An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 79

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Washington > Kittitas County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 79
USA > Washington > Yakima County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 79
USA > Washington > Klickitat County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 79

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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EDUCATIONAL.

been built and school is conducted from five to nine months a year in each. No one need hesitate about locating in this county through fear of inferior educational advantages."

Meanwhile, the educational progress in the two other counties had been proportionately rapid. According to Superintendent J. H. Morgan's report for 1891, the school population of Kittitas county was 2,419, of whom 1,231 were males and 1,188 females. The number of these who availed theni- selves of school privileges was, males 909, females 861. The number of school districts in the county was thirty-six and of teachers employed forty-four. Of these four held state or territorial certificates, six first grade county certificates; twenty second grade, thirteen third grade and one was not re- ported. The average salary paid was, to males $57.90; to females, $49.70. The expenditures for the year were $69,924.52, of which the teachers received $14,595.31 ; the remainder was utilized for the purchase of new sites and the erection of new buildings. Two graded schools were maintained in the county.

The report of Superintendent N. B. Brooks of Klickitat county, for the year 1891, shows the number of children of school age in that county to have been 2,141, of whom 1,142 were males and 999 females. Of these 1,632 were enrolled. The number of school districts in the county had in- creased to 51; of teachers to 59, 30 of whom were males, and 29 females. The average wages paid were, to males $43.75 a month ; to females $39.50.

Since 1891 there has been steady improvement in the public school system along many lines. A comparison of the foregoing reports with those sub- mitted for the year 1903 will reveal much cause for congratulation. The report of Supt. S. A. Dickey of Yakima county for that year shows 6,566 chil- dren between the ages of five and twenty-one, of whom 5,331 availed themselves of school privileges, an increase in the enrollment of forty per cent. over the previous year. The average number of months school was maintained had increased to six and the total days attendance aggregated 496,916. The services of 131 teachers were required. Of these three held state or territorial diplomas, fourteen held elementary state normal diplomas, two advanced course diplomas, twenty-two first grade certificates, fifty-three second grade and twenty-two third grade. The standing of the remaining teachers is not shown in the reports. During the year ten new school buildings were erected, making in all sixty-five. The number of districts had increased to sixty-eight, twenty-one of which maintained graded schools and four maintained high schools. The total expendi- tures for school purposes during the year were $107,673.82 ; $45,098.38 for teachers' salaries ; $16,- 596.72 for rents, fuel, repairs, etc. ; $28,857.74 for buildings, sites, and equipment ; balance on hand, $31,053.10. The assessed valuation of the districts was $7,444,588. The high schools are in North

Yakima, Zillah, Sunnyside, and Prosser, and it is expected that high school grades will be introduced this year at Simcoe and Toppenish. North Yakima has a complete high school course; the others three year courses.

The educational progress in Kittitas has also been rapid, a fact which is shown by an examina- tion of Superintendent W. A. Thomas's report for the year ending June 30, 1903. The population of the county of school age had increased to 3,120, of whom 2,975 were enrolled in the schools. The average number of months school was maintained had increased to 6.4. There were thirty-seven school districts, in which seventy-two teachers found employment. Of the teachers of the county, one had a state certificate, thirteen held life diplomas from the state normal school; seven elementary normal diplomas ; seven advanced diplomas; fifteen first grade certificates; twenty-five second grade; and five third grade. The estimated value of all school property had increased to $100,665, and the total assessed valuation of the county property had grown to $4,201,108. The good work accomplished in the schools of Kittitas is no doubt in large measure due to the liberal salaries paid by the dif- ferent districts. The average salary for the year 1902-3 was to males $71.13, to females $55.20. The ability of the districts to pay fair wages makes it possible for them to demand proficiency in their teachers, and it is highly probable that Kittitas county's force of educators will compare very favorably, both in educational qualifications and professional skill, with any similar body in the state. Advanced grade schools are maintained at Ellens- burg, Roslyn and Cle-Elum. The Ellensburg school system includes eleven grades, and it is expected that a twelfth will be added next year; the Roslyn school has had ten grades for several years; Cle- Elum, which four years ago had only one teacher, this year employed six, and had nine grades; Thorp has an eight-grade school and two teachers.

Similar progress is noticeable in the educational system of Klickitat county. The report of Super- intendent C. M. Ryman for the year ending August 6, 1903, shows 2,511 children of school age, 2,140 of whom are enrolled in the public schools. The average number of months for which school is held is comparatively low, being only 4.6, but we are in- formed that the report for the present year will show a marked improvement in this respect. If it is not possible to increase the length of term by any other method, some of the districts in the thinly settled regions will be consolidated. There are sev- enty school districts in the county, in which ninety- six teachers were employed last year. Of this number, six have first grade certificates; thirty-two second grade, and twelve third grade. There are five schools in the county of more than one depart- ment. Goldendale has two school buildings, one with six and one with eight rooms; Centerville,

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Bickleton, White Salmon, and Trout Lake each have two-room schoolhouses.

A fact of unusual interest with regard to the public school system of Klickitat is that it possesses as a source of revenue a special endowment known as the "Joshua Brown School Fund." This was founded by Joshua Brown, who at his death be- queatlied all his property to the common schools of the county. Mr. Brown came to Klickitat in the later sixties and was engaged in the occupation of raising stock for a number of years. When finally he fell sick and became apprehensive that the time of his departure was at hand, he made a will leaving all his property as an endowment fund for the bell- efit of the public schools of the county in which, although he had no family of his own, he seemed to take a great interest. Joshua Brown died December 13, 1870, leaving his estate in the hands of John Burgen, then county superintendent of schools, for settlement. The property was appraised at $3,- 041.62, and brought at actual sale $3,287.1I, of which, after paying the expenses of settling the estate, there remained as a permanent fund $2,- 554.93. As this form of benevolence had been with- out precedent in the history of the territory it was necessary, before the money could be used for the purpose to which it had been devoted by Mr. Brown, to pass an act of the legislature making special provision for its maintenance and use. This was not done until May, 1875. Since that time the fund has been preserved intact and yields a con- siderable revenue each year to the schools of the county.

That the people in the counties to which this work is devoted are interested in higher education is conclusively demonstrated by the fact that not one of the group is without an institution of higher learning. Chief in importance among these institu- tions is the state normal school located at Ellens- burg in Kittitas county and maintained by the state. We are fortunate in having a historical sketch of this school, together with an outline of its plans of work prepared for us by Prof. J. H. Morgan and Principal W. E. Wilson.

THE ELLENSBURG STATE NORMAL.

The Washington State Normal school, located at Ellensburg, was established by an act of the first state legislature, approved by Governor Elisha P. Ferry, March 28, 1890. The directors of the Ellensburg public schools tendered the use of the assembly room and four large class rooms on the second floor of their building to the state to be used until a state building could be erected. This tender was accepted, and the legislature made a small appropriation for the maintenance of the school for a period of two years. The school was accordingly opened September 6, 1891.

Benjamin F. Barge, as principal, with W. N. Hull, Fannie C. Norris and Rose M. Rice, constituted the first faculty. One room on the ground floor of the pub- lic school building was used as a model room with Rose M. Rice in charge. This was filled with first and second grade children, and members of the senior class first ob- served and later taught under Miss Rice's supervision.

There were enrolled during the first year eighty-six students, and the following eleven of them were grad- uated at its close: Ella M. Buriff, U. Grant Edwards, N. L. Gardner, Susie Alice Gilbert, Lottie E. Milham, Anna Murray, Malcolm W. Odell, Lulu M. Oliver, Maud M. Painter, Laura M. Rudio and Esther M. Thomas. Most of these were graduates of high schools before en- tering the normal and some were teachers of experience.

The first two years of the school were sufficiently successful in the eyes of the legislature to justify an in- creased appropriation for its maintenance and an appro- priation of $60,000 for the erection of a building.

At the beginning of the third year the faculty was increased to seven members and departments were estab- lished. The training school also was increased to four rooms, covering the first four grades. In the meanwhile the new building was in process of construction on a sightly block three hundred by four hundred feet in di- mensions, donated by the city of Ellensburg.

At the beginning of the fourth year, P. A. Getz suc- ceeded B. F. Barge as principal, the latter having resigned at the close of the third year, and the school was opened in its own building September 4, 1894, with a faculty of nine members. The training school was increased to six grades and the course of study was somewhat changed.

Prof. Barge had allowed the school the use of his private library during his principalship, and the trustees had in the meantime purchased as many books as the lim- ited funds at their command would allow. They also purchased a portion of Prof. Barge's library upon his re- tirement, so that when the school was housed in its own quarters in September, 1894, it owned a small library.

During the next four years the school gradually de- veloped, the course of study being made more professional and less academic, the equipment and facilities being in- creased, the library growing, etc.

In the summer of 1898 P. A. Getz resigned as prin- cipal and W. E. Wilson, of Providence, Rhode Island, was elected to succeed him. Since that time the develop- ment of the school has been continuous.

The building contains an assembly room, seated with opera chairs with book pocket attachments; a gymnasium, fairly well equipped; sixteen class rooms; four office rooms, two music rooms, ladies' dressing room furnished with individual lockers, and a similar one for the men.

An up-to-date kindergarten department is main- tained and is to be more completely equipped.

The library contains from three thousand to four thousand volumes of carefully selected books, in addition to text books, reports and pamphlets. One hundred dol- lars are spent annually in supplying the reading room with the leading magazines, school publications and news- papers. Two pleasant rooms, well lighted and ventilated, connected by an archway, are used for the library and reading room. The text book room is also adjacent to the reading room.

The school is supplied with five pianos, one being in the assembly, one in the gymnasium, one in the music teacher's room, one in the practice room and one in the kindergarten.

The art department is furnished with twentieth cen- tury drawing tables and models for drawing and mould- ing.

The scope and advantages of the training school have kept pace with the development of the school in other respects. There are now nine grades maintained above the kindergarten. The class rooms are furnished with desks, except the kindergarten department and the first grade room. These are furnished with tables and chairs. The walls are in part decorated with the handi- work of the pupils. There is also a training school library.

The biological department occupies a recitation room and a laboratory accommodating about twenty students.

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There is a convenient private laboratory provided with work table, re-agent cases, an excellent slide cabinet hold- ing about one thousand slides, besides a large private col- lection of microscopic slides, chiefly of histological and cytological preparations; a considerable collection of pri- vate zoological material; a good supply of standard re- agents; a first-class Bausch & Lomb continental micro- scope, with a camera lucida and all modern accessories.

The main laboratory provides desks of the most con- venient make with double drawers and microscope cage for about twenty students. It is fitted up with convenient herbarium cases, convenient cases for zoological materials and other laboratory accessories; a sink, five glass aquaria and a vivarium with running water. The laboratory is provided with twenty-two very good compound micro- scopes and with the same number of dissecting micro- scopes, a large paraffine bath and a Minot microtome of the latest design. There are twelve convenient re-agent cases provided with bell jars besides the usual laboratory equipment of tools and glassware for each desk. There are also several museum cases with mounted botanical and zoölogical specimens.

The department of chemistry contains equipment for twenty-four individual laboratory sets, including apparatus and chemicals for a full course in inorganic chemistry. The laboratory has just been rearranged and equipped with a good fume cupboard.

The physics department contains a good set of ap- paratus for the illustration of all the experiments in the elementary text books. The equipment for the study of electricity is especially full. The school has not the most costly apparatus that could be obtained, but has enough to explain all the different topics studied.

For the geological, geographical and astronomical work there is a collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils, the large relief map of the United States by Edwin E. Howell on a section of a globe sixteen and a half feet in diameter and numerous small relief maps, wall maps, globes, etc. For practical work in astronomy there was recently purchased of Bardou & Son, of Paris, a forty- eight-inch telescope with a three and a half-inch lens, the instrument being valued at $250, This and a set of astronomical charts aid greatly in the teaching of astron- omy and astronomical geography.

The following is a list of the present faculty with a few remarks about the education and former experience of each :

William Edward Wilson, A. M., principal and professor of History and Philosophy of Education since 1898. A normal school teacher and principal of successful experience and a well known lecturer before teachers' institutes. Professor Wilson's biography will be found elsewhere in these pages.

John Henry Morgan, A. M., vice principal and Professor of Mathematics since 1893, a graduate of Furman University, South Carolina, ex-terri- torial superintendent of schools and a well known educator in the Northwest. Professor Morgan is also given representation in the biographical records of this work.

J. P. Munson, M. S., Ph. D., Department of Biology; B. S. Wisconsin University, 1887; Ph. B., Yale University ; Ph. D. Chicago University. Pro- fessor Munson has held his present position since 1899.

Edwin James Saunders, B. A., Professor of Physics, Chemistry, Geology and Geography ; grad-

uated from Petrolia (Ontario) High school in 1889, from the Toronto Normal school in 1892, and To- ronto University, 1896; has held present position since 1898.

Miss Ella Isabel Harris, Ph. D., Professor of English Language and Literature; B. A., Waynes- burg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 1890; M. A. in 1892; fellow of Yale College, 1898-9; Ph. D. Yale, 1899; substitute in English department of Parker Collegiate Institute, 1899-1900; instructor in English department of Vassar College, 1900-01 ; head of English department of Washington State Normal school since February, 1902; published in 1900, "Two Tragedies of Seneca" (Houghton, Mif- flin & Company, Boston), and in 1904, a translation of the Two Tragedies of Seneca (Oxford Univer- sity Press, London).

Miss Jessie B. Wilcox, Professor of History, graduated from the Oswego State Normal school in 1898, since which time she has held her present position.

Miss Evelyn A. Thomas, Professor Physical Training and Reading, graduated with honors from the Emerson School of Oratory, 1901, and did post- graduate work, 1902-3.

Miss Mary A. Grupe, Principal Training De- partment, Professor of Pedagogy, graduated from Dayton, Washington, High school, the Oswego Normal Training school, New York; spent two and a half years at Chicago University; has been con- nected with Washington State Normal since 1897.

Miss Ruth C. Hoffman, Principal Primary Training department ; graduated from the kinder- garten and English courses of the Oswego State Normal; taught in the Detroit Home and Day school; has been principal of the primary training department of the Washington State Normal since 1902.

Miss Mary A. Proudfoot, Kindergarten Direc- tor and Art Instructor; graduated in 1893 from Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Illinois, and from Chicago Kindergarten Institute in 1895; director of Longwood kindergarten, Chicago, 1895-98,' post- graduate student at Pestalozzi-Froebel House, 1899- 1901, since which time she has been with the Washington State Normal.

Miss Annette V. Bruce, Instructor in Vocal and Instrumental Music; graduated from piano depart- ment of South Dakota University under Franz Ballasegus of Berlin; studied under Bruno Zroint- scher of Leipsic; taught two years in University of South Dakota, three years in the Oregon State Normal at Monmouth and has been in the Wash- ington State Normal since 1897.

Bethesda I. Beals, Ph. B., Instructor in Latin and English; graduated with Ph. B. and Ped. B., University of Washington, 1898; student at grad- uate school of Yale College, 1898-1900; principal of Union High school, Sedro-Woolley, 1900-1901 ; instructor in English, University of Washington,

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1901-1902; instructor in Latin, State Normal school since 1902.

Miss Margaret Steinbach, Assistant in Training School; graduated by Washington State Normal school in 1898; taught three years in North Yak- ima and three years in Everett public schools; came back to her alma mater in 1903.

Mrs. C. V. Warner acts as librarian, Miss Anna L. Frost as secretary and Mrs. E. J. Arthur as matron of the girls' dormitory. The present board of trustees is composed of Dr. J. A. Mahan, presi- dent, Ellensburg; Stanton Warburton, Tacoma, and H. M. Baldwin, also of Ellensburg; Prof. J. H. Morgan acts as secretary of the board.

A complete list of the teachers that have been employed by the Normal since its establishment is as follows :

Benjamin F. Barge, principal, 1891-1894; W. N. Hull, 1891-1893 ; Fannie C. Norris, 1891-1892; Rose M. Rice, model teacher, 1891-1892; Elvira Marquis, English, 1892-1897; Christiana S. Hyatt, principal training school, 1892-1894; J. A. Mahan, sciences, 1893-1897; J. H. Morgan, vice-principal, mathematics, 1893 -; Elizabeth A. Cartwright, elo- cution, physical training, 1893 -; Anna L. Steward, critic teacher, 1893-1898; C. H. Knapp, history and geography, 1893-1896; Fanny A. Ayres, music, 1894-1897; P. A. Getz, principal, 1894-1898; Ruth A. Turner, drawing, 1894-1897; George E. St. John, geography, history, pedagogics, 1896-1897; Annie Klingensmith, principal training school, 1896-1898; W. L. German, physical sciences, 1897- 1898; Blanche Page, geography, history and peda- gogics, 1897-1898; Lillian J. Throop, music, 1897- 1898; Lucy J. Anderson, physical training, 1897- 1899; Agnes Stowell, literature and rhetoric, 1897- 1899; Mary A. Grupe, drawing, principal training school, 1897 -; W. E. Wilson, principal, 1898 -; E. J. Saunders, physical sciences, 1898 -; Jessie B. Wil- cox, geography, history, 1898 -; Annette V. Bruce, music, 1898 -; Colema Dickey, model teacher, 1898- 1902; J. P. Munson, biology, sociology, 1899 -; Laura G. Riddell, English, 1899-1902; Ida M. Remmele, physical training, reading, 1899-1903; Charlotte Sanford, assistant, 1899-1902; Lucinda P. Boggs, principal primary training school, 1901- 1902; Mary A. Proudfoot, art, kindergarten, 1901 -; Ella I. Harris, English language and literature, 1902 -; Ruth C. Hoffman, principal primary train- ing school, 1902 -; Jennie H. Evans, music (sub- stitute), 1902-1903; Bethesda I. Beals, Latin, Eng- lish, 1902 -; Margaret Steinbach, assistant, 1903 -.

The following gentlemen have served on the board of trustees: W. R. Abrams, 1891-1893; Dr. T. J. Newland, 1891-1896; Fred W. Agatz, 1891- 1893; Ralph Kauffman, 1893-1898; S. W. Barnes, 1893-1898; B. S. Scott, 1896-1898; C. V. Warner, 1898-1904; Johnson Nickens, 1898-1900; Eugene Wager, 1898-1902; Stanton Warburton, 1900 -; Dr. J. A. Mahan, 1902 -; and H. M. Baldwin, 1904 -.

WOODCOCK ACADEMY.

Woodcock Academy, situated in the Ahtanum valley, eight miles northwest of North Yakima, is an institution that, for a number of years, has been doing a good educational work in Yakima county. Following out the suggestion of Dr. G. H. Atkin- son, the Yakima Association of Congregational churches, in the fall of 1889, appointed a committee to receive offers of money and land for an academy to be located within the bounds of the association at the point giving the most financial encourage- ment. Sixty acres of valuable land was offered by Fen B. Woodcock and wife and a subscription in money and labor amounting to about $3,000 ac- companied the offer of the land. The association voted its hearty approval of the proposition to found such an institution and approved of its loca- tion in the Ahtanum valley. The following board of trustees was secured and incorporated in June, 1890, namely, Hon. R. K. Nichols, president ; Rev. S. H. Cheadle, secretary ; Fen B. Woodcock, treas- urer; Rev. Samuel Greene, Rev. Frank T. Mc- Conaughy, Hon. D. W. Stair, John Cowan, Cap- tain J. H. Thomas and Daniel W. Nelson, trustees. In 1891-92 a building was erected and furnished at a cost of $8,000, and, on September 26th, the school was opened. After the death of Fen B. Woodcock in January, 1897, the trustees voted to change the corporate name of the academy from Ahtanum Academy to Woodcock Academy. The academy has the support not only of the association but of the whole Congregational body in the state of Washington. Whitman College and the Univer- sity of Washington admit graduates without exam- ination and similar arrangements are to be made with other colleges.

ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY.

was established at Yakima City in November, 1875, by Sister Superior Blandina, one of the founders of the society of St. Joseph at Vancouver, Wash- ington, in 1856. In 1885 the institution was re- moved to North Yakima, where the present com- modious and substantial building was erected for the use of the academy. Last year 280 pupils were enrolled and the services of eight teachers were re- quired besides those of the sister superior.

KLICKITAT ACADEMY,

located at Goldendale, the early history of which has been outlined elsewhere, is a well equipped and flourishing institution with an enrollment of about 160 students. The academy has been conducted for seven successive years and in its progress and achievements has abundantly justified the expecta- tions of its founders and early supporters. Three courses of study are offered to students, the Clas- sical, for students, who look forward to a profes-

Copyrighted by Rutter, Photographer. CHIEF SPENCER,

Noted Government Scout in Indian War of 1855-56. Now over one hundred years of age.

PROSSER SCHOOL.

WOODCOCK ACADEMY.

By permission of Rutter, Photographer.

SAS-WE-AS, Wife of Chief Spencer.

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THE PRESS.

sional life; the Normal, for teachers; and the Commercial, for those who expect to engage in business. The founders of the institution were for- tunate in securing the services of Prof. Charles Timblin, who has been principal of the academy since its beginning and has earnestly labored for its success. Within the last few weeks it has been decided to change the academy into a public high school, and as such it will be opened in September, 1904. It will, however, be under the same efficient management as in former years and there is every reason to believe that the same high standard of work will be maintained.

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An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 79

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146