Muskogee County, Oklahoma - Chapter 25: Public School System of Muskogee, 1922

Chapter 25: Public School System of Muskogee

its eapid growth and development - first board of education - move for bonds - no pull or graft permitted - school buildings and their cost - muskogee 's mission schools - harrell institute - henry kendall college1 - bacone university - catholic schools - st. joseph 's college - united charities of muskogee - old folks' home - day nursery - state school for blind - muskogee's newspapers.

Muskogee's public schools are the pride of the city. For efficiency and thoroughly practical work, they are not excelled by those of any other city in the southwest. Many families have been induced to locate here solely on account of the excellent educational advantages afforded to all of the rising generation. This growth and development is remarkable when it is remembered that prior to the passage of the Curtis Act of Congress, June 28, 1898, no provision had been made for the establishment of public schools anywhere in the Indian Territory. The Curtis Act provided that towns of 200 or more inhabitants might incorporate under the statutory provisions of the State of Arkansas, and elect town or city councils thereunder. The following provision was also made in that Act for schools :

' 1 Such councils may also establish and maintain free schools in such cities and towns under the provisions of the Arkansas statutes," but the rate of taxation for all public purposes was limited to two per cent of the assessed valuation of the taxable property.

As no real estate could yet be taxed, and as much of the taxable property consisted of cheaply constructed box houses, the outlook for sufficient revenue with which to meet all municipal expenses, including schools, was not very encouraging. But, possessing unbounded faith in future developments, the people cheerfully taxed themselves to the maximum limit, and began in earnest to provide for free schools.

First Board Of Education

The first year's record of the proceedings of this Board was destroyed in the disastrous fire of February 23, 1899, but old residents remember that the first public school was opened in a two story box house which was located on South Second Street, where the City Fire Department now has its headquarters, with four teachers and an enrollment of 200 pupils. During the next year, beginning in September, 1899, ten teachers were employed and the enrollment of pupils increased to 350. H. M. Butler was the first city superintendent, being employed for the term ending in May 1900 at a salary of $100 per month. For the year beginning September 1, 1900, the Board abolished the position of Superintendent, but retained Mr. Butler as Principal, at $70 per month. On the 30th day of May, 1901, Dr. W. F. Wilson, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, a teacher of forty years' experience, was employed as superintendent, at an annual salary of $1,000.

In addition to the old frame building, above mentioned, the Board now secured the use of the old W. C. T. U. building which stood over on Cherokee Street and in September 1901, opened school with 646 pupils and eight teachers. A school for colored pupils, was also started this year, in the north part of the city, with four teachers.

On July 10, 1902, Miss Bessie Trent was chosen as superintendent at a salary of $700 per year, and during the next year, she was retained at a salary of $1,000.

On July 1, 1905, Charles W. Briles of Texas was elected superintendent to succeed Miss Trent, at an annual salary of $1,500 and remained in charge of the city schools for four years, when he resigned to take charge of one of the state schools.

The first step toward building school houses was taken by the Board of Education, July 21, 1902, by authorizing the issuance of school warrants in the sum of $40,000, payable $5,000 each year with interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum. At that time there was no law authorizing towns or school districts in Indian Territory to issue bonds for any purpose, but during the summer of 1902, Congress was induced to furnish relief to the towns by enacting a law providing that incorporated towns of two thousand or more inhabitants might issue bonds for the construction of sewers, water works and schoolhouses, subject to approval by the United States District Court. Upon the passage of that law, the Board of Education annulled its resolution authorizing the issuance of building warrants, but on account of various complications, no further steps were taken toward erecting school buildings during that year.

Move For. Bonds

On May 11, 1903, however, the Board adopted a resolution requesting the City Council to call an election for the issuance of bonds with which to build two ten-room buildings for white children and an eight-room building, for colored children. It is interesting to recall that quite a discussion arose at the meeting of the Board, concerning the size of the two proposed white school buildings. Some of the members argued that the town might never have pupils sufficient in number to fill two ten-room buildings and that it would be a waste of money to construct larger buildings than the town would need. Others contended that Muskogee would increase in population and that by providing two ten-room buildings, they could take care of the pupils for many years to come. After prolonged discussion the Board decided upon the two larger buildings, and the minutes of the Board recite the fact that "in the opinion of the Board these buildings will be sufficient to supply the needs of the town for several years to come."

Mr. D. N. Fink and the writer became members of the Board of. Education immediately following the adoption of this resolution and were destined to serve in that capacity for the following ten years. This was the formative period of Muskogee's excellent school system and also the period of the city's most rapid growth. Instead of the three buildings first provided for, being sufficient to supply the needs of the city "for several years to come," the last shingle had scarcely been placed upon them, when it was found necessary to supply additional room for the increasing number of pupils, and for several years thereafter, the Board was kept busy, hunting and purchasing new sites, planning and contracting new buildings, selecting and purchasing new furniture.

fixtures and supplies, finding new teachers, outlining courses of study and providing the funds for all of these varied and increasing demands. In the meantime it frequently became necessary to provide temporary accommodations for new pupils, while new buildings were being constructed. Nightly meetings of the Board of Education in those days were not unusual, and among the members who rendered faithful service for one or more terms were: Capt. W. C. Trent, Dr. A. E. Bonnell, D. N. Fink, H. M. Chestnutt, Judge R. P. deGraffenreid, J. W. Stewart, Fay Todd, W. F. Moffatt, W. H. Davis, J. X. Wilkinson and B. A. Randle.

No Pull Or Graft Permitted

It is a well-known fact that petty jealousies, personal preferences, political pull, a desire for personal gain or a desire to favor one's relatives or friends, too frequently dictate the acts and policies of Schools Boards - and invariably prove detrimental to the best interests of the schools, but a personal acquaintance with every member of the Muskogee Board of Education from its beginning down to this year of our Lord, 1921, warrants the statement, and it is recorded with pride and pleasure, that, at no time, have the members of this Board ever manifested anv disposition to be guided by selfish motives, but always ready to take whatever action was necessary to promote the best interests of the schools. Upon one occasion the mayor of the city undertook to instruct the Board to favor his friends in making purchases, but he received such an emphatic rebuff that his demand was never repeated. The high standard of Muskogee's present school system is due, in great measure, to the unselfish .conduct of the men who have served on the Board of Education.

In September, 1905, the Muskogee High School was organized with sixteen pupils, in one room of the Jefferson building. D. Frank Redd, principal of Jefferson School, also took charge of the high school department. As the high school enrollment increased, the classes were shifted about from place to place, for awhile occupying vacant store rooms, and later, using rooms in the Kendall College building. The Central High School building

Edwin S. Monroe succeeded Mr. Briles as City Superintendent in 1909, and remained in charge of the school for the next ten years. Superintendents Briles and Monroe were thoroughly practical educators and rendered valuable service to the cause of education in the city.

Harrell Institute

Prior to 1898 there were no public schools in Indian Territory and the major part of the educational work was carried on by the mission schools established by the various religious denominations. White and Indian children attended these schools together and for many years they afforded the young people the only opportunity available for securing an education and scores of our most intelligent men and women of both races are the product of these schools. The Methodists were the first to establish a school in Muskogee and for eighteen years prior to 1896, Dr. Theo. F. Brewer directed the work of the school which became known as Harrell Institute. On May 26, 1896, he resigned, against the wishes of his patrons and was succeeded as president by Dr. TV. R. Thornton. Probably no man has ever resided in this section of the countrv who has been more universallv beloved than Doctor Brewer. He is a genuine Christian gentleman, earnest and energetic in every task which he undertakes, and he is still serving the Master in the pastorate of the Methodist Church at Vinita, Oklahoma. Harrell Institute, which had developed into a three story brick building with frame dormitory adjoining, located on East Okmulgee Avenue, was destroyed by fire in 1899. It was never rebuilt but was succeeded by the Spaulding Institute which was located a few blocks farther east.

Henry Kendall College

The first church organization in Muskogee was formed by the Presbyterians, under the leadership of Rev. Timothy Hill who is credited with having preached the first sermon in the village. Some time afterward the officials of the church established a little private school for the children of their parish. A little later Miss Alice Robertson, present member of Congress, established the Minerva Home, a school for girls. As the population of the village increased the demand for more extended educational facilities became more pronounced, and out of these small beginnings grew Henry Kendall College, in the organization of which Miss Robertson took a very prominent part. From 1885 to 1892 it was con- ducted as a boarding school for white and Indian girls. In 1893 boys were admitted as day students. In 18&4, with the assistance of Henry Kendall, a wealthy member of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, new buildings were added and it began to assume the appearance of a real college.

By 1895 the school consisted of a two story building for girls, a two story dormitory for boys, a two story class room building and a two story boarding house. All of these buildings were of frame structure and located in what is now the center of the business section of Muskogee, on the block north of Okmulgee Avenue, between Second and Third streets. In 1898 the- Church Board secured title from the Creek Nation to a beautiful tract of twentythree acres, located on Kendall Hill, overlooking the town, lying between Eleventh and Fourteenth streets and extending from Boston Avenue to Elgin Avenue and three substantial brick buildings were erected thereon. Rev. W. R. King, a pioneer in mission school work, was at this time, president of the college. He was an able educator, but after a few short years of service, he was transferred, by the church authorities to St. Louis, where he was assigned to a broader field of missionary work. In 1899 Rev. A. Grant Evans succeeded Dr. King as president and remained in charge until the church authorities decided to move the school to Tulsa. Soon after statehood (1907) Rev. Evans was selected as the first president of the State University.

Bacone University

Bacone University, a Baptist institution of learning, located two miles northeast of Muskogee, promises to be the most permanent of all the denominational schools established in this section of the country. Its origin may be traced back to a little mission school house in Tahlequah, with Rev. Almon C. Bacone as organizer and principal teacher. Revr. Bacone came West in 1878 and was employed by the Cherokee Board of Education as principal of the Male Seminary at Tahlequah. He soon became intensely interested in the education of Indian boys and became convinced of the importance of giving them religious, as well as academic training.

favor with the Indians. In 1884 the Creek Council donated the present site and Rev. Baeone in the following year, came to Muskogee and began to build the present Bacone Indian University. Pupils were admitted from various Indian Tribes, good teachers were employed and from the date of its beginning, to the present time, it has gradually grown in favor among the Indians. Rev. Bacone devoted his time and energy to the task of building up this school and keeping it filled with Indian pupils until the date of his death, covering a period of about thirteen years, and he was buried near the institution which still bears his name.

In 1891 Rev. Bacone reported forty-four Indian students in attendance, and that from its organization . to 1891, 663 Indian students had been enrolled, representng ten different tribes.

In 1910 Dr. J. Harvey Randall was appointed president of the University and remained in charge of it for eight years. Dr. Randall was an earnest, Christian gentleman, and under his supervision, the school continued to grow although he was prevented, for want of sufficient funds, from enlarging the hoarding capacity of the school. Doctor Randall retired from the presidency of the University in 1918 and died in Muskogee during the following vear.

On the first day of July, 1918, Dr. Randall was succeeded as president by Dr. B. D. Weeks. The new president was a comparatively young man, quiet in appearance, but a close observer of men and affairs, a thorough student and a gifted minister of the Gospel. He soon conceived the idea that in order to build up a great Indian University it was necessary to get into close touch with the real Indians and tell them, face to face, what the University was doing and what it hoped to do. Accordingly, he visited the Indians in their humble homes out in the hills, he conducted religious services, sometimes with the assistance of an interpreter, and as he manifested an interest in their welfare, they responded by demonstrating their interest in the welfare of the University. The school is at this time crowded to its capacity with Indian boys and girls, and the financial aid voluntarily tendered by wealthy Indians, has already made it possible for the University authorities to expend nearly $200,000, in erecting and equipping additional buildings, and plans are being made for a group of builings to cost $300,000 more. The "consummation devoutly to be wished" on the part of Dr. Weeks is to build a religious institution of learning that will accommodate not less than 500 Indian students, and in this undertaking he will have the sympathy and hearty cooperation of both white and Indian citizens.

Catholic Schools

The Catholic denomination, too, has done its share in Mission School work. In 1890, eight years before Muskogee had publicschools, Father Thomas of Sacred Heart Mission, came to Muskogee and built a church and little school on South Second Street. Father W. H. Ketcham, a very estimable young man, was sent to take charge of the Mission. After remaining here for a while, Father Ketcham was sent to Antlers, where he built up quite a flourishing boarding school. A few years later he was called to Washington to supervise the work of Catholic education among all the Indian tribes. In this position he displayed excellent executive ability and acquired great influence over the cause of Indian education throughout the United States. He died quite suddenly and unexpectedly, a few months ago, while on a visit to Western Oklahoma.

The little mission established here, grew slowly but surely, and in 1896 additional buildings were erected to provide for girls who resided outside of Muskogee, the Institution assuming the name of Nazareth Institute.

In September 1903, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart arrived, in Muskogee to assist in pushing forward the work of Nazareth Institute, afterwards known as Nazareth College, which had located on South Second Street several years prior to that time. One of the first tasks of the Brothers was to establish a boarding department to accommodate the increasing enrollment of boys. A commodious building was soon added to Nazareth College, but it soon became necessary to furnish further relief from the crowded condition of the school. During the early part of the year 1909, the citizens of Muskogee donated to the Brothers ten acres of ground located in the eastern suburbs of the City on Alamo Heights, and a substantial four-story brick and stone building was erected. On December 2. 1909. this new Catholic School was opened and christened "St. Joseph's College." By 1920 the crowded condition of the school made it necessary to convert the Chapel into a dormitory and build an addition tq the main building.

The buildings now occupied are valued at about $75,000. and are well lighted, well planned, and include one of the largest gymnasiums in the State.

Brother Wilferd. the President of the College, and Brother Florissant, the Vice President, are supported by a faculty of twelve competent assistants.

United Charities Of Muskogee

It has always been a matter of pride that Muskogee has cared well for the poor and unfortunate people within her gates. Previous to 1915, several organizations did this work, with the help of a generous public, but believing that a central organization would be more effective as well as more economical, a union of these several activities was effected in January. 1915. under the name of "The United Charities of Muskogee. *' This embraced the work of the Visiting Xurse. the Dav Xurserv, The Old Folks' Home, the Sewing School, and the general Relief and Service department. Two other branches of work were added later, the Child Welfare and the Baby Clinic. The United Charities has been particularly fortunate in its officers and Committees, all taking active interest in all branches of the work and working together with the greatest harmony.

Miss Maud Severance from Kansas City, was the first Superintendent, assisted by Mrs. "Winifred Brown. When Miss Severance resigned after four months' service Mrs. Brown was elected to fill her place and how admirably she has carried on and enlarged the scope of the work, is well known to all residents, not only of Muskogee, but all over the state of Oklahoma.

St. Joseph'S College, Muskogee

not believe in that charity which hands out food, clothes or money, without question, but in that charity that helps the needy to help themselves, that kind of charity that puts them on their feet, physically, morally and financially. Work is found for the idle, temporary relief is given when necessary, expert medical help or advice as needed, nourishment and a home for the little children and the aged. Very careful records are kept of all cases. In fact the office records make deception or duplication an impossibility.

In September, 1919, the organization known for five years as the " United Charities of Muskogee," was incorporated under that name and a charter from the State of Oklahoma was received, making it possible to own or transfer property. Two pieces of valuable property are at present owned by the United Charities, namely, "The Day Nursery" and the "Old Folks' Home." Both are unincumbered.

Plan Of Organization

The management of the United Charities is vested in a Board of Directors of fifteen members elected by the contributors to the Association at an annual meeting held during the second week of November of each year. The officers are a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Each committee is composed of five members of the Association, the chairmen being appointed by the president. These several committees have general supervision over the work in their departments.

The Visiting Nurse

This branch of the work is well looked after by a graduate nurse. The work includes bedside and instructive care to all per-, sons in need of such.

Prenatal care and instruction is given and the expectant mothers are given the closest supervision. Much attention is given to these cases and the nurse attends all maternity cases and looks after both mother and child. Instruction in the proper feeding and the care of young children is fully demonstrated.

The Metrojxtlitan Life Insurance Company's calls are taken care of by this organization and the remuneration for these calls helps defray the salary of the nurse.

The Old Folks' Home

When the various charitable activities were united in January, 1915, the Old Folks' Home had been in existence nearly two years, having been planned to meet the needs of such old people as were not necessarily paupers, but were needing a home for their declining years. During the first year under the United Charities, fourteen people between the ages of 70 and 87 were cared for. One was sent to the Insane Asylum and four were buried in the lot at Greenhill Cemetery given by the City of Muskogee for that purpose. In the years that have followed, no deaths have occurred up to the present time, and no serious illness has afflicted them, only the physical burdens of old age.

All of the people in this Home have led busy, honest, Christian lives, and have only reached their present condition of poverty through misfortune or death of relatives. All are educated, refined, cleanly people, all industrious in their feeble way. A large garden, a flock of chickens and a large yard keep the old men busy while the old ladies, with the help of a good matron, attend to the duties of the house, as well as making quilts, doing patching and caring for babies for the neighbors:

Until November, 1919, the residence at 2103 West Okmulgee was rented to house these old people. They were cramped for room and at that time the property at 328 Callahan Street was purchased for $10,000. This house contains seventeen rooms at the present time and is surrounded by a lot 200 feet square ; has a good garden spot and many shade and fruit bearing trees. In some cases an old person is able to pay a small sum for her or his care in the

Muskogee Day Nursery Muskogee And Northeastern Oklahoma 4G5

The public spirited people of Muskogee have upheld this activity from its start and have been most generous in giving to this worthy object and by their generosity we have been able to make the declining years of so many old people more pleasant and comfortable.

The Day Nursery

The Day Nursery has just closed another year and has proved its usefulness in such a creditable manner that the public will realize its vast importance as long as such an institution is needed. When mothers must work, some organization must care for the children. The Nursery meets many emergencies. It serves the J uvenile Court many times in caring for some child until final disposition can be made of it. Sometimes it is a constant factor in a child's life, but in any and every case the workers at the Nursery give the children under their care good food, fresh air, sunshine and sleep.

The Nursery is free from any institutional atmosphere. The little ones are carefree and happy. The older children, of school age, have small duties to perform which teach them usefulness an their care for the younger ones is indeed a treat to behold.

Many improvements have been made in the Nursery during the past year. A new building for the boys, a wading pool, and a hospital that occupies a separate building in the rear of the main buildings are all sources of comfort to the children. These improvements were all made possible by the generosity of Hon. Thos. H. Owen and his wife, who have ever been stanch friends to the Kiddies in the Nursery.

There has been no serious illness during the past year. For this we believe that the hospital, where isolation can be quickly resorted to, is largely responsible.

State School For Blixd

tion of the country, in one of the old Federal fort buildings at Fort Gibson. She had but little capital, but by her untiring energy she succeeded in gathering in quite a number of blind children, both white and Indian, who had never had the opportunity of attending school. She did not reject any applicants because of inability to pay for their board and tuition, but took care of all who came regardless of their financial status.

The interest in the welfare of the blind children of the state which this little school aroused resulted in the location of the Oklahoma State School for the Blind at Muskogee a few years ago. The state school is now located just outside of the eastern suburbs of Muskogee, and in it 126 blind pupils are enrolled. About $400,000 have been invested in buildings and grounds and all of the buildings are fireproof. They consist of a three-story brick administration building, cottages for boys and girls separately, laundry, dairy building and other outbuildings. The dairy is managed by the blind boys under the supervision of a competent dairvman, and is one of the best dairies in the state.

Muskogee Newspapers

The Indian Journal, a weekly newspaper, was first published in Muskogee in 187 6. It continued, under the management of Dr. Leo Bennett until 1887, when the printing plant was destroyed by fire. Doctor Bennett then transferred the Journal to Euf aula, where he continued its publication until the first day of January, 1888, when he sold his interest in the paper, and established the Weekly Phoenix in Muskogee -February 17, 1888, with Frank C, Hubbard as his associate editor. The Journal and Phoenix were both devoted, very largely, to the publication of articles of special interest to the Indians.

While the Phoenix advocated a square deal for the Indians, it soon began to favor the allotment of Indian lands, and from the time of the arrival of the Dawes Commission in 1893, it consistently supported that body in its efforts toward consummating and executing agreements with the various tribes. During its early years the Phoenix gave a liberal amount of space to Indian education and it devoted a column or more each issue to publishing letters from teachers. For several weeks the Teachers' Column carried on an earnest discussion of the question : "Does heat come from the Sun?" One teacher boldly supported the affirmative and clinched his argument by asserting that it is customary to carry an umbrella above our heads to ward off the sun's heat. Another teacher just as boldly advocated the negative and proved it by showing that as we approach the sun, the atmosphere gradually gets colder.

On the 25th day of August, 1901, the first issue of the Daily Phoenix appeared with Matthew R. Moore as editor. A few months later, Col. Clarence Douglas, who had been connected with the Dawes Commission, took charge of the Daily and Weekly Phoenix, as editor-in-chief, and under his direction, the Phoenix soon took rank with the best newspapers of the new Southwest. When Tarns Bixby retired from the chairmanship of the Dawes Commission, he assumed control of the Phoenix and under his active management the daily was enlarged and much improved.

The Muskogee Times-Democrat

On September 1, 1896, Theo. W. Grulick, a pioneer newspaper man, began the publication of the Muskogee Weekly Times, and . about January 1, 1897, the Daily Times, a four-page publication, appeared. Soon afterward another weekly publication, called the Muskogee Democrat, was launched, but the two papers were later combined under the title of the Times-Democrat.

Mr. D. J. Eddleman, an old newspaper man, bought the Times not long after its establishment, and for awhile, Mr. Gulick was retained as its city editor. Later on Mr. John B. Kesslar purchased the Times and continued its publication. Soon after the Times and Democrat were combined, Mr. Eugene Kerr got control of the paper and both the daily and weekly were materially improved. For several years past Mr. Charles Looney has had charge of the Times-Democrat as its editor-in-chief and manager.

The Phoenix advocated the principles of the Republican party for many years after its first appearance, but of late years is independent in politics, while the Times-Democrat is the organ of the Democratic party.

The Phoenix is a morning paper and the Times-Democrat is an evening paper, the two publications being the leading newspapers of Eastern Oklahoma.

About July 1, 1908, Mr. Gulick, who was a very enthusiastic newspaper man, began the publication of Gulick 's Weekly Review, which was discontinued soon after his death, when the paper was about two vears old.

Our Brother Ix Red

About 1880 the publication of a paper called "Our Brother In Red'' was begun by Rev. F. N. Moore, a Methodist minister. It was published in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church, its motto being "Christian Education, the Hope of the Indian." It was published monthly for several years, but in 1887, Dr. T. F. Brewer and E. W. Brodie assumed control of it and changed it to a weekly publication. It was specially devoted to the task of Christianizing the Indians.