Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 13: Educational, 1886

Chapter 13: Educational

Inteodttctort Remarks. - Progress in Educational Methods and Standards. - Importance of Good Schools. - Early Schools. - Text Books. - Improvements. - Educational Statistics, 1884, Showing Number of Schools, Teachers, Pupils, Etc., and Expenditures FOR Different Purposes.

There is no subject connected with our progress and civilization in which onr people have taken a deeper interest than in that of education. While our public schools, which constitute the basis of our progress and intelligence, have especially engaged the attention of our most enterprising citizens and legislators, thej have also liberally encouraged the higher institutions of learning, as is shown by our numerous seminaries, colleges and universities. Indiana has education for her corner-stone upon which she has reared an enduring superstructure. Education is the secret of the great prosperity of our State and the safeguard of our institutions. There is no excuse whatever for a person being uneducated in Indiana, for her counties are dotted o?er with numerous and excellent school-houses, while the school buildings in the cities are models of elegance and convenience, and these public schools are free to all, rich and poor, irrespective of i-ace, color or religion. There has been manifested a constant and very general determination to bring the schools of the State to the highest degree of excellence, consonant with sound policy and the development of its material resources.

.The findings of the last census in educational matters, altliough hardly a revolution to our people, are yet not a little gratifying, as they enable the people elsewhere to realize something of the work being done in Indiana in educational matters.

The first schools taught in Clinton County were private or subscription schools. Their accommodations, as may be readily supposed, were not good. Sometimes they were taught in small log houses erected for the purpose. Stoves and such heating apparatus f471) as are in use now were unknown. A mud and stick chimney in one end of the building, with earthen hearth, with fire-place wide enough and deep enough to take in a four-foot back-log, smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows, part of a log was cut out on either side, and maybe a few panes of eight by ten glass set in ; or, just as likely as not, the aperture would be covered over with greased paper. Writing benches were made of wide planks, or maybe puncheons resting on pins or arms driven into two-inch auger holes bored into the logs beneath the windows. Seats were made out of thick planks or puncheons ; flooring was made of the same kind of stuff. Everything was rude and plain, but many of America's greatest men have gone out from just such school-houses to grapple with the world and make a name for themselves, and names that come to be an honor to their country. In other cases, private rooms and parts of private houses were utilized as schoolhouses, but the furniture was just as plain.

But all these things are changed now. A log school-house in Indiana is a rarity. Their places are filled with handsome frame or brick structures. The rude furniture has also given way, and the old school books, the "Popular Reader," the "English Reader " (the finest literary compilation ever known in American schools) and " Webster's Elementary Spelling Book" are superseded by others of greater pretensions. The old spelling classes and spelling matches have followed the old school-houses until they are remembered only in name. The school-houses and their furnishings are in full keeping with the spirit of the law that provides for their maintenance and support. The teachers rank high among the other thousands of teachers in the State ; and the several county superintendents, since the office of superintendent was made a part of the school system, have been chosen with especial reference to their fitness for their position.

Previous to the winter of 1829 "'gpd 1830, no schools were held in the county. During that winter two schools were taught, as follows: One in Washington Township in a log cabin that had been built for a recorder's office by John Delvin, of Crawfordsville; the other in what is now Center Township, in a log cabin which had been built for a private dwelling on the Bunnell farm by Jacob L. Harley. Soon after this schools were held in various parts of the county, all of wliich the reader will find duly recorded in the township histories.

Black-boards, charts, maps and globes were unknown. The teacher made quill pens for his pupils with which to write. Some of the older ones " ciphered" and when stalled went to the " master " for help. There were no classes formed except in " spellin' " and readin'."

A person who could read fluently, write a legilile hand and " cipher " to the " Single Rule of Three," was deemed competent to act as teacher. Some of the teachers taught what were considered excellent schools; however, generally speaking, they were very ineflicient, and like the schools, were primitive and crude. All the early schools were supported by private aid, and as the first settlers were very scarce of money the wages paid teachera were very small indeed. Some taught school whose only remuneration was the pleasure of "boarding around." Ten dollars a month, the teacher boarding himself and cutting his own wood, was considered good wages.

Such, in brief, was the early school system of Clinton County; the system under which many of her leading men acquired their education. And let it be remembered that even these rude advantages were not long afforded, for as soon as a child was large enough to lend a helping hand, his parents demanded his aid to assist in obtaining a living.

But the school system of Indiana has wonderfully developed and improved teachers and all educational facilities within the last half century. In this respect Clinton has kept pace with the counties adjoining her. At an early day her citizens voted, generally to sell their school sections and let the interest on the proceeds become a tuition fund for the support of schools, while they cheerfully taxed_ themselves to build school-houses and otherwise improve the county.

In the thirteen townships of Clinton County, each of which is a separate corporation for school purposes, we first had three trustees, a clerk and a treasurer. Now one trustee does the business, assisted by a director in each school district, who serves without pay. These trustees, with the city and incorporated town trustees, and the county superintendent, jointly or severally have control of the schools of the county, hire teachers, regulate their salaries, locate school-houses, adopt text books to be used and make

By the county and township institutes, which by law and rule all teachers are required to attend, they become acquainted with the value of each teacher, ascertain the wants and wishes of schools, teachers, patrons and pupils, and work together to right all wrongs and see that the great school fund so generously aud wisely appropriated by the people of Indiana is expended in such a way as to do the most good.

The total cost of schools in Clinton County for 1884 was $50,- 000. This speaks for itself. It shows how deeply the people are interested in the cause of education. They are dotting their county all over with substantial school-houses, furnished with all the modern appliances, and placing all in charge of well qualified teachers. Below are given the principal statistics of school matters for 188i, from which may be learned the present condition of the schools, and the degree of perfection to which they have advanced. Let the youthful reader study these statistics, and then compare iiis advantages with the youth of forty or fifty years ago. We hope he may be profited by such a comparison; that he may be stimulated to improve faithfully and diligently the opportunities afforded him, for surely, surrounded as he is in this the eve of the nineteenth century, the world expects something from him and has a riglit to ask " What do you more than others?"

Number of districts in which schools were taught, 111; male teachers employed, 95; female teachers employed, 53; total num-- ber of teachers employed, 148; average wages of male teachers in townships, $2.27; average wages of female teachers in townships, $2.10; average wages of male teachers in towns, $3.15; average wages of female teachers in towns, $1.89; average wages of male teachers in city, $3.19; average wages of female teachers in city, $2.24; number of brick school-houses, 79; number of frame school-houses, 39; whole number of school-houses, 118; value of school-houses and grounds, $194,405; value of apparatus, maps, globes, etc., $8,685; total value of school property, $203,- 090; school-houses built during the year, 9; value of school-houses built during the year, $21,900; number of volumes in library, 615; number of private schools, 13; number of teachers in same, 13; number of pupils admitted, 286; average daily attendance, 201; tuition per pupil per month, $.71; amount of common school fund, $30,108.61; white males ot school age, 4,176; white females of school age, 3,841; colored males of school age, 13; colored females of school age, 10; total enumeration of 1884, 8,040; total enumeration of 1883, 8,047; illiterate males between ten and twentj-one, 33; illiterate females between ten and twenty-one, 17; total illiterates, 50; white male pupils in school, 3,387; white female pupils, 3,165; total white pupils, 6,552; colored male pupils, 10; colored female pupils, 5; total colored pupils, 15; total male pupils, 3,397; total female pupils, 3,170; total pupils in school, 6,567; average daily attendance, 4,220; average number of days of school, 141 ; amount paid trustees for managing educational matters, $1,793; amount of school revenue derived from tax, $8,298.46; interest collected on common school fund, $2,463.27; total collected for apportionment, $10,761.73; amount apportioned, $11,577.60.

Chapter' Xiy Agricultural

Clinton an Agricultural County. - Statistics of Agriculture roR 1886. - Clinton County Agricultural Society. - Organization. - Fairs, 1872-'85. - Middle Fork Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

The best prosperity a county can have is agricultural. Manufactures and mineral resources are desirable, but where they are the main dependence there will invariably be a poor, ignorant, unenterprising class of citizens controlled by a few capitalists. Here in Clinton County property is quite evenly distributed, with the exception of a few large land owners ; all are comfortably situated, and all enjoy educational and social advantages. Clinton is destined to remain an agricultural county, and it is best so. As a farming region it ranks among the best in the State. Possessing the advantages of a good climate, a soil of inexhaustible fertility, close proximity to the markets of Chicago and other cities, and excellent railroad facilities, the county has already attained a degree of agricultural development such as is seldom found in a country comparatively new. Its wealth and prosperity are steadily and rapidly increasing. When we consider that but two generations ago the red men were the owners of this region which now supports one of the most flourishing communities in the United States, we may well be astonished at the wonderful results which time and an intelligent industry have wrought. In many sections of our country, lands which have been occupied by white inhabitants twice and thrice as long, exhibit not one-half of the improvements and substantial evidences of real prosperity that Clinton County can show. Nature did much for this region, and a thrifty and progressive people have admirably co-operated with her efforts. Farms, buildings and improvements of every kind are of unusual excellence in this county. Numerous towns and villages scattered over the county furnish abundant and convenient trading points and home markets, while unexcelled educational and religious (476)

No statistics of agriculture were compiled in early years, but now the assessors report annually to the State Bureau of Statistics, and from these reports extensive tables are prepared which, though sadly deficient in many respects, still serve a useful purpose in the end. Following is a summary of the reports for 1886 ;

Number of horses under one year old, 700 ; one to two years old, 790 ; two to three years old, 541 ; three to four years old, 558 ; four years old and over, 5,419 ; number of horses dying during the year"l885, 226.

Number of mules under one year old, 25 ; one to two years old, 41 ; two to three years old, 63 ; three to four years old, 69 ; over four years old, 131 ; number of mules dying during year 1885, 16.

Number of cattle under one year old, 5,734 ; one to two years old, 2,924 ; two to three years old, 2,361 ; three years old and over, 5,952; milch cows, 7,163 ; number of cattle dying during the year, 380.

Number of fatted hogs past twelve months old, 42,070; weight of same, 8,768,051 ; number of hogs old enough to fatten this year, 32,175; number of hogs dying during the year, 6,307.

Bearing apple trees, 39,066; young apple trees, 21,381; apple trees killed during year, 11,078 ; bearing peach trees, 224 ; young peach trees, 1,554 ; peach trees killed during year, 407; bearing pear trees, 1,145; young pear trees, 1,287; bushels of fall apples saved, 3,539; winter apples, 2,976 ; peache?, 27 ; pears, 82; pear trees dying during year, 948; bearing plum trees, 986; young plum trees, 1,487; bearing quince trees, 52; young quince trees, 288 ; bearing cherry trees, 7,971 ; young clierry trees, 4,543 ; bearing Siberian crab trees, 824 ; young Siberian crab trees, 639 ; bearing grape vines, 6,125 ; young grape vines, 4,339 ; apple trees planted, 5,629; peach trees planted, 344; pear trees planted, 354.

The Clinton County AgricuMral Society was organized in June, 1872, and held a successful ftir the same year; the net proceeds making a handsome payment on the indebtedness which had been incurred in starting the society. Forty-eight acres of beautiful ground, one-half mile south of town, half of it a splendid grove ' of native trees, had been purchased. The grounds cost $6,000, and within the first year the society expended about $7,500 in the way of improvements. The capital stock was fixed at $10,000, divided into shares of $25.

Second Fair

The fair of 1873 was a success in every respect. The whole number of entries was 1,250; receipts from all sources, $5,190.32; ^ paid for premiums, $2,159.03; improvements and expenses, $1,822.65; balance of $1,208.64, applied to reduction of indebted ness. The secretary, P. W. Gard, reported this year that all the stock of the society had been purchased except about 100 shares. Enos Hoover was president for this year.

Agricultural Third Fair

The third annual fair wa3 held .in 1874. The competition for premiums on horses, cattle and ho^s was the most spirited yet had, but the fair was not so successful financially as preceding ones: The exhibition showed that many of the best farmers had begun to import blooded horses and thoroughbred cattle. Many Berksliire and Chester "White hogs were to be seen also. The total number of entries was 1,580; receipts, $4,450; disbursements, $3,960. Enos Hoover was president and S. O. Bay less was secretary for the year.

Fourth Fair

The weather was favorable and all other circumstances auspicious for the fair held September 13-19, 1875. The entries were 1,250, not quite the usual number, but they were of a better class of articles and slock. The receipts were $3,600; expenses, $2,800, and balance to apply on indebtedness, $800. The display of hogs, and articles in agricultural and produce halls, were not equal to those of previous years. The exhibition in the floral department went far ahead of previous attempts. The number of entries in the cattle and horse departments was large and the animals very fine and would have made a creditable show at a State fair. The officers were the same as for 1874.

Fifth Fair

The fifth annual fair, September 11-18, 1876, was not so fortunate. The weather was very unfavorable during the week, and the fair was not well attended. Financially, it was not a success; but the society maintained its credit by paying out more for premiums than the receipts at the gate. The exhibitions in the stock department far excelled any previous year. Vegetable and garden products were well represented. On account of the bad weather, the display in the floral hall was not as good as heretofore. The county commissioners purchased the grounds this year, to ease the society, and leased the grounds to the same for an annual rental. The entries at this fair numbered 1,150; receipts amounted to $1,823.65; disbursements, $1,988. John Snyder was president and S. O. Bay less was secretary.

Sixth Fair

The entries numbered 1,476 being a gratifying increase over the usual number, while most of he articles exhibited were of a superior quality. The secretary's report said: "At the Urst two or three exhibitions we were compelled to depend upon other and older counties for superior stock, grain, vegetables and useful machinery, but of late we can compete with any of them in all departments, as our record at the State fair and the number of patents granted to our county at Washington, D. C, will show. "We now have some as fine imported horses, cattle and sheep as any county in the State. Notwithstanding the incessant rain during the week of our fair on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, the attendance on Thursday and Friday was much larger than that of any previous year." The total receipts of the fair were $3,000; expenses, $2,930. The ofiicers for the year were: President, H. T. Morrison ; Secretary, John Bayless.

Seventh Fair

The seventh annual exhibition occurred September 16-20, 1878. The entries numbered 1,499, more than any previous fair, including 712 in the live-stock department. Great improvement was noticeable in not onlj- the exhibition, but in the management. The attendance was large, notwithstanding an incessant rain on Friday, usually one of the best days. The poultry department was one of the most conspicuous. The receipts of the fair were $8,485; disbursements, $3,635. Enos Hoover was president and John Bayless was secretary for the year.

Eighth Fair

In 1879 the fair was held September 15-19, inclusive. The weather was fine, the entries numerous and the attendance beyond the most sanguine expectations of the managers. The stock departments showed the most conspicuous improvement. One of the interesting features was an archery contest, participated in by the Kokomo, Frankfort, 'New London and Crawfordsviile clubs. There were four archers in each team, and each man made thirty shots, three at a time, at the distance of forty, fifty and sixty feet, making in all ninety shots. The result was not very flattering to the Frankforts, the total of the score being: Crawfordsviile, 1,654; New London, 1.244; Kokomo, 1,066; Frankfort, 960.

Ninth Fair

The fair held August 22-26, 1881, was as successfal as could be expected under the circumstances. The terrible condition of the roads prevented many from attending, while the long-continued drouth of that year cut short the display in agricultural hall. The stock display was good and floral hall made a fine impression, perhaps better than at any previous fair. Over 500 entries were made in that department. More attention was paid to the races than usual.

Tenth Fair

In 1882 the fair was a moderate success. The exhibition was hardly as good as usual, and the attendance was less. Still the management paid all premiums in full and made a number of improvements on the grounds.

Eleventh Fair

The eleventh fair was held August 27 to September 1, 18S3, inclusive, and was much more fortunate than that of 1882. The total number of entries reached 1,600. The receipts were sufficient to pay all the expenses, all the premiums in full and an indebtedness of nearly $1,000. The officers elected for 1884 were: James McDavis, President; 0. Id. Pence, Vice-President; Joseph Heavilon. Secretary; H. M. Aughe, Treasurer; and W. G. Morris, Superintendent.

Twelfth Fair

The fair of 1884, held August 25-29, inclusive, was another one of the " best ever held." The attendance was certainly excellent. There was some complaint that the premium list was not as liberal as it should be. The officers elected for 1885 were: President, James McDavis; Vice-President, Kobert Carrick; Secretary, M. H. Belknap; Treasurer, H. M. Aughe; Superintendent, David F. Clark.

Thirteenth Fair

In 1885 the fair was held from August 24 to 28, inclusive, and was a great success. A rain storm on Monday delayed the start a little, but there were in all 2,000 entries, several hundred more than ever before. The agricultural display was fine, and the stock show unusually good. Implement hall was alive with machinery used by the farmers, and floral hall was a scene of beauty. The contests in the speed ring were exciting, although from recent rains the track was in poor condition. The ofl[icers chosen for 1886 were: President, James McDavis; Yice-President, Eobert Carrick; Secretary, M. H. Belknap; Treasurer, C. R. Pence; Superintendent, D. F. Clark.

The Middle Fork Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society, composed of the counties of Clinton, Howard and Carroll, was organized January 4, 1872, at Middle Fork, Clinton County, Indiana. The society, at the time of its organization, consisted of 100 life members, who elected twelve directors - four from each county.

The officers for the first year were: John Wilner, President; A. F. Whiteman, Vice-President; John Eodkey, Superintendent; W. J. Floyd, Treasurer; Milton Hanson, Corresponding Secretary; Oliver Gard, Recording Secretary.

The following named gentlemen were the directors elected from Clinton County: Henry Baum, Isaac H. Storms, Thomas Avery and G. W. linger. The directors elected from Howard County were Alex. Bishop, Simuel Schooley, John Morrison and Samuel Rodkey. Those elected from Carroll County were John S. Cromwell, William Everman, William Farlow and B. J. Wilson.

"Whereas, In all ages, and in all countries, skillful and scientific labor has been the foundation of material prosperity and greatness, and, as we believe that exhibitions of nature, the work of art, and the achievements in science, when conducted on the principles of justice and morality, tend to the improvement of those who engage therein, we deem it expedient, in order to carry out these convictions, to form an organization."

The first, second and third annual exhibitions were all its most sanguine friends anticipated. But time proved that 100 life members were too many. A rainy week interfered with the exhibition, when they were compelled to pay a per cent, and re-organize. A joint stock company then took charge of the enterprise, paid oflF the indebtedness, and gained the confidence of the public. Sev- eral more fairs were then held, but in 1881 the organization was dissolved. Middle Fork had not been reached by any of the railroads then building through the county, and on account of this and other disadvantages with which the management was obliged to contend, the experiment of holding fairs at Middle Fork was permanently given up.