Shenandoah World, Shenandoah, Iowa, March 8, 1898

EARLY SCHOOLS OF SHENANDOAH

Paper Read at the Old Settlers’ Meeting by Mrs Dr Smith

In the fall of 1870 my father’s family moved to the farm one mile east of this place. But two houses were in sight. One was a 10x12, frame, bachelor’s abode, just across the road from us, on the land now owned by Mr. Vincent. The other was a log house, owned by a Mr Heckathorn on the north side of the Four-mile creek. Waving prairie grass was on all sides. School-house there was not in Grant township. But school must be provided for the children that were coming into the little town on the Nishna Botna. The first house was completed August 6^th. At the beginning of winter 19 children entered school. Before the close of the 4-months’ term, 40 were enrolled. This school was taught by Mrs S.E. Field, in one room of a little house owned by a Mr. Thomas, on the site of the present home of C.S. Keenan. This room had but one window, that to the north. There were no desks. Children sat on planks, cracker boxes, nail kegs, etc. Mrs Field says there was a nail keg in the room half filled with beans. A board was put on it to make one more seat. A child upset it; we can imagine the rest. I started here, but the walk was a long one, and the room so crowded that my parents thought best not to send me.

About the same time we learned of a school in the upper room of the log house on the Four-mile creek before mentioned. Here it was decided that my sister Ella and I should go. Our brother had arrived at the dignity of 13 years, and said he wouldn’t go to school in such a place. He’d rather stay at home and herd cattle. This room was unplastered, the ceiling was low. There was one window in each end of the room. The seats were benches made of split logs with legs put in the rounding side. The teacher, J.R. Badham, came each day on horse back from Manti, a distance of 5 miles.

The Yates brothers, two of whom live upon their farms east of town, were attendants of this school.

In the spring of ’71 [1871] Miss Eunice Baker taught in a little “concern” that had been built for a barn. This building, if I mistake not, stood upon the ground now occupied by the T.J. Mentzer residence. Incidentally I might mention that Miss Baker and her mother formed the first Chautauqua reading circle of which I had any knowledge. The mother was then well past 60 years of age. This lady died in Blanchard only a few weeks ago. The daughter, better known as Mrs John Miller, died in Clarinda a number of years ago. The fall term was taught by Miss Julia Burnett, in Mentzer’s Hall. It was in October of this year that the great Chicago fire occurred. I have vivid recollections of W.P. Ferguson bringing up frequent reports of the progress of the fire, of course for the benefit of the pupils.

This hall was fitted up with long seats, but no desks. We children sat with our feet dangling, our books and slates beside us or in our laps. This same “Hall” was used for church purposes on Sunday and for whatever meetings of any sort might occur through the evenings of the week.

The winter term of ’71-2 was taught by S.E. Filed. Pleasant Hill school house, the first in Grant tp. had been built in the summer of ’71. The first teacher there was Miss Nettie Smith.

The schools of Shenandoah belonged to the system of Grant Twp until 1872, when the independent district of the city was organized. In March, 1873, the first board of directors was elected. This board consisted of R.B. Crose, J. Swain, A.J. Welty, J. Stokes and A.B. West.

In the summer of 1873 a two story two room brick building was erected, at a cost of $3,046. School opened in the fall with W.P. Jeffrey principal, Miss Zin Gray assistant, Miss Stella Reed was also one of our early assistants. Mr Jeffrey remained three years and was succeeded by C.S. Chase. About this time additions were made to the public, at a cost of $7,000.

June 21^st, 1878, I passed from the Shenandoah public school, having completed its course of study having attended from the day of its opening. Our class numbered but two, Katie Carey and myself. Since then scores of boys and girls have gone out from those halls and it is not necessary that I mention later history details passed with the passing of my own school days.

I am glad for every added privilege that our children may enjoy; but I would not underestimate the work of our teachers 25 to 28 years ago.

Without proper buildings, furniture, apparatus or library, these pioneers bravely, intelligently, heroically did what they could.

Mrs Baker, mentioned in the foregoing, was the mother of Dr Baker of Imogene. He recently showed us a certificate she received in New York in 1830. To show how it was done “them days” we reproduce a copy of it:

“We the subscribers, inspectors of common school for the town of Murray, in the county of Orleans, N.Y., do certify that at a meeting of the inspectors called for the purpose, we have examined Pruella Rose, and do believe that she is well qualified in respect to moral character, learning ability, to instruct a common school in this town for one year from the date thereof.

Benjamin Allen, Stephen g. Peck, Timothy Ruggles – Inspectors as aforesaid.