Buffalo County, Nebraska - Chapter 23: Tllli Public School the Colonists and the Public School Colonists Living, 1916

Chapter 23: Tllli Public School the Colonists and the Public School Colonists Living

That the members of the colony were home builders in all that the term implies is possibly best illustrated by the prompt action taken in the organization of school districts, the building of schoolhouses and the opening of public schools. The records of school district No. 2 (Gibbon) under date of April 15, 1 87 1, read in part as follows:

"At a school meeting duly noticed, held by the inhabitants of Gibbon for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as might be brought before the meeting, the proceedings were as follows :" The proceedings further set forth that "At a previous assemblage of said inhabitants for the purpose of attending to the school interests of Gibbon and vicinity, a committee consisting of C. Putnam, J. N. Allen and Aaron Ward had written the state superintendent of public instruction for a copy of the school law of the State of Nebraska and such other personal instruction as was necessary for the proper organization of a school district." It appears from the records that no reply had been received from the state superintendent and the meeting adjourned subject to call of the chairman.

Let it be understood that these proceedings had all taken place while members of the colony were living in the cars, when not one of the number was a legal voter, and not one of the number had, as yet, filed upon a homestead or preemption claim, and had not been in the state and county of Buffalo one week.

These records further disclose that on April 22, 1871, "At a school meeting duly held by the inhabitants of Gibbon and vicinity for the election of moderator, director and treasurer and other business as follows :'' At this meeting (thirteen days after the arrival of the colony) C. Putnam was elected moderator, Aaron Ward, director and F. S. Trew, treasurer. It was voted that $1,000 be raised by public tax to build a schoolhouse and L. D. George, Aaron Ward and D. P. Ashburn were appointed a building committee.

In the 12 by 16 wing of the first dwelling house erected in the Village of Gibbon, on the 26th day of June, 1871, a public school was opened, with Mrs. Frank Chamberlain as ';eacher, wages $35 per month.

The records disclose that the director furnished for use of this school, "One chair, one water bucket, and four seats." Five dollars per month rent was paid for use of the room for school purposes.

In December, 1871, a schoolhouse (22 by 32 in size) was built in this district and furnished with patent seats and a winter term of school held, although the schoolhouse rested on blocks for a foundation, was not banked, and was neither lathed nor plastered. Teachers wages paid, $50 per month.

County Superintendent Of Public Instruction

Patrick Walsh had been appointed superintendent of public instruction for Buffalo County, but at a meeting of the county commissioners soon after the arrival of the colony (the meeting of the county commissioners was on April 24, 1871) Mr. Walsh resigned and C. Putnam, a member of the colony was appointed superintendent. At that date no record had been kept in the office of the county superintendent. As a matter of history in which the members of the colony had a direct part and interest, herewith is given a statement, made of record by Mr. Putnam on entering upon his duties as superintendent of public instruction in and for Buffalo County.

"I received the appointment of superintendent of public instruction for Buft'alo County at the meeting of the commissioners of said county in April (24th) 1 87 1, vice, Patrick Walsh resigned. On being qualified no written record whatever was delivered to me. School district No. i was organized, had a schoolhouse (a board and sod shanty) and had had a school and made reports up to April I, 1 87 1. District No. 2 comprised all of Buft'alo County, except the eastern range of townships, and all of Dawson County which county was not then organized.

"Mr. Walsh had requested the colony which arrived April 7th to organize intoa school district and said colony posted notices according to law, had school meetings at which they elected officers, voted to raise taxes to build schoolhouse, carry on school, etc. On assuming the duties of superintendent of public instruction I had nothing but Mr. Walsh's statement as to the condition of school matters, which was, that district No. i was legally organized and that district No. 2 was regularly reported to the superintendent of state of public instruction, and it rested with that district to complete the organization. That there was $205 in the county school fund besides the railroad tax for ''870, which was about $1,500."

Organization Of School Districts

In December, 1871, school district No. i, completed a frame ochoolhouse (whir J at this date, 1916, is still in use) and B. F. Sammons, a member of the colony, taught a term of winter school.

October 2, 1871, was organized school district No. 3. Notice of the call to organize was given D. P. Ashburn, who was elected director of the district. A schoolhouse was erected in this district early in 1872, with a cupola and a

School district No. 4 was organized November 4, 1871, the written notice being delivered to \V. H. Kenney. A substantial frame schoolhouse was built in this district early in 1872 and furnished wath patent seats. W. H. Kenney was chosen director and taught the first term of school in the district in 1872.

School district No. 5 was organized March 16, 1872, official notice being given George II. Silvernail and the first meeting being held at the house of Jacob Booth. R. E. L. Willard was chosen director and a substantial frame schoolhouse - 22 by '^^2 feet in size - built during the summer of 1872. The first term of school was taught by George H. Silvernail, a member of the colony, in the winter of 1872-73.

School district No. 6 was organized March 16, 1872, official notice being given Mr. Smith (George N.), the meeting for organization being held at the house of Mr. Smith. A. H. Brundage was chosen director. A substantial frame schoolhouse was built in this district early in 1872, the first term of school being taught by Mrs. D. D. Smith.

School district No. 7 (Kearney) was organized March 23, 1872, the official notice being delivered to A. Collins and the first meeting held at what was known as "Hotel Collins." James Smith was chosen director. Miss Fannie Nevius taught the first term of school in rented rooms as no schoolhouse was erected until a later date.

School district No. 8 was organized March 27, 1872. Official notice was given George W. Brown and the first meeting held on the open prairie near the residence of Simon V. Seeley. Ezra M. Fargo was chosen director and early in 1872 a frame schoolhouse, 22 by 32 feet in size with 14 feet studding, erected. The first term of 'school being taught by Simon V. Seeley.

Excluding district No. 7 (Kearney) these school districts embrace the territory upon which the colonists made settlement and in which they exercised control in the organization of the districts and the erection of the first schoolhouses.

During the years 1871 and 1872, schoolhouses were erected in districts Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 at an expense of from $1,000 to $1,500 each, bonds for this purpose having been voted. These schoolhouses were furnished with patent seats (seats and desk combined), good stoves, unabridged dictionaries, and in some instances text books had been purchased by the district for the use of the pupils; these schoolhouses were painted, built in a substantial manner and most of them still in use in 191 5. In districts Nos. i, 2, 4, 6 and 8, Sunday schools had been organized and held regularly and in these houses there were regular appointments for religious services.

Miss Claea Lew

School district No. 9 was organized June 19, 1872, official notice being sent to John P. Arndt, the first meeting being called at the home of Charles Davis (Elm Creek), D. F. Hood being chosen director.

School district No. 10 was organized July 6, 1872, official notice being served on Henry Fieldgrove and the first meeting held at the home of D. B. Allen. Martin L. Henry was chosen director.

School district No. 11 was organized October i, 1872, official notice being given John Blanchard, and the first meeting held at the home of Mr. Blanchard. Lloyd D. Forehand was chosen director.

It will be seen that within eighteen months after the arrival of the colony, ten school districts had been organized by County Superintendent C. Putnam,, in most of the district schoolhouses erected; also the report of the county superintendent of date January 11, 1872, shows 224 children in attendance at the public schools, in eight of the first organized school districts.