The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 12

THE RACINE JOURNAL-NEWS, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 5, 1925. DC lite nreirsoini cimoo. O0Q Early History of Jefferson School Is Interesting One Peter Peterson Present Principal Records From Paper Files Memories of the Jefferson by Its First Principal JEFFERSON SCHOOL mm The firat rk In November 1899 i i mi ii i 1 1 ill i By A. .1. WINNIE In 1S98 both the Lincoln and Garfield schools had become so crowded ...21121 S' In searching through the old newspapers Issued in the fall of 1895, the reporter found the following items regarding the opening of the Jefferson school: Oct.

"The Franklin and Jefferson schools will open next Mon? day, and every pupil should be present on that day that no time may be lost in the organization of the schools. J. B. Eastabrook, Supt. of Schools.

picked In the ift Woods, which La now known in Oarmel, Thor, and Hanson venue. and onc-e In n. while they went out as far as the "Sefond Woods" which is now called roye. The first faculty were all "home products" Mr. A.

J. Winnie, principal; Miss Kathcrine Kelley, fourth prade; Miss Mary A. Murphy, third Krade; Miss Gertrude Kpeer, third, and second grades (now Mrs Harry Orth); Miss Grace Triwt (now Mrs. Ward demons), second prade: Miss Susette Decker (now Frederick Meyers), first grade; Miss Ida Ma-dory (now Mrs. George Ainsworth), kindergarten.

All of the first faculty were school mates at the Racine high at the same time, while not all of the same class. The hearty co-operation between parents and teachers was surely a big factor in making the Jefferson i waa the opening wck of Hip new- school for the "West side" pupils." the new je'f fersort; The rrinvtiwl condition of the Gar-field u.iit the Lincoln schools, necessitated an alJUional school. The Rcnfriil hellef was that the board of fj neat lot! hail made a hit; mistake In building a school "so far lest. almost in the country." Teo-ple thought the School would not filled for many years, as there -were few houses west of avenue brldfreji But In a few years t'he school was crowded, and ther people paw the wisdom and forerijcht of the board 1n selecting; a siprht "so far west." West Sixth and Klnzle avenue-were not paved. no street car service out this way, no houses on Kln- ae heights, and only a few homes An Klnzle avenue.

Pupils briought yldlets which were A.WV j' Tributes to Those Who Have "Finished Their Work' Here Former Principal Recalls Pleasant Days at Jefferson Kate S. Kelley great-hearted, est student and true educator, sincerity and simplicity of her "After school yesterday afternoon, little children who had been attending the Garfield school, were seen carrying their books home, especially those living in the west part of the city, and when questioned what it meant by the scribe, they politely informed him that, they had been transferred, or words to that effect, to the Jefferson school building which will be opened Monday morning next for all the children of school age." That the city even at that time was growing faster than school authorities realized is evidenced by the following item which appeared In the paper Nov. 1: "The board of education has found it necessary to open one department more than was expected in each of the Jefferson and Franklin schools, but It will be Impossible to open the same for several days." The following item published Nov. 9 "shows that there was a delay In getting the necessary equipment: "About 175 children in the Jefferson and Frank scfiools are attending school but half 'days, owing to a lack of suitable furniture. This condition the board of educntlon hopes to be able to remedy in about two weeks," On Nov.

21 the city council voted to allow the board of. education $550 to supply Ihe Treoes)iry equipment, so on Nov, 2S the addltlonnl room were opened to take care of the entire enrollment of 325 nt our school. On Dec. 1 the following Item thou good and faithful servant." Bessie Bagnall Wilkins splendid friend happy, carefree. joyous, loved by-associates and pupils she has left us only happy memories.

Camilla Crai? beautiful and sweet- she won all hearts, pupils, teachers and hosts of friends by her kindncs. her. charm of. manner, and the greatness of her soul. Fhe came' among us for a little" hlle we were happy and we shall not forget.

NETTIK" E. HOE. I 03 33 A ifn 'J 33 33 ft Vis w-to' vx4r noble woman loyal friend, earn-She performed her duties In all may it truly be said, done. First Graduation op June 25, 19p3 Th first graduat Ion program, und. 2 5, Ut03, was follows: Invocation --Key.

O. 1 Gehr, The Words dent. Ivy Uracil t'la Song Welcome llv th I'resl. Clasa Hlflni-y Lillian Johnson. lecl.ini:irtii Itattle of Liokotlt Winnie Hcclumutlofi Kit Carvon's Hide Lylc Abruhatnson.

nn Slavery and Secession Percy Wlllia ms. Chalk Talk Leora Scott, Heading A Shipwreck Mabel Chrlstcnsen. ItecHatioii Whittling Jn Hea-j ven Alice Nicbuhr. Piano Solo Starlight on Hudson Ethel Erb. Review 'The Iady of Like" Anna Christianson; Declamation' Spartacus the Gladiators Kthel Ilice.

Declamation Lincoln's the the to Ad- drecS at tlettysburg Arthur Class Prophecy Sf Farewell to the Song, Presentations of Ada Christen- Woods- riass diplomas that the board of education planned the erection of a new school building in the Eighth ward to relieve this condition and also provide school facilities for the rapidly growing district south of West Sixth street and in Kinr.ie Heights. In the fall of 1899 the Jefferson school was formally opened. The enrollment was composed of students from both the Lincoln and Garfield schools and many children in the new district who had never been to school before. No children beyond the fifth grade were admitted. It required some time to fit the three groups of children Into their proper places but this wa- finally accomplished through the good will of all In four years the.

school had become a full-fledged" grammar school and having an enrollment of about 400. Early In the progress of the school the parents organized a parents' association which raised funds for the beautifying of the school grounds, such as the planting of trees, and the setting out of a border of hydrangeas at the edge of the ground. They also sodded the terrace on West Sixth street and also on Cliff ii venue. 1 Never had a corps of teachers a more loyal people back of them than were the patrons, of the Jefferson school." One of the great events -of the year to which the principal and his all associates looked forward with pleasure, waa the- I'arent'a social. This social vuh attended by the majority of the parenta who after a program given In the aesembly room or In the s'pacloua-corridors, wire invited to 'visit th rooms of their children, meet their teachers and see some of the work that had i.een H.

compiu.ncu. Finally nil were Invited In be seated In the corridor where they were served with coffee ami cake. The cakes had been donated by the I parents nt the children- of one or two rooniK. The mothers of the I I ul 1 ,1 ft hllLl ous with their cakes. I think those cakes were the I ever ate.

With the thought of the cordial I hand-shakes lingering ln their minds land the fragrance of hot "coffee In' the air many little difficulties which jhad arisen between teacher unci i parent concerning a child, were smoothed and all went home happy. The writer who was the first principal of the school will never foicet the pleasant occasions. We were a happy family and, all took common pride in the school. One evening during the year (March 17, 1904). the alarm spread over the district -that" the school house was on fire.

Crowds of anxl- I ous people gathered around the I burning building with one hope ln mind, that their beautiful new building might The fire was 6iBgi i I pea red In the1 paper regarding the steams vvi' the ecrt.uv. first program held nt the school: Thp following people were In "Thanksgiving exerdxes were hld charge booths at the fulr: Mrs. in the Jefferson school Wednesday Chandler, Mrs. 11. A.

Toste-afternoon. Several, of the pupils did vln Mrs. J. 'K. Dnrcln.

Mrs. M-Justice to themselves by singing. I Muitn and Mrs. Wheeler, wife of speaking, and delivering recitations 1Jr- heeler. Mrs.

Wheeler was in A. J. AVI nn lo, soon put out. through the efforts of the efficient fire department and only one day of school was lost. The loss amounted to not more than and was covered by indurative.

When the repairs were m.ulo larp openings in the set-ond and third floors were made with around them which gae better -opportunity for the teachers to control the movements of the children. It is now twenty-five years since the Jefferson school opened its doors to student. and many classe nave tieen graduated. Many uates have grown up to fill positions' of prominence and rcuponidblltt mvd have reflected credit upon their old Alma Mater. Quod -Chins; DON'T Ml KM IT.

Sand your name and adlro J'MmIt written togtmer witn renin laiMtin tn flimhrlaln Mdiiiia Mcin low(l gnJ rT, Jn tr al narkase conta ns Chamber ait. t'otith Itemed (or rotiiha, coldn, crone. bronchial, ''flu" and hooping rotiRln, and tickling throaty lh a niberkiin'a Stomach and Lier Tablets for atomacli trou-blea, IrHligMtion, gaacy palna that crowd the heart, ilioimneM and conctip.itioi", Chamberlain's aie, needed in ever) family for burns, scalds, wound, yili, nd akin aflectioni; thene valued familrr aoedicinea for only 5 cents. Ikn't luiba iu Dr. E.

B. Guild OSTEOPATH Abrams Electronic Treatment 427-29-31 Baker BUc Phone Jackson 4018 Wafer i could see Its way clear to paying her salary. In order to on this work a large fair was, held at the I.ukclde auditorium on Nov. 24, 25, nhd 2i. 1M9.

1ho ycrtr rur aunnol opened, The paper stated huut iioc pus." Hint it The president nt tli" time wan Mrs, W. A. Gullheit. Mix- O'lluni. was vice-president, Walter charge of tiie booth for the Jefferson school and the Lincoln school.

Mrs. Max W. Heck was In charge of the fish pond. Mrs. C.

B. Carpenter anil Mrs. Clancy were also among those prominent in this society. At the fair, contests were held to ascertain who the most popular teacher and the most popular school commissioner were. Miss Porter of i i v.

.1 I 1 nil1 lllll piihwi iiuki intr inirM ner 01 votes among ine nrrs itiiu Mr. Mertle received the largest number among the commissioners. Auto In Infancy. The following item from the newspaper shows that the automo- hlle wa8 ln it3 lnrancy at thaf time anc ptlll an otJect ol curiosity: -That Kenwha automobile made another trip to Racine last night, As the roads were in poor condition I It took the machine one hour to make the trip. The horseless car came down Main street and in front of the Wagner house, the engineer applied the brakes and gave- Officer Anderson a ride- around the block.

The officer said it was the lines riae ne ever, naa, ana wumeu i the patrol wagon was an 'automo- I There are probably many people In Racine who remember "that Ke- nosha automobile" anoVwhat a com- i motldn it caused at the time. I I i 1 I Superintendent Kstabrook was pres ent and spoke a few words cornpll- mentlng teachers and pupils. So did John Sieb, president of the school board. Mr. Sleb's remarks were i very complimentary and greatly ap- predated." No Rocesieis At the time that the Jefferson! school was built pupils were allowed no recesses as pupils are now.

There J.i 1T 1 wBa i-viniuriuuiD in uwiu IT a uu inis anu snori inne auer mis school was opened the school board voted to glv.e the children 15 min- uates recesses in the morning and afternoon. This of course, made dis- missal 15 minutes later. In those day- many children had to carry 1 ik.l. I. I I iiwrir louina nuuii ii became necessary to allow those pupils to leave school 15 minutes early.

This was doubtless a' very pleasing arrangement to the pupils and there must have been many fathers who had lunches carried to them for the first, time. This custom has since been done away with. Promotion of Music About the time that our school was built there existed in Racine a Society for the Promotion of Music in the public schools. It met in the homes of the various members. This society did much to Improve the music in the schools, furnishing a supervisor until the school board Icter Peterson.

Peter Peterson, our present principal, haj been In the city school system for several years, having been principal of the Harvey school from 1918 until 1922, when he was elected to the prlncipalshlp of the Jefferson. He has given many years of faithful service as. an educator In various places in the state. His record is as follows: Taught In rural schools, 5 tyears; principal of state graded schools. 5 years; prin cipal of high schools, 5 years; prin- cipal of city elementary schools, 17 years.

His Judgment ripened by many years of experience, he shows a keen interest in the new ideas in education, and has attended summer, school at the state university two of "the last three summers. Mr. Peterson is a man of excellent Character and high principles, and' la nn unusually conscientious and thorough worker, a worthy! example to puplla and teachers. In nil his dealings, he la alow to cen-aur, but la lwt( rendy io praise und anvloua to place credit whef it la due. He 1 in aympathy with puplfs, parents and teachera.

all of whom find him willing to co-operate with them for the beat Intercuts of the school and all concerned. He takes pride in the spirit of harmony exists at our school. This spirit tiaa always existed at lh Jefferson, and Mr. Peterson with his peace-loving disposition, has done much to maintain it. Pupil Placement Knthusiat.

Perhaps his outstanding administrative characteristic is his special Interest in 5 every pupil, and his anxiety to place all pupils exactly where they belong. He has promoted by special promotion several pupils who. by their regular work and by intelligence tests, have shown themselves the classes in which they happened to be. lie Relieves mat very oiten too. little attention is paid to placing pupils of superior' intelligence where they belong.

Although he believes that good scholarship is an essential requirement, he says that character building is the most important duty of the' schools. On this subject he expresses himself as follows: "My greatest desire has always been to help boys and girls to form right habits. This I have always tried to do, by emphasizing the positive side in their school life, rather than the negative. Their school days should help them in the days that follow. Something Is wrong if school days land them anywhere but fairly and squarely on the road of life.

"From the very outset, the chfld is confronted with lessons in Industry, honesty, truthfulness. and fair play. He must learn' to play the game fair, both in his studies and on the playground. In short, he must learn to live, among other children. He must learn that if he wishes to have his own rights respected, he must- respect the rights of others.

Good CltlzeaisbJp. "These early lessons In good citizenship are the foundation atones upon which his future cltlsenahlp will rest. While character-building is life-long, the formative years are of the greatest importance. If right habitt of study and conduct are formed during early years, we may confidently expect that such a pupil will become a good and useful cltlsen. "It is true that boys and girls hare many more advantages for obtaining an education today than ever before, but more will also be expected of them when they leave school.

They will meet situations that were unknown yeara ago. This then calls for more and greatec responsibilities on the part of teachers than ever before." Mr. Peterson was educated at Black Earth High school. Whitewater State Normal. Milwaukee State Normal, and the University of Wisconsin.

Our Janitors Seldom does a school continue for tenty-flve years with only four changes In Janitors. Our first Janitor was Mr. Fred Hermes, who was as proud of the new "Jefferson" as any nfember of th faculty. He fave rood, efficient service, and when he resigned, was followed by Christ Brown, who served faithfully for several years. Next came George Buerk, who was not only an expert Janitor, but a real father and advisor to all the older boys.

Hui influence was felt throughout the building. and all the pupils admired and respected him. When Mr. Buerk was transferred, to the new McKinley. his place was taken by Alfred Sorenson, who has served faithful ly up to the present time.

Mr. Sorensonis temporarily out of work, due to a severe auto accident, but we all hope he will soon be back on the job. the success it was. sending children of their own to achool. Some of those former pupils 1 meet each day in responsible business positions about town.

To begin to mention any of them by name would be to start too great a task, but it might be interesting to note the names of that first corps of teachera. Miss Bertha Starr is married and living in 111-Inola; Mlaa Agnes Anderson, and Miss Martha Anderson are married and living in Ilactne. Mlax Hessie Bagnall and Mlaa Pearl Flanagan were married, and. after a few short yeara of happy married called In Uetuh. Mlaa Margaret Luxford and Mlaa Alma Neumetster are teaching In Milwaukee.

Mlaa Jenny Hansen la now teaching In Cleveland, Florence Utbaon, when laat heard from. was In New York. Miss Kstelle llaymond Is doing research work for the unlverslfy. Mlsa Nettle K. Hoe la teaching In the Franklin Junior high.

Miss Minnie Teach Is teaching in the Mc-Klnley Junior high. The only one remaining in the Jefferson is Mies Mary Murphy. Other teachers who, though not of that first year, were there long enough to be well remembered were: Miss Pearl McCarthy and Miss Eva Gordon, now In the Minneapolis schools; Miss Mabel Watson now teaching In her home town at Elkhorn, and Miss Jean AVest, who Is married and lives In Milwaukee. Miss Barring-ton and Miss Houch are teaching In the McKinley Junior high. II.

C. KILBURN'. brought lasting fame to Jefferson, if he had done nothing more; but he was not content to rest on his laurels, nor would our people have permitted him to do so. No, he must continue in. his country's service, and this he did to the fullest measure.

Our people bestowed upon him the highest honor that was In their power to give, when they made him president of the republic that he had helped to found. May honesty, liberty, justice, equality and morality ever prevail in our educational program; only then, carj we do honor to the memory of the great American after whom our school has been named. Our Principals Principal Winnie was a man of high ideals. His Influence for good was far-reaching. Many of the parents of the pupils we now have in school, were former pupils of Mr.

Winnie, and they recall with pleasure teaching received whlla pupils under Mr. Wlnnla'g training. Mr. Winnie was the father of the Pa rents-Teachers' associations tn Haclne. The annual 'Tarent-Teachers' Night" was an event In the district.

Mr. Winnie served faithfully for about ten years, and then resigned to accept a position In the' state department of the deaf schools. He Is at present head of the achool for the deaf at the Milwaukee Normal school. Mr. WinnTe was followed by Mr.

E. J. Hardaker who continued the good work started by Mr. Winnie, for about four years. He resigned to accept the prlncipalshlp of one of the largest high schools of Minneapolis, where he Is at the present time.

Mr. Hardaker; waa followed by Mr. H. C. Denny who served faithfully two years until transferred to the new Gilbert Knapp school.

Mr. H. Kilburn followed Mr. Denny coming to Racine from Joplln, Missouri. He always looked out for the beat Interest of the child.

He was Intimately acquainted with the work of each pupil, and knew every child by name and was always alert for any new method of teaching that would bring benefit to his pupils. Mr. Kilburn served for eleven years, until transferred to the new McKinley Junior High school. He was succeeded by Mr. Hinkel of the Stephen Bull, who served about one year, doing excellent work as principal of both the Jefferson and Stephen Bull schools.

Mr. Peter Peterson, our present principal, was transferred from the Harvey school la 1922. C7o write all my memories of the. Jefferson school would be to write a book, but it is one of the pleasantest memories in my years of achool -work and It Is therefore iulte pleaaant to tell of a few of Sy Impressions. 1 came there In fall of 1912.

It was ,109 de-frees by the thermometer. and that means in the shade, when I left Joplln, late In August. the fall weather waa as warm mm I have ever known in since I have been here, It waa 'a moat agreeable contraat lo the aouth. Under th.e achool reflations dlamlaaed achool for rart of two days became tha thermometer roaa abova 90 decrees, but It seemed to me unnecesaary for I had never dlamlaaed on account of heat before. Such a proceeding; would have taken too much time In the aouth.

The building waa delightfully clean under the able management of Gorge Buerk. The thlldren were well mannered and neatly dressed. The teaching corps Vaa Intelligent and efficient. and the parenta were helpful and loyal In their co-operation with the teachera. The auperlntendent, B.

K. Nelson, waa the moat genial, kindly and capable superintendent under TWhom I had ever worked. These conditions remained the same the entire time while I waa at the Jefferson. The children who were In the kindergarten that first year have nine graduated from the Junior high, and many of those who were then In, the higher grades are now Former Graduates of the Jefferson The following are also graduates or former pupils at the Jefferson: Dr. Anegar Hansen, Marquette Dental college.

Hardy Steeholm, editor "Wisconsin Magazine." George and Charles Salak. Salak Piano company. Christ and Lester Heck, druggists. Alfred musician. Newell E.

French, professor at Wisconsin -university. Percy L. Williams, certified public accountant. Frederclk Nelson, lawyer. Edward and Charles Lockwood, IxJckwood Oil company.

Mandor Matson. architect. rtusscU Frank, West Racine bank. George, and Arnold Knudson, Knudson bales' company. Arthur Naleld.

Western Printing company. Gustavo Eckstrom. aviator. FlorU da. Charles and Otto Jandl.

realtors. Carlisle Greene, Greene Engineering" company. Hoy Peterson. Jeweler. Elmer Hermes, real estate.

Itobert Ituahnell, Insurance. Edward Happs, Manufacturera bank. i Htanley Knutaon, Manufacturera bank. William Moman. clothier.

Jerome Wlechers, Western Printing company. Karl Olson. George Olson and Arthur Peterson, policemen. Einer I.yndkllp. William Plgglns.

Ted Gevers. Arthur Buae, Henry and Thorwald- Thompson. Wesley demons. Curtis Hall. Harry Hllker.

Victor Schoening. Elmer Erb. -'William Tlgges. Hilmer Fyhrle. Allyn Mogen-son.

Thomas Jefferson No one can read American history without Just pride In the glorious achievements of our forefathers. We art glad that our school has been named after one who believed ao thoroughly in the principle of democracy, Thomas Jefferson. When we reflect on what our forefathers did to "secure the blessings of liberty to themselvea and their posterity. It seems very fitting that their names should be inscribed over the entrances to our public schools. It was to these Institutions that the founders of our republican form of government fondly looked for th growth and extension of the that they laid down.

Thomas Jefferson was the writer of the Immortal Declaration of Independence that has ever been the beacon light to the oppressed aVid a stumbling block In the way of tyrants. The writing of the Declara tion of Independence would have PWiTv -j1. --'4 ginger -flavor and tresh crispness that's Johnston' New England Ginger Wafer. They put new edge on jaded appetites. Excellent addition to lunch-' eon, tea or supper.

Between meals you canncl keep the youngsters from them. Keep a bagful on the pantry aheuV They cost but little and the vhole family enjoys them. Your grocer has New England Ginger Wafers, ROZJZtX K. JOHNSTON, JWai 1 Johnston's Cooties are Fresher' 7) Tohnston's samous Cookies Regularly, fresh shipment of Johnston's cookies reaches your srocef front if th factory Popular demand takes care of the rest you liko fresh coolrjss. J7 i SAY BAYER ASPIRIN" -emdtie Unless you see the "Bayer Cross" on tablets you are not getting the genuine Bayer Aspirin proved safe by millions and prescribed by physicians 24 years for Colds Pain Joothach Neuritis Headache Neuralgia Lumbago Rheumatism only "Bavcr" package which contains proven directions.

Handy "Bayer boxes of tablets. Also bottles of 24 and 100 Druggists. Asfttti to tN fxaot Back sf -ftajvt MaaiUcpu MoaeacaUcicWssttt at taUc7Ucaci4.