Redwood County, Minnesota - Chapter 22: Education, 1916

The social and economic development of a community is most admirably reflected in its schools. The first school in Redwood county (exclusive of the agency schools) was taught in a living room in a log cabin at Redwood Falls, protected from the Indians by a stockade and a patrol of soldiers. The early schools were held in the same kind of structures as those in which their pupils lived. Some were in granaries, some in log cabins, some in sod houses, and one or two in a brush or straw lean-to. The furniture in the pioneer schools was of a nondescript variety. Some schools had a bench running around three sides of the room, some had a few rough boards for tables. In the first school taught in the stockade, household furniture from the various cabins was used. In some early schools the children brought their chairs to school in the morning and took them back home at night. Some of the schools had fire places, some had a crude stove. The first text books were usually of a miscellaneous variety which the families had brought with them from older communities. The county was new, the pioneers were for the most part poor, they were compelled to make the best of circumstances as they found them, and the children likewise, in their schooling, were provided with such make-shifts as were available.

As the people prospered, the schoolhouses were improved, though it must be admitted, that the school facilities did not in all instances keep pace with the developments along other lines, for in some neighborhoods the school house was the last building to be improved, and remained a crude, box like structure, a blot on the landscape, long after the farms were provided with magnificent barns and comfortable homes.

It has been the settled policy of the United States since the Republic was formed, to assist new territories and states by grants of land for common schools, a university, public buildings and other purposes. The manner of disposing of the lands was left with the people of the several states. The act of Congress, authorizing a territorial government for Minnesota, was approved March 3, 1849. Among other things, it provided that, when the lands in the territory should be surveyed, sections 16 and 36 in each township were to be reserved for the purpose of schools in the territory or state which would follow.

The first legislative assembly of Minnesota enacted in 1849 a law for the support of common schools. A partial organization of the system was effected the following year, and in 1851 Rev. E. D. Neill was appointed territorial superintendent of common schools.

But the early settlement of Minnesota was slow, so that in 1854 there were only five or six school districts in the territory, and not more than a half dozen log school houses, of very little value, with no organized public school system. There was at that time no public school fund.

In 1861 Governor Alexander Ramsey delivered a remarkable address to the legislature, in which he stated that he believed in fifty years from that time the three million acres of school land, when sold, would yield an annual revenue which would raise the Minnesota educational system above the level of that of any state in the Union. He spoke with almost prophetic foresight for the half century period has just passed and the state school fund

The school system of the state was six years old when Colonel McPhail and his little band of asosciates located at Redwood Falls. Previous to this settlement, the only schools that had been conducted in Redwood county were the schools at the Lower Agency, where the government, in 1854, started its attempt to make white men of the Sioux Indians.

A number of children living in the stockade at Redwood Falls, the only white children in the county, were taught, during the winter of 1864-65 by Julia A. Williams, who thus became the pioneer schoolteacher of the county.

The school system of Redwood county as an organized entity dates from the first meeting of the county commissioners, April 19, 1865, when a school district was created consisting of the present townships of Paxton, Honner and Redwood Falls.

In April, 1866, District No. 1 was created, with a schoolhouse at Redwood Falls. Edward March, the county auditor, was appointed school examiner Sept. 12, 1865, his compensation to be $2 a day for time actually spent at his examining duties.

Redwood county received from the state fund, in 1867, $85 for school purposes. In addition, $21.79 was raised for the county school fund, and $35.47 from the district school fund, making a total of $142.76 available that year for operating the schools of the county. Of this, District 1 received $46.51 for the spring term and $36.03 for the fall term, making a total of $82.54 for the year. District 2 received $10.11 for the spring term and $9.85 for the fall term, making a total of $19.96. District 3 received $14.43 for the spring term and $25.72 for the fall term, making a total of $40.15.

In 1868 the majority of the teachers of the cojinty, and indeed of the state, were poorly trained and ill qualified to teach. For the most part they were boys and girls who wished to work for a few months in the year, and who found employment at teaching at a season of the year when there was no other employment. Teaching was not regarded as a trained profession, but an occupation in which anyone could engage who had a better education than the prospective pupils. Sometimes the subjects taught were as new to the teacher as to the pupil, the teacher keeping one lesson ahead of the pupil by studying at night.

The average wage per month in Redwood county for a male teacher was $33 and for a female teacher $12. There were scattering schools here and there. In only one school that winter were there two teachers.

In 1869 eight districts had been organized and 169 pupils were enrolled. E. A. Chandler, county superintendent, in his report for 1870 says, "Redwood county is still in its infancy concerning

La 1870 the salaries were nearly double what they were in 1868. The male teachers received an average salary of $50 a month, and the female teachers an average of $22.50 a month.

In 1871 Redwood county paid $880.80 as teachers' wages. Great improvements were being made in the school buildings, and in the system and the teachers hired were better qualified and better paid.

In 1872 the increase in teachers' wages corresponded with the increase in pupils and school buildings, when $1,139.77 was paid as teachers' wages. The ratio of female teachers to male was steadily on the increase in Minnesota. In 1874 almost $3,000 was paid as teachers' wages in Eedwood county.

In 1875 W. B. Herriott, county superintendent, declared that the condition of the schools, although sadly in need of improvement, were better than the statistics indicated. Progress was reported for the five years. In place of one school building, there were fifteen j in place of eight districts, there were twenty-seven ; there were six times as many pupils. Great plans had been made, but the hard times caused by the grasshoppers greatly interfered with building and kindred work, and in some of the districts the plans were not realized.

The work accomplished during the next year, 1876, was quite satisfactory. Five new school houses were built and six new districts were laid out.

In 1877 D. L. Bigham, the county superintendent, said in his report that the schools were greatly indebted to the influence exerted on them by the State Teachers' Institute held at Eedwood Falls in the spring. This was the first institute held in the county, but by an extra effort, almost every teacher was in attendance. Lectures and good instruction were given, and the result was a new life in the schools. On the whole, the schools of Eedwood county made a decided advance during the year.

The question of text books was considered by the county commissioners Sept. 25, 1878, when $164.29 was appropriated in connection with the state uniform text book scheme. Jan. 9, 1879, the sum of $91.46 was appropriated from the county funds with which to purchase cheap state text-books, Eobert "Watson ajid Lyman Fuller being named as the purchasing committee.

E. L. Marshman, county superintendent, stated in his report in 1885 that the schools were keeping pace in growth with other worthy interests. The number of pupils had increased to 1,435 and there were fifty-two organized districts. There were forty school houses and there was not so much changing of teachers as in former years. The attendance was much better but far below what it would have been if the compulsory school law had been enforced, which was then virtually ignored in Redwood county. The teachers' institute, as to attendance and interest was superior to those of other years. The work of the institute instructors sent by the state was excellent.

In 1886 the county superintendent's report declared that there was not so much changing of teachers as in former years; that the school officers were more liberal in compensating teachers who showed their worthiness. The teachers' institute, as to attendance and interest, was superior to those of others years. The average wages of the teachers in 1885 was: males $39.00; females $25.60.

In 1887 the county superintendent declared in his report that the teachers were more enthusiastic over their work and were regarding it more as a permanent work. School districts, in many instances, were awakening to the fact that more good could be accomplished by employing teachers permanently than by changing every term. Keener interest was manifested on the part of the pupils when they realized the teacher had come to stay. The common school teachers still had little more than a high school education. Few normal graduates taught in the common schools. But the teachers were better prepared and the increase in salary they demanded was seldom refused.

In 1890 the county superintendent's report showed gradual progress. Seven new buildings had been erected in the past two years and many of the old ones had been torn down and new ones erected. The school library law commenced to make its influence felt and in 1890 fourteen schools were supplied with fair sized libraries. There was less change in the teaching force than in any previous year. The work of teaching was better understood and the teachers were better qualified to fill their positions. Teachers' meetings were a great help toward unifying the work. Everywhere the teachers were encouraged to read, annually at least, one work on education. An effort was made to keep the pupils in school after they reached the age of fifteen. A common school diploma was offered to encourage them to remain and the twelve diplomas, given the previous year, were highly prized.

Compulsory education was not enforced. Mild measures were tried and some good was accomplished but less than seventy per cent of the whole number enrolled attended school the whole time. However, the law was too faulty to insure great success. Nearly all schools at that time were supplied with classification registers and the records left were very helpful to the incoming teacher.

There was less change in the teaching force in Redwood county than in any previous year. The work of teaching was much better understood. Nearly all the schools were taught by teachers who held a second grade license. Nearly all the teachers fol- lowed as a guide the Common School Manual, which made the work more unified. In 1890 the male teachers in Redwood countywere receiving an average salary of $36 and the female teachers $30. About $17,000 was spent for teachers' wages in Redwood county that year.

New methods of improving the efficiency of the teachers were continually being tried. The Teachers' Institutes had proved a real help and in 1890 there was a summer school held for teachers in Redwood county. The practical school room work was taught and those who attended were greatly encouraged and strengthened.

In 1894 an excellent training school was held in Redwood county in the summer. One hundred and forty-seven earnest men and women were enrolled, and a great deal of good work was accomplished toward qualifying the teachers for their work. Nearly $30,000 was paid to the ninety teachers who taught in Redwood county in 1894. The males received on an average of $40 a month ; the females $33. Of the whole number engaged in teaching, all but nine had first and second grade certificates. There were examined in 1894 one hundred and forty candidates, of which sixty were rejected. Of the whole force then engaged in teaching, two were college graduates, ten were normal graduates, and thirty were high school graduates. Fifty teachers had attended a high school and twenty more had attended a normal school without completing a full course. It will be seen that the scholarship of the teachers was greatly improved.

In the report for 1895, County Superintendent S. J. Race said : "Compulsory education does not compel. Only seventy per cent of the pupils enrolled attended school regularly. Where a well qualified teacher, a live, energetic one is at work in a well supplied school room there is no trouble about attendance. The remedy lies not in more stringent laws, but in more efficient teachers."

That year $32,000 was paid for teachers' wages, or an average of $32 per month for males and $30 per month for females. There were 147 candidates who applied for certificates, but only 80 secured necessary pass marks. The teaching force was gradually improving. There were more "normal girls and boys" than two years earlier, though it is true that the normal graduates were for the most part teaching in the villages, the better salaries and the longer school terms in the villages being among the inducements which kept the best qualified teachers away from the little country schools where as a matter of fact they were needed the most.

The enrollment in the summer school in 1896 in Redwood county was not as large as in 1894, but it was well organized and the teachers received a great deal of help. The teachers' reading circle proved of great aid in making the teachers better qualified.

There had been but slight change in the wage question. Where the teacher had shown broad scholarship, a disposition to work, and an interest in her work, she had been retained at an increased salary.

The teachers' wages showed an increase for 1897 when $33,782 was paid out. There were twenty-four male and one hundred and four female teachers, at an average of $31 per month These averages do not include Redwood Falls and Lamberton, where the males received $91 per month and the females $47 per month. In 1895 it was a rare sight to find a normal graduate in the rural schools. In 1897 there were employed in Redwood county, seventeen normal school graduates, not including city and village schools, who were paid an average of $38 per month. All the districts having such teachers, except one, were convinced that it paid, and were resolved to try the experiment again the following year.

In 1900 the county superintendent, S. J. Race, said in his report that Redwood county showed remarkable improvement in the last few years. New school houses with some beauty of structure, some sanitary measures, and something relative to heating and ventilation had been built. The "box-car" pattern was left behind. The school libraries grew steadily. The law of "Special State Aid to Rural Schools" was a wonderful stimulus to Redwood County.

Ten schools tried a simple yet efficacious plan of heating and ventilating school rooms. The method was to heat the fresh air and to distribute in the room by means of registers.

In the earliest days of Redwood county teachers were first granted their licenses to teach by the county examiner; later by examiners in county commissioners' districts, and, when the county superintendency was established, by the county superintendents. Under them, the system gradually grew in efficiency. From 1899 all teachers had been examined by the state superintendent of public instutition, who issued questions upon which applicants throughout the state wrote at the same time, the manuscript being sent immediately to his office, under whose supervision certificates were issued. By this system of uniform examination, the standard for entering the teaching profession was raised, the requirements made uniform, and due credit given to those who have shown special fitness for and success in their work.

The year 1904 was one of more progress than any other fop ten years. Thirty-nine teachers were normal school graduates, forty-nine were high school graduates, and seven were college graduates. In the whole county there were sixty-six teachers who held a state first grade certificates or higher qualifications. The men received on an average $50 per month, the women $40 per month. All teachers with first grade certificates in rural schools received from $45 to $50 per month. The higher salaries paid had a tendency to put teaching on a more professional hasis. The teacher with a third grade certificate or, more properly speaking, a permit, is nearly weeded out.

In 1905 and 1906 all the schools, but one, in the county had good libraries which were very helpful. The heating and ventilation questions reported a marked improvement. Twelve rural schools had furnaces and fifty-seven used a Manuel-Smith system with good results, which left twenty-eight districts which still used the stove without any means of ventilation. The teachers employed in Redwood county in 1905 held higher certificates on an average than any other county in the state.

In 1906 there was paid for teachers' salaries for rural school teachers $38,886, who had under their charge 3,093 pupils, while the city and village teachers received in salaries $24,682 for teaching 2,112 pupils.

July 13, 1908, the board appropriated $75 to be spent for a Children's Agricultural Contest to be held under the supervision of the county superintendent of schools. On Jan. 5, 1909, an appropriation of $150 was made for a Children's Industrial Contest.

H. J. Bebermeyer, county superintendent, says in his report for 1910 that in Redwood county there were 113 school districts comprising 117 separate schools. The different kinds of schools were : two high schools, six graded schools, eight semi-graded schools, one hundred and three rural schools.

The efficiency of the teachers continued yearly to improve. Teachers' meetings were held on Saturdays in the various parts of the county and these meetings were followed by one meeting for the entire county. In 1910, the percentage of teachers holding first grade certificates was from sixty to 75.

The Redwood county superintendent in his report for 1912 said that about seventy per cent of the teachers in the county held first grade certificates. During the past three years a teachers' training department had been in session in the Redwood Falls high school. Thus far all graduated from this department were also graduates from this or some other high school. Nearly all were teaching in the county and were doing excellent work. Thus these departments were supplying the need of professionally trained teachers for the rural schools.

In 1914 the average monthly wages of men teachers in the rural schools in Redwood county were $65, and the average monthly wages of women teachers were $51.

exists Districts Nos. 41, 91 and 93. There are now, in the county eleven graded and high school buildings, thirteen semi-graded buildings which consist of two rooms or more, seven of these being in the open country and the rest in small villages, and ninety-two one-room buildings. The high schools are at Redwood Falls, Lamberton, Belview, Sanborn, Walnut Grove and Morgan. The graded schools not giving full high school work are at Wabasso, Delhi and Wanda. The four consolidated districts are at Lamberton, Redwood Falls, Wanda and Walnut Grove, a fifth one at Delhi having voted to consolidate will be ready for work in September, 1917. The semi-graded schools are at Clements, Lucan, Milroy, Revere, Seaforth, Vesta, District No. 7 in New Avon township, District No. 19 in North Hero township, District No. 27 in Sundown township, District No. 49 in Brookville township, District No. 67 in Willow Lake township, District No. 70 in Sheridan township and District No. 78 in Waterbury township.

During the year 1915-16 there were 5,552 pupils enrolled in the schools of the county, 2,313 of which were in graded and high schools and the rest in rural and semi-graded schools. The average length of the school term was eight and one-half months, or 170 days, out of which the average days attended by each pupil was 126.9, as compared with 123 for 1914-15, 121 for 1913-14, and 119 for 1912-13. There were in 1915-16, 180 teachers in all the schools of the county, the average monthly salary in graded and high schools being $86 and in rural and semi-graded being $63, making an average for the county of $75. The average monthly wages for men in the high and graded schools was $108.50, for women $63.50; in rural and semi-graded, for men $69, and for women $57.

The qualifications of the. teachers employed in the rural schools are improving from year to year. At the present time all the teachers of the rural and semi-graded schools hold a first grade certificate with the exception of four who hold a complete secondgrade. Out of the 122 teachers at the present time in the rural and semi-graded schools, seven are state normal school graduates, nineteen have attended a state normal school and seventy-seven are graduated from a high school normal training department, making a total of 102 having had special professional training, only three of which have had their professional work outside of the state of Minnesota. There are no men teachers in the rural schools and only three men are employed in the semi-graded, these being principals. In the high and graded schools there are fifteen men, leaving a total of 180 women teachers in the county.

One great drawback to the progress which the schools should make is the constant changing of teachers. In the school year 1915-16 there were only forty teachers who had been in the same district three years or more; forty-three who had been in the

All the districts lend free text books. Every school in the county has a library, and during 1915-16, 20,835 of these were loaned for reading purposes. Every school has a bubbling drinking fountain, providing a sanitary method of furnishing water for the school children.

All the schools in 1915-16 received state aid except two, both of which have voted to fit up to meet the requirements and will make application for state aid for 1916-17.

Three things needed for an improvement in the physical surroundings of the schoolhouses of the county are : grounds fenced, trees, and concealed entrances to the outhouses. Last year there were 277 trees planted. Thirty-two districts have the grounds fenced and as many more have fences on three sides. A number of school yards are surrounded by shade trees and some have planted groves for protection on the north and west sides.

There are sixty-four of the rural schools that have furnished better facilities for the children washing their hands at school by providing a wash basin, liquid soap, and paper towels; about half of the remaining number use individual linen towels. A few schools use the family linen towels, and the rest use the dangerous, germ laden, disease spreading common towel.

The superintendents report for the year closing 1915 shows the following facts. The aggregate indebtedness of all districts was $216,193.82; spent for teachers' salaries, $105,105.93; spent for new schoolhouses and sites, $20,674.62 ; the county as a whole received from the state for apportionment, $28,597.26 ; for special state aid, $37,227.22 ; and the total number of voters present at the annual meeting in the entire county was 1,545 persons.

When the state of Minnesota was organized, sections 16 and 36 of every township in the state were set aside as school property. This land has gradually been sold and the money put into a permanent state school fund. Valuable mineral has been found on much of this land, which makes the school fund limitless and inexhaustible. The interest only from this fund is used, out of which the apportionment maney for each pupil attending school a certain number of days each year is paid. This amounts to about $6, on the average, for every pupil each year. The state aid money to schools is paid out of the annual fund which is appropriated by the legislature at each session. This money is derived from taxes on all taxable property. The larger percentage of this fund is paid by the three largest cities and the large corporations of the state. There is also a one mill local tax which is collected from and paid back to each individual district. Any other tax paid is the amount that is voted by the patrons at the annual school meeting for the running expenses of their school.

The school grounds average about one acre in size. In nearly all the districts where new buildings have been erected or old ones remodeled they have provided two acres, a portion of which is used for lawn and landscape garden, some for school gardens and the rest for play grounds, many of which are equipped with teeter boards, swings, turning poles, giant strides, and other playground apparatus. Provision is also made for various games, such as croquet, tennis, basket ball and volley ball.

Redwood county, being one of the older counties of the state, has many old one-room rural schoolhouses, but these are rapidly being replaced by up-to-date modern buildings. Since 1905 there have been thirty-six new buildings erected and ten old ones remodeled. Of these new one-room buildings nearly all have provided for a full basement, two cloak rooms, a large library room and a store room. In the past three years five two-room rural schools have been erected where before one-room schools existed. These two-teaeher, or semi-graded, schools have added much to the opportunities of the pupils living in the country. Most of these two-room school buildings are so constructed that the partition separating the class rooms rolls or folds up, thus providing a large auditorium for neighborhood gatherings. District 27 in Sundown township went further than this when it built its tworoom school. This is a two story building with a community room, kitchen and library on the second floor. The schoolhouse has become the center of the township's social life. They have an annual township fair held there, and among other events of the year which take place at the schoolhouse is a farmers' institute.

Only twenty-two schools in the county still have double seats, while twenty-three other schools are still using some double seats, but these are rapidly being replaced by single ones. If the two schools that are planning to secure state aid for 1916-17 for the first time succeed in their efforts, every school building in the county will have an approved system of ventilation. These systems consist of steam heat and forced air ventilation, or hot air furnace and a gravity system of ventilation, or patented room heaters. A number of the latter have been in use for many years and more modern systems are gradually being installed in their place.

During the past year there were nine districts which, at public expense, transported all or part of its pupils. Nearly half of the schools have barns on the school grounds, for the accommodation of the pupils who drive to school.

No county examinations are given in Redwood county. Promotion from the eighth grade depends upon the results of the state board examinations which are held twice a year in each township in the county. The state requirements for eighth grade graduation are rigidly inforced, no pupil being granted a diploma without four of the required state board certificates.

Redwood conducts an annual acre corn contest, an annual pig contest, a bread-making contest and a spelling contest, the winners of which represent the county at the state contests. In addition to this contest work, Redwood county has an annual township school day. On this day all of the schools of each township meet at some central schoolhouse with the school officers and patrons of the township. Half of the day is devoted to school contest work, the other half to a joint program. At noon a township picnic dinner is served. This day has grown to be the red letter day of the school year in every township. Each school puts up, at the meeting place, an exhibit of the pupils' work, thus affording the patrons an opportunity to make a comparative study of the work done in the various schools. The schools of the county have erected a school exhibit building at the county fair grounds at Redwood Falls. In this building at the time of the county fair all the schools of the county are given an opportunity to exhibit work which has been done during the previous school year. This county school exhibit affords an excellent opportunity for the patrons from the different parts of the county to study and compare the work which is being done by the schools.

Education is no longer thought to consist only of the work done in the schoolroom with the children. A broader view is being universally accepted and rapidly adopted in Redwood county. The people of various sections are forming themselves into clubs, the aim and purpose of which is general improvement of its members, together with civic and farm improvement. There were thirteen active adult club organizations, aside from churches and lodges, in the county during 1915-16. The majority of these club meetings were held at the schoolhouses.

The supervising of the rural and semi-graded schools is done by a county superintendent of schools, elected at large by the people. The graded and high schools, unless consolidated, are not directly under the supervision of the county superintendent of schools, but are supervised by local principals or city superintendents. The consolidated schools are under joint supervision of the county and city superintendent. The supervision of rural and semi-graded schools is very inadequate, as this work in Redwood county is done by one individual, the county superintendent, who, besides, performs the many other duties connected with that office. This means that there are 111 schools, most of which are at least three miles apart, left to the care and responsibility of one person. From this it will be readily seen that there can be no real supervision in these schools. The city and graded schools employ teachers with better qualifications and usually more mature than the rural and semi-graded ones. Yet each of these same high and graded schools employ a well trained superintendent who devotes his entire time and attention to his own individual school. It seems an injustice to the boys and girls who happen to live in the rural district that they should be taught, oftentimes, by immature teachers having little training, without more direct supervision than is possible under the present system. Many of the states have already adopted plans to provide for several supervisors for each county in that state. During the school year 1915- 1916 the superintendent of Redwood county made 240 visits, an average of between two and three visits to each school. If some plan could be adopted whereby the rural schools could have as much supervision as the village schools, what wonders might be accomplished with the children in the country!

The parochial schools of the county are located as follows : Norwegian Lutheran, in the village of Belview, District 74; Swedish Lutheran, in the village of Belview, District 74; Norwegian Lutheran, in District 10 in Swedes Forest township; Norwegian Lutheran, in District 52 in Swedes Forest township; Norwegian Lutheran, in District 5 in Swedes Forest township ; German Lutheran, in Section 5, Sheridan township ; German Lutheran, in the village of Redwood Falls, District 1 ; German Lutheran, in the village of Morgan, District 56 ; Catholic, in the village of Morgan, District 56 ; Norwegian Lutheran, in section 28 of Sundown township, District 27 ; German Lutheran, in the village of Sanborn, District 17; German Lutheran, in the village of Wanda, District 30; German Lutheran, in section 10 in Waterbury township in the church ; German Lutheran, in Willow Lake township, section 10; German Lutheran, in section 9 in Johnsonville township ; German Lutheran, in the village of Vesta, District 102.

ized in 1866, and later made an independent district. The first school was taught in the winter of 1864-65 in the stockade. Conditions gradually developed until 1882, when the first high school class was formed under Supt. P. V. Hubbard with an enrollment of sixty-four pupils. In 1884 and 1885 it became necessary to have a larger building, and the west portion of the present building was built. In 1886 the first class, consisting of five members, was graduated from the high school. In 1892 the east portion of the building was built. In 1900 there was a substantial brick building consisting of ten rooms. In 1916 the building is being remodelled and enlarged, and when opened in the fall will be the equal of any high school in any town of this size in the state. In addition to the regular high school course, courses are given in manual training, domestic science, normal training, music and agriculture.

District 2. The Crow Creek district, originally organized in 1866, is in the southern part of Honner and the north central part of Paxton townships. The schoolhouse, erected in 1911 in a grove on the banks of Crow Creek, is in the eastern part of section 4, Paxton township. The people of the district are very progressive and the school is well supported. An eight or ninemonths' term has been maintained for many years.

District 3. Originally organized in 1866, is in the northern part of Vesta township. There are three schoolhouses in this district. The building in 3 East was erected in 1892 and is located in the southern part of section 11 ; the one in 3 West was erected in 1901 and is located in the central part of section 18; and the one in 3 North was erected in 1916 and is located in the northeast corner of section 8. There are no trees around these schoolhouses and the sites are small. The people of this district have recently awakened to the advantages of better education and now have nine months of school.

District 4. Originally organized in 1868, is in the north central part of Redwood Falls township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1915, is located in the western part of section 10. The site is large and well fenced and this is one of the most modern schoolhouses in the county. The people are very progressive and awake to every opportunity along educational lines and for many years have had nine months' terms of school.

District 5. The Rock Valley district, originally organized in 1868, is in the northwest corner of Swedes Forest township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1908, is located in the southwest corner of section 17, and is a substantial building, the windows of which are screened. The site is low and needs a fence. This was the last district in the county to vote seven or more months of school and it maintains a month of Norwegian parochial school at the close of the public school term. The attendance is good. (Note.

In 1872 district 5 was located in the southern part of Redwood county, being in Charlestown and Lamberton townships, but this was later changed to district 16.)

District 6. Originally organized in 1869, is in the northeastern part of Paxton township and the northwestern part of Sherman township. The schoolhouse in 6 East, known as the "Edison School," and erected in 1889, is located in the southwest corner of section 9 in Sherman township and the one in 6 West, called the "Eberhart School," erected the same year as the "Edison School," is located in the northwest corner of section 13 in Paxton township. The enrollment in each school is small and the schools are well equipped. Both schools have new modern outhouses, some of the best in the county. The sites are large and well fenced. The people of the community are very progressive in school matters.

District 7. Originally organized in 1869, is in the southwest quarter of New Avon township. The schoolhouse, named the James Whitcomb Riley school and erected in 1915, is located in the northeast corner of section 32. It is a fine modern two-room building, with a full basement which is divided off, allowing for rooms where industrial work may be done and also a large dining room. The community has provided a cookstove, table and benches for use in this room. The two class rooms are separated by a rolling door which at times of community gatherings is opened, making a large auditorium. The site is large and well drained, but needs fencing. This is one of the most beautiful rural buildings in the county.

District 8. Originally organized in 1869, is in the southeast part of New Avon township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1908, is located in the village of Rowena. This is a very good school, having a well equipped schoolroom and a good barn.

District 9. Originally organized in 1870, is in the southeastern part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse, called the "Wabasha School," and erected in 1876, is located in a natural woods in the eastern part of section 22. The site is small and needs leveling. The school has fine modern outhouses.

District 10. Originally organized in 1870, is in the central part of Swedes Forest. The schoolhouse, named "Open View" and erected in 1891, is located in the southeast corner of section 28. The building is well equipped and in a fairly good condition, although the enrollment is small. The people are very progressive.

District 11. Originally organized in 1870, is in the central part of Sheridan township. The schoolhouse, a poor building, having been erected in 1898, is located in the southern part of section 16. This is a good school with good equipment. The district is narrow and nearly six miles long, and it should be readjusted.

District 12. Originally organized in 1870, is in the southwest part of Sheridan and the northwest part of Vail townships. The sehoolhouse, known as the "Sheridan" school and erected in 1890, is located in the eastern part of section 32 of Sheridan township. The building is in fair shape and is well equipped. The people of this community are progressive.

District 13. Originally organized in 1879, is in the southeast part of Sundown township. The sehoolhouse, called "East Sundown" and erected in 1915, is located in the northern part of section 26. The building is new and situated on a beautiful site which is well fenced. This is a fairly well equipped school.

District 14. Originally organized in 1871, is in the northwest part of New Avon township. The sehoolhouse, remodeled in 1912, is located in eastern part of section 8. The school is well equipped and was a large school but at present has a small enrollment.

District 15. Originally organized in 1871, is in the southwestern part of Three Lakes township. The sehoolhouse, a tworoom building, erected in 1905, is located in village of Clements. The sehoolhouse is well equipped and has steam heat, situated on a beautiful site with trees and surrounded by a good fence.

District 16. Originally organized in 1874, is in the southwest part of Charlestown township. The sehoolhouse, called ' ' Pleasant View" and erected in 1892, is located in the southwest corner of section 28 and is in fairly good shape and well equipped. It is situated on a fine, high site, surrounded by trees.

District 17. Organized in 1871, is in the southeast part of Charlestown township. The sehoolhouse is located in village of Sanborn. Sewing is given in the grades.

District 18. Originally organized in 1871, is in the western part of Delhi township. The sehoolhouse is located in the village of Delhi. This has voted to be a consolidated district, with a fine modern building ready for use in September, 1917. Sewing is a special course offered in the grades.

District 19. Originally organized in 1871, is in the southern part of Johnsonville township, and the northern part of North Hero. The sehoolhouse, a two-room building, known as the "Race" school, was erected in 1909. It is located in the west central part of section 4. The school is very well equipped and has a large play ground with play ground apparatus. The school also has a good barn.

District 20. Originally organized in 1871, is located in the west central part of Paxton township. The sehoolhouse, named the "Longfellow" school and erected in 1912, is located in the north central part of section 20. This school is well equipped and has a fine playground surrounded by a good fence.

quarter of Brookville township. The schoolhouse, named the "Hillside" school, and erected in 1910, is located in the northwest corner of section 26. This is a splendid large schoolhouse which is well equipped. The community is progressive and supports a good school.

District 22. Originally organized in 1874, is in the northeast part of Springdale township. The schoolhouse, named "Eugene Field," and erected in 1903, is located in the north central part of section 14. The building is fair and is well equipped. The school yard is surrounded by a splendid woven wire fence.

District 23. Originally organized in 1874, is in the southwest part of North Hero. The schoolhouse is located in Walnut Grove. Manual training and sewing are offered in this school.

District 24. Originally organized in 1874, is in the south central part of Springdale township. The schoolhouse, known as "Sunnyside" and erected in 1909, is located in the north central part of section 27. It is a good building on a large site located on a national highway and it is well equipped.

District 25. Originally organized in 1874, is in the southwest quarter of Brookville township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1901, is located in the central part of section 29. It is a good building, well equipped and the site is well fenced.

District 26. Originally organized in 1875, is in the southeast part of North Hero and the western part of Lamberton. The schoolhouse, a two-room building erected in 1899, is located in the village of Revere. They have a fine playground and many beautiful trees. The water is supplied by an artesian well.

District 27. Originally organized in 1875, is in the southwest part of Sundown township. The schoolhouse, called the "Sundown" school and erected in 1913, is in the central part of section 29. This is a large frame building with two class rooms and cloak rooms on the first floor, and a community room, library, and kitchen on the second floor. The school is well equipped. The playground has swings, teeters and other apparatus. This is the community center where "Farmers' Clubs" and "Mothers' Clubs" meet. There is a piano in the auditorium.

District 28. Originally organized in 1876, is in the southern part of Kintire township. The schoolhouse in 28 East, erected in 1912, is located in the southeast corner of section 22 and the one in 28 West, erected the same year, is located in the south central part of section 20. Both the school buildings are very good and well equipped, but the enrollment is small.

District 29. Originally organized in 1876, is in the northwest part of Lamberton township and in the southwest part of Waterbury township. The schoolhouse, named the "Riverside" and erected in 1894, is located in the southeast corner of section 5.

District 30. Originally organized in 1876, is in the southwest quarter of "Willow Lake township. The schoolhouse, a splendid four-room building with basement rooms used for domestic science, manual training and agriculture, is located in the village of Wanda. This is a consolidated school since 1913, having two wagons which bring the children in from the rural districts. Sewing, cooking, manual training and agriculture are offered here.

District 31. Originally organized in 1876, is in the southeast three quarters of Lamberton township. This is a consolidated school and is located in the village of Lamberton. There are two buildings, the one which the high school now occupies is very modern, being built in 1915. In the Lamberton high school are given the following special courses: Normal training, domestic science, agriculture and manual training.

District 32. Originally organized in 1876, is in the east central part of Willow Lake. The schoolhouse, erected in 1900, is located in the south central part of section 23. The building and the equipment is good. The site is somewhat low but well kept. A fine grove is found on the school site.

District 33. Originally organized in 1876, is in the northeast part of Charlestown township. The schoolhouse, called "Excelsior" and erected in 1908, is located in the south central part of section 11. The building is very good. Many young trees have been set out.

District 34. Originally organized in 1878, is in the northwest quarter of Brookville township. The schoolhouse, known as "Lakeside" and erected in 1891, is located in the central part of section 8. This is a fairly good school building and is well equipped except a heating and ventilating plant. The site is rough and therefore does not make a very good playground.

District 35. Originally organized in 1878, is in the southwest part of Gales township. The schoolhouse, known as the Nelson school and in fair shape, is located in the west central part of section 28. The interior is well equipped. There is a large area in this district. No record is found of the date of erecting this building.

District 36. Originally organized in 1879, is in the southwest quarter of Underwood township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Morgan" school and in fair shape, is located in the central parts of section 29. The building is well equipped and a fine new barn has been built. It is near a large grove. They have a nine months ' term of school. No record is found of the date of the erection of this building.

part of Westline township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Irving" school and erected in 1900, is located in the south central part of section 29. The building is good and well equipped and the school is good.

District 38. Originally organized in 1879, is in the southeast part of Westline. The schoolhouse, known as the "Van Sant" school and erected in 1894, is located in the central part of section 26. The building is fair and well equipped.

District 39. Originally organized in 1879, is in the northwest quarter of Gales township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Hawthorne" school, was erected in 1907 and is located in the central part of section 8. The building is good, with good equipment, and is situated on a fine large site. The enrollment in this school is very small.

District 40. Originally organized in 1879, is in the northeast quarter of Gales township. The schoolhouse, old and small, was erected in 1884 and is located on an unsanitary site in the south central part of section 11. The school is splendid and well equipped. Movement is on foot to consolidate or build a new building.

District 41. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northwest part of Lamberton township. In 1915 this district consolidated with Lamberton.

District 42. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northern part of Springdale township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1915, is located in the central part of section 8. They have a beautiful new building, painted white with the roof stained green. The school is good and well equipped. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the county.

District 43. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northwest part of Westline township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Sherwood" school, was erected in 1904 and is located on the southern side of section 5. The building is good and well equipped. The site is large, on which a young grove has been planted.

District 44. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northeast quarter of Underwood township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Cahoon" school and erected in 1909, is located in the central part of section 11. They have a good school and a very good building, well equipped ; also a large playground without any trees.

District 45. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northwest part of Charlestown township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Garfield" school, was erected in 1890 and is located in the central part of section 8. They have a good building, well equipped, also an excellent barn. The site is beautiful, surrounded by large shade trees.

tral part of Sheridan township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1888, is located in the east-central part of section 24. The building is fair, but equipped, and the enrollment now is small, although at one time large. There is a good fence around the school grounds. They maintain a nine-months' term of school.

District 47. Originally organized in 1880, is in the southeast part of Paxton township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1908, is located in the northwest corner of section 26. They have a splendid building on a beautiful site, surrounded by trees. The school is well kept and well equipped, for the community is especially interested in their school and its functions.

District 48. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northeastern part of Johnsonville township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1910, is located in the southwest corner of section 12. There is a good building on a small site near a large grove.

District 49. Originally organized in 1880, is in the northeast quarter of Brookville township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Franklin" school, was erected in 1903, with an addition in 1915, and is located in the central part of section 11. It is a two-room building, well equipped. A folding door separates the two classrooms and at community gatherings this door is raised, making a good sized auditorium. The people of this community are splendid school co-operative patrons.

District 50. Originally organized in 1880, is in the east-central part of Kintire township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1913, is located in the south-central part of section 2. This is a fine modern one-room building, on a two-acre site, which is well fenced. A grove of young trees has been started. The school has both a cistern and well on its grounds.

District 51. Originally organized in 1881, is in the southeast part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1906, is located near the southeast corner of section 26. This is a good building and the enrollment is small.

District 52. Originally organized in 1881, is located in the southwest corner of Swedes Forest township. The schoolhouse erected in 1900, is located in the northwest corner of section 31. They have a well kept, well equipped school. The grounds are neat and well kept. One month of Norwegian parochial school is taught at the close of the seven months' public school term.

District 53. Originally organized in 1881, is in the northeast part of Delhi township. The schoolhouse, named Ramsey, was erected in 1880, and is located in the central part of section 23. The building is fair with good equipment. A good school is maintained.

District 54. Originally organzed in 1881, is in the southeast quarter of Vesta township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1905, is located in the central part of section 26. The building is fair,

District 55. Originally organized in 1882, is in the east part of Swedes Forest and the northwest corner of Delhi township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1890, is located on the eastern side of section 26. The building is old and the enrollment is small. The people of the district are progressive and waiting for improved roads before joining with some other district for a better school.

District 56. Originally organized in 1882, is in the central part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse is located in the village of Morgan. In this school domestic science, agriculture, and manual training are given as special courses.

District 57. Originally organized in 1883, is in the northeastern part of North Hero township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1883, is located in the northwest corner of section 14. The building is old, but well equipped and is surrounded by large trees. They have a splendid nine-months' term of school.

District 58. Originally organized in 1883, is in the southeast part of Granite Rock township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Stevenson" school and erected in 1890, is located in the eastcentral part of section 26. The building is old, the school large, the attendance poor, and the equipment is fair.

District 59. Originally organized in 1883, is in the northwest part of Johnsonville township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1905, is located in the southwest corner of section 5. They have a good building with good equipment, on a small site. The patrons' attitude toward and interest in the school is improving.

District 60. Originally organized in 1884, is in the northeast part of Vail township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1900, is located in the southeast corner of section 11. The building is small and the outbuildings are poor, situated on a small site which needs fencing. The schoolhouse is fairly well equipped.

District 61. Originally organized in 1884, is in the northeast part of Sheridan, southeast part of Kintire, southwest part of Delhi and the northwest corner of Redwood Falls townships. The schoolhouse, erected in 1893, is located in the north-central part of section 1, Sheridan township. The building is fair and is well equipped ; also, it has a good playground.

District 62. Originally organized in 1884, is in the east part of Gales, and southwest part of Johnsonville townships. The schoolhouse, named "Prairie Lawn," was erected in 1894 and is located in the east-central part of section 25. The building is fair with good equipment, situated on a large site.

District 63. Originally organized in 1885. is in the southcentral part of Redwood Falls township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1890, is located near the southeast corner of section 28. The equipment of the school is excellent, but the building is only fair.

District 64. Originally organized in 1885, is in the southwest part of Waterbury township and in the east part of Johnsonville township. The schoolhouse is located in the east central part of section 30. The building is fair and the equipment does not meet the requirements for state aid, but the district has voted to fit up for aid this year. They have a seven-months' term and a larga enrollment.

District 65. Originally organized in 1885, is located in the north-central part of Vail township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1905, is located in the north-central part of section 17. A good building with good equipment, is built on a small site. The enrollment is large.

District 66. Originally organized in 1886, is in the northwest quarter of Underwood township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1903, is located in the west-central part of section 8. The building is old and the equipment fair. There is good school spirit in the community and a good school is maintained.

District 67. Originally organized in 1886, is in the northeast part of Willow Lake township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1904, with an addition in 1914, is located in the west-central part of section 12. This is a two-room building, with excellent equipment. The enrollment is large.

District 68. Originally organized in 1887, is in the southeast quarter of Underwood township. The schoolhouse, a fair, but small building, erected in 1888, is located in the central part of section 26. The site, large and high, lies south and east of large tree claims. The equipment is quite good.

District 69. Originally organized in 1887, is in the northwestern part of Honner township. The schoolhouse, called the "Jefferson" school, remodeled in 1907, is in the village of North Redwood. This is a two-room building, but only one teacher is employed at the present time, one room being used as a playroom and manual training shop. It is now associated with Redwood Falls, so the industrial teachers from Redwood Falls supervise the sewing, agriculture, and manual training work. The school is steam-heated, and the school ground is well equipped with playground apparatus.

District 70. Originally organized in 1887, is in the northwest part of Sheridan, southwest part of Kintire, and northeast part of Vesta townships. The schoolhouse, remodeled and a second room added in 1913, is located in the northeast corner of section 6 in Sheridan township. It is a two-room building with good equipment, including a sewing machine. The site is high and well fenced, and a large grove of young trees has recently been set out. Hot lunches are furnished during the winter months.

District 71. Originally organized in 1887, is in the northcentral part of Sundown township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1900, is located in the east-central part of section 8. Conditions show that the people in the community are interested in their school as they have a good building with good equipment, the site is fenced and well cared for, and a good school is maintained.

District 72. Originally organized in 1888, is in the central part of Johnsonville township. The schoolhouse is located in the west-central part of section 22, and is a small old building. There is only a small enrollment and for the past two years the school has been closed and the pupils transported to other schools where the tuition charge is paid by the district.

District 73. Originally organized in 1888, is in the northeast corner of Morgan township southeast corner of Sherman. The schoolhouse is located in the northeast corner of section 3, Morgan township. This is a fairly good building with good equipment and a good playground.

District 74. Originally organized in 1889, is in the northwest part of Kintire township. The schoolhouse is located in the village of Belview. In this school, sewing and manual training are given as special courses.

District 75. Originally organized in 1890, is in the southeast part of Sheridan and the northeast part of Vail. The schoolhouse, known as the "Alcott" school, and erected in 1904, is located in the south-central part of section 35. The school is very well equipped, but the building is fair. They support a good school.

District 76. Originally organized in 1890, is in the southwest part of Vail. The schoolhouse, erected in 1895, is located in the central part of section 29. The building is fair, but is well equipped and the enrollment is large.

District 77. Originally organized in 1890, is in the southcentral part of North Hero. The schoolhouse, remodeled in 1909, is located in the northwest corner of section 34. The building and the equipment good.

District 78. Originally organized in the northeast part of Waterbury township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Pratt" school, was erected in 1915, and is located in the northeast corner of section 10. This is a very fine two-room building on a site of two and one-half acres. The schoolhouse has a fine basement which provides for indoor toilets, industrial room and two furnace rooms. A folding partition between the class rooms makes it possible to make the two rooms one large auditorium. This building is heated by two furnaces, which give the best satisfaction of any hot air system in a school building in this county at the present time. Trees are found on the north and west sides of the grounds. The people are progressive and maintain a good school.

District 79. Originally organized in 1891, is in the southwest part of Granite Rock township. The schoolhouse, called "Superior," was erected in 1895, and is located in the southeast corner of section 30. This is a well equipped school, with a good building and a good barn on a large site.

District 80. Originally organized in 1891, is in the northwest part of Granite Rock township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1896, is located in the northeast corner of section 11. The building, situated near a grove, is good, with good equipment and a good playground. The attendance has improved much over previous years.

District 81. Originally organized in 1891, is in the northwest part of Granite Rock township. The schoolhouse, named "Lafayette," is located in the south-central part of section 5. The building is very good, surrounded by a large playground. The enrollment is large.

District 82. Originally organized in 1892, is in the southwest quarter of Vesta. The schoolhouse, erected in 1915, is located in the central part of section 29. This is a fine new building on a new site which has been exceptionally well cared for. This building is very convenient and economical. The interior is very beautiful and affords every opportunity now possible to presentday methods in a one-room rural school.

District 83. Originally organized in 1893, is in the southeast part of Paxton, northwest corner of Morgan, northeast corner of Three Lakes, and the southwest corner of Sherman. The schoolhouse, named "Gilfillan," was erected in 1893, and is located in the northwest part of section 6, in Morgan township. They have a fair building with good equipment, and they employ two teachers. There is a splendid school spirit in this community.

District 85. Originally organized in 1894, is in the northwest part of Waterbury township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1894, is located in the south-central part of section 8. The building is fair, with fair equipment, and the site is neat and clean.

District 86. Originally organized in 1894, is in the northeast part of Sundown township. The schoolhouse, a good building, was erected in 1907, and is located in the east-central part of section 11. The equipments of the school are good and the school is situated on a site well fenced and well cared for. They maintain a good school.

District 87. Originally organized in 1894, is in the northeast quarter of Westline township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Kipling" school, and moved into this district in 1894, is locate3 in the west-central part of section 11. The building is very poor and altogether too small for the number of pupils. The equipment is fair and the attendance is very irregular.

District 88. Originally organized in 1894, is in the southeastern part of Willow Lake and the northeastern part of Charlestown. The schoolhouse, named "Washington," was erected in 1895 and is located in the south-central part of section 35, of Willow Lake township. The building is fair, and the site small, but well kept. They maintain a good school with a large enrollment.

District 89. Originally organized in 1895, is in the southcentral part of Delhi township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Helen Keller" school, and erected in 1904, is located in the northwest corner of section 34. This is an eight-cornered building, surrounded by good playground. There are a few trees around the schoolhouse. The enrollment is too small for good results.

District 90. Originally organzied in 1896, is in the southwest part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Fairview" school, was erected in 1890, and is located on southeast corner of section 30. They have a fair, but well equipped building, surrounded by a good playground, which is well fenced. This building was evidently moved here from some other district.

District 91. Originally organized in 1896, was in the southwest part of Lamberton township. In 1915, it consolidated with the school district of Lamberton.

District 92. Originally organized in 1897, is in the east-central part of Three Lakes and the west-central part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse, named the "Betsy Ross" school, and erected in 1898, is located near the northeast corner of section 24, Three Lakes township. This is a good building with good equipment, situated on a site well kept and well fenced.

District 94. Originally organized in 1898, is in the northwest quarter of Willow Lake township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1915, is located in the central part of section 8. They have a fine new building with good equipment, surrounded by a good playground.

District 95. Originally organized in 1899, is in the west-central part of Westline township. The schoolhouse, a four-room building, erected in 1909, is located in the village of Milroy. Three teachers are employed and one year of high school work is offered. They have beautiful grounds, equipped with playground apparatus.

part of Redwood Falls township. The sehoolhouse, erected in 1900, is located near the northeast corner of section 23. This is a good building, well equipped on a good site. The enrollment is too small for good results. They maintain a nine-months' term of school.

District 97. Originally organized in 1900, is in the southeast corner of Redwood Falls, northeast corner of New Avon, southwest corner of Paxton and the northwest corner of Three Lakes. The sehoolhouse, erected in 1908, is located in the central part of section 1, in New Avon township. The building, equipment and site are good. They have a large school in which good work is done.

District 98. Originally organized in 1900, is in the southwest part of Springdale township. The sehoolhouse, erected in 1901, is located in the east-central part of section 30. The school building, which is a good one, is located in a large grove. The people of this community are progressive and maintain a good ninemonths' term of school.

District 99. Originally organized in 1900, is in the southcentral part of Sherman township, and the north-central part of Morgan township. The sehoolhouse, known as the "McKinley" school, was erected in 1901, and is located in the southeast corner of section 32, Sherman township. The building is good and well equipped, and the site is clean and well kept, but needs trees and fence.

District 100. Originally organized in 1900, is in the west-central part of Sherman township. The sehoolhouse, erected in 1899, is located in the northeast corner of section 30. It has a good building, well equipped, on a fine site.

District 101. Originally organized in 1901, is in the eastcentral part of New Avon and the west-central part of Three Lakes township. The sehoolhouse named "The Golden Rule," and erected in 1914, is located in the east-central part of section 13, of New Avon. They have a fine, well equipped school which is on a low site. A good school is maintained.

District 102. Originally organized in 1901, is in the central part of Vesta township. The sehoolhouse is located in the village of Vesta. This is a four-room frame building, on a site dotted with shade trees. The playground is fitted up with apparatus. They employ four teachers and offer one year of high school work. Sewing is taught in the grades.

District 103. Originally organized in 1901, is in the northcentral part of Sheridan township. The sehoolhouse, erected in 1901, is located in the central part of section 10. It is a good building with good equipment, near a large grove. They maintain a good school.

west-central part of Sheridan township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Okawa" school, and erected in 1902, is located in the village of Seaforth. This is a foiir-room building, very well equipped, but only hire two teachers.

District 105. Originally organized in 1904, is located in the southwest corner of Three Lakes. The schoolhouse, named "Marion," was erected in 1900 and is located in the southeast corner of section 27. The school is well equipped although the building is fair and the site small. They maintain a good school.

District 106. Originally organized in 1904, is in the central part of Three Lakes. The schoolhouse, called the "Sunrise" school, and erected in 1907, is located in the south-central part of section 16. This is a good building, on a site which is fenced. The enrollment is large and the attendance fair.

District 107. Originally organized in 1904, is in the northcentral part of Three Lakes, and in the south-central part of Paxton township. The schoolhouse, called the "Lincoln" school, and erected in 1904, is located in the southeast corner of section 32. This is a good building, with good equipment, located on a site which is well fenced.

District 108. Originally organized in 1904, is in the central part of Granite Rock township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1904, is located in the village of Lucan. This is a two-room building, situated on beautiful grounds, having fine shade trees and equipped with playground apparatus. The basement is fitted up for a shop for elementary manual training work. There is splendid co-operative school spirit in this district.

District 109. Originally organized in 1904, is in the eastcentral part of Morgan township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1904, is located in the northwest corner of section 13. They have a good building and this year equipped for state aid.

District 110. Originally organized in 1906, is in the central part of "Waterbury township. The schoolhouse, known as the "Lowell" school, was erected in 1906, and is located in the eastcentral part of section 16. This is a good building, well equipped, on a high site. They maintain a good school.

District 111. Originally organized in 1906, is in the northwest part of Redwood Falls township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1907, is located in the north-central part of section 8. They have a good building, well equipped, on a large high site. Young trees have recently been set out.

District 112. Originally organized in 1908, is in the southeast part of Johnsonville and the northeast part of North Hero township. The schoolhouse, erected in 1909, is located in the northeast corner of section 35. This is a very good school building, having good equipment. The site needs trees and fence.

central part of Johnsonville township and the south-central part of Granite Rock. The schoolhouse, known as the "Hiawatha" school and erected in 1910, is located near the northwest corner of section 10 in Johnsonville township. They have a splendid, well equipped building, situated on a large site near a large grove. The equipment is very good and a good school is maintained.

All the city and village schools have a nine-months' term of school and in the rural schools, not otherwise mentioned, there is an eight-month's term.

County Superintendents. The first county superintendent was Edward March, first appointed school examiner and then superintendent. He was appointed Sept. 5, 1866, and served until Nov. 16, 1869, when he resigned. E. A. Chandler served from Nov. 16, 1869, to April 1, 1872. Dr. W. D. Flinn served from April 1, 1872, to April 1, 1874. William B. Harriott was superintendent from April 1, 1874 to Feb. 1, 1876. D. L. Bigham served from Feb. 1, 1876, to Feb. 1, 1878. R. W. Hoyt served from Feb. 1, 1878, to March 19, 1879. M. M. Madigan was appointed his successor, and after serving a short time was succeeded by D. L. Bigham in 1880. Mr. Bigham was followed by R. L. Marshman. It was in 1886 that S. J. Race was appointed. He served until Nov. 2, 1906, and was followed by H. J. Bebermeyer. Mrs. Adella Huntington-Pratt has served since Jan. 1, 1912.

S. J. Race was born in Philadelphia, Pa. ; educated in the public schools and graduated from the university of that state. He taught school in Dakota county, Minnesota; later removed to Redwood Falls, and entered the mercantile industry. In 1886 he was called to the superintendency of the Redwood county schools, in which place he continued for nearly twenty years. The county, when he assumed charge of the schools, had an organization of sixty-four districts. When he resigned in 1906 it had an organization of one hundred and ten. The schools in the beginning were poorly equipped and not very efficiently taught. The standard of scholarship was rather low; there were few, if any, teachers holding state first grade certificates. The normal school graduate had not made her advent into the country. Heating, ventilation and sanitation were practically undreamed of in the country school. The average length of term was about five months, this being gradually extended till it became an average of a little more than seven months in 1906. Libraries, free text books, and supervision came in 1896, so that the standard of scholarship of the teachers was very materially raised. School board members seemed to have awakened an educational consciousness through co-operation. During the last ten years of his connection with the country schools of the county, he was appointed by the state superintendent of public instruction to act as president of the state examining board for granting professional certificates, and to personally inspect state summer schools, and to act as a conductor of the state teachers' institutes. He says, "the constant association with the state department of education put a special emphasis on the improvement of the rural school and the country life problem ; and if the schools of the county made any improvement during the twenty years I was associated with it, it is largely due to the interests awakened by the teachers and the school boards themselves that brought about the excellency of the school system that prevailed at the time I left the work in 1906."

At the present time Mr. Race lives in Minneapolis, being connected with the Northwestern School Supply Company, and being manager of the Minneapolis Teachers' Agency.

It is a recognized fact in the whole county that it was through the efforts of Mr. Race that Redwood county became an educational county, and that its schools are today recognized as among the best in the state. When he began his work here in 1886, the schools were unorganized, scantily equipped, and poorly taught. He began immediately to systematize the work and improve the teaching force. Later he emphasized better equipment and better buildings. It is largely through his efforts that the Redwood county schools are so excellent today.

H. J. Bebermeyer was born at Lakeland, Minn. His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native county, after which he entered Central Wesleyan college at Warrenton, Missouri, from which he graduated in 1890. Returning to his native state he taught for two years in the rural schools, four years in St. Paul college, five years as principal of schools at New Prague, and two years as principal at Jordan. In 1903 he came to Wabassa and entered the furniture and undertaking business. In 1906 he became a candidate before the primaries for the Republican nomination for county superintendent of schools. He was successful at both the primaries and the polls, and in 1908 was re-elected without opposition. In 1912 the was succeeded by Mrs. Adella Huntington-Pratt. Supt. Bebermeyer was a tireless worker and ranks as one of Redwood county's best superintendents of schools. He is at the present time the editor of the newspaper at Granite Falls, Minn.

Mrs. Adella Huntington-Pratt was born in Platteville, Wis. Her early education was obtained in the public schools of that place, later being graduated from the Platteville Normal school. She holds a first grade state professional certificate from this state. She has attended summer school for two years at the University of Minnesota, for one year at Chicago, and for one year at Chautauqua, New York. After graduating from Normal Mrs. Pratt taught for one year in the rural schools of Wisconsin. She came to Redwood county the following year and taught in a rural school in the southern part of the county and during the next four years she taught in the grades in Redwood Palls. For two years she was assistant in the high school and the next year held the place of principal of the high school in Redwood Falls. She was Normal instructor in the same school the following year. In 1912 she was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools in Redwood county, by popular vote, which place she has most efficiently filled since that time. She has done much to make the schools of Redwood county better. Four districts have consolidated during her term of office, many new schoolhouses have been erected, and the schools in general are much improved. The teachers and school officers have awakened to a realization of the great need of co-operation in working for the best schools for the children in the rural communities. It is due largely to Mrs. Pratt's efforts that the schools of Redwood county have made such rapid strides for better schools in the past four years.

Authorship. This article has been prepared under the personal supervision of Mrs. Adella Huntington-Pratt, county superintendent of schools. The work on the auditor's records and the reports of the county superintendent's reports and records has been done by Miss Lillian Jensen, assisted by Miss Esther Jensen and Miss Adeline Anderson. The work on the reports of the state superintendents of public instruction has been done by Miss Evelyn Bolin.