Delaware County, Ohio - Chapter 11: Education (1), 1908

Chapter 11: Education (1)

Introductory - Public Schools of the City of Delaware - District Schools and Early Teachers - St. Mary's Parochial School - Statistics - Delaware City Library - Delaware County Historical and Archaeological Society.

The sturdy pioneers who sought religious freedom on New England's barren shores believed education to be the handmaid of religion, and so they reared the schoolhouse along side the village church. Only twenty-seven years after the arrival of the Pilgrims, a law was passed compelling every town or district of fifty householders to maintain a common school, and every town or district having a population of a hundred families to have a grammar school, presided over by teachers capable of preparing the pupils for college. This is the first instance recorded in history where a civil government undertook to provide for the education of its youth ; and the wonderful progress of our nation is a continual attestation to the wisdom of those who embarked upon this experiment of a government of, by, and for the people.

The history of education in Ohio is unique in this respect: That in 1785, before there was a settlement in the territory now comprised within the State, it was provided by Congress, in an ordinance for the survey and sale of the western lands, that section sixteen, or onethirty-sixth of every township included under the ordinance, should be reserved from sale for the maintenance of public schools within the township. The "Compact of 1787" declared that "schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." As a rule, the question of providing educational facilities is an undeveloped region are not considered until the need actually arises and presses home upon an established community; but here we have the federal and future state governments both pledged in advance to provide in some way for the support of public schools.

As these lands were at first only reserved from sale and settlement, no steps were taken by the territorial legislature to apply them to the purpose for which they were set aside. When Ohio was admitted as a State, these reserved school lands (of which there were 740,- 000 acres) were granted to the State and placed at the disposal of the Legislature.

The Constitution of 1802, repeating the famous educational clause of the Ordinance of 1787, made it the duty of the Legislature to carry out its intent. It also provided that all schools, academies and colleges founded upon or supported by revenues from the land grants should be open "for the reception of scholars, students and teachers of every grade without any distinction or preference whatever." The Constitution of 185 1 goes still farther, and declares in plain terms that the General Assembly shall provide by taxation or otherwise, "a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the State." What has the State done in fulfillment of these constitutional obligations which it assumed? Nearly all the school lands were sold long ago, and those that have not been sold are held under per- petual lease at an extremely low rental. The money received from the sale of these lands was paid into the State treasury, the Stale pledging itself to pay six per cent, interest thereon forever, the interest to be distributed annually among the various townships and districts for school purposes. As a matter of fact, the fund itself has been borrowed and spent by the State, and the annual interest the State is obligated to pay is raised by taxation. The fund is now, therefore, merely a fiction of bookkeeping, and represents the legal and moral obligation on the part of the people to tax themselves a certain amount each year for school purposes.

Having thus briefly reviewed the early provisions made for the support of public schools in Ohio, and having seen how the immensely valuable reservations of school lands have been practically frittered away by politicians, we will now consider the conditions that actually confronted the courageous pioneers who braved the perils of wild beasts, savages and disease to bring civilization into this wilderness. Coming from New England, they brought with them the same ideas of the value and importance of education that were so early formulated into the law we have already noticed ; but in this new and unsettled country there were many obstacles to be overcome. At first, comfortable shelter must be provided for the family, and then land must be cleared and crops raised to provide sustenance for man and beast. Arduous as such work now is, it is not to be compared with the toil of these brave men and women of a hundred years ago. Little time or strength, if any, was left for study to anyone of either sex who was able to hear any part of this burden of labor; settlement-- were small and scattered: teachers were scarce, money and hooks were scarcer and school houses - there were none. All honor is therefore due these sturdy and ambitious pioneers for the way they surmounted these difficulties, and provided for the education of their children just as soon as there were enough settlers in a locality to maintain a school.

The old log schoolhouses, with their rude furniture, have been replaced by accommodations and facilities for securing an education that transcend the wildest dreams of the teachers and pupils of those primitive days. There are few people now left in the county who are old enough to recall these early "temples of learning.*' and a brief description will doubtless.interest the pupils of the present as well as those of coming generations. The early schools were not public schools in any true sense of the word, and not free schools in any sense. Land grants were not yet available, and school taxes were unknown. The schoolhouses were not built by subscription ; the neighbors would gather at some point previously agreed upon, and, with axe in hand, the work was soon done. These early structures all belonged to the log-cabin style of architecture. Thev were fifteen to eighteen feet in width, and twentyfour to twenty-eight feet long, with eaves about ten feet from the ground. The chinks between the logs were filled with clay mor^ tar. The floor was of earth, puncheons, or smooth slabs. Puncheons were logs split and smoothed a little with an axe or hatchet on the flat side. To make a window, a log was cut out. usually the entire length of the building, and the opening thus made was covered with greased paper mounted on sticks. The people in Marlboro township were particularly proud of their schoolhouse, which had two such windows, in one of which greased sheepskins were used instead of paper. The room, or at least one end of it. was heated from an immense fireplace, and it usually took most of the time of three boys to fill its hungry maw with logs. The furniture consisted principally of rude benches without backs, made by splitting logs into halves, and mounting them, flat side up on four stotit wooden pins about fifteen inches long. Just under the window, two or three strong pins were driven into a log in a slanting direction; on these pins a long puncheon was fastened, which served as a writing desk for the whole school. There was no blackboard, and no apparatus of even the rudest description to assist the teacher in ex- pounding the lesson. Reading, spelling, writing and arithmetic constituted the course of study. Text-books were few. The favorite reader, when it could be procured, was the New Testament; Murray's reader was owned by a few, and here and there would be found a copy of the "Columbian Orator;" Webster's Speller was the first used, later, the "Elementary Speller" was introduced. They learned to "figure" from Pike's and Smiley's Arithmetics. When grammar was taught, which was not often. Murray's and Kirkham's grammars were the text-books used. These were the books comprising the primitive outfit of the teacher, while each pupil usually had one or more of them. As there was hut little work to do on the farm in mid-winter, a three months' term was taught at that season, so that the boys could attend. The teachers were paid by subscription, and "hoarded around," the terms being from one to three dollars per pupil for a term of three months. In those days there was little money with which to pay salaries, as nothing was raised to sell, and gold and bank notes were unknown before the War of 1 81 2.

Many peculiar characters found their way into the teaching profession in those early days on the frontiers of civilization. In Berkshire T >wnship, one of the early teachers was a man named Nathan Dustin. He was possessed of a very fine sense of "propriety," and was much given to lecturing his pupils on the rules of behavior. He wanted his girls and boys to grow up to be ladies and gentlemen. Another interesting character who taught in Berkshire Township was an Irishman named Lexton. He was fond of his whiskey, which he often carried to school. The use of this stimulant did not tend to soften his naturally high temper. Partially intoxicated, he frequently fell asleep, and. on waking, punished at random the first one his eyes fell upon. Such were the teacher- of those early days. Some set before their pupils the example of an upright and worthy life, while they tried to impart their own limited store of knowledge : others, indifferent to the influence of their example, or to the progress of their pupils, were time-servers only. However, such instruction as they could give, or did give, was better than no instruction at all. Probably none of those early teachers could measure up to the standards required of the teachers now in our schools ; but, fortunately, the conditions of life in those pioneer days did not call for the educational qualifications that the boys and girls of the rising generation must have to hold their own in the battle of life.

Institutions which, for many decades, filled an important place in the life of the community were the spelling-schools, or spelling-matches, and singing-schools. Both of these branches of study have for many years been incorporated in the curriculum of the public schools, and so these early institutions have passed away; though, if the spelling of the present generation be a criterion, it may be doubted if the modern method of teaching spelling is any improvement on that of a generation ago. But these early schools were not only a means of education, they filled a place in the social life of the people well suited to the times, and this combination of pleasure and study doubtless had much to do with the lively interest manifested in these functions. A story used to be told by one of the old residents of Berlin Township, which shows the rough and ready, if good-natured manners of those days. As is often the case nowadays, two boys had their hearts and attentions set upon one girl, and both proposed to himself to escort her home. While one of the contestants was lighting his hickory torch at the old block-house fire-place, his rival, who had been quicker than he, just placed his torch in close proximity with the other's coat-tail. Of course, there was a sudden hurrying about to extinguish the blaze, but. in the meantime, the shrewd incendiary had gone off with the girl, leaving his rival to grieve over the lacerated state of his feelings, as well as the damaged condition of his o attail.

We find that it is impossible to secure a connected story of the schools in each township from the earliest times down to the present day, and we shall have to content ourselves with a brief "dance at so much of the early school history as we have been able to obtain and a statement of the conditions of the schools at the present time. To aid in comparing these two periods, we have prepared a statement (see elsewhere in this chapter) showing the tax rate for schools, the total expenditure for schools, the number of schoolhouses, total value of school property, number of teachers and number of elementary and high school pupils in each of the eighteen townships and thirteen school districts in the county. These figures are for 1907, except in a few cases, which are indicated, where we were able to secure the 1908 figures, or where the 1906 figures are the latest that can be obtained. It is gratifying to note that, throughout the county, progress in school matters and improvement in the facility for educating our youth have kept pace with the demands of the times.

Public Schools Of The City Of Delaware

In 1880 the late Prof. William G. Williams prepared an article on the public schools of the city of Delaware, which appears in the History of Delaware County that was published at that time. Prof. Williams was at that time a member of the School Board ; he was a writer of recognized ability ; his historical researches were thorough, and as he then had sources of information upon which we cannot draw at this late day, we will quote the article referred to, making only such changes as may lie necessary to indicate that persons then referred to as living are no longer with us, and to avoid confusing the period in which he wrote with the present time.

"The early settlers in Delaware were mostly from the New England States, and were generally educated and intelligent. They appreciated the value of education for their children ; but they were poor, and the schoolmaster had not yet followed them to the wilderness. Accordingly, what book-learning the children of the first generation got, was imparted to them by the parents in the long winter evenings. Sometimes, when families were close neighbors, the children, and even the older folks, would unite in these exercises, under the instruction of the best scholar of the neighborhood. Such for a number of years, from 1808, was the educational status of the community.

"After the village became large enough to have day schools, and until the school law of 1825, the schools were subscription schools, and were held in private houses. During this time there were still but few professional teachers. The office was mostly held by some middle-aged person who had the physical, as well as the intellectual ability thought to be necessary for this work. The first teacher whose name has been retained, and perhaps the first actually employed;, was Pelatiah Morgan. He is represented as a man of sufficient scholarship, but of intemperate habits, and of harsh discipline. His school dated from 1815, and continued at intervals for several years; but, being a private school, 'the record of its alumni is lost.'

"About the year 181 7, Mr. Russell E. Post had a private school in a building on Winter Street, a short distance west of Sandusky. Nothing further is related of this school.

In 1 82 1 Mr. James B. Weaver was the only teacher in Delaware. He was a man of middle age and married, and had probablytaught before coming to Delaware. His first schoolroom was in the upper story of a house belonging to the Rev. Jacob Drake, where now stands the Reid and Powell Block, but he soon removed to the upper story of a building on the site of the City Hall. Mr. Weaver was a man of violent impulses, and in one of his passionate moments he fatally injured a little pupil in his school. No prosecution followed, but the act broke up the school and drove the teacher from his profession and from the town.

"In 1823 he was succeeded at the same place by Captain Elias Murray, the son-in-law of Colonel Moses Byxbe, original proprietor of the town. Captain Murray was also a middle-aged man, but of kind feelings, and as indulgent in his discipline as his predecessor had been morose and rigid.

Axd Representative Citizens

stance of private tutorship that deserves mention. The tutor was John A. Quitman, then a y< ung clerk in the United States Land Office at Delaware. His pupils were the children of Piatt Brush, Esq., an eccentric old gentlemen, his superior in office. Mr. Quitman subsequently went South, studied law. and became noted as a politician ; and was afterwards a distinguished general in the Mexican war, and then governor of Mississippi.

"In 1821 Miss Sophia Moore, sister of the late General Sidney Moore and of Emery Moore, built the house occupied in 1880 by the Misses Welch, on Franklin, near William Street, for an orphans' home and school. This was not a charity school, though undertaken with charitable intent. Miss Moore taught this school, including day scholars, very acceptably for some years, until her marriage to Mr: Gorton.

"In 1825 Richard Murray. Esq., nephew of Captain Murray, became associated with Miss Moore in the conduct of her school. After her marriage he carried it on alone for two or three years, and then with his wife, formerly Miss Joan Hills. Mrs. Murray was a born teacher. When quite a young girl, in 1824-25, she taught in Berkshire, and after her marriage, in 1826-27, in Delaware, with her husband. In 1833, after the death of her husband, she resumed teaching, and taught continuously, with short respites only, until 1868, a period of forty-four years. A few years of this was in the public schools of the town, but most of the time was in her own private house on Franklin Street. In this unpretending, but admirable school, were educated many of the most cultivated ladies of the city.

"A little later, somewhere from 1827 to 1830. Mr. Asa Messenger, another relative of Colonel Byxbe, taught, for two or three vears, in the house built by Miss Moore on Franklin Street. Mr. Messenger subsequently went South, and afterward became an editor, in Tuscumbia. Alabama. Nearly at the same time, his sister. Miss Messenger, attempted to establish a girls' seminary, and taught a few terms, but the effort eventually failed.

"Up to this time, in the history of the State, there had been no organic legislation on the subject of schools. Special charters were granted to the cities, but no adequate provision had been made for the non-corporate parts of the State. All the schools in Delaware, thus far, as in the rural districts and smaller towns elsewhere, were private and independent. The population of the town was small, not yet reaching 500. and most of the time, a single school met all the educational wants of the place. The tuition fees were very small : at first scarcely reaching $1.50 per quarter of thirteen weeks, and, at the last, in the case of the best teachers, not exceeding $3.00 per quarter. Nor was the pay always certain, or generally made in money. "Store pay," or "trade," was a very common method of balancing accounts, and largely prevailed to a much later date than this.

"Yet, even after the enactment of school laws providing for a public system of education, the private schools were long continued, until the new system was in complete working order. Of these later teachers of private schools, the following may be mentioned as most successful : Albert Pickett, Jr.. had a reputable school from 1834 to 1836. He was a son of Albert Pickett, a famous teacher in Cincinnati, and inherited much of his father's genius for literary work. He afterward held office in the county, and died about 1850.

"Horatio Sherman was a professional teacher, from the State of New York. He was in the prime of life when he brought his family to Delaware. Here he taught many vears. at first in the public schools, but, in 1S40 and afterward, a private school in his own house, on William Street. His advertisement says: 'Young gentlemen preparing to teach, will be particularly attended to; tuition. $2.50 or $3.00 per quarter.' At last he was laid aside by a failing of sight, and died, in Upper Sandusky, about 1879.

"About 1832 two highly accomplished ladies from Ireland. Mrs. Howison and her sister. Miss Johnson, opened a girls' seminary in the house of Colonel Byxbe. An extensive course of study was marked out. Miss Meeker, afterwards Mrs. Sprague, whose son was probate judge in 1880, assisted them in the lower classes. But the school was not successful, and, in a few years, was discontinued. After the close of this school, Miss Meeker had. for two years. 1834-36, a very popular infant school in the town.

"The school law of 1825 established a general system of public schools of low grade, which were destined largely to supersede the private schools of the same grade. But this result could not be effected at once. The tax which the Legislature of 1825 ventured to authorize was but one-half a mill on the dollar, one-fourteenth as much as school boards were empowered to levy in 1880. For many years this tax was insufficient to maintain the district schools for the requisite time - rarely for more than two quarters of the year.

"The schools had an average enrollment of about sixty pupils, of both sexes, and were ungraded as to age or attainments. The teacher's work was hard, and his pay light, being about $20 per month. This was drawn from the public funds as long as the money held out. When this was exhausted, voluntary subscriptions enabled the directors to continue the public school another term; or the building was granted, free of rent, to the teacher for a private school, for the remainder of the school year.

"Under this law, the first public school buildings in Delaware were erected. One was a stone building at the corner of Franklin and \\ inter Streets, on the lot occupied in 1908 by the Jane M. Case Memorial Hospital. Another was a small frame house, also on Franklin Street, at the northwest corner of the Courthouse lot.

"Miss Eliza T. Thompson, afterward Mrs. William Carson, was the first lady that taught a district school in Delaware. The school was in the stone school house for the winter. The next summer she had a select school in the same house. Among her pupils were Rutherford B. Hayes and his sister Fannie.

"As only primary or ungraded schools could be organized under the law, the wants of the community were not yet all met. Individual attempts to establish a seminary of a higher grade having failed, a number of public-spirited citizens, among whom were M. D. Pettibone, Sherman Finch and others, at length combined in 1834, to build up such a school for the beter education of their children. The attempt resulted in the erection of the Deleware Academy. It was a large frame building two stories high, beautifully located on Hill Street, in South Delaware, at that time "out of town.' In this building there was a succession of teachers, among whom were Giles M. Porter ( 1838-40). Rev. James McElroy, George S. Lee, Miss L. A. Emerson, afterward Mrs. Porter (1840), R. E. Rice, B. A. (1840), and Flavel A. Dickinson, a recent graduate of Yale College (1841). The tuition fee was $5 per term for languages; $4.50 for higher English, and $4 for elementary studies. But, laudable as was the attempt, excellent and expensive as was the instruction, the time fi >r these things was not yet, and the Academy was a failure. It not only paid no interest ti < the stockholders; it could not support the teachers. The building long stood empty, then passed into other hands for a ladies' school. and finally was sold to the City School Board, and was occupied for some years as one of the ward schools. It was torn down in 1879.

"In the year 1847. the Legislature felt strong enough to take an advanced step in school matters; and the law was so improved as to permit the establishment of Union school, with graded classes. This is what is popularly known as the "Akron Law." The town of Delaware was for this purpose made into one district, and the old Methodist Church at the corner of William and Franklin Streets, was bought by the School Hoard, and reconstructed into suitable schoolrooms; those below for the boys, and those above for the girls. Whether this separation of the sexes was an advanced step, we need not pause to discuss, as it was

"The first members of the Board of Directors under the new law were Sherman Finch, Israel Breyfogle and Stephen W. Little, and the first superintendent was Lucius P. Marsh, a young man from the State of New York> then twenty-four years of age. His salary was fixed at $40 per month. The girls were placed under the special care of Mrs. Murray at $25 per month. Their assistants were Mr. A. R. Gould, Mrs. Dr. Rowland anil Misses Renette Brown, Charlotte Washburn and Jennette Sherman. The salaries of the young ladies were $13 per month. After two years of service, Mr. Marsh, upon being refused an increase of salary, resigned his place and began the practice of law. * * * In like manner, Mrs. Murray was retired from service in these schools, after a tenure of five years. Her salary was reduced to $20 per month, whereupon she immediately opened a private school, from which she realized over $50 per month for many years. These meager salaries were adjusted by the amount at the command of the Board. The funds were sufficient to sustain the schools for only seven months; and a private subscription was raised to continue the schools for the normal period of nine months. When the income of the Board had grown larger, the usage of having a long vacation in the summer had become fixed, and the schools are held even yet ( 1880) for but about thirty-six weeks.

"Before the adoption of the school law. any person, however incompetent, might take up the office and the ferule of teacher ; and often, no doubt, the office was thus filled by persons wholly unworthy. Such persons might, indeed, even now, intrude themselves into the calling of teacher, if they could find private patronage. But the State common schools are so excellent, so satisfactory to the people at large, that private tuition has almost ceased, except in denominational or expensive select schools. This is owing to the legal exclusion of unfit teachers. No one is permitted to teach in the public schools, or draw pa} therefor, who has not been examined both for schi ilarship and moral character. The first

Board of Examiners in Delaware County, under the State law. was composed oi Solomon Smith, Esq., Dr. Eleazar Copeland and Dr. Silas C. McClary. These were appointed by the Court of Common Pleas. The county owes much to these worthy gentlemen and their successors for their faithfulness in keeping out of the schools the dissipated and the ignorant. Among those subsequently appointed were Drs. N. Spalding and Ralph Hills ; Richard Murray, Sherman Finch, David T. Fuller. Cooper K. Watson and Homer M. Carper. Esqs: Revs. William L. Harris. James McEIroy. Prof. William G. Williams," Rev. James S. Campbell and John Ufford. * * * All the teachers in the city of Delaware as well as in the county at large, passed this Board; but in 1878, a City Board of Examiners was appointed, before whom the city teachers are examined with more care and on more subjects than are required on the County Board.

"In the Central Building, though ill suited to academic uses, the schools of the town were held for a period of about ten years from [847. The records of the Board during the first part of this time have been lost, and the names and dates of service of the teachers cannot all now be recalled. Of those who taugfht during the later years, we give the names of Mr. John W. Hyatt, who was appointed principal, in 1856, at a salary of $60 per month. He served one year, and then went into business in Toledo. * * * After him. William F. Whitlock served one year, while carrying on his studies at the University. He is now Latin professor in the University.

* *' As the town grew, and the enrollment of pupils gradually increased, one or two 1 ither houses were occupied as schools. At length, the limited accommodations at the Central Building compelled the Board to seek new quarters. In 1859 they bought a large lol 1 E the Little estate, at the west end of William Street, on which they erected a building; of six rooms, larger and better adapted to school uses.

seemed essential; and William Carter, in 1862, was appointed superintendent, at a salary of $700, which was soon raised to $1,000. He brought the schools into a very good degree of efficiency. To provide for the increased attendance, the Board bought for $2,000, the old academy building in South Delaware, and opened there two new rooms, which soon grew into four. After three years' service, Air. Carter resigned for a more lucrative calling. His successor was Rev. James S. Campl>ell, who entered upon the duty in 1865 [and held the position until his death. February 28, 1891]. His salary was fixed at $1,000 per annum. but the next year it was raised to $1,200." Later it was raised to $1,600. "Ten other teachers were appointed at the same time, all ladies, with pay from $35 to $45 per month. The assessment for the support of the schools was four mills on the dollar.

"The growth of the town during the prosperous years after the war. was such that the Board of Education was compelled, in rapid succession, to double the accommodations of the schools. In i86g, a new school house of four rooms was built in North Delaware; in 1870, a house with the same number of rooms, but larger, was built in East Delaware : in 1875, a yet larger building of six rooms was erected in South Delaware, and a year or two later, two rooms were added to the Central school house, and two more to the school in East Delaware. By a judicious economy, these improvements were all effected without the creation of a debt, and with hut small increase in the rate of taxation. In the last ten years ( 1870-80) the annual levy has but once reached the limit of seven mills on the dollar, authorized by law; two years it was six mills, four years it was five mills, and, for the last three years (to 1880) it has ranged from three to four mills. The enumeration of youth of a legal school age is now (1880) 2.300; the number of teachers appointed in 1879-80 was twenty-five; and the aggregate salaries paid to them are $10,500; and the incidental expenses of the schools are about $3,000 more.

are able to read and write well, have an understanding of the fundamental principles of arithmetic, and a general knowledge of geography, esentially that of their own country. Those who stay to complete the entire course, extending through eight years, get a very good general preparation for business, or for entrance upon college studies. Graduates of the High School are prepared for the freshman class in colleges, with the exception of Greek. "Among a free people, the thirst for knowledge and culture is unquenchable; if not satisfied in one direction, it will seek to be slaked in another. In the earlier years of this town the educational and literary cravings of the community were just as marked as they have shown themselves since, but the opportunities for indulging them were not the same as now. In the absence of public reading-rooms, schools, libraries, and newspapers, a tribune for public discussion was a pleasant and profitable form of entertainment and means of cultivation. Such was found in the 'Delaware Lyceum." an organization formed by the young men. but largely attended by all classes of citizens. Of the date of its organization, and the length of its career, the writer has no information, but, as showing the character of its meetings, the grave and practical matters discussed, the fallowing illustrations may be given. The notices are from the Olentangy Gazette; and the meetings were held in the Thespian Hall, an upper chamber in the range of public buildings on the Court-house plaza. This name indicates that the hall was originally designed for entertainments of a musical and dramatic character.

"'Monday evening, February 1, 1841. a public discussion is appointed on the following resolution: 'Resolved, That the right of suffrage should be extended to females.' Advocates, S. Dunham, P. Bunker. T. A. Barnes; Respondents. R. Hills, T. C, Tones. R. E. Rice.

profession was most largely represented. All these gentlemen were lawyers or law-students, except Bunker, Sheriff; Hills, physician; and Rice, teacher.

"Feh. 15. - 'Resolved, That the youth of the country should be educated at public expense.' Advocates, T. W. Powell, F. Horr, R. Hills; Respondents, D. T. Fuller, I. Ranney, P. Bunker."

"Feb. 22. - 'Resolved, That capital punishment ought to be abolished." Advocates, T. C. Jones, J. A. Barnes; Respondents, R. E. Rice, P. Bunker."

".March 25. - 'Resolved, That the right of suffrage ought to be extended to females.' Advocates, P. Bunker, T. C. lones; Respondents, I. Ranney, R.

"Evidently this was a question of unusual interest. The discussion six weeks before had aparently not settled the matter in debate; but it had at least wrought conviction and conversion in the mind of one of the champions ; and he now appears in arms in the opposite camp. How the great debate at last terminated, the muse of history has not recorded, but the renewed struggle on this question in the Ohio Legislature, in this year of grace, 1880, too plainly declares that the vote upon the occasion should have been put on record for the information and guidance of succeeding generations.

"With this notice our extracts must close, but we need not doubt that the discussion of such questions by thoughtful and earnest men. and that listening to such discussions by the reflecting part of the community, must have done as much in directing and molding the

"In regard to popular lectures, this community has been specially favored. For eral years, a citizens' lecture association existed, and was the means of introducing many distinguished men and women to Delaware audiences. These lectures have generally paid well, but the large number of excellent addresses and lectures delivered annually at the University, and free to all listeners, has had a tendency, in recent years, to make a Delaware audience content to pay for nothing inferior to the best. So what has been made matter of complaint against Delaware, is, in reality, when rightly understood, complimentary to the intelligence and taste of her people. This is a lecture-going community, but it goes to hear only first-class lectures."

The following notes regarding several of the early schools is quoted from an article entitled, "Pioneer Institutions of Learning." which was contributed to the Western Collegian by Dr. Ralph Hills.

"The Morgan Academy or High School, was number one of the pioneer institutions. Its first name was derived from the name of its principal preceptor, and the second from its location in the upper story of the house it was in. This was our old acquaintance, the Pioneer Tavern, near the Medicine Water. Soon after the War of 181 2, this tavern gave up the ghost - as a tavern - and its spacious ballroom was used for a high school. It had in part, also, the character of a boardingschool, for it is remembered that a family lived in the other part of the old tavern, who kept boarders, etc. * * * The Morgan High School was only of a few years' duration. It was conducted on the Solomonian principles. now so thoroughly obsolete that few understand them. The record of its alumni is

"The Female Seminary, the next institution, was a pioneer of the "O. W. F. C." - but was located on our campus, in the old Haunted House - the old brick tannery. This was in charge of a lady principal for some two or three vears. and we are inclined to the opinion that it was mainly for that reason that

'"Quitman's Academic Grove was an institution that received its name from the proprietor, president, preceptor, etc.. all in the person of John A. Quitman, afterward governor of Mississippi, major-general in the Mexican War, and also from its being in the actual grove, with its fallen log seats, its tree columns, festooned with their wild-grape hangings, and having the clear canopy of heaven above

* * The exact location of Quitman's Academic Grove was on the promontory of high ground running off south of the present library building. Here was a cosy little opening in the dense woods around, with a little of sun and plenty of shade, as season required. It was here that young Quitman took his pupils, the sons of a queer, eccentric old gentleman, whenever they could stealthily get there, for they were closely housed in town by the old gentleman, and only got out for exercise, and when the old man went along, he and the tutor headed the column, marched off a mile or so 'l wti the dusty road, and then returned to their prison-like house."

The city of Delaware now has five fine public school buildings. The west building, which was completed in 1904. is notable is being one of four such bulidings that have thus far been erected in this country, ail t he classic oms being lighted exclusively from the left. This idea originated in Germany. The theory is, that if rays of light enter a room from two or more directions, they collide, and the interruption thus caused in the waves produces vibrations injurious to the nerves of the eye. The building contains twelve rooms and a basement which is a full story in height. This building cost, including furnishings. K42.800. A new addition to the High School building is nearly completed, the dimensions of which are ninety-two feet from east to vvesl l>v sixtytwi 1 feet fn >m n< irth 1. 1 si uttli ; it is twi 1 and onehalf stories high, and when completed will cost over $20,000. Besides gymnasium and two locker-rooms in the basement, it will have four classrooms on the first floor and superintendent's offices; on the second floor it will have one classroom, and a combined study-room and auditorium. As an auditorium, this room will have a seating capacity of 700. On this floor there will also be a teachers' rest-room. With the rooms in this new building, there will be a total of fifteen classrooms in the High School. The last census, in April, 1907, showed 2,626 children of school age in Delaware. There are now (March, 1908) a total of forty-eight teachers on the pay-roll of Delaware, which amounts to $2,691.74 per month.

District Schools And Early Teachers

No authentic record can be found of who taught the first school in the county or where it was located. The fact is. that schools were started in several of the early settlements about the same time, and within a very few years after the first settlers came to the county.

There were settlements at three different points in Berkshire Townshit; a school was started as soon as practicable in. each one, but it is impossible to say which was the oldest. The first school house at Berkshire Corners was built on the east side of the street, about thirty yards south of the Granville Road. The first two teachers. Miss Clara Thompson and .Miss Cynthia Sloper, came from Worthington. Four local teachers came next, the first of whom was Solomon Smith. He was followed by Adonijah Rice, who also kept the first tavern at the Corners and was the first postmaster. A man named Jones and Sophronia Brown were the next teacherc. Tb^ first definite date we are able to find is 18 10. in which veai" Maria Denton taught a school of ten pupils in a log cabin near the farm at one time owned by lion. Ezekiel Brown. The history of the first school house and teacher at Sunburv is shrouded in the mists of years. A hewed-log school house stood for many years on the southwest corner of the square as one of the oldest landmarks of that section. Among the names of the early tochers we find Julia Strong and Nathan Dustin, to the latter of whom we have already referred in this chapter.

The establishment of Berkshire Academy at the Corners during the winter of 1840-41, was the first attempt to provide more advanced instruction. The institution was chartered, and the shares sold at ten dollars each. The money secured in this way was expended in the erection of a small frame building, which cost $300.00 or 84110.00. The first term was held the following winter, with an attendance of about thirty students under the instruction of G. S. Bailey, a teacher from Oberlin. The Academy was maintained for about fifteen years, but was finally closed for lack of support. Later the building was used for a dwelling. The good influence of the Academy upon its patrons and the township at large cannot be estimated. A large number of the young men and women trained within its walls achieved more than ordinary distinction : One became a governor, another a congressman, and another gained for herself an enviable position as a lecturer in the temperance and anti-slavery movements. Until this school year ( 1907-08) there were seven district schools in the township : one of these is now suspended. In 1871 the first brick school house was built at a cost of $1,000. This was in District Xo. 1. Two years later another school house somewhat like it was erected in District Xo. 2, at a cost of $900. Similar schools have been built in the other districts.

Sunbury and Galena are special school districts which were organized in 1868. The school building at Sunbury was built in 1878 at a cost of $5,000. and at that time was the finest school building in the county outside of Delaware. Sunbury has one of the three firstgrade high schools in Delaware Count}'. Galena has one of the four second-grade high schools in the county. This was established in 1903. The graduating class of 1908 numbers fifteen, the largest in the history of the school. The statistics of these schools will be found in the table accompanying this chapter.

Berlix Township. The first school in this township was taught by Joseph Eaton. The cabin in which be gathered the youthful aspirants for knowledge, stood on the west side of Alum Creek, a little less than a mile north of the old Baptist Church. In 1810 Lucy Caulkins. who later became .Mrs. Ripley, and often is referred to by the name of Jul: gan to teach the second school. A cabin standing near the old block-house served as her school room. The first structure erected especially for school purposes stood on a ridge of land just south of the block-house. This was one of the rudest of that type which we have described in this chapter, and was used but little. Another school was taught in a cabin near where the bridge on the Delaware and Sunbury pike crosses Alum Creek. Later, the block-house., which is referred to in the chapter devoted to the military history of the county, when it was no longer needed for defence, was used both as a school and church, and was far more comfortable than most of the structures used in that day for such purposes. As early as 181 1 Prof. Burr held sway in that "temple of learning."

In 1818 there were about 100 pupils in the township, and four school houses: One opposite the Presbyterian Church, south of Cheshire; one in what is known as the Dunham settlement and one in the Eaton neighborhood, both of these being in the northeast part of the township, and the fourth school house was located in the northwest quarter. One of the early teachers in Berlin Township was an old Revolutionary soldier by the name of Pelatiah Morgan. He taught in the school house south of Cheshire, and had for his inseparable companion a wooden bottle of whiskey, which, tradition says, received fully as much attention as did his pupils. In 1826 this structure was replaced by a brick school house. in which Joseph P. Smith was the first teacher. In 1S37 the enumeration showed 340 pupils; in 1858, 530. Our table shows that there are now j 12 pupils in the schools. There were seven school houses in 1837; thirteen in 1853, and ten at the present time.

Brown Township's first school house was built north of the cemetery at Eden, or Alum Creek settlement, as it was called at that time. David Eaton was the first teacher, and he was succeeded by Anthony Griffith. It was not until 1840 that a school house was erected at

Concord Township. The first school in this township was taught in the home of James Kooken, the founder of Bellepoint. The name of the pioneer teacher long ago passed from memory. Later Mr. Kooken donated an old granary, which was made to serve the double purpose of school house and church. Some time after this, one of the early citizens, Henry Cryder, built himself a new house, and gave his old home for school purposes. It was here that John Wilson, who was the first teacher of whom we have knowledge, held forth. Money to pay him was raised by subscription at the rate of $2.50 per pupil. He was not much of a teacher, but doubtless was better than none. His habits were not such as would have recommended him at a later time for membership in the Sons of Temperance. He often fell into a drunken sleep in the school room, on which occasions the irreverent boys would shoot their pop-guns at him. John C. Cannon, who taught a school at Bellepoint in 1835, was a similar character. He died in an unused cabin in the neighborhood, of exposure, resulting from protracted dissipation. That the youth of those days learned anything at all is a wonder, and that they were not corrupted by such evil examples shows the fine moral fiber of which that generation was made. Today, this township is not one whit behind the foremost communities in educational matters. It maintains a high school of the third grade at Bellepoint, and is one of the two townships in Delaware County that has a township superintendent of schools.

Genoa Township. The first school house in this township was built in 1841 on the farm of Ralph Smith. Lawson Gooding was the first teacher here. The first school house on "Yankee Street" occupied a site on land owned by Marcus Curtiss, and here Sanford Bennett was the first to wield the rod and teach the three R's. The time and opportunity for the pursuit of even these elementary studies were so limited in those days that going to school was treated as serious business, and the young men and young women applied themselves with diligence to their mental tasks. It may be interesting to some to compare these statistics for the school year 1878-79 with those shown on our table. Tax Rate, .0039 ; total expenditures. $1,803; number of schoolhouses, 9; total value of school property, $4,500; number of teachers, 9; number of pupils.

Harlem Township. David Gregory, a brainy man from Berkshire, was the first teacher here of whom we have any record. He became a prominent citizen of this county, serving as justice of the peace, county commissioner, member of the Legislature in 1848, director of the State Prison at Columbus. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability. The first school house was erected on the site of Harlem chapel. The statistics for 1907 show that Harlem Township is holding its own in the educational advancement of the present day. It has, at Centerville, a thirdgrade high school, and is one of the two townships in this county that provides township supervision of schools.

Kingston Township. There is no record to show just when the first school house was built in this township, but it was probably about the year 1820. This was known as the Curtis school house, from the owner of the farm on which it was built, on Little Walnut Creek, about a mile from the southern boundary of the township. School House No. 4 now occupies the same site. Miss Eliza String was the first teacher here. The next school house was built on the cross road, about a mile west of Olive Green. Those who attended this school were especially favored in having for their teacher, James Wheeler, a young man of about twenty-one .years of age, who was well educated for those days, and whose mental ability and high moral principles won the esteem of everybody. He afterwards became a Methodist clergyman. The third school house was built in what became known as the Virginia School District. These schools, like all others of that day, were maintained by private subscription, but in school affairs Kings- ton Township kept in step with the march of progress, and in due time inaugurated a public school system suited to the demands of the times.

Liberty Township. It was not long after the first settlement was made in this township that the first school was started. It was taught by Mis- Lucy Carpenter (who afterwards married James Swiniton), a daughter of the original settler, Capt. Nathan Carpenter. She used for her school-room the log cabin her father had erected to provide shelter during their first summer. Among the early teachers in this township was a native of the Emerald Isle, named Haligan. Besides elementary schools that are second to none. Liberty Township now has a high school of the third grade at Powell, and outside the city of Delaware, Ashley is the only place in the county, the value of whose school property exceeds that of Liberty Township.

Marlborough Towxship. Robert Louther was the pioneer teacher in this township, and the scene of his labors was a small log school house east of the Olentangy River from Norton. John Milliken, from South Carolina, taught in a log school house a quarter of a mile north of Norton. This is the school house referred to on a preceding" page as having a greased sheepskin window. Beyond the most elementary rudiments of learning, it was not thought necessary to go in those early days, and the acquirement of knowledge was necessarily subordinated to the acquirement of the means of subsistence. The value of a record of educational matters to coming generations probably never entered the minds of these frontiersmen, and this accounts for the meagerness of our information regarding these pioneer days. The present status of the schools in Marlborough Township is indicated in our table.

Orange Township. In 181 5. eight years after the first settler took up his abode in this township, Jane Mather, the daughter of an early settler and the widow of a soldier of the War of 1812, opened the first school. This was the beginning of District No. 1. The cabin of one of the pioneers, John YVimsett.

served as a school house. Later, as the settlement grew, a log school house was built on the east side of the State Road, not far from Wimsett's cabin. Most of the school-books used at this time were brought from the East by the mothers who foresaw the need they would supply in the wilderness, and as may be imagined, they constituted a motley collection. In 1827 this old school house was destroyed by fire, and was replaced by a hewed-log structure fitted with windows, and with such other improvements in its furnishing as were possible to provide. In 1822 Chester Campbell taught a school in the northeastern part of the township, and in 1825, a Mr. Curtis taught a singing-school here. Somewhere about 1850. a frame school house was erected in this neighborhood. The first brick school house in the township was built in 1868 in District No. 4. at a cost of about $1,000. For many years Lewis Center has been a special school district. The 1907 statistics for both township and Lewis Center will be found in the table accompanying this chapter.

Oxford Township and Ashley Special School District. It was not until 1826 that the first school house was built in this township. Its location has long been a matter of dispute, and at this late date we do not feel like passing a judgment on the insufficient and conflicting evidence at our command. Rev. Levi Phelps, a Baptist preacher, was the first teacher. The structure was of the log-cabin type, common to those days, 18 x 22 feet in dimensions. About that time, another school house of the same kind was erected a short distance south of Windsor Corners. After a few years a hewed-log cabin replaced the first structure, and later, when the times required and facilities permitted, it was replaced by a frame building, which was used until the Methodist Church purchased the property. As is shown by our table, there are five district schools in the township. Ashley was incorporated as a village in 1855, and seven years later, a special school district was formed of the village and a number of adjoining farms. A new school house containing two rooms was built. This met the requirements until 1877.

when it became necessary to provide increased accommodations, and a fine two-story school house, with four commodious rooms was erected, in 1901 it again became necessary to have more room, and two rooms were added, at a cost of $3,000. The valuation of school property in this district is the largest in the county, outside of the city of Delaware. It has a well selected school library of 500 vi ilumes, and laboratory apparatus worth about $150.

Porter Township. The "Block Schoolhouse," as the first "temple of learning" in this township was called, was built in 1825 where Sugar Creek empties into Big Walnut Creek. William Wolfe, who took his pay. or part of it. in dried apples, was the first teacher. A pretty little romance in connection with him has floated, on the wings of tradition down to the present time, and we give it as illustrating the directness of the people of those days in their personal relations. Delaware, fifteen miles away, was the nearest point at which Mr. Wolfe could dispose of his apples, and as he had no horse, he was compelled to carry the fruit to market on his back. On the first dav out, about noon, having reached a little settlement, he stopped at a small cabin and asked for dinner and the privilege of resting. His hostess, a stranger to him. proved to be a charming widow, who refused to accept any remuneration for her hospitality. On his homeward journey, on the following dav. Mr. Wolf stopped again at the little cabin, and as he was leaving the place, informed the kind lady that it would lie necessary for him to make another trip to Delaware to sell the balance of his apples. He said he would call again, and that unless on that occasion she o msented to become his wife, he would consider himself of all men most miserable, and that she must have a positive answer for him upon his return. The next time she saw him she told him she couldn't say 110. It is slid they were soon married and lived happy ever after. There are now nine excellent school houses in this township, and in the matter of providing for the education of their youth, the

Radnor Township and School District. The following record of the early history of the schools in Radnor was contributed by Rev. B. W. Chidlaw to the old County History, and we quote it because we believe he was the best authority of his time and had access to information that is not now available. "The pioneers of Radnor were the friends of education, and when their children became of suitable age, they united together, built a logcabin school house, and employed a teacher. No record or tradition points out the spot on which the cabin school house was built, nor by whom the first school was taught. Before the day of the school laws in Ohio, the people of Radnor were a law until themselves, and educational interests were cherished accordingly. In 1821 there were three log school houses in the township - one on the farm of John Phillips in the southern part, another on the farm of Ralph Dildine, in the center, and another, in the northern part, near where the old block-house stood on the farm of Benjamin Kepler. The school term embraced three or four months during the inclement season. The teachers received from $9 to $12 a month, and boarded around. Their pay was largely in trade, produce, and goods manufactured with the help of the spinning-wheel and the domestic loom in the skillful hands of the nv others and daughters that honored and blessed the early homes of Radnor.

One of the early teachers who taught about [818 was Roger Penry, a native of South Wales. He was a fair scholar, especially in arithmetic and grammar, and in general knowledge. He was in advance of the age, therefore his services among the youth of Radnor were not fully appreciated. Small scholars, both as it regards age and proficiency in letters, were not his delight. But his disciples in Pike's Arithmetic and Murray's Grammar were greatly benefited by his instruction. Another contemporary was Christopher Moore, whose specialties in teaching were orthography and chirography, and in these branches of learning he was a genuine enthusiast. In Webster's spelling-book he was at home, and in writing copies he was unexcelled. His spelling-schools and matches were always great occasions, and attracted crowded houses. Gathered on a winter evening on the puncheon floor of the log school house. Master Moore with a radiant face, comfortably seated on his three-legged stool, and his scholars on split-log benches; with the blazing light of a capacious and wellfilled fire-place, the work of the evening would commence. The master knew the text-book by heart : with closed eyes, smiling face, and quick ear he gave out the words. It required about four hours to spell from "ba-ker" through the hard words in the pictures and the solid columns of proper names at the end of the book. In a word, the earnest, interested teacher had scholars like-minded ; spelling was a great business, and enchained the attention of all concerned."

Since the foregoing was originally written, a room has been added to the school house in Radnor Village, at a cost of $1,260. In 1907 a second-grade high school was established at the village. The southwestern part of the township is now in the Eagleville Special School District.

Scioto Township. Besides the township's distict schools, there are in Scioto the special school districts of Ostrander and Warrensburg. The northeastern corner of the township is included within the Eagleville Special School District, and the southwestern corner of the township is included in the Jerome Special School District, most of which is in Union County. But little is known of the hish tv of the schools of this township from the time of its settlement until a comparatively recent date. A Mrs. Xidy taught the first school in the Scioto settlement, a rude hut, once owned and used by James McCune as a cattle-shed, serving for her school-room. For many years Ostrander has had a commodious brick school house, which provides accommodations for the elementary and high schools. The high school, which is of the second grade, is one of the oldest in the county. Warrens-

Thompson Township. James Crawford was the first school teacher here, and the scene of his labors, a small and uncomfortable hewed-log cabin on Fulton's Creek. At that time, this was the only school house in the township. As the township became more thickly settled, the educational facilities were improved. As some may be interested in making a comparison with present conditions, as shown in our table, we give the figures for 1879. Total expenditures for schools, $1,- 858.02 ; number of school houses, 8 ; total value of school property, $2,200: number of teachers, 8; number of pupils, 180. At present the southeastern corner of the township is included in the Eagleville Special School District : Special District No. 1, also known as the "Thompson Chapel School," is at the southwest corner of the river road and "Smoky Row." These new districts, which have their own statistics, should be taken into consideration in making a comparison with former days.

Trenton Township. The first school house in this township was located near the Big Walnut, about eighteen rods north of the bridge on the Mount Vernon Road. A man named Good taught the first winter school, and the first summer term was taught by Clarissa Sturdevant. Like others of their day, these were subscription schools. For the purpose of comparison, the following statistics for the school year 187K-7C) may be of interest. These are for the entire township, the special school district of Trenton not having been set off at that time. Expenditures. $1,- 429.05: number of school houses. 7: value of school property, $3,200: average daily attendance. 195.

Troy Township. The year 1814 marks the beginning of the history of education in this township. The first pedagogue was Miss Electa Wilcox, who taught for several winters in a cabin that stood in a sugar-maple grove, and had been used as a sugar camp by Joseph Cole, one of the earliest settlers in the township. As soon as they were able, the settlers subscribed for and built a log school house of the type common in those days. The progress in educational matters since that time is shown by the following statistics for the school year 1878-79 and the table of figures which we have prepared from present figures: Total expenditures, $1,624.39; number of school houses, 8; value of school property, $3,200; average daily attendance, 152. Of the eight school houses now in the township, seven are brick, and one is a frame structure; four were built in 1883, at a cost of $1,400 each. Troy Township has the honor of being the first township in the county to have its funds on deposit drawing interest for the benefit of the township.

There has been a steady growth in the way of more thorough preparation of the teacher for his work. A fair idea of the development of the public sentiment of Ohio in regard tc the professional preparation of the teacher for his work can be gained by a glance at the increase in the requirements for teachers' certificates since 1852. Prior to that time, teachers were examined in reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling. In 1852 the Legislature passed an act requiring teachers to be examined in grammar and geography in addition to the branches just mentioned. In 1882 history was made a required branch of common school study, and in 1888 physiology and hygiene were required on teachers' certificates. In 1897 civics was required in connection with the study of United States history, and teachers were required to pass an examination in both these subjects. In 1904 a law was passed requiring teachers to be examined in English and American literature, so that of the ten branches of study in which teachers must now pass an examination in order to secure an elementary certificate, six have been added since 1852. Teachers are also required to pass a rigid examination in theory and practice in order to obtain a certificate of any grade. During these years there has also been an increase in the severity of the tests, so that an examination in a given branch of study today is far more searching than it was even a few years ago.

Formerly each separate board of examiners prepared its own list of questions, and the scope of the questions depended largely upon the point of view of the examiners; today, all the questions used in the eighty-eight counties of Ohio are prepared by the State school commissioner, and are uniform throughout the State. The scope of the questions is broader; technical and catch questions have been largely eliminated.

In general, the teachers of Delaware County are up to the spiric of the times in point of scholarship and other attainments, and compare favorably with the teachers of any other county in the State.

In 1904, a minimum salary law was passed, providing that no teacher should be employed for less than $40 per month, and fixing the school year at not less than thirty-two weeks nor more than forty weeks. This law effected an increase in the wages of the rural teachers of from five to ten dollars per month, though a few of the townships were already paying the minimum of $40 a month. One or two townships have, since the passage of the law in question, paid salaries exceeding the required amount. While the requirements of teachers have been more than doubled during the last few years, the increase in their remunerate m has not been more than twenty per cent. Prior to the passage of the minimum salary law, many of the brightest young male teachers in the county were compelled to seek more remunerative work in other lines; but within the last year or two, the tide has turned, and the number of young men who are fitting themselves for the work of the schoolroom is increasing.

In 1890 what has since been called the "Boxwell" law was passed by the General Assembly. This lawy gave township boards of education in townships where there was no high school, authority to pay the tuition of pupils who could successfully pass an examination for admission to a high school that they could reach. In the session of 1901-02 this law was amended, and since that time has been known as the "Boxwell-Patterson" law. This amendment made it mandatory upon township boards of education to pay the tuition of pupils passing the examination for the high school. This lawhas been a great boon to the youth living in the rural districts, and has had the effect of reducing the number of older pupils attending the district schools, many of whom formerly went term after term and reviewed studies with which they were already familiar. A large proportion of such pupils now take the examination and enter some of the high schools in the county.

year 1885. It is built on the property of St. Mary's Church, and is, therefore, under the exclusive control of said church, which it serves as a parochial school. It has always been held by the Catholic Church that no education can be considered complete and adequate from a moral and social point of view, unless religious and precise moral instruction forms a part of a school curriculum, whether in the elementary or in the secondary and higher departments ; and as

St. Marys Parochial School

This is a plain but substantial school building on South Henry Street, consisting of five commodious rooms and a large and well appointed hall on the second floor. The building, although unpretentious, answers the purpose for which it was erected by private subscription among the Catholics of Delaware in the such a course cannot be had in the public schools under our present school laws, and as this matter is considered by the higher church authorities of vital importance, parochial schools, supported by the private funds of the parish have been established everywhere : and these schools are attended almost without exception by the children of Catholic parent-. Such a segregation of the Catholic children, means, of course, first : A double tax for all Catholic freeholders, who have to be taxed f' ir the support of the public schools, although they do not make use of them. Second : It means, in many places, where prejudice and narrowideas seem to prevail a little more than in others, a complete ostracism of teachers who ma) be Catholics in religion by the official school hoards, though the public schools are built and kept up by taxation upon all, without distinction. This, of course, is the grossest injustice; but the majority ruling in that direction, there seems to be no remedy for it. It is the more remarkable, in that so far from hampering or interfering with the public schools, the parochial schools are every year an immense saving to the taxpayer and to the school boards, since without them, many more teachers would have to be employed and more school houses would have to be built. Here in Delaware, St. Mary's Parochial School, attended on an average by 250 pupils, saves the school board and the taxpayer the hiring of at least six more teachers, and the erecting of a large new school building, and yet, in the last fifteen years, not a teacher belonging to St. Mary's Church has been hired by the Delaware Public School Board. Five Sisters of Charity, whose convent adjoins St. Mary's School, have had charge of said parochial school from the beginning. For all secular branches, the course of studies is precisely the same as in the public schools. The difference is this, that the sessions begin and end with prayers recited in unison, and the first half hour is devoted to catechetical and religious instruction. In late years, a higher department has been added to the course, which, before that, was considered sufficiently complete with the eighth grade.

Delaware City Library

The early settlers who purchased land of the Ohio Company brought with them the New England traditions of religion and education. We find them early planning to secure for themselves and their children the best educational facilities that their circumstances would permit, and it is not strange, therefore, that among people whose appreciation of knowledge was so keen, the public library began its work, even before the first log schoolhouse had been built. When General Israel Putnam died in

1790, his fine library, rich in history, travel and belles-lettres, was divided among his heirs. His son. Colonel Israel Putnam, brought a large part of this library to Belpre, Ohio, where we rind it established under the title of the "Putnam Family Library" as early as 1795. Soon after, a stock company was formed, and the library was put into circulation for the benefit of those settlers who were willing to share in the expense of its maintenance. The second library was established at Cincinnati in 1802, and in 1804. the celebrated "Coonskin Library" was organized in Ames Township, Athens County. The limits of our space will not permit us to follow the extension of libraries through the territory. The history of some of these early libraries reads like romance, and it is gratifying to know that at an early day. Ohio held high rank in this important field.

Naturally, the first steps toward establishing a library in Delaware were taken by representatives of Ohio Wesleyan University in laying the foundation of the present Slocum Library ; but as this library is a department of the university, though many courtesies in the use of its books are extended to the citizens of Delaware, the history of the Slocum Library will be found in connection with that of the University.

Fi ir the following sketch of the historv of the free public library in Delaware, we are indebted to the very courteous and efficient librarian, Mrs. Nellie Pratt Stayman.

The question of establishing a free public library in Delaware had been agitated from time to time tor many years. A corporation for this purpose was organized as long ago as 1855, but it was then found impracticable and the project was abandoned. The subject was agitated frequently at different periods, but all efforts were spasmodic and without results. Some years ago, however, twenty-six enterprising ladies organized themselves into a reading circle, called the "Book Club," and maintained a small circulating: library, consistine of about thirty volumes, that were passed around and read by the members of the club. These ladies subsequently formed themselves into a library association. This association was unincorporated. They asked for donations of books and secured additional members. The membership fee was fixed at fifty cents a year. It opened its library November 12, 1897, in the private office of Dr. \Y. H. Hague, who loaned the association the use of his bookcase, and tendered to the ladies the use of his office as a place of meeting. The extent of the library, at this time, was ninety-seven volumes, and the association consisted of thirty-five members. Strenuous efforts were made to increase the membership, and to add to the number of books, but it was found difficult to enlist attention and secure support. The ladies met with great discouragement on every hand. With the small means at their command, their progress was very slow, and the opening of a readingroom, which they regarded as very desirable, was simply out of the question. They made a canvass of the city, which resulted in increasing the membership to one hundred and ten, and in April, 1898, the library, by the courtesy of Mr. C. D. Young, was placed hvhis jewelry store. It was subsequently transferred to a small room, rented for the purpose, and the association continued to operate a circulating library among its members, until it was moved into what were thought at the time would be its permanent quarters in Masonic Hall.

Some idea of thte difficulties and discouragement under which the ladies labored can be formed from the fact that the total receipts for the entire year preceding the incorporation of the present library association, from all sources, was less than two hundred dollars. It was perfectly apparent that if the library was to be made generally useful, something must be done to interest the public in it. and to establish it on a more permanent basis.

Under the auspices of the Ladies' Library Association, a meeting of the citizens of Delaware was held July 21. 1898, at St. Peter's Church, with the view of enlisting public interest and attention to the importance of the enterprise. At this meeting the matter was generally discussed, and a committee appointed to consult with the City Council to ascertain whether the organization of a free public library and reading-room could be secured through the action of the city authorities, under the act providing for the creation of public libraries, and also to fully investigate the whole subject, and report at a future meeting the best method to be pursued.

The next public meeting was held at the William Street Methodist Episcopal Church, September 13, 1898. and the committee formerly appointed, among other things, reported that after a consultation with a committee from the City Council, it was found impracticable to induce that body to establish and maintain a free public library and reading-room, and recommended that the most feasible method to be adopted would be the incorporation of an association to be known as "The Delaware City Library Association," for the purpose of "establishing and maintaining, in a public place in the city of Delaware, a public library ami reading-room, free to all the inhabitants ihereof, and to all persons residing within the territory known as the Delaware City School District ;" the necessary funds to be secured in such manner as might be authorized by law. and by such other means as such association might deem advisable, and recommended that immediate steps be taken to secure the incorporation of such an association. The report of the committee was adopted. The ladies were requested to consider the propriety of incorporating their association for the purpose, and a committee was appointed to look up a site for such library.

Subsequently, a public meeting called by the president, was held at St. John's Lutheran Church. October 20, 1898. At this meeting the Ladies' Library Association reported that they would incorporate as requested, when the time would justify such action. It was made known, quietly, to the officers of the Ladies' Library Association, and to the committee to look up a location for the library, that Mr. Sidney Moore, one of Delaware's leading citizens, had decided to erect a building, and present the same to Hiram Lodge. No. 18, F. and A. M.. and that he intended in behalf of himself and wife to reserve therein a room for the use of the Delaware City Library Association; the association to be at the expense only of finishing, fitting up and furnishing the same. Thereupon the ladies of the Library Association immediately procured articles of incorporation, dated February 23, 1899, which were presented at the next public meeting of the citizens, held at the Presbyterian Church, March 16, 1899. The articles of incorporation were approved at this meeting, and the proposition of Mr. and Mrs. Moore gratefully accepted. Mr. Sidney Moore, and Mrs. Sarah A. Moore, his wife, by perpetual lease, conveyed the library room to the association, conditioned "to continue as long as the association shall keep up and maintain therein a public library and reading-room, and pay such part of the insurance on the Masonic Temple as the value of the part so used and occupied by the Library Association bears to the whole building."

Sufficient funds were secured by membership fees, subscriptions and donations to finish the room, to provide for heating and also lighting the same with both gas and electricity, and to furnish it with the most approved and modern style of library furniture. The ladies turned over to the new association the books they had accumulated, numbering 535 volumes.

The Board of Education of the Delaware City School District have loaned the use and control of such portion of the Public School Library as is not needed fur daily use and reference, upon the condition that the books be receipted for by the association and labeled "From High School Library," subject to return, however, at any time the Board of Education may so direct, and upon condition that all books purchased by the funds received under the tax levied by the School Board shall be marked and labeled "From Board of Education Tax Levy," and upon the further condition that in case the Association shall cease to maintain a public library, said books shall be returned to the Hoard of Education to become a part of the High School Library. The books so turned over consisted of 375 volumes, making a total of 910 volumes on the shelves of the new library when it was opened to the public on the evening of April 5, 1900.

The Dewey system of classification and cataloging the books is used in the administration of the library. It will be seen from the report of the committee on the best method to be pursued in the organization of the library and reading-room, that it was intended to bring the organization within the provisions of the act of the General Assembly, entitled, "An act to authorize cities of the fourth grade of the second class to levy a tax for the maintenance of a free public and school library," passed February 15. 1898, which requires school boards to levy a tax of not less than three-tenths nor more than five tenths of one mill on the dollar, to be used by the library association in the purchase of books and periodicals, and for running expenses.

Under this act, the Board of Education levies three-tenths of one mill on the dollar, and through this source, the library receives, and will receive annually, between eleven and twelve hundred dollars. The association is thus enabled to add to its number of books, and to fully supply the library with papers, periodicals, and to meet running expenses. The library at that time consisted of 1.359 volumes, thirty-one periodicals, and received eight daily papers. Through the perseverance of the ladies, the generous gift of Mr. Sidney Moore, and Mrs. Sarah A. Moore, his wife, the hearty co-operation of the School Hoard, the active assistance of a large number of her public spirited citizens, and the beneficence of the General Assembly, hereinbefore referred to, Delaware City now had a public library and reading-room established on a permanent basis.

In the early spring of 1902, it occurred to Mr. T. C. Jones, that if other cities of the size of Delaware were helped by Mr. Andrew Carnegie to build libraries, would he not do as much for Delaware. Mr. Jones brought the matter to the attention of the Board of Trade, and a committee was appointed, of which .Mr. Jones, V. T. Hills. Dr. W. M. Semans and Dr. J. W. Bashfonl were members, to try to enlist Mr. Carnegie's aid in erecting a public library building in Delaware. Mr. Jones, accordingly, began a correspondence with Mr. Carnegie, through his private secretary, which extended over many months, until December 22, 1902, when Mr. Carnegie addressed a letter to Air. Jones, as chairman of the Library Committee of the Delaware Board of Trade, making a proposition to erect a library building. The City Council referred the offer of Mr. Carnegie to a special committee on January 5, 1903. This committee reported favorably on the plan. January 12th, and on its recommendation a committee of three was appointed to select a site for the proposed library building. Such a committee was appointed, and on April 9th reported in favor of the Lybrand property, now known as the Jane M. Case Hospital. A motion was made and passed, recommending that the incoming Council (May 1st) accept the Lybrand property. Nothing further was done until after the new Council was installed, when its library committee reported a resolution favoring the Williams-Little site, lying between the property of Mrs. Beverly Brown and the private alley south. This report was signed by Parsons, McGough and Alden, and was laid upon the table until the next meeting. On October 5th, the motion to purchase the Williams property was lost. The same evening the motion to purchase the Sampsell or Georgia Brown Allen property was lost, and a third resolution was offered to purchase the Hayes and LeCrone property which carried, and the city solicitor was directed to purchase the property. On December 7th, a petition was received from the library trustees appointed under the new code in favor of the Sampsell site, and on motion of Parsons an ordinance was passed authorizing its purchase. The first levy for a site had been reported by the Finance Committee during the precedingsummer, through Prof. Parsons making a levy of one mill for this purpose.

No action had been taken to purchase the sites previously recommended, and the preceding resolution was repealed by the new ordinance. Finally, on January 4th, a resolution was passed to issue bonds to the extent of $5,000 for the purchase of the Sampsell site from Mrs. Georgia Brown Allen ; the remaining $1,000 (the site costing $6,000) was to be paid out of the levy already made for a site. Thus the matter was finally settled after a great deal of annoyance caused by the opposition of some members of the Council to a site in the northern part of the city.

This site has an interesting history: together with the ground now occupied by the Court House and jail, it was originally platted for a cemetery - the first in Delaware Township - by Byxbe and Baldwin. At that time, this w-as located outside the limits of the village, which extended only as far as the south side of North Street - now Central Avenue. The first persons who died in the village of Delaware, as well as some who died north and east of here, were buried in this ground.

Mayor Clippinger appointed a committee to take charge of the erection of a library building. Before much, if any, definite work was accomplished by this committee, several changes occurred in its personnel, which finally included the following gentlemen : V. D. Stayman, D. H. Battenfield, T. J. Griffin, Henry E. Main, Judge B. F. Freshwater and Capt. C. W. Wiles. Architects E. W. Hart and John M. Marriott were associated in the preparation of plans, the latter gentleman later becoming architect and superintendent in charge of construction. The building was begun in the fall of 1904, and was opened to the public on September 1, 1906. The cost of the building, $21,500, was paid by Mr. Carnegie; $1,500 was spent in furnishing it. The present Board of Trustees is as follows : V.

The number of books in the library is 4.- 666, and thirty-two magazines and five daily papers are received. The last annual report shows 12,850 readers and a circulation of 22,067 books.

porated February 8, 1906. The following gentlemen were charter members: J. L. Smith, president ; D. L. Ziegler. vice-president; Frank L. Grove, secretary: H. E. Buck, soliciting agent ; John B. Taggart. curator. In addition to the foregoing, the following individuals are now members : Howard O. Core, who is the present curator; Dr. William E. Knight, Arthur Sheradin and Hon. E. M. Wickham. D. W. C. Lugenbeel, the veteran journalist, whose historical sketches over the signature "Looking Backwards" have interested so many readers of the Delaware papers, was recently elected to honorary membership. At present the society is without a place in which to make a public display of the collections owned by its members, but it is hoped to secure suitable accommodations in the near future. The limits of our space will not permit of a list of the thousands of relics of a bygone age which have been collected. There are upwards of ten thousand Indian relics, hundreds of pieces of old china, many spinning wheels, reels, swifts, old blue coverlets, school books. American cut glass, fireplace cooking utensils, reflectors for baking in the fireplace, old wooden cradles, hand-spun woolen carpets, wooden-wheel clocks and other furniture.