Winona County, Minnesota - Chapter 30, 1883

Chapter 30

Winona county was formed by the territorial legislature of 1854, from a part of Fillmore county, which had previously comprised the southeastern portion of the state. The first ])ermanent settlements were made along the Mississippi river in the spring of 1852. There was no school taught in what is now Winona county during that summer. A subscription school was opened for a term of three months in the autunm by Miss Ann Orton, with an attendance of about twenty pupils, at Minnesota City. July 9, 1853, a school district was formed by the county commissioners at Minnesota City, and organized under the territorial law, and Miss Hester A. Houck was employed to teach. The term began October 31 and continued thirteen weeks. The names and ages of the children that attendied this term of school are given from the rate bill, by which the wages of the teacher were collected. The sum agreed upon was $48. There were twenty-seven pupils, eighteen of whom are now living (1883). The list is as follows : Mathew Foster,* age 11 years ;

George Foster*, 6 ; Milo Campbell, 7 ; Thomas Thorpe, 8 ; Robert Thorpe, 6 ; John Thorpe, 13 ; William Thorpe,* 3 ; Mary E. Cotton, 6 ; Randolph Wright,* 12 ; Dan'l W. Wright, 9 ; John H. Wright ; Edith Pike,* 11 ; Emma Pike, 8 ; Charlotte Denman,* 9 ; Mary E. Denman, 5 ; James L. Denman, 7 ; Robert S. Denman,* 3 ; Chas. Kellogg, 15 ; Rollin Hotchkiss, 13 ; Robert Hotchkiss, 13 ; Lycurgus Luark, 11 ; Achilles Luark,* 5 ; Elbridge G. Lord,* 4 ; David Imes, 13 ; Samuel Imes, 7 ; Herman Hopson, 6 ; Gerlana McClintock, 12. This school district was designated as No. 1. May 1, 1854, a petition was presented and district No. 2 was formed, comprising the town of Winona, and on June 5 following No. 3 was formed, comprising the north part of township 105 and the whole of 106, range 10. At a meeting of the county commissioners held July 3, 1854, the whole amount of tax authorized to be raised for school purposes for the current year was $152.05. In October district No. 4 was formed at Dakota precinct. Schools were opened in Nos. 2, 3 and 4 before the districts were formally organized, and the wages of the teachers were paid by rate bill or by subscription. No. 1 was for this year the only one that reported a three months' term to the state department. At the January meeting of the county commissioners, 1855, the boundaries of No. 1 were designated. Yoting precincts had at first been established by the governor, and were afterward so established by the county commissioners, and the first school districts embraced the election precincts which were not clearly defined. At this meeting No. 2 was divided. July 3 the amount of school-tax voted was $632.34. At one of the meetings in this year a district was organized at Springers', or St. Charles, and one in Lanes' Yalley, New Hartford township, one at Geo. Wiltzies' in Saratoga, and one in Whitewater at John Cook's. The school districts of the county now numbered eight. At the January meeting of 1856 they were increased to fifteen ; at the April meeting to twenty-three ; at the July meeting to thirty-five.

At the January meeting of 1856 the first record was made of the distribution of the school money. The amount collected was $1,336.47, which was apportioned among thirteen districts.

The aj^parently unequal distribution of this fund gave rise to much dissatisfaction. The distribution was based upon the number of residents of each district between the ages of live and twentyone. In many cases district boundaries were not definitely recorded, and it was claimed that the residents were more than once reported. It was also claimed that some districts, instead of revising the lists from year to year, simply added new names each year to the reported list, and consequently drew more money than they were legally entitled to. At the last meeting of the school board for the year 1858 the districts numbered sixty-two, an increase of fourteen for the year.

The amount of money apportioned among forty-seven districts for the year 1859 was $662. There were some complaints in regard to this distribution, as the organized districts numbered sixty-five, and while one district drew $90.75 another only received $3. 85 ; but as the county business was now transacted by the chairman of the township supervisors, and each town in the county was represented, there was no cause of complaint, except as to unfair reports of residents of districts.

The first record of the number of persons upon which the apportionment was based was made at the January meeting of this year (1859), the number recorded being 2,392. This was the number reported by the forty-seven districts, upon which the apportionment was made, although there were eighteen more organized at the time. During the year ten more were added to that number, making in all seventy-five, showing a remarkable growth for the two years.

In 1860 the legislature changed the law in regard to county boards, and the commissioner system was again adopted, and the county treasurer, in his report to the board, February 1, 1860, reported as school money on hand $2,967.72, and in March following an apportionment of $4,480.96 was made among the districts, which reported 2,724 persons of schoolable age.

March 7, 1861, the school law was materially changed by the legislature in regard to forming school districts, etc. There was a revision of the whole code, which was framed from that of the

State of Michigan. In unorganized townships the county commissioners were authorized to form districts, but where townships were organized the supervisors had authority to change boundaries, to form new districts, to levy taxes, to appoint a town superintendent and to direct the collection of taxes through the town treasurers.

The legislature having neglected to provide for blank books, reports, records, etc., there was no uniformity of reports or records! In some towns the teachers were licensed and the school business transacted without regard to any particular form or system, and if any records were made they have not been preserved.

Although the law required that existing boundaries of districts should remain if practicable, the loose records and changes, and want of system, involved the district boundaries in great confusion. Township lines interfered with district authority, and under this law districts were divided and new ones created without regard to designation by numbers as recorded in the county auditor's office. Owing to this condition of things it was found difficult to properly and legally levy school district taxes and tp collect delinquencies. The delinquent taxes were reported by the town treasurer to the county auditor to collect with the county taxes, which placed a part of the fund in the hands of the county treasurer.

When districts were without funds to pay their teachers, orders were issued upon the district treasury, whether the particular district was entitled to any money from the county treasury or not. If the county treasurer had no fund collected for that district the orders wei-e usually sold to outside parties at a discount. The collection of these orders gave teachers a good deal of trouble. It was said that the county treasurer always stood behind outside parties in buying them at a discount, and that the district accounts were not properly adjusted. This system was not satisfactory to the people. Some of the local boards would not levy a sufficient tax to maintain good schools, and, owing to delinquencies, funds could not at all times be made available.

There are very few names on record of town superintendents. Among them are found Charles Heublin, A. T. Castle, William Murray and Milton Buswell.

From the years 1861 to 1866 there was no material change in the school work. The attention of the people was directed almost wholly to the war, and little or no attention was in some places paid to school matters. January 4, 1866, the county board appointed to the county superintendency Albert Thomas, salary fixed at $1,200 per year. Mr. Thomas had taught the village school at Stockton for several terms. He w^as the principal of the first liigh school in Winona City, and was known as a teacher of marked ability. A previous business engagement prevented him from accepting the appointment. May 22, 1866, the county was divided into five commissioner districts, and a school examiner appointed for each district, in lieu of township supervision. Geo. P. Wilson was appointed for No. 1, V. J. Walker No. 2, M. K. Lair No. 3, Thomas P. Dixon No. 4, and Henry Gage No. 5. Under the operation of this plan the experience was found to be dearly bought. Certificates of qualification to teach were obtained by asking for tliem. "There was no definite standard of examination and no uniformity among examiners. They were not required to visit the schools, or to exert any official influence for their welfare, and they felt no responsibility for the work of the persons licensed." There being no unity nor system, no reliable statistics could be gathered from the districts and no groundwork laid for improvement. The county board now consisted of J. J. Kandall (chairman), P. P. Hubbell, Collins Rice, H. C. Jones and S. W. Gleason. After mucli discussion, and owing mainly to the influence of Mr. Randall, it was resolved to cKange the plan of school work, and at a meeting of the board, September 7, 1867, a resolution was adopted to organize the school work of the county under a provision of the school law of 1864, providing for a county superintendency, in lieu of the general law as specified in section 28 of the same act. In this resolution was also embodied the appointment of Luther A. West as school superintendent, to hold his oflice until January, 1868, at an annual salary of $1,000. January 1, 1868, Mr. West was reappointed to serve until January, 1869. Mr. West entered upon the duties of his office in 1867. He was a good scholar, a teacher of large experience, and was well qualified to perform the duties of the office. A great deal of the work required was of the missionary order, as the teachers and the people did not clearly understand the duties of the superintendent. Mr. West met with considerable opposition at first. Some persons supposed that the whole school authority was transferred from the district officers to the superintendent. Some were opposed on account of the large salary, and some regarded the office as entirely useless. Mr. West made his first special efibrt in the direction of improving the scholarship and methods of the teachers, in which he was very successful, and as the people became acquainted with his plan of work his efforts were appreciated and cordially seconded.

The first teachers' institute held in Winona county was organized by Mr. West, assisted by Prof. Wm. F. Phelps and his corps of instructors of the normal school. It was held at St. Charles, in October, 1867, with twenty-three teachers ha attendance, and was considered very profitable to those in attendance.

From the annual report for the year 1868 it is shown that ten good, attractive and convenient schoolhouses have been built this year, at a cost of $11,000 ; also a building at St. Charles for the graded school, at a cost of $15,000. During this year Mr. West made a strong effort to secure greater regularity of attendance on the part of the pupils, and to awaken a deeper interest in the schools on the part of parents. That he succeeded in doing a good work in this direction will be seen from the statistical reports to the state superintendent. The average daily attendance for the year 1867, winter and summer terms being 2,699, increased in 1868 to 4,393, though the enrollment of pupils in the last year, according to school population, had decreased from 52 per cent in 1867 to 48 per cent in 1868. Excellent schoolhouses were built at Pickwick, Saratoga and Witoka. A teachers' association was formed and meetings were held at four different places in the county. These meetings produced good results. The people became interested and took part in the discussions, and extended to teachers in attendance the hospitalities of their homes.

In October a state teachers' institute was held at St. Charles, with seventy-five in attendance. The exercises were conducted by an able corps of instructors, and diffused among the teachers a great deal of enthusiasm.

October 26, 1869, a county teachers' institute was held at the normal school in Winona, in charge of Prof. Wm. F. Phelps. The attendance numbered 118. The lessons were presented by the teachers of the normal school and of the public schools of Wiiaona. Gymnastic exercises were introduced by Prof McGibney. Prof. Carson gave instruction in penmanship. On Tuesday evening Dr. Guthrie, of St. Charles, gave a lecture on geology. Prof Hood, of the city schools, participated in the discussions. On Thursday evening the Hon. Mark H. Dunnell, state superintendent of public instruction, addressed a large audience upon "Education." The

In the report of Mr. West for the year ending September 80, 1869, he regrets that he is not able to make the financial part accurate, owing to the errors of district clerks. He reports having granted certificates to eighty-four teachers - twenty-three to males and sixty-one to females; fourteen of first grade, forty-five of second, and twenty-five of third, and in a comparison of the year's work with that of 1867 shows that great progress has been made, not only in the character of the certificates, but in the increased interest in school matters by the parents, as shown by the increase of teachers' wages, and in the discipline, order and conduct of the schools. This improvement he attributes to the institute work and to the influence of professional training of some of the teachers in the normal school. There were eleven new schoolhouses built, at an aggregate cost of $9,227.

At the legislative session of 1869 the law was changed as to the term of county superintendents, and the county board appointed Mr. West again to serve until April, 1870. At the meeting of the county board in March the Rev. David Burt was appointed, and entered upon the duties of his office April 5, 1870. Mr. Burt had taught in the common schools of Massachusetts for ten years, when he entered upon an academic course to prepare for college. He graduated at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1848, and then spent three years in the theological seminary at Andover, Massachusetts. He removed to Winona in 1858, and took an active part in all educational work ; he acted as member of the school board of Winona city, and served as superintendent of its public schools. In 1866 he assumed the duties of general superintendent of the colored schools of Tennessee, where he served for two years. Impaired health compelled him to return to Winona.

His appointmeVit to the county superintendency was considered, and afterward proved to be, a fortunate and wise measure for the public schools. In addition to his great natural ability, he was fortified in the work by a useful and varied experience and untiring energy and faithfulness. He continued to hold the office until appointed by Gov. Davis to the state superintendency in 1875.

Mr. Burt's first public examination for teachers was held at Stockton, April 22, 1870, and before the close of the month others were held at Winona, Fremont, Elba and Witoka. For this year there were issued 114 certificates ; ninetj-three schools were visited and lectures given on "Our Common Schools" at Utica, Whitewater, Elba, New Hartford, Saratoga, Hillsdale, Lewiston, Stockton, Pickwick, Minnesota City andlDresback ; also in districts Nos. 9 and 74.

From his report to the state department of November 1, .1870, there were ninety-nine organized districts and eight unorganized. The schoolable population was 5,463 ; number enrolled, 4,059.

A teachers' institute in charge of Mr. Burt was held at St. Charles, October 3, 4, 5 and 6, 1871. The enrollment of actual teachers was sixty-five, and the institute was conducted on the plan of class recitations, and was pronounced by all in attendance a decided success. The instructors are named as L. T. Weld, J. E. Kichards, E. Holbrook, Miss C. Harding, Miss F. Barber, C. Pickert, G. Olds, Miss E. Fisher, Geo. Wilson, Miss A. Bingham, Miss N. Taft and C. Boyd. There were three evening lectures : on Tuesday evening, on Reading, by Mr. Burt ; on Wednesday, Motions of the Earth, by Mr. Richards ; and on Thursday evening. Our Common Schools, by Hon. Wm. H. Yale.

At the fall examinations of 1874 sixty-one teachers were licensed. The schools, except ten, were visited during the winter following. In the spring of 1875 Mr. Burt, having accepted an appointment as state superintendent, was requested by the county commissioners to grant certificates to a sufficient number of teachers to enable the districts to go on with their schools for the summer terms, or until his successor could be appointed. The school law at this time required a county superintendent to hold a state certificate. Special examiners were appointed and held a meeting in Winona, at which there were only two or three candidates. The successful one was Mr. John M, Cool, of St. Charles, who was then appointed county superintendent by the board. Mr. Cool had received a common school education in Tomkins county. New York, where he had also taught two terms of school. He came to Minnesota in 1857, and taught in St. Charles seven terms of school. He was recognized as a very capable and efficient teacher. Mr. Cool issued two certificates of second grade, four of third and rejected two applicants. He visited a few schools in the beginning of summer, and was taken sick, from which he was unable to do any more schoolwork. At his death the vacancy was filled, at a special meeting of the county commissioners on the 28th of September, 1875, by the

The county superintendents' report to the state department was required to be made October 10, the school year closing September 30. The new incumbent found in the office teachers' term reports for the winter term, but some teachers did not report the summer terms, and several district clerks failed to make financial reports. There was only ten days of time in which to report to the state department, and no personal knowledge could be obtained of the condition of the schools in that limited time ; the consequence was, that the county superintendent's report for the year 1875 was very imperfect, but, from observations subsequently made, there was probably no material growth or change in the condition or character of the schools from that reported for the year 1874.

The superintendent held five examinations in the fall, and spent the winter in visiting the schools and in becoming acquainted with the teachers and school oflScers. Examinations were also held in the spring and the schools visited during the summer. In this year, 1876, under the state supervision of Mr, Burt, a very important change was made in county school work by issuing a more simple form of blanks to school ofiicers and to teachers, and by fiirnishing a better form of clerks' and treasurers' books, and of school registers. A change was also made in the law in regard to reporting persons entitled to appointment of the state school fund. Only those reported by the teachers as enrolled in the public schools, of schoolable* age, were now entitled to the school fund, instead of the resident population of the same ages. Through these changes and by this system the school statistics may be considered as entirely reliable.

For the purpose of showing the extent of the growth of the schools of Winona, the following statistical tables, taken from the reports of the county superintendents of schools to the state department for the years 1867 and 1882 respectively, are given.

It may be mentioned here that the table of 1867, which was prepared by the then superintendent, Mr. Luther A. West, previously mentioned, is an especially valuable one, as it is the first on record of the schoolwork of the county combined as a whole. Attention is called to a comparison of the following items of both

Number of school districts 99 ; frame schoolhouses 71, brick 1, log 14 - 86; value of all schoolhouses and sites $92,194; whole number of scholars, male 3,248, female 3,259 ; whole number of scholars in winter schools, male 1,475, female 1,218 ; average daily attendance in winter scoools 1,721 ; length of winter schools in months 216 ; number of teachers in winter schools, male 42, female 41 ; average wages per month of each teacher in winter schools, male $29.24, female $19.24; whole number of pupils in summer schools, male 789, female 720 ; average daily attendance in summer 978 ; length of summer schools in months 229 ; number of teachers in summer schools, male 5, female 80 ; average wages per month of teachers in summer schools, male $18.66, female $16.92; whole number of different schools for the year 168 ; whole number of different persons in school for the year, male 1,833, female 1,661 ; per cent of aggregate attendance to the whole number of pupils in the county . 53 ; whole amount of wages paid teachers for the year $11,608 ; for building, parchasing, hiring, repairing or furnishing schoolhouses and purchasing lots $6,500,12 ; amount paid as teachers' wages $17,185.53 ; amount paid for other school purposes $1,551.79; cash on hand in district treasuries $718.45 ; number of new schoolhouses built during past year 11, value of same $62,800 ; amount received from state school fund $92,194; amount received by taxes voted by districts $30,550.84; percent of school money raised by tax on taxable property in county .0101.

1882. - Number of school districts, common school 111, special 2 - 113 ; number of frame schoolhouses 91, brick 7, log 7, stone 2 - 107; value of schoolhouses and sites $58,210, of school libraries $59, of school apparatus $695 ; whole number of schools enrolled, summer 4,089, winter 5,351 ; average daily attendance in winter 3,677 ; average length of school in months 61 ; number of teachers in winter schools, male 47, female 107; average monthly wages of teachers for the year, male $35il, female $281?; average daily attendance in summer 3,082 ; number of teachers in summer school, male 18, female 114 ; paid for teachers' wages and board

$21,465.00 ; paid for building, purchasing, hiring, repairing or furnishing schoolhouses, purchasing lots, etc., $10,545.53 ; cash on hand at end of the year $18,021.59 ; number of new schoolhouses built, frame 2, value of same $1,100 ; received from school fund, liquor licenses, fines and estrays $8,068.55, from one-mill tax collected $6,978.98, from special taxes collected $21,937.03, from bonds sold $850, from all other sources $914.56.

From the report of the county superintendent for 1867 it appears that there were sixty-three certificates granted, eleven of them to males and fifty-two to females. Of these certificates, three were of the first grade, fifteen of the second and forty-five of the third.

The superintendent complains of the parsimony of boards in hiring teachers, and in supplying the schoolhouses with comfortable seats, desks and other fixtures. The average wages for the year was $19 per month.

Prom the report of Mr. Lord, the present superintendent, for 1882 we learn that one hundred and forty-two certificates were granted in the previous school year ; of these, thirty-four were received by males and one hundred and eight by females.

The class of certificates issued were three only of the first grade, while there were ninety -four of the second and forty-five of the third grades. This, together with the fact that thirty-four applicants were rejected, goes to show that the standard of teachers' examinations in Winona under Mr. Lord is a high one.

From the year 1880 until the present (1883) there have been no marked changes in the condition and character of the schools, except such slight ones as might be expected in the natural growth of educational work. With the yearly development of the country, its increase in wealth and material prosperity, the expenditures for school purposes have been more liberal, tending to better sclioolhouses and fixtures, and to the employment of a higher grade of teachers. At the close of this year, thirty years will have passed since the organization of the first school district in this county. As the present superintendent of schools for this county was one of the trustees of that first organized district, and for the past eight years has been engaged in - active schoolwork, it affords us pleasure to give the following brief recapitulation, furnished by him, of some of the important matters connected with the schools of then and now: "Thirty years ago our only schoolhouse was a small, roughlycovered log cabin, furnished with one small window and a door creaking upon wooden hinges and listened with a wooden latch. This rude structure was, after a short time, superseded by a small but snug frame building, which, soon proving too small for the accommodation of the rapidly growing district, was enlarged by putting an addition to it. This enlarged frame schoolhouse in turn gave place to a substantial brick one, which Mr. Burt has described as having been built at Minnesota City. The teacher of that first school received $48 for three months' work. The trustee made the rate-bill and collected the wages, and the text-books used by the scholars had been formerly used by fathers and mothers in nearly every state between the Atlantic seaboard and Minnesota.

there are in "Winona county (outside of Winona and St. Giarles City) one hundred and eight schoolhouses, valued at over $50,000, while the teachers' wages for a single year aggregate $214,650. Besides this increase in the county schools, the school buildings and educational expenses of one independent district in the county aggregates a much larger amount than that above noted. Then (thirty years ago) there were about twenty children in that one school district of the county. Now^ including those in attendance at the normal and parochial schools, they number nearly 7,000."

Historical Sketch Of The State Normal School Of Minnesota, At Winona

Near the close of the session of the first legislature of the state, August 2, 1858, an act was passed providing for the establishment of three state normal schools. This legislation was suggested by Dr. John D. Ford, of Winona, and secured by his untiring efforts through the legislature delegation from Winona county. Lieut. Gov. Wm. Holcombe, of Stillwater, gave the measure his earnest and cordial support, and became the first president of the state normal board of instruction. This board, consisting of Lieut. -Gov. Holcombe, Dr. A. E. Ames, Dr. E. Bray, of Carver, and Dr. J. D. Ford, of Winona, held their first meeting at the Capitol at St. Paul, August 16, 1859. After receiving and considering an application from the city of Winona, accompanied by a subscription of

Resolved, That the first state normal school be located at Winona, provided the subscription from Winona of $7,000 be satisfactorily secured to the uses of said school, as directed by the board of directors.

And thus was located at Winona the first state normal school of Minnesota, and at that time the only state normal school west of the Mississippi.

The following named citizens of Winona were appointed as the first prudential committee : Sylvester J. Smith, Dr. J. D. Ford, Rev. D. Burt and Wm. S. Drew.

The second meeting of the board was held at Winona, November 9, 1859, at which meeting block 17, Sanborn's addition, was, after considerable deliberation, selected as a suitable site for the proposed school, the board wisely preferring a central location, in order that a model department miglit be maintained in connection with the normal school. On the evening of November 9, Lieut. -Gov. Holcombe, president of the board, delivered in the Baptist church an address on the subject of "Education with reference to the establishment of the first normal school of Minnesota." This address, which appears in full in the printed report of the board for 1859, was one of great merit. It is said to have made a deep impression upon the young community, and doubtless did much to elevate, if not to create, that sentiment of earnest support of educational interests which has marked the history of this city. In the closing paragraph of this admirable address the governor said : "I have in my hand a paper which contains the origin, the source and the earnest of the first normal school of Minnesota. It had its origin here in this city, and the names written on that paper are as pictures of gold, and should be handed down to future generations as evidence of their wisdom and benevolence. This" paper subscribes about $7,000 to the establisliment of the normal school here, the most of which, over $5,000, has been secured promptly to the state for that object. The duty I have discharged is everywa}- an agreeable one ; no circumstances could have occurred with respect to the interests of the state to afford me higher gratification than to meet you here on such an occasion as this. The city of Winona has distinguished herself in taking the lead in establishing for the benefit of the rising generation of this state [an institution] for all who shall yet call the state their home. I think the normal schools should precede the common schools of the country, for then we should have trained teachers to conduct them. When this school shall be in operation it may be regarded as an auspicious era, whence to date in future the origin of many blessings, and the commencement of a perpetual course of improvement and prosperity to the people at large."

In the first annual report of the normal board to the governor, Dr. J. D. Ford set forth in a clear and forcible manner the claims of the normal school to generous support, and its vital relation to the common schools of the state. In addition to other recommendations to the legislature, he urged in behalf of the normal board that "a competent superintendent of public instruction be appointed," that "a general supervision of the subjects of schools, school teaching and school lands is absolutely necessary," and that "the school lands should be put into a condition to realize the largest possible annual fund for the support of schools." To the credit of this normal board, and its able secretary Dr. Ford, it may be said that the iirst state tax for school purposes was authorized and levied upon their urgent recommendation.

An appropriation of $5,000 having been secured, it was decided to open the school on the first Monday in September, 1860. Prof. John Ogden, A.M., of Columbus, Ohio, was elected principal for one year at a salary of $1,400, and William Stearns, a graduate of Harvard University, was chosen tutor.

The school was opened for the admission of pupils on the first Monday of September. A teachers' institute, the first ever held in this state, was convened at the commencement of the term. Teachers from various parts of the state were present, and a number of distinguished gentlemen, including Rev. E. D. Neill, chancellor of the university, ex-officio superintendent of public instruction, Ex-Lieut. Governor Holcomlje, J. W. Taylor, Esq., Rev. Mr. Strong, and many others. On the evening of the first day Prof Ogden gave his inaugural address. On the next evening superintendent Neill delivered an eloquent address on " Education," the closing paragraph of which we cannot forbear to quote : "Twelve years ago the Winnebago nation, by a treaty stipulation, abandoned their old homes in Iowa and commenced their long weary march to their new home near Sauk Rapids, in the northern part of this state. In the charming mouth of June, by mutual agreement, parties by land and water to the number ot 2,000 arrived on this prairie. As they viewed the vast amphitheatre of lofty blufis, the narrow hike on one side, the great river in front, they felt that it was tlie spot above all others for an Indian's lodge, and purchasing the privilege of Wabasha, the chief of tlie Dakota band that then lived here, they drew themselves up in battle array, and signitied to the United States troops that they would die before they would leave.

Twelve years hence, if the citizens who have taken the place of the rude aborigines will be large-hearted and foster the normal school, the public schools and the churches of Christ, Winona will be lovelier than the " Sweet Auburn " of the poet; and educated men and cultivated women, as they gaze on your public edifices and other evidences of refinement, will be attracted, and feel that here is the spot for a home, and, like the Indians in 1848, they will desire to tarry until they die."

The donation to the board of the use of the city building (now the Winona Library building) was another evidence of the friendliness of the citizens to this struggling institution. The use of this building was continued for eight years without charge to the state.

The $7,000 subscribed by the citizens of Winona was not used for running expenses, but was reserved for the construction of the permanent building in 1867-8, at which time the subscription with its appreciated values amounted to $10,000.

The first year was one of great promise throughout. Commencement exercises were held at the Baptist church on the last week in June, 1861, continuing the entire week. Mr. Allen, of Wisconsin, a distinguished educator, Mr. Hickock, ex-superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania, Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, and Gen. C. C. Andrews made addresses. A part of the literary exercises consisted of a colloquy between Miss Charlotte Denman, Miss Thorne and others, in which was set forth, in an amusing and graphic manner, the current opinions concerning the establishment of normal schools, an exercise which will never be forgotten by those who were present.

At the session of the legislature in 1 861 a special act was passed creating the first board of education of Winoua. This board was to consist of one school director elected from each of the three wards, the principal and such members of the normal school - at Winona as sliall be residents of said city and qualified. The word "board" was left out of the law between the words "school" and "at," which made a very unwieldy board, or an intangible body.

Sketch Of The State Normal School

The idea was to copy somewhat after the Oswego plan of uniting the jurisdiction of the normal and public schools of Winona, using the public scliools as graded and model schools. At the municipal election held in April, 1861, Messrs. Thomas Simpson, Richard Jackson and John Keyes were elected members of the board of education, from the lirst, second and third wards respectively ; and these, with Prof. Ogden as principal of State Normal School, constituted the first board of education. Mr. Simpson was elected president, Mr. Keyes, recorder and John Ogden first superintendent of schools in city of Winona.

The normal sclv^ol opened in the fall of 1861, with an increase of students. Prof. J. Q. McMynn had been engaged as assistant teacher. He remained, however, but a short time, resigning early in October, to take a position as major in a Wisconsin regiment. It may be noted that many of the students of the normal, during Prof. Ogden's principalship, entered the volunteer army in defense of the Union.

Gentlemen, - I hereby tender you my resignation of the principalship of the institution intrusted to my care, thanking you most sincerely for the generous support and counsel you have given me.

1. My distracted and dishonored country calls louder for my poor service just now than the school does. I have, ever since our national flag was dishonored, cherished the desire and indulged in the determination that - whenever I could do so without violation of a sense of duty - I would lay aside the habiliments of the schoolroom and assume those of the camp, and now I am resolved to heed that call and rush to the breach, and with my life, if necessary, stay, if possible, the impious hands that are now clutching at the very existence of our free institutions. What are our schools worth ? What is our country worth without these? Our sons and our daughters must be slaves. Our beloved land must be a hissing and a byword among the nations of the earth. Shall this fair and goodly land, this glorious Northwest become a stench in the nostrils of the Almighty, who made it so fair and so free? No,

My brethren and fellow-teachers are in the field. Some of them - the bravest and the best - have already fallen. Their blood will do more to cleanse this nation than their teaching would. So will mine. I feel ashamed to tarry longer. You may not urge me to stay.

Prof. Y. J. Walker, principal of the "Winona high school, was placed in charge of the school temporarily, during the second term, which closed March 2, 1862, and remained suspended until November 1, 1864. The reasons for .this suspension of over two years may be inferred from Prof. Ogden's letter of resignation, and may be stated as follows : (1) The interest in the great struggle then pending for national life overshadowed and overwhelmed everything else, and, as a natural corollary of this, (2) competent teachers could not be found to take charge of the school. Such men were generally in the war. (3) The means for the support of the school was inadequate. The state had made no appropriations beyond the first $5,000. The state was too busy in the war to care for its educational interests.

During the session of the legislature in the spring of 1864, at the earnest solicitation of the citizens of Winona, led by Dr. J. D. Ford, an act was passed renewing the appropriations to the school and re-establishing it on a permanent basis. This act provided that the sum of $3,000 be appropriated for the current year, $4,000 for the following year, and $5,000 annually thereafter. At the annual meeting of the normal board in the following May Prof. John G. McMynn was elected principal. No movement was, however, made to reopen the school until the next meeting in the following September, when the resignation of Prof. McMynn was accepted, and Prof. W. F. Phelps, former principal of the State Normal School of New Jersey was unanimously elected. The principal-elect, being present, accej)ted the position in person and immediately entered upon the duties of his office. Professor Phelps' rare ability as an organizer and disciplinarian was at once apparent in the prompt and efficient measures taken to re-establish the school on a permanent basis. To the wisdom of these measures and the executive ability of their author is largely due the high standing which the normal

The location of the site on block 17, Sanborn's addition, was not favored by the citizens generally. At the meeting of the board held in June, 1866, the following communication was received:

The city council of the city of Winona makes the following proposition to your honorable board: That if the board will erect the normal school building upon the present site, viz : block 4, Sanborn's addition, the city will purchase and donate to the state the east half of block 3, Sanborn's addition, and vacate and donate to the state that part of Johnson street lying between blocks 3 and 4; or, in case it can be procured, the city will purchase and donate to the state the whole of said block. This provided that the board will convey to the city block 17 in Sanborn's addition. R. D. Cone, Mayor.

This proposition was promptly accepted by the board. Subsequently the city bought the whole of block 3, Sanborn's addition, and gave it outright to the state, waiving the condition stated in the communication of the mayor. t

During the session of the legislature of 1866 the first appropriation of $10,000 for the building was obtained mainly through the efforts of Hon. E. S. Youmans, then a member of the house, and Hon. Thos. Simpson in the state senate.

This appropriation was designed to secure plans and to supplement the contributions of the citizens and city of Winona, and was entirely used in constructing a foundation, - an important measure which committed the state fully to the erection of a building at Winona.

The plans for the building were drawn by the architect, G. P. Randall, Esq., of Chicago, and were adopted by the board at its meeting in June, 1866.

On the 19th of October, 1866, the corner-stone was laid with interesting ceremonies by Gov. Marshall, in the presence of a large and deeply interested assembly, citizens of Winona and surrounding country. Hon. Thos. Wilson, chief-justice of the supreme court of the state, delivered the address on this memorable occasion.

The foundation was erected under the direction of the credential committee, consisting of Dr. Ford, Hon. E. S. Youmans and W. S. Drew, Esq. Mr. Drew was appointed superintendent of the work, and gave it his personal and efficient supervision throughout the session of 1867, until the basement walls were completed and made ready for the superstructure.

In the spring of 1867 an appropriation by the legislature of $50,000 for building purposes was secured, largely through the influence of Hon. Win. H. Yale, then in tlie state senate. Only one half of this amount was appropriated for the tirst year. The citizens of Winona cashed the orders of the board for the other half, making the entire sum available for immediate use.

The contract for the erection of the superstructure was made with C. Bohn, Esq., of Winona, who had already demonstrated his qualifications as a builder in the construction of the high-school building of the city. In 1869 the sum of $34,000 additional was appropriated complete the building,^'' and in 1870 nearly $9,000 "more was generously granted by the legislature to liquidate the halance due the contractor.

The general form of the buildir^g is in the form of a cross. The main edifice is 63 X 78 feet ; the wings are each 50 X 75 feet. The basement story is 10 feet high ; the first story is 13 feet ; the second, 16 feet ; the third, 19 feet, and the fourth story of the west wing is 28 feet to the crown of the ceiling at the base of the skylights. The southeast corner of the west wing terminates in a ventilating shaft 8x8 feet and 105 feet high ; and the northwest corner of the east wing terminates in the main tower, 15x15 feet at base and 130 feet high. The building is of red bricks, with facings and trimmings of a drab-colored calciferous limestone. Its beauty is due not to superfluous ornamentation, but to the harmony of its pro})ortions and its massiveness. Through the basement there is a corridor 10 feet wide running through the center from end to end. The first story has a main corridor 10x166 feet, running entirely thi-ough the building. This is intersected by cross-corridors extending from the front to the rear entrances. On the north side of the main corridor there are four large schoolrooms fol* the use of the model classes. On the right of the entrance of the main tower there is a receptionroom 20x25 feet. On the opposite or south side of the main corridor the rooms above described are duplicated. Opposite the reception-room is a gentlemen's cloakroom. In the main building, in the second story, is the normal school "assembly-room"; its dimensions are 63 X 78 feet. In the east wing, beginning with the main tower, we find the principal's oflSce, the library and two large recitation-rooms. In the west wing are two large recitation-rooms, one in each corner, and two large wardrobe-rooms for ladies, each 12x35 feet, communicating with corridor and assemblj-room. In the third story of main building we have "Normal Hall," capable of seating 800 to 1,000 persons. In the west wing, and connecting with corridor and Normal Hall, are four recitation-rooms. The east wing is occupied by a suite of rooms connected by open arches, designed to be used for a museum. In fourth story of the west wing there are two rooms, 32 X 35 feet each, separated by a corridor, and with ceiling extending to the crown of th6 roof, 23 feet in height. These rooms are lighted by skylights, and are intended for a gallery of art. The steps at each of the five entrances of the building are of massive, solid masonry, and are of easy ascent. The corridors at each extremity are entered by spacious vestibules. The stairs leading to the several stories are easy of ascent, the risers being seven inches each, and the treads, which are very wide, being made of solid two-inch oak plank, finished in oil. The heating and ventilation of the building are upon the plan known as the Ruttan system. There are seven furnaces properly located in the basement. Underneath the furnaces the cold air from without is introduced through ducts having an area of section equal to from eight to ten square feet each.

Space cannot be given to a further description of this beautiful structure, which is acknowledged to be, even at the date of this writing, in 1883, the most perfect building of the kind in the Northwest. The plans of this building were subsequently adopted, with little change, for the State Normal Schools at Buffalo, New York, and at Carbondale, Illinois.

It should be stated that the admirable adaptation of this building to the existing and prospective wants of the school, and its nearly faultless construction, are largely due to the experienced judgment, wise forethought and energetic management of the principal. Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, who was permitted to enjoy the fruits of his zealous labors, and to carry forward in this building his plans for the organization of a normal school of national reputation, until he voluntarily resigned this position in 1876.

In addition to the above the citizens of Winona have paid into the treasury of the school for the tuition of pupils in the model department the average sum of $1,500 annually for twenty years, amounting to about $3,000. The present valuation of the site of the building is $25,000.

In accordance with a plan proposed by Principal Phelps, the legislature, in 1871, passed an act establishing in Winona the State Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and providing tor the education of the children in the normal school. This plan proved to be a wise and economical one for the state, and of the greatest value to the children. Nearly one hundred of the soldiers' orphans received training for several years in the model and normal departments. A number completed the entire course, and are now filling important positions in the schools of the state. The growth of the school in numbers, in reputation, and in all the characteristics of an excellent training school for teachers, continued without marked interruption until the legislature in 1876, partly by design and partly by neglect, failed to make the usual annual appropriation for the support of tliQ three normal schools of the state.

The normal board was called in extra session. During that meeting several propositions to close the schools at once were voted down by a bare majority. The opposition to these propositions was led by Hon. Thos. Simpson, the resident director at Winona.

Finally the board took action, which was intended merely to give the normal schools a chance for continuance if they could find any means of existing without involving the board or incurring a debt. It was really a life and death struggle with the normal schools of our state. Had they been closed then, they would have remained closed, perhaps for ever.

to advance money to carry on the school at Winona, but this could not be accepted under the action of the board. Gen. Sibley, the president of the board, and Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, the principal at "Winona, resigned.

The resident director determined that the school should not go down. He made a temporary reduction of the teaching force, some abatements of salaries, and some extra charges for tuition. He appealed to the soldiers' orphans' board, who generously responded by paying tuition for the pupils under their care. By these means, supplemented by a cash contribution from his own pocket, the school was kept in vigorous operation until the following year, when the appropriation was not only restored, but was made permanent. The action at Winona had much to do with inspiring a like spirit and determination on the part of the local management of the schools at Mankato and St. Cloud.

The following year saw the school restored to its former condition of efficiency. In 1878 Principal Morey inaugurated an important change in the organization of the school by extending the elementary course, and establishing an advanced four years' course of study designed to prepare teachers for the principalship of high and graded schools.

In May, 1879, Principal Morey resigned his position to enter upon the practice of law. On the 27th of June Prof. Irwin Shepard, superintendent of the city schools of Winona, was elected principal ; since which time the growth of the school in numbers, in efficiency, and in the confidence of the citizens of the state, has, we believe, continued without interruption.

Hon. Thos. Simpson, the present resident director, has been a member of the state normal board continuously since 1868, and has served as president of the state board and resident director at Winona during most of that time.

The first state teachers' institute, in 1859, the first state convention of county superintendents, in 1866, and the first institute of normal instructors, in 1872, were all held at the Winona normal school.

The first class which finished the course of this school numbered sixteen members and were graduated June 28, 1866. Since that date to June 1, 1883, twenty-five classes numbering 480 members have graduated, while nearly 3,000 other students have received instruction for one or more terms. These students, as well as the graduates, have fulfilled their pledges to the state with singular fidelity and success. Many of the graduates have been called to important and lucrative positions in other states from California to Maine. Several have received appointments to leading positions in the normal schools of the Argentine Eepublic, S. A., at salaries ranging from $1,200 to $2,500.

Prominent among the causes which have contributed to place the State Normal School at Winona in the foremost rank of similar institutions in America should be mentioned the liberal enterprise and singular devotion to its interests on the part of the citizens of Winona, as shown by their munificent donations of lands and money, by their loyal and unwavering championship in the trying times of legislative inaction and indifierence ; by their establishment of an extensive museum and gallery of art for the free use of the students ; by their continued patronage and support of the model school, and by their just and generous pride in the past history, the present prosperity and the future promise of this educational institution of the state.

The Society Of Arts, Sciences And Letters

On May 24, 1871, a preliminary meeting was held in Normal Hall for the purpose of organizing a society for the promotion of a knowledge of art, science and literature.

At an adjourned meeting held June 12, articles of association were adopted. The corporate members were Wm. F. Phelps, Thos. Simpson, Abner Lewis, Mary V. Lee, C. C. Curtiss, O. B. Gould, Sarah L. Wheeler and C. H. Berry. The plans of the society provided for "the fitting of rooms in the First State Normal building for a museum of natural history and physical science; and for a department of drawing and the arts of design ; the collection, classification and arrangement of specimens in natural history and archieology, and of models in physics and the fine arts ; the collection of facts and objects pertaining to local or general history ; the establishment and support, on the grounds of the normal school, of a botanical garden ; the arrangement and ornamentation of the grounds ; the gatliering of a library of standard works in all departments of science, literature and art ; the collection and preservation of all collections, and, by lectures and other appropriate means, the elevation of the public taste."

Previous to the organization of this society, citizens of Winona had placed in the normal school building, for the use of the students, private collections of minerals and otlier specimens. Principal Phelps had contributed a valuable collection, and the Hon. Thos. Simpson had donated his entire cabinet of mineral specimens, which lie had been gathering for many years in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The proprietorship of these collections was vested in the new society. The collections were increased from time to time by additional contributions.

of the Woodman collection of corals, shells, minerals and fossils. This valuable collection, and those previously belonging to the society, were arranged in suitable cases in the geological hall of the normal building in 1878, under the superintendence of Principal Chas. A. Morey. The following contract was subsequently made with the state normal board :

1. The society agrees that its collections, apparatus, pictures, etc., shall remain in the rooms now occupied by them so long as the building shall be used for the purpose of a state normal school.

2. That said etc., shall be forever free to the use of the normal school in said building, its teachers and pui)ils, and that said collections shall not be removed, either in whole or in part, for any jjurpose whatever.

3. That, to prevent interference with the oi)enitions of the school, the times of opening said rooms to the public shall be as the jirincipal and resident director of the school shall from time to time direct, and not otherwise.

putting in position all specimens and objects, and of preserving the order and condition of the same: Provided, That the state normal board agrees: 1. To furnish to the society, rent free, the room now occupied by its collections ; to heat, light and keep the same in repair as long as the buildimi shall be used for the purposes of a normal school. 2. To give to the society the use of such cases, platforms and fixtures as are already placed in said rooms, and to build others as the acquisitions of the society may demand. 3. To furnish janitor's services for said rooms, as their use may demand.

This museum has become one of the most extensive and complete in the west. Three large rooms, connected by arches, are lined with cases which are filled with specimens of minerals, fossils, birds and animals. A large case in the center of the room contains the skeleton of a mastodon. Two spacious rooms in the fourth story of the building are devoted to the exhibition of art subjects. A curator devotes a large portion of his time to the care of the museum and to the collection, classification and arrangement of specimens in all departments of natural history.