Cowley County Teacher Archives

COWLEY COUNTY TEACHER
WINFIELD, KANSAS
[Beginning October 8, 1879/Ending May, 1880.]
[SALUTATORY: R. C. STORY.]

COWLEY COUNTY TEACHER, PUBLISHED MONTHLY, OCT. 8, 1879.

SALUTATORY.
For three years my labors have been earnestly put forth to advance the cause of education in Cowley county. Thro' the columns of the county papers, in visits made to a large part of the schools and districts of the county, and in addresses in many neighborhoods this work has been untiringly pushed. The territory is so large, the district so numerous, the interests so vast and so varied that the question of meeting the demands made upon me compels me to seek new and additional forces with which to carry on successfully the duties of my office. In the hope of meeting these demands and duties, and in the broader hope of reaching more widely and more deeply all who are concerned in the welfare of our common schools, this new venture is undertaken. There will be much labor and little money in it. The means to meet the expenses of publishing and editing this paper come from the generous businessmen who advertise in its columns. The full tax however may not be met this way, but the balance will be gladly met should the paper prove to be serviceable in promoting the cause for which it appears.

Its constant aim will be to reach and benefit the pupils and teachers in the public schools, the families from which come teachers and pupils, and the district officers, who are the educational guardians of their people. R. C. STORY, Co. Supt.

Cowley County Teacher, October 8, 1879.

THE NORMAL.
The attendance at the late Normal Institute was all that could be wished by anyone. For the first time the number of teachers enrolled exceeded the number of districts in the county. SKIPPED THE REST.

Cowley County Teacher, October 8, 1879.

TEACHER'S WAGES.
The question is often asked by parties living in the east, what wages do you pay teachers in Kansas? In this county wages for female teachers, in 1877 and 1878 averaged $25.99; for male teachers, $31.52 per month. The average number of weeks of school was 18.08. The returns for last year are not all in, and no exact estimate can be given. Probably the wages will range about as they were the year before.

The length of terms and the quality of teaching are increasing, while districts are growing stronger in value of property and in the number of children. These are the causes that deter mine the wages of teaching. As districts get out of debt; and grown in school population and in resources, it is natural to infer that better wages will be paid.

Occasionally one hears that teachers have formed a combination to put up wages; or that the examining board advises teachers to demand higher wages; or that the county superintendent is seeking to raise the pay of teachers. How or why these silly rumors begin no one can tell. The pay of teachers, like the wages of all working classes, depends on laws which are above the control of superintendents, examining boards, and teachers. The factors that make the wages given teachers are three: the financial resources of the districts, their freedom from indebtedness, and the quality of teaching. Only one of these factors can be affected by any influence from teachers or school officials, and that is the quality of the teaching. Who can exert the greatest influence on this factor? Who would be benefited most, financially, by its increase in worth? Those who labor in the school-room in the position of teachers. In this county, as elsewhere, good teachers are sought for, and are paid good wages for their labors. When teachers cry out for better wages, they should be told to increase the worth of their wares, and their pay will increase proportionally.

Cowley County Teacher, October 8, 1879.

FIRST PARAGRAPH PARTIALLY TORN...ENDS UP WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS..."and organized a permanent association."

ARTICLE THEN GOES ON WITH RESOLUTIONS.

The work of the general institute was practical and successful, and was summed up in the following resolutions.

Resolved, That monthly reports should be made by teachers strictly in accordance with the blank reports sent out by the county superintendent, and that such reports should be made promptly at the close of each calendar month.

Resolved, That both written and oral class examinations should be held as often as once a month, and that oral reviews should be had at least once a week.

Resolved, That county schools should be divided into pri-

mary, intermediate, and grammar grades, and that the teacher should grade his school according to its needs and advancement.

Resolved, That written work in schools should consist (1) of written preparation for recitations; (2) of written work at recitation; and (3) of writen work at monthly examinations.

Resolved, That this work should be prepared frequently, and kept by the teacher for the inspection of parents, officers, and visitors.

Resolved, That while we, as teachers, do not condemn the judicious attendance of pupils and teachers at socials and lyceums, yet we recommend that such meetings be held only on Friday or Saturday night.

Resolved, That no class of entertainments should continue in session later than 10 o'clock, p.m.

Resolved, That such entertainments should not be held oftener than once in two weeks.

Resolved, That the teachers of Cowley county hereby tender Hon. Allen B. Lemmon their sincere thanks for his recent visit, and for his hearty words uttered in behalf of education. We deeply appreciate the worth of his devoted and untiring efforts in the cause of common schools, and we trust that all true friends of education will recognize in him a worthy and conscientious co-laborer.

Resolved, That our thanks are due, and are hereby tendered, to all who have been engaged in working with us in our normal, in the capacity of instructors.

Cowley County Teacher, October 8, 1879.

Cowley County Teachers.
WINFIELDA GRADE.
Prof. E. T. Trimble

Mrs. E. E. Timble

Miss Kate L. Meech

Miss Sarah Hodges

Miss Mina C. Johnson

Miss Allie Klingman

Miss Sarah E. Davis

P. S. Martin

T. Jay Floyd

WINFIELDB GRADE.
Miss Nellie Aldrich

Miss Lena Bartlett

Miss Celina Bliss

Miss Hattie McKinley

Miss Ella Freeland

E. P. Hickok

R. A. O'Neil

A. B. Taylor

Lincoln McKinley

John Bower

WINFIELDC GRADE.
Miss Mollie Davis

Miss Lusetta Pyburn

Miss Amy Robertson

Miss Rose Frederick

Miss F. M. McKinley

Miss Henrietta King

Miss Mattie Minihan

Miss Ray E. Nawman

Miss F. E. Pontious

Miss Alice E. Pyburn

Miss Maggie Stansbury

Miss Effie Randall

Miss Mattie E. Walters

Mrs. P. B. Seibert

Mrs. Alice Bullock

John C. Rowland

A. E. Hon

Samuel E. Davis

Grant Stafford

Reuben S. White

ARKANSAS CITYA GRADE.
C. H. Sylvester

Miss Lizzie Landis

Miss Fannie Skinner

Miss Al Maxwell

ARKANSAS CITYB GRADE.
T. B. Hall

Mrs. L. M. Theaker

Miss Mattie Mitchell

C. L. Swarts

H. G. Blount

Risdon Gilstrap

ARKANSAS CITYC GRADE.
Miss Jessie Sankey

Miss Mary L. Theaker

Miss A. O. Wright

D. P. Marshall

J. F. Hess

Charles Hutchins

TISDALE.
W. D. Noble (State certificate).

R. B. Hunter, (A)

S. A. Smith, (B)

Mrs. Ida C. Brown, (C)

T. J. Johnson, (C)

A. E. Millard, (B)

Miss Gertie Davis, (C)

Miss Sada Davis, (C)

Miss Mattie West (C)

LAZETTE.
Miss Mary Tucker, (A)

M. Hemenway, (C)

H. F. Albert, (C)

H. T. Albert, (C)

Miss Lu A. Bedell, (C)

Miss Arvilla Elliott, (C)

DEXTER.
S. F. Overman, (A)

T. J. Rude, (C)

R. B. Overman, (B)

O. Phelps, (B)

NEW SALEMC.
Miss Ella E. Davis

Miss Mary E. Buck

MAPLE CITY.
W. E. Ketcham, (B)

G. F. Gilliland, (C)

Jas. E. Perisho, (C)

FLORALC.
Squire Humble

Lorenzo Harris

CEDARVALE.
Miss Allie E. Dickie, (B)

J. P. Hosmer, (C)

Miss Martha Thompson, (C)

ROCKB.
Simeon Martin

Alex. Limerick

ROCKC.
D. S. Armstrong

Miss Electa Strong

TANNEHILLC.
Mrs. S. E. Sitton

Miss Mollie Rouzee

DOUGLASSC.
Mrs. E. Gard

BRYANTC.
Henry Waters

LITTLE DUTCH.
R. B. Corson, (A)

Adam L. Weber, (C)

SILVERDALEC.
Jennie Scott

POLOC.
Mrs. S. Hollingsworth

RED BUDB.
Porter Wilson

BUSHNELLB.
P. W. Smith

SALT CITYC.
Libbie M. Conrad

S. J. Gilbert

BALTIMOREC.
E. W. Woolsey

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879. [Date Not Given.]

Officers of Cowley County Sabbath School Convention.

President: S. S. Holloway.

Vice President: John Service.

Secretary: James McDermott.

Asst. Secretary: R. C. Story.

Treasurer: H. D. Gans.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: P. B. Lee, W. D. Mowry, W. H. Rose, A. L. Crow, and J. R. Thompson.

TOWNSHIP VICE PRESIDENTS.

Winfield City: W. O. Johnson.

Walnut: G. W. Youle.

Pleasant Valley: Joel Mason.

Vernon: S. P. Chase.

Tisdale: V. P. Rounds.

Cresswell: S. C. Murphy.

Bolton: Dr. Carlisle.

Beaver: C. W. Roseberry.

Silverdale: G. B. Harris.

Dexter: G. W. Jones.

Spring Creek: W. E. Ketcham.

Cedar: Mrs. Strong.

Otter: C. R. Myles.

Liberty: Alex. Thompson.

Windsor: Mrs. S. M. Fall.

Harvey: Lilburn Smith.

Omnia: E. A. Henthorn.

Silver Creek: T. P. Carter.

Richland: T. R. Carson.

Rock: A. Limerick.

Maple: Simeon Martin.

Ninnescah: Howard Stull.

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

ASSOCIATION DISTRICTS.
For the purpose of holding teachers' associations in the different parts of the county, the following division of townships has been made.

District No. 1. Ninnescah, Maple, and western portion of Rock.

District No. 2. Eastern portion of Rock, Richland, and Omnia.

District No. 3. Harvey, Windsor, Silver Creek.

District No. 4. Walnut, Vernon, Beaver, Pleasant Valley, Tisdale, Liberty, and city of Winfield.

District No. 5. Creswell, Bolton, Silverdale.

District No. 6. Spring Creek, Cedar.

District No. 7. Dexter, Liberty, Otter.

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

THE LATE EXAMINATIONS.
The examinations held in September and October disclosed two serious defects in the education of a majority of our teachers. The lack of accurate knowledge of general literature and of general information is indeed lamentable. What shall be said of applicants who class Shakespeare, Tennyson, Cowper, Dryden, Byron, Milton, among American poets? Of what use has the study of history been to those who locate Bunker Hill, Lexington, and Yorktown in New Jersey, and who make Franklin and Hamilton generals in the Black Hawk war? What does that teacher know of curent events who says that the Isthmus of Darien is the "body of water" that connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean? Why should so many applicants say that John Brown's raid was one of the most important events in Kansas history?

One other serious defect in the education of our teachers is shown in the bad spelling, bad composition, and erroneous use of capitals and punctuation marks. Many papers were given in which contained not a single mark of punctuation. Others were found in which capitals seemed to have been scattered broad-cast, in the old manner of sowing wheat.

Such ignorance and such errors must be eradicated. It will take time, labor, and perseverance, but it must be done. Applicants for certificates must show an ability to use correct English. They must know something of the present generation and of the current events of national importance.

To secure these two ends follow this course: Take Swinton's or Pinneo's Composition, and study it, making it a basis for much original work in writing. Read a selection, or memorize one--then write it out on paper, and compare this work with the original in regard to capitals, punctuation, spelling, and language. Subscribe for some leading paper of national reputation, and read and study its contents, using atlas, dictionary, and note-book constantly.

To those whose standing has been running low, let a word of warning be given. Make such use of the fall and winter months as will find you next spring able to pass a thorough examination in every subject in which your standing is low. A hint to the wise is sufficient.

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

Educational Summary of Cowley County for the Year
Ending July 31, 1879.
No. of districts organized: 122

No. of districts reported: 122

Total school population: 6,779

No. of pupils enrolled in school: 4,485

Average daily attendance: 2,580

Percentage enrolled: .66

Percentage in daily attendance: .38

Percentage not in daily attendance: .62

No. of persons between 8 and 14 not attending school 3 months: 192

No. of teachers required: 117

Grade "A": 10

Grade "B": 76

Grade "C": 58

Total No. of different teachers employed: 137

Average salarymales: $30.34

Average salaryfemales: $22.10

Average No. of weeks of school session: 21.3

No. of rooms used for schools: 116

No. of private schools: 9

Teachers in private schools: 9

Pupils in private schools: 176

Average weeks of private schools: 10

Reported No. of persons over 16 who cannot read or write: 60

Estimated value of buildings and grounds: $52,251

Estimated value of furniture: $6,966

Estimated value of apparatus: $1,208

Amount of bonds issued this year: $2,590

Present bonded indebtedness: $36,738

Assessed valuation of personal property: $370,043

Assessed valuation of real property: $1,443,942

No. of districts furnished with record books: 89

No. of districts furnished with unabridged dictionaries: 16

No. of districts that have uniform text-books: 89

No. of persons examined: 177

Average age of applicants: 23

No. of applications rejected: 36

No. of certificates granted: 141

No. of districts visited by county superintendent: 64

No. of visits made by Co. Supt.: 134

No. of new districts organized: 6

No. of districts having 3 months school: 108

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
Balance in hands of district treasurers July 31, 1878: $3,328.82

Amount received for teachers' wages: $15,144.42

Amount received from State Fund: $5,420.95

Amount received site & building fund: $1,844.41

Amount received library fund: $121.80

Amount received sale of bonds: $2,360.00

Amount received all other sources: $1,753.27

Amount received from all sources: $29,973.41

Amount paid for teachers' wages: $17,420.89

Amount paid for rents, fuel, etc.: $4,285.36

Amount paid for text books: $440.92

Amount paid for books for library: $51.50

Amount paid for maps and apparatus: $289.33

Amount paid for sites, buildings: $3,126.47

Total amount paid out: $35,614.47

Amount in hands of district treasurers Aug. 1, 1879: $4,359.10

TEXT-BOOKS USED IN DISTRICTS.
Reading and Orthography.

McGuffey: 17

Harvey: 19

Monroe: 14

Edward: 16

Independent: 43

Arithmetics.

Ray: 36

Felter: 7

Hagar: 10

Peck: 17

White: 39

Penmanship.

Spencerian: 53

Eclectic: 40

Feltor's Book-Keeping: 5

Swinton's Language Series: 15

Geography.

Mitchell: 2

Warren: 9

Eclectic: 26

Monteith: 33

Harper: 29

Grammar.

Harvey: 46

Greene: 14

Swinton: 6

Clark: 27

History.

Barnes: 45

Ridpath: 3

Goodrich: 6

Anderson: 8

Venable: 5

Beard: 5

Swinton: 10

Unabridged Dictionaries: 16

COUNTY NORMAL.
Enrollment: 131

Average attendance: 101

Amount on hand at close of last year's Normal: $11.00

Amount from examination fees: $177.00

Amount from registration fees: $125.00

Amount from State: $50.00

Amount from county: $70.40

TOTAL: $433.40
Amount paid instructors: $356.60

Amount for current expenses: $76.80

Total paid out: $433.40
No. of districts having nine months' school: 5

No. of districts having six months' school: 42

No. of districts having four months' school: 33

No. of districts having three months' school: 28

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

Five teachers sent in reports for September, districts 29, 42, 48, 77, and 99.

The Winfield teachers are over-worked, and two of them think of going out of the service.

Miss Fannie McKinley is seriously ill. Hopes of her recovery have been given up by her friends.

Sixty-seven teachers have reported contracts made for teaching school, while only 39 have sent in reports for work done in October.

A supply of the new edition of the School law has been received, and district clerks can get copies by calling at the Superintendent's office.

Six hundred copies of the first and seven hundred copies of this number of the TEACHER have been sent out. This paper goes into the hands of every teacher and school official in the county.

Cowley County Teacher, November, 1879.

A Teachers' Directory was given in this issue.

The Districts for Teachers Listed was given.

"This list is made from postal cards sent in by teachers. Those whose names are not in this list will please report promptly on making contracts with district boards."

Cowley County Teacher, December, 1879.

Miss Fanny McKinley has recovered from her late serious illness.

The problem given in the November TEACHER was solved by Miss Fannie Skinner, Miss Henrietta King, Jerry Adams, and Harry C. Shaw, the last named being a pupil of Miss Lizzie Landis and aged thirteen years.

Cowley County Teacher, January, 1880.

T. J. Floyd has gotten married, and of course will make no school reports during the next few months.

Foster Tucker came home from the State University to spend the holidays. He likes his school well, and reports all interests flourishing.

George Thompson, of Baltimore, now a student in the Agricultural College, Manhattan, writes us a pleasant letter about that institution. He seems well pleased with the school, and is making good progress.

Cowley County Teacher, January, 1880.

MARRIED.

Miss Nina C. Johnson, one of our county's leading teachers, was compelled to quit teaching because of heart disease. We are glad to say that she has found a complete cure. Her name now is Mrs. Ira McCommon.

Cowley County Teacher, February, 1880.

Out of one hundred and twenty teachers in the county, about thirty-five have put their names on our subscription list. A few district officers have also shown their good intentions and wishes in a substantial manner.

Cowley County Teacher, February, 1880.

Teachers' Examination.
An examination of applicants for teachers' certificates will be held March 19 at Winfield. The work will begin at 9 a.m. precisely.

Certificates will be issued as follows: Grade B to every applicant whose average standing is 90, and who falls below 80 in no one subject. Grade C to every applicant whose average standing is 80, and who falls below 70 in no one branch. Answers to questions will be carefully examined and rigidly graded. Candidates must show good scholarship in the papers submitted to entitle them to certificates. The standard herein mentioned will be insisted upon invariably.

The subjects on which examinations will be made are Orthography, Orthoepy, Reading, Penmanship, Geography, Arithmetic, Grammar, U. S. History, U. S. Constitution, and Theory and Practice. R. C. STORY, County Superintendent.

Cowley County Teacher, April, 1880. [Vol. I, No. 6.]

DEXTER SCHOOLS.
My school is running delightfully, not a single case of tardiness this month; the concentration of mind to business is excellent, the daily results very gratifying. We have a young class in bookkeeping, full of promise, one in physisiology, one in botany, and rigid and exacting reviews. The work in defining words and using them has grown fascinating, and the buying of dictionaries is becoming lively. I am much encouraged by the enthusiasm that has arisen to dig to the bottom, to the very root. The large boys have left for work, but I am surprised and pleased that our best classes go on climbing, with plenty of good scholars.

O. PHELPS.
Cowley County Teacher, April, 1880.

Duties of Teachers.
ART. VI., SEC. 1, School Law: It shall be the duty of the teachers of every district or graded school to keep, in a register for this purpose, a daily record of the attendance, and the deportment of each pupil, and of the recitation of each pupil in the several branches pursued in such school, and to make out and file with the district clerk, at the expiration of each term of the school, a full report of thw whole number of scholars admitted to school during such term, distinguishing between male and female, the text books used, the branches taught, and the number of pupils engaged in the study of said branches, and any other information the district board or county superintendent may require. Teachers: how many of you kept the records required in the foregoing law? How many of you made such a record of the standing of each pupil in your schools that your successors can follow you without any loss of time, or trouble in organizing their schools?