loeating in Erath county. His first school in Texas was taught on the Bosque river, in a little log cabin, without windows; the doors were made of clapboards, and the floor was " Mother Earth." Eighteen months were spent in the country schools, when he was called to Hico, Ilamilton county, as associate principal of the Hico public school. From there he went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he took his degree in 1884. laving received a unanimous peti- tion from the people of Hico to return and assume control of their schools, he did so and associated with him his classmate, Prof. J. R. Keaton, who is now a practicing attorney in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
After one session in Ilico, he was called to Stephenville, the county seat of Erath county, and given full control of her schools. This position he filled satisfactorily three years, and voluntarily left the town with the hearty endorsement of both the board of trustees and his numerous patrons. While residing at Stephenville he was married to Miss Anna 10
R. Hleslip, of Fayette county, West Virginia, August 18, 1886.
The climate of Texas not seeming to agree with the health of his wife, in the summer of 1888 he returned to West Virginia, with the intention of giving up teaching. IIe, how- ever, received an offer to take charge of Hamilton College, at Hamilton, Texas, which he accepted, and was in charge of that insti- tution two years (1888-'90), during which time he succeeded in getting it established on a seeure basis.
At the death-of Prof. J. N. Long, super- intendent of the Cleburne publie sehools, he was elected to fill that position, June 3, 1890. In his new position he has given the best of satisfaction, and the citizens of Cleburne speak in the highest terms of him and his work. At his request during the fall of 1891 a committee was sent by the State Uni- versity to examine the Cleburne High School, with a view to the adinission of its graduates into the classes of the university without ex- amination. ~ The report of the committee 1 was favorable, and the Cleburne High School is now an auxiliary of the State University.
Ou May 4, 1891, Prof. Marrs was re- elected superintendent for the ensuing year, and Prof. J. E. Wallace was elected princi- pal. The salaries remained the same as pre- ceding year, except the second assistant principal, who now receives $60 per month.
In November, upon the application of the superintendent, the faculty of the State Uni- versity sent Dr. Walter Lefever as a commit- tee to examine the high school, with a view I to making it auxiliary, who reported favor-
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ably, and the Cleburne High School now ranks with the best in the State, its graduates being admitted into all the freshman classes of the university except Greek.
The schools are now on a good basis; representative men have always managed their affairs; there are four city buildings, and one rented, making in all twenty-one rooms; four of these rooms are waiting for ovenpants, and Cleburne invites the man of business, be he poor or rich, to locate within her borders, and she will furnish him with all the conveniences of a home.
There are four new, well-constructed two- story buildings, furnishing twenty rooms. and a fifth building which is rented for the colored people. Fifteen white and two colored teachers are employed, and the aver- age salary paid to the former is $50 per month, to the superintendent $1,250 per year, and to the principal of the high school $810 per year. The schools are taught by calendar months. The buildings, grounds, furniture and apparatus are worth $38,000, and within the last three months three build- ings have been erected, at a cost of $15,000, these Furnishing ample accommodation for all children now enrolled, and giving four rooms extra for new pupils as the attendance increases. The enrollment for the scholastic yoar 1890 is 701; actually enrolled in the schools, 856; enrolled on the first day of last session, 431; enrolled on the first day of present session, 550; and the colored popula- tion, 104. The schools were organized and graded with eleven grades, as now consti- tuted, in 1884.
The schools are governed by a board of trustees, who are appointed by the city conn- cil, seven constituting the board, the Mayor of the city being ex officio chairman. The terms of office last three years, and are so arranged that one- third of the number expire each year. The property of the schools is vested in the city council, which has control of all improvements, and the superintendent, by virtue of his office, controls, or rather has charge, of all the buildings and grounds throughout the entire year. The scholastie enrollment for 1891 so far, September 10, is 784, and will reach 1,000. As to the course, three years are spent on Latin, and in the sciences these studies are taken up exhaust- ively: physiology, philosophy, botany, physi- eal geography, chemistry, eivil government, political economy and mental seience. The teachers are selected solely with reference to qualification, and come from the different Statos of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Texas and Alabama. The board of trustees as now constituted are: C. W. Mertz, B. F. Clayton, Knox Thompson, J. L. Cleveland, Dr. J. R. Keating, II. S. Wilson and B. F. Frymier. The revenue is derived from four different sourees; first, from the State; second, from the county; third, from special city taxation; fourth, from tuition from pay pupils. For the year 1891 the State revenne amounts to $3,528; from the county, $290; from special taxation (eity), 88,000, and from pupils who have been transferred from the county, 8198.75, there having been 105 transfers 80 far this year. There is still a fifth source of revenne: The school age in Texas is from
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eight to sixteen, but the board of trustees have the right to extend the age to seven and eighteen. The income derived from pupils under roven and over eighteen is $100. The total school revenue from all these sources is $12.716.75. This entire amount will be spent for the schools, and the total monthly expenses are about $1,150.
At first a tax of one fourth of one per cent. was levied annually upon the property of the city as additional support; in 1890 an addi- tional one-fourth of one per cent. was levied, and also as much more to pay interest on the bonds recently issued for the erection of three ward school buildings for primary pupils. These buildings were erceted in the fall of 1890, all frame and on a uniform plan, having four rooms each. The total seating capacity of all the buildings in the city is about 1,000. Value of school apparatus, about $400. Number of volumes in school library, 500.'
The central school building, already sketched in a former section of this work, has a campus of five aeres, and each ward building has one acre. All pupils excepting the primary are sent to the central building, which is now fairly well filled.
For the colored children a building is rented.
For the school year 1890-'91 the scholastie census was 701, and for 1891-'92, 784, in- eluding about 100 colored. In 1890-'91 there were 836 scholars actually enrolled (no redupheation in this count), and up to March, 1892, the number was 920. In 1884 the total enrollment was only 410.
Pupils are divided into eleven grades, who are taught by seventeen teachers, including the superintendent.
The superintendent and county judge are independent of each other, the county judge having jurisdiction over country schools, the superintendent over eity affairs.
The Cleburne High School in its course of study was connected with that of the State University in the fall of 1891, so that pupils graduating here can be admitted to the fresh- man elasses of that institution without ex- amination. Of this department J. E. Wal- lace is the present principal, while C. N. Williams, who has a first-grade certificate, is principal of the colored school.
Thus, seeing how great a tax the citizens of Cleburne are imposing upon themselves for the support of free schools, it is con- spicuous that they are ahead of most cities. in educational work. The machinery is now all in first-class working order, leaving noth- ing for the scholars to do but study, under the best facilities of modern times, and the teachers to enjoy their work with a knowledge that eireminstances cannot be any better.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Cleburne Chronicle is the oldest living newspaper in the city, and the most infinon- tial, having been established here in 1868, with Major Jaek Davis as editor and proprie- tor, and later, with J. W. Graves and J. R. Clarke as editors. Mr. Graves was afterward succeeded by W. F. Wells for a time, and returned August 15, 1874. It is now owned
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and edited by Alonzo C. Scurlock, who also issues a tri-weekly. Office on the corner of North Main and Wardville streets, in a com- modious one-story brick building, owned by Mr. Scurlock. In connection with the paper is a well equipped steam job printing estab- lishment under the same management.
Mr. Scurlock was born in Newmarket, Madison county, Alabama, in 1847, the son of James F. and Rebecca (Criner) Scurlock, of German and English ancestry. Ilis father was a native of South Carolina, and his mother of Alabama. His father was a Lieu- tenant-Colonel of militia during the last war, and was one of the most prominent men in his county. Ile died during the war, in Louisiana.
In 1855 the family moved to Texas, set- tling about five miles south of Grand View, Johnson county. " Lon " was brought up to farm life. At the age of fifteen years he en- tered Bosqueville College, in McLennan county, but the very next year he entered the Confederate service, in which he remained a year, in Company G, Colonel Waller's Bat- talion, General Tom Green's Brigade, and was in several engagements.
Returning home he attended Oakland Col- lege, in the southern part of Johnson county. Next he was on the farm again for about two years, and then for a time he was engaged in mercantilo business in Grand View, where he was justice of the peace for a while; and finally, in 1878, he came to Cleburne and purchased an interest in the Cleburne Chronicle; subsequently he became the sole proprietor. The Chronicle has been burned
out twice, -- the first time in November, 1888, when Mr. Seurlock's loss was very heavy. The building, a two-story brick, was entirely consmined. At this time the file of the Chronicle was badly damaged. The last fire oe- eurred December 14, 1890, when the loss was nearly as great. The paper, however, was issued regularly through this ordeal.
In his social relations Mr. Seurloek is a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias. He is a gentleman of quiek, lively faney, well educated in the political philosophy of the country; and he is one of the most ae- complished and useful members of the press fraternity of the State, and is at present vice- president of the Texas Press Association. Editorially, therefore, he has a wide and last- ing intluenee.
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