USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 28
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 28
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 28
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 28
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The state builders, the offspring of the immigrant train, the homesteaders of the Walla Walla country, were, like other westerners, anxious to bequeath to their children better opportunities for education than they in their primitive sur- reminding could command Hence they had hardly more than satisfied the fundamental necessities of location, shelter, and some means of income than they began to raise the question of schools. In the earliest numbers of the H's hington Statesman the pioneer newspaper of the Inland Empire, beginning in i2018, we find the question of suitable school buildings raised But that was not the beginning It is interesting to recall that Doctor and Mrs Whitman were constantly active in maintaining a school at Wanlatpu, not only as a missionary enterprise for the Indians, but, as time went on, for the children of the immi- grants, who gradually formed a little group around the mission Then after the long period of Indian wars and the establishment of the United States garrison in its present location, there was provision made in 1857 for teaching the children of the garrison together with a few strany children in the community. The teacher of that httle group was Harry Freeman of the first dragoons, Troup E. The building used was on the garrison grounds Among the children were several well known later in Walla Walla and the state, as James and Hugh
210
-
4.
Jefferson School
Green Park School Washington School
Lincoln School Sharpstein School
SCHOOLS OF WALLA WALLA
211
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
McCool and their sister Maggie. afterwards Mrs. James Monaghan, mother of the gallant Lieutenant Monaghan, who lost his life heriocally in the Samoan Islands and for whom a commemorative monument stands at the southern end of the Monroe Street bridge in Spokane. In that first little company of school children were Robert Smith, Mrs. Michael Kenny, and the Sickler girls, one of whom is now Mrs. Kyger. The first school within the limits of Walla Walla was conducted in 1861-2 by Mrs. A. J. Miner in a private house at about what would now be Alder and Palouse streets. Another pioneer teacher was J. H. Blewett.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Prior to 1862 there had been no public school organization. The scholastic needs of the children had been recognized, however, in the first permanent organization of the county on March 26, 1859, by the appointment of Wm. B. Kelly as superintendent of schools. At the election of July 14, 1862, J. F. Wood was chosen superintendent, and District Number I was organized, a room rented, and a teacher appointed. Progress seems to have lagged, however, until the fall of 1864, in which year the census showed a school population of 203, though of that number only ninety-three were enrolled. A meeting on December 12th of that year voted to levy a tax of 21/2 mills for the erection of a building. Dr. D. S. Baker donated the land now occupied by the Baker. School and a building was erected at a cost of $2,000, the first public school budding: in the Inland Empire. In 1868 a second district numbered 34 was organized in the southwestern part of town at the corner of Willow and Eighth .streets. That building with some additions served its purpose till 1879, and in that year the Park Street building, in use for a number of years, was put up at a cost of $2,000. Districts number I and 34 were consolidated by the Legislature in 1881 and the board of directors consisted of the directors of the two districts. As a matter of record it is worth while to preserve the names of that board: H. E. Johnson, D. M. Jessee, B. L. Sharpstein, N. T. Caton, Wm. O'Donnell, and F. W. Paine. E. B. Whitman was clerk.
By vote of the district on April 29, 1882, a much more ambitious plan of building was adopted, one commensurate with the progress of the intervening years, and a tax of $17,000 was levied for the purpose of erecting a brick building. That building accordingly was realized on the Baker School ground, in which many of the present "grave and reverend seigniors" of Walla Walla had their first schooling. Not until 1889 was there any high school work in Walla Walla. In that year Prof. R. C. Kerr, who was city superintendent, met the few pupils of high school grade in the Baker School building. In the following year those pupils were transferred to the Paine School, now known as the Lincoln School, which had been erected in 1888.
FIRST HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
The first high school class was graduated in 1893. Up to 1900 there was a total number of high school graduates of eighty. New buildings have been
212
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
added from time to time and new courses established, with suitable equipment and teaching force Perhaps we can in no way better indicate the growth of the schools of Walla Walla County and city, than by incorporating here a report prepared by County Supt G S. Bond m tooo for a history of Walla Walla by the author of this work, and contrast with it the last report of City Supt. W. M. Kern. While Walla Walla and adjoining communities have not been considered as of rapid growth, compared with some other parts of the state, a perusal of these reports, seventeen years apart, will give the present citizen some conception of the changes in that short period
Professor Bond's report follows. "It is the primary object of the writer, in preparing this statement, to present to the public a brief recital of the present condition of the educational facilities of Walla Walla County, rather than attempt to give any account of the history and growth of those facilities. Were it even desirable to do so, it would, for two reasons, prove a somewhat difficult undertak - ing. The records compiled by the carlier school officers are quite incomplete, if compared with present requirements, and the subdivision of the original county mto the present counties of Columbia, Garfield, Asotin and Walla Walla, occa- sioned many changes in the various school districts, and led to a complete re-dis- tricting and re-numbering. This, the records in the county superintendent's office show, was done between the years 1879 and 1886.
"In 1891, the county superintendent, by order of the county commissioners. brought together in one book the plats and boundaries of the various districts, numbered consecutively from one to fifty-three. Since that date, to meet the requirements of the constant increase in population, many changes in boundaries have been made and thirteen new districts have been formed, making a total of sixty-six. Six of these are joint with Columbia County.
"The subdivision of the county into sixty-six school districts brings nearly every section within easy range of school facilities. Especially is this true of the eastern and southern portions where the county is most densely populated With but few exceptions these districts have good, comfortable schoolhouses, fur- nished with modern patent desks, and fairly well supplied with apparatus. Six new schoolhouses were built, and a considerable amount of furniture was pur- chased last year.
"A movement which is receiving considerable attention and which is proving of great service to the county is the establishment by private enterprise, enter- tainment or subscription of district libraries. About twenty have received their books which are eagerly read by both pupils and parents. Others are preparing entertainments to raise a library fund. It is greatly to be hoped that our 1.cgis- lature may pass some law at this session to encourage the district library. It is one of the measures most needed to improve our rural schools.
"Another feature that is proving of benefit to the country schools is common school graduation. An opportunity to take an examination for graduation is given at various times, to eighth grade pupils in any of the schools. The diplomas admit to high school without further examination. Many take pride in having finished the common school course, and are induced to remain in school much longer than they otherwise would.
"Fight districts are at present maintaining graded schools. There seems to
213
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
be a growing sentiment in some of the more densely populated sections to gather together their pupils for the superior advantages of the graded schools. Walla Walla (No. I) provides an excellent four-year high school course. No. 3 (Waits- burg), also has a high school department.
"Were all the schools in session at the same time there would be required a force of 116 teachers. The districts employing more than one teacher are : Walla Walla-30, Waitsburg-7, Prescott-3, Seeber-3 and Dixie, Wallula, Harrer and Touchet-2 each. Of those employed at this time, 7 hold life diplomas or state certificates, 18 normal diplomas, 25 first grade certificates, 21 second grade, and 15 third grade. Twenty applicants failed last year. If the present crowded condition of the Walla Walla and Waitsburg schools continues next year it will necessitate an increase in the teaching force of five or six at the former place and of one at the latter.
The Teachers' Reading Circle was reorganized in January, and meetings have been arranged for the more central points throughout the county. The sessions are well attended, the exercises carefully prepared. About fifty teachers have purchased one or more of the books and enrolled as members. All teachers have free access to a library of about seventy-five volumes, treating principally on theory and practice, or the history and philosophy of education.
Our school districts never began a year on a more solid financial basis than they did the present one. Fifty-one of the sixty-six had a good balance to their credit in the hands of the county treasurer. A comparison of the last financial statement with that of previous years is given to mark the increase.
Receipts
1897
1898 $ 9,279.24
1900 $ 25,838.81
Balance in hands of county treasurer. .
$ 9,521.43
Amount apportioned to districts by county
supt.
32,104.54
56,210.31
58,574.66
Amount received from special tax
11,761.62
26,346.81
26,503.99
Amount from sale of school bonds.
500.00
1,410.00
500.00
Amount transferred from other districts
Amounts from other sources.
131.54
82.69
2,212.15
Total
$54,019.13
$93,347.05
$113,629.61
Expenditures
1897
1898 $47,278.95
1900 $38,691.71
Amount paid for rents, fuel, etc.
$38,027.39
10,697.78
13,653.06
Amount paid for interest on bonds
2,578.00
2,645-55
4,301.00
Amount paid for sites, buildings, etc.
2,902.68
32,152.61
Amount paid for interest on warrants
4,113.75
5,649.78
1,650.94
Amount reverting to general school fund.
2.75
Amount for other districts.
12.86
Total
$44,721.89
$69,173.94
$90,962.18
Balance on hand
9,297.24
24,173.II
22,667.43
Amount paid for teachers' wages.
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
"The hard times experienced two or three years ago materially affected teachers' wages in this county. The average amount paid male teachers, accord- ing to the annual report of the county superintendent in 1898, was $56.57; for female teachers, $39.54. For 1900, male teachers, $62.50; female teachers, $52.40. There seems however, to be dawning a brighter future for the con- scientious teacher. Rigid examinations for two years have lessened the competi- tion from those who entered the work only because they had no other employ- ment; the districts are able to hold longer terms and pay larger salaries now. The minimum salary this year is $40, other rural districts pay $45 and $50. Salaries in the graded schools are from fifty-five to one hundred dollars per month. The average length of term in 1898 was 61/2 months; the average from 1900 is 734 months.
"The estimate in the county superintendent's annual report for 1898 places the total value of schoolhouses and grounds at $162,080; of school furniture, $15,317; of apparatus, etc., $3,871 ; of libraries, $1,690. Amount of insurance on school property, $79,605; of bonds outstanding, $45,300; warrants outstand- ing, $41,274. The last enumeration of children of school age shows 4,275 resided in the county on June Ist; of these 3,621 were enrolled in the public schools, and made an average daily attendance of 2,076.
"For 1900, schoolhouses and grounds, $194,060; furniture, $16,350 ; apparatus, $4,000 ; libraries, $2,450; insurance, $100,650; bonds outstanding, $75,300; war- rants outstanding, $82,721.16; children of school age, 4,767; children enrolled, 4,102; average daily attendance, 2,322. Such was the report of the county superintendent in 1900. Now we present the report of city superintendent, W. M. Kern, for year ending in 1917:
Enrollment
Boys
Girls
Total
Elementary schools
1,280
1,234
2,514
High school
428
393
821
Night school
46
81
I27
Total
,754
1,708
3,462
Transfers to high school.
17
26
43
Total actual enrollment.
1,737
1,682
3,419
Deduct night school.
46
81
I27
Actual enrollment, grade and high school.
1,691
1,60I
3.292
Teachers in city schools, 101 ; valuation of property of city schools, grounds and buildings, $790,000 ; equipment, $72,000.
"Over seven thousand children of school age reside in Walla Walla County, according to the 1917 school census, completed yesterday. The census shows a total population of school children of 7.331. Of this number 3.928 live in the city school districts and the rest in the other districts of the county.
"The number of children in the county this year is almost identical with that of last year. 1917 showing a decline of two. Last year's figures showed
HIGH SCHOOL, WALLA WALLA
215
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
7,333, as against 7,331 this year. In the city there was a decline in the number of children, the census this year being 3,982 as against 4,000 last year. The county districts, however, showed a gain of sixteen.
"The city school census of 1917 shows the following :
Number of pupils receiving diplomas-
Boys
Girls
Total
Green Park
21
12
33
Baker
12
II
23
Sharpstein
17
40
57
Jefferson
17
I7
34
Washington
S
6
14
-
-
Total, grades
75
86
I61
High school
44
55
99
Per cent of attendance-
Grades
.98.17
High school
.98.10"
As will have been seen, Professor Kern's report gives a view of the buildings and other successive additions to the facilities of the public schools of Walla Walla City. Similar development has taken place: in \Vaitsburg, Prescott and Touchet, as will be seen from the following. It may be added that the smaller places, and the country districts also, have experienced a like. improvement.
WAITSBURG
Waitsburg has maintained excellent schools for many years. We have pre- sented some facts in regard to the earlier schools of the place, and are giving here a view of present organization and equipment.
At this date the board of education consists of Messrs. N. B. Atkinson, J. A. Danielson, and W. J. Taylor. Miss Mary Dixon is clerk. The faculty consists of the following: Superintendent, James H. Adams; high school, principal and instructor in science and athletics, B. B. Brown; instructor in English, Edna McCroskey ; instructor in Latin and German, Freda Paulson; instructor in mathe- matics, Ione Fenton; instructor in history, Elizabeth Nelson; instructor in domestic science and art, Gladys Persels; instructor in manual training and mechanical drawing, Earl Frazier.
The Central School contains the grades, eight in number, Anna Goff being principal.
Waitsburg is provided with three excellent buildings valued as follows : high school, $20,000 ; Central School, $25,000; Preston Hall, $35,000. The last named is the pride of the Waitsburg School system. It is, in fact, a structure and an instrumentality of unique interest. It was the gift of W. G. Preston, one of the most conspicuous of the pioneers of Walla Walla County. It was the result of the philanthropic impulse as well as the practical good judgment of its donor, for Mr. Preston had formed the impression during his busy and successful career
210
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
that a knowledge of the manual arts was vital to the average boy and girl. The building was completed in 1913 and was provided with the most perfect equip ment for manuel mtruction which the space would allow. During the pas: year there were enrolled in the manual training course, thirty four boys, in the sewing course thirty five girls, and in the cooking course, thirteen girls There is also a well-equipped gymnasium in the building. The campus on which the high school and P'reston llall stand contains five acres of land, about half of which is covered with a grove, while the athletic field occupies the remainder of the open space.
Some other valuable data we derive from the information kindly supplied by Superintendent Adams. We find, as an interesting pont worthy of preserva tion for future comparison, that the average salary during the past year paid the male teachers was $1,308.75, and that of the female teachers was $740.25. In cluded in these averages are the superintendent and principals. The total enroll- ment during 1910-17 was: boys, 216, girls, 208. Percentage of daily attendance was 95.1 for the boys and 95.3 for the girls. The number in the high school was : First year, 48; second year, 30; third year, 28; fourth year, 18; a total of 124. T'he school library contains the following number of volumes : high school, 700; grades, 400.
PRESCOTT
Prescott, while not a large town, is an ideal home town in the midst of a magnificent and extensive farming country, and conducts an amount of business quite beyond the ordinary volume for its population. The county tributary to Prescott produces about seven hundred thousand bushels of grain annually, and here is grown the famous blue-stem wheat, the highest grade milling wheat pro- duced in the Northwest. The land here yields from twenty-five to forty bushels of wheat per acre. Crop failures are quite unknown. The laudable pride and ambition of the people has led them to the construction of so fine a school building as to be a source of wonder and admiration to all visitors. In this elegant building there is sustained a high school department of four years curriculum, with four teachers and, during the past year, forty pupils. Part of the building is occupied by the grades. The value of the school property is esti- mated at fifty-four thousand dollars, the most of which is included in the high school building. Situated upon a slight eminence overlooking the fertile and beautiful Touchet Valley, with the vast sweep of the wheat covered hills closing it in, this Prescott school building presents an appearance which many large towns might envy During a number of years past a succession of peculiarly well quali- hed teachers have devoted themselves to the progress of the Prescott schools, and as a result have lifted them to a status which has been indicated in the high grades which the pupils have attained in higher institutions and the efficiency which they have shown in business engagements upon which they may have entered. Prescott obtains its water supply from the snow-capped Blue Moun- tains, lying twenty miles to the east. Thus being assured of a perpetual supply of pure water. Prescott is noted for its healthfulness.
Descending the Touchet about twenty miles we reach its junction with the
Y BROS :RAL ANDISE
GROCERIES PROVISIONES
MAIN STREET. PRESCOTT
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS BUILDING, PRESCOTT
217
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
Walla Walla, and there we find another of the fine little towns which border that beautiful and historic stream.
TOUCHET
The Town of Touchet is at a lower level, only 450 feet above sea level, and by reason of that and of its more westerly situation it has higher temperature and less rainfall than any other of the Touchet towns. It is consequently an irrigated fruit and alfalfa section. The splendid Gardena District on the south and the productive lands in the Touchet and Walla Walla bottoms north and east and at their junction, give the town a commanding location. It is accordingly an active business center, with several well stocked stores, a bank, an attractive church of the Congregational order, and a number of pleasant homes.
The pride of the place, however, like that of Prescott is the school building. This is a singularly attractive building, built for the future, though well utilized in the present. The valuation of school property in the Touchet District is $27,500, practically all represented in the high school building with its equipment. There is a total enrollment of 203 pupils with eight teachers. There are forty pupils in the high school, and a four year course is provided.
GENERAL SCHOOL STATISTICS
The following statistics from the report of the' state superintendent for 1917 will indicate the general condition of the schools of. Walla Walla County. These figures are for the school year 1915-16.
Male
Female
Total
Number of census children, June 1, 1916.
ยท 3,646
3,706
7,352
Number of pupils enrolled in public schools
. 3,122
2,838
5,960
Average daily attendance. 2,466
2,237
4.703
Total number of teachers employed.
218
Average salary paid high school teachers. .$
990.10
Average salary paid grade teachers. 788.45
Average salary of superintendents, principals, and supervisors.
1,328.00
Number of children over six years of age not attending school. 600
Number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years not attend- ing school 32
From every point of view it may be said that the schools of Walla Walla County (as will be seen in later chapters the same is true of Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties) have kept pace with the general progress of the regions in which they are located.
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
From the public schools we turn to the various private institutions. Fore- most of these, and indeed in many respects the most unique and distinctive
.
218
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
feature of Southeastern Washington, both from a historical and existing view- point, is Whitman College. This institution grew out of the mission at Waiilatpu, with its brave and patriotic life and tragic end. After the period of Indian wars, beginning with the Whitman Massacre in 1847 and continuing, with some interruptions, till 1858, there occurred a return to Waiilatpu, one of the con- structive events in our history. In 1859 Father Cushing Eells came from Forest Grove, Ore., where he had spent some years as a teacher, to the Walla Walla country, with a view to a new enterprise of a very different sort from that which had led Whitman, Spalding, and Gray in 1836, and Eells, Walker, Smith, and Rogers in 1838 to come to Oregon. The first aim was purely missionary. The twenty and more following years had demonstrated the fact that this country was to be a home missionary field, instead of foreign. It was clear to Father Eells that the educational needs of the boys and girls of the new era must be regarded as of first importance. Standing on the little hill at Waiilatpu and viewing the seemingly forsaken grave where Whitman and his associates had been hurriedly interred twelve years before, Father Eells made a vow to himself and his God, feeling as he afterwards said, "The spirit of the Lord upon him," to found a school of higher learning for both 'sexes, a memorial which he was sure the martyrs of Waiilatpu, if they could speak, would prefer to any other. That vow was the germination of Whitman Seminary, which grew into Whitman College.
.
In pursuance of his plans, Father Eells acquired from the foreign missionary board the square mile of land at Waiilatpu allowed them as a donation claim and there he made his home for several years. It was his first intention to locate the seminary at the mission ground, but as it became obvious that the "city" would grow up near the fort six miles east, he decided that there was the proper place for his cherished enterprise. The years that followed were years of heroic self- denial and unflagging labor by Father and Mrs. Eells and their two sons, Edwin and Myron. They cut wood, raised chickens, made butter, sold vegetables, exer- cised the most rigid economy, and by thus raking and scraping and turning every energy and resource to the one aim, they slowly accumulated about four thousand dollars for their unselfish purpose. On October 13, 1866, the first building was dedicated. It was on the location of the present Whitman Conservatory of Music. The building was removed to make way for the conservatory and now composes part of Prentiss Hall, a dormitory for young men. The land on which Whitman Seminary and subsequently the college was located was the gift of Dr. D. S. Baker.
Space does not allow us to enter into the history of the seminary, but the names of those longest and most efficient in its service should be recorded here. Aside from Father Eells and his family, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain, first pastor of the Congregational Church, with Mrs. Chamberlain and Miss Mary A. Hodgden, were the chief teachers during the time of beginning. Later Prof. Wm. Marriner and Capt. W. K. Grim were the chief principals. Associated with the latter was Mr. Samuel Sweeney, still well known as a business man and farmer, and the only one of the seminary teachers still living in Walla Walla, aside from the author of this work, who was for a short time in charge of it in 1878-9. In 1883 the second great step was taken by the coming of Dr. A. J. Anderson, who
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