Kane County, Illinois - Chapter 20, 1908 (part 2 of 3)

Fame Is World-Wide

At this time the dairy business in and around Elgin had grown to such proportions that $560,000 was being paid annually to the farmers within a radius of five miles of the city for butter and cheese alone. This was exclusive of the milk shipped to Chicago or sold at the condensing factory. With the successful launching of the creamery others followed as rapidly as they were needed and "Elgin butter" or "Elgin cheese" were as much sought after in San Francisco and New York as in Chicago, while large consignments were shipped to Europe and other foreign countries and the reputation of Elgin products was established. Every army of the civilized world was supplied with milk put up in cans bearing the label "Elgin." Improved machinery for the manufacture of butter and cheese invented and manufactured in Elgin was being shipped to various parts of the universe and nothing was considered reliable in the dairy line unless it bore the "Elgin" stamp.

The Elgin board of trade was organized in 1871, for the sale of dairy products, and the scope of the dairy district was enlarged until now it reaches into several states. The sales of butter on the board in one week are often found to be almost as large as during a whole year in the early '70s. The cheese business has practically discontinued, as the manufacture of this product has shifted to other parts of the country, but the standard of Elgin butter is still unequaled.

Foreign Trade Of Elgin

The development of a large foreign trade by various Elgin manufacturers testifies to the \arietv and sccipe of the city's industries. It is also significant of a broad expansion in the future.

In common with manufacturers in all sections of the United States, Elgin manufacturing concerns have begun to reach out in foreign countries for a further market for their wares. In the past few years this business has reached large proportions, and of the millions of dollars' worth of commodities manufactured here each vear no small percentage goes to dealers and citizens of faraway lands.

This foreign trade is not confined to any one business, nor to any special class of business, but a large maj(.irity of Elgin manufacturing establishments have or are now shipping their wares to other lands. From watches to butter tubs, and condensed milk to Bibles, ranges the variety of Elgin-made goods that find their ultimate use in the homes or stores or factories of the people of some distant nation.

City Is Advertised Abroad

It is probable that a very small percentage of Elgin's citizens know how \\idely this city is advertised by its products, and among those who do not know are many of the people wiio help produce these very articles. It is a part of the business that, with two or three exceptions, has been neglected in the past, but that in the future is to command almost as much attention as the business right here in the United States.

It is a distinct advantage to nearly all the manufactories here to have a foreign market for their goods, as oftentimes when business is dull in the United States it is good elsewhere. In one case in particular this has proved true, as one Elgin manufacturing concern has been enabled to go through the recent "hard times" without laying ofi a single man or cutting its working time one hour a week siiuply because of the demand for its goods in foreign countries.

This neglect of foreign business in the past has not been confined to Elgin manufacturers, but to the manufacturers of the United States in general. For years England and Germany have practically monopolized the foreign business, simply because Uniteel States business men did not approach the cjuestion of securing foreign business in the proper manner.

.\ccording to a prominent Elgin manufacturer, it is a species of egotismthat has kept the manufacturers of this country out of the foreign markets. The people of this country believe it is the biggest and best on the face of the earth, and the manufacturers believed their wares were the best on earth. Consequently they attempted to sell their American wares to the people of" other countries, without regard as to whether the machinery, shoes, foods, or other products suited the needs of the people of other countries.

Meet Foreign Demands

German and English mannfacturers had men out to study the pecuharities of foreign people, and what particular stuff they wanted most, and how they wanted it. Tliey made tlieir products conform to the demand, while the manufacturers of this country tried to make the demand conform to their wares, and failed. Now this is changed, and manufacturers are studying the demands and endeavoring to meet them.

Of course, the largest manufacturing concern of the city is the one that might reasonably be supposed to have the largest foreign trade, and without doubt it does. The Elgin National Watch Company has representatives in practically every civilized country of the globe, and its watches announce the time of day to nations, from "Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strands."

It has a large agency in England, another in Germany, one in France, and so on throughout the list of the world's countries. Its product is a necessity wherever man may be, or wherever he may roam. He wants to know the time, and an Elgin watch will tell him as well as an}^ other watch, and perhaps better. The watch company has been shipping goods for years to foreign countries, and can hardly be classed among the manufactories that have only recently gotten onto the advantage of a large foreign business.

Likewise the D. C. Cook Publishing Company. Its Bibles, tracts, picture cards, Sunday school papers and quarterlies go into every civilized country of the globe, and are read and enjoyed by children, and grown folks as well, speaking almost every tongue that ever resulted from the Tower of Babel. Thev have been here for years, and this company can hardly be considered one of the newcomers in the held.

Silver Plate Company'S Success

But not so with other concerns. About eight years ago the Elgin Silver Plate Company received an order from an undertaker, whatever he may be, in the language of his own country, in far-ofif South America. He wanted a sample shipment of coffin hardware, and he got it. It was good, and he wanted some more, and ever since then he has been getting shipments at least once a year from the Elgin factory.

Since that time the company has made shipments to New Zealand, Australia, Central America, many countries of South America. England. Canada, and even far-off Japan. Its foreign business has amounted to thousands of dollars, although it has no foreign representative or traveling salesman, all of its business being done direct or through New York exporting houses. If the business continues to grow as it has done the day is not so far distant when it will pay the company to keep a man making a round of the world taking orders.

One of the strongest bidders for foreign business is one of the newest Elgin manufactories, the Seybold Piano and Organ Company. This company made its first foreign shipment shortly after its inception, four years ago, and its most recent one was made last week. The business is steadily increasing, and promises to be a big asset to the company before many years have gone by.

Since that shipment four years ago the company has sent organs to England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Australia, Colombia, South America, jMexico, Cuba, and Canada. One Holland organ dealer thinks so much of the Elgin company's organs that he has secured several pictures of the different styles of organs and uses them in his advertising matter, showing the name "Seybold"' to all his customers.

Fred H. Ackemann, manager, of the organ company, stated one morning that he had just received a letter from a dealer in Warsaw, Russia, who desires a catalogue of the goods manufactured by the company, and states that he thinks the local company can suit his needs. All this foreign business has come unsolicited, as the company has no foreign representative, but Mr. Ackemann stated that he expected the time to come when a foreign traveling man would be a necessary factor in the company's business.

Even so small a concern, relatively speaking, as the Elgin Tool works, does considerable business in foreign countries. Although one of the newest of Elgin manufacturing concerns, it has already sold its products in Belgium. Mexico and Germany, and has had inquiries from Spain, Australia, England, France, Switzerland, and Sweden. The company is now making arrangements with a New York exporting house to handle its foreign business.

The Moseley Lathe Company has also made foreign shipments to Switzerland, England, France, Germany, and Australia, its last shipment having been made about a year ago. It is now negotiating for a large order of goods to be sent to India. This company has been able to sell its regular product in other lands, and foreign dealers and customers have always bought the best and most expensive stuff the local concern makes.

The Borden Condensed ]\Iilk Company is another Elgin factory whose product has been enjoyed by the people of other lands. Shipments have been made from the local factory in the past to Japan. China. England, and many other countries, and the excellence of the product has done much to add to Elgin's fame.

Watch Cases Go Everywhere

Watch cases made at the plant of the Illinois Watch Case Company go to practically every civilized country on the globe. The company has several foreign representatives in the larger cities of the more important countries, and has also had men traveling out of this factory make trips through Europe and South America to South Africa, and also to Australia and other countries. The company has a large Cuban trade, as well as a large amount of business in Mexico.

East Side Of Douglas Avenue, Elgin, About 1860

has a very large Canadian business, and has also made shipments to Cuba and South America. These shipments were made through exporting houses, and the South American shipment is believed to have gone to the Argentine Republic. Formerly a great many Elgin windmills and pumps were sold abroad.

Our Butter Is Exported

The Creamery Packing Manufacturing Company has shipped goods to other lands, although of late years little has gone from this factory. A few years ago the local factory shipped a carload of butter tubs direct to Liverpool, but that is the last foreign shipment made direct from the local factory, which is merely one of a chain which reaches all over the United States.

Even the Elgin Metal Novelty Company's goods go to foreign lands, although they are not shipped direct, but go through dealers in this country who order them made at the Elgin plant. Selz. Schwab & Co.'s shoes, made up on Congdon avenue, go to cover the feet of many nations, although they are shipped through the main office and not direct from the Elgin factory. The shoe company has salesmen in nearly all foreign countries.

The Cutter & Crosette shirt factory sells most of its goods in the United States, about the only foreign market being Canada. The shipping rates on such Ijulky products are too high to make the foreign business much of an object. Many of the shirts get into foreign lands, howex-er. on the backs of Americans who appreciate good shirts.

.\nd so it goes. The missionary in far-off China reads to his almond-eyed pupils out of a Bible made at D. C. Cook's publishing house, accompanies their hymns on an organ from the Seybold factory, closes school by looking at an Elgin watch, and then goes to his home, to make his tea out of water drawn by an Elgin windmill, sweetens it with condensed milk prepared at the Brook street factory.

E. C. Kincaid, then prominent in newspaper circles, wrote as follows: "A history of Elgin would be incomplete without mention being made of the names and fate of the various newspapers published. In no country in the world as America does the press wield so large and eft'ective an influence. Neither is a town considered located and established until it contains a paper, especially adapted to its wants and devoted to its interests. The mission of the newspaper man is an important one, and it is but justice to say that, in most American communities, he is a welcome guest and receives a fair reward for his labors. Elgin is no exception to this general rule, and the press of the city has usually been so conducted as to be a subject of legitimate pride to the citizens.

"The first issue of a paper in Elgin was in 1845, when the Western Christian was estabHshed. It was edited by Spencer Carr, Rev. A. J. Joslyn and Rev. Wareham Walker. In political belief, it advocated the most advanced anti-slaveryism, and in religious opinion it was strongly Baptist. The paper was subsequently removed to New York state, and after various mutations, was legitimately succeeded by the Baptist Weekly.

"In 1853, the Elgin Palladium was started by a Mr. Hough. It was afterward published by John H. Rowe & Bro. About 1855 or 1856 it was changed to the Kane County Journal, and was published by Lyman & Smith. This was Henry M. Smith, who has since been managing editor of the Chicago Tribune, and now occupies the same position on the Brooklyn Union. "The Gazette, however, outlived them all, and was edited, at various times, by E. Owen, E. S. Joslyn. Professor Blenkiron, A. J. Joslyn, Gershom Martin and Birney Hand, until, in 1865, it was purchased by E. C. Kincaid and L. H. Post. The partner of Mr. [Martin in the publication of the Gazette was 'Mr. E. W. King, who came here in 1854, and is now the oldest practical printer in the place." In 1868 F. T. Gilbert and L. H. Post succeeded the old firm of Kincaid & Post, and about six months after Mr. Gilbert purchased the interest of his partner. In 1871 the \\'atchman was consolidated with the Gazette and a stock company formed, consisting of Z. Eastman, F. T. Gilbert, G. H. Daniels and E. C. Kincaid (the latter being proprietor of the Watchman at the time). In 1873 F. T. Gilbert purchased the whole concern, and the following year it was sold out and succeeded by the Advocate, owned by S. L. Taylor, who had established the latter paper in 1871.

"The Advocate has one of the best appointed offices in the state outside of Chicago, and is in a very flourishing condition. S. L. Taylor is proprietor and chief editor, and is ably assisted by R. P. McGlincy. who officiates as city editor.

"In May, 1872, the Lady Elgin, a monthly paper, was started by operatives in the watch factory, and for about two and a half years edited and published by Bertha H. Ellsworth, Alida V. Able and Lydia A. Richards, when the senior partner withdrew. In March, 1874, a one-third interest in the paper was purchased by the watch factory company and donated to the operatives. The paper represents these operatives, and is an honor to them. Its present circulation is about one thousand five hundred.

"In the fall of 1874 the publisher of the Dundee Citizen issued an edition in this city called the Elgin Republic. It was commenced as a daily on the 17th of October and changed to a weekly on the 26th of November.

"Elgin has always been well supplied with Chicago dailies, fresh from the press, and their aggregate circulation is nearly six hundred. The Journal leads them all, it being delivered here at six p. m., and carriers distributing it throughout the city."

At the present time (1908) the following publications appear, having a circulation covering the northern part of the county : The Elgin Advocate, published weekly by Lowrie & Black, and enjoying a large circulation; the Elgin Daily News, by the same firm, with a circulation of about two thousand five hundred. Both are printed at the fine building on Chicago street - the News-Advocate block ; the Elgin Daily Cotirier, now conducted by a corporation of which H. D. Hemmens is president. A. L. Hall is managing editor: the Elgin Evening Press, an independent sheet owned largely by Aurora residents; the Elgin Herald-Germania. edited by Adolph Fischer and printed in German.

All are thoroughly up-to-date newspapers, editetl by able men. and equipped with the modern appliances for newspaper making and job printing.

Industries Of Elgin

Elgin is an industrial city and from the beginning has been. That it must continue to be is obvious from its situation and history. In the growth and fame of its manufacturing institutions, it is surpassed by no city of its size and age, and equaled by few. Since the establishment here of the National watch works its destiny has been determined and its progress continuous. Factory after factory has been added until the list now shows a healthful variety to which new enterprises will be constantly added. The location here of the woolen mill ga\e the people of Elgin their lesson as to the value of industries, and, as stated above, they have not forgotten, but have profited by that experience as shown bv the institutions since located here.

The Elgin National Watch Factory

Hon. S. Wilcox and G. P. Lord. Esq., wrote in 1875 : "In 1864, several enterprising men of Chicago determining that watches should be manufactured in the west, organized for that purpose under an act of the legislature of this state, a company called then the 'National Watch Company,' since changed to Elgin National Watch Company. B. W. Rayinond. Esq., a former resident and firm friend of Elgin, was chosen president of the company.

"This project became known early here tiirougli John Adams and George B. Adams, jewelers in Elgin, and the location of the factory in this city at once engaged tlie attention of the business men. A committe was appointed to ascertain the inducements necessary to this end. This committee conferred upon the subject with the president of the company and its leading artisans from Waltham. An examination of the grounds in and about Elgin ensued, which resulted in the conclusion that the present site of the factory buildings would be satisfactory to the company. This was upon the premises then known as the Dexter farm, which was owned by persons living in Oneida county. New York. These persons would sell all (171 acres) but not part, of the farm - price $50 per acre. cash. The company then (fall of 1864) proposed to locate the factory on this site, provided thirty-five acres (the most valuable part per acre of the farm) were donated to it and $25,000 of Its stock was taken in Elgin. This proposition involved the purchase of the Dexter farm, as well as the donation of the thirty-five acres and subscription of stock. Efforts to raise the money ($8,577.48) to purchase the farm and secure the $25,000 subscription of stock were immediately commenced, but were found likely to be unavailing.

'Tn this emergency, on the 24th of December, Henry Sherman, Benjamin F. Lawrence, Walter L. Pease and Silvanus Wilcox, determined to secure the factory here. They bought the farm, each furnishing one-quarter of the ?8-57748 - 'aid ofif that part situated in Kane county into lots, calling it 'Sherman's addition," donated blocks one, two and three of said addition (thirty-five acres) to the company, sul^scribed for the balance of the $25,000 of the stock, and thus settled the location of the watch factory in Elgin.

"The organization of the Elgin National Watch Company was completed February 15, 1865. During several months after, they occupied a three-story wooden building on the alley west of Market square for the manufacture of watchmakers' machinery.

"In 1866 they moved into their new building, which consisted of a centralthree-story building, with basement 40x40: a two-story and basement west wing 28x100; a two-story and basement south wing 28x87; a one-story west wmg, extending from south wing. 25x35 for dial room, and a one-story wing on the west, and opposite dial room, 30x65, for engine and boiler room.

"In 1871. they built their new engine house for their Holly water works. 'Tn the spring of 1873, t'le company extended their dial room, making it 25x70 and two stories high.

"In August, 1873, they commenced their new front buildings, consisting of a center building, 62x62, three stories and basement, with the tw'o front wings, each 30x114, and a rear and connecting wing, 28x90. All these are two stories and basement.

Elgin Watch Works, Completed In 1907

"In five years and ten months from the date of their charter the company had erected their buildings, manufactured their machinery, and made and placed on tlie market more than forty-two thousand watches. In five years from the production of tlieir first watch the company had established the reputation of their watch,' and made and placed on the market more than one hundred and twenty-fi\e thousand watches; and all this in less than seven and one-half years from the date of their charter. It is believed that no other watch manufacturing establishment ever achieved a like result in the same length of time.

"This mammoth institution, which provides a great portion of our countrymen with that particular and indispensable article so well described by L'Estrange in the saying. "The timing of things is a main point in the dispatch of all affairs," has but been in operation since 1867, and during that year turned out three thousand watches. This for the first year was deemed a good showing, but the great western country over which the sale of the article, perhaps at first principally extended, welcomed the National watches with dow-nright enthusiasm, and in 1868 the company sold no less than eighteen thousand time-keepers, each one of w Inch was an advertisement of the rectitude and excellence of their watches. During 1869, the fame of the Elgin watches had spread far and wide, in the East no less than the West, the new- product of American mechanism was sought for and purchased, and the past year's sales exhibits the enormous and unprecedented fa\or now extended by the public to the Elgin watch in the sale of no less than tw'enty-two thousand of these time-keepers. The present year, 1870, will show an increase over the past. The factory is now turning out one hundred and thirty watches per day, and will at the year's close have presented and sold to the public thirty-five thousand watches.

"This wondrous aggregate of western enterprise and workmanship is the product of five hundred and twenty-five persons, comprehending, in the language of an old £nglish author, 'all trades which use forge or file, from the anchorsmith to the watchmaker.' These operatives are distributed in fourteen departments, and their monthly earnings amount to the sum of $27,000."

Since 1875 the progress of the watch factory has been continuous and the work of its employes steady, except during the panic of 1893-7 when it ran on part time, and during the panic of 1908, when it has been on four days' time during the summer months. It now gives employment to three thousand five hundred persons and turns out an average of two thousand five hundred watches each day. Its pay-roll each niunth now amounts to nearly $250,000, In 1905 the old main buildings fronting on National street, and the wing fronting on Fox river, were entirely removed and the magnificent five-story structure completed in 1907, was erected. The present plans contemplate the removal of all the old buildings, and the construction of buildings similar to the new factory. A new engine house, unsurpassed by anything in iKirthern Illinois, was built in 1907.

Burden Condensed Milk Company. In 1865 Gail Borden began condensing milk in Elgin by a process he had invented. It made him and many other millionaires before his death, on January 13, 1874, at Borden, Texas. William G. Hubbard and James Christie were respectively vice president and secretary of the first company. Its stock is not now for sale, it is so far above par. In 1868 the factory, which had been working at a disadvantage some years, sold out to the New York Condensed ^Nlilk Company, and operations on a large scale were at once begun under Mr. Borden's patents. The "Eagle"' brand of milk, made here, soon became favorably known throughout the United States, and has so continued. The works on Brook street have been continuously increased in size until they now cover over two blocks. About 1900 the old W'averly hmise was bought and a new factory started there. The company employs four hundred or five hundred workmen in Elgin, which is now but a branch of the immense business that extends to every part of the world. E. S. Eno is now superintendent.

D. C. Cook Publishing Company. This establishment, now one of the most important in the city, came to Elgin in 1886 and located in the old woolen mill on Ri\-er street. It continued in this location until 1900 when it moved into the splendid factory buildings at the north end of the city. It now gives occupation to more than four hundred employes. The buildings cover thirteen acres of ground and are equipped with every modern improvement that looks to the health of employes and the turning out of good work. The mail of the establishment averages ten tons per day. Shipments of its products, books', tracts and general church and Sunday school periodicals, are made to every part of the United States. That the institution has grown to its present size is due to untiring efforts of its proprietor, David C. Cook, and his son George Cook. The present manager is W. P. Topping, who succeeded G. B. Richardson in 1904.

AA'itli the progress of civilization from the primitive and crude forms into the complex and manifold phases found in enlightened societv, there has been a like development of one of its most important elements - music. From the tom-tom of the savage to the symphony of the highest civilization, in all ages and among all races, music has had a great influence. Its forms of expression have been as various as the emotions of the human soul. It has stimulated to heroic deeds. It has inspired hardened hearts with tenderness and charity. Its tuneful cadences have lifted men and women into sympathetic touch witli tlie subhnie. Its haniKniies speak of order, svinnietry and beauty. No wonder tliat the painters have pictured the angels with harps and that the good have thought of heaven as resonant with delightful music. The Seybold Piano and Organ Company was founded in Chicago in 1902 by Mr. William Seybold. In 1903 the business was moved to Elgin and a corporation was formed taking over all the patents and other i)roperties of the founder. The company's growth and success has been phenomenal. In 1903 they required and occupied only twelve thousand square feet of space ; today they utilize forty-eight thousand square feet and are now contemplating an addition to their present plant to gain extra space. Its capacitv is five pianos and ten organs per day. The company employs fiftv expert mechanics in their particular line.

The Seybold I'iano and Organ Company, since coming to Elgin five years ago, has invariably Iieen fair with its employes, and similar industries is what has made Elgin a great city.

The officers and directors of the company are as follows ; William Grote, president; John A. Waterman, vice president; Fred H. Ackerman, secretary; Alfred P.. Church, treasurer; W. E. P.ullmann.

The Elgin Packing Company, whose extensi\-c works are located in the western part of the city, began business in Geneva in 1867 as the Chicago Packing Company. In 1869 it moved to Elgin, incorporated and changed its name. At the start it had a capacity for canning five thousand cans of goods daily. It now puts up eighty thousand cans daily, during the smiimer season, by means of special machinery. It puts up fruit, corn, ])unipkins, baked and lima beans, and employs several hundred people.

The H. Kind Baking Company is a new institution that has done well since it located here some years ago. It makes bread, cakes, etc.. for the local and nearby trade.

Elgin Eagle Brewery is one of the older enterprises, having been organized in 1849 'J.^' Charles Tazewell. In 1868 he sold to Caspar .\lthen, who conducted the brewery until his death in 1896. In 1894 the sons were taken into the business and still continue the fine plant on the west bank of the river. Louis J. Althen is president; Emil .Mtlien, superintendent; E. C. yMtlien, secretary. Its sales are mostly within twenty-fi\-e miles of the city.

The Elgin Steam Laundry

The Elgin Steam Laundry on Division street is equipped with the best modem machinery and has in the past twenty-five years grown with the city's growth. It employs twenty-five people.

The Silver Plate Works, located on the west side, is one of the best of the later factories. It came to Elgin in 1892. liaving been induced to come from Chicago to Elgin by the West Side Inipnnenient Cluh. The factory buildings cover an entire block, and the work is continuous, as it does not depend upon general conditions of trade, but only upon mortality among the people, coffin hardware and fixtures being the product. About one huntlred and fifty are given employment. Joseph Shaw, of Zanesville, Ohio, is president; J. ]M. Blackburn, of Elgin, secretary-treasurer and manager. It is one of Elgin's steadiest and most reliable institutions.

The watch case factory was located here about the year 1892, and has continued to prosper and grow under the efficient management of Air. Eppenstein. It employs several hundred and pays good wages. Its trade covers the entire country.

Among other institutions of merit which, owing to lack of space and time, can not be described in detail, are the Rineheimer Manufacturing Company, screens, doors, etc. ; Elgin Manufacturing Company, molders and machinists : Woodruff & Edwards, foundry ; the Elgin Box Company : the Rispin Electrical Company; Moody Brothers, etc.. etc.

The shoe factory was located here about 1892 by \\'illiam Grote and others, and a large bonus paid to secure it. It has continued to do business and employ workmen since that time and is one of the city's permanent industries. It gives employment to several hundred at its fine building on Congdon avenue. Air. Hohnes is now superintendent.

The Mechanics Of Elgix

Our special article in relation tn the most numerous class of our population will be one of the briefest, partly from the difficulty of obtaining accurate information, and partly because, wh.ere there are so many, we can not even name all of them. But. although unnamed by us. the monuments of their industry and skill are seen on every street of the city, and to no class is Elgin more indebted for its growth and prosperity than to its mechanics. We can onlv allude to a few who were first on the ground and who aided in the erection of some of the first buildings, a part of which remain, while others have given place to more costly and imposing structures.

The first carpenter who wielded the hammer and shoved the plane in Elgin, so far as we are informed, was a man named Barnum. who, in 1836. built a store for Storrs & Bean - the first frame building in the city - on the premises now the AMiitford flats, corner of Chicago and Center streets.

William S. Shaw came in the fall of 1836, and was the first carpenter who made Elgin his permanent residence. His first work was to build a .store for \^incent Lovell. He also made the first coffin ever required in Elgin, being for the body of Alary Ann Kimball, sister of P. J. Kimball, Jr. In 1S37 Mr. J. T. Gifford donated to Mr. Shaw a lot on the northeast corner of Chicago and Center streets, on condition that he would build a house thereon, and he soon after commenced the erection of the "Elgin House," which is still standing on that lot, though very much altered and improved. He also purchased the three lots next east of this, and on one of them erected the first framed barn on the Galena road, west of Chicago,

In 1838 Mr. Shaw built for Jason House the dwelling on Center street. It was finished off for a store and occupied as such for a year or two by a Mr. Campbell, from Aurora.

in this year Abel Walker and Lewis Ray made their appearance here as carpenters, and L. C. Stiles in 1839. After a few years Mr. Walker changed his occupation to that of undertaker, and for some time was the principal, if not the only one, in the place. ^Nlr. Stiles has probabl_v spent more years in the business than any other person here. Some of his first work was on the house now occupied by George B. Raymond, which was built in 1839 for James T. Gifford, who, until that tiitie, had occupied a log house, which stood in Prairie street, near the west end of the small triangular park, nearly opposite, and the cellar of which was visible until it was filled up in 1874.

Horace Benham and L. S. Eaton, carpenters, came about 1840 or 1841, but, although still residents of the place, neither of them have worked at the business for several years past,

Elgin's first mason was Benjamin Burritt, who arrived here February 12, 1838, and is still a resident of the place, vigorous and active in his eightieth year. One of his first jobs was to build for G. W. Renwick the brick blacksmith shop, which stood on the present site of the Universalist church, and said to be the first of its kind in the county. In 1839 he built a brick residence for Burgess Truesdell, which is still standing on the ground of Henry Sherman, and so propitious was the weather that he commenced on the loth of ]Marcli, and did not lose but two or three days until it was finished, in July following. In 1844 l^^ ^''id down the trowel and engaged in other business, and for nearly twenty years next previous to 1874 was an acting justice of the peace.

Other early masons were Ralph Grow, Artemas Hewitt, C, Stevens and .Artemas Grow. But the man who has laid more bricks and stones in Elgin -ban any other is Thomas Martin. He came here in 1843. ''"-^^ with the exception of a year or two spent in Montana, has worked at his trade ever since.

Among the first blacksmiths in Elgin were Jason Elouse. G. W. Renwick and Samuel Hunting. Mr. House is thought to ]ia\-e had the priority m point of time, though it is possible that one was emplciyed for a short time by the late Samuel J. Kimball before he arrived. At first ]\Ir. House worked in a log shop on the present site of Bank block, so low that he could not stand erect in it at the sides. Subsequently he built a small frame shop on or near the site of Bosworth & Pierce's block, which he occupied until it burned in 1840, and then erected a brick shop on the property now owned by B. W. Staniforth on Chicago street.

G. W. Renwick built, as early as 1838, the brick blacksmith shop on Center street, before alluded to, which he occupied until abottt 1843, when he removed to his new stone building on River street, in which the postoffice is now located. For many years he carried on a very extensive business in blacksmithing, wagon and carriage making, etc,

Philo Sylla was not properly a mechanic, but an inventor. His inventions naturally connected him with the mechanical employments, and we notice him here. He invented an improvement in reaping and mowing machines, by which they could be adapted to uneven ground, and by which the sickle-bar could be raised and lowered. It is said that the first reaping machine in the United States, on the platform of which grain could be bound, was built in Elgin by him. Mr. Sylla came to the vicinity in 1838, to the village in 184^, and died a few years ago respected by all.

We are not sure whether Hon. Augustus Adams was a regular mechanic, but he engaged in mechanical pursuits, and with Hadlock, Sylla and others, made the west side of Fountain Square, where now are some of our best business blocks, a busy place. In their foundries and shops, the hum of mdustrv was heard all day long, anil the water of the race, which then passed through their ground, propelled a great amount of labor-saving machinery. For years Mr. Adams has been at the head of a large manufacturing establishment at Sandwich, Illinois, and has probably been of greater value to the business interests uf that place than any other man.

P. J. Kimball, Jr.. the first tailor of Elgin, was here as early as 1837, and w'orked in a log house near his present residence. This residence, a store on Chicago street, and the Kimball House, are mementoes of his labor and enterprise.

Edgar Wait, the first cabinet luaker, came aljout 1838, and built a shop on River street, nearly opposite the woolen factory. In 1840 he renio\-ed to Waukegan.

G. W'. Kimball came to this place in 1840, and opened on the west side. With the exception of a short time, he has made or sold furniture ever since.

It has already been intimated that many of the first buildings in Elgin were of brick, and, of course, there must have been a brick maker. The honor of being the first manufacturer of these useful materials belongs to a man named E. A. Miltimore, whose yard was near the corner of River and Fulton streets. The gold of California -attracted him thither at an early day, but he was killed by the Indians before reaching Eldorado.

We should be glad to notice scores of other mechanics and the monuments of their skill, but want of space forbids. "Their works do praise them,'"

Since the above was noted mechanics and workmen of all classes have come and gone. Few cities have a more shifting population than Elgin, owing, chiefly, to the watch factory, to which strangers come continuously and from which others go.

Since 1875 the modern trade-union movement has arisen until now few, if any, employments are without their union. Every employe in the trades belongs to some union, Tt is the nineteenth centm^}' development, due to the efforts of laboring men to sustain wages, ami lias, in tlie main, succeeded in bringing to the workman more substantial reward and more respect than he would have had if he had not organized. Strikes have resulted from the contest of the employer and the union, but none of serious consequence in Elgin. A carpenters' strike in 1905 interfered with building during the summer, and a strike of watch-factory employes in the '90s are the only open combats that have arisen. As a rule the two sides agree on a scale of wages and general conditions to be observed. The mechanics and laboring people of Elgin are of an exceptionally high type ; one watching them enter the watch factory or publishing house at noon noting no difference between theii appearance and a crowd out for a day's shopping. The unions in Elgin are organized under a general assembly known as the Trades Council. Each union elects delegates to this council, which comprises delegates from all the unions, and meets each week in its capacious hall in the Scheele block, northwest corner of Douglas avenue and Division street. Lectures and discussions are here had, and social gatherings enjoyed. The unions now existing are :

An attempt has been made in the past few years to establish union; along the lines of the factory - all employes of a common employer forming a union, but as yet has not largely succeeded.

The Schools Of Elgin'

Harriet E. Gifford taught the first school ever kept 'in this city. Mr. James T. Gifford lived in a little log house, which stood near the corner of Prairie and \'illa streets, and here, in 1837, Miss Gifford gathered a few children of those early settlers for instruction in the necessary branches of an education. In the following year she taught in the Union church, a small building which had been erected by the Baptists, Congregationalists and Methodists; where the old cobble-stone church or schoolhouse later stood at Geneva and DuPage streets. ]\Iiss Gift'ord was followed, in 1S41 or 1842, by Adin Mann and wife. School was continued in this church several years. Just before this time, the Methodists had withdrawn from the union congregation and put up a small house of worship at Center and Division streets. In this house Mr. Mann taught in 1840. Subsequently, ]\Ir. Bolles. the pastor, and others, taught in the same place.

"About 1844, the first regular schoolhouse was built. It was erected by private subscription, and stood on the ground now occupied by the postoffice. Miss Harvey, afterward Mrs. Paul R. Wright, taught in this building two or three years, and then was succeeded by others. But the rapid growth of the town made additional school accommodations necessary, and in 1845 -^^J"- R. W. Padelford circulated a subscription paper to raise funds for the erection of a new schoolhouse. As a result, the old brick was commenced soon after, although it was not completed until 1847, "or formally dedicated until January, 1848. The building was opened January 3. 1848, with Mr. Ballard, principal of high school, salary $400 per year, and Mrs. Ballard and Miss Esther ]\I. Graves, afterward Mrs. Jay J. Town, of Des ^iloines. Iowa, assistants. At that time it was the finest school building in this part of the state, and, far and near, there was no little talk about the 'big schoolhouse at Elgin.' Before the building was fully completed, ^Irs. Lucy Lovell taught a select school in one of the lower rooms, being the first school taught in the building. From this time educational matters progressed, marked by nothing of special interest till 185 1. It should be noted, that up to this time all the schools had been sustained by the payment of rate bills. No tax for educational purposes had been levied ; no public revenue had been received: no 'free schools' had been known in the state. A radical change was now inaug-urated. The legislature passed an act authorizing the levy of a tax for the sujiport of free schools, and the next year, at a school meeting held in the old brick, the first tax levied in the state of Illinois for free schools, was voted in this citv, and the tax afterward collected.

E. and E. E. Lord, now of Chicago. It was designed, principally, for the education of young ladies, though, during part of the time, several young gentlemen were admitted. The school was first taught in the basement of the Congregational church, and a house on DuPage street. In Januarv, 1852, the 'Elgin house," which stood where the Congregational church now stands, was purchased, and soon after fitted up for the purposes of the seminary. It then embraced not only the most of what was known as the 'Elgin Boarding house,' corner of Chicago and Center streets, but the house next east of it. and afforded ample accommodations for' a large number of pupils. In its new quarters the school was well patronized, and hundreds shared its benefits. Among its principals were Rev. Daniel S. Dickinson, and A. R. Wright, Esq. Among its teachers were Miss Emily Lord (who was also the business manager). Miss Ellen E. Lord. Miss A. Town. Miss Towner, Miss Ballard, Miss L. Graves, Mrs. Mary L. Dickinson, Mrs. Martha A. Lord, Miss Mary Blair, Miss Clara Edgecomb, Miss Irene Ferine and others. The school was continued until the summer of 1856, when it was decided to use the building for other purposes.

"In 1854 the schools, by special charter from the legislature, were brought under the control of the city, and Edmund Gififord was elected superintendent, rhe schools opened with Mr. Curtiss principal in district No. i. and Mr. Cole in No. 2. Mr. Curtiss was succeeded by Mr. Bicknell. October 18. Mr.

F. S. Heywood became his successor, January 21. 1856. November 10. 1855, the new schoolhouse in district No. 3 was dedicated, and Mr. Dagget employed as principal of the school, October 26. February 28, 1856, ;Mr. Dagget was discharged and ]\Iiss Jenques employed to take his place. Julv 3, 1856, Paul R. Wright entered on the duties of superintendent. The schools opened September I. with F. S. Heywood principal of grammar scIkjoI in Second ward, and Harry Cole principal of south school. Air. Wright resigned the superintendency November 18, 1856. No successor was appointed until December 10, when Dr. Thomas Kerr filed the necessary bond, and entered upon the duties of the office. The winter term opened January 10, with an enrollment of'four hundred and fifty pupils. To curtail expenses, the services of Mr. Cole were dispensed with at the close of the spring term of 1857. Dr. Kerr resigned the superintendency August 4. 1857, and Mr. Edmund Gif¥ord was elected his successor, September i, 1857.

"The schools opened September 7, with the following board of education : Re\-. A. J. Joslyn, Jerome J. Smith. Charles Morgan and H. Hamilton. There were five schools on the east side of the river and two on the west side. Mr. Canfield was principal at the nUl brick until September 20. and F. S. Heywood, the former teacher, was employed to lill llie vacancy, at a salary of $i,ooo per year. Diirinj^ this year, 1857, the new brick was erected, on Kimball street, and, No\cnibcr 14, the high school mo\ed in procession from the nld brick to their new i|uarters. Xo\eniber 18. the bnilding was dedicated with a good deal of eclat, .\ildresses were made by several gentlemen and a good time was had. On the whole it was a prosperous year for the schools. In June, 1859, Robert Blenkiron was elected superintendent, Ijut kept no records of the schools. He resigned April 10, i860, and Mr. J. B. Xewcomb was elected his successor. Mr. Newcomb served as superintendent till July 3, 1866. During a portion of this time the schools were conducted with a view to the strictest economy. ]\Tr. Hey wood taught during the spring term of i860 as principal of the high school, at a .salary of $1,000, and from the fall of i860 to the spring of 1 86 1, at the rate of $900 a year. Mr. E. C. Lovell became principal of the high school in the spring of 1862. During that term the principal of the grammar .school received $1.25 per day and the assistants $1.00 per day. Mr. Lovell was continued in 1862-3 '^^ a salary of $475, and the female teachers at $200. In 1863-4. Mr. Lovell was paid $600: his assistants $250, and the other teachers $212.50. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Lovell laid aside the 'birch' and took the sword in defense of his country. He was succeeded by Mrs. Wing (wife of W. H. Wing, who presented Wing park to the city), a teacher long and fa\-orably known to this community. Mr. Burr Lewis succeeded Mrs. \\ ing in the fall of 1865, but remained only two terms, when in turn Mrs. N\'ing was appointed his successor. The nunilier nf pul)lic schools taught during the successive years, from 1859 to 1866, was nine; number of teachers employed, ten ; the a\-erage attendance during those years was, respectively, 427, 420. 410, 420, 474, 440 rmd 468. In i860 there were 754 children in the city between fi\e and twenty-one years of age; in 1862, 1,096, and a total i)opulation of 3,012; in 1864, 1,221, and a po])ulation of 3,201. In 1866 Rev. N. C. Clark became superintendent. .\. S. Barry was a])p(iinted principal of the high school and N. E. Leach principal of the North school, west side. Mr. Barry failing to accejit the appointment. J. Thori) became princijial, with Mrs. Wing as assistant. January 7. 1867, James Sly succeeded Mr. Thorp, and Mary E. Raymond, Mrs. \\ ing. The next term, April 15, W. H. Brydges, an accom]3lished scholar and a thorough teacher, became principal at a salary of $1,000. He remained the following year at $1,200. C. E. Lee took charge of the grammar school in the old brick, and Miss S. F. Lawrence began her labors in the primary department. North school, east side, at a salary of $300. She became principal of the grammar school in the old Baptist church. Jennie C. Cox (Jennings) began her labors in 1862. In 1864 Helen M. Keogh (O'Neil) was employed. In 1865 Nellie Lynd engaged in the work of the teacher, but retired in 1873. Cecil C. Harvey, who is still remembered among our teachers, began in 1866, during Mr. Clark's superintendency. .Vbout 1867 two new schoolhouses were built, one in the First ward and the other in what is now the Sixth ward. The two would accommodate ninety-six pupils.

"In the fall of 1867 Sanders' old readers were exchanged for his new- Union readers, and Warren's geograiihies were adopted, thus securing a greater uniformity of text books. A fuller and moi^e definite course of study was pre- pared for all the scliools. In the high schools a three years' course was adopted, which included all the branches usually taught in high schools.

"In the summer of 1868 Rev. H. Sladc was apixjinted superintendent, and C. F. Kimball principal of the high school, with salary of $1,200 per year, and Miss Emily J. Brigham assistant, salary $500, which positions they filled till the summer vacation of 1869, when :\Ir. Kimball was appointed superintendent but still remaineil principal of the high school, salary $1,400, continuing as .such till the summer of 1873.

"During the summer vacation of 1869 Mr. Kimball was directed by the trustees to take the enumeration of the children for school purposes, to which he added a complete census of the city, with the following results:

"The schools w-ere regraded during the year and a more systematic course was adopted, including a two-years' course each for the primary and intermediate departments, a three-years' course in the grammar school, and a four-years' course in tlie high school. As thus organized the pupils made good progress. More school room was needed, and the old stone, or Baptist, church was purchased by the city council for $5,000. and three schools w^ere opened in 1870. enrolling nearly two hundred children, forming a primary, intermediate and grammar department. Mrs. A. S. Wing was employed as principal of the grammar school, which position she held till the close of the fall term of 1871, when she resigned.

In September, 1871, \\'. \\". Kennedy was employed to teach vocal music in the schools, with a view of making it one of the branches of education. Although at first many doubts were expressed as to. the feasibility of teaching young children to read music, and to sing by note, yet a fair trial was given, and he continued his work with good success, teaching in all the grades, from the primary to the high school.

"In 1872 the course of study was revised, and published in pamphlet form : also a 'Syllabus of Oral Lessons' for primary and intermediate schools. As revised, there wc-e eleven grades from the primary to the high school. The first, second, tiiird and fourth composed the primary department, the fifth, sixth and seventh the intermediate, and the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh the grammar department. Two courses of study were adopted for the high school - the English course and the classical course, each requiring four years for its completion. At the close of the school year of 1872, the first class of three young ladies. Misses Helen C. Kimball. Euphemia A. Martin and Julia A. DuBois. graduated from the high school. The exercises were held at the DuBois Opera House, June 27. Each graduate read an essay, anfl received a diploma from the superintendent.

"At the nmnicipal election held in March, 1873, the question whether the schools should be organized under the general school law of the state or remain under the control of the city was submitted to a \'ote of the people, the result in favor of the change.

"At a subsequent election held in April, M. B. Baldwin, J. B. Newcomb, E. S. Joslyn, A. S. Barry, W. F. Lynch and A. S. Moxon were elected a board of education, who came into power the following July. During the summer vacation the new board erected a two-story school building to be used for primary and intermediate schools. Mr. Kimball was reemployed as superintendent and Miss A. A. Clement principal of the high school. A class of five young ladies graduated from the high school June 28, 1873. In the graduating class of 1874 were six young ladies and one young man - Edward S. Doney - he being- the first male graduate from the high school. In 1875 a class of ten - seven ladies and three gentlemen - was graduated. There was then connected with the schools a superintendent and a corps of twenty-two teachers and an enrollment of 1,103 pupils.

"We close this article by referring briefly to our school buildings. However much we may prize our graded course of instruction, we must acknowledge that our school buildings are very inferior and lack the capacity to accommodate all the children. But we are glad to chronicle the fact that the school board are taking steps to procure the erection of suitable buildings, and we trust that when the next history and directory shall be published this city can boast of as good school accommodations as any in the state."

Aver.Xge Daily Attendance

The following report ni.-ule to the superintendent of schools by his assistants will best show the status of the schools at the present time and as compared to the situation in an early day as shown bv the first article above :

Report Of Supern'Isor Of Primary Department

Reading - Experience teaches that in the complicated process of teaching reading the teacher must use all methods to some extent, because reading and the coordinated suliject - writing - involve all the ear, eye, mouth and hand centers. The first reading lessons ha\-e been taught from the blackboard. Great care has been exercised throughout these grades to make the pupils familiar with all new words as wholes before attempting to read sentences in which these words occur. Systematic phonic drills were introduced early in the first term of the first year and carried through the third year in order to train the pupils to become self-reliant, to secure good articulation and accurate enunciation. The pupils have read not only the number of books required by the course of study but several supplementary books supplied by the traveling library. There has been an unusual interest taken in oral reading during the school year. Dramatization of reading lessons has been an interesting feature in some rooms, especially room one in the Franklin school and room four in the Sheridan school. It has been gratifying to note the interest shown by parents in this feature of the school work.

Literature - The work in this subject has been closely related to reading and language and has consisted of reading, listening to and memorizing rhymes and poems, in listening to the reading or telling fairy tales, myths and stories and their oral reproduction. Through literature it seems to us life's relationships are truly and justly pictured in terms that pupils can understand, making the good attractive, the base ugly, rewarding virtue, punishing wrtingdoing, thus awakening and influencing the moral judgment of the pupils.

Language - Lessons of the first three grades have been closely related to the literature, reading, nature study, history and geography work. In two first-grade rooms miniature farms have been constructed on sand tables. The sight of the sprouting seeds, waving grass, rustling corn, the pond, the house, the liarn, the chickens, etc., furnished food for thought and unlocked timid

Dictation - Exercises in dictation have been used in the first grade and carried through the fourth in c'rder to train [jupils in spelling, use of capitals, punctuation marks and paragraphing. In no other way. it seems to us, can these mechanics of written composition be so effectively and eccnomicaliy taught. Fourth grade pupils have become familiar with the first one hundred pages in Southworth's "New Lessons in Language." They have written at least two short compositions a month. In some rooms pupils have been required to look over their own written work carefully before handing it in, in order to correct their mistakes. All the work lias been corrected.

Nature Study - It is difticult to confine nature study to regular periods. and to present it in such a way that the children may take an active part .in the work. Some of the most valuable work is done before school, after school and during rest periods. During the past year pupils have filled the window boxes with good soil, planted seeds in tliem, cared for the growing plants and studied germination. They have also brought in whole plants from field and park and cared for them. They have learned something of seed distribution. They have observed birds and their habits. Some classes have visited Lord's park in order to study animals and their habits. Daily records of the weather have been kept on the board or on paper. At the end of the month the number of sunny days and the number of cloudy days have been counted and the prevailing winds noted.

Geography and History - "The study of the home neighborhood is the key to the study of the world." The third grade children have studied the physical features, food products, plan of city, water supply, manner of lighting and a few of the industries of their own town. They have constructed maps of the school room, the school yard, neighborhood, the city and the county. They have taken real or imaginary trips to nearly all the important points of interest in and about Elgin. They have gleaned from "The Seven Little Sisters," "In Field and Pasture" and other books some knowledge of how people live in warm and in cold countries. They have learned the names and located on the school globes the continents, oceans, principal seas, gulfs, bays, straits and peninsulas of the world. In one school room the pupils made, in a sand box twelve by fourteen feet, a model of Elgin showing the physical features. In another room a stone quarry was well represented on a sand table. In history third grade children have become acquainted with the good L.idian chief Shabbona, with the two noble pioneers, James T. and Hezekiah Gififord. with the hardships endured and the pleasures enjoyed by Elgin's early settlers. Portions of the history work have been emphasized by illustrations and by constructive work. In the fourth grade the assigned work in Frye's "Elementary Geography" has been completed. The pictures in the textbook being excellent and suggestive have been profitably used in the study of the different countries. Fairbank's "Home Geography," for supplementary work, has been valuable in arousing interest and discussion. Drills in location of places on globes and maps have been given once a week. A brief "History of Illinois," compiled by iMiss Bateman, principal of the George P. Lord school, has been thoroughly appreciated by teachers and pupils. Some of the topics discussed are food, clothing, shelter, sports and warfare of the Indians and the early settlers of the state. Here again constructive work has played an important part in making pioneer history seem more real. Pupils have constructed in miniature from wood, mud, large and small twigs, paper, etc., log houses, forts, flatboats, rafts, dugouts and wigwams.

Arithmetic - In the first and second grades emphasis has been placed on constructive work rather than formal number work. Our experienced teachers say that when properly taught it gives the finest mental discipline of any study in the primary grades. Through this work pupils have been taught to measure, to add, subtract, multiply and divide, using small numbers ; also to use the fractions one-half, one-third and one-fourth. In the third and fourth grades Walsh's "Primary Arithmetic" has been followed. More time, however, has been given to the abstract work than to problems requiring exercise of the reasoning powers. Original problems given by pupils with reference to articles bought and sold at stores and elsewhere have proved valuable in teaching children to observe and think. During the past term emphasis has been placed on drills in the forty-five combinations in order to strengthen weak places in addition. The aim in the fourth grade has been to make classes as strong as possible in the four fundamental processes, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In some third and fourth grade rooms "model stores" have been kept by pupils one day a week. From these stores they would buy supplies. This concrete work has aided pupils in understanding the meaning of problems in the book and taught them something of the use of money.

Spelling - In the first and second grades pupils have been taught to spell by visualizing, by dictation, by building with letter forms and phonograms and by memorizing short lists of words. In grades three and four Reed's "Primary Speller" has been used with fairly good results. Both oral and written spelling have been used, because some children learn through the eye and some through the ear. Results in spelling always seem meager compared with the time and energy put on the lessons by teachers and pupils.

Physiology has had a place in the first two grades, but in no really formal way. Teachers, however, have taken occasion frequently to teach simple facts of healthy living, of which the children could make immediate use.

In the third grade four lessons a week have been given for the required ten weeks. In the fourth grade a textbook has been used. Stress has been laid on the effect of alcoholic drinks and tobacco on the growing child.

Physical culture has probably not received the attention it merits. One period a day, however, has been devoted in grades one and two to rhythm; that is, to marching, running, skipping, etc., to music. In some of the third and fourth grade rooms games that require alertness, observation and judgment have been practiced daily.

Penmanship - \Mien pujiils first enter school they show a decided lack of muscular control and for this reason the early writing has been done on the blackboard, where large free movements are possible. In the second and third o-rades improvement has been slow and the result of much patient practice.

because pupils at this time still seem unable to control and coordinate their muscles. Pupils have not used pen and ink until they reached the third grade. In grades three and four copybooks have been used.

Manual Training - The day that contains the manual training hour has always been hailed with delight by the boys and girls in the third and fourth grades. It has often proved true that jnipils who care nothing for Ixjoks and who are slow to learn do good handwork and find delight in it. Handwork has been an aid in securing good order. Pupils in these grades have made reed and raffia baskets and made burlap holders, button and school bags, doll rugs and hammocks, portfolios and many other useful articles.

Notwithstanding the interruption in the school work caused by contagious diseases, the number of children promoted in the first four grades is equal to that of former years.

In closing I would thank all teachers for their cooperation, the experienced teachers for frank and valuable suggestions, and our superintendent for appreciation and encouragement. Respectfully.

Report Of Supervisor Of Music

W'ith few variations the usual program has been followed in the music department this year. In the grades each room has been visited once in two weeks. Afternoons have been devoted to the high school work. The progress has been very marjced this year owing to the earnest work of the teachers and to the interest and enthusiasm of teachers and jiupils which has come through the use of new material and methods.

In the primary grades the children ha\'e learned about sixty new^ songs'. Through these rote songs the child has gained a broad musical experience - along the artistic side. I.ater these songs are to be used as the basis for the technical study of music in the higher grades.

The work of the intermediate grades has shown a distinct advance from imitation song singing to definite sight-reading work. The work has been difficult in these grades this year, as we have made an earnest effort to master the rvthmic problems as presented in the songs and exercises in the first and second books. The results have been satisfactory. Every pupil below the eighth grade has sung alone at least twice each week. This individual work has done much to establish music on a firm basis and to make the pupil independent. From the third grade to the eighth written work has been done everv day, from dictation or memory.

More than three hundred pupils in the high school selected music as part of their course, and this number was divided into three choruses. The Laurel Song Book, Beacon Songs No. 2 and supplementary octavo music furnislied material frr study. Two glee clubs were organized, one composed of fifty girls and the other of sixteen boys. Two rehearsals were held each week, one during the fifth period and the other one hour after school. These clubs furnished music for all high school programs and were a valuable addition to high school life. The principal musical event during the year in the high school was a concert by the glee clubs and chorus, assisted by Maude Fenlon Bollman, soloist.

The Girls' Glee club sang the "Song-Cycle," "The Lady of Shalott" ; the Boys' Glee club sang college songs, and the chorus rendered Gounod's "O Divine Redeemer," Strauss' "Waltz Song." "In Vienna Woods."

Report Of Supervisor Of Drawing

The Prang "Text Books of Art Education" have been in use during the past year, as in the two previous years, and the printed outline of the course of study has been practically followed. We have found this outline broad enough to allow of considerable variety in the treatment of any subject and have tried to bring into emphasis in each n lom the side of the subject showing greatest need, as, for example, appreciation of form or of color, handling of materials or judgment as to arrangement and spacing.

The first half of the year more emphasis was placed on the proper handling of material, such as charcoal, water colors or pencil and on careful observation and accurate representation of what was seen. In the last half we spent more thought on the arrangement of our subject, the balancing of light and dark for best effect, harmony of color and other things that pertain to design in the broadest sense. Through this work we have tried to keep each child to better judgment as to the making or choosing of useful and beautiful things.

Throughout the year we have tried to make practical what has been learned by the making of small articles suggested by the days of s]3ecial interest to- the children, such as Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the birthdays of poets and patriots, Valentine's day. Easter. Arbor dav and others. Books and portfolios were also made and decorated, to be used in connection with other school work, uniting, as far as possible, the drawing with all other subjects in the curriculum. A great variety of articles was made in December for Christmas gifts, mostly of paper and cardboard. In some of the rooms bits of cloth were used in making needle books, penwipers, broomholders. and so forth. Se\-eral seventh and eighth grade rooms did stenciling of linen and cotton goods, making sofa jiillow covers, curtains for windows or bookcase. table scarfs, laundry bags and otiier articles for home use. We found all this work brouglit growth in appreciation of good workmanship, and we are hoping to see a marked improAement in the judgment of the children in tlie selection or the making- of things which are of interest to them.

We are trying to cnlti\"ate good taste in the children of the schools by showing them how to find the best and most beautiful in all their surroundings, whether it be in sky, trees, birds and flowers or in pictures, furniture, clothes or books. We want to teach each child to choose from his surroundings what is finest and most fitting, and as a citizen, great or small, to see that he may produce the most useful and beautiful of its kind.

The cordial interest and enthusiastic cooperation of our principals and teachers has made it possible to accomplish much in the past year, and we have reason to hope for still greater advancement in the year to come.

Report Of Supervisor Of Manual Training

Some form of manual training has been gi\'en in all grades, from the first to the ninth, inclusi\-e. Grades one and two ha\e been given paper cutting and folding, clay modeling and weaving. Grade three has been given sewing on burlap samples with yarn, weaving^ of mats, clay modeling and paper construction. Grade four has been given weaving of raffia and reed baskets, weaving of mats from designs worked out in school, burlap school bags, broomholders and cardboard construction from drawings made by the pupils. During the first half of the year the boys and girls in the fifth and sixth grades were given cardboard construction. Through that work they became familiar with the more common geometric forms. Before making the models an accurate working drawing of them was made. During the second half of the year the girls were given sewing, beginning with a sampler, on which they learned the use of the needle and thimble, even and uneven basting, running and back stitch, French seam, hemming, gathering, basting and stitching gathers, and setting in of gathers. When time permitted application of these operations was made in making aprons, desk bags, work bags, towels, pillow cases and underskirts. The boj-s were given work with twigs and thin wood, using a sloyd knife, rule, square, nails, sandpaper and stain. Easels, cardracks, beds, tables, chairs and settees were made almost entirely of twigs, which were gathered by the boys themselves. Their drawings were made to a scale of one-sixth of the size of real furniture. After making these articles in school some of the boys made full-size pieces at home.

In grades seven and eight the work of the boys has been bench work in wood. They have been taught the correct method of using the tools, have become better acquainted with the nature and uses of some kinds of w'ood, and some of the principles of construction have been learned. W'hile the boys were doing their bench work the girls were taught sewing, taking up the work where they left off the previous year. They were taught overhanding, overcasting, herringbone stitch, felling, hemming on patch, sewing on lace, darning and making buttonholes. A practical application of these operations was made in the making of towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, sleeves, making of bnttonholes, darning stockings, table covers, fancy aprons and mending of clothing.

Each ]nipil in grades five, six, seven and eight made a portfolio with cloth liack and covered with cover paper. These were made for their written com- ]iositions. A sand table, map frame and art display frame were made by eighth grade boys for use in their own schools.

In the high school the work has been three-fifths bench work in wood and two-fifths mechanical drawing. The bench work has been the teaching of the basic principles of construction underlying the different processes of woodworking and becoming familiar with the proper method of using tools. A careful study of the several kinds of wood as to their nature, uses an3 habitat was made. The measurement of lumber was studied. The various methods of wood finishing was practiced. All projects were made from an accurate working drawing, which was made from a freehand sketch dimensioned. The mechanical drawing taught consisted of geometrical problems, orthographic projection of points, lines, solids, intersection of solids and development of surfaces.

Submitted with this special report are the regular tabulated reports giving the enrollment by grades, the enrollment and average daily attendance by months and semesters, the number promoted to the high school and the number entering from June. 1901. to date, and the number and percentage of whole enrollment graduating each year. The semester reports of the teachers, giving lists of their classes with grades, promotions and work covered, are arranged according to subjects and prepared for binding.

The reports above mentioned, as well as those on file in the office relating to the grading of pupils, indicate that the year of 1907 and 1908 has been one of growth and advancement for the school. The following table, showing the enrollment and average daily attendance from 1900 to date, shows that with the exception of two years there has been a fairly constant increase. The reports will show that the nnmber entering those two years was below the

The increase in attendance is due not mainly to increase in population, nor to the larger number entering the high school. It is due to the fact that pupils are remaining in school better than formerly. The following table shows the number leaving school during each school year from 1900 to date:

That the number leaving school within the last few years has been lower than in former years is more significant when we remember that it has been during a period of marked industrial and commercial activity, with urgent demand for labor.

As a result of fewer dropping out of school the percentage of those that entered, remaining to graduate, has been rapidly increasing. Below is given a table showing the number entering and the number and percentage remaining to graduate in classes graduated since 1900:

Number Graduated

Mr. Francis G. Blair, superintendent of iniblic instruction for tbe state of Illinois, says our scbool is graduating a remarkably bigb percentage of its pupils, and has asked for a copy of the table abo\e to incorporate in his next official bulletin.

These indications of a keener interest in school work on the part of pupils and an increasing appreciation of the value of the education the school gives are supported by the class records of the teachers, showing the cjuantity and quality of work done in the different departments of the school. We have never had so large a number doing excellent work.

Several causes have been operating to bring the school to its present efficiency. First of these is the good interest in education shown by the patrons of the school and the just estimate of the value of secondary education in preparation for efficient living. Second is the strong corps of teachers with a fine enthusiasm for their work and high ideals for their pupils. Complementing this is the strong teaching force in the grades, giving adequate preparation and zest for the work the high school is to oiifer. Third is careful supervision of both the elementary and high school courses and a proper adjustment of the work of tbe school to the preparation and needs of the pupil. Tbe fourth cause is the healthful school spirit, genuine loyalty to the school, that pervades the whole student body.

The work in the "manual arts" in the form of manual training and domestic science and the laboratory work of the sciences makes more apparent to the pupil the relation of his studies to everyday life, and so increases his inclination to stay in school. More of the practical has added interest to the work in science. In physics, problems involving the reading of gas and electric meters, the relative efficiency and cost of electric and gas lights, the cost of power supplied by the electric motor as compared with actual horsepower, etc., have been appreciated more than the ordinary problems found in the text. In chemistry tests for preservatives and adulterants in foods, finding percentage of butter fat in milk and the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air as found in the different rooms in the building, thus determining if our ventilating system is adequate, and many like applications of the subject have changed it from the abstract to the concrete and practical. The tendency is toward a better recognition in schools generally of the culture value of what we term hand training. A class is already formed for the added year in our course in manual training.

A large number of the graduates are going to college. !More than fifty of this year's class have already announced their intention of going to college. Many will decide later. Among the colleges and universities in which we shall have students next year are University of Illinois, University of Chicago, University of W'isconsin, Northwestern University, Beloit College, Rockford College, Northwestern College. Wheaton College, Lombard College, Armour Institute, Cornell University, Brown University, Amherst College. Dartmouth College, Williams College, Mount Holyoke College, Wellesley College, Wells College. \\'estern College for Women, \\"estern University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania. Several will be in our state normal schools. In these and all schools that give certificate privilege our graduates are admitted without examination.

The plan of semi-annual promotions to the high school proves specially advantageous. It enables us to begin classes in nearly all subjects each semester and thus gives the pupil a better opportunity to get what he wants when he wants it. It enables some who because of sickness or other causes fall behind in credits to use the extra half year and graduate with their class. The majority of those that would finish in January remain in through the year and do, extra work. Fifty-five of the class this 3'ear had more than the thirty-two credits required for graduation. The average number of credits for the class was above thirty-three.

Five public programs were given this year by the high school, namely, the ninth and tenth grade declamation contest, the junior exhibition, the senior declamation contest, the memorial exercises and the concert by the glee clubs and chorus. Each of these was of a high order and much appreciated by the school and its friends. There has been an increasing interest in reading and public speaking, due in part to the introduction of public speaking into the course. More than fifty elected work in it. It has been most helpful along the line of debating and extemporaneous speaking. It has increased the interest in the debates given in the classes in English. More of the pupils have spoken before the school at general exercises than formerly. We were more than creditably represented in four declamation contests offered by colleges. Edwin Hinsdell, of the junior class, won first place in the one given at Beloit College. With the work next year in charge of a special teacher with extended preparation it should be particularly strong.

The "Students" Loan Fund," in the hands of the treasurer, Mrs. Effie Morgan Tapper, has done excellent service in helping deserving students to a college education. We have been able to add nothing to it this year, as there were no profits from the Mirror. At the middle of the year it was changed from a monthly to a weekly publication, and the subscription and advertising rates could not then be changed for the year. The paper is more helpful to the school in its present form.

The "Art Fund" was increased $106.78 by the combined net receipts of the public entertainments, including the concert by the glee clubs. The fund was drawn upon to the extent of twenty-five dollars in part payment for the second-hand piano purchased last year. The remainder of the fund will be used to purchase slides for a stereopticon to be used in the various departments of the school.

Since the publication of the last report of this kind the new part of the building has been completed and occupied. It is excellent, well lighted, well heated and well ventilated. The new laboratories prove to have been well designed. Tliey are among the best to be found anywhere. But the building as a whole is not adequate. The manual training and drawing are still housed in the Franklin building. For the other work there are not as mau}^ class rooms as there are teachers, \^"e need an auditorium, where the school can meet in a body, see itself as a whole and get the influence and inspiration of so large a body of students. It would add unity and school spirit. Such a room is needed for public entertainments given by the school. In the building when completed there should be a well-equipped gymnasium for physical training for all. Such training for all would be much better than the more intensive training for the few that make up our athletic teams. Respectfully submitted,

Elgin Public Library

The Public Library of Elgin was formally opened March 19, 1874. The rooms were densely filled by the cultured citizens of Elgin and speeches were made by several leading gentlemen of the city amid much enthusiasm and enjoyment. L. H. Yarwood was the first librarian, the library being located on the third floor of the old Home Bank block, then but three stories high. It was afterward removed to the new block just east of the bridge, on the south side of Chicago street, now the book bindery, where IMiss Cecil Harvey was librarian. She continued in that capacity until her death, when Miss Katherine Abbott, the present librarian, was selected.

The ground on which the beautiful Gail Borden Library now stands was presented to the city by Messrs. A. B. and Sam Church, and is the library pride of Elgin. This splendid donation was presented with the single condition that the town library should adopt the name of Gail Borden. To place a suitable structure on the lot the city voted to allow the directors nine thousand dollars. The new building is one hundred and twenty by fifty-two feet, two stories high, and has a very pleasing architectural appearance. The entire building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The new library was opened with appropriate ceremonies on February 22, 1903, and represents an outlay of fifteen thousand dollars and contains over sixteen thousand volumes. The Gail Borden Public Library occupies an ideal location for its purposes, but one block either way from two of the main lines of street cars, yet it is upon a wide, quiet thoroughfare, bordered with lo\ely lawns and great shady trees, fronting on Spring and extending from Milwaukee to Division streets, with a wide alley in tlie rear ; its broad windows command all the light nature bestows. The large, artistically decorated reading room, with the wide, inviting armchairs, containing newspapers from the entire country and magazines galore, was patronized by over fifty thousand readers during the last year.

The Elgin Academy

''The original charter of the Elgin Academy was granted to Solomon Hamilton, Colton Knox, George IMcClure. Vincent C. Lovell, Luther Herrick, Reuben Jenne and Burgess Truesdell by an act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois, approved February 22. 1839. In 1843 an unsuccessful attempt was made to erect a building and establish a school under this charter, as appears from the records of that date.

"In 1848 the Free Will Baptists laid on the grounds now occupied by the academy the foundation of a college, to be called the Northern Illinois College. This property was purchased in 1855 by a stock company organized under the charter of 1839, as amended February 14. 1855. with the following board of trustees: B. \V. Raymond, B. Truesdell, William C. Kimball. A. J. Joslyn, O. Davidson, AI. C. Town, A. Adams, Solomon Hamilton, John Hill and Dr. Joseph Tefift.

" 'Section 7. The said institution shall be open to all religious denominations, and the profession of no particular religious faiths shall be required, either of officers or pupils.'

"That it contemplated a school of a high order may be inferred from an extract from section 2 : 'The corporation shall have power to confer on such persons as may be worthy such academical or honorary degrees as are usually conferred by similar institutions in like cases.'

"The initiatory steps toward the above mentioned transfer were taken in 1854, as is seen from the report of the proceedings of the trustees at a meeting held at the \\'averly house August 12 of the same year :

" 'Resolved, That a committee of three, consisting of A. J. Joslyn, Dr. J. Teflft and O. Davidson, be appointed to examine the propositions made by the trustees of the Northern Illinois College to transfer their property to this board.

Postoffice. Elgin Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin

"To the subscriptions thus obtained were added the smaller contributions of those who, thinking such an institution almost a necessity in the community, made willing sacrifices in its behalf. Yet a claim (since extinguished) of nearly three thousand dollars incumbered it as late as 1858. The school was opened for students December i, 1856. Robert Blenkiron, a ripe scholar and successful teacher, was its first principal. He was followed in succession by James Sylla, Clark Braden, C. C. Wheeler, Dr. Nutting, \\'. T. Brydges, B. C. Cilley, A. S. Barr\' and A. G. Sears.

"Though the frequent change of principals, made necessary sometimes by death and at others by failing health, has been a serious obstacle in the way of the prosperity of the school, yet the useful and responsible positions in life filled by many of its graduates are the best possible evidence that it has been in the hands of earnest and able educators.

"Its war record, comprising, as it does, seven commissioned ofiicers, six non-commissioned staff officers, twenty-one non-commissioned ofiicers and twenty-three privates is alike honorable to teachers and students. Nine of its volunteers sealed their devotion to their country with their blood.

"In 1872 the law known as the 'new school law' was passed, requiring teachers to be examined, in addition to the common English branches, in 'the elements of the natural sciences, physiology and laws of health.' Elgin Academy introduced into its previously established normal department these studies, making them a specialty, and has sent out since that time a large number of teachers - a fact shown by the records in the county superintendent's ofiice, and also recognized in the state superintendent's report for 1874.

"During the years 1873-4 the grounds were graded, a front fence built, walks constructed and new rooms fitted up at an expense of nearly fifteen hundred dollars. These more recent improvements, as well as the payment of the debt of 1858, are due to the determined eftorts of the trustees (who have, from the first, in addition to their contributions of money, given freely of their time and labor, with no compensation but the knowledge that they were furnishing to the youth of Elgin and the surrounding countr}' increased facilities for obtaining an education), aided by the friends of the institution both in the city and in the country. The board of trustees now (February, 1875) consists of Dr. Joseph Tefft. president; O. Davidson, secretar}'; M. C. Town, William C. Kimball, Hon. S. Wilcox, William G. Hubbard, B. ^^^ Raymond, A. B. Hinsdell, Henrv Sherman, I. C. Bosworth, Henrv Bierman and Colonel John S. Wilcox.

"The courses of study in 1875 were as follows: Preparatory, normal, English, classical, Latin, scientific, college preparatory, and business.

Since the above was written the academy has made great and permanent improvements, until now it is on a lasting foundation as an endowed and affiliated academy of the Northwestern University. Professor A. G. Sears remained until 1 88 1 and his departure was lamented by all connected with the school. Following him came Professor A. G. Wilson, 1881-83, of Lake Forest; Professor J. A. Schmidt, 1883-86, and Professor N. Thompson, 1886-90;

In speaking of the securing of the endowment necessary to affiliate the academy with the university, Mrs. L. L. K. Becker, in her "History of the Academy," says :

"Scholarships were first offered to students under Professor Welch and also the Laura Davidson Sears medal for proficiency in mathematics. In June, 1897. ^f''- ancl ^Irs. Lord rubbed out the academy debt with seventy-eight hundred dollars. This kindness caused great satisfaction among all friends of the institution. The boys found it a happy occasion for a demonstration and marched through the streets at night, singing and shouting, and ending their display with their favorite song:

" 'On the banks of the old River Fox, my boys, The academy ever more shall stand. For has she not stood since the time of the flood? And we hail her the best in the land."

"Professor Welch resigned in 1897 to take a position in Lake Forest. He left the academy in a flourishing condition, and he was universally regretted. He was succeeded by Professor George P. Bacon, A.]\I., of Beloit. whose steady, quiet course was in marked contrast to that of the man before him: but it was needed to tide over a critical period in the liistor}- of the school. Professor Bacon remained but one year, but long enough to leave the highest standard of upright living and teaching as an example to be followed.

"The present principal. Professor George Xewton Sleight, came to the academy in 1898, and has been the director through many changes. He has identified himself with its greatest interest and has effected important move-' ments. The aftiliation with the Chicago L'niversity was the first one, which was a great step in advance. It commenced in 1899 and inspired great hopes. Those hopes were realized in larger facilities and in changed conditions. A laboratory for physics and one for chemistry were fitted up at considerable expense. Two teachers were added to the force and each teacher in the school was restricted to his specific subject. Physics no longer borrowed from mathematics, nor history from English. The university passed upon the choice of instructors, and upon the standing of students, from examinations submitted to it. Academy students were admitted directly to the L^niversity of Chicago courses of study. The announcement of the affiliation was considered mutually beneficial as an advertisement. The academy was still sustained by the tuitions and the trustees. The benefactions of Mr. and ^Irs. Lord had been continuous for many years. A. B. Church was a liberal donor, and there were others.

"But there were signs of a change in the weather. There was a sentiment, even before it was spoken, that the academy might rest upon a larger body and not upon a small number of individuals, like the trustees. It had been intimated for some time that Mr. and Mrs. Lord were interested in so many plans of benevolence that it would be impossible for them alone to support the academy. Mr. Church was no longer a trustee; others were silent. Dr. Harper felt it would be unwise to undertake the responsibility without a large endowment.

"The years 1901-02 were not encouraging ones to Professor Sleight at the academy. The serial subscriptions stopped and there were no overtures in sight ; and yet this master of the ship knew that ever since the affiliation with Chicago University it had moved at a steadier, better rate of speed than ever before. The tuitions had steadily increased along with numbers. And being on the lookout, he descried a stately vessel not far away. But he pondered over all these things in his own mind.

"As early as 1878 the idea of a fifty-thousand-dollar endowment for the academy was promulgated, with little result; again in 1887, with a like experience. Citizens who were patrons were often generous, but something more definite was needed. Two trustees passed away, leaving conditioned sums from their estates - but these gifts were never realized. Specious promises had raised expectations that were not fulfilled. Of the stockholders some were dead ; some were no longer residents, and still others were indifferent except as to the final disposition to be made of academy property, upon which their ideas were clear and unmistakable.

"A meeting of the trustees was in progress late in the spring of 1902. During a slight pause in the rather somber discussion of the next move relating to academy interests, a messenger was announced and admitted, a student, who advanced and said : 'Some of the boys and girls of the school wish to help a little toward keeping it going.' And he withdrew, leaving a small canvas liag on the table. When opened the receptacle disclosed various sums of money to the amount of one hundred dollars.

"The close of the school year 1903 was near at hand before Professor Sleight beheld, alongside, the gallant Northwestern University he had signaled.

"After due conference and consideration an agreement was arranged between the trustees and the universit}' by which the academy should be maintained as an institution of secondary and higher instruction. For this purpose five thousand dollars per year for five years, beyond tuitions, were pledged to the university, for the use of Elgin Academy, beside the assurance of a bequest to the academy of forty thousand dollars (since paid) from President and Mrs. Lord. For this sum certificates of academy stock were issued to President and Mrs. Lord, who in July, 1903, turned the shares over to the university. The Woman's Club and several other stockholders donated their stock directly to the university, which has thus secured a controlling interest in the management of the institution, although it does not bind itself to use any of the funds of the university for the support of Elgin Academy.

"The amended charter of 1885 remains in force, the institution is still unsectarian and undenominational, though 'pervaded by Christian ideals.'

The Illinois Northern Hospital For The Insane

The Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane, one of the best institutions of its class west of the Alleghany mountains, is situated on the west bank of Fox river, about a mile southwest of Elgin. The view of Fox river, the railroads and surrounding country, from the upper portico in front of the hospital, though not so extensive nor so striking as similar scenery in a mountainous or hilly country, is yet full of ([uiet beauty and never fails to impress the visitor.

The hospital farm contains about four hundred and eighty acres, of which one hundred and fifty were donated to the institution by the citizens of Elgin, and the remainder was purchased by the state. The ground slopes gradually upward from the river and the buildings stand on an elevated plateau, three thousand feet from the river bank and seventy feet above the water level. The main river road passes through the farm in front of the hospital. The grounds immediately surrounding the building are to be laid out in walks and drives and handsomely ornamented with shrubbery and forest trees.