School
Superintendent Notes, 1872
- includes several Franklin twp. & Linton twp.
schools; and Rossville school -
The North Iowa Journal, July
9, 1872, Lansing, Iowa, Page 1
Visited No. 2, Linton
tp., J.H. Butts, teacher; on roll, 28; present,
23. This school building, was burned down a few days
previous, and I found, after some inquiry, Mr. Butts and
his 23 scholars assembled in one of Mr. Campbell's
out-houses, and working away as industriously as though
they stood within the walls of Harvard University. Mr.
Butts is a very hardworking teacher, very practical and
thorough. Unlike some of our teachers, he knows, he has
brains and relies upon them and not entirely upon books.
Mr. B.'s scholars lost all their books in the fire and he
took advantage of this to introduce the Wilson Reader,
instead of McGuffey. Mr. B., thinks it quite an
improvement over the McGuffey series, and perhaps it
would be well if other schools would give them a trial.
Mr. Carlyle Beeman, of Jefferson tp., will furnish them
at half price to those who desire to introduce them. --
T.F. Healy, Co. Supt., Monday, June 17 [Note: Big Foot
school, Linton #2]
Visited Linton No. 4, at
Sixteen, Miss Celia Titus, teacher, on roll, 26,
present, 21. I gave this young lady a 3rd class
certificate three weeks before. After remaining a short
time in her school, I raised her to second class, for I
saw at once that Miss Celia meant business and was bound
to be a teacher. She also recognizes the fact that she
has brains, and she uses them. I am not at all afraid
that I will spoil Celia by praising her, but if she will
go to Waukon the coming winter and give five or six
months there at school, I feel quite safe in saying that
she will be No.1 at the end of that time. -- T.F. Healy,
Co. Supt., Monday P.M., June 17, 1872
Visited No. 3, Linton tp.,
Miss Lena Buch, teacher, on roll 25, present 13. The day
being wet accounted for the slim attendance at this
school. Miss B., however, is doing fairly, no complaints
being made and people all satisfied. -- T.F. Healy,
Supt., Tuesday, June 18th [Note: Figgie school, Linton
#3]
Visited No. 5, Linton tp., Miss Olive
Green, teacher; on roll, 12, present, 9. Miss Green also
appeared to be giving satisfaction to her patrons. A new
school building, is being erected in this district which
is much needed. [Note: Suttle Creek school, Linton #5]
Also visited Volney school [Franklin
No. 5], Miss Almeda Sencebaugh, teacher, on roll, 20;
present, 18. I was sorry to see so small an attendance at
this school, but it was not Miss Sencebaugh's fault, for
she is an excellent teacher, and this being her third
consecutive term in this school shows conclusively that
she is giving satisfaction. A gentleman who was present
at the time of my first visit said that the slim
attendance was owing to the very uncomfortable seats in
this school. If this be so, it should be remedied and
better seats obtained. Maps should be furnished to this
school. -- T.F. Healy, Co. Supt., Tuesday, June 19th
Visited No. 6,
Smithfield [Franklin twp.], Miss Maggie Downing,
teacher; on roll, 17, present, 12. Miss Maggie is a good,
sensible and religious girl, and will I think yet make a
No.1 teacher. Her scholars (nearly all girls) were rather
deficient; but if Maggie has followed my advice, I think
they will be much better at the close of the term. This
school was furnished with beautiful new patent seats,
much to the credit of the district.
Also visited No. 3,
same twp., Miss Katie McShane, teacher, on roll, 20;
present, 12. This young lady seems to be endeavoring to
earn her money faithfully and is giving good
satisfaction. A little bright eyed damsel of 11 years,
named Jennie Frees, showed a good and brilliant
intellect, and is very fond of reading, especially the
reports of the Co. Sup't., which is the first thing she
looks for in the county papers. She did not seem to be at
all afraid of him for she actually walked home to dinner
hand in hand with him. Jennie will be a school maam yet,
and a good one. -- T.F. Healy, Co. Sup't., Thursday, June
20th [Note: Red School, Franklin #3]
Visited No. 7, Jefferson
tp., Miss Helen Lisher, teacher, on roll, 25;
present, 15. Miss Helen, like a few other lady teachers,
believes in making her school a paradise instead of a
penitentiary, and accordingly keeps it fitted up all
summer long with real flowers growing out of tin boxes
and hanging from the walls and windows. That's right
Helen. It will make your life all the sweeter and happier
to enjoy God's glorious gifts - the beautiful flowers. I
gave Helen a first-class certificate also. I am very glad
that I did, for less than that would not be doing her
justice. She is a first- class teacher, and it gives me
great pleasure to record the same. My worthy friend, H.B.
Miner, who was present with me, will bear witness that I
speak truly, and will further testify that the four young
ladies who sat on the right behaved nobly in my presence,
by answering correctly and promptly all of my questions.
I regret that I haven't their names, for I would
cheerfully publish them, but I won't forget you next
time, girls. -- T.F. Healy, Co. Sup't, Friday, June 21
[Note: Rossville school, Jefferson #7]
Visited No. 9, Franklin tp., Mrs. A.
Hancock, teacher, on roll, 24; present, 15. Some time
previous I gave this lady a No.1 certificate. I am happy
to state that Mrs. Hancock is a No.1 teacher as well as
scholar. She works very hard in the school-room and who
ever gets Mrs. Hancock's services the coming winter will
be sure to get their money's worth. Her scholars sung for
me, much to my pleasure and satisfaction, and Miss Jennie
Crawford, a little lassie of 12, displayed literary
ability of a high order. No.9 was built many years ago by
the voluntary labor of several gentlemen and it's first
door-way consisted of a blanket hung across the door-way
to keep out rain and snow. What sad and painful
recollections may not that call forth - but I will not
moralize, but proceed to state that after school was out,
I was conducted by Robert Crawford, the worthy and
energetic President of the township board, to the site of
a new schoolhouse, where I found the foundation already
laid for a splendid new school, to cost $900, size,
20x32, which gave me a great pleasure to describe more
fully when built. I regret very much to hear that Mr.
Crawford purposes leaving our county as he takes a
praiseworthy and commendable interest in the cause of
education. -- T.F. Healy, Co. Supt., Wednesday P.M.
[Note: Bear Hollow school, Franklin #9]
Visited No. 4, Franklin tp.,
Miss Lydia Cowles, teacher; on roll, 35; present, 32; and
didn't look for the Sup't either. Good for No. 4. This is
a splendid lot of scholars, and has a splendid teacher.
Now, won't some other district feel jealous at that
description? I hope not. I always tell the truth. I have
done so in this case. If you doubt it go yourself and
look at the building and it's grounds, and then go in and
look at the excellent order kept by Miss Cowles, and at
the proficiency of her 32 scholars, and you will be very
apt to agree with me. Willie Dickson answered nearly
every question I asked of him and is altogether an
excellent boy, but the girls - and there was a splendid
lot of them - Miss - Miss - why I declare I've forgotten
to take the names of several of them, and I meant to -
just as well as Willie's - but on looking at my
memorandum book, I see I have forgotten them. Never mind,
girls, I won't forget you next winter. The director of
this school, Mr. Sawyer, takes great pleasure in
attending to the wants of his school. Before leaving
Franklin tp. I ought to state that it is the intention of
its people to build nine new and splendid school houses
like No. 4, that will really be an ornament to its
high-ways and a credit to its people. -- T.F. Healy, Co.
Supt.,Thursday, P.M.
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