Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 7: Fall River Public Schools, 1924

Considering its important mental and social values, and its increasing educational direction and provision in behalf of a very large proportion of the community, there is no municipal problem in Fall River that is quite the equal of that of the schools. The past decade has swung the subject into the full glow of the public limelight; and the demand not only for more school buildings in general to meet the requirements of the mass of school-going children, but of provision for intermediate and of continuation school training, and of skilled educational overseers and teachers, has been so insistent that little has been left undone in Fall River in the various movements that are calculated to lead to most practical results. With the advent of the continuation and the junior high schools, that take care of the needs of a multitude, both within the schools and on the borders of school and professional life, the city finds itself at the forefront in such matters, at least with all progressive communities of its population and general standing.

The population of school age in this city in 1923 is about 30,000, which, housed in its fifty-six schoolhouses, has progressed almost by leaps and bounds in half a century to this present time, where unprecedented demands are being made upon a municipality for wise supervision and maintenance. The school history in its essentials, and that of the various teachers' and allied associations, is the contents of this chapter.

Fall River's district school experience was not unlike that of any other New England town, the system, the schools, the teachers and the schoolhouses being of the type peculiar to the region, a popular type that marked a very memorable era, the little red schoolhouse standing out clearly from that day and for all time to come. The grandparents of the present generation were the pupils of those old schools:whose "three R's" were sufficient unto the day, and whose substantial, plain and practical existence was a stepping stone to the age that ensued. Only those of us who may have preserved the school reports of that constructive day can, from their perusal, step out into the circumstances and influences of those times, and sympathize with the industry of the town, the committeemen and the teachers in their efforts to inform and enlighten, according to their own light of that generation. 'Those reports, recorded without any display of superficiality of erudition, or of literary embellishment, stake out for our realization the simple boundary lines of the time.

Early Schools. - The first school buildings that we know of in this section were the two that were ordered to be constructed in 1722. In 1723 another one was ordered, and in 1791 the town was divided into seven © school districts. Again it is recorded there were nine school districts, which were gradually increased to fourteen. This number so continued until 1864, when the district school was set aside for the new régime; though there was a period, also, when private schools in the town outnumbered the district schools, the private schools themselves attaining a high plane of popularity.

Then, in 1848, appeared the first sign of radical change, with the establishment of an evening school, and, a year later, the high school. Fourteen years afterwards, or in 1862, there was established a school for factory children, that being the year, too, when Fall River of Rhode Island was annexed, and a number of school buildings were thereby added to the city. Returning again to the district system, it was in 1832 that the building long known as the "green schoolhouse" was built on Franklin street. In 1834 the Congregational church building was remodelled for the use of the Anawan street school, which, nine years later, during the disastrous fire of 1843, was burned and the present structure was built. Until the Lincoln school was constructed, the old High street school, so called, that was opened in 1845, held sessions in a building on Franklin street. In 1849 the June street school was built, and in 1855 the Columbia street building was first occupied.

In 1865 we first hear of the appointment of a public school superintendent, Rev. Daniel W. Stevens, a Harvard graduate, being chosen for the position. The next year, 1866, the first truant officer was appointed, the truant school then being located at the almshouse, until, in 1890, the Union school was established.

A succession of modern schoolhouses was now on its way, for with the constructing of the Morgan school, in 1868, the first of the larger schools was built. Schools that were started towards construction in 1870 were the

Brown school, on Bedford street; Robinson school, on Columbia street; Borden school, on Brownell street; from 1873 to 1876, the Davis, Slade and Davenport schools; from 1876 to 1880, the Tucker street, Border City, Pleasant street, Danforth street and Lindsey street schoolhouses. During the years 1882 to 1884, changes and enlargements were made in the Ferry Lane, Border City, Slade, Davis, Mount Hope avenue, Covel street and Brownell schools.

Malcolm W. Tewksbury succeeded Superintendent Stevens in 1866, and William Connell, who succeeded him as superintendent, remained in that office until June 23, 1894.

The high school, that was opened May 10, 1849, held its first sessions in the private school building of George B. Stone, on the south side of Franklin street, and Mr. Stone was the first principal. The Foster Hooper schoolhouse, built for a high school, was first thus occupied in 1852, in its upper story; the lower room was not added for high school purposes until 1868, when the study of French was begun, and an English course of three years was inaugurated. For a while the first-year classes met in the Davenport building. It was in 1882 that Mrs. Mary B. Young proposed building the B. M.C. Durfee high school, whose story is related elsewhere.

Educational Improvement. - It is on record that Fall River was the first city in the Commonwealth to give school pupils free textbooks, that innovation starting soon after April 1, 1874, the State law itself going into effect in August of that year. A training school was established in the Robeson building in February, 1881, although a start had been made in that direction at high school as early as 1868, which was followed by the beginning of a normal course in the high school. When the Osborn building was constructed in 1891, the training school made its headquarters there. As the need for the establishment of new schools made itself evident, room was made for them. Then in their turn came such modern schools as these: In 1895, the Coughlin and William Connell buildings; in 1897, the James M. Aldrich and George B. Stone buildings; in 1898, the Fowler building; in 1899, the Brayton avenue school; in 1901, the Samuel Longfellow and Highland schools; in 1906, the Samuel Watson school. In 1889, the Davis prize medals were established from a fund that had been contributed by Hon. Robert T. Davis. Music and drawing had their special instructors in 1887, and sewing in 1896.

William C. Bates succeeded William Connell as superintendent of schools in 1894, and Everett B. Durfee was appointed to the position in 1909. The Samuel Watson school was completed in September, 1906, and the Lincoln school was completed and dedicated January 18, 1907, the former wooden building having been burned December 22, 1905. The Westall school was completed in 1908; the William S. Greene school in 1909.

There were fifty-two schools in this city in 1910, in which year the Grade Teachers' Club was instituted. George F. Pope was principal of the B. M. C. Durfee school. Samuel Watson, born in 1830, and in whose honor the Samuel Watson school had been named, died May 27, 1910. Miss Harriet E. Martin, a teacher in the Longfellow school, and whose teaching service had been from 1870 to 1910, died November 7, the latter year. Miss Julia A. Read resigned after a service of forty-three years in the Fall River schools. The John J. McDonough school, named in honor of Judge

McDonough, was dedicated September 15, 1911, the school lot and building having cost $79,984.45. The Hugo A. Dubuque school, named in honor of Judge Dubuque, was opened Monday, October 30, the total cost of school and lot being $57,755. The William J. Wiley school, named in honor of William J. Wiley, president of the Board of Aldermen, was completed at a cost of $61,479, land and buildings; Mr. Wiley died March 13, 1911. Preliminary work was begun on the Technical High School building, May 1, that year. Miss Jemima A. Ricker, a teacher in the Davenport school, died March 6, 1911; she had been a teacher in Fall River schools from 1881 to 1911. Miss Mary A. Tripp, of the Westall school, with a teaching service from 1887 to 1911, died November 1, 1911. The class in cooking was started at the J. J. McDonough school, October 9, 1911.

Enrollment at the High School in 1912 had reached the record number of 1037. It was decided to continue the normal training school, when the class that entered in 1911 had graduated in 1913. A vocational training center was opened in the John J. McDonough school, John B. Diman, of Middletown, Rhode Island, offering to provide $2000 for the purpose of equipping and maintaining such a school for one year.

George F. Pope, principal of the B. M. C. Durfee high school since 1902, relinquished his position in 1912, and was made head of the department of mathematics, Frederick S. Plummer taking his place as principal of the school. George W. Locke resigned as principal of the Westall school, his teaching service having extended from 1856. Miss Emeline B. Orswell, a teacher in the public schools here since 1866, resigned her position in the N. B. Borden school.

Hector L. Belisle was appointed superintendent of schools in 1913. Under the minor's employment act of this year, the school department issued from September, 1913, to January 1, 1914, approximately eleven thou- - sand new certificates. The total number of pupils in the public schools this year was 13,324. The Technical High School was completed, and the new Susan H. Wixon grammar school was opened in November, Jerome P. Farwell being the principal. The first steps for the organization of the classes for mental defectives were taken in May of this year. In 1914, there were more than three thousand more pupils in the schools than in the preceding year. There were four special classes for children not capable of performing the regular primary grade work. The Technical High School was opened to evening classes.

A survey of the school situation in 1917 was the most important event the department had known for years, the survey being made by Professor Ernest C. Moore, of the Harvard University Division of Education. A recommendation of the survey committee was to the effect that all standing committees be abolished, and that the school committee transact all its business as a board. The consolidation of the high schools was recommended at this time.

With the graduation of the class of 1917, and the closing of the school year in June, the Fall River. Normal Training School passed into history. Established at a time when State normal schools were few and difficult of access, it was one of a group of training schools designed to prepare teachers for service in the local fields. The schools were now codperating with the United States Government in the first campaign for food conservation.

On account of the epidemic of 1918, the schools were ordered to be closed from September 27 to October 8, the Technical High School becoming. a temporary hospital, fully equipped and with teachers serving as nurses and helpers. All codperated with the Red Cross work, the school special committee for that purpose being: Chairman, Harry Smalley; treasurer, Miss Catherine C. V. Sullivan; William E. Braley, Miss Josephine S. Louette, Margaret C. Lynch, Charles K. Moulton, of the high school department, and Miss Margaret Shove as a community representative. The Junior Red Cross was organized November 1, 1917. The total of thrift and war savings stamps purchased by the schools amounted to more than $30,000.

The school year of 1918 opened with the two high school buildings operating as a single institution, under one principal, Charles K. Moulton being selected for the position. Under the old arrangement, pupils had been restricted in their choice of studies; under the new system, they enjoyed the freedom of selecting from among all the subjects suited to their ages and capacities. Seniors and juniors were now housed in the B. M. C. Durfee building, and first-year pupils were quartered in the Technical building.

In the year 1919, Miss Margaret Flannagan was appointed special teacher for Americanization work in Fall River schools, and household arts were established in five of the schools. An epoch-making event of 1920 was the institution of continuation schools. Through a co6éperative arrangement agreed upon by the school committee and the trustees of the Bradford Durfee Textile School, provision was made for housing in that building classes in carding, weaving, and spinning, and the N. B. Borden grammar school was utilized for the girls' classes.

There was an abnormal gain of eight per cent. in the elementary schools in 1921 over the preceding year, the total being eleven hundred. A chief factor in creating this increase was the statutory amendment making more severe the educational requirements on the part of fourteen-year-old minors desiring to enter wage-earning occupations, the law calling for the completion of the sixth grade of study. At the various schools, every available bit of space was resorted to in order to accommodate the pupils. There went into effect this year the so-called "six-three-three" plan, that provided that there should be six elementary school grades, three intermediate or junior high school grades, and three senior high school grades. Thus the regular high school course was reduced from four years to three, and the elementary course from eight years to six.

With the signing, in March, 1921, of the statutory act making available the sum of $1,500,000 for new schools, the school committee decided to plan for three junior high schools, to be located near North, South and Lafayette parks. In two years, up to 1921, the high school had grown from 1550 to 2030 pupils, a remarkable record.

Book learning and the practical matters of everyday life are now going hand in hand in the schools of Fall River, with the work of the extension courses increasing in numbers and in interest from year to year; with the successful reports from the continuation school; with the expanding plans for the junior high schools; with the getting-together of the teachers for mutual help, and with the recognition on the part of the public of the fact that school leaders are making a great effort to solve the recurring problems of every year. ;

Special Schools. - A high school that has no equal in this part of the State for its extensive and substantial foundation, progress, equipment and constituency, is the B. M. C. Durfee High School of Fall River, instituted and built by Mrs. Mary B. Young, in memory of her son, Bradford Matthew Chaloner Durfee, who during his lifetime had expressed the desire that a certain portion of his estate should be devoted to the advancement of higher education. How that wish was carried out, and how great and elevating have been the influences of the school, a succession of increasing classes in the school and the growing city has well proven. The school, begun in 1883, and dedicated June 15, 1887, has more than filled the place and mission of the old high school, not only for its beautiful situation in a healthful and sightly center of the city, but also because of the modern comprehensiveness of its curriculum and courses of study. The late Mr. Durfee's desire was that his native city should have its youth instructed especially in the chemical, physical and mechanical sciences that enter so largely into the industries of the city. Through Mrs. Young's generosity, therefore, the school was built and thoroughly furnished. The granite structure stands upon a lot that is in the form of a parallelogram, and which contains about two hundred and forty square rods of land, three hundred and eighty-four feet above Mount Hope Bay. An observatory tower is surmounted with a dome, the frame of which is made of iron and steel, and is covered with copper; the dome is seventeen feet in diameter, and it contains an equatorial telescope. In a south tower there is a large clock, and therein also a chime of bells. The institution was given an endowment of $50,000 by Mrs. Young. The school was dedicated June 15, 1887, the anniversary of the birth of the man for whom the school was named, the principal addresses being by Hon. John Summerfield Brayton; President Roswell Dwight Hitchcock, D.D., of the Union Theological Seminary, New York; Governors Ames of Massachusetts and Wetmore of Rhode Island, and Leontine Lincoln. The principals of the old high school and the new have been as follows: George B. Stone, 1849-55; James B. Pearson, 1855-58; Charles B. Goff, 1858-64; Albion K. Slade, 1864-74; William H. Lambert, 1874-79; W. T. Leonard, 1879-85; William H. Lambert, 1885-90; R. T. Leighton, 1890-92; Charles C. Ramsey, 1892-02; George F. Pope, 1902-12; Frederick W. Plummer, 1912-18; Charles K. Moulton, 1918 - .

Connected with the school is the B. M. C. Durfee High School Alumni Association, and the B. M. C. Durfee High School Athletic Association, which owns the alumni field. The latter has been supported by the alumni association, but it is a separate corporation.

One of the most thorough, practical, and scholastic institutions in New England is the Bradford Durfee School, a State institution, founded for the purpose of giving instruction in textile manufacturing. The following constitutes an outline of the history and work of the school: It was established under the provisions of Chapter 475, of the General Acts of Massachusetts, for the year 1895, and was incorporated in 1899, the governing board consisting of twenty-four trustees, with power to fill vacancies in their number. In March, 1904, the school was opened for students. On July 1, 1918, the property was deeded by the trustees to the State, and the school became a strictly State institution, governed by eighteen trustees appointed by the Governor, three of the trustees being the commissioner of education, the superintendent of schools, and the mayor of Fall River. The land upon which the school buildings stand, in the heart of the city, was formerly a part of the homestead of the late Bradford Durfee, and was given to the school by the late Miss Sarah §. Brayton, the school being named for Bradford Durfee, one of Fall River's earlier manufacturers, who died in 1843. The courses of the school are those of general cotton manufacturing, designing and weaving, chemistry and dyeing, and engineering; and there are several scholarships available to the students. The Bradford Textile School Alumni Association was formed in 1918.

Fall River Teachers' Association. - The first meeting of Fall River teachers for the purpose of forming an association for mutual benefit was held at Durfee High School May 18, 1891, when William Connell was elected chairman, and S. P. H. Winslow secretary. Speakers on the occasion were Rey. John Brown and Mrs. Susan H. Nixon. A constitution was drawn up, and the Fall River Teachers' Association was formed, to promote fellowship among teachers, to discuss topics pertaining to the teachers' work, and to advance the standard of the schools. The first officers were: President, Dr. R. F. Leighton; vice-president, George W. Locke; secretary, S. P. H. Winslow; treasurer, Everett Durfee. Executive committee: High schools - George F. Pope, Mary Henry, Iram N. Smith; intermediate - Elizabeth Johnson, Mary A. Thompson; grammar - Charles J. McCreery, Candace Cook, E. A. Thayer; primary - Ruth Negus, Lucy Robertson, Georgianna Dillingham; and grade committees were appointed for grade meetings in grammar and high schools. The officers for 1892: President, Charles J. McCreery; vice-president, E. S. Thayer; secretary, S. P. H. Winslow; treasurer, Everett R. Durfee. Speakers during the year: Dr. May, of Boston, on "Education," and Dr. Emerson, of Boston School of Oratory, on "Reading." October 12, 1892, President Benjamin Andrews, of Brown University, on "Christopher Columbus"; April 21, 1893, Rev. Everett E. Hale, D.D. 'The same officers were elected in 1893.

Miss Candace Cook was elected treasurer in 1893. There was a programme of readings and music, and Robert C. Metcalf, supervisor of language, Boston, gave one in his series of lectures. On June 25, resolutions were passed upon the death of William Connell, superintendent of Fall River schools for twenty-two years. In January, 1895, George J. Aldrich, of Newton, gave five lectures on "Arithmetic." On May 24, Horace A. Benson was elected president, and an Old Folks concert was given. In November, Miss Sarah Arnold, supervisor of Boston schools, gave an address on "School Management." On February 14, 1896, Principal EK. H. Russell, of Worcester, talked on "Child Study"; March 6, Charles R. Skinner, on "Needs of the Public Schools"; March 26, William C. Bates, on "Geography"; in April, Eugene D. Russell, of Lynn, vice-president of the Teachers' Annuity Guild, explained the bylaws of that association. On April 16, 1896, the Teachers' Association drew up resolutions asking for salaries of like amount paid to teachers in cities of the same size as Fall River. On May 15, there was an entertainment and the presentation of the cantata, "Violet in Fairyland." Miss Lucy Robertson was elected secretary. On November 13, E. H. Russell was heard on "Methods of Child Study." On January 1, 1897, Superintendent William C. Bates lectured on "Henry Barnard." On February 25,

On March 23, 1897, Rev. Leslie Learned gave an address on "Rudyard Kipling"; April 20, Milton Reed on "Wordsworth." May 18, Charles C. Ramsey was elected president of the association; Edwin S. Thayer, vicepresident; Mary M. Stewart, secretary; Everett B. Durfee, treasurer. December 22, Miss Stewart resigned as secretary, and Clifford Whipple was appointed as her successor. Walter G. Page lectured on "Interior Decoration of School Buildings." January 20, 1898, Willard H. Burnham, of Clark University, talked upon "Studies of Fatigue in School Children." February 10, Dr. Walter Channing and Samuel T. Dutton, of Brookline, gave talks upon "The Relation of the School to the Community." February 23, Dr. Charles R. Eliot, of Harvard, talked on "Tendencies in American Education'; March 10, Superintendent George T. Aldrich, of Newton, on "A Bit of Experiences in Grammar School Enrichment." March 31 and April 21 there were round tables on methods of teaching various subjects. March 5, Hon. Henry Houck, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Pennsylvania, on "A Glance Backward." May 27, Clifford Whipple was elected secretary, and that day Sam Walter Foss recited his verses. December 15, Dr. E. E. White, of Columbus, Ohio, spoke on "Character"; January 12, 1899, Miss Harriet A. Sackett, of Brooklyn, New York, on "Sewing as a Form of Manual Training"; February 2, Dr. G. Stanley Hall, on "Critical Years of Youth"; March 2, Prof. A. E. Dolbear, of Tufts College, on "Scientific Teaching"; April 13, Rev. Charles F. Dole, on "Training for Citizenship."

In April, 1899, William M. Cole was elected secretary of the association. Miss Mary C. Dickerson, of the Rhode Island State Normal School, gave in November, six lessons in elementary science. Dr. Fred Gowing, principal of the State Normal School, Providence, Rhode Island, gave an address on "Professional Spirit and Professional Improvement Among "Teachers." November 2, Professor William G. Ward, of Boston, talked on "The Training of the Future Citizen"; December 4, Mrs. May Alden Ward on "The Situation in South Africa"; January 11, 1900, Mrs. Walter Stokes Irons, on "The Evolution of the Heroine in English Prose Fiction"; February 16, Miss Helen M. Cole, of Boston, on "The Bible as Literature'; March 29, Dr. Grace N. Kimball, of Vassar, on "Some Physical and Moral Considerations in Education"; April 26, President George Harris, of Amherst, on "Three Stages in the Evolution of the Public School."

On May 25, 1900, Edward B. Hawes was elected secretary of the association, the membership at this time being 267. October 8, H. W. Tuel, superintendent of schools at Newport, spoke on "The Growth of the Teacher'; November 25, James P. Munroe, of Boston, on "Some Aspects of Education"; December 10, Professor George W. Pease, of the Bible Normal College, Springfield, on "Childhood"; January 3, 1901, Dr. Albert E. Winship, editor of "Journal of Education," on "The Teacher as Accompanist."

February 7, 1901, Hon. Milton Reed, of Fall River, spoke on "William Cowper and His Times." March 7, Rev. John W. Wilson, of Fall River, on "Dante and His Times." April 25, Dr. John M. Tyler, of Amherst, on "The Teacher and the State." May 9, Miss Heloise. E. Hersey, of Boston, on "My Educational Creed." May 24, the same officers were reélected October 3, President W. H. P. Faunce, of Brown University, on "The Moral Element in Education." November 21, Prof. Fred N. Scott of the University of Michigan, on "The Use of Pictures in Teaching English Composition." December 12, Prof. Richard E. Dodge of the Teachers College, Columbia University, N. Y., on 'The Life-side of Geography." January 23, 1902, Dr. Ray Greene Huling, of the English High School, Cambridge, on "An Essential Element of Every Teacher's Success in the Classroom." February 27, Miss Helen M. Cole, of Boston, on "The Nature Poetry of the Bible Compared with Nature Poetry in Other Literature." March 27, Prof. George E. Vincent, University of Chicago, on "The Socializing of the School Curriculum." April 24, Dr. James H. Canfield of Columbia University, on "Some Fundamental Reasons for Public Education."

May 15, 1902, John A. Kerns was elected president and Louis P. Slade vice-president. October 23, William T. Tomlins, of New York, spoke upon "A New Force in Education." November 14, there was a social and entertainment by members of the association. January 16, 1903, David B. Pike, of Providence, spoke on 'Yellowstone National Park.' February 5, Hon. Milton Reed on ""The World's Everts."

February 19, 1903, President Charles F. Thwing, of Western Reserve University, spoke on "The Teacher as a Force in Civilization." March 13, entertainment and social by members of the association. April 16, Thomas W. Bicknell, of Providence, on "Health and Work." May 22, Louis P. Slade was elected president, John P. Ferguson vice-president, and Harriet Marvel secretary. October 23, social gathering and song recital. December 4, lecture on "Old Scottish Music." January 22, 1904, Dr. William H. Drummond on "The French Canadian Habitant." February 26, Henry Turner Bailey on "The Central Shrines." March 18, William C. Bates, on "The Power of Our Expectation."

May 13, 1904, John R. Ferguson was elected president; Norman S. Easton vice-president, Miss Mary F. Garity secretary, Everett B. Durfee treasurer. Leontine Lincoln was elected the first honorary member of the society. The membership was 359. October 7, Miss Marie Shedlock talked upon "Fun and Philosophy of Hans Christian Andersen." November 4, an entertainment and social. November 18, a musical by George Devol and Edward Isham. December 16, there was a farewell reception to Mr. Slade, who had received a call to the principalship of Chicopee High School. January, 1905, William W. Stetson, Maine State Superintendent of Education, spoke upon practical educational topics. In Febru-' ary, David B. Pike, on "Mexico." In March, Prof. Walter B. Jacobs, of Brown University, on "Education for Leadership."

May 12, 1905, the same officers were elected. June 16, four hundred members of the association and invited guests attended a meeting at the high school auditorium in honor of retiring Superintendent of Schools William C. Bates. October 7, a reception was given Everett B. Durfee, the new superintendent of schools. December 8, Hon. Arthur K. Peck gave an address upon "The Storm Heroes of Our Coast." January 19, 1906, Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D., on "The Composite American." February 16, a song recital by Mrs. Grace Bonner Williams, and Stephen Townsend. March 16, Walter E. Ranger, Commissioner for Education in

Rhode Island, on "New Ideals in American Education." April 20, President W. H. P. Faunce, of Brown University, on "Herbert Spencer's Influence on Modern Education."

June 1, 1906, Orrin A. Gardner was elected president of the association; Charles E. Reed, vice-president; Genevieve H. Bliss, secretary. The class of 1906 presented their class play "Chums." November 2, George Devol and Edwin Isham gave a concert. November 16, Dr. C. Hanford Henderson gave a talk on "The Education of Boys." January 11, 1907, Prof. Thomas Crosby, of Providence, on "Much Ado about Nothing." March 8, Dr. Charles A. Eastman on "The Real Indian." April 12, there was a concert by the Estro Trio of Providence. The officers were re- élected. October 6, there was a social under the management of Miss Margaret Hurley, supervisor of reading. January 24, 1908, Miss Jane Brownlee, of Toledo, Ohio, talked upon 'Moral Education in the Public Schools." March 11, Prof. Wilfred S. Munro on "The Crusade of the Children." April 22, Judge Ben Lindsey, of the Denver Juvenile Court, on his special work. May 22, Devol and Isham concert.

June 15, 1908, John S. Burley was elected president of the association; Harry Smalley vice-president; Miss Helen H. Irons secretary; Mr. Durfee treasurer. In November, Prof. Crowley, of Brown University, gave an impersonation of the play "The Liars." December 11, Prof. Percival Chubb, of New York, talked upon "How to Make Literature a Power in Life." January 15, 1909, the Schuecker concert company entertained. March 19, Prof. William L. Phelps, of Brown University, talked upon "The Modern Novel." April 30, there was an entertainment and social. May 17, Jacob Riis lectured on "My Neighbor." William H. Gardner was elected vice-president of the association. In November, Charles Battell Loomis gave author's readings. December 3, the Brown University instrumental clubs, and January 21, 1910, the Schuecker Concert Company, gave concerts. In February, Prof. Phelps, of Yale, talked upon "The Present Condition and Tendencies of the Drama." April 8, J. O'Brien on "Old Battlefields of the South." May 6, 1910, William W. Gardner was elected president; William A. Hart, vice-president; Miss Harriet T. Marvel, secretary; Frank Foch, treasurer.

Four talks were given in 1910-1911 by Raymond L. Bridgman, reporter for the State Senate, and a lecture by Asa Goddard on Hampton Institute and Tuskegee. March 15, Arthur B. Higney was elected vicepresident, and Thomas A. Dolan treasurer. In October, the association joined the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation. March 1, 1912, William T. Collins was elected treasurer. October 25, Marshall Darrah gave Shakespeare readings. November 15, Signe Wedell talked upon "Scandinavian Folk Stories." December 6, Mrs. Mary E. S. Root on "Children's Books and their Illustrators." January 17, 1913, the Maquarre Sextet entertained. April 11, Rev. Robert Schwickenrath talked upon "The Home and the School."

May 6, 1913, Harry Smalley was elected president of the association; Charles E. Réed, vice-president; John E,. Robinson, secretary; Arthur B. Higney treasurer. The same officers were elected in 1914. April 30, 1915, Charles E. Reed was elected President of the association; John E. Robinson vice-president; Miss Jennie A. Weathern, secretary; Arthur B. Higney, treasurer. During these and succeeding years the secretary records that numbers were given annually in lyceum courses. In 1916 Norman Easton was elected vice-president; there were now 477 members in the association. March 9, 1917, Joseph A. Wallace was elected president, and Miss Anna G. McCarty secretary.

In 1918, the association voted its entire proceeds to war relief work. March 8, Joseph A. Wallace was elected president; Anna W. Braley, vicepresident; Clara L. Coman, secretary; Wilfred A. Harlow, treasurer. The school committee voted an increase of one hundred dollars annually for every teacher in service in the city. The Teachers' Association gave voluntary aid to the hospitals during the epidemic. The officers for 1919: J. L. O'Gorman, president; Elizabeth S. Hart, vice-president; James L. Canning, secretary; Wilfred Barlow, treasurer. The officers for 1920: C. J. McCreery, president; M. D. Sullivan, vice-president; J. L. Cummings, secretary; Wilfred Barlow, treasurer. The officers for 1921-1922: W. H. Miller, president; Miss Mary Sullivan, vice-president; Insley J. Caton, secretary. For 1923: President, J. Leo O'Gorman; vice-president, Miss Mary S. Connell.

Miscellaneous. - For purposes of general helpfulness within the school, socially, and for the promotion of the general welfare of the high school teachers of Fall River, the High School Teachers' Association was formed May 26, 1920, with a membership of sixty-three, the first officers being: President, J. Leo O'Gorman; vice-president, J. Henry McIntyre; secretary, Anna G. McCarty; treasurer, Henry W. Pickup; board of directors: Miss Gertrude M. Baker, Willard H. Poole, Joseph A. Wallace. Throughout its brief existence thus far, the association has made use of every opportunity for unity among the teachers, and to secure for the organization a substantial place among scholastic groups of similar name and purpose. It has worked successfully for the recognition of the teacher's value as a wage-earner as well as instructor; and the social events under its direction have been programmes of merit. It is advantaged with active committees for its many motives of progress and betterment. The officers in 1920: President, Willard H. Poole; vice-president, Henry W. Pickup; secretary, Miss Louise S. Crocker; for 1921-2-3: President, Joseph A. Wallace; secretary, Hiss Helen Cotton; treasurer, Ralph M. Small. The welfare and programme committees are standing committees for their respective duties. In 1922, the plays that were given under the direction of the association netted the sum of $500, which was used for the upkeep of the alumni field.

The Fall River Grade Teachers' Club was established in 1910, for mutual improvement, with an executive committee of twenty members and a legislative committee of twenty-seven members. The first officers of the club were: President, Miss Adelaide S$. Warfield; vice-president, Miss Fanny H. Learned; secretary, Miss Alice D. Almy; treasurer, Miss Maria L. Buffinton.

The Fall River Continuation School Teachers' Association is an informal one, there being no by-laws at present (1923). The organization was formed in November, 1920, when the Continuation School teachers were endeavoring to have the school committee adopt a salary schedule to cover the teachers in this department. Insley J. Caton was chosen president of the association, and John G. E. Lord secretary. Since that time meetings have been held as socials rather than for business, the same officers still retaining their positions, and the membership being thirty-six.

The Fall River High School Cadets organization had its beginning in the year 1885. The early records of the organization are not procurable, but since the year 1911, the "log" as it is called, has been kept in a very detailed manner. Captain Jonathan Thayer Lincoln, of the class of 1888, who was four years president of the civil organization, recalls the inception of the cadets' interests, for this chapter. He states that among the organizers were D. Frank Wright, now of Raynham; George M. Warner, J. Frank Vanderburgh, Albert Greene, Arnold Sanford, J. Edmund Estes and others of the class of 1888, the project being launched in 1885, when there was a civil and a military organization. D. Frank Wright was the first captain, and when Company B was formed in the following year, he became major of the battalion. 'The first stand of colors ever presented to the cadets was that given Company A in memory of Albert Greene. 'While Captain Lincoln was president of the civil organization, he obtained permission of Governor Robinson for the cadets to bear arms.

The "log" of recent years is essentially as follows: Forty freshmen joined the cadets in 1911-12, Captain Harrison drillmaster, and the following-named officers were appointed: Major Everett G. Smith. Company A - Captain Everett H. Francis; Lieutenants Richard M. Thackeray and Charles EK. Hathaway, Jr.; Sergeants Francis J. Lenahan, Allen F. Bowen, Everett S. Sanderson, Edward J. Jackson, Stanley McKenzie. Company B - Captain J. Raymond Ramsbottom; Lieutenants Stephen H. Noble and Raymond V. Borden; Sergeants Hartley C. Humphrey, Earl T. Wyatt, William B. Hunter, Clarence A. Lawton, Kenneth T. Remington. At Company B efficiency drill, forty men participating, December 8, 1911, Third Sergeant William B. Hunter won the ribbon. In successive drills that year, prizes were won by Corporal Benjamin Davis, the shield by Company B, and a silver medal offered by the First M. E. Church by Corporal Davis; a gold medal offered by the Brayton M. E. Church was won by Third Sergeant William B. Hunter; a gold medal won by Private Chester Macomber; silver medal by Company B. The year's events outside of the competitive drills consisted of parades, camp at Oak Bluffs, with fifty-eight present; and in such wise was the round of events continued.

The officers for 1912-1913: Major J. Raymond Ramsbottom, Adjutant Benjamin F. Davis; Musician Myron Briggs. Company B - Captain Raymond V. Borden; Lieutenants Clarence Lawton and H. Raymond Delaney; Sergeant Stanley McKenzie. Company A - Captain. William B. Hunter; Lieutenants Allen Bowen, Hartley Humphrey; Sergeant Winthrop C. Wood. At the battalion drill and ball, January 31, Company A won the privilege of having its initial engraved on the cup that had been presented the cadets in 1888, to be drilled for by companies.

With the opening of the Technical High School, the cadets changed 'the name of the organization from B. M. C. Durfee High School Cadets to Fall River High School Cadets. At the battalion drill in the armory, May 1, 1914, Company A won a shield given by the Fall River Evening Herald, to be the permanent possession of the company. The officers for 1914-1915: Major Warren A. Hathaway; Adjutant George W. McCreery; Color Sergeant Norman C. Small; Principal Musician Francis Connors; Buglers Barton Albert, John A. Dowd, Carl W. Heathcote. Company A, Durfee High - Captain Robert A. Lawder; Lieutenants John A. Coldwell and Sumner J. Waring; Sergeant Howard D. Fawcett; Company B, Technical High - Captain Edward C. Delano; Lieutenants Whitney Brayton and Sylvester Copeland; Sergeant Edward Delaney.

On the occasion of the battalion drill and ball that was held at the State Armory, April 16, 1915, Company A was awarded the shield of the Fall River Herald. The officers for 1915-1916: Major Sumner J. Waring; Adjutant Herbert W. Smith; Color Sergeant John R. Davitt; Buglers Barton Albert, Merrill Hawkins, Earl W. Heathcote. Company A, Durfee High - Captain Eric P. Jackson; Lieutenants Howard W. Fawcett and Cyril B. Wilcox; Sergeant Harold E. Marr. Company B, Technical High - Captain Whitney W. Brayton; Lieutenants Edward J. Delaney and George A. Slade; First Sergeant William C. Connell. At the battalion drill April 28, 1916, at the Armory, Company B won the shield.

The officers for 1916-1917: Major George A. Slade; Adjutant Cyril B. Wilcox; Color Sergeant George Splaine; Buglers Barton Albert, Earl Heathcote, Merrill Hawkins, Gordon Capen. Company A - Captain Herbert W. Smith; Lieutenants Charles H. Warner, Jr., and C. Harold Whittum; First Sergeant Brooks Hawkins. Company B - Captain John A. Davitt, Jr. Lieutenants William J. Whittaker and Chauncey C. Willis; First Sergeant Walter Griffiths. Six public drills were now being held. At battalion drill April 17, 1917, Company B won the cup given by Harry P. Brown.

For the first time in the history of the battalion, three companies were enrolled. At the annual battalion drill in the armory, April 5, 1918, Company C won the right to have its name engraved on the Brown cup. On April 20, the battalion marched in a big Liberty Loan parade.

The officers for 1918-1919: Major Merrill Hawkins; Adjutant Milton D. Sanford; Supply Officer Lionel H. Legare; Musicians Wilson Lennon, Allen B. Smith, James Lord. Company A - Captain Harold J. Pill- ing; Lieutenants A. Frank Fyans and James F. Coughlin; First Sergeant Loyal Grant. Company B - Captain Gordon C. Capen; Lieutenants James H. Callahan and Joseph F. Medeiros; First Sergeant John F. Keavy. The influenza prevented the weekly drills though the battalion drill and ball took place April 25, 1919, when Company B carried off the honors. May 23, a portrait of Colonel Frank Wilcox was presented the B. M. C. Durfee High Schooi, Colonel Durfee at one time having been an officer of the cadets.

The officers for 1919-1920: Major Frank Fyans; Adjutant Frank A. Carreiro; Supply Officer Maurice Snell. Company A - Captain Loyal Grant; Lieutenants George Emerson, Jr., and Raymond Hampson; First Sergeant Stuart Littlefield. Company B - Captain Joseph F. Medeiros; Lieutenants John F. Keavy and Leroy Wood. It was this year that a drum and bugle corps was formed. At the battalion drill and ball, April 9, 1920, at the armory, Company A won the cup. The officers for 1920-1921: Major Kenneth Carter; Adjutant Kenneth D. Channell; Supply Officer Paul Kelleher; Band Lieutenant Wilson Sherman; Color Sergeant Harold Borden. Company A - Captain William Dagnall; Lieutenants Stuart D. Brown and Robert Sykes; First Sergeant Ellery H. Capen. Company B - Captain Elliot B. Shovelton; Lieutenants James Davenport and Robert C. Ashworth; First Sergeant Elton W. Grenfell.

At the battalion drill and ball of April 1, 1921, Company A was announced as the permanent holder of the Brown cup. Officers for 1921- 1922: Major William R. Crabtree; Adjutant Daniel T. Foley; Supply Officer Eldred W. Bemis. Company A- - Captain J. Carter Noble; Ljieutenants Edward F. Murphy and Leonard P. Rasmusson; First Sergeant Thomas R. Rooney. Company B - Captain George W. Graham; Lieutenants Eugene M. Fahey and Anthony Pannoni; First Sergeant Borden Emerson. Company C - Captain Vincent Coyne; Lieutenants Horatio A. Gray and Clifford L. Kolb; First Sergeant Francis J. Brady. At the battalion drill April 28, 1922, Company A was the winner.