The Belleville Telescope from Belleville, Kansas • Page 45

Sixtieth Anniversary Edition THE BELLEVILLE (KANSAS) TELESCOPE 5 SCHOOL TAUGHT IN REPUBLIC COUNTY, SINCE 1867 BUILDING ERECTED AS HOUSE AT PLEASANT SEAT Educational System of Republic County and Belleville Had Advanced Along With Other Progress of the County. Important in Republic county development is the school system, ranking with the best in the state of Kansas. Agricultural and economic progress is gre.atly dependent upon education for the youth of today are the men of tomorrow and it is this roster of school children who will meet keener competition and keener problems than have their fathers before them met. The soil is being drained of its productiveness and competition in business is keen. With education our business men and farmers of the next generation will be able to meet these pi'ob- Icms in a better manner.

In early scliool days of Republic county the operation of schools was i quite a Teachers were few and they were relucant to work in territory where civilization had: wielded its influence so little. It, was a dangerous the settle-' mcnt of Rei)ublic county. The first "school house" in Re-' public county was built in 1807, and, the first school was taught by Margaret Tate, oldest daughter of J. G. TuUiill.

This building was a log house built by Peter Moe, Swedish liionecr settler, as a dwelling, and later was purchased and used for school house. It was located in Jefferson township, on the of SEVt of section 18, township three, range' two, at Pleasant Hill, then county seat of county, designated by Governor Crawford. The building was 18 by 20 feet, and i 12 feet high as the oaves, roofed, with split log shingles.containod onei room, one door and two windows. It i perhaps the finest building inj the county at the time. In it the first political convention was held, and a few of the fii-st meet-' iiigs of the board of county sioners.

The district where this school was taught was twelve miles long and six miles wide and embraced all the territoiy occupied by the first settlers in this part of the county. On the division of this district, for some reason which has never been explained, that part hav-1 ing the first school house and where the first school was taught was named No. 2, and is still so known, and distiMct No. 1 was formed from territory lying next on the south. The following is a list of the names of the pupils who attended the first school: Georga Harris, Andrew Flint, Fred Frint, Mary M.

Frint, Elizabeth Frint, 4lobbins, Inez Mary Robbins, NeUio Myers, Nate Myers, Delia Van Natta, Georgo Myers, Hattie Stout. Eva Reily, In Ibis first school house above (iesciibcd, Hon. N. T. Van Natta taught two terms of school; viz, in and 1874.

In the meantime a stone school house had been built on tile hill in the same district in which be. taught three terms. He was succeeded as teacher by his daughter, Miiggie, later wife of the late R. B. Ward.

school house was built in what is now school district No. 4 in the fall iiufl winter of 1807-08 and a school 'aught i Miss Viola McBrido in the luumer of 1808. This school embraced at that time a territory of iiiiUN by fifteen miles and a school l.o|iulation of 18. Among the other rchools taught about the same time was one taught in what now district No. 1, by Miss Adkins in a part of Captian I.

M. Schooley's residence on the NWVi section 7, Grant township. The first school taught in Big Bend, was in the winter of 187172. "The building used for a school house was on John Pecht's claim being the farm recently sold by Judge Murst and being about three and one- half miles northwest of where Republic now is. 'Twas a 'little log cabin' 10x12 or possiWy 12x14, built of Muall cotton- wood logs chinked up and daubed with earth and straw, the straw answering the same purpose hair does in plastei'.

The building was covered with split poles, bru.sh and straw and also earth. It had a boai-d floor made of rough cotton-wood, lumber, and in the south side of the building there was a hole 12x18 inches to admit light and air The New Senior High School Court House and School This modorii high school building, which is now undir con.itruction, will contain auditorium with seating I caiiacity (f 1,200, gymnasium with gallery seats, class rooms, shoijs, and all the important departments of a' modern high school building, watch for Indians by the parties who occupied the building previous to this time. By W. 0. STARK In 1871 Belleville erected a stone school house which was torn down jiiid replaced by a brick building in 1.SR5.

A high school course of study of three years was added to the original grammar and primary grades, in 1904 the course was extended Present High School Building This building, now used as a high school, upon completion of the new building, will be used to house the junior high school and higher grades. to four years. This course was pri-! Diarily of a collegiate nature to pre-1 pare students for college and not much attention given to vocational training. The choosing of the-site' the erection of the present school' building which houses tlie present high school student body took place' in 1013. This was an immense step' forward and Belleville was justified ill its prido.

The building was partly; destroyed by fire in 1918 and immo-, diately remodeled. I Since 1924 the onrollmcnt has increased in the high school from 160, to 254 and many new departments; added. A complete commerical coui'se, was added in 1925, industrial Arts, iiome economics, physical education. Music and science departments have been extended and enlarged as well as id! foi-ms of extra-cui-ricular activities organized. The present curriculum includes four definite courses: College, preparatory, commercial, normal training, and genei'al.

Plans are now about complete for the i vocational home making, vocational agriculture, and fine arts course. These, courses have not been put in on account of lack of accomodations in the present building. With the completion of the new senior high school ibuilding these courses will be offered as soon as the reorganization of the curriculum can be accomplished. A kindergarten department, with an enrollment of 36 pupils, was organized in 1928. The junior high school was organized in 1929 and placed on the accredited list, by the state department, in 1930.

The old Republic county's first courthouse and school building, erected in 1872. Lest building of tbe kind at the timo in this of the cnintry. First tbjo.r was used for county offices and second floor for school rooms. brick building, built in 1885, which housed the kindergarten and six grade rooms, was condemned for use the spring of 1930. During the following summer a bond election for a new Senior high school carried, and the building, which will be one of the lest in the state for its size, is well alonjr towards complelion.

With the opening of school in the fall of 1931 (Continued on iiage 8 E) School System Many Years The above picture shows the Belleville school system of three buildings, which was the educational institution of the city for many years. The small building at the left has been moved to the high school grounds where it is used as a shop and science building. The stone building in the foreground will be used to house the lower grades, the center building having been torn down. It is Well to Have Castles in the Air- But your ship will come in only if you have builded on a solid foundation. The foundation of all great projects in this commercial age is money money and experience.

This institution is well qualified to provide both. Consult with a savings solicit our advice relative to your future plans which will involve money need. We will be glad to help as best we can. The following departments are at your to offer you efficient service: SAVINGS DEPARTMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT CHECKING ACCOUNT SAFE DEPOSIT VAULT TRAVELERS' CHECKS BOND DEPARTMENT We extend congratulations to Belleville, Republic county and The Telescope on their 60th Anniversary May their future be as progressive as their past. BELLEVILLE STATE A.

R. MOSS, Pres. "THE BANK WHERE YOU AT HOME" W. G. SAIP.

Vice-Pres. HENRY DOUGLAS, Cashier.