Daviess County, Indiana - Chapter 11, 1886

Chapter 11

Educational Histobt of Knox County - A Connected Account of the Progress of Education from the Earliest Time to the Present, Together with a Review of the Various Systems under which the Present High Schools have been Brought to Such a HiGn State of Perfection, etc., etc.

BY an act of Congress in 1804 a township of land was set apart for a seminary of learning in Indiana Territory. Vincennes, then being the capital, was chosen for the said seat of learning. The lands selected lay south of White River, in what is now Gibson County. By an act of the Territorial Legislature, in 1806, the following board of trustees was chosen: William Henry Harrison, John Gibson, John T. Davis, Henry Vanderburg, Walter Taylor, Benjamin Parke, Peter Jones, James Johnson, John Badolette, John Rice Jones, George Wallace, William R. Bullit, Elias McNamee, Henry Hurst, Gen. W. Johnson, Francis Vigo, Jacob Kuykendall, Samuel McKee, Nathaniel Ewing, George Leacb, Luke Decker, Samuel Gwathney and John Johnson. At the first meeting, June, 1806, Gen. Harrison was chosen chairman. Four thousand acres of the land was offered for sale, and the remainder was to be leased. The board was also allowed the privilege of running a lottery, for accumulating a fund rapidly. It was intended to save $20,000 by tbis means. Instructions were to be given in Latin, Greek, French, English, ancient and modern history, moral philosophy, logic, rhetoric and the "laws of nature and nations.'1 All the various departments of the university were to be provided for.

Indian children were to be maintained and educated free, also the school was to be free to all others as soon as the funds would allow. Five of the board at the first meeting were chosen to conduct the lottery. Tickets were put on sale in Washington City, in the States of Tennessee and Kentucky. The first steps toward a building were taken on February 6, 1807, when a deed was made to the trustees of " Henry Vanderburg and Francois, his wife," to " six arpents in superfices." and bounded on the southwest by the late Benjamin Reed, on the northeast by Gen. Harrison, northwest by Col. Vigo and on the southeast by Antoine Marechal. A building committee, consisting of Vigo, Vanderburg and McNamee, decided to build a frame house, two and one-half stories high, 60x40 feet. The sale of lands was slow and money was scarce. In 1807 the board ordered the sale of the lottery tickets stopped. From failure in finances the building was not ready for occupancy till 1811, and teachers were compelled to rely upon tuition for support. On January 11, 1811, a committee was appointed to ascertain the annual cost of maintaining a school in the English, French and Latin languages, also mathematics and geography, the number of students that might attend, the amount of tuition that might be received, and the propriety of placing the common school then taught by the Rev. Samuel T. Scott under control of the trustees. The report was to the effect that the cost of maintaining the school was $500; that the number of stiidents did not exceed ten ; that the amount of tuition would not exceed $150 to $200; that the charter was for a university, and the last difficulty could be obviated by opening a collegiate and a primary department. A code of rules was formulated, and the schools placed under charge of Mr. Scott. He was succeeded by Mr. Olds in July, 1818. In 1823 the building had become so dilapidated that it was unfit for school purposes, and the main room was given over to Rev. Mr. Shaw in which to hold Episcopal services. He was to repair the building to the amount of $400, and he or his successors were to superintend the university under control of the trustees. In 1818 an act passed the General Assembly allowing the trustees of the borough of Vincennes to sell 5,400 acres, the commons lands, and apply the means to the drainage of the Big Swamp, and what surplus there might be to the university. The university received no benefits from this source. An act passed the General Assembly in 1822 for the sale of the university lands, and the money to be applied to the State University at Bloomington, and at the same time declared that the board of trustees of the university had ceased to exist. In 1824, when the law for county seminaries passed, it was the intention to substitute the county seminary for the university.

On October 24, 1839, the old university building was sold for debt, and was purchased by Rev. John A. Vabret, a catholic priest, for $6,500, and the school became St. Rose Academy for girls. On August 17, 1841, it was again sold to Peter Bellier for " $1 and other considerations," and became St. Gabriel College. In 1840 the trustees, having some funds on hand, purchased the present site of the university from Dr. Hiram Decker and wife for $500. This lot was afterward sold (1849) to the county commissioners for a county seminary. A mortgage was held by the trustees on this property, which was afterward foreclosed, and the projDerty bought back. The trustees, through their attorney, Samuel P. Judah, brought suit for the lands donated by Congress for the university, which the State had declared forfeited. After a long and tedious trial, in which the Supreme Court of the United States was invoked, the case was decided against the State, and judgment rendered for $66,583, for which the State issued its bonds at 6 per cent interest. A suit then arose between Mr. Judah and the trustees as to his fees. The trustees received $41,583 from the State, and something over $1,000 from Mr. Judah. In 1856 a female department was added, and continued in successful operation till 1870, when both schools were united, and the same teachers instructed both sexes. In 1878 the buildings were found to be inadequate, and preparations were made for the erection of a new building. The old seminary building was torn away, and the corner-stone of the present elegant structure was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, May 14, 1878. The building is about 57x60 feet and three stories high, and has a tower 103 feet in height. The building contains ample recitation rooms, library, laboratory and a public hall 40x58 feet and 18 feet in height. The building is constructed of pressed brick, and was erected at a cost of $10,890. There is in the hands of the trustees the sum of $48,000 for the maintenance of the university. The faculty consists of E. A. Bryan, president; Charles Harris, Ada Butler, Carrie Spring, Mrs. McGrada and Maggie Roseman. The trustees are R. G. Moore, president; Smiley Chambers, secretary, and Hiram Foulks, treasurer.

The Public Schools

act of Congress in 1804 establishing a seminary of learning in Indiana Territory. The pioneers were not so negligent in regard to popular education as is generally supposed. The university was the first school in the county outside of a few indifferent private schools and the Catholic Church school. Soon after the organization of the State an act passed the General Assembly establishing county seminaries, for the support of which certain fines and penalties were turned over to the board of trustees of said institutions. The income from these sources was very slow, amounting to but a few dollars forthe first few years. On the opening of the university in 1811 an effort was made to have it supply the place of the seminary proper. The Rev. Scott, who was the first president of the university, became also the superintendent of the seminary, so-called. At the September term of the commissioners' court in 1825, James McClure offered the following resolution before the board: "Resolved, That the university of Vincennes has been adopted as a county seminary in Knox County, and by an act entitled an act supplemented to an act establishing a county seminary in Knox County, we enjoy the same privileges as are enjoyed by the citizens of other counties in similar institutions ; and whereas parties fail to make return to us of moneys belonging to the seminary fund, and that it becomes the duty of the board through the prosecuting attorney to inquire by what authority the Rev. S. J. Scott returned to Mr. Harrison, trustee, $300 in paper which is now worth nothing, and why the board does not receive the seminary fund."

At the same term John Stork, Daniel Judkins and John Stanford were appointed school superintendents for Harrison Township, William Raper for Palmyra, A. G. Roberts for Washington, Samuel Chambers for Widner, J. S. Mays for Johnson, James Dick for Decker, and Samuel McClure for Busseron Township. The seminary trustees October 3, 1828, consisted of D. L. Bowman, J. O. Holland, Hiram Decker, Andrew Burnside, Andrew Armstrong, J. C. S. Harrison, G. W. Johnson and David Kuykendall. Of these Armstrong was president, Harrison treasurer, and Johnson secretary of the board. The total school fund for 1829-30 and 1831 amounted only to $217.72. The available school fund in 1844 amounted to $10.46. According to the re- port for 1849 the congressional school fund amounted to $4,- 389.66; of this $4,021.93 was considered good, $285.42 doubtful, and $82.71 bad. In 1849 $2,050 was expended in building a new seminary. Under the new constitution, instead of school superintendents for each township, there were three for the county. The first of these were W. M. Sitzer, Levi Stowell and H. S. Cauthorn. In 1857 A. W. Jones was chosen school examiner, a position which he held, except a short interval, from 1867 to 1873. For the year 1857 there were expended for public school purposes $7,002 in the county. For the year 1864-65 the enumeration for the county outside of Vincennes was 4,931, the emoluments was 3,583, and the average attendance was 2,151. The value of school property was $65,825, the amount expended in trrition $2,000, and the pay of school officers was $564. The enumeration for 1868 in the townships was 5,555, the enrollment was 4,029, the attendance 2,402, the value of school property was $61,150, the amount expended for tuition was $3,805, and the expenses of school officers was $849.95. The enumeration for 1871 in the county was 6,215, the enrollment was 4,475, the average attendance was 2,732, the value of school property was estimated at $53,725, the amount paid for tuition was $3,286, and the expense of school officers was $600.

In 1876 the enumeration was 6,786, the enrollment was 5,078, the average attendance was 2.859, the value of school property for the same year was $43,000, the amount paid in tuition was $4,000, and the pay of the trustees amounted to $1,668. The enrollment for 1884 in all the townships was 4,868, the attendance 2,985, the value of school property was $81,05, the amount of tuition paid was $6,300, the amount paid to trustees was $2,016. The number admitted into the schools for the year 1885-86 was 5,948, the average attendance for the same year was 3,979, the value of school property was $87,105, the cost of running schools, salaries of trustees only, was $2,291. The cost of special and local tax was $20,380.

Statistics, Etc

From Supt. Pennington's last report it is learned that Busseron Township has 1 brick and 5 frame schoolhouses, the value of which, with apparatus, is $9,900; that there are 7 male, 5 female, white, and 1 colored female teacher employed; that the average wages of male teachers is $2.23, of females $1.96, and the amount paid the trustee is $220 per annum, and that the length of school term is 120 days. In Decker Township there is 1 brick and 5 frame houses, and the total value of school property is $2,575; that there are employed 6 male teachers at an average of $2.16, and that the amount paid the trustee is $100, and the length of school term is 105 days. Harrison Township has 19 frame houses and school property amounting to $10,000 ; that there are employed 11 male, 7 female white teachers and 1 colored male teacher; that the average cost of male teachers is $2.01, and female teachers, $1.86; that the trustees receive $150, and the school term is 120 days. Johnson has 10 frame schoolhouses and school property worth $7,800, and employs 5 male and 6 female teachers, the cost of the former being $2.18, and the latter $2.27 per day; the trustee receives $160, and the school term is 150 days. Palmyra has 11 frame schoolhouses, the total value of which is $4,730. It has 6 male and 5 female teachers, the former averaging $2.31 and the latter $1.96; the trustee receives $125, and the school term is 100 days. Steen has 9 frame schoolhouses and school property worth $3,600, and employs 6 male and 4 female teachers; the wages of the former are $2.17, and the latter $1.29; the trustee's salary is $114, and school term 120 days. "Vigo has 9 brick and 6 frame schoolhouses, valued at $15,400. There are employed 7 male and 17 female teachers, the wages of the former being $2.31 and the latter $2.01; the salary of the trustee is $422, and school term, 115 days. Vincennes Township has 2 brick and 9 frame schoolhouses, the value of which is $12,800. There are employed 2 male and 8 female teachers, the wages of the males being $2.12, and the latter $2.02; the salary of the trustee is $300, and school term 160 days. Washington has 5 brick and 6 frame buildings, valued at $12,200, and employs 10 male and 3 female teachers: the wages of the males is $2.37, of the females, $2.08; trustee's salary, $225, and school term, 120 days. Widner Township has 7 brick and 3 frame houses, worth $8,100. There are 5 male and 7 female teachers; the wages of the males is $2.49, of the females, $2.11; salary of the trustee is $75, and the school term is 106 days. Monroe

Public Schools Of Vincennes

Schools for the first half of the present century were either private or parochial schools except what accommodations were afforded at the university or seminary. The free school system was inaugurated in Yincennes in 1853. At that time George D. Hay, John W. Canan, and Lambert Barrios were chosen trustees. Want of funds prevented them from making the schools very efficient. In 1855 the schools were only three months in length, and three teachers were required to do all the teaching at salaries ranging from $40 to $50 per month. The schools in 1857 had increased to five months. From that time till 1861 A. W. Jones held the position of principal at a salary of $50 per month, In 1860 the Seventh Street school building was erected at a cost of $18,949.49 by the trustees, Messrs. Lander, Williams, and Duesterburg. Prof. H. P. Hall was chosen superintendent, and A. W. Jones assistant ; also there were three other teachers. The school term in 1860 was increased to ten months, and has been maintained at about that length since. A. W. Jones was again made superintendent in 1863, and held the position till his death in 1873. The Frenchtown school building was erected in 1878 at a cost of $7,275.

The North Vincennes school building was erected during the summer of 1885. This building is an elegant structure, and cost about §10,000. In 1853 the number of teachers employed was only 3 ; in 1861 it was 5 ; in 1863 it was 6, and now the number, not including the superintendent, is 21. The course of study embraces twelve years' work, four of which are in the high school. There is both an English and a Latin course. The school being a chartered institution, its graduates are entitled to enter either of the State institutions without examination. The high school is equipped with chemical, philosophical, and astronomical .apparatus. There is also a good library of reference accessible to all pupils. Promotions to the different grades are made semi-annually. There are special teachers for music and German. Since the adoption of a regular course of study for the city schools there have been about 150 graduated from the high school. The number of children enumerated in Vincennes in 1864 was 1,394, the enrollment was 710, the average attendance was 365, and the value of school property was estimated at $3,000, and the cost of the schools was about $1,500. In 1868 the enumeration was 1,834, the enrollment 690, the attendance 345, the amount paid in tuition was $1,669.61; the pay of the board was $300. The enumeration for 1871 was 2,118, the enrollment was 699, the attendance 458, and cost of tuition, $5,685. In 1876 the enumeration was 3,392, the enrollment 1,010, the attendance 580, and the cost of tuition $7,630. The enrollment for 1884 was 947, the attendance, 817. The enrollment for 1885 was 999, the attendance was 827. The enrollment for 1886 was about 1,050, with an estimated attendance of 800. The high school was brought to the standard of a high school under Prof. S. J. Charlton, who began work at Vincennes in 1873. He was succeeded by Prof. Townsend in 1879, and he by Prof. Edward Taylor in 1881, who is still superintendent, under whose management the schools have been eminently successful. The principals under him are Miss Joe Crotts, Sixth Ward ; Miss Annie Flynn, Frenchtown; Miss Amabel Fleming, high school; Miss Maggie Holland, assistant, and J. F. Lewis, principal of the colored school.

The schools of this township were first taught in neglected residences, barns or hastily improved buildings. Many of the settlers were accommodated with schools in the lower part of the township at Old Indiana Church, and those in the upper part of the township at Mana Creek, near Emison's mill. The ministers of these churches not unfrequently taught to increase their scanty salaries. Bev. Richard Posey, a pioneer Methodist minister, was also a teacher. Others were Johnson, Willard, Thompson and Montgomery. William and Horace Shepard were also widely known as teachers. A man named Mendenhall taught at Emison's mill, also in other parts of the township. James Polk was also a prominent teacher of this township. The people of this township are now well supplied with schools, there being eleven houses outside of Bruceville, of these houses five' are brick, and six frame. The public schools of this township are six months in length.

Schools have been taught in Bruceville and vicinity since 1820. It is only within the last decade that the schools of this place have grown in such favor. The present building was erected in 1873, at a cost of §6,000. The building is a handsome two-story brick, and is well provided with apparatus. One very encouraging feature of this is that the work of furnishing the house is due largely to the teacher and pupils, by means of literary and other entertainments. The schools enroll between 150 and 200 pupils ; of these about sixty are in the high school department. The course embraces a full common school coivrse. The schools are under the management of C. M. Carpenter, principal; O. C. Hill, assistant principal; Flora Kessinger, intermediate, and Jessie Gude, primary. In addition to the public schools a normal school has been maintained at Bruceville since March, 1878. This school was organized in 1878 by John W. Milam, at Edwardsport, assisted by E. B. Milam, at that time county superintendent, and W. H. Pennington, the present county superintendent, and Miss Currie, of Vincennes. The number enrolled for the first term was ninety-four. In the spring of 1879 the school was opened by Messrs. Milam, Pennington and W. A. Cullop. The last named gentleman having been chosen for a position in the Vincennes University, his place was filled by Jonathan Keith. In 1880 the school was opened at Bruceville, as being a more desirable place on account of its central location. The term for 1880 had forty-six pupils enrolled; for 1881, sixty -two, and in 1882 there were seventy-six. Successful terms were taught in 1883 by S. P. McCrea and B. F. Wharton, and in 1884 by W. H. Johnson and C. B. Kessinger. The normal for 1885 was under the management of C. M. Carpenter and TV. H. Johnson, the enrollment reaching eighty-five. Again, in 1886, the school opened under C. B. Carpenter and assistants with flattering prospects. The normal seems to be a permanent institution.

ships the schools were closely identified with these townships. Nancy Steen has the honor of being the pioneer schoolmistress of Steen Township. She taught for a number of years in the vicinity of where Wheatland now stands. Harrell Warther taught a term of school at a very early day in a house in John Steen' s yard. A very prominent teacher of the time was James I. Prather. Other teachers followed these whose names are not now recalled. Steen Township now has nine schoolhouses. and a school term of six^months.

The first schools in the northern part of Vigo were taught in the Slinkard neighborhood, between Black Creek and the river. These schools were in the regulation log house, with dirt floor, mud chimney, clapboard door and paper windows. One of the first teachers in this neighborhood was M. Johnson, and another was John Clark. Very few even of the old pupils are alive who attended these schools. Anna Eollin was the pioneer female teacher. In this group also should be mentioned James Frost, Samuel Anderson and a man named Golden. At these schools the families of Andersons, Scomps and Slinkards attended. In the lower part of the township schools were taught by John A. Lemon, John Robinson, an eccentric Irishman named Donahue (who was a good scholar but only a fair teacher), Amasa Haskell,' John Donaldson, D. P. Telf and a Mr. McMillan. The latter taught about the year 1834

James Polk, still living, was one of the first teachers in Edwardsport. The first schoolhouse in Edwardsport was a log building and was blown down in a storm in 1834 or 1835. In this house Martin Lucas kept store for a time. The nest house in the place was built in 1859, which is still in use. As an effort was being made at this time for the creation of a new county to be called Logan, an erroneous idea had for a long time prevailed that this house was intended for a court house for the new county. Its peculiar appearance doubtless tended to confirm that idea. The building was erected through the influence mainly of Alfred Simonson, Dr. Hilburn, J. B. Irving, David Killian and Thomas Curry. The building contains three large and a number of smaller rooms now used for recitation rooms. Five teachers are employed in these schools, the length of the term being seven months. The teachers for 1885-8G were C. Cockrum, principal; Emily Keith, assistant and teacher in the high school; Emily Culbertson, grammar grade ; Emily Hollowed, intermediate, and Lida Smith, primary.

The school building at Sandborn was erected soon after the laying out of the town. The building is a two-story brick and contains three schoolrooms. The course is the same as others of the county. The enrollment of the school is about 125 pupils. Mr. Elmore Shirtz is principal of the schools, and J. M. Pickel teacher in the intermediate department, and Miss Threlkeld in the primary.

The present school building of Bicknell was erected in 1883 at a cost of §5,500. This is a beautiful brick building of two stories high and elegant finish. The schools are well patronized and since their organization have been well managed. Prof. Johnson is principal of the schools, Mrs. Mamie Breton teacher in the intermediate department, and John Buck in the primary grade. Since all the schools of Bicknell, SandborD and Edwardsport are under the control of Ae township trustees they are of the same length and have the same course.

One of the first schools in this township was in a house built near the line between Palmyra and Harrison Townships. This was built after the pioneer plan. Among the early teachers in this part of the county were John Black, G. Brewster and William Gambel, all of whom have long since passed away. The families of Adams, Williams, Seltzers and Weltons attended this school. To the children in the west and northwest part of the township schools were held at Indiana Church. A schoolhouse was built, or a house used for school purposes, on the farm of Samuel Langdon, where Mr. Langdon himself taught for a time. Boyal Oak, near the northeast part of the township, was another favorite place for schools. John Donaldson, a very good teacher, was one of the first teachers at this place. L. Paddock, a native of New York, taught at the same place for a time. James Mundy, a good teacher, and Bobert Jordan, a very indifferent one, were employed at a later date. Houses were built also on the farms of Snyder and Roberts. There are now eleven schools in the township with an average length of five months.

Except in a small area Decker Township has always been sparsely settled, for the reason it has labored under disadvantages in the way of schools. What few schools there were, were either taught in old private houses that had been abandoned, or temporarily improved buildings. The first teacher in the township is said to have been Samuel Goodwin. He was an excellent teacher for that day. Another excellent teacher - of Decker was Thomas Jones; he was from the East. James Simms and John Small were teachers at a later date. Among the attendants at these schools were the families of Deckers,' Dicks, Anthises, Jacobuses. Nearly all of these have passed away. The rapid increase of school funds and development of the waste lands of the township have enabled the people to provide more liberal means of education. There being no towns or villages in the place, schools are confined" wholly to the country. The township now supports six schools, one brick house and four frame houses, and has a school term of between five and six months.

The schools of Busseron (formerly spelled Bosseron) Township were among the earliest in the county. The well-known Shaker settlement at what was called Shakertown, was the seat of learning for that peculiar people, as far as education went with them, as early as 1810. The rudiments of an education and the peculiar tenets of their doctrine were taught the children there were among them with zealous care. One of the first schoolhouses built in this township was on the farm of Sproatt, who was one of the first settlers in the township. This house was erected about the year 1825. Another house was built on the farm of John Ochiltree, some distance from the Shaker settlement. The families of settlers mentioned in the chapter on settlements attended these schools. Another schoolhouse was erected a little later at Hogg's Hill. Among the early teachers in this township were Judge Latshaw, who taught about the year 1830. Another was Charles Shaw, who was a fine scholar, but a very eccentric Yankee. James Carnahan was both a teacher and a preacher. James Polk, the talented octogenarian, was also an early teacher. Many others might be mentioned, but their names only are remembered, though their characters were enstamped upon the hearts of the young of that day. A peculiarity of the Shaker school was that the sexes were taught in different apartments; the boys were taught by male teachers, and the girls by females. The rapid increase in wealth and population, as well as an increase in culture, has led to the establishment of a sufficient number of commodious houses for the accommodation of the children of the township. Good brick or frame houses have taken the place of the old log house, and teachers of training have taken the place of uncouth pioneer teachers. " The schools have been managed with ability by Dr. Pugh for the last four years, and there are now nine buildings outside of Oaktown, with an average length of six months.

Schools have been taught in Oaktown since the laying out of the town. The present building is ah elegant brick structure, erected at a cost of about $6,000. The house is built in a beautiful spot surrounded by a grove, and capable of accommodating about 200 pupils. This, the graded school, has three departments - primary, intermediate and high school. Of the first, Mrs. Susie Sullenger is teacher, Miss Hattie Polk of the second, and B. F. Templeton is principal of the high school. The school is well supplied with school books and school apparatus, and instruction is given in the high school in some of the higher branches in addition to the common school course.

Schools Of Harrison

The first schoolhouse in Harrison Township is said to have been at Nelson Creek, on the land of James Junkins. This house was of the regulation size, about 16x20 feet, with dirt floor and stick and mud chimney. A log was cut out on one side for a window, and closed by greased paper. Benjamin Duty taught at this place for $10 a year per scholar. He was a good scholar for the time, but was considered tyrannical. Daniel Webb and Stephen

Webb were also early teachers of that section. Of those who attended these schools Samuel Snyder, William Hoffman, Mrs. Bice ( sister of ex-Gov. Williams ) and Robert McCoy are believed to be the only ones living. At a later date a schoolhouse was built on old man Like's land, also one in the Myers settlement. Many schools were taught in private houses or barns. Among other early teachers were Isaac Thorn, James Stoat, McClure and Barnett. Dr. Adams, of Petersburg, taught school as late as 1845. After the adoption of the new constitution schoolhouses began to become more numerous. The first were generally log houses, built partly by the State and partly by the assistance of the community where they were located. Within the last two decades these old log buildings have been replaced by handsome frame structures. The township now has sixteen schoolhouses outside of Monroe City, and a school term of at least six months in the year. Until the incorporation of Monroe City the schools were under the control of the township trustee, but since the incorporation they have been under the control of the school board. The present school building is a two-story frame, erected in 1864. It is insufficient for the wants and comforts of the growing town of Monroe City. The school terms of Monroe have a length of about eight months. The schools are under the management of Allen Campbell, who is principal of the high school. The assistants are Mrs. Lucy Milam, of the intermediate department, and Cora Welton, of the primary. The school board consists of A. C. Falls, J. E. R. Snyder and Harvey Baldwin.

The first school ever taught in Widner To wn ship was taught by Joseph Helt at the house of John Widner in 1808. As each house was then almost a fort in itself it wotdd now be a strange sight to see children gathering at such a place. Schools were taught at Maria Creek Church, the pioneer of that region, the first being in 1809. Titus B. Willard, who was an excellent teacher, taught as early as 1816. John Leman was also a favorite teacher of that region. His schools, or some of them, were held in some of the old forts of which the country "did abound." James Gray, another pioneer, was engaged in the work of teaching as early as

1818-20. Numerous home and itinerant teachers filled the space between the date last given, and the putting into full operation of our present excellent system of public schools. The township outside of Freelandsville has seven brick and three frame schoolhouses, and a school term of five months.

The first school building in Freelandsville was built about 1850. This was before the town was laid out. The rapidly increasing population soon required additional school room. The present building was erected in 1874, and is a substantial two-story brick structure of three school rooms. Since its erection excellent schools have been maintained in it. The present corps' of teachers are J. A. French, principal ; B. F. Shepard, intermediate ; Hattie Keith, primary. The schools of Freelandsville are among the best in the county. They are under the management of the township trustee and are subject to the same restrictions as the country schools. An excellent private or normal class is usually taught after the close of the public schools.

The first schoolhouse in Johnson was the old "Township House of Learning and Worship," built in 1820. This stood on the land then belonging to St. Clair Minor. The patrons of this school were the Catts, Peas, Minors, Mails, Glasses, Edwardses, Purcells and others. This house was used until a comparatively recent date for the purpose indicated in its name. The earlier teachers were Eev. Benjamin Hall and a Mr. Martin. Hall had a wide reputation both as teacher and minister, and his death was of comparatively recent date. The teachers following these were Mace Wallace, a well-known teacher, Garret Cochran, two of the Wheelers and a man named Webb. The names of others have passed with the individuals. Though not the first to take advantage of the school system, it is believed the schools of Johnson equal any in the county as there are now eleven schoolhouses in the township, and twelve teachers are employed with an average length of term of nearly eight months. Deckertown in this township has a graded school. The building was erected in 1877 -and is a two-story frame structure of three rooms. Only two of the school rooms have been occupied heretofore, bixt in the future the three will be required.