Pettis County, Missouri - Chapter 33: Education, 1919

No State has taken deeper interest in the education of her youth than the State of Missouri. The constitutions of 1820, 1865 and 1875, all make this subject one of the first importance, and guard the public school funds with zealous care, while the constitution of no State con¬ tains more liberal provisions for popular education than the constitution of Missouri, adopted in 1875, and amended continuously favoring our schools up to the present day. In the year 1833, (January 26th) the Governor was authorized by the Senate and House of Representatives to appoint three suitable persons to form a system of common school instruction, as nearly uniform as possible, throughout the State, and to report at the next meeting of the Legislature. The reader is reminded that this is the date of the organization of Pettis County.

At a session of the county court, November 7, 1853, A. A. Glasscock, was appointed commissioner of common schools. Samuel A. Lowe was commissioner of the school lands at an early day. The first school dis¬ trict contained a whole congressional township, and it was common for the boys and girls to walk three or more miles through the woods or wild grasses, in the pioneer days of this county. Washington district 256 HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY

(November 6, 1838), was the first organized school district of the county. W. I. Westerfield, Oswald Kidd and Willis P. Ellis were the trustees. The following year (1839) Christian district was organized, and Thomas Brooks, Jesse Pemberton, and George W. Glass were the trustees.

In 1841 an academy was established, under the statute, at George¬ town, which was quite successful. In 1847 Campbell College was incor¬ porated in the same town, and this was followed by establishing, in 1860, Georgetown Female School by Anthony Haynes, now of Boonville. Good schools were maintained here for several years. Prof. A. N. Neal estab¬ lished the Georgetown Academy for both sexes in 1865 and continued at its head till 1870, when he was elected county superintendent. This was one of the best private schools in Pettis County. About 150 students were in attendance.

October 3, 1865, Thomas E. Bassett, clerk of the County Court, was appointed county school commissioner, and was continued in office till, under the new constitution, a county superintendent was elected.

The people of Sedalia were content with nothing less than the best advantages that good appliances and superior instructors afforded. In 1880 it was proposed to expend $10,000 for more ample accommodations, sixteen hundred votes were cast in its favor, and only forty-nine op¬ posed it. Again, in April, 1882, a proposition to levy a five-mill tax for the erection of two new brick school buildings was carried with only twenty votes in opposition to the measure. The people of Sedalia have reason to feel proud of their well organized schools and efficient teachers. The members of the board of education are men well qualified for their responsible trust, both as regards their knowledge of their duties, and their active interest manifested.

The first schools taught in Sedalia were private enterprises, supported by subscription and tuition assessments. The first school was "kept" in the first store room, situated on the old site of John Gallie's lumber yard. The store was owned by T. M. Hodge, and the school was taught by E. W. Washburn and his daughter. This was during the war, and only a few pupils attended. Miss Laura Moses was the next teacher. She afterwards married Judge Chan. P. Townsley. Next, W. H. Allison built a frame school house, a little north from the Missouri Pacific general offices in East Sedalia. The building which he erected was two stories, and cost about $2,000. It was originally intended for a female seminary. The building was sold. This school was the most important up to the fall of 1866, when the common school system was adopted. The present generation know nothing of the disadvantages to which the first resi¬ dents of the city were subjected in school matters. The history of the common schools of Sedalia properly begins in the fall of 1866.

At an election held the 15th day of September, 1866, in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly authorizing any city, town or village to organize for school purposes, the following board of education was elected: Wm. Beck and F. Crandall, for a term of three years; A. Ensel and Thos. J. Montgomery, for a term of two years ; E. W. Washburn and William Bloess, for a term of one year. At a meeting of the members of the boajd, held September 19, 1866, for the purpose of organization, E. W. Washburn was elected president; F. Crandall, secretary, and Wm. Beck, treasurer.

An enumeration of the children in the city between the ages of five and twenty-one being authorized by the board, the number reported Oc¬ tober, 1866, was as follows : Whites - Males, 262 ; females, 283. Total, 545. Colored - Males, 108; females, 113. Total, 221. Total number of children in the district of school age, 776.

Initiatory steps were taken in the early part of 1867 to erect two suitable school buildings; one north and the other south of the Pacific railroad, and to this end the ground on which the Broadway school build¬ ing was afterwards erected, was purchased; city bonds to the amount of $30,000 were issued.

At a meeting of the board held August 12, 1867, Prof. G. O. Brown, of Ohio, was elected superintendent of the Sedalia public schools for a term of six months, commencing January, 1868, at a salary of $140 per month, to which position he was again elected for the year 1868-69, at a salary of $1,500. He, in connection with Prof. G. W. Ready, then principal of the high school, succeeded in organizing the schools in such a manner as to render them at once popular with the citizens.

The first school was organized February 10, 1868, in the Broadway building, with the following corps of teachers: Grammar grades, Misses Peabody and Griffin, at a salary of $60 per month ; intermediate grades, Mrs. Brown and Miss Tindall, at a salary of $50 per month, each; pri¬ mary grades, Misses Adamson and Groesbeck, at a salary of $40 per month, each; Prof. G. W. Ready, principal of the high school, at a salary of $85 per month. Later Miss Jennie Bard was employed as an assistant, at a

At a meeting of the board held May 30, 1868, it was agreed to issue bonds to the amount of $10,000, for the purpose of erecting a new build¬ ing north of the railroad.

During the year 1870, the two-story brick building north of the Pacific railroad, now known as the Franklin school, was erected and occupied, with W. O. Dunlap principal, and Misses Kidd, Maddox and Wadleigh, assistants.

On May 29, 1873, a proposition was submitted to the voters of the city, to issue bonds to the amount of $12,000, for the purpose of erecting a two-story brick building in East Sedalia on East Broadway. The propo¬ sition failing to receive the required number of votes to secure its adoption, the board proceeded to erect a two-room frame building, which was completed and used as a school the same year. This school, known as Washington school, was under the care of Miss Mary Green as principal, and Miss Minnie Chappelear as assistant.

In August, 1874, Prof. E. R. Booth was elected principal of the high school, and at the close of the term, the following pupils having com¬ pleted the regular course of study, were awarded diplomas : Misses Maud Gent, Ellen Hackett, George Jackson, Dora Lamy and Bettie Rogers. This was the first class that graduated from the high school.

At a meeting of the school board, held August 8, 1876, it was de¬ termined to suspend the high school department in consequence of the limited funds at the disposal of the board. For the same reason the Ger¬ man department was also abolished. As a result of this action of the board the high school department was discontinued for two subsequent years, when it was partially restored.

Broadway school was located on Broadway, between Kentucky and Moniteau streets, and was established in the year 1867. It was a twostory brick building, containing seven school rooms, one recitation room, a library room, and superintendent's office. During the summer of 1880 an additional story was added to the building. Cost of building and grounds was $40,000.

Washington school was located on East Broadway in a wooden, twostory building containing four rooms. The school began in 1873, with primary department and but two teachers. In 1878 two rooms were rented at the rear of the building and studies increased to the sixth grade. Two years later there were two additional rooms added to the building and studies increased to the eighth grade.

Lincoln school (colored) was instituted in the year 1868, and was first opened in a frame building, located on the present site of Franklin school. In the year 1870, the building was moved two blocks further north, and one east, to its present location. In 1879, two rooms were added to the building.

The Sedalia Seminary was established in Sedalia September 5, 1876, by Prof. J. B. Van Petten. In 1877, it was united with the Missouri Central Normal School and Collegiate Institute, which had been estab¬ lished in Sedalia at the same time, by Prof. E. R. Booth.* The two schools united were called the Sedalia Collegiate Institute, and was conducted under the associate principalship of Professors Van Petten and Booth. When the institution had prospered nearly three years, its buildings, library and apparatus were destroyed by fire. But other accommodations were provided and the school continued its session to the end of the school year of 1878-79, Professor Booth then retiring. Prof. Van Petten consolidated the Collegiate Institute with the Queen City Seminary, which had been in successful operation one year, under Prof. G. W. Ready, corner Fifth and Lafayette streets. The schools thus united took the original name of the Sedalia Seminary and for three years the insti¬ tution was under the management of Professors Van Petten and Ready.

The Sacred Heart Church dates the opening of Sacred Heart school to the foundation of the parish. The dedication of the church and school took place on the same day. On Sunday, October 1, 1882 (Feast of the Holy Rosary), the school was blessed and on Monday, October 2, Sr. M. Natalia, the superioress, opened the first scholastic year with seventyeight pupils.

Sedalia had a business college in the early days. It has long since suspended. It was called the Sedalia Business College, established in the early part of 1881. The owners and principals of this college were Messrs. Moore and Fraker.

The 1918 board of education, for the city, and officers are as fol¬ lows: W. H. Van Wagner, president; W. H. Cloney, vice-president; Ed¬ win J. Evans, secretary; Dr. W. H. Weaver, treasurer; David Roberts and Dr. F. R. Morley.

No other city in Missouri with a population double that of Sedalia can boast of more or better schools than this city has. The public schools have always received loyal support from our citizens and be¬ cause they have merited it. The Sedalia High School is situated at Sixth street and Massachusetts avenue. The building is an imposing stone structure with three stories and finished basement. Their labora¬ tories are modern and equipped with the latest devices found in schools for the instruction of students. The department of manual training teaches the student practical construction of many commercial commo¬ dities and fits them for employment along those lines. The school teaches prescribed courses in English and science and prepares the student for advanced work in the diffei'ent colleges and universities. The school is a first class high school and is so accredited among the higher insti¬ tutions of learning. The attendance this year (1918) is 550. The build¬ ing, grounds, furniture, fixtures and equipment of this school repre¬ sent a value of $95,000.

Broadway school, located on West Broadway between Kentucky and Moniteau avenues, is the largest of the grade schools in the city and as large as any in the State. It is a modern two-story brick, with base¬ ment, containing sixteen large rooms. This building is new, modern throughout and represents a money value of $65,000. With grounds, furniture and equipment it is valued at $85,000. Being the most centi'ally located, its attendance exceeds that of any other school in Sedalia. Attendance for this year is 725.

Summit school, located at Sixth street and Summit avenue, building, grounds, furniture, fixtures and equipment, represents an expenditure of something like $43,000. It is a large two-story brick building, modern and up to date for school work. It has ten rooms, conveniently furnished and has the second largest attendance of any of the grade schools in Sedalia. The enrollment this year is 500.

Prospect school, situated at Second street and Prospect avenue, is one of the older schools of the city. It represents a money value of $43,000, in building, grounds, furniture and equipment. The building is an ex¬ cellent two-story brick, modern throughout, has eight large rooms and an attendance of 385 pupils.

Whittier school, at Sixteenth street and Montgomery avenue, is a sub¬ stantial two-story brick building with basement. This building is thor¬ oughly modern and has all of the conveniences of the modern, presentday school buildings. It has eight large rooms and attendance of 375, and with grounds, equipment and furnishings it represents a money value of $26,000.

Jefferson school, located at New York and Chestnut avenues, is an eight-room, two-story brick building, with basement. This school build¬ ing is modern and has all of the equipment and convenience of the other school buildings in the city. Buildings, grounds, equipment and furni¬ ture represent a value of $25,000. The enrollment this winter is 250.

Horace Mann school, at Sixteenth street and Park avenue, is one of the new school buildings of Sedalia. It is an eight-room, two-story brick building with basement, and with grounds, equipment and furniture represents a value of $40,000. The building is modern and up to date and has all the conveniences incident to the modern school. The enroll¬ ment this winter is 300.

Lincoln school, located on Osage and Henry streets, is the colored school. This school, in addition to teaching the grades of common school, is a high school and has and gives all the advantages of the modern high school. It is a large ten-room, two-story building, with basement, and with grounds, furniture and equipment represents a value of $38,000. Building is a modern structure, with about the same conveniences as the other schools. The enrollment this year is 325.

Washington school, located at Fifth and Wagoner streets, is one of the smaller schools. It has three rooms, conveniently furnished and modern equipment in every particular. The attendance this year is 120.

Eugene Field, at Twenty-fourth and Ohio avenue, is a two-room frame school building. It is nicely furnished and splendidly equipped. The at¬ tendance is seventy-five.

Arlington school, located at Tenth street and Aldington avenue, is another of the smaller schools. It is a frame building, has two large rooms and is well equipped. The building, grounds, furniture and equip¬ ment represent a value of about $4,200. The attendance this year is about eighty.

Franklin school, at the corner of Cooper and Moniteau avenues, is a large brick building. It has six large rooms and basement and is mod¬ ern. The building, grounds, furniture and fixtures are worth $21,000.

This school was closed by the board of education this fall (1918) because of war conditions, coupled with the fact that the pupils here could be distributed among the other schools.

All the above-named schools are the ward, or grade schools, except the high school, and except Lincoln school, which is a grade school and high school combined. All of the Sedalia schools, without exception, are well disciplined and taught. There is not a city anywhere in the West where teachers are more carefully chosen, more competent, and more thorough in their work. The results are good, these schools sending out in life some of the leading men and women of the country today. These schools are supported by taxation and represent the public school sys¬ tem, one of the greatest American institutions ever inaugurated.

There are two parochial schools. Located on West Third street, al¬ most directly opposite the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, is the new Sacred Heart school, a two-story brick building with basement, in keeping with the imposing church. It was completed for the opening of the scholastic year in September, 1907, and will cost $20,000, this being outside of the furniture. The length of the building is eighty-eight feet, width fiftynine feet and height sixty-one feet. The basement contains the club rooms, bowling alley, kitchen, shower baths and toilet rooms. The two large club rooms are located along the entire front. The school rooms are located on the first floor. They are four in number, high, spacious and comfortable. The size of each room is thirty-four by twenty-five feet, with ceiling thirteen feet from the floor. The second floor is used as a parochial hall. The length of the hall is sixty-one feet and the width forty-one feet, besides a stage twenty-eight by twenty-five feet. The height of the hall from floor to ceiling is sixteen feet. It is lighted by seventeen arched windows. There is on the second floor a parlor, ante-room, smoking-room and paraphernalia room. The entire building is equipped with electric and gas light, steam heating and water conduits.

The Dancing Academy of Mrs. Ben L. Walker, in the Sedalia Trust building is worthy of note. Mrs. Walker instructs pupils from three years of age to the grown up people. She has learned this art from the Eastern dancing masters and has no superior in Missouri, especially in the instruction of children. Little girls, in her class, three years of age, execute beautiful solo dances with a grace and exactness seldom seen on the metropolitan stage. During the World's War she took her class to the neighboring towns and gave entertainments, much to the delight of the audiences, and turned the proceeds over to the American Red Cross. No town in Missouri, outside of St. Louis and Kansas City, has so many artistic solo dancers as has Sedalia. The people of the county will remember the entertainment this academy's dancers gave at the State Fair Grounds on July 4, 1917, for the benefit of the Red Cross.

St. Patrick's Parish has a parochial school and has always had one in connection with the church, changing locations as did the church. Present school is a large two-story frame building, thoroughly modern and excellently taught and cared for. Attendance of the school will average 125 pupils.

George R. Smith, the Negro College, is one of the foremost institu¬ tions of that kind in central Missouri. It is a college teaching thoroughly the higher branches four years above high school and normal work. The building was opened for students on January 25, 1894. The building, grounds, equipment and furniture represent a value of $75,000.00. The heirs of Gen. George R. Smith gave the grounds and the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church built the buildings.

Central Business College, situate at Sixth and Massachusetts avenue, is one of the largest business colleges in this section of Missouri. It teaches a general business and bookkeeping and shorthand and type¬ writing course and equips students for the business world.