Hancock County, Indiana - Chapter 6: Education, 1916 (part 2 of 2)

With the abandonment of district schools from year to year, the children have been transferred to larger centers, where they have the advantage of better gradation, etc. This movement has also made possible and expedient the organization of township high schools. Several high schools, including those in Blue River, Brown, Green, Jackson and Vernon townships were organized, or at least classes had taken up high school subjects by 1895. All the remaining townships except Brandywine had high school classes started not later than 1900. The organization of these schools was well begun by the time that County Superintendent Lee O. Harris took his office in 1897. At that time Hancock county still had practically all her district schools, but it will be observed that by the end of his administration, in 1903, eighteen districts had been abandoned. The pupils from these districts were attending the consolidated schools. Since that time almost one-half of the remaining districts have been abandoned. Blue River township had all her pupils in the consolidated school at Westland during the school year of 1914-15, under the trusteeship of Obed J. Coffin. During the school year of 1914-15 the various school corporations expended $7,325.00 for the transportation of pupils to the consolidated schools. The school houses in which our children now attend may be grouped as follows : Stone, 1 ; brick, 66; frame, 8 ; total, 75.

Customs Of Different Periods

Mention has been made of the fact that in 1865 an "Educational Column" was conducted for a time in the Hancock Democrat by the Hancock County Normal Institute. In 1876 County Superintendent W. P. Smith again conducted such a "column." Articles were contributed by Mr. Smith and also by the teachers of the county. The first article to appear was offered by Lee O. Harris on "Composition." Another article of some length was contributed by A. V. B. Sample on "Duties of Parents." Other articles under the captions, "Force of Habit," "Description of School Room," "Cultivation of the Mind," and "Words," appeared from time to time for several years. In addition to such articles personal mention was made of the work and doings of teachers. In fact, a sort of an "exchange" was maintained in these columns, to which the teachers felt free to contribute, and which reflects a general cooperative spirit in the profession.

About the same time, or rather in 1875, knotty problems in arithmetic began to appear, for which solutions were asked. Teachers vied with each other in their efforts to solve these problems and publish their solutions in the local paper. Frequently different solutions giving different results were published, which gave rise to interesting arguments running from week to week on the solutions offered. Following is a problem which may probably be called typical, selected at random from those offered :

"Three boys start to sell oranges; one has ten, one has thirty and the other fifty; they want to sell them at the same price and all receive the same amount of money. At what price must they sell and how much did each receive ?"

During the winter of 1870-71. N. W. Fitzgerald, principal of the Greenfield school, adopted a plan of encouraging attendance, good behavior, industry, etc., 111 the Greenfield schools by establishing "honor rolls." The "honor roll" was made up at the end of each week. Pupils who had been neither absent nor tardy, who had been "perfect" in recitations, and who had a grade in deportment of not less than, say ninety-five per cent., had their names placed on this "roll." At the end of each week the "honor roll" was published in the local papers. During that winter a few teachers in the county adopted the same plan and published the "honor rolls" of their schools. In a year or two this custom became very common, and "honor rolls" from schools in all parts of the county were published. This practice was continued in the county pretty generally for about sixteen years.

In the spring of 1871, W. P. Smith, later county superintendent of schools, finished a term at the Pleasant Hill school in Brandywine township. The term had been successful, relationships had evidently been cordial and agreeable, and in the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 30 of that year he made the following public acknowledgment :

"Many thanks to the friends and patrons of the school for the prompt and cheerful cooperation they have rendered me during the term, and for the many 'good things' they provided for us and our visitors on closing day.

"To the Scholars : You will please accept my thanks for strict obedience to the rules of school, punctuality in attendance, promptness in recitation and close application to study; and now that school is out let me ask you not to lay aside your books entirely, but spend your leisure moments in reviewing the lessons you have recited at school that you may be able to begin your studies at the next term where you left off this.

To this letter was also appended the "honor roll" of this school : Reuben Bentley, Joseph Kelm, James Parnell, Abijah Kemmerly, Henry C. Marsh, John J. Roberts. William Kennedy, Willie H. Marsh, Andrew J. Smith, James H. Smith. Newton Rhue. Charles P. Duncan, Mary E. C. Kelm, Emma Parnell, Iduna May Smith, Ella Griggsby, Emanuel Smith, Henry McKinney, Dard Roberts, Laura Parnell, Malinda E. Smith, May J. Smith, Rebecca Stump, Isaac T. Winn, James J. Duncan, James Roberts, Harriett Parnell, Sarah A. Smith, Inez E. Smith.

This was the beginning of a series of such acknowledgments which often appeared at the close of schools during the seventies and eighties. They were not always in exactly the same tone, as will be seen from the following,

"I would say to the scholars, the most of you have treated me well, and have not caused me any trouble. Hoping you will retain these few instructions 1 have given you until a good old age, you have my best wishes through life.

"To the patrons of the school : I am sorry to say you have done but little in word or deed to encourage me in my work, but I trust you will do better in the future. J. H. Scotton, Teacher."

Sometimes the acknowledgment also included a narrative of the "last day," like the following from district No. 2 in Green township, in March, 1876 :

"The day set in very inclement, but nevertheless, scholars, patrons and friends came marching in with turkeys, chickens, pies, cakes and everything that would tempt the palate.

"The morning program was as follows : A complete review of the analysis of the alphabet, advanced reading, written spelling and manuscript history. After these exercises we had two tables spread across the house with everything nice to satisfy the appetite.

"The afternoon program consisted of concert reading. Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, and closed by remarks from patrons and teacher. The scholars have been industrious, obedient and kind. I will return my thanks through your paper for the kindness and hospitality, both by patrons and pupils, shown me while teaching in their district."

"School No. 9, near Willow Branch P. O., closed March 15, 1876, with a general turnout of patrons, pupils and visitors. The forenoon exercises consisted of, first, recitations in primary spelling and reading, after which the time until noon was spent with arithmetic classes. Noon now at hand, we dismissed for dinner. We set two tables, each twelve feet long, which were covered with edibles of all kinds.

"I will say in conclusion that we have had a very pleasant time this winter. This being my third term at this place, and very likely the last, I can say that I consider it a credit to any teacher to occupy old Spiceland school house. No. 9, Brown township.

"I now return my thanks to patrons and pupils for their kindness toward me as their teacher, and may they ever be found moving forward in the interest of an education. James L. Smith, Teacher."

"Pupils reported as most industrious and consequently most successful : Alice Goble, John Handy, Phebe Price, Ella Kinsey, James Heffernan, Ollie Wiggins, Mollie Trees, Eddie Gray, Rufus Temple, and George Wiggins.

Many other acknowledgments could be added to the foregoing, but they illustrate the types of public acknowledgments that appeared in the columns of our local papers during those years.

But expressions of good will did not all come from the teacher alone. On several occasions the pupils also had something to say, and some of their doings at least found their way into the local papers. We offer the following from the pupils of "Sparks school," district No. 1, in Brown township, at the close of their school, in March, 1876:

"Resolved, that we return our earnest thanks to our well esteemed teacher for the general hospitality he has shown us during his two terms of school.

"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our esteemed teacher, A. J. Larue, for the information he has imparted to us as pupils since he came to our school.

"Resolved, that we are under many obligations to our teacher for raising us up from the degrading name which the pupils were under in our district, caused by unruly pupils, and elevating us upon a level with other districts in the township and county.

"Resolved, that we request William Marsh, trustee of Frown township, to send a copy of these resolutions to the Hancock Democrat for publication.

"Resolved, that if our teacher thinks these resolutions worthy, we request him to present a copy of them to the county paper in which he resides.

"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our teacher for giving his consent to return at our next term of school and assist us in advancing our education."

"We, the employers of school District No. 1, return our best wishes and thanks to A. J. Larue for his general hospitality and moral conduct, and for discharging his duty impartially, and for such we recommend him to any and all schools that he may chance to meet in the future.

At the close of school in the following spring, 1877, the pupils at Leamon's Corner, in Jackson township, no doubt felt that their teacher was worthy of as much recognition as might be given to the teacher of any other school. It is interesting to observe that among the pupils who signed the following resolutions are some whose names have long been well known throughout the state of Indiana:

"School closed here last Saturday. We, the pupils, return to our teacher, Miss Mattie Lineback, our sincere thanks for the kind and faithful manner in which she performed her duty.

"Resolved, that we will treasure up the seed which she has sown, and will improve every opportunity that will advance us one step further up the hill of science. (Signed) William H. Glascock, George Burnett, Jennie Mc- Corkle, Louiza Sheets, Cora Felt, Charles Chandler, Eugene Lewis, Emma Becket, Anna Chandler. James Clift, John Felt, Eliza Shipley, Mattie Glascock."

In the spring of 1879 tne pupils of the Thomas school in Brandy wine township adopted the following as a tribute of respect to Napoleon B. Brandenburg, who was a very popular teacher in the county for a number of years, in Sugar Creek, Brandywine and Center townships :

"We, the pupils of school district No. 1, Brandywine township, feel it our duty to tender our teacher, N. B. Brandenburg, a series of resolutions

"Resolved, that he has labored diligently and earnestly with us and in our behalf to bestow upon our minds something that will enable us to occupy the positions to which we may be called.

''Resolved, that in performing this work he has not been partial in any respect, but has imparted instruction willingly and in the best possible manner to one and all, everything of a mysterious nature vanishing into ideas with a clearness that moulds upon the mind never. to be forgotten.

"Resolved, that we unite in complimenting our teacher for his faithful efforts as a teacher in advancing us in our studies and for his untiring exertions to advance our best interests, and we heartily commend him to those among whom his lot may be cast as a teacher, efficient, capable, and worthy of their respect. Happiness and prosperity go with him. (Signed) Thomas Hope, Julia Fields, Julia Hutchison, Willard Hutchison, Lillie Woods, Lura Thomas, Thomas Wilson, Mary Collyer, George Potts, Ira Davis, Charles Thompson, Lida Potts, Emma Collyer."

The patrons on that occasion adopted the following: "We, the patrons of said school, vouch for the propriety of the above resolutions: (Signed) John Sylvester, A. J. Jeffries, John V. White, A. M. Potts, William Kidwell, Wellington Collyer, B. F. Fry, H. J. Fry, Hiram Thomas, Smith Hutchison, Christopher Fields."

It was during these years, too, - the seventies - that the closing day of school came to be a social event in every district. It is still so lovingly referred to as the

The "last day" also received ample space in the columns of our local papers, and the "visitors" shall tell their own stories. We begin with the last day at Carrollton. March 25, 1876:

"We had a school of five months, which could not be beat in the township, and which closed Saturday, March 25. It was taught by Cyrus Boring. Between the hours of nine and ten the parents came pouring in with baskets filled to the brim. They went immediately up to the Grange Hall to prepare a dinner for the school, which was done directly and in order. We had two tables, each thirty feet in length. These tables were well filled with as nice looking victuals as my eyes ever beheld. The dinner was composed of boiled ham. baked chicken, fruits, pies and pickles of all descriptions, and nineteen large cakes from three inches to fifteen inches thick. These were covered with icing as white as snow and trimmed with various colors of candies. The tables were covered with small edibles too tedious to mention. After the tables were prepared they all left the hall and went down to the school room, where they had the privilege of listening to splendid music. Then they marched, two and two, up to the hall. The scholars occupied one table, and the parents and visitors the other. Then Mr. Boring called' all to order and thanks were returned by John D. Lucas.

"Then the feast commenced, and in a short time our nice victuals all disappeared. Then we returned to the lower room, where we had splendid music from the organ and singing from the scholars for one hour and a half. The school was then called to order by the teacher and a piece was read by James Reed from The Democrat of March 16, prepared by A. V. B. Sample, subject, "Duty of Parents." Then the parents were called on to make a few remarks. Then the small children were called on to speak their pieces, which were very interesting. Then Mr. Renecamp was called upon to make a few remarks, which he did, and they wrere very appropriate for the occasion. Mr. Boring then got up and talked some fifteen minutes to the scholars and parents. He said he had not been mad during his five months of school. This speaks very well for Mr. Boring. He taught his first school in this place twelve years ago. He had only one scholar this term that came to him then.

"On Tuesday last (February 20, 1877) Mr. William Lewis closed his fourth school at Brown's Chapel school house, Jackson township. The day being a fine one, I concluded I would visit the school. Among the more important exercises in the forenoon were advanced grammar and arithmetic. The several classes did their work in a manner that deserved great credit; the rough roads of arithmetic seemed to fade away before them and everything seemed easy for them. At twelve o'clock it seemed that the exercises were stopped, but we were pleasantly mistaken, for it turned out that they were only changed in order to make them more general. In a few minutes the ladies changed the scene into one of the most bounteous displays of good things to eat imaginable. After partaking of a hearty repast the young folks repaired to the play ground, where the bright light of the sun shone on fair young ladies and brave young men present. About one and a half o'clock Mr. Lewis called the crowd together to hear the exercises of the afternoon. The first exercise was a class in elocution, consisting of J. E. Stephens, Henry H. Crider, Lafe Crider, John Slifer and Miss Emma Scott. Among the selec- tions read were "Gone With a Handsomer Man," and "Courting in the Country"; and I must say that the reading was certainly excellent, and the effect produced by some of the reading was very interesting. After the class was dismissed Henry Crider and Miss Scott were recalled and read "Hiawatha's Wooing" and "The Famine," Mr. Crider reading the former and Miss Scott the latter. They both did splendidly. After the reading was over came declamations, essays, etc., which kept us interested until near four o'clock, when Mr. Lewis made a few remarks which were very interesting, followed by others present. On the whole I have concluded I spent one of the most pleasant days of my life, and after this I shall visit schools more frequently.

The following from "Nebraska school," in Center township, also in 1877, is interesting for the clearness with which it sets before us the festivities and exercises of the last day, and because of some of the men whose names appear therein as pupils of this school :

"At twelve o'clock school was dismissed for dinner, which had been prepared by the patrons of the school. Dinner being spread, it was interesting to see the polite and genteel manner in which Miss Mattie Lineback served her guests at the table. One side was reserved for visitors, the other for the pupils, who were marched up in good order. After thanks were returned by our friend, William Brooks, all partook of the dainties which were spread before them and good enough for a king. Dinner being over, we enjoyed ourselves in social chat for an hour, there being some forty or fifty visitors present, besides quite a number of pupils. At the ringing of the bell all took their places to hear the afternoon exercises, which were mostly literary and delivered in good style. I was diverted to see little Johnnie Wiggins, son of our friend, John F. Wiggins, come to the stand to speak. He came so earnest, with eyes sparkling like jewels. There is something noble in that little fellow. He has had the misfortune to lose one of his hands, but he is not without, talent. I would say to Mr. Wiggins, give that boy an education and he will make a man of himself. Much credit is due Miss Ettie Felt for the becoming manner in which she acted the part of the old lady, with her cap and spectacles on. By the way, Eugene Lewis is a very good speaker and Billy Glascock a very good journal reader. Everything was done decently and in good order. The last was an essay by Miss Lineback, which was gotten up in good style and read with politeness. I am happy to say that Miss Lineback is an accomplished lady and understands her business. At four o'clock the school closed and I returned home much pleased with what I had seen and heard.

Though the "eats" were lacking, the program rendered at New Palestine on closing day in 1879 was thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the times :

"Last Thursday and Friday were spent in oral examinations at the New Palestine graded school and the result is satisfactory to all. Rev. Winchester asked a few questions, to which answers were readily given. The schools of the upper department assembled in the lower room when the literary exercises commenced. Among the many creditable acquittals I will mention a few: "Darius Green and His Flying Machine," by Allie Bottsford, a boy whose executive ability is unsurpassed by one of his age. Next a dialogue, "Mrs. Partington's Tea Party," by Ida Lipscomb, Cora Ulrey, Kate Armstrong and Annie Warner. A declamation entitled, "Old Man of Fiftythree," by May Bottsford, was well done. Two renderings by Henry Warrum, of Nameless Creek, entitled "A Sermon to Ladies" and "Woman's Sphere," were well delivered. Essays were read by Willie Buchel, John Sharp, Flora Rice, Rosa Warrum, Glennie Hook, Lulu Vansickle, and many others. They also had an excellent paper read by Misses Jennie Buchel and Cora Winchester.

"Mr. Wood having engaged the services of State Superintendent Smart, we had the pleasure of listening to one of his interesting lectures at the M. E. church. The teachers at this place, though they have not as suitable a nouse and apparatus as others, have given satisfaction as far as I have been able to learn, and deserve credit for their untiring efforts to advance the cause of education. May they as teachers ever be prosperous.

Spelling Schools

The spelling school was an institution that dated back almost to the beginning of the schools themselves. It was one of the first forms of entertainment that our schools offered to the communities. Many years before the Civil War schools had their "best spellers." School met school, well knowing that their "best spellers" could spell every word in the old McGuffey spelling book, and that their opponents must go down in defeat or the match must, be a draw. Not only did the school have its best speller, but the community had its best speller, and he was relied on, "sent for" if necessary. Where is the community in the county that did not have at least one or more farmers who worked all day and then spelled to the wee hours of the night to uphold

In the earlier days especially, one school challenged another. Often, simply a "spelling school" was announced. When the people had congregated captains were announced who chose the spellers. Then different plans were followed. Sometimes "runners" were chosen; sometimes the contest was to see who could "stand the longest"; and sometimes it was determined in favor of the side missing the fewest words. Generally the contest was entered for entertainment and to win. But it was not an uncommon thing for some patriotic and enthusiastic citizen to offer a prize to the winning side or to the winning school.

It seems that spelling schools began almost with the organization of schools in this county, and continued more or less generally until within a decade or two of the close of the last century. They were conducted not only by the public school as an institution, but by organizations, societies, etc., and were frequently the means of raising funds, just as we now give entertainments, socials and suppers for the same purpose.

One of the most interesting spelling matches in the county was arranged by the ladies of the Greenfield Benevolent Society. The ladies canvassed the city and procured the consent of a number of business men and others to spell. Among them were : W. S. Wood, J. A. New, J. L. Mason, L. W. Gooding, A. Reynolds, G. T. Randall, O. Moon, William Mitchell, Lon Hammel, Mrs. Dr. Martin, Colonel Roberts, War Thomas, J. Ward Walker, I. P. Poulson, George B. Cooley, A. B. Linebeck, J. H. Binford, A. T. Hart, W. Hammel, Kate Geary, Hattie Havens, William J. Matthews, R. A. Riley, Lee O. Harris, H. J. Dunbar, James Walsh, Dr. E. I. Judkins, W. R. Hartpence, J. Rothenberger, W. O. Thomas, Rev. White, Marg. Roland, Emma Swope, A. W. Hough, H. L. Moore, Mrs. H. C. Chapman.

The contest was set for the evening of March 13, 1875, at the court room. By common consent the following appointments were made: J. H. White, master; G. W. Puterbaugh, umpire; J. Ward Walker and William Mitchell, captains.

It was also agreed that the winning side should be awarded three cords of wood and a ham of meat for the benefit of the society. The contest was to determine which side could remain standing the longer. Since so many of the spellers are clearly remembered, it is interesting to observe the order in which they "went down," and the words they misspelld :

At this point, John H. Binford, who had been chosen by Mr. Walker, was left standing alone, and the honors went to Mr. Walker's side. The Symphony Glee Club furnished music during the evening, and the receipts netted the Benevolent Society eighteen dollars and ten cents.

Spelling matches similar to this one were held in various parts of the county, in which old and young participated. One other very interesting match was arranged between Greenfield and Knightstown. Each side spent more or less time in practice for the contest, which was held at the court house on the evening of May 14, 1875. Among the contestants from Greenfield and vicinity were : H. J. Dunbar, Mrs. Nellie Brown, Mrs. C. W. Gant, Miss M. E. Dille, L. W. Gooding. John H. White, L. M. Test, I. P. Poulson, Ephraim Marsh, Miss Royer, J. H. Binford. William Hammel, James A. New, D. S. Gooding, G. W. Puterbaugh, Capt. A. L. Ogg, Oscar F. Meek, \Y. B. Hartpence, E. W>. Smith, James Walsh, C. F. White, H. R. Clayton, Mrs. N. P. Howard, Mrs. L. W. Gooding.

This contest was put on a basis that required not only good individual spellers, but good team work, to win. The side which lost the fewest points in misspelling words was to be declared the winner. Unfortunately for our spellers, they misspelled more words than did their opponents, and Knightstown carried off the honors of the match. This occasion, however, was also attended with a good time socially. The Knightstown team came over early in the evening and were entertained by the Greenfield people. Several articles and letters from members of the visiting team appeared in the local papers here afterward expressing appreciations of hospitality and of the good time generally.

Commencement exercises began to be held in some of the townships in the early eighties. They were not very elaborate, however. As late as 1891 the common school graduates of Sugar Creek township met on commencement evening without a previously arranged program. The graduates were prepared to "speak their pieces," and when the county superintendent arrived a program was arranged. A choir was made up from the young people of the audience, who sang several selections from the regular Sunday school books that were in the church ; the children spoke, and this concluded the program.

During the decade following, however, these occasions grew to be much more pretentious. Elaborately embossed invitations began to be issued, orchestras were employed, the rooms decorated, and the parents went to great expense in purchasing apparel for the graduates. Neither parents nor children wished to be outdone, which made it very hard for people who could ill afford to make such outlays. The same thing was true during the first decade of the present century. The county board of education considered these matters at several meetings and recommended greater simplicity and less expense in the matter of dress, etc. During the last few years the parents and graduates have begun to take the same view. At a number of commencements during the last three or four years the boys have been wearing a plain, but neat uniform suit. The girls, too, have adopted a uniform dress, usually a plain white regulation suit with red tie. The classes appear to a very good advantage, the commencement is not expensive, nor so foolish, say many.

During the early history of the township commencements all the graduates recited their own selections. This was continued very generally until four or five years ago, when the common school commencements began to be combined with the high school commencements, for which a professional speaker has been employed.

At the September session, 1889, of the county board of education. Trustee James P. McCord, of Vernon township, moved that the county superintendent be ordered to arrange for a county oratorical contest, and that he select suitable prizes for the same. This motion was carried and the county oratorical contest became a feature of the county institute week at Greenfield until about 19 10. At each township commencement the "best speaker" was chosen to represent the township at the contest. The selections spoken at the oratorical, and also for a time at the township commencement were supposed to be original, and many of them were, but entirely too many of them seemed to be composed under the inspiration of the "Royal Path of Life,'' "Portraits and Principles," and other books of similar type. There was a great deal of interest in the contest, and sometimes also a great deal of feeling, even among the school officers over a failure of their representative to take the prizes.

For several years, from 1886 to 1889, the county board of education offered prizes to the schools for the best attendance during the term. At the June meeting, 1887, the members of the board expressed themselves as being pleased with the results obtained. For the school year, 1887-8, the prizes consisted of ten dollars each, and diplomas were given to pupils perfect in attendance during the past year. In 1888 Lossing's "Encyclopedia of United States History'' was selected as the prize.

County Exhibits

The first exhibit of the school work of the county was made at the west school building at Greenfield in the spring of 1876. From this exhibit the best work was selected as the county educational exhibit at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In order to defray the expenses of making the state exhibit at Philadelphia the schools of all the counties made efforts to raise funds. In Hancock county "school exhibitions" and entertainments were held in practically all of the towns and townships. "There will be a school exhibition at Ellis school house, northeast of Greenfield, on Saturday next. The exercises will be varied. Admission, ten cents. Proceeds to go to the Centennial fund." So ran the announcements in the columns of the local papers during the early months of 1876. At Fortville, Mc- Cordsville, New Palestine and Greenfield elaborate exhibitions were given, and in some instances repeated. Churches, halls and school houses were utilized, and at several points comparatively large amounts were raised. At the exhibition of the Greenfield pupils at the Masonic Hall over forty-eight dollars was taken in on two evenings, and a total of over seventy-six dollars was raised by the Greenfield schools. At some of the other towns in the county as much as twelve dollars and fifteen dollars was contributed to the fund. This method of raising funds was adopted on the suggestion of the state central committee, who asked the state to contribute twenty-five thousand dollars to assist in erecting suitable buildings, defraying expenses, suggesting that the money be raised by school exhibitions, concerts, etc.

mostly of manuscripts on the various school subjects, maps, etc. It was estimated that ten thousand pages of manuscript and seven hundred maps were exhibited.

In the fall of 1884 preparations were made for holding another county . school exhibit at the close of that term of school. A committee was appointed to devise plans and ways and means for holding the exhibit. They reported as follows :

''Plan of Work - (a). Higher Grades. County superintendent shall prepare a list of fifteen questions for the fourth and higher grades, ten of which are to be selected and written upon by the pupils. The examination to be held on same day in each' school. One-half the work to be done in January, the other half in February.

"(b). Lower Grades. Work of third and lower grades to consist of manuscripts, maps, drawings, and such other miscellaneous work as the teacher may see proper.

"(c). General Work. It is understood that the work of any or all grades shall not be confined to the work designated above, but may consist of any work which, in the discretion of the teacher, would add to or show up the work of his school. Such as miscellaneous drawing, paintings, outlines, diagrams, work in higher branches, etc.

"Rules - 1. All work exhibited in the above classes must be performed by bona fide members of the school and strictly under the discretions and regulations governing monthly examinations of teachers.

"4. All work should be completed by the 1st of April, and it shall be the duty of each teacher to prepare his work in convenient form and see that it is presented for exhibit.

"5. The questions prepared for examinations shall be held by county superintendent and submitted to the teachers just before the examination and

During the winter of 1886-7 quite a large number of manuscripts, including maps, etc., was collected in the county and displayed as an educational exhibit at the county fair at Greenfield in 1887. A similar exhibit was made at the county fair in 1888.

The next exhibit was prepared during the winter of 1892-3. The county exhibit was held at Greenfield, from which work was selected for the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. This work consisted largely of written work, maps, etc., that illustrated the regular work of the schools. A large part of the necessary funds for defraying the expenses of making the school exhibit at the Chicago exposition was also raised by the school children of the state. A "Penny Fund" was originated, into which the school children contributed their pennies to an amount of about five thousand dollars. In the raising of this fund the children and teachers of Hancock county participated.

During the winter of 1903-4 another county exhibit of school work was made at the high school building at Greenfield. This work consisted of examination papers from all grades, including the grades and high schools, compositions and other manuscripts illustrating the daily work of the schools. Ample space was also given to music and drawing. Stenographic reports of recitations, township, town and city histories, collection of Riley pictures, and photographs of the best school houses in the county, formed the features of the exhibit. From the county exhibit a rather large exhibit was selected for the St. Louis Exposition in 1904.

No collection of class room work was submitted to the Panama Exposition at San Francisco, in 191 5. A photographic exhibit, consisting of pic- tures of the oldest type of frame school buildings, the latter type of one-room brick school houses, and some of our best high school buildings, including also inside views of industrial arts and domestic science departments, was submitted as a county exhibit from Hancock county.

During the winter of 1877-78 this matter was presented to the teachers. It likely was not considered seriously by the teachers as a whole, yet several letters were published in the local papers in which individual teachers urged the advisability of effecting such an organization. Several letters were also published in which other teachers advised against taking such steps. The argument advanced for a teachers' union was practically the same as that advanced for labor unions.

A more definite step in this direction, however, was the organization in 1904 of a chapter in the county of the Order of Pestalozzi. A lodge was instituted at Greenfield during the week of the county institute in September, 1904. Ora Staley, then principal of the Charlottesville school, was elected as the chief officer. The lodge never convened, however, after the evening of its institution, and very few of our teachers ever became familiar with its mysteries or its purpose.

Lincoln Fund

During the winter of 1914-15, while the great European war was raging, the Red Cross Society made an appeal to the school children of America to contribute a penny each for the relief of the suffering children of the war zone. The response everywhere was generous. In Hancock county, especially in those schools where a proper explanation of the matter was made, the children responded gladly. Though not all schools participated, the following contributions amounted to a little over two cents per capita for all the school children of the county :

This fund was known as the "Lincoln Fund," in honor of our martyred President, who gave his life in the service of humanity. The money, amounting to over six thousand dollars, from the state of Indiana, was distributed to the destitute children of all the warring nations of Europe.

The first compulsory education law of the state was passed in 1897. It made provision for county truant officers, also for a truant officer for incorporated cities. Since 1899 one truant officer has served the entire county. The officers appointed for the county under the above and succeeding acts are :

The most of the work of the truant officer to this time has been among the poor in the cities and towns of the county. Very little need for such an officer has existed in the townships. A few prosecutions have been made

During' the winter of 1906-7 steps were taken by the county superintendent of schools to organize a boys' corn club. In the spring a quart of good high grade seed was offered to each boy and a hundred or more boys entered the contest. The business men offered a number of valuable prizes. Among them were : Thomas & Son, riding cultivator, $25 ; Spot Cash, suit of clothes, $15 ; J. Ward Walker, suit of clothing, $15 ; J. W. Cooper, doublebarrel shotgun, pair of skates, game of carom, hand printing press ; Hancock Democrat, $15 in cash; Greenfield Republican, magazine or journals, one year's subscription: Greenfield Publishing Company, magazine or journal, one year's subscription; W. S. Fries, $5 in cash; George Walker, $5 in cash; Cuyler studio, one dozen $6 photographs; Service & Rogers, pair of Wralk- Over shoes; Greenfield Star store, rain coat; J. G. Heath, $1.25 pocket knife; William M. Lewis book store, $1.25 book.

On the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving a corn show was held at the court house at Greenfield. Prof. M. L. Fisher, of Purdue University, scored the corn and on his decision the premiums were awarded. The club was maintained for about four years by County Superintendent Larrabee, in conjunction with the farmers' institute. There was a general interest in the club among the boys, but it was finally discontinued because of a general lack of interest in the organization by the farmers' institute and the difficulty of financing it.

Vocational Work

The legislature of 19 13 passed a bill introducing vocational work in the public schools of the state. The McCordsville school at once introduced the work in manual training and domestic science. All the other township schools introduced the work in agriculture and domestic science. The teachers, of course, did not pretend to know much about these subjects, but by far the greater number of them have made a bona fide effort to accomplish something along these lines during the past two years.

For the work in agriculture text books were adopted in both the grades and high schools, and such experimental work was done as was possible. A similar plan was adopted in teaching domestic science. The theories underlying different processes were discussed and the pupils were encouraged to experiment at home. At the opening of the schools in 1914. however, a much greater equipment was supplied, especially in the consolidated schools. For most of these schools a sufficient equipment was provided to enable the pupils to experiment under the direction of the teacher. During the term of 1914-15 one or more dinners were also served by the domestic science classes in most of the schools on special occasions, and the guests especially were impressed with the importance of this new departure in school work.

There has been organized within the county one Parent-Teachers' Association. On Tuesday evening, December 1, 19 14, the parents and teachers of the Charlottesville schools met at the high school building for the purpose of organizing such an association. The following officers were elected : President, Mrs. Wilbor Wright ; secretary, Miss Mina Overman ; program committee, Mrs. Albert Luse, Mrs. Anna Niles and Mrs. Cynthia Peacock. Those present at that meeting were: Mrs. Wilbor Wright, Mrs. Albert Luse, Mrs. Oscar Adkins, Miss Ruth Reeves, Mrs. Roy Lowe, Mrs. Clarence Haskett, Mrs. Percy Bantz, Mr. Lawrence Cox, Miss Katherine Rutledge, Mrs. Cynthia Peacock, Miss Mina Overman, Mr. Walter Orr, Mr. and Mrs. John Walker, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ramsey.

Regular meetings of the association have been held in connection with the Jackson township institute, at the afternoon sessions on the first Saturday of each month.

The subjects that have been considered during the winter are : "Habits, Manners and Morals of the Child," "When and How to Appreciate the Child," "Why Should Our Children be Given Manual Training and Domestic Science When Our Fathers and Mothers Did Not Receive Such Training?" "Confidential Relation of Mother and Son," "Efficiency in the School Room," and "Efficiency in the Home." At these meetings musical numbers have been interspersed, including piano and vocal solos, quartets, songs by schools, etc.

Though a mere beginning has been made, both parents and teachers who have participated in the work of the association feel that it has been eminently worth while for a better mutual understanding of the child, and a deeper appreciation by each of the viewpoint of the other.

Supervisors - Merle Brandenburg, drawing; Hazel Dillon, cooking; Catherine Fern Trees, music; Selma Stephens, sewing; Charles Boone, manual training.