Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 2 of those read), 1882 (part 4 of 4)

Dr. Antis went to California, and llr. C. L. P. Ilogan was elected to till the vacancy. In 1S51 L. W. Claj'pool succeeded Mr. Barber as trustee, and tliere were 82[t.07 distributed to the various school districts, of which Morris got $18.32. L. P. Lott succeeded Mr. Claypool as treasurer. Tliere is no record in 1S52 to be found. In 1853 the amount distributed was $140.65, of which Morris got $93.90, on 227 school children. In 1854 Messrs. llogan, Claypool and C. II. Goold were tlie trustees, with Mr. Lott as treasurer. AVe find a plat of a subdivision of Sec. 16, T. 33, R. 7, being the school section donated by Congress to eacli township for the support of schools posted in the record as of May 10, 1854, certified by Geo. II. Kiersted, county surveyor; by P. A. Armstrong, deputy. A Mr. Jenkins did the surveying. lie was afterward killed by Gen. Jim Lane, in Kansas, over a claim difficulty. By this plat said school section was divided into fourteen lots, containing in the aggregate 642 21-100 acres, whicli were sold by Geo. Fisher, then school commissioner, for $9,470.08. This was the toundation of our fine schools of Morris. In October, 1854, the number of school children in Dist. Xo. 1 (Morris) was 711, and the amount distributed for the year ending Oct. 1, 1854, was $79.67, of which Morris got $59.95. In 1855 the distribution was $419.96, of which $315.97 went to Dist. No. 1. The law was changed in 1855, so the distribution was made upon the actual school attendance. At the October meeting of that year $520.19 was apportioned, and Morris got $433.35 of this amount. In January-, 1856, Messrs. Claypool, Goold and C. It. Parmelee were elected trustees, who re-elected Mr. Lott, treasurer. In 1856 there were $2,013.65 apportioned or distributed, and Morris got $1,661.93. In 1857 the amounts were about the same as for 1855. The school census for 1858 showed that the total number of children between five and twenty-one years was 701; under five years, 419; total, 1,120. School Dist. No. 1 was divided in 1849, forming Dist. No. 5, composed of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, which now are attached to and form part of the town of Erienna, or Aerienna, as more generally spelled.

Hon. L. B. Ray was elected treasurer Jan'y 21, 1864, and has continued in-oftice ever since, except the years 1876 to 1878, when L. F. Beach was treasurer; Mr. C. H. Goold was one of the trustees from 1854 to 1878, a period of twenty-four years of continuous service. The increase of school children in the county from 1856 to 1858, was 774; at the March meeting of the Board of Supervisors, 1858, Supervisors L. W. Claypool, L. P. Lott and Wm. Pierce, special committee to settle with the school commissioner, submitted a report in which they use the following language in relation to the increase of school children in T. 32, R. 8: "Your committee are also of the opinion that there must, from the nature of the case, be some erroi-s in the returns of the children as returned to the school commissioner; the most glaring of which is in town 32, 8; in their return of 1854 there appears but 192 children, whereas in 1856 it is 492; tliis is an alarming increase in the short space of two years, and if it continues in tlie same ratio for a few jears longer, it will make this town one of the most thickly populated towns in Illinois." We are inclined to the opinion that friend Claypool had not read Fox's Book of ]V[art3-rs, or if he had read it he had forgotten John Rogers with his " nine small children, and one at the breast." Braceville may have been settled by the descendants of this self-same John Rogers, which would explain the "alarming increase." Indeed this town of Braceville (32,8) is in main' respects a wonderful one; it has more high priced poor land, more railroads, more coal and more cliildreu to the acre than any other town in tiio county, and is ready to take a contract to double discount 4:92 children on short notice, but we are drifting from our subject,

The Mokkis Schools

The last teacher mentioned by us was Judge Starr. Mrs. W. S. Woolsey, who still lives in Morris, taught a private school at the court house for several months. Mr. Oliver E. Parmelee, a druggist (and wlio was drowned in the canal here while batliing in June, 1850), erected the building now occupied by Francis Hall, as a saloon, in 1849; the upper part was in one room, known as " Parmelee Hall;" this room was rented by the school board, and B. M. Atherton, the father-in-law of Mr. Parmelee, was engaged to teach school in this room; lie was a man of education and talent; one leg was several inches sliorter than the other, hence he used crutches; naturally of a domineering disposition and irascible tempei'.

he was anytliing but a pleasant man, yet his fine intelligence and legal ability (fur he was a lawyer by profession) gave him a good standing in the cominnnity; barring his severity of manner, he was a very iine teacher, and did much in " teaching the young ideas how to shoot;" indeed, his school was a sort of County Normal, to which pupils from all over the county came. Parmelee Hall was used as a 'sciiool room from 1850 to the fall or winter of 1853, when the district erected the main part of wliat is now known as the Old Center School House.

In August, 1851, a vote of tlie district was taken upon the question of building a school-house and jJiirchasing lots 1 and 2, B. 11, Cliapin's addition to Morris, as a school-house site, which resulted favorably to both propositions, and on the 3d of September of that year, said lots were purchased from Geo. W. Armstrong for $175, and a deed was executed by Mr. A. to School District N"o. 1, T. 33, R. 7. A contract for the erection of a school-house was awarded to R. S. Jones (as we remember) to build a school-house on said lots thirty by sixty feet, two stories high. There was a deal of fault finding at what was then considered by some the enormous size of this building. So general was this feeling that the people refused to vote the necessary amount of tax to complete the building the next year, so that work was suspended. But at the next vote upon the subject tlie appropriation or tax was carried and the building completed. If our memory is correct a Mr. Brooks - better known as Bully Brooks - a young man with very red hair and prominent nose, taught, or tried to teach, school in the thea

HOW school-house in the winter of 18.53-4:, but was forced to abandon tiie enterprise by the big boys before his term was out. Miss Sarali Pariuelee, or '"Aunt Sarah," as slie was called, taught a school in one of the rooms in the spring of 185i.

In Septjniber of that year Edward Sanford, A. 13., a graduate of old Yale, was induced to accept the position of princii)al of tlie Morris public school. A man of magnificent executive ability and a perfect model of systematic order, he made a great success of tlie scliool. However, he could not be induced to teach but two years, and closed liis duties as sucli principal July 31, 1856, to enter the law ottice of E. P. Seeley, since deceased, as a law student. Having been admitted to the bar he became the law partner of Mr. Seeley, and i-emained as such until the death of the latter. He is now one of our wealthiest citizens. A little fnssy fellow by the name of Smith, from somewhere in "Wisconsin, succeeded Mr. Sanford. He had as an assistant a woman, supposed to be his wife, but Dame Eumor said she was some other man's wife, and like the '' Heathen Chinee, they had to go."

In 1859 H. K. Trask, A. B., was principal, with John Trask, Anna Trask, Eliza Ealdwin, Sarah Parmelee, and Kate Grant, assistants. Their salaries were as follows: II. K. Trask, §900; John Trask, $750; and $270 to each lady. The same corps of teachers had charge in 1800 at the same salaries, with Gertrude Vincent as an additional ff.«sistant. In August, 1860, the people voted down the proposition to levy a tax to extend schools beyond six months the ensuing year. This caused Mr. Trask, who was, besides being a first-class teacher, a first-class gentleman, to decline a

At a meeting of the directors, Sept. 14tii, it was ordered to have six months school with seven teachers, fixing the salary of the principal at $400 for the six months, and placing the assistants' pay at $25 per month. School to commence Oct. 7, 1861. John Trask was made principal, Kate Frame, Anna Trask, Sarah Parmeloe, Kate Grant, Fannie A. Hale and Celia Frarv were selected as assistants. B. II. Strceter and B. F. Matteson, two of the directors, resigned April 2d, 1862. Eobert Loufworth and C. G. Conklin were elected to fill the vacancies April 14, 1862. Mr. Trask was re-engaged with Kate Frame, C. Vanvalkenburgh, S. Wright, K. Morley, C. Frary and A. A. Hennessey, assistants. School commenced Oct. 6, 1862. Andrew Kirkland succeeded Mr. Conklin as director this year. In 1863, Mr. McV^ay was ])rincipal, but the record fails to show wluit his initials or first names were, what wages he received, or who were his assistants when the school began or closed, or indeed that we had any school. We find under date of Nov. 16, 1863, Mr. Longworth moved to increase the salary of McVay five dollars per month; whether the motion was carried or lost, the record fails to state. In 1864:, W. T. Hopkins succeeded Mr. McBride as director and clerk of the board. This board selected L. B. Searles, principal, on salary of $900, with Misses Morley (now Mrs. Hamilton), Longworth, Hennessey, Wright, Hale, Bross and Vincent, at $30 per month each. On April 1, 1865, a petition signed by 0. Grant, G. W. Lane,

D. D. Spencer, and thirty others was presented to the school board praying tlie removal of Mr. Searles. The record says: " After hearing the defenses, it is ordered that Mr. Searles be discharged." This discharge was clearly irregular and illegal. He left but collected his salary.

It appears that a Mr. Fisher was employed to finish the year's scliool as principal. TlieVe is no record of it except of the payment of schedules, July 15, 1S65, when " Fisher and Miss Morley were allowed $i40. Misses Tinkham, Bross, Bean, Harrison, Hale and Wright, each 8120. Mr. Kirkland resigned, when at the election to till vacancy, and elect a successor to Mr. Longworth, E. B. Hanna and L. P. Lott were elected. Of this board, Judge Hopkins was made president, and L. P. Lott, secretary, and this was the starting point of keeping a record of the board. Zorodus Trask of Beaver Dam, "Wisconsin, was selected principal at $1,200 per annum, with Misses Bross, Bean, Harrison, Tinkham and Hale, assistants, at $300 per annum each. Tiie school-house now was too small to accommodate the scholars, and outside rooms were engaged, with Miss Iliordan as an additional teacher. In December of that year, the wages of the female teachers were raised to $360 per annum. We find by the schedules paid, tliat a Miss Wheaton was Mr. Trask's first assistant. We liave no personal recollection of the lady. Additions were built to the main building tliis year.

E. B. Hanna was again elected director in 1866. It was also voted to build a brick school-house in the 3d ward. At the August meeting, 1866, of the board the school year was fixed at forty weeks. Tliis has been the rule ever since. Henry K. Trask was elected principal, with Misses Jennie Bross, Belle Grant, Sarah Tinkham, Alida Bliss, Fannie Hale, Alice R Jordan and Gertrude Vincent, assistants, tor year commencing in Sept., 1866.

The school rooms were so crowded that on the 13th Oct., 1866, the board made a contract with Mrs. Bailey, wife of Rev. G. S. Bailey, to teach from forty to fifty small scholars at their residence, for $iOO for forty weeks. Mr. H. K. Trask declining to accept the ofier of principal, Mr. Stetman E. Massey was selected as such at §1,000 per annum. Miss Riordan did not accept the position offered, and ]\Iiss Mary E. McQiieston took her place. Miss Vincent also resigned in March, 1867, when a Miss Fitch was appointed to the place. Aug. 5, 1867, C. Grant was elected to succeed Judge Hopkins. It was also voted to build a brick school-house in the ith ward north of the railroad. The site for 3d ward school was purchased Aug. 8th, 1867, for $850. The board also bouglit from Thomas Hynds ninety feet south end of lot 3, B. 11, Chapin's addition to Morris, adjoining the old school-house, for $200 at this meeting. The school was opened again in Sept., 1867, with S. E. Massey, principal, Belle Grant, Jennie Bross, Fannie Hale, Alida Bliss, Sarah Tinkham, Mary McQueston and E. B. Fitch, assistants. Gouch A: Smith received the contract to do the mason work on 3d ward school for $1,250. F. H. Williams & Co., the carpenter work for $1,500, selecting the Oliver brick as the material. At a meeting of the board July 11th, 1868, lots 6 and 7, B. 9, in Edwards' addition to Morris, were purchased for a school-house site for a brick school-house in tlie 4th ward at the sum of $600. The first mis- take we note in the action of this board, one of the very ablest the city ever had, is in ordering the building of "a one story brick school-house 30 by 40 feet." On tlie 3d of August, 1S6S, Geo. W. Lane was elected to succeed Mr. Lott as director. It was also decided to purchase a site, and erect a brick school-house, in the then oth, now 2d ward. At a meeting of the now board August 12, 18(58, Mr. Grant w;ts elected president and Mr. Ilanna secretary, and Mr. Massey was reappointed principal of the schools, with Misses Bross, Bliss, Hale, McQueston, Grant, Hennessey, Harrison, Barstow and Mrs. Phillips, assistants. The principal to be paid $1,000, and each assistant $300. At this meeting the board ordei-ed that the proposed school-house in the 4th ward be of brick and one story high and 30 by 40 feet in size; and the contract was let to Messrs. Kntz and StoiT for the carpenter work at $960. The brick and stone work was let to Wm. Stage at $679. At a meeting of the board September 7, it was decided to make the 4th ward school building two stories instead of one. The lower story 14, the upper 12 feet high. The old teachers were re-employed for ensuing year at same salaries. Mary Grant was added to the list of teachers at the next meeting of the board.

On the 28th of July, 1870, Prof. H. H. C. Miller was elected principal, on a salary of $1,300. His selection proved a very good one. He is a man of fine executive ability and scholastic acquirements. On the 1st of September the clerk submitted a system of grading the schools, which was adopted, and has been but slightly changed since, strange as it may seem, yet it is true that this was the first effort ever made to

At a meeting of the board Sept. 3d, 1870, on motion of the clerk, the .salaries of tlio assistant teachers were raised from $300 to $340, and the following were selected and assigned:

1 - Miss Mary Hubbard. 2 - Miss Lizzie Hennessey,prln' cipal. 4th Ward Brick. 1 - Miss Carrie Bullis. 2 - Miss M. A. l-li])pan, principal. 5th Ward Brick. 1 - Miss Alida G. Bliss. 2 - Miss Minnie Barstow, principal. Much feeling sprang up over this assignment of teachers, but it proved a very judicious one, and never did the Morris public schools do better than this year. Prof. Miller proved to be " the right man in the right place," while he was ably assisted in all the departments. This school board adopted the single seat system and rendered the principal active support in building up a first-class graded public school. Li January, 1871, Mr. Brown resigned, and Mr. F. Caspori was elected his successor. At the regular April election of that year, Mr. Lane was re-elected director without opposition. -

On the 21st of June, 1871, " Prof. Miller submitted his annual report of the workings of the several schools under his charge, wliich showed a very flattering condition, and, on motion, it was ordered that said report be published in pamphlet form and that 300 copies be printed for distribution."

On the 23d of June, 1871, on motion of Mr. Caspori, Prof, ililler's salary was raised to $1,500 per annum, and on motion of Mr. Armstrong, the following assiarnment and jSaiaries of the assistants were made: Miss Bliss, assistant to princijoal, $375

4th Ward School. Miss Ella C. Harrison, No. 2, principal, - - - - 340 Only one room ready for use. 5 th Ward School. Miss Minnie Barstow, No. 2, principal, $375 " Jennie A. Bross, " 1 " 375 The teacliers' salaries paid for previous year was $5,253. The total cost of the year's school was $7,828.17, as appears from the clerk's report. The whole nnraber of persons under 21 years residing in the district was given at 1,730, and those between 6 and 21 were 1,200, of whom IS were colored. The whole number of enrolled scholars was 852; number of teachers, 13 - 12

This was truly a fine showing. But we are extending this article too long. The teacliers selected for the year commencing in September, 1871, were Prof. Miller, ])rincipal, Ada Brum back as his assistant, and Misses Broes, Bliss, Green, Peirce, Harrison, Mary Poster, Mary J. Henry, Emma Card, Schoonmaker, Hubliard, and Mrs. M. L.Thayer. In March, 1872, Miss Card resigned on account of poor health, and Miss Julia McFarland succeeded her as a teacher. At the A])ril election, 1872, Mr. Armstrong was unanimously re-elected director. On the 15tli of June that year, the salary of the teacher of the grammar school was raised to $400. Prof Miller was again chosen as principal at $1,500; Miss Lizzie Winters, as his assistant, $400. The salaries of the other teachers were not clianged. The old teachers were re-engaged except Misses Brumback, Greene, Hubbard, M. J. Henry, and Mrs. Tiiayer, who declined to re-engage. Misses Irene Henry and Elsie F. Hare were employed in their stead. The wages were substantially the same as the prior year.

On the 3d of April, 1869, Lot 3, B 2, C. II. & II. C. Goold's addition to Morris, was purchased of Mr. Caspori for the site for 5th ward school at $1,030, and contracts were awarded for the erection of a twostory brick building, 30x46 feet, to Messrs. Massey & Jackson, carpenter work and blinds $1,600; Wm. Stage, brick, stone and plastering for $1,878.50. The following teachers were selected Sept. 13, 1869: S. E. Massey, principal; Myra Massey, Susan A. Phillips, Carrie Barstow, Mary Mc-

Qiioston, Emilia Harrison, Minnie Barstow, Jennie A. ]>ross, Alida C. Bliss, Lizzie Ilennessey, iS'ellie Hall, and Ada Harrison. Their salai-ies were tixed at $1,000 to principal, and $300 to the assistants. On the 1st of Jany., 1S70, Mrs. M. W. Lojd was made principal of 5tli ward school, and Mrs. Harrison was selected to take the place made vacant by the resignation of Miss McQiieston, Miss McQueston having elected to take a school of one scholar for better or for worse - for life. The school law having been amended or altered so as to bring the election in April instead of August, the election was held April 4, 1870, for two directors. This was an exciting election, and resulted in the election of Messrs. John Brown and Benjamin Olin to succeed Messrs. Hanna and Grant. Tliis new board organized by electing Mr. Lane, president, and Olin, secretary'. ]\Iiss Kate Prideaux was selected April 9, 1870, to succeed Mrs. ILirrison who had resigned in Center School. Judge Olin resigned June 1, 1870, and moved to Joliet, and at a special election June 7, 1870, P. A. Armstrong was elected to fill the vacanc3', and was elected clerk of the board. Tlie total number of scholars attending the public schools at this time was 601. While the total number of males under the age of twenty-one years was 786, females, 787: total 1,573. The division of the sexes was close - one majority for the girls. Between 6 and 21 years there were 1,052.

The school law again being changed, requiring the election of a board of education, of six members, at the election held April 5, 1873, Wm. A. Jordan, Jolm Duckwortli, J. C. Carr, F. Caspori, Geo. W. Lane and P. A. Armsti-ong were elected as such board. Messrs. Lane and Armstrong drew the short term of one year, Messrs. Jordan and Carr the middle term of two years, and Messrs. Cas]iori and Duckworth the long term of three years. Geo. W. Lane was elected president of the board, and Mr. Armstrong, secretary. In May, 1873, Miss Lizzie "Winters having married, resigned, and Miss T. H. Briggs was appointed to tlie vacancy, as principal of the grammar school, at $45 per month salary. At the June meeting of the board, Prof. Miller was again appointed principal, on the same salary as before. Miss Dora E. Schooninaker was appointed as assistant principal at $500, Misses Bliss, Bross, Hare and Gill at $-1:00, Misses Harrison, Foster and M. E. Hare, $375 each. The census report showed the whole number of persons under 21 years of age, 1,715, of whom 11 v»-ere colored. Whole number of jiupils enrolled in the Morris public school, 858. It also showed an excess of 102 females. Miss Gill declined and Miss E. F. Hare was made ]>riiicipalof the grammar school, and Miss Julia Pomeroy was placed in 3d ward brick in place of Miss Hare, and Miss Alice A. Coulong was also employed as a teacher tliat year; also Miss Lizzie A. Hock as assistant in 4th ward school, at $300 per year. On the 3d of January, 1874, Miss Maggie Browu was assigned to the 4th ward school in place of Miss Hock, resigned, and [Miss Damon to the 3d ward school in place of Miss Foster. On motion of the secretary, tlie following was adopted as an additional rule. viz. : "Those teachers who are most successful in governing their pupils witliout resorting to corporal punishment, other fpialifications being snlficieut, shall be awarded by the board a higher degree of appreciation, iind receive the preference over all others in promotion and appointments." Miss Damon, being unable to manaseher school, was transferred to Center school, and Mrs. Dukes was employed as principal of 3d ward school, in February, 1874. At the April election, 1874, for two members of the board of education, Stilman E. Massey and Mr. Armstrong were elected (Mr. Lane refusing to serve any longer). Mr. Jordan was elected president, atid Mr. Armstrong secretary of the board. In June, Prof. Miller was again selected principal, on salary of $1,500. Lizzie Royce, assistant, $500. Miss Bliss, grammar school, $450. The older teachers were allowed $400 each and the newer ones $300 to §340. The new teaciiers were Misses Lizzie Massey and Mary J. Noble. The fiscal report of the clerk for year ending June 30, 1874, shows total receipts, $7,707- .54. Expenditures, $8,203.54. Tlie number of teachers employed, 13 - 1 male; 12 females. On the 7th of January, 1875, Prof. Miller tendered his resignation as principal, to take effect at the close of the school year. The board assured him that if the only reason for his leaving tiie school was insufficiency of salary, that should be raised. At a meeting of the board, June 9, 1875, Prof Miller was again elected principal by a unanimous vote, and his salary increased to $2,000 per year. Eut he had already agreed to take charge of the public schools of Pittsfield, III, and declined the position here.

" As an organizer of a thorough system, both of studies and discipline, and a thoi-- ough educator, we consider him second to no man in the State. * * He adds to a thorough classic education a fine understanding of the law as well as a practical education. A man of sound judgment, quick discernment and admirable temperament." He is now practicing law in Chicago.

At the same meeting the old corps of teachers, except principal and assistant, were re-elected with a slight increase in salaries. On tlie 6th of July, 1875, Prof. Mathew Waters was unanimously elected principal on a salarj' of $1,500. On the 25tii of June, a petition signed by C. II. Goold and some sixty tax payers of the district was presented to the boai'd, praying the erection of a new school-house which had been referred to the committee on grounds and buildings, and at the July meeting this committee by Mr. Caspori made a verbal report relative to eligible sites, etc., when it was ordered to submit the question of building a new school-house to a vote of the people. Miss Flora Trumbull was elected assistant principal, at $600, July 20, 1875. On the 2d of August, 1875, on motion of Mr. Carr, the series known as the " Independent series," published by A. S. Barnes & Co., were adopted to be introduced, as classes were formed, etc. This, in the opinion of the writer, was the most foolish act of this Board of Education, notwithstanding we voted for it. We consider the Independent series the poorest of all the recent series of school books published. But there is and always will be serious objections to frequent changes in school books; with all their pretended improvements, we have not been able to find among tlie vast number of new Keaders any one that equals the old time " Columbian Orator," or " National Reader." On the 23d of August, a vote was taken on the new school-house proposition, the new school-house to cost not exceeding 830,000, which resulted in fa'^or of such new school-house 193 votes, and 120 votes were cast against the pn)])Ositioii. The law simply reipiiriug a majority of the votes cast to make it obligatorv on the board to act, said proposition was declared carried.

In October of that year tlie schools were so full that two rooms in the city hall were procured, and schools opened there. On the 30th of October, a vote of the people was had upon the proposition to purchase the east half of block eighteen, Chapin's 2d addition to Morris, for $7,000, which resulted 191 for, and 61 against said proposition; tliis resulted in the selection of the present beautiful site of the best and among the finest public school buildings of this State.

The committee on grounds and buildings having visited many of the best school-houses in the State, reported verbally to the board, Nov. 20, 1875, recommending the plan of the new Jones schoolhou.se of Chicago, with slight changes. Mr. Bigeh)W, who was the arcliitect of the Jones school-house, came before the board with the plans and specifications of said /Jones school, and fully explained the - same. On Dec. 1, on motion of Mr. Carr, the committee on grounds and schoolhouses were instructed " to procure plans, specifications, and working drawings for a building nearly similar to the new Jones school of Chicago as to internal arrangements, with exterior something like the Rochelle school buildings." Mr. Duckworth moved, " that the new building be constructed of brick with stone trimmings." Mr. Armstrong moved to amend this motion by striking out the words " brick with stone trimmings," and insert the words " Au Sable stone," upon which motion the ayes and naj's were called; those voting aye were Messrs. Massey and Armstrong, two; those voting nay were Messrs. Caspori, Carr and Duckworth, three; hence, th« amendment was lost; the vote recurring on the original motion of Mr. Duckworth, it was carried; Mr. Armstrong alone voting nay; Mr. Jordan, the president, was in favor of a stone building, but conld not vote exceyrt upon a tie vote, which never can occur with a full board of six.

Bonds bearing not exceeding ten per cent, interest were ordered to be issued to pay for the school-house site, at this meeting, to the amount of $7,000, the purchase price thereof. The next meeting of the board was on the 5th of January, 1876, when J. II. Bigelow, the architect, presented plans and specifications which were accepted. It was also decided to advertise in the Morris piapers for sealed pro]>osals up to the first Monday in FeluMary, 1876, to furnish material and perform the labor in the erection of a school-house in conformity with the ])lans and specifications prepared by the architect, now in the office of the secretary. The first plan provided for a slate roof. Bids- were solicited for a brick building with stone trimmings, and also for a stone building. On Mon- day, February 7ih, the board met, opened and examined the bids, thirty-three in aU, and as tliere were many bids for some special parts that reqnired time to arrange and compare, tlie board adjourned to the 9th of February, 1«76. At this meeting it was found that the lowest bid, even for a brick building, was $31,000, which was above the limit of the appropriation. The board having reserved the right to reject any or all bids, by their advertisement, on motion of Mr. Armstrong it was: " Resolved, That each and every bid submitted to this board on the 7th inst, pertaining to the erection of the new school-house in said District No. 1, be and are hereby rejected; that the roof of said proposed building be changed to near an eighth pitch, and standing groove iron be substituted for slate; and that tin be substituted for galvanized iron for the valleys and gutters; and that the architect be, and hereby is required to make such alterations in the plans and specifications as he may deem necessary to fully carry out the above named changes and alterations; that the board re-advertise for sealed proposals, to be opened Feb'y 21, 1876; that bids be invited for the erection of a brick school-house with stonej trimmings, also for a stone school-house,(jetc.

On the 21st of February there wei% some thirty-five proposals opened and esjiiined. The difierence between the cost of a stone building and a brick one as shown by the bids, was less than two thousand dollars. The bids of Messrs. Gordon, McGaveny, ' Boyer, Stage, and Gorich, who were finally awarded the contract, made but Sli650 difference in their bids between stone and bnck. Their bids were for stone $28,977, for brick $27,327. After comparing the bids and discussing the question as to whether the building should be of brick or stone, the board adjourned to February 22d, when Mr. Armstrong submitted the following resolution upon the passage of which he called for the a^^es and na3's : " Resolved, That the action of this board at their meeting of December 1, 1875, relative to the material for the outside walls be and the same is hereby amended by striking out the words 'brick with stone trimmings,' and inserting in | lieu thereof the words 'Au Sable sandstone,' in accordance with the plans and sjiecifications prepared by the architect," which was carried. Those voting aye were Messrs. Jordan, Duckworth and Armstrong, and Messrs. Carr and Caspori voting no. Mr. Armstronghad induced the architect to make plans for a stone building, pledging himself to pay for the extra labor the sum of $35, if the board should not finally adopt stone. Messrs. Jordan and Massey were in favor of stone all the time.

Tlie contract for a stone building was awarded to our fellow townsmen Miles Gordon, Andrew J. Boyer, Thos. G. Mc- Gaveny, William Stage and Jacob Gorich, together with two woo'len privies, for the sum of $28,977.00. They furnishing all materials and keeping an insurance on the building as it progressed. The work was well done. Indeed, every one of the contractors lost their time and some of them considerable money on their parts of the contract, but they did their work and did it well, and the best school house in the State stands a monument to the skill and perseverance of the builders. The entire cost of this building which is a stone building 7i by Si, three stories and basement, includ- iiig superintendence, was $30,030, with 8^,000 for site, making a total of $37,030, which is probably tlie cheapest scliool-house, in proportion to its real value, in the State; it has 12 rooms laroje enouirh to accomniodate 63 scholars each, witli a single desk; well niav our people feel proud of our public school building and of our public schools. At the April election, 1877, John Duckworth and George AVoelfel, were elected members of the board. Prof Waters with Miss Mosier as his assistant, and verj nearly the same corps of teachers, were selected for the school year commencing Sept. 3, 1876; Miss Mosier's salary was raised to 8700; she was a very line teacher and an accomplished young lady. The new teaciiers were Misses Ilattie Hall, Carrie Rogers, Hettie McFarlane and Abbie M. Kiersted; Miss Irene Henry, being the onlj^ old teacher, dropped out; she preferred a school of one scholar, and clianged her name to Putt; the lowest wages paid this year was 8340, and tlie total aggregate of the fifteen teachers' salaries was 87,280.

The census report for this year shows whole number of males under 21, 876; whole number of females under 21, 91i; between 6 and 21, males, 584; females, 655; males between 12 and 21 who can not read and write, 12; females, 6.

The winter term was opened Jan'}' 8, 1877, in the new building; MissM. E. Hare having resigned, her place was filled by the selection of Miss Myra Woods, Dec. 27, 1876; Miss E. F. Hare resigned April 2, 1877, and her sister, Sarah A., was selected in her place, and on the next daj'Miss Lizzie Massey resigned, and Miss Anna E. Harvey succeeded lier; at the April election for members of the Hoard of Education,

Messrs. Lott, Comerfoixi and Stephen were elected to succeed Messrs. Armstrong, Massey and Jordan, the latter having resigned, and Mr. Wm. Stei)lien was elected to fill the unexpired term; Mr. Stephen was elected president, and Mr. Oarr secretary of the new board. On the 31st of August, 1877, the old corps of teachers, except Misses Mosier, Woods, Kiersted and Rogers, all of whom declined a re-engagement; the new teachers were Misses AUbretta Clute (assistant principal), Lillie II. Fyfe, Sadie T. Hall, Ella M. Pasegateand Lizzie E. Codv; their salaries were slightly reduced, but not materially so; at the A]iril election, 1878. Jlessrs. E. Ridgeway, L. AV. Clayjjool, and R. B. Strong, were elected members of the board vice Mr. Carr, (who declined a re-election), Mr. Stejihen and Mr. Duckworth who -' got lost and never was founded." This new board organized by electing Mr. Lott president and Mr. (Jlaypool secretary, who still liold their positions respectively; Miss Clute "all the wa\' from York State," a maiden lady of uncertain age, assistant principal on a salary of 86'*0 per year, proved to be much abler in teaching the arts of wooing than the sciences; this compelled Prof Waters to do a large amount of extra lal)or; a fine teacher and ambitious, he neglected his health, and finally jjroke completely down tlui-ing the spring term, 1878; his nervous system was destroyel; he was confined to iiis bed here all that summer, and is now an inmate of the Home of the Licnrables in Chicaero; his limbs are all drawn up into a rigid, crooked shape; unable to feed himself, yet liis mind and memory are as strong and active as the}^ ever were, but there is absolutely no hope of his recovery. S. E. Mas- sey, A. M., took his place as principal for tlie unexpired year for Mr. Waters, whose salary was paid hiui in full by the board, June 24, 1878.

The Morris hiwh school graduated nine scholars this 3'ear, which, in addition to the former graduates, made the full number of twenty-eight. In the class of graduates for 1873 were Miss Alice A. Conlong, who has been for many years a popular teacher in the Morris public schools, and Miss Maggie Brown, now the wife of Henry C. June, Esq., of Oak Park, Illinois. In class of 1874, Miss Mary J. Noble, also for many years last past a popular teacher in the Morris schools. Miss Ilattie Coy, since married. Miss Emma E. Jones, now wife of F. Starr, Esq., of Streator, Illinois, and Miss Carrie E. Rogers, for awhile one of the teachers in Morris school.

In class of 1877, Misses Delia Robinson, Ettie F. Johnson, Mary II. Shatier, Lizzie E. Comerford (now a teacher in the school), Lizzie E. Cody, now the wife of E. II. Quigley, Esq., railroad agent at Morris, Mary Comerford, Fannie Lane (since married), Gertie IS'elson, Susie C. Brown, Nora Marshall (now one of the teachers), and Charles J. Reed, since then a graduate of the Ann Arbor University, and now principal of the Princeton (Illinois) schools.

In class of 1878, Miss Nellie Barr, Hattie E. Parker, Lulu Ross, now Mrs. T. P. Bailey, Nellie F. Cody, now wife of Mr. Davis, of the firm of Cod}- & Davis, Emma E. Leacock, Abbie C. Woods, Minnie D. Porter, Ida Caspnri and Wm. J. Leacock. In August, 1878, Prof. L. T. Regan was elected principal, and has continued as such up to the present, and has been engaged for the ensuing year; and the only changes in the board of education are, Mr. Wm. Stephen and J. S. R. Scovill have succeeded Messrs. Strong and Comerford. This brings the public school history down to the time when the memory of our people is fresh, and as our chronicle is growing too long we stoj) here with our history of the Morris public schools, of which we feel a just pride.

On the 12tb of March, 1858, John Mc- Neil is and wife e.\'ecuted a conveyance of out lot 8, in the Canal Trustees' subdivision of the S. W. I, Sec. 3, T. 33, R. 7, containing ten acres (less the streets), with a large three story brick building at a consideration expressed at one dollar to "Rev. E. Sorin, Provincial, of the congregation of the Holy Cross, resident of Notre Dame LTniversity, of the county of St. Josepli, and State of Indiana, and to his successor in office * * on condition that a Catholic school shall be kept on said premises forever." Father Sorin immediately established and opened thereon and therein St. Angela's Academy, with Mother Fz-ances - a sister-in-law of Senator John Sherman of Ohio, as Mother Superior, for the thorough and practical education of young ladies. This school is second to no academy in this State. Its attendance has been large from its inception up to the present, and we can commend this school to all persons wishing a first-class boarding school for young ladies, whether Catholic or Protestant, as no effort is allowed to be made toward proselyting. It is a model of good order, and is 5ii]>plied by tlio very best of teachers. Of course tlie teachers are all niins; Mother Frances was taken fnrther West to open other convents, but a eonipetetit Lady Superior has taken her place. Tins ci)nvent has been nmcli enlar^^-ed, and the Sisters of the Holy Gross are doing their good work as silently as the dew falls, \'et thoroughly and intelligently. The only effort thev make at ])ul)Iic notoriety is their annual couimenceinents.

They have students from all over the northern ]iart of the State. 15eing an adjunct of Notre Dame, it is essentially a ])i-e])aratoiT department to that leading Catholic University. In painting and music St. Angela's Academy stands higli, while its curriculum is practical and well selected. With commodious buildinurs and extensive grounds highly cultivated and adorned with e.xotics, plants and flowers, St. Angela's is a very ])retty place as well as a pleasant one.

The Mokris Nokm.Vl And Scientific School

is the outgrowth of the " Morris Classic Institute," started by N. C. Dougherty, A. M., over the office of Mr. Sanford, in I.S6I). Mr. Dougherty, now principal of the Peoria schools, came here an entire stranger, rented a room and opened a private school under the above title, and tnade a decided success of it. A man of ]i!ish and energy, with a lar^e degree of self-confidence, he soon established the Morris Classic Institute upon a firm basis. So rapid was its growth that his quarters were too small. He then i-eiitcd a portion of the present Normal School building, and emjiloying assistant teacb.ers, transferred the Institute to that building where he soon established a fine reputation as an educator. He, however, did not remain long at bis new quarters. Having received many offers of positions in other schools, he finally accepted the position of principal of the Mount Morris Seminary, and sold his interest in the Morris Classic to a Mr. Ross, who proved a failure. He in turn sold out to a Rev. Mr. Sloat, who imagined himself a natural-born Demosthenes and Spurgeon combined. But with all his supposed aliility, the ilorris Classic went into a rapid decline. It had a consum])tive cough; hollow-eyed and feeble it linirered a short time and " irave up the ghost." Several efforts were made to revive the " Morris Classic Institute," but they proved unavailing or spasmodic.

In October, 1875, J. J. Kinkaide, A.. M., of Oil City, Pa., rented the building and tried to resuscitate it. Although a teacher of many years experience, he found he had undertaken a difficult task. He succeeded in injecting some little life into the defunct institute, but did not restore it to full life and vigor.

He was succeeded in his efforts by A.W. Bulkley, A. B., and he in turn !)y Prof. Beatie, with about the same result - a siekl v kind of disappointment. In the fell of 1878, Messrs. Cook & Stevens rented the entire building and changed the name to "Morris Normal and SrJentific School." Comparatively }'oung men, full of energy and push, -with unbounded confidence in their own al)ility as organizers and educators, they soon commanded success and placed the Morris Normal on a sure foundation as one of the very best preparatory schools in the State. This school brings to our city talented young gentlemen and ladies from all over the country - not only from Illinois but from other States. Tlie ciirricnlum is a judicious one, whilst the enerojj and perseverance of the entire cor|is of teachers have been such as to win the confidence and command the res]iect of all. Wo notice the sale of the interest of Messrs. Cook & Stevens to Messrs. Kean & Forsythe. They are no strangers liere. Prof Kean lias been a successful teacher for many years, and for over a year past he lias been one of the principal teachers in this school, while Mr. Forsythe has also had considerable experience as a teacher, and was one of the regular teachers of the school before purchasing. And whilst many may regret that Messrs. Cook & Stevens have sold out their interest in the school, none need fear of its complete success under the new management. With four separate tine brick and stone public school liiiildings, with fifteen school rooms, well filled with scholars, under a competent superintendent, with fifteen assistants, with a population of J:,200 people, Morris is well prepared to educate her own children. Add to this St. Angela's Academv and the Morris Kormal and Scientific School, we may well be proud of our educational Ikcilities. No city in the State can excel Morris in that line. We now turn to our

Sabbath Schools

The first Sabbath school of Morris antedates the organization of the first church here. About the ;30th of June,18J:7,Messrs. E. P. Seeley, A. F. Hatid and P. A. Armstrong posted up written notices for a Sab-^ bath school, to be held at the old court house in Morris, on the following Sabbath. Dr. fland and Mr. Armstrong were on hand at the time designated, but the other signer tailed to put in an api)earance. The court house was filled, literally packed, by the most heterogeneous crowd imaginable. Old and young, rich and poor, gray headed men and women, barefooted and liatless urchins, county ofiicials, canal contractois, professional men, mechanics and common laborers; while the ladies, ever first in sympathy and ready to do battle in the cause of religion and reformation, were there in force, ready, yea eager, to assist in so laudable an enterprise. Previous to this time the children had run riot in the streets and woods, the older boys spending their Sundays in hunting, fishing and ball playing, while the lesser bo3\s and girls made mud pies or played blackman, with no one to teach them to '' remember the Sabbath day, and kee]) it holy." Prominent among the good ladies who favored this enterprise were Mrs. Abigail Hull, now the widow Atwater, Mesdames Wm. E. and P. A. Armstrong, both deceased and Mrs. Alex. Peacock, still living. It was a trying situation for the originators, Messrs. Hand and Armstrong; neither of them were professed Christians. Propriety demanded that the exercises should be opened with prayer; no minister of the gospel or professed Christian gentleman was present. A prayer had to be offered up to the Infinite, to keep up at least the semblance of piety. Mr. Armstrong with fear and trembling called on the doctor for a short prayer. To the great relief of the expectant crowd Dr. Hand was equal to the occasion, and made, if not his only, at least his first public prayer, and it was a good one. A prayer that was fine in conception and impressively delivered. This

Having inaugurated this school Messrs. Hand and Armstrong rested upon their laurels and gave place to the ladies and professed Christian gentlemen as managers.

The Cont>'re'>;ational church was ora-anized about that time, and assumed tlie charge of this embr^'o Sabbath school. ^V'hether the Sabbath school records contain any reference to the organizers or not we are not ads'ised, but that this was the origin of the school is true beyond a question. Nor was there any hypocrisy on the part of these men in organizing this movement. They were both sous of pious mothers, who taught them wliile "little toddlers," to keep the Sabbath day holy. That influence had not deserted tliem, and wo trust, never will. Our only religious books were the Bible and John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Sabbath school books had not yet reached this locality. Those capital singers, Geo.H. Kiersted and Thomas A. Henrj', led the singing in fine style. Which of us acted as superintendent we do not now remember, but are inclined to the belief that we yielded the leadership to the ladies, ani that either Mrs. Hall or Mrs. P. A. Armstrong took the lead as teachers. We are quite certain that we left the field early and ceased from our labors in that noble cause.