Miami County, Indiana - Chapter 60: History of the Schools by John H. Brunele, 1896

Chapter 60: History of the Schools by John H. Brunele

«c& new degree of intelectual power is cheap at any price, and humanly speaking, the school, the eollege makes the difference between men." - Emerson.

\ and must have a head delegated with power to devise plans, and keep all © the subordinates of the various Jepartments in their proper places and at the duties laid out for them to perform.

_ To obtain good results, each individual must be held responsible for the special work he is to perform, but this is not all; there must be some one responsible for the general result. This necessity of supervision is untversally recognized in @ll mechanical employments in trade, in governmenvwfaffairs and in fact in eyery known branch of industry-

The mere school boy of to-day remembers the condition of our coubtry - immediately preceding the formation of the present system of government. © The executive and legislative powers were vested in congress - There was at. that time nochief magistrate of the republic, and congress was without dignity. It could issue any orders it saw fit to, but it could, not enforce a single order, . The whole world knows the result. The national credit became worthléss. Foreign nations refused to make commercial treaties with our country, as they well knew they could burden our commerce to any extent they. desired, without fear of retaliation. The Algerines prayed on our American commerce with impunity, and even England whose Cornwallis had beén''so. lately Captured at Yorktown still refused to carry out the treaty of 1783.

It was in the year 1789, that the present system of government went into full operation with George Washington as Chief Magistrate, and things" began to take a differeat turn. The wheels of progress began to move on the - very: day the present system was organized, and we to-day boast the best

The older readers of the history of Miami County need not look into the far distant past to see our schools in as bad condition as was our government under the articles of confederation.. Exactly the same conditions found in the, one, are found in the other. There was lacking a head - some one responsibie. for the general result.

Even less than forty years ago, there was but little of system or method in the educational efforts of this couuty. The first school houses were hastily constructed of round logs, with a chimney made of mud and sticks in one end of the building. Tae rovf was made of clapbourds fastened down wiih weightpoles, and the floor: was made of slabs, usually split from hickory or elm and hewn with a broadax: The door was made of puncheon, and the hinges and latch were of wood. There was a large fire-place in one end,of the reom, and for windows a log wae cut out of one end of the building, and the opening covered with paper. The pupils were not supplied with the modern patent desks and seats so convenient for the schoolboys and schoolgirls of to-day. On the other hand, their writing desks were made of heavy oak plank laid upon as to afford an abundance of light, and their seats were benches made of heavy 'slabs, hewn on one side and having pins for legs. These benches were usually

- School apparatus, so much needed to do even passable work, was alnrost unknown. No one heard of blackboards until! within about the last thirty years. There were no outline. maps nor charts of any kind in the primetive schools of the county. Text books were few and those provided were so illy arranged, and so. unsuitable to the pupils, that almost invariably, there had to be as many claeses as there were pupils.

- Special qualificatioas of teachers were not thought of. Of course,. the teacher had to be of suficient physical build to ''lick" the big boys, and possess a knowledge sufficient to enable him to teach ''Readin', *Rithmetic and *Ritin' " - the three R's and that waa all that was requined. Once in charge of the school, he was free to do his will in all matters of instruction. He had no work to be done in a given time; aud no limitations imposed by the subject or by the stage of development 'of the child, were thought of. His methods of

C's" to death, and caused them to study so diligently that there little thumbs wore holes through their blue-black spelling books and entirely obliterated X Y Z.- Such foz the most part,' wus the condition of the primitive schools of the county - the very best it could have been, considering the educational udvantages of the times. There was progress, for there was advancement in environments. 'The education needed in any community is always dictated by

According to the best authority, she first white settlers came to Miany County about 1820-24. They found the county one vast wilderness, with wild animals and Indians rouming through the woods at will. Many were for # time disheartened, but when they looked about and saw the fertile valleys and rich, productive uplands, they took new courage and were soon engaged im felling the "monarchs of the forests'' and establishing for themselves their future homes.

Many were the hardships the early pioneer had to undergo, and lockiiy for them the woods abounded with deer, turkeys and game of all kinds, and the streams with fish, or many ao bonest fellow would have been elaimed by grim Starvation.

_ The early settlers knew the value of an edueation, and could net think of long delaying means by which their children might receive the same, but: owing to the sparseness of the population and many other hindrances, a number of years had elapsed after the first settlers came to the county before there were any sehools open to the public. There were not eneugh white childrem in any community or neighborhood to organize and support a school untib 1833, and it.is said that William Smith. a man of more than ordinary ability, at that time taught the first school in the county in a Htth cabin made of unhewn logs, that stood on the present site of Mexico. Ht is but just to say Mr- Smith afterward ereeted and fitted up at his own expense the first school house in the town (now city) of Peru, and was for many years after an active, energetic worker along all educational lines and interests of the county.

Although the organization of his first schools was unsystematic and his teachings not according to the modern methods of to-day, he was not content to have his later schools described by that old couplet which reads:

May his name long be remembered by the teachers and alt interested in educational advancement, asthe man who taught the first school in Miami County -

The first school within the present limits of Allen Township was taught: by Sarah Bryant, in the year 1839. A lady whose name was Betsey Bailey succeeded Miss Bryantin the following year. 'These two terms of school were not taught in a house built for school purposes, but in a dwelling that stood near the residence of Matthias Carvey. ;

The first school house in the township was built m 1840, on what is known as the George Neece farm, and it is said George Wilkinson tacght the: first school in the new building.

A year later a school house was erected in the eastern part of the township, on what is known as the Waite farm, and about the. same time one at

Five Corners. With the increase in population came necessities for more buildings, and there are at the present time two brick and five frame school houses in the townships, all convenisatly Jocated and in good condition.

There were two lady and five gentlemen teachers employed during the school term of 1894-95, the ladies receiving an average compensation of $2.12 per day and the gentlemen $2.06. The length of school term was 120 dajs. The trustee's last enumeration report to the county superintendent shows 261 pupils of school age in the township, 140 of whom are boys and 121 girls. The number of pupils enrolled during the last school year was 235, of whom 125 were boys and 110 girls. Eight pupils successfully passed the examination for graduation from the district schools ana received their diplomas.

The first scheol was organized in Butler Township in 1842, in a house situated on the land at that time owned by J.. Long. No one remembers to a certainty who taught the first school. A very rudely constructed leg cabin was built for school purposes near the present site of the Clayton Cemetery in the following year (1843), and a man by the name of Jacob Elliott is said to have been the first teacher. Elliott was succeeded the following year by Margaret Mackey, a lady of more than ordinary ability and a native of Qhio..

The schools of Butler Township are in excellent condition, considering the fact that quite a large per cent. of the pupils that attend the schools are Indians. Strange to say, however, these little Indian pupils attend the schools with almost the same regularity as do the white children. and especially those in the lower grades take a great pride in letting visitors know they are just as capable of preparing their lessons as their fairer neighbors.

Butler Township has ten brick school houses, and during the school term of 1894-95 employed eleven teachers - four- of whom were ladies and seven gentlemen. 'The ladies received for teaching an average daily compensation of $2.12, and the gentlemen $2.04. The length of the last school term was 120 days.

The township trustee's last report to the county supérintendent shows 450 pupils enumerated, of whom 231 are boys and 219 girls. Out of this number 195 boys aad 166 girls were enrolled during the last term of school, and eleven graduated from the district schools ard received diplomas,

Butler Township has a township gradel school of two departments at Santa Fe, aad Mr. Laveagood, the present principal, is making. a good record.

According to good authority, the first school house in Clay township. was built in 1843 on what was then known as the Hostetler farm, and those interested in the educational affairs of the township will ever remember that

Elias Hobaugh had charge of the first school. Another school: house was built 'on the Lewis Hoover farm in 1850, and Henry Murden was the first to teach little urchins their «*A BC's" at that place. The good citizens of Clay were anxious to have their children educated, and accordingly, at this time, school houses were erected in nearly every district in the township. 'There are at

During the school term of 1894-95, there were nine teachers employed; eight of whom were gentlemen, and one lady. The gentlemen received, for teaching an average compensation of $2.23 per day, and the lady $2.10. The length of school term was 148 days.

'The township trustee's enumeration report to the county suprintendent for 1895 shows 460 pupils enumerat2i. 257 of who nar2 boys. an! 203 girls. The enrollment record for the school year shows that 212 boys and 167 girls were admitted to the schools. There were nine graduates in the township.

The Indians roamed through the woods of Deer Creek Township, and no white inhabitants came to interfere until 1844. About that time several honest, earnest. energetic men m»ved to the township. and immediately begun converting the deuse wilderness into vast cornfields, They, too, had the education of their children at heart, and in the following year employed a man by the name of Henry Garrett t» teach their first school in a little log cabin built for a dwelling, and situated on the farm of Miller Haines.

The first school house in the township was built in 1846 on the farm then owned by Austin Herrell, and John Truax taught the first school in the new building. There are at present eight brick school houses in the township, all conveniently located. and it is but just that special mention be made of the fact that the township graded school house consisting of three departments and locatei at Miami, is one of the most convenient in the couvty and constructed after the most mnodern style of architecture. C.E. Kessler is the present principal and is happy.

There were ten teachers emptoyed in Deer Creek township during the last school term, four of whom were ladies, and six gentlemen. The ladies received for teaching an average daily compensation of $1.93 and the gentlemen $2.28. The length of school term was 133 days. The trustee's report to the county superintendent, for 1395, shows 423 pupils enumerated; of whom 214 are boys, and 209 girls. Lust year, there were enrolled in the district schools of the township, 214 boys and 209 girls.

Erie Townthip

The first white man to trod on the soil of 'Little' Erie was Samuel McClure, who made bis way through forests to that plate as early as 1827 for the purpose of establishing an Indian trading post.

Early in the 40s a number of sturdy men - among whom was George Nichelson, now an honored citizen 0! the City of Peru - located in the township, and in 1844 two new school houses were built - one on the Philabaum farm and the other on a farm at that time owned by Mr. Peer.

Seventeen years had elapsed between the time when the white, man first set foot on Erie soil and the time when the first school was taught in the township. 'This condition was not due to a lack of zeal in educational matters on the part of the settlers, but for a waat of a sufficient number of settlers to organize and support a school.

Corwir Four brick and one frame building constitute the number of schoo] houses in Erie Township at the present time, and during the last term of school (1894-95) five lady teachers were employed, receiving an average of $2.13 per day. The length of school term was 133 days. The trustee's enumeration report for 1895 shows 194 pupils of school age. Of this number 110 are boys and 84 are girls. 'I'he number admitted to the schools in 1894-95 term was 133, of whom 78 were boys and 55 girls. he township had five graduates in the spring of 1895.

The first school in Harrison Township was a subscription school, taugh by a man by the name of Jesse Lee, in 1847, in a small cabin that stood on his own farm. This cabin had for several years been used fpr a dwelling, but it was at this time fitted up for school purposes, so that it was the same characteristic log school house as was provided for at the schools of Miami County in the good old primitive days

The principle that ''licken and larnin'" go together was vigorously carried out by many of the early peda gogues that first taught in the township. Everybody is glad that the old-time method of "flogging" is practically douse away with. And yet, the teachers in Miami County sometimes find it necessary, even at this time, to occasionally use the ''rod" in order that the best results may be accomplished.

There are at present seven brick school houses in the township, and the schools were presided over last year by eight gentlemen and one lady. The lady received for services as teacher $2.30 per day, and the gentlemen an average of $2.26 per day. [he number of days in the school term was 150.

The trustee's report to the county superintendent in 1895 shows 420 pupils of school age in the township. Of this number 213 are boys and 207 are girls. 'There were enrolled last year ia the several schools of the township 340 pupils, of whom 160 were boys and 180 girls.

Harrison Township has a township graded school of three departments at North Grove. H. E. Reese is at present, and has been for a number of years, principal of the North Grove schools, and is giving entire satisfactio. to everybody.

Jackson Township was orginized in the year 1846. No sooner was the organization affected than the citizeas began to turn their attention to educational matters, and without hesitancy appointed O. H. P. Massey, Samuel Draper, and Thomas Mason, school directors. These three officials immediately began to cast about for a suitable place on which to erect a school building. They decided that the most convenient place was on the Benjamin Davis farm, and in 1848 they there built the first school house in the township; and a short time after built a second on the farm.owned by Mr. Gates. David Standfield, Mason Sharp avd Thomas Reese were prominent among the first teachers of the township.

Jackson Township equals if not outranks any other township in the state in its number of commissioned schools. There are at present two in the tuwnship commissioned by the state board of education, one at Amboy and the

T1i# HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTYuther at Converse. Tne Amboy school was commenced in 1887 and Converse in 1895. Graduates from these schools are admitted tothe state university without examination.

Jackson 'fownship has seven schoo! buildiags, all brick and im good condition. During the school term of 1894-95, there were eight gentlemen and three ladies employed to teach in the schools of Jackson Township. . The gentlemen were paid on an average of $2.26 per day and the ladies received $2.00 per day. 'Tbe enumeration report of 1895 shows 367 pupils of school age, of whon 180 are boys, and '187 girls. There were admitted into tne schools last school term, 208 boys and 225 girls- 'There were 125 days ot school in the township, and eleven pupils graduated from the district schuols.

'The town of Macy is situated near the central part of Allen Township, on the L. E. & W. R. BR. It was first surveyed and recorded under the name of Lincoln and retained the same until} 1875, at which time the citizens presented a petition to the county commissioners asking that the name be change to Macy. The first school building was erecteG in the southwestern part of the town about 1871-72. It was a frame building, entirely too small ti» accomodate al} the pupils, and an addition was built to the house, which afterward afforded awple room for all, until 1880, when a new graded school building, of four departments was erected. A. M. Arnold, one of the most successful teaehers in Miami County, has b3en for many years and is at present principal of the Macy schools. The school board employed one gentlemen and one lady to do school work tast year, the lady -eceiving $2.50 and the gentleman $2.75 per day. The length of school term was 180 days. The last enumeration report shows 132 pupils of school age, of whom 60 are boys and 72 'girls. There were enrolled during the last school term 45 boys and 52 girls.

Je"erson Township was organized in 1834, and in the fall of the same year, the first school was taught in an old loy house that had been used for a dwelling on the Wynkoof farm. 'This was the second school taught in the present limits of the township, and the first after its organization. William Suewalt is said to have been the first teacher after the township was organized. The first school house was built on the Charles Murden farm about this time, and Joseph Helman taught the first school in the new building. The settlers knew where education is neglected, the children must grow up in iguorance and vice, and it was not iong until many houses were erected at public expense.

There are more teachers and more school houses under the supervision of the trustee of Jefferson Township than any other township in the county. 'There are two graded school houses in the township, one at Denver and the other at Mexico. The one at Denver consisting of four departments and the one at Mexico three. During the term of 1894-95, the trustee employed eleven gentlemen teachers and five ladies. The gentlemen received an average com-, pensation of $2.36 and the ladies $2.07 per day. There were 138 days of school. 'The enumeration report of 1895 shows that there are in the township 321 boys arid 329 girls oi school age, of whom 297 boys aud 301 girls were admitted te the schools during the last term, and there were 16 graduates.

Perry Township was organized February 27, 1837, and the school history of the township dates back to that period of time. Although the township was but sparsely settled and the settlers lived several miles apart, it was deemed necessary tu as early as possible, provide meavs fur the education of their children, and with this end in view, they built the first school house on what is known as the Benjamin Landis farm, in the sams year that the township was organized.

In the following year, 1838, the second school house in the township was built on the farm at that time owned by Thomas Goudy. It is not definitely known who taught the first school, but prominent among the early teachers may be mentioned the names of James Potter, John Gaerte, Peter Smith, Alvin Duabar, Amanda Doud. CG. B. Ash, and James Adams. With the increase in population came demands for better school accommodations and Perry has now @oaveniently located eight brick and five frame buildings, nearly all of which are in excellent condition. 'There is one graded school building of twe departments in Gilead. D. M. Whitcomb is principal. and has the school well in hand. :

There are in the township 510 pupils of school age of whom 264 are boys and 246 girls. Qut of this number, 230 boys and 220 giris were enrolled during last school term, and fourteen graduated from the distric schools. Three ladies and seven gentlemen did school work in Perry Township last year, the ladies receiving $1.71 and the gentlemen $2.00 perday. Thelength of school term was 130 days..

There can be but little said about the early schools' of Peru Township. However, it may be said the first settlers of the township, were not lacking enthusiasm along educational lines, and availed themselves of the opportunity to send their children to the town school which was at that time a part of the township system aod under the supervision of the township trustee. The township has at present (not including the city schools) seven brick school houses conveniently located and fairly well supplied with good furniture and good apparatus.

During the school term of 1894-95 there were five gentleman and two ladies employed to do school work, the ladies receiving an average of $2.15 and the gentlemen $2.17 per day. There are 390 pupils of school age in the township, 194 of whom are boys and 196 girls. Out of this number 109 boys and 106 girls were enrolled in the school during the last verm. There were 150 days of school and the township had seven graduates.

not quite so early as some of the other townships, in providing means for the education of the children. This was due, of course to the fact, that the popuif} HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

lation was very scattering for a number of years after the first white settlers moved to the township. 'The first school in Pipe Creek Township was taugat in 1843. in a log cabin situated on a farm belonging to Joel Julian, the man who was first to move to its dense forests. It is not definitely known who taught the first school, but several years later Jacob Brant and Eliza Barnett taught in the same community. A school-house was erected a short time after on a farm owned by Samuel Dewese, a Baptist minister and pedapogue. Samuel was a very serviceable man, and was prevailed upon to teach the first school in the new building. Daniel Puterbaugh was another of the early pedagogues and for several years taught in various parts of the township. There are at present six brick buildings used for school purposes, and each year there are 43 many teachers employed to do school work - teachers that are progressive and ever ready to conform to the new order of things as it presents itself each succeeding year in the school-roum.

Last year Pipe Creek Townshi» «employed two ladies and four gentlemen, the ladies receiving $2.00 and the gentlemen $2.20 per day. The enumeration of 1895 shows 134 boys and 106 girls of school age. The enrollment for the school year was 124 boys and 106 girls, every pupil in the township of school age being enrolled. There were 140 days of school and 6 pupils graduated.

'Common schools the hope of our country" early rang in the ears of the pioneer settlers of Richland Township and in 1838, two years after the first white inhabitant made his appearance in the township, and one year af er the township was organized. the first school-house was built on the farm at that time owaed by Robert Watson. Mr. Watson was himself a pedagogue, and consented to teach the first school in the new building. This he did and had an enrollment of about ten pupils, and these ten pupils represented nearly every family at that time living in the present limits of the township.

More settlers soon came. and not long after this another school-house was built on the farm owned by M. Martindale, and his son was the first to teach school] in the new buildiug.

There are at present five brick and seven frame school-houses in the township, one of the brick being a township graded school building of two departments, and locaved at Chili. During the school term of 1894-95 there were seveo gentlemen and six ladies employed to do school. work, the ladies receiving a compensation of $1.97 and the gentlemen $2.17 per day. The number of days of school was 144. 484 pupils of school age are enumerated, of whom 22! are boys aud 213 girls. Of this number 187 boys and 161 girls were enrolled in the schools of the township dtring the last term, and thirteen pupils successfully passed the examination for graduation.

Union Township was first settled in the beginning of the year 1835, and it is said by the close of the year four sturdy men had staked their fortunes on Union soil. Others soon followed their example, and in 1837 the new town- | ship was duly organized. Soon after its organization the all-important question of education began to receive attention, and in the year 1838 the first school-house was erected on the farm owned by Jobn Plaster. Mahala Scott, a well-known and respected young lady of the township, was thought qualified to take charge of .the school, and was permitted. to teach the first school in the new building. Her literary atiainments were somewhat limited, yet withal, she was a lady of good common sense and did excellent work in the school-room. In 1839 two more school-nouses were erected, one on the farm owneu by Keplinzer, and the other near the residence of Mr. Cross.

Union Township has at present seven frame school-houses, of which one located at Deedsviile is a township graded buildiag of three departments. Last school year there were nine teachers employed in the township, seven of whom were gentlemen. and two ladies. The ladies received an average daily compensation of $1.98 and the gentlemen $2.05. There were 120 days of school, this being the ongest term held in the township for a number of years. The trustees' last enumeration report shows 159 boys and 145 girls of school age, of whom 158 bo)s and 120 girls were admitted to the schools during the 1894- 95 term of school Nine pupils graduated from the district schools.

The seitiers of Washington Township did not delay the work of providing meaus by which they mipht educate their children until after the organization of the township, but. in 1842, almost an entire year before the organizativu, employed a teacher to teach, their tirst school in a little cabin that had been. built for a dwelliug on a farm then owned by Johu Allen. 'This school was soon abandoned and a new schvol-house, suited for the purpose, was erected on

@ -ma!l cabia was built on the farm owned by Peter Weckler. Lucy O'Brien taught the first sehool in the new building, aud it is Said she was one of the most competent pioneer teachers iu the county.

There are eight. brick and two irame school buildingsiin Washington Township, and last year there were three gentlemen and seven ladies employed to teachinthem.. The trustee believed the ladies should be paid as much for teaching as the gentlemen, und each teacher received $2.00 per day for his services. 'lhere were 160 days of school in the township, The trustee's enumeration re; ort for 1£95 shows 328 pupils of school age, of whom 171 are boys and 157 girls. Of these 153 boys and 150 girls were enrolled in the schools during the last term of school, and ten of the pupils graduated.

Incukporated Towns And City Of Peku

Amboy is situated in the southeastern part of Miami County, ov the Pan Handle railroad. 'The town was organized in 1867, and from that time the school patrons of the place began to take a marked interest in public school affairs. On the 26th day of December, 1881, it was deemed necessary to organize a joint graded school between the school corporations of Jackson Township and the town of Amboy, and at that time W. ©. Bailey, county superiotendent, E. K. Friermood, trustee of Jackson Township, and Calvin Edgerton, Albert A. Votaw and Q. A. R. Hotton, trustees of the incorporated town of Amboy, met in the county superintendent's office and ordained and established a joint graded school to the use of the above named school corporations. The school was remarkable for its success, and in 1886, application was made to the state board of education, to have it incorporated as a commissioned high school, bearing the name of "Amboy Academy." 'The state board of educatiow eonsidered the application in 1887, and since that time the town of Am doy has had a very successful commissioned schoot consisting of five departments.

P. M. Hoke, at present superintendent of the Amboy schools, is a graduate from the state University and is doing excellent work. The schoo} is yet under the direetion of the trustee of Jackson Township school corporatiou, and the school board of the town of Amboy jointly, and last year they employee three ladies and two gentlemen to do school work, they receiving an averaye of $2.00 and the gentlemen $2.67 per day. 'The trustee of Jackson Township paid for 125 and the school board for 48 days of school. The number of sli enrolled last year was 237 of whom 116: were boys and 121 girls.

Bunker Hill

The town of Bunker Hill is pleasantly situated in the southeastern part of Pipe Creek Towaship. about eight miles from the City of Peru, on the Lake Erie and Panhandle Railroads. It supports a graded schoe)] of four departments. and for years the citizens of Bunker Hill have had the opportunity of sending their children to the best iastruetors the county affords.

Last year'the old school house that hag done service so long was considered inadepuate and nnfit for further school purposes, and W. A. Pavey, at present principal of the schools, and 2 sunyber of other progressive men of the town put forth every enersy toward having # new sehool house erected, and all join bands in saying we have one of the finest school buildings 'in the state- The building will be ready for school purposes about Dec. 15, 1895.

During the fast school term the school board of Bunker Hill secured the services of four teachers - two of whom were ladies and. two gentlemen. The ladies received an average daily compensation of $2 and the gentlemep $2.83. The last enumeration report shows 235 pupils of school age, of whom 135 are boys and 100 girls. Out of this number 104 boys anu 77 girls were enrolled during the last school term. The length of school term was 150 days-

Converse

The town of Xenia (now Converse) is situated in the southeastern part of Jackson Township, @ short distance from the Grant County line, in one of the finest agricultural districts of Indiana. It was organized in about 1849, and its growth during the first four years of its existence was not very flattering. Little by little it moved forward, however, and is at the present the most thriving town in the county.

The first school house built by the township trustee, in 1849. was a. small frame building, located a short distanee west of, but at present within, the corporate limits of town. This building served the school children of Converse until 1872. when the increase in population demanaed better schoo accommodations, and a large brick building of four departments was erected at a cost of $3,000. The citizens were avain reminded a few years ago that more room must be provided, and this brought about the present commodious building. In 1894 the superintendent-of the sehools applied to the state board of education for a commissioned high school. and after making a careful examination of the condition of che schools the board commissioned them early 'in 1895.

There were four gentlemen and three ladies employed by the school board last year, the ladies receiving $2 per day and the gentlemen $2.81 'The length of schoo] term was 180 days. The last enumeration report shows 417 pupils of school age, 203 of whom are boys and 214 girls. and there were admitted to the schools last yeur 172 boys and 181 girls. Prof. Bowers is at present superintendent of the schools, and the school continues to be progressive. MAC).

City Of Peru

The town (now city) of Peru was organized in 1842. Up to that time the common schools belonged to the township system and were under the con+ trol of the township trustee. The condition of the township, financially, was such as to prevent its making extensive preparations for school work. and the citizens. ever anxious that their children should receive an education, secured a little cabin that haa been erected for a dweiling and as best they could fitted it up for school purposes at their own expense.

The first school taught in this little cabin was what is termed a subscription schooi, and each pupil was expected to pay $2.50. In some instances, it is said. this amount was paid ia coonskins, ia venison, trinkets. or anything that had value. Some of the citizens afterward individually erected and fitted up a school building at their own expense, and it is said. away back in the 30s, the Presbyterian ani Catholic Churches were sometimes used for school purposes.

About the year 1837 a collegiate institute was organized for those wha cared to do advance work along educational lines. 'This institute was organized in a building situated where the Presbyterian Church now stands. 'The very best talent available was secured for the bead of the institute, and it soon Sewaie popular, and its fame was known for miles around. This brought students not oniy from Miami County. but from adjoining counties, and the atterdance was sometimes so large as to make it entirely impossible to accommodate al! in the one building, which necessitated the purchase of a small log cabin on Second street for the academical department.

A man by the name of John Stocker, a profound thinker and Presbyterian minister, was thc first principal of the institute, and his wife - an estimable, accomplished lady - was made associate principal. Among those who served .as members of the board of directors of the institute may be mentioned the names of James B. Fulwiler, Rev. S. Newberry, Wiliiam Hood, Richard L. Britton and A. S. Keiser. It is said that Mr. Fulwiler was a member of the board of directors from the organization of the institute to its close. Owing to financial disappointments the institute could not be madea permanent affuir, growing in educational interest until they have at present an educational system that ranks well with the school system of even much: larger eities of the state. Among the educators that served as superintendent of the city schools may be mentioned the names of Lyman Walker, D. Eckley Hunter, George G. Manning and the present incumbent, W. R. J. Stratford. Mr. Stratford is making a marked success in his present position as superintendent of the city schools and his schools are in excellent condition.

The city bas at present four school buildings conveniently located and supplied with good furniture and govd apparatus. The state board of education has commissioned the school and its graduates are entitled to admission 1nto the State University without examination. Last year (1894-95) the board employed 6 gentlemen and 31 ladies to do school work. 'The ladies reeeived an average of $1.88 and the gentlemen $3.59 per day. This low average compenration on the part of the ladies was due to the faet that there were several substitutes employed tu do school work 'The last enumeration report (1895) shows 3,412 pupils of school age, of whom 1.653 are boys and 1.759 girls. The number of pupils enrolled last school term was 1,536, 680 of whom are buys and 856 girls.

Peru city bas two parochial schools, Lutheran and Catholic. These were both organized in the early part of the history of the citv. The Lutheran nehools have at present about 130 pupils and employ two teachers to de school work. Wm. Hocker and Miss Anna Meyer are the teachers at present employed. The Catholic schools employ nine sisters and have an ehrollment of 300 pupils. The schools are under the direct supervision of the present Father Meissner.

Summary

Miami County employed 192 teachers last year, of whom 107 were pentlemen and 85 ladies. 'The ladies received an average compensation of $2.05 and the gentlemen $2.38 per day. The average length of school term was 140 days. The last enumeration report (1895) shows $,725 pupils of school age in Miami County, 4.902 of whom are boys and 4,823 girls. There were «nrolled in the several schools in the county 7,067 pupils, of whom 3,530 were boys and 3,537 girls, and there was an average daily attendance of 5,267 jupils. The per cent of attendance based on enro)lment was 75. 'This isa yood attendance based on enrollment, but it is an alarming condition when we cousider that there are 2,658 pupils of school age in Miami County that do not attend the schools a sinjrle day.

Miami County is not worse than othercounties. Indiana boasts the best «ducational system in the United States, and yet one-half of our school population do not take advantage of the opportunities offered. Whose fault is it? Without answer, let us as officers, teachers, pupils and parents - nay, more - Jet us, a8 men and women who love the cause of educatiun, bend every energy toward bringing the attendance and enrollment nearer the enumeration.

County Management Of Schools

'In June, 1873, the present system of county managemeni of schools in Indiana came into existence. It was not an accident of random iegislation,

Our state has provided liberally for the establishment and maintenance of public schools, so far as mon vy alone would accomplish the result. There was in our statutes a general provision fur a system of public schools. but the system, so far as one had been evolved, lacked in several particulars the elements and conditions necessary to growth. vigor and effectiveness.

So the new law sought to gather up the fragments and co-ordinate them into as many organs. giving them certain functions to perform and the various parts prescribed powers ani duties. The county organization is so arranged that its utility depends upon the individual work of its members. 'The responsibility of setting in motion and rendering effective these implements was placed in the hands of a county superiatendent. The crisis in the educativnal affairs of the state had been reached. Further progress would depend on the work of this officer. The powers and duties conferred upon him. although not very specific. were not guessed at, but were based on the experience which had witnessed the defects and abuses of the old order of things, and had ehown the necessity for their elimination. Trustees had made serious mistakes in the building of school-houses, in the purchase of apparatus, and must therefore share a helper and counselor; public officers, prompted by avarice, had withheld funds due the public for school purposes, or had diverted them from their proper channel. Somebody must correct this evil and secure the sacred funds. An army of teachers was at work, costing the state two miltions of dollars a year, without any one whose business it-was to lcok after the sehools, method of teaching, etc., so that improvements of a practical nature might be made, all proving conclusively that there must be a supervision of this work, or at least an inspection of the same.

With these duties before him the county superintendent began work twenty years ago. Compare the organization and work of the county boards of to-day with that ofthe primitive ones. Through committees specially qualified for the work assigned them, we have improved the character of our scbool buildings, and instead of erecting buildings without any conveniences we have been rapid! supplying the places of the old frame and log houses with substantial brick ones, adapted in every respect to the needs of 4 school, as well as ornamental to the neighborhood, because of the elegant design. In the supply of furniture and apparatus great advance has been made. The absolute necessity for these auxiliaries had long been recognized, but a systematic and economic method of selection and purchase, and of utilizing them in the schools, remained for us to consummate. The progress in another direction has been even greater. Out of the statutory edict, 'He shall visit the schools," has grown a system of supervision that has never been equaled in extent and thoroughness und in beneficial results. By the superintendent's visitations and personal observations of the work in progress in the schoolrooms, evils growing out of defective teaching and management have, toa great extent, been eliminated. In the 'work of organizing the unorganized schools, the idea of uniformity in classification had its birth.

Under the stimulus of our system of gradation and graduation our schools have progressed from a mechanical, listless, careless, irregular man-

122 ' HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTYuer of working, that never-accomplished any definite results, to that prompt, energetic, business-like method of taking up a task or line of work and fully completing the same: Tbe county superintendency has run the guuntiet Of ten successive legislatures successfully, through its strong appeal to the people as to its nature, purposes anc utility. eonviacing them of its absulute necesity in the school administration."

It was in June, 1873, just 22 years ago that the general supervisoa of the respective counties was given to the county superintendents and W. Steele Ewing was the first regularly elected county superintendent of Miami county. Lyman Walser was a rival candidate for the positiun, but the vote of the Yownaship l'rastee showed a tie and James B. Fulwiler, at that time auditor of Miami County, gave the casting vote in favor of the former. Mr. Ewing showed himself a true reformer, in the prosecution of his school duties, and consequently held the positionyfor three consecutive terms. N. W. Trissal at present county surveyor of Miami County succeeded Mr, Ewing, and on account of tae vhauge in the political complexion of the Trustees, was permitted to hold the office but a single term: While in school work, Mr. Trissal regard- - ed nothing as finished us long as anything remained to be done.

W.C. Bailey, at present one of the leadinz attorneys of Peru was chosen vo sxeceed Mr. Trissal, and held the office two terms. While the schools were under Mr. Bailey's supervision he was never content to leave things as he found them, if he could discover an opportunity for improvement.

A. J. Dipboye sueceeded Mr. Bailey and held the effice oneterm. He had the courage of his convictions and always held firmly to what he thought would better the condition of the school, and his aim was to make each passing day bring better results. d

Mr. Dipboye was succeeded by W. A. Woodring, who is at present connected with the Peru Evening Journal, and the Terre Haute Daily Tribune. He held the office one term, and during that time strove deligently to bring about his ideal of exc llence in the school room.

John F. Lawrence, at present of the firm of Bailey & Lawrence, attorneys, was next elected, and held the office one term. Mr. Lawrence was a popular Superintendent, and had there not been a change in trustees, would have been elected the second time. The present incumbent, John H. Runkle, who succeeded Jno. F. Lawrence to the office in 1891, was his own successor in 1893, and again re-elected in 1895. His third term will ex pire the first Monday of June 1897.

Unikormity Of Text Books

As 'arly as 1853, the state board of education saw the value and necessity of uniformity in the use of school text-books in the common schools of the state, and with this end in view, at that time, adopted a series of books for said purpose. These books were very generally used throughout the state until 1865; at which time local officers began to think themselves competent 1o make their own selections, regardless of the action the state board had taken in the matter of uniformity, and the legislature in the session of 1865, releived said board of all responsibility and placed this authority into the hands of the township trustees, where it remained until 1873. 'Ihe trustees of Miami County exercised the same authorty as did the other trustees in the state, and during that ectire period of eight years there was no uniformity in the school system of Miami County. Children moving trom one township to another were burdened. with the extra expense of securing an entire set of new books before they could enter school.

To do away with this great evil the legislature in 1873 enacted a law providing that the selection of text-books be placed into the hands of the county board of education. This was a great step in advance of the old method, as it brought abeut uniformity throughout the whole county, and served as a forerunner to the liw enacted in 1839, msking the use of school taxt-books uniform throughout the state. Besides unfortunately the cheanness of the books must not be lost sight of, as they now cost from 50 to 60 per cent less than thay did before the passage of the new law. For a family of several children, this means a difference between attendiag and not attending school, and thus it has been a means of increasing the attendance, and making it possible to classifiy the pupils better than ever before.

Course Of Study

Before there was uniformity iv the use of school tex-books, it was impossible tou have a uniform course of study. and consequently much valuable time was wasted in the school room by the absence of well defined plans. In One district pupils were doing primary work, while in another district, pupils of the sume ave and school experience were, perhaps, doing advanced work in the same subject. In order tu obviate this difficulty, a 'state course of study," based on the uniformity of school text-books, was prepared. The teachers of Miami County believing it would be of valuable assistance to them, in the worke of thorough gradation, inmediately alter its adoption, began to familiarize themselves with all its dewils, and to put its provisions into practical operation. It is now closely adhered to in every scaool in Miami County:

Graduates From District Schools

Since the uniformity of school text-books has been brought about, and a uniform course of study established, it has been thought to prepare bi-monthly examination questions, based on the,*'course" would leal to a better classification of sckools, and instead of teachers preparing questions for the monthly examination of their pupils, as they used to do, the state now prepares and furnishes each year free, three sets of bi-monthly examioation lists, which are used in all the schools of the county, oa the same day. The teachers grade the manuscripts and record each pupil's grade, for inspection by patrons and school otficers.

In the months of February, March and Apri!,the state also furnishes examination lists for graduation from the distric schools. These examinations are usually held at some convenient place iu the township, by a disinterested teacher who immediately after said examination forwards the manuscripts to the county superintendent for gradation. If the applicants succeed in making an average of 75 per cent and do not fall below 60 per cent in any branch, they are entitled to a certificate of graduation from the district schools. Miami County had 108 graduates last year.

It was early in December 1883, but twelve years ago that thhe Indiana Teachers' Reading circle was organized and the first course of reading submitted to the teachers of the state. Miami County was not left in the background in this organization, but the teachers voluntarily availed themselves of the opportunity of securing the first set of books selected by the circle. It was only an experiment then, but the teachers saw that it gave promise of serving as: a great stimulus to professional growth, giving a larger insight into the eourses of general culture, and most of all, it promised aid in acquiring the habit of self directing reading. In the light of twelve years, it thay well besaid it has done all and even more than it promised. It has been a means of stimulating teachers to a grater work in the profession, it has given then: broader views of the world in general; it has served to bring the teachers in closer touch with. their pupils, and in sympathy with thei, efforts and their difficulties. The circle has done much good in Miami County in the way of stimulating progress in our schools and our teachers no more regard it as an experiment, but as one of the educational institutions of the state.

The first steps toward the organization of a Young People's Keading circle were taken in a meeting of the Siate Teachers' association. at Indianapolis in December, 1887.

A committee consisting of W. W. Parsons, Cyrus W. Hodgin and W. B. Qwen.was appointed to consider the advisability of such an organization, and reported favorably.

The purpose of the organization is to select for the school children ot the state the purest and highest forms of literature at the most reasonable terms, thereby enriching and refining the home circle, increasing the daily attendance at schools, and add new and increased interest to dull, dry toxtabouis study.

Although a limited number of the Young People's Reading circie vooks have been used each year since the organization, Miami county has been behind many other counties in the general use of the books; but this year the school officers and teachers have taken new interest in the work, and the Yourg People's Reading circle books for 1895-96 are now in every township of Miami county.

Outline Of School Officers And Their Duties

1. «'CouNTY SUPERINTENDENT. - Elected by the township trustees for two years. Examines and licenses teachers and directs and supnerintends their work, holds county institutes, compiles educational and financial statisties, and carries out directions of the superintendent of public instruction and the state board.

2. FOURTEEN SCHOOL TrusTEFS. - One for each township, elected for four years. Charged with the ownership and management of school property; levy local taxes, employ teachers, cause township institutes to be held, and make reports to the county superintendent and county commissioners.

pointed by the town board or city council for three years. Charged with the ownership and management ofschool property; levy local taxes, employ teachers and make reports to the county superintendent and commissioners.

4. County Boarp or EpucatTion. - Consists of township trustees, presidents of school boards aud county'superintendent; make rules and regulations for good of schools of county.

5. ScHoot DirEcTors. - Elected by the patrons in each school district for one year. Preside at school meetings, are the media of communication between the people and the trustee, and under the direction of the trustees; have the care of the school-houses, make small repairs and provide fuel. 'They may exclude refractory pupils, subject to appeal to the trustee."