Stark County, Illinois - Chapter 12: Educational Development, 1916

Chapter 12: Educational Development

The young jjeople who enjoy the excellent educational facilities offered by the Stark County public schools in this year 1916 can hardly be exjiected to realize the difficulties encountered by their fathers and grandfathers in the acquisition of an education three-quarters of a century ago, when the first white people in what is now Stark County established their homes. Then there were no public funds with which to build schoolhouses and pay the salaries of teachers. When a sufficient number of settlers had located in a neighborhood to support a school they would join together in the erection of a schoolhouse at some central point, where it would be most convenient for the children. These early schoolhouses ^vere invariably of logs, with clapboard roof and puncheon floor, sometimes, in fact, having no floor except "mother earth." If money enough could be raised in the frontier settlement, and it was not too far to some trading post, a real window of sash and glass would be placed in each side of the building, but in many instances the only light came through oiled paper fastened to a framework of slender strips over the aperture formed by leaving out a section of one of the logs. Stoves were a luxury and the school room was imperfectly heated liy a great fireplace at one end. On cold days those sitting near the fire would become too warm, while those farther away would be suffering with

The furniture of the school room was of the most i)riniitive character. Seats were made by splitting in halves a tree of some eight or ten inches in diameter, driving pins into holes bored in the half-round sides for legs, and then smoothing the upi)er surface with a drawknife. The legs stood at an angle that would insure stability to the "bench." Under the window was the writing desk, which was made by boring holes in the wall at a slight angle and driving stout pins into the holes to support a wide board, the top of which would be dressed smooth to serve as a table, at which the ])u])ils would take their turns at writing.

The text-books used in that day were usually Webster's spellingbook, the English or McGuffey's readers. Pike's. Ual)oirs, Tal])ott's or Ray's arithmetics, and if the teacher knew enough to teach such studies and the district was inclined to be aristocratic. Olney's geogra])hy and Kirkluun's or Butler's grammar. The teacher of that day was seldom a graduate of a higher institution of learning, knew nothing of normal school training, and rarely made any special preparation for the work. If he could read and spell well, write well enough to "set copies" for the children to imitate, and could "do all the sums" in the arithmetic up to and including the "Rule of Three," he was qualified to teach. There was one qualification, howevei-, which could not be overlooked in the teacher of that ])erio(l. He must be a man of sufficient physical strength to hold the unruly boys in subjection and i)rescrve order in the school. AVith the pioneer pedagogue "to spare the rod was to spoil the child." Xot many children were spoiled, for at the beginning of the term a bundle of tough switches were gathered and displayed to the best advantage as a sort of ])rophylactic. If the mere sight of these switches did not deter the bad l)oy from committing some infraction of the rules, a vijSforous application of one of them generally had a tendency to cure his fi-olicsome disposition.

On the theory that no one could become a good reader without first being a good s])eller, more attention was given to orthography during the child's early school days than to any other branch of study. Spelling schools of evenings were of frequent occurrence, and in these matches the parents would nearly always take part. Two "captains" would be selected to "choose up," the one Avinning the first choice would select the best speller ])resent, the other the next best, and so on until all who desired to participate were divided into two equal sides. Then the teacher "gave out" the words alternately from side t(j side. When one mis-spelled a word he took his seat. The one who stood longest won the victory, and to "spell down" a whole school district was considered (juite an achievement.

After the child could sjjell fairly well he was taught to read. Then came the writing lessons. The copy-books used in the early schools bore no lithographed line at the top. They were generally of the "home-made" variety, consisting of a few sheets of foolscap paper covei'ed ^\ith a sheet of heavy wrapping paper. xVt the top of the page the teacher woidd write a line or "copy," which was usually some motto or jjroverb intended to convey a moral lesson as well as to give the pu])il a specimen of penmanshij) to imitate; such as "Evil communications corrupt good manners," "Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well," etc. When one stoi)s to consider that the term of school was rarely over three months, that the same teacher hardly ever taught two terms in succession in the same place, and that each teacher had a diiFerent style of penmanship, it is a wonder the young peoj^le of that day learned to write as well as many of them did.

Xext came the arithmetic. In the pronunciation of this word the soimd of the initial letter was often dropped and it was ])ronounced 'rithmetic. And the fact that Keadin", 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic were regarded as the essentials of a practical education gave rise to the exjjression "the three R's." If one imderstood the three R's he was equi])])ed for the great liattle of life, so far as ordinary business affairs were concerned.

But during the years that have passed since the tirst white man came to Stark County educational development has kept steji with industrial progress. The old log schoolhouse, with its crude furniture, has disappeared and in its place has come the commodious structure of brick or stone. Steam heat, or a warm air furnace, has su2)planted the old fireplace, giving a uniform temperatm-e to the school room. The teacher now must show fitness and training for his calling. The bundle of "gads" is no longer kept on exhibition as a terror to evildoers and corporal jjunishment is no longer considered a necessary part of the educational system. Yet, under the old regime, professional men who afterward achieved world-wide reputations, chief justices. United States senators, great inventors, and even presidents of the United States accjuired their rudimentary education in the old log schoolhouse.

Public School System

the Union as a state, set apart section Ifi in eaeli Cono-rcssional township as the basis of a per])etnal common school fund, the income of which was to be used for the ecUication of the youth of the state. At the beginning of the present century the vahie of these sections was $11. ()(){).()()(), but the school hinds then unsold were valued at only <t4.()'J.).000.

In IHtiit Congress passed an act dividing the surplus in the national treasury among the states. Illinois received $33.5,000, which was added to the permanent school fund. Technically this distribution was a loan to the state, but no demand has ever licen made for its repayment - nor is any demand likely to be made - and the state's school fund has been permanently enriched by that amount.

A county school fund ^\as established by the Legislature of 1837, the income of which was to be added to the general school fund each year. The county school fund amounted to $1()"2,0()0 at the beginning, but has been slightly increased by the addition of certain unclaimed funds in the public treasury, etc. From these several soui'ces, Illinois has built up a school fund of about fourteen millions of dollars, which can be increased, but cannot l)e legally diminished. The permanent school fund is loaned to the state, the interest amounting to about seven hundred thousand dollars per animm, which is used for the support of the i)ul)lic schools, and which is apportioned among the counties in proportion to the number of persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years.

In addition to these various sources of school revenue, each county levies a tax for the supjjort of its free schools under the following provision of the Constitution of 1870: "The General Assembly shall ])i'()vide a thorough and efficient system of free schools, wherel)y all children of this state may receive a good conunon school education."

Pursuant to the above constitutional provision, the Legislature of Illinois has from time to time passed laws for the improvement of the public school system until the state offers to its young people educational facilities that rank high among those of the states of the Uniom .Stark County's local school tax in li)14 amounted to $()1,134'.()3, or $2.34 for each pupil enumerated.

In the chapter on Townshij) History will be found some mention of some of the early schools and the number of school districts in each t()wnshi|) at the present time. The first schoolhouse in the county was raised in Essex Township uii July i, 1834. An account of the 'raising," as given by JMadison Winn, is given in connection witli the history of that township. A school district had been organized there the year before, with Renjaniin Smith, Sylvanus IMoore and Greenleaf Smith as trustees for the territory embracing township 12 north, range G east. After the erection of the schoolhouse the next vear, Adam Perry taught the first school in the new structure, which is believed to liave been the fii'st school ever taught in the county. ^Irs. Sliallenberger, in her "Stark County and Its Pioneers," gives the following copy of the receipt signed by Mr. Perry for his salary:

":March 1.5, IS.S."). "Received of Isaac E. Essex $.j.5..5U, in full, for teaching a school three months in town 12 X., range 6 E., which school ended this day.

Stark County Mas then a part of Putnam and Isaac B. Essex was commissioner of the school fund for the townshii) that now bears his name. Under his direction section 10 (the school section) was sold on February 4, 18.'34. for $968.70.

The second school in the county was probably that taught bv ]Miss Sabrina Chatfield, which ended on July 8, 183.5, and for which she received $13.00, the term being thi-ee months. ^liss Chatfield afterward became the wife of B. L. Hilliard and removed to Clark County, Iowa, where she died some years later. ]Mary Lake also taught a short term in the fall of that year, her receipt being dated Xovember 3, 183.5. It states that she taught six weeks and two days, for which she received $6.3li/x.

Other early teachers were Jesse Heath, Jose})h R. Xewton, James Dalrymple and William Sammis. ^Ir. Clifford says of Jesse Heath: "He was a man of fair education, from St. Louis, a 'good fellow' out of school, but a rigid disciplinarian within. He seemed to regard the scholars as blockheads and dolts, because they were so back^\ard. He fi-ightened one of the boys so much that the little fellow stayed at home two weeks in bed, feigning sickness to avoid going to school."

The early schools were frecjuently of the type known as "subscription schools," for the reason that the ])ublic fund was then too small to defray all the expenses of the teacher's salary, provide fuel, etc. L. E. INIiner, in a communication to one of the Stark County newspapers some years ago. gives the following account of a school taught b}' him shortly after the County of Stark was organized:

"In 1839 I was rcciucsted to teach a scliool at Col. W. H. Henderson's. I received snbscriptions for scholarships and Colonel Henderson furnished a place for the school in one of his buildings, which was fitted up by cutting a log out of the west side of the cabin and puttinggreased newspapers in the place of the log. This was all the light we had in the school room. The scholars came from Spoon River - John Bowen from up Indian Creek - besides those nearer by who could walk to school. It was in the winter of 1839-40. There was one family in Toulon at that time, that of John ^Miller. Colonel Henderson sent seven scholars to my school: William, Thomas. Henry, \\'ebster, Stephen and James, and Felix ^Vilkinson, a nephew of Mrs. Henderson. John \V. Henderson was with his father in attendance on the Legislature at Yandalia."

iMr. JNIiner fails to state the amount of tuition he received for each scholar, but his descrii)tion of the schoolhouse will give the reader some idea of the ditficulties that had to be encountered and overcome in obtaining an education in the "good old times."

The public school system of Stark County may be said to have had its beginning in the action of the county commissioners at their first session. On April .5, 1839, they appointed James Ilolgate school commissioner and the next day announced the appointment of the following trustees of the school lands: Township 17, range 7 (now Osceola), J. C. Avery, Henry Seely and A. JNI. Smith; township 13, range 7 (Penn), Henry Breese, Samuel Camp and Isaac Spencer; township 13, range 6 (Toulon), J. W. Heath, Samuel Seely and Adam Perry; township 12, range 6 (Essex), Calvin Powell, Sr., Moses Boardman and Whitney Smith; township 12, range 5 (West Jersey). William W. Webster. Joseph Palmer and ^Milton Richards; townshij) 13, range .> (Goshen), C. H. Miner, Luther UriscoU and Samuel Parrish.

No trustees were appointed for Elmira and \'allcy townships, and it is difficult to understand why trustees of school lands were appointed for the Townshi]) of Essex, in which the school section had been sold some five years before.

An election was held at the house of Robert JNIoore, in Osceola Precinct, on January 10, 1838. to vote on the question of incorporating township 14. range C> (Ehnira). for school purposes. Ten votes were cast, all of them in favor of the ])r()position and Robert jMoore, INIathias Sturm, R()])ert Hall. Thomas Watts. Myrtle G. Brace and James Buswell were elected trustees. Stark County was then a ])ait of Putnam and no report can be found as to the number of schools, if any, that were conducted in tlie township. In 18 1.) a petition from the people of this township was presented to James B. Lewis, sdiool commissioner, asking for the sale of the school lanils. The early school records of this township have disappeared and none prior to 1801 can he found. In 1914 the township enumerated 2.3.5 persons of scliool age: possesseil school property worth $10, GOO, apparatus valued at $1,080, and employed nine teachers.

The school section in Essex Township was sold in February, 1834, as already stated, and tlie money ai)])lied to the support of the common schools. On June 30, 1840, twenty-three votes were cast in favor of organizing the township for school purposes, but the names of the first trustees cannot be learned. During the school year of 1914-1. > Essex enrolled 283 pujjils in the ten school districts; the school property, including the south side school building in the City of Wyomingwas valued at $20,7-5O, and the value of apparatus was $2, 27.3.

The school history of Goshen Township begins with the appointment of jNIessrs. INIiner, Driscoll and Parrish as trustees on April 6, 1839, though subscription schools had no doubt been taught within the township limits prior to that date. On September .3, 184.3, a 2)etition signed by seventy-five legal voters asked for the sale of the school section, and the last of the school lands in this township was dis2)osed of in February, 18.51. Says Leeson: "One of the first, if not the first schoolhouse in Goshen Township, was that overlooking the Indian camp, two miles from the Harris farn), on the old state road." The first school election was held at the house of Elijah Eltzworth in October, 1840. Luther Driscoll, Charles H. INIiner, Jeremiah Bennett, Jacob Emery and Samuel Parrish were chosen trustees and Theodore F. Hiu'd was elected treasurer. The first act of the new trustees was to divide the township into the Lafayette, Emery, Indian Creek and Fahrenheit school districts. In January. 1841, the people of this township wrote to Col. W. H. Henderson, then a member of the Legislature, asking him to introduce a bill providing for the payment to Stark County of its share of the school fund ajjportioned to Knox and Putnam counties. The bill was passed in July, 1843, Goshen Township receiving $60.30. In 191.3 the nine districts of Goshen em-olled 24.3 pupils, the property was valued at $17,500, and the apparatus at $1,000.

The first election of trustees in Osceola of which there is any record, was held at the house of John Shawls on May 17, 184.3. Fourteen votes were cast and Liberty Stone, Isaac W. Searle and Zebulon A-\-ery were the successful candidates. The same day the township was (lividtnl into three districts. These three districts have since been sul)divided until in 1D1.3 there were nine districts, huildin,i>s vahicd at $10, 800, apparatus worth $1,650, and 392 pupils cni-olled.

Penn Township inaugurated its school system as early as 18:)6, - three years before the organization of Stark County, when Wall's schoolhouse was erected in section 7. Subscription schools were taught here at an early date, but the names of the teachers appear to have been forgotten. The township \\as organized for school purposes in 184.5, but the earliest record is that of June, 1846, when an election was held at the house of Lcniuel S. Dorrance. Henry Ereese, John Todd and Xeheniiah Merritt were chosen trustees. In response to a petition, the school lands were sold in 1849-50. The nine districts of Penn ToAvnship during the school year of 1914-15 enrolled 286 pupils. Two teachers wei-e employed in the graded school at Castleton and one in each of the other districts. The schoolhouses are valued at $9.;}50 and the apparatus at $1,500.

^'alley Township was organized for school purposes on July 17, - 1847. when an election was held at the house of David Rouse and Z. G. Bliss. David Rouse and William Cummings were elected trustees. At that time there were but nine families, with forty-one children, living in the township. Four years later there were twenty-seven legal voters, twenty-three of whom signed a petition asking for the sale of the school section. Among the early teachers in this townshi]) were P. A. Ferbrache, Ithamer Daybault and Joseph Xewton. During the school year of 1914-15, Valley Township enrolled 219 pupils in the eight districts, the schoolhouses were val'ued at $8,650 and the apparatus at $950.

West Jersey Township held an election at the house of Philander - Arnold on April 5, 1842, at which twenty-two votes were cast, the decision being unanimous in favor of incorjDorating the township for school purposes. The township was then divided into two districts. The records prior to 1846 cannot be found. In 1846 C. M. S. Lyon, A. G. Dunn and Washington Trickle were the trustees. D. V. Frazer and A. C. Col well were among the first teachers in this part of the county. In 1915 there were eight school districts in the township, 220 pu])ils were enrolled, the schoolhouses were then valued at $8,200 and the a])i)iiratus used in the schools at $1,700.

Tt)ulon Township, which contains the greater pai-t of the cities of Toulon and Wyoming, may be said to be the educational center of the county, as it is the most centrally located geographically. The first .schoolhouse in Toulon - the "Old Brick" - has been described in Chap-

The Seminary

The first mention of the seminary in the public records of the county was on December -i, 1849, when the county court appointed Samuel G. Wright, Oliver Whitaker and Samuel Reatty a conunittee to "receive subscriptions and report plans for the building of a female seminarj' in the Town of Toulon, under the third section of 'An act to authorize the County Commissioners' Court, or the County Court, when organized, to sell lots in the Town of Toulon,' ap^n-oved February 12, 1849, and report at the ]March term of this court in 18.50."

On ^Nlarch 3, 18.50, the conmiittee appointed as above reported that the funds received from the sale of lots were insufficient to build a suitable building for a seminary, and that the people showed an unwillingness to subscribe, unless the seminary could be opened to both sexes. Judge Holgate, of the County Court, then directed the members of the conmiittee to solicit subscriptions with the understanding that boj's and girls would both be eligible for admission to the institution.

On September 2, 18.50, the county treasurer was ordered to pay to the committee the sum necessary for the purchase of material, but it seems that the work went on too slowly to suit some of the citizens, for on December 6, 1852, Calvin L. Eastman presented a petition to the County Court, the jH-incipal features of which were: "That the Comity Court direct and order the committee having charge of tlie seminary fund, either in receiving, managing or disbursing it, to report especially upon the following matters:

After due consideration of the petition, the court ordered "That Oliver Whitaker, Samuel Reatty and Samuel G. Wright, committee to superintend the building of said seminary, be required to report at this term of court upon the foregoing petition, and that the clerk notifv them immediatelv."

Histoky Of Stark Couxty 203

The committee came in and reported the expcncHture ol' .^(U) for a site lor the seminary; .%)-i2.71 for l)rick, lumber and shingles and for work done; that the total paid out, ineludhig a note for $02.81, was .$()().5.52, and the amount drawn from the county treasury was $004.. l(i. After a few more delays the seminary was completed, as the records show that on September Ki, IH.Vt, W. W. Webster, John Eerfiekl and L. II. Fitch, of the board of supervisors, were appointed a committee to confer with T. J. Wright, of the building committee, as to the best plan for seating the seminary. The first term opened a few weeks later.

Hy an act of the General Assembly, approved February 14, 18.55, the board of supervisors was authorized to appoint five trustees for the Toulon Seminary. Samuel G. Wright, Oliver Whitaker, Benjamin Turner, John Berfield and ]Martin Shallenbcrger were appointed. Under their management, or that of their successors, the seminary continued until Septeml)er 9, 1861, when it was leased to Davis Fowman, Isaac C. Reed and Warham ^Nlordoff, the school trustees of the Town of Toulon, for a term of five years. By the act of February 18, 1807. the supervisors were authorized to sell the seminary and it became a part of the public school system. It was then used as a sort of high school for some years, when the buildingwas sold and converted into a residence. In the fall of 191,5 it was still standing, located on its original site at the northwest corner of 'Washington and Vine streets, and was then the residence of II. C. Bradley.

In the fall of 18.58 two new school buildings in Toulon were completed. One stood upon what was then called Soap Hill and the other near the northwest corner of the cemeterj'. The latter was known as the "Fair-ground School." Miss Mary Perry taught the first school in this building, a ^Ir. C'arjienter taught that year in the old brick, and William Campbell was made principal of the seminary. The Soap Hill schoolhouse was afterward sold and converted into a residence.

Toulon in 191.5 had two ])ublic school Iniildings - the East Side, or old high school building, and the Township High School in the southeastei-n part of the city. The site of the former building was selected by vote of the people and the interest in the question was as great as was ever displayed in a ])residential election. Several sites were proposed, l)ut when the votes were counted It was found tliat the one on the east side of Olive Street, between Vine and Thomas had won, and here a substantial and cominndious building was erected. The attendance at the two schools during the school year of 191-1-1.5, according to the county superintendent's report, was 595. Seventeen teacher.? are employed in the city schools, the value of the buildings is about thirty thousand dollars, and nearly two thousand dollars' worth of apparatus is used in the school rooms. The Township High School was formerly the xVbout 1882 some of the citizens of Toulon, desirous of having a school that would offer a course of study not provided by the public schools, conceived the idea of establishing an academy. Among those who were acti\c in the movement were J. F. Rhodes, J. A. Henderson, E. F. Thompson, E. C. Follett. Dr. Theodore Eacmeister, W. W. Wright, ]Mrs. Sarah A. Chamberlain, Andrew Oliver, Samuel Eurge, G. W. Dewey and JNIiles A. Fuller. The institution \\'as opened on October 12, 1888, with J. W. Stephens as principal. After earnest work and the overcoming of many obstacles, sufficient funds were accumulated to erect a handsome building, just outside the city limits at the southeastern part of the town, and here the academy continued its useful work imtil it was incorporated into the public school system and made the Township High School.

Wyoming Public Schools

The early records of the Wyoming schools are not available, hence the city's educational histoiy prior to 1857 is somewhat uncertain. In ]May, 1857, the district composed of the northeast corner of Essex Township and the southeast corner of Toulon, embracing the Town of Wyoming, was imder the charge of the following board of directors: J. E. Erown, William E. Armstrong, Dr. Luther ]Milliken. Svlvcster F. Ottman and Isaac Thomas. A summer school was taught that year by ^Nliss Harriet Milliken and in the fall Enoch K. Evans was engaged to teach the winter school. There was but one schoolhouse at that time and the district was not financially able to build a new one - or at least a majority of the voters so expressed themselves on June 22. 1857. by a vote of twenty to seventeen. Some repairs were made upon the old building, which continued in use for several years before the peoiile could be induced to sanction the erection of a new one.

Library University Of Illinois

In September, 1870, the first movement was made toward the hiiildiii^' of a modern sehoolhonse. adequate to the needs of the town. The phui was to issue bonds to the amount of .$5,()()() and levy a tax to create a sinking fund for their payment. The bonds were sold in July, 1871, the people having voted in favor of inereasing the indebtedness of the sehool district to .) per cent of the assessed valuation. Tile South Side sehool opened in tlie new building in September, 1871, with William Xowhni as prineii)al. He Avas succeeded in 1873 by W. R. Sandham, in eliarge of tlie high sehool department. In January, 1877, the building was almost completely destroyed by tire, but was immediately rebuilt with the money received from insurance companies. In the si)ring of 188ti a loan of -t.'J.OOO was authorized for the purpose of making an addition to the building.

The North Side Ixiilding, which was erected aliout the same time, is well located for the accommodation of the ])eople living in the northern j)art of the city. It occupies an elevated site on ^ladison Street, extending from Seventh Street to Galena Avenue, and when first built had a capacity of over two hundred pupils, although less than that number were enrolled upon the opening of the school in September, with S. S. Wood as jjrincipal. The South Side building is situated at the southeast corner of Fifth and Main streets, lacing the public scjuare as laid out by General Thomas when he established the original town. The value of the two buildings is approximately twenty thousand dollars. Din-ing the school year of 1914-1.> eleven teachers were em])loyed and the mmiber of ])u])ils in actual attendance was about four hundred.

When Stark County was orgam'/.ed in 18:39, the law of Illinois provided for an oflicial called a school commissioner, whose duty it was to take charge of the i)ublic schools of the county, investigate the (lualifications of teachers, etc. In 18(>.") the office of school conunissioner was abolished and that of county superintendent of schools created. Following is a list of those who have held these offices in Stark County:

School Commissioners - James Holgate, 1840; Charles H. ISIiner, 1841 : James B. Fewis, 184.); Samuel G. ^Vright, 1840; R. C. Dmin, 18.).); Nelson F. Atkins, 18(51 (re-elected in 18(5:3 and died before the expiration of his second term, John W. Agard being appointed to fill the vacancy ) .

Teacheks' Institute

^Villiam Xowlan, in a paper read before the Stark County Teachers' Association some years ago, said: "It is not certain when the first institute was held in Stark County, l)ut it was about 18.52 or 18.33, while S. G. Wright was school commissioner. Rev. A. Lyman, of Genesee, was the conductor, and Rev. R. C. Dunn afterward stated that it was the first county institute held in the State of Illinois."

Some meetings of the teachers had lieen held prior to that time, but JNlr. Xowlan expressed the opinion that the first regular institute was - held in October, 1852. That was the beginning of the institute system that has since been of such great lienefit to the teachers in bringing - them together for the purpose of getting acquainted and adopting a uniform method of teaching throughout the public schools. In recent years an appropriation is made from the public - a fund to defray the expenses of an institute (by fee of $1) which lasts for one week or more each year, just before the opening of the schools. The institute for 191.3 was held in August, in the East Side school building at Toulon, under the management of George C. Baker, county superintendent. Prof. H. E. Waite, of Princeton, 111., and ^Nliss :Mary L. Robinson, of the Peoria public schools, were the conductors. .

According to William Xowlan. in the paper above referred to, the Stark County Teachers' Association was first organized in 18.38. and was reorganized in October, 18.39. by a few teachers who met foi- that purpose at the house of Rev. R. C. Dunn a short time after the close of the institute for that year. Then began a propaganda, which re- j suited in a majority of the regular teachers of the county becoming members of the association. Through this association fraternal relations have been kept up among the teachers, the meetings being less formal than those of the county institute, each member feeling perfectly free to express his views or to criticize those of his fellow teachers.

\y. R. Sandham. of Wyoming, still has in his possession the paper " read before the association bv JNIr. X"o\\lan, in which is related a num- ber of amusing incidents that show the character of tlie early schools. One of these incidents tells how a hoy of some fourteen years of age was discovered "doing sums" in compound numbers, whereupon the teacher, a young lady of slight experience and limited education, sent word home that the boy need not bring his arithmetic to school any more, because she had "never been any farther than long division and had not been cmi)loyed to teaeli arithmetic, any how."

Another incident told by Mi: Xowlan is of a reading contest at one of the meetings of the association. C. J. Gill, commonly called "Jud" Gill, Avon the prize, reading the poem of the Spider and the Fly, illustrating the actions of the insects by what he supposed were approi)riate gestures. ^Vt the close of the reading Hev. G. A. Leaver "asked for information" if "Jud's" rendition of tlie poem was an elocutionary or a gymnastic exercise.

From this it will be seen that the teachers were not too dignified to enjoy a little levity now and then in their sessions. The association organized more than half a century ago is still kept up, regular meetings of two days being held in the winter or spring every year, the teachers being paid by the county the regular Uvo days' wages for attending the association meetings.

The Press

The newspaper is unquestionably an important factor in the educational development of the nation. Through the dissemination of general news the neoj^le are kept in touch with the woidd's progress, and by the publication of special articles on scientific, industrial, economic or domestic subjects every household is moi-e or less benefited. It is therefore considered appropriate to include in this chapter some account of the newspapers of Stark County - past and ])resent.

Dr. Franklin W. Scott, of the University of lUinois, in 1910 compiled a list of the newspapers of Illinois by counties, which list was published in the Historical Collections for that year. lie states that the first newspaper ever ]niblished in the state was the Illinois Herald, the first numl)er of which was issued at Kaskaskia in INIay, 1814, by ]Matthew Dmican "Printer to the territory and publisher of the laws of tile Union." The oldest number ol" tliis paper in existence is No. 30, dated Wednesday, December 13, 1814. INIr. Duncan was a Kentuck ian by birth, a lirother of Governor .Joseph Dimcan and a graduate of Yale College. He served in the Black Hawk war and died at Shelliyville, 111.. January 16, 1844. He was the pioneer journalist of Illinois.

The first newspaper in Stark County was the Prairie Advocate, the first number of which appeared on January 4. 18.)(), bearing tlie names of John G. Hewitt as editor and John Smith, printer and publisher. Prior to that time 31r. Smith liad been conchicting a newspaper at Pekin. ]Mr. Hewitt interested a number of the Toulon citizens, raised a bonus of $300. ^\itIl which he went to Pekin and induced Smith to remove to Stark County. The old style type used in the production of that first number of the Prairie Advocate could hardly find a place in a newspaper office of the present day, and the press upon which it ^vas printed is said to liave been the third printing press ever brought into the state. After a few months Smith sold his interest to Hewitt, who continued the publication of the paper until 18o7, when he sold to Rev. R. C. Uunn, who changed the name to the Stark County News.

After a few months INIr. Dunn sold the News to Whitaker & Henderson, who placed Dr. S. S. Kaysbier in charge as editor. About the close of the year 1860 the paper suspended publication, but in the fall of 18t)l it was revived by W. H. Butler, who named it the Stark County Union. ]Mr. Butler undertook to run a paper of strong union sentiment, but witliout being partisan. The result was the Union was short-lived.

In the spring of 18(J3 the Stark County News was resumed by Dr. S. S. Kaysbier, who in January, 1864, associated with him Oliver White. In July of that year ]Mr. White purchased his partner's interest, becoming sole proprietor. A half interest was sold to Joseph Smethurst in the fall of 1868 and the next spring ]Mr. White sold his interest to Edwin liutler. Several minor changes in ownership and management then followed until it passed into tlie hands of Charles T. Henderson. In October. 1897, the News was purchased by Charles E. Nixon, of Peoria, and James A. Nowlan, the latter becoming sole owner and proprietor by the purchase of ]Mr. Nixon's interest in 1904. In January, 191.5, ]Mr. Nowlan purchased the Galva Standard, and al)()ut the first of November following bought the Galva News, consolidating the two papers, which after January 1, 1916, were ])ublishcd under the name of the Galva News. He is still the owner of the Stark County News, however, which paper receives his personal attention.

While the political campaign of 1860 was in progress, some of the democi-ats of Stark County keenly felt the need of a party organ. Accordingly a meeting of the Douglas Club on July 6. 1860. started the preliminary steps toward the publication of the Stark County

Democrat. A stock company was ornaui/.fcl, with the uiulcrstandiiig that il' the paper shouhl become self-supporting the remainder of the stock sliould be paid in and used for printing and distributing Doughis literature. The subscription price was fixed at 50 cents for the caml)aign. The first number of the Democrat made its appearance on July 1*J, 18U0, with the following editorial stafi": Martin Shallenberger, chief; G. A. Clifford, W. H. Butler, Charles Myers, Benjamin Williams, J. II. Anthony, J. H. Russell. W. D. Hicks and Thomas Ross, assistants. This was rather an imposing array of editorial talent for a small town like Toulon, but it must be remembered that none of the editors drew a salary, donating their services "for the good of the cause."

The paper was printed in Kewanee and in the issue of November 3, 18<)(), appeared the following notice: "PAY UP! AVe shall publish one more number of this paper, giving the full election returns throughout the United States, when the Democrat will no longer be published. We expect every man who is in arrears will pay up now." The Democrat was 13 by 19 inches in size and contained very little except politics, the ])rinci])al aim of the i)aper being to keep the democratic party supplied with ammunition until the election.

Seth F. Rockwell began the publication of another Stark County Democrat on August 2, 18()7, with ^Martin Shallenberger as political editor. It a])pearc(l regularly until Christmas day, when the publisher announced that it wovdd be suspended until after the holidays. The next number was issued on January 8, 1808. ]Mr. Rockwell retired in August of that year and the paper came under the editorial management of ]\Ir. Shallenberger and Benjamin W. Seaton, who in November changed the name to the Prairie Chief. The paper was owned by a company composed of Benjamin Turner, Patrick Nowlan, James Nowlan, Martin Shallenberger and Branson Lowman, who bought from John Smith tlie ])ress that had been used in the publication of the first Stark County News in 18.>r). In 1800 Mr. Seaton ])urchased the outfit and continued the publication of the Chief until the s])ring of 187*2, when he sold to Dr. Henry JNI. Hall. He changed the name to the New Era and published until January, 1870, when he removed to Red Oak, Iowa, and Stark County was without a democratic paper.

The Stark County Sentinel, another Toulon ncws])a])er that acquired some ])r()minence, was first issued on October 8, 1880, by ^V. F. Nixon and Thomas H. Blair. On the last day of April, 1881, J. Knox Hall succeeded INIr. Blair, and in INIay, 1882, JNIr. Hall became sole owner. On January 1, 1884, Gus Hulsi/.er pin-chased an interest, but the partnership betweezi Hall and Ilulsizer was dissolved on February 13, 188.5, the former retiring from the paper. Under the management of ^Ir. Hnlsizer the Sentinel became a strong advocate of prohibition, wJiich policy was followed until circumstances forced it to susjiend.

Wyoming's fii-st newspaper was started in 1872, when E. H. Phelps, at the earnest solicitation of some of the citizens of the town, began the publication of the Post-Chronicle. The name was adopted by reason of the fact that the Bradford Chronicle, which had been started a few months before, had already acquired some circulation in the eastern townships and it was consolidated with the Wyoming Post, the name selected by jMr. Phelps for his paper. The first number of the Post-Chronicle was issued on August 9. 1872. A few months later the latter part of the name was dropped and the paper continued under the name of the Wyoming Post.

In 1876 Phelps sold out to J. D. Gilchrist, who conducted the paper until some time in 1879, when it was purchased by Craddock & Vosbui-g. In 188.5 this firm was succeeded by W. R. Sandham. Connected with this paper was one of those newspaper controversies that frequently occur over the question of "good will" and the exclusive right to a certain territory. It is said that when INIr. Pheljis sold out to Ciilchrist he agreed not to publish a paper in Stark County for five years. On July 2. 1880, he issued the first number of the Toulon Herald, but early in 1881 removed the office of publication to Wyoming. "Sir. Sandham went into court and asked for an injimction against the publication of the Herald, but finally solved the problem by purchasing that paper and consolidating it with his own under the name of the Wyoming Post-Herald.

^V. E. Xixon and J. M. Newton purchased the Post-Herald in 1889 and conducted it until August, 189.5, when Mr. Nixoii ])ecame sole o^^-ner. In 1902 Mr. Nixon was elected county clerk and on January 1, 1904, he sold a half interest to Harrison Thomas. A little later ^Villiam G. and Gladstone JNIoore purchased the entire outfit and continued the publication of the paper under the firm name of ]\Ioore & Son. In November, 1914, the Post-Herald was bought by Scott Brothers, the present proprietors.

The Bradford Chronicle above mentioned was founded by B. F. Thompson, editor, E. H. Edwards, publisher, in the fall of 1871. It was ])rinted at Princeton until it was consolidated with the Wyoming Post in August, 1872. The Bradford Times was first issued on Christmas day in 1880, with F. N. Prout as editor. It -was not ])rinted in the village. The first ncws])a])c'r to he ])i'iiite(l in Ri-adl'ord was the Rradford Independent, the first nuniher of which was issued on June 4, 188.5, by C. F. Hamilton and J. C. Blaisdell. On June 1, 1880, ]Mr. Rhiisdell retired, leaviiif^- Mi-. Hamilton sole owner. Suhse- <|uently Mr. Blaisdell established the Rradford Re])ubliean, whieh be sold to R. L. Hreen, the present editor and ])nblisber, in the sjjring of 11107.

Several of the newspa])ers above enumerated passed out of existenee after a short time, and there wei'e some other ventures in journalism that failed "for want of adequate support." One of the earliest of these evanescent publications was the Ku Klux Rulletin, which first made its appearance on oNIay 7, 1869, with the motto "'Chide mildly the erring." The editorial staff was announced as "White Alligator," "Rattling Skeleton" and "(irand Cyclops," supposed to have been Chailes \V. Wright, Albinus Nance (afterward governor of Nebraska) and Thomas Sballenberger. The Bulletin was pui)lished at Toulon and in the salutatory its principles were set forth as follows: "Our Rulletin is not a religious paper. Others may prate of the orthodox, the martj^rs and the clergy; of the peace and happiness of religion, and spiritual comfort; but we ])refer to deal with the human creatures al)out us. We do not confine ourselves to any sect or creed; we are on the side of reform, and our field of labor is as broad as the universe. Toulon needs reorganizing and we attempt to reorganize her. Let us hope that we may meet with better success than iVrtemus Ward, when he attempted to reorganize Betsy Jane."

But the (Jrand Cyelo])s and his editorial associates found the woi-k of reorganization a difficult task and after publishing the Bulletin for a short time let it die a natural death.

In 1876 Oliver White conmienced the iniblication of the tri-weeklv newspa])er to which he gave the name of INIolly Stark. INIr. White's notion of a newspa])er was to avoid "boiler plate," or "patent insides," and pul)lish ])aragrai)hs of local interest or articles giving the pith of the latest news. The INIolly Stark was unflinchingly republican in its political views and its mission seemed to be the election of James Q. Blaine to the Presidency. Bill Nye, the humorist, used to tell of a l)rintcr who went bankru])t trying to run a nonpareil news])a])er in a long primei- town. INIr. White had a similar experience with a hiweckly pa])er in Toulon. Although be did not become bankrupt, be found the INfolly Stark an un])rofitable enter])rise and discontinued its ])ublication.

The Stark County Rce was started at Wyoming', contemporaneously witli the ]Molly Stark, hy JNl. M. JNIonteith. It was published as an independent paper, though it was noticed that its leanings were strongly toward the republican party. Such a policy alienated the democrats, while the republicans wanted a paper more pronounced in principle, hence, as one old resident of ^Vyoming expresses it. "the Bee soon ceased to buzz."

Another tri-weekly i^aper was the Call, published by Nixon Brothers at Toulon. The first number bore the date of March 2U, ]88."}. and after a few issues was jjublished semi-weekly. The last number of the Call was issued on August 16, 1883.

In October, 1883, S. A. Miller began the publication of the Lafayette Annex. The name was changed to the Lafayette Sentinel in .June, 1884, but Mr. INliller learned that a change of name did not eidarge the field for his pajjcr and a little later the Sentinel succinnbed to the inevitable.

Public Li15Karies

Col. Robert G. Ingersoll once said: "A house with a library in it has a soul." The same thing might be approjiriately said of a town or city. The jjublic library has been one of the most potent agencies in recent years in furnishing many people with the means of acquiring information upon a multitude of subjects - information they might never liave gained through other channels. The peoijle of Stark County apparently recognize the importance of the pul)lic library as an educational factor, as there are four libraries maintained at public expense, viz: Toulon, Wyoming, Bradford and Lafayette.

The first mention of a library in the official records of the county was on July 16, 18.51, when the County Court ordered that George A. Cliflf'ord be permitted t(j use the room in the courthouse "at present occupied by the Toulon Social Library, provided that an arrangement can be effected with those interested in said library, if not the said Clifford shall be permitted to use either of the jury rooms during the vacation of the Circuit Court, upon payment of .$1 per mouthy"

The Toulon Social l^ibrary was not a public library, but was a small society, the members of which contributed a certain sum annually for books to be circulated among themselves, or rented to others for a small weekly fee.

Wyoming was the pioneer in the movement to establish a public library. xVbout the year 1890, while yet a village, some of the ])co|)le inaugurated a movement for the establishment of a public library, by inducing tlie village trustees ti) eall an election to vote on the projjosition to establish such an institution. A uiajority oi' the votes were opposed to the measure and the subject was drop])e(l.

In the early part of 1907 the Tuesday Club, at several ol' its meetings discussed the subject of a public library, the discussions finally culminating in the ap])ointment of Albert W. King and Hev. \\ illiam 31oore a committee to present the matter to the city council. They personally appeared before tiie council, but the time was ajjparently inopportune. The eouncilmen listened attentively to the committee, but declined to act. The Tuesday Club, however, continued the agitation and on October 29, 1907, ^Irs. Harry A. llammonil, Mrs. William liolgate and INIrs. William H. Hewitt were appointed a committee to investigate the practicability and suggest a plan for the establishment of a [)ublic reading room, as a sort of forerunner of a ])ublie library.

The counnittee held several meetings, but nothing was accomplished mitil December, 1908, when a reading room was opened in the basement of the Scott, Walters & llakestraw bank building. The reading room was supported by su])scri])tions and it was ho])ed interest enough would be aroused to lead to the establishment of a public library. But after a few months the reading room was discontinued, chiefly for lack of suitable quarters. The library question, like Ban- (juo's ghost, would not down, and during the next three years it was re])eatedly discussed at the meetings of the Tuesday Club and in the columns of the Post-IIerald. In 191 2 the Women's Christian Temj)erance Union, the Ladies' League of the Catholic Church, the Merry Makers' Club and the Birthday Club all became interested in the subject and with the Tuesday Club joined in the formation of the Wyoming \Voman's Library Association, with JNlrs. Lliza Steer as })resident and INL's. Nellie K. Reeder, secretary and treasurer.

Woi'k now began in earnest and the campaign resulted in the passage of an ordinance by the city council on July 7. 191.'$, "to establish a free ])ublic library in accordance with the library law of the State of Illinois." A little later the following library l)oard was appointed: William R. Sandham. president; INIrs. Eliza Steer, vice president; Mrs. Xellie K. Reeder, secretary; Frank Jacobs, ^Villiam J. Forster, Odillon B. Slane, iVbnei- C. Cooper. ^Irs. Cecelia B. Colwell and Mvs. Augustine Ryan. This board on August 18, 1913, ap])lied to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for assistance in erecting a suitable l)uilding for a ])ublic library and on November 9. 1913, came a rejjly that the sum of '$.).G0() would ])e donated for a building in Wyof niing, provided the city would furnish a suitable site. Then commenced the camjiaign to procure a site, which culminated on February 2-4, 11)14, by the city voting to issue bonds to the amount of $1,.500 for the purchase of a lot. The site selected was owned by a number of heirs and it was not until July 10. 1914, that the deeds were all signed i

The heating plant and the plumbing were installed by Brown & Upperman. of \Vyoming. The building is of hollow tile, veneered with a liard mat brick, roof of l)lack Bangor slate, and consists of the main Hoor and basement. It is 27 by 63 feet in size, the library occupying j room, space for the heating plant, toilet rooms, etc. It was opened to the public on April 1, 191.5. The total cost of the building, including the heating plant and plumbing, was $0,075, and up to April 1, 191.5, the Woman's Library Association had raised $1,140 for the benelit of the institution.

umes. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. The amovmt of tax levied for its support in 1914 was $.534.0(5 and for 1915 it was $700.

The Toulon Public Library dates its beginning from January 29, 1891, when James H. ^Miller and B. F. Thompson filed a petition with the village clerk, George S. Walker, asking the town board to levy a tax in accordance with the state law for the support of a public library. That petition was signed by sixty legal voters and at the town election, April 21, 1891, the proposition to levy the library tax was carried by a good majority.

Nothing further was done toward the actual establishment of the library until April 19, 1892, when a board of six directors was elected, to-wit: B. F. Thompson and Gus Flulsizer, for three years; W. W. Wright and U. J. Overman, for two years; INIartin Shallenberger and Theodore Bacmeister, for one year. In July, 1892, the first year's tax was paid in and found to net $314.21. The directors considered

At a meeting held in the otKce of Ur. Theodore Bacmeistci- on Febriiarj' 2, 1893, ]Mr. Thompson was elected president of the l)oar(i of directors, and Doctor Eacmcister was chosen secretary, ^lessrs. Hulsizer, J^acmeister and Shalleiiberger were appointed a committee to draft rnles and regulations for the government of the library. Another meeting was held on JNlarch 2, 1893, when JNlessrs. Bacnieister, Hulsizer and Overman were appointed a committee to look for a location and report at the next meeting. The committee reported that suitable rooms could be secured in \Villiam Caverly's new block at a rental of $4 per month, and Mr. Hulsizer offered to donate his services as librarian anil to keep the library open three evenings each week.

So far everything had worked well, but it was impossible to open a library without books. At a meeting on March 30, 1893, Mr. Caverly's offer was accepted, a list of books was decided on, and on iVpi-il 7, 1893, ]Mr. Overman went to Chicago to purchase the books selected. They arrived a few days later and the Toidon Public Library was opened on the evening of the 18th, at which time Mr. Overman reported that the amount expended for books was $34.-1.38; his personal expenses, $11. 7-), and freight on the books. $3.0.5, making a total of $3.59.T8.

The library remained in the Caverly Building until April 11, 1898, when it was voted to remove to B. F. Thompson's new brick block on the west side of the public square. \Vhen the library went into its new quarters ^Nliss Pauline Xowlan succeeded jNIr. Hulsizer as librarian. She was in turn succeeded by jNlartha K. Cree, under whose administration the library was removed to the second Hoor of Dr. E. B. Packer's building on West ^lain Street. In April, 1911, JNIiss Harriet J. Byatt, the present lil)rarian, succeeded INIiss Cree.

Early in the summer of 1914 the library board wrote to the Carnegie Corporation, of New York City, explaining the needs of the Toulon library, and asking for a donation for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for the library's home. In August the board received the pleasing information that the corporation would give $(),000 and preparations were immediately commenced for the erection of the building. The first thing necessary was to obtain a site. After some "pulling and hauling" Percy Shallenberger offered to donate the lot at the southwest corner of Jefferson and Henderson streets and give $.500 to defray the expenses of grading and lieautifying the grounds. The offer was accepted and the contract for the erection of the hiiihhno- was let to F. L. Boher, the same man who erected the hbrary building at ^Vyoming.

The $6,000 given bj^ the Carnegie Corporation was all used in paying for the building and the furniture and fixtures, which cost $900 more, were paid for out of a fund raised by popular subscription. The building was opened to the public on September 7, 1913. At that time there were about two thousand volumes in the library, which is kept open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenin os. The amount of tax collected in 1914 for the support of the library was $.563.12.

In October. 191.5, the library board was composed of F. J. Rhodes, Elmer H. Buffum, Dr. Clyde Berfield, George S. ^Valker, Waiter F. Young, Fred JNIiller, ]Mrs. L. T. Jackson, JNIrs. Florence Kinney and ^Nliss Ellen Silliman. Mr. Rhodes was president of the hoard and jNIiss Silliman, secretary.

The Ira C. Reed Public Library, of Lafayette, had its origin in a collection of books that Mrs. Ira C. Reed placed upon the shelves of the two-story brick building erected for her own residence in 1897. For about nine years those books were loaned through the library association which was formed for that purpose. At the death of ^Slrs. Reed the books and building passed by bequest to the Village of Lafayette, but at the request of the trustees continued under the control of the original association for about two years longer.

In the spring of 1909, T. U. Church circulated a petition asking the village government to levy a tax for the library's support, in accorilance with the state law. A 2-mill tax was accordingly levied and the Ira C. Reed Public Library became really a public institution. The next move was to hold a special election to select the members of a board to control the affairs of the library.

Prior to 1907 the library was kept open somewhat irregularly, as tlieie was no regular librarian mucb of the time to look after its management. Miss Lydia Hamilton and other pulilic spirited young people took turns in acting as librarian, but in 1907 ^liss Olive Hayes was employed to attend to the needs of the library and lend books two afternoons and evenings in each week.

In 1911 the board of trustees organized the library according to law. by introducing the proper records, etc., and JNIiss INIay C. Smith succeeded ]Miss Hayes as librarian. The reading room, which has proven to be a popular adjunct to the library, was opened in 1912. and in 191-1 a "rental shelf" was added at the recpiest of some of the

The lihrary hoard in Oetoher, 1915, was composed of ^liss JNIay C. Smith, who is president, INliss Julia Snyder, INIrs. Agnes Hoadley, C. G. Reed, A. L. Dickerson and Rev. T. O. Lee. Mrs. Hoadley is clerk of the hoard. Regular meetings are held monthly.

The amount of tax collected in 1914 for the support of the lihrary w-as $110.77. Tlieie is also the interest on a small endowment of $700 and some additional income from the Reed estate. On June 1, 1915, the lihrary numhered 1,08() volumes, quite a numher of which were given hy puhlic spirited citizens. The lihrary also has a large collection of fossils, minerals, etc., the gift of Jesse Atherton.

In the early part of the year 1902, twelve young ladies of ]?radford, all memhers of the same cluh, conceived the idea of a puhlic library. After formulating a plan they succeeded in interesting several of the leading citizens, with the result that the following lihrary board was elected: Cyrus Bocock, president; INIrs. H. R. JNIayhew, secretary; Mrs. Streeter, Mrs. Doctor Boardman, D. .T. (^wens and Doctor Minnick.

Xext came the ])rohlem of finances. The young ladies who first proposed a lihrary went to work with a will to make articles of all kinds to be sold at a bazaar, and by this means they raised $12.5. Eight hundred dollars more were added to the fund through subscri])tions on the part of the townspeople, and with this fund the first books were purchased. Quite a number of books were donated by generously inclined people, and the Bradford Public Library began to show evidences that it had "come to stay." The library was first o]:)ened on Saturday, i\ugust Ki, ]9()2. with ^Irs. Streeter as librarian, in the hall formeily occupied by the Odd Fellows' lodge.

For about three years the Bradford Library Association continued in charge, the yoimg ladies who first projected the enterprise giving bazaars for the sale of bric-brac and articles of cookery, producing "home talent" plays, etc., the proceeds going to the library fund. In June, 1905, the people of the village voted to levy a tax for the support of the libi-ary, and it became the property of the village. The amount of the library tax collected in 1914 was $337. '30. The members of the board in October, 1915, were: J. IT. Scliolcs, president; jNIrs. G. A. ^larsh, secretary; J. A. IMcGifford, Mrs. Klizabeth Rennick, INIrs. John Trimmer and jNIrs. Bert Deyo. JNIrs. Mary L. (ierard was tlien librarian. The Bradford library is ke])t open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings and Saturday afternoon of each week. About one thousand volumes are on tlie slielves and a number of periodicals are to be found on the tal)les in the reading room. The \Voman's League, composed of fifty of the representative women of the town, have recently started a movement for tiie erection of a library building.

The Elmira I^ibrary Association was organized at the village schoolhouse on January 18, 18.5(), with Adam Oliver as president and William Moffitt, secretary. Each member of the association paid certain dues each year and was entitled to draw books from the library. This library has never been made a public librai'y. but is for the exclusive use of the members of the association.

In every school district of the county there are a number of books for the use of the pupils. The volumes are generally of a historical or scientific character, books of travel, etc., calculated to be of assistance to the scholars in their school work. The number of volumes in these school libraries at the close of the school year in 1915 was 8.026.