The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-07-13
A Model School House and a
Model School Man.

MODEL Scnool man.
MEssRs. EDiroRs: In this age of grasp
ing selfshness, when all seem to be strug
ling to secure to themselves, and to their
selfish uses, the lions share of this worlds
goods, it is truly refreshing to meet with an
occasional instance of disinterested public
spirit and Iiberality, with the means to in.
dulge it, such as ! am about to record. 1t
is an instance of enlarged and comprehen-
sive goodness Of heart and benevolence of
intent, that cannot be too fervenly applaud.
ed, or too highly estimated.
Mr., Cyrus McNeely Of Green township
Harrison county, Ohio, who has no children
OF his own to educate. but who has long
been known as an active and leading advo-
cate for the liberal education of all the
youth of the land, and who looks to the
Common School System as the great instru-
mentality by which this is to be effected, has
resolved to show, by his practical liberality,
that he is really in earnest about the matter
He seems determined that, so far as his
means may be available, they snail be en-
ployed in making the system what it should
be. He is one ofthose who believe that the
Common Schools Of the land are really and
truly the "People's Colleges" and that in
stead OF little, low, black and repulsiye
hovel, on barren hillside, or in a gloomy
out-of theway dell, the COMMON School
HOUSE should be the most attractive ami
pleasant resort in the neighborhood.
To this end, he first besought his neigh
bors to join with HIM, divide the township
into four districts, and build model school
house, and have model school in each--he
offering to be at one half the cost for the
one in his own district. Failing, however,
to enlist his neighbors 10 the extent he
wished, he at once resolved to proceed alone
and untrammeIed, with the enterprise in his
own district, and if necessary, to make CHS
bounty equal to his store;" and who could
not wish his store should be equal 20 hi,
bounty?
He has accordingly erected most mag
niGcient frame building, in the centre OF a
10 acre lot, in the village Of Hopedale, and
employs an excellent corps of Teachers, in
GLIDING a Superintendent, at liberal salaries,
to conduct the school.
The building is two stories high, has a
front Of 80 feet The main building ex
tends back 60 feet, and the wings 90 feet
There are 8 departments, with their recita-
ton looms, ETC., chapel or lecture room, a
library room with 600 volumes, and a, large
amount Of school apparatus. already in it,
One Of the wings, and Il part of the main
building, form a comodious and comfortable
residence for the superintendent. This Is
novel feature in sci ool architecture. The
rooms are all beautifully papered, neatly
seated and furnished with all the necessa-
ry maps, charts, an school apparatus
The windows are furnished with Venetian
shutters and painted blinds, thus imparting
to the whole building an air Of neatness and
home-llke comfort The rooms are all heat
ed by means Of hot. air furnace in the eel
lar And may we'll remark, in this con-
neciion, that even the cellar is "a paragon OF
nea'ness, cleanliness, and order.
The grounds are enclosed with fence
tastefLly laidout, and planted with trees and
sbrubbery. At each side of the lot, where
the pupils enter the grounds, in the reaI of
the school building, is large playhouse
one for tn; boys, and the oIher for the
girls--to be used IN bad weather, in the
winter they are heated BY means of stoves,
in order that the pupils may tecome thor
oughly warm and comfortable before enter
ing the scaool room. which they are not per-
mltted to do till the hour arrives for school
Ima!e some inquiry as to the cost Of this
enterprise, and am informed that, in addi-
ton to the ten acres of ground, and two
years Of Mr.. McNeely's time and labor,
ther was an actual outlay OF l0,000-one
thousand Of which was appropriated for
maps, charts, and school apparatus, etc.
Mr.. McNeely is resolved to spajr no pains
or expense that may be necessary, to make
this model common school, such as he and
all other ardent friends ofthe cause would
rejoice to see in every school districts in
Ohio. He offers to give it to the township
for $4,000, provided they will use it for COM
mon school purposes, and erect three simi
lar buildings in the other three Districts
Should the people accept this generous Of
fer, Green township will be model for the
rest Of the State, and for years to come, may
justly claim the post Of honor in the cause
of common schools. With few such men
as Mr. McNeely in each township Of the
State, Ohio would not long hold seconda-
ry position in an educational point of
view.
Permit me to say, in conclusion, that Mr..
McNeely is blessed with wife well worthy
of him, and bis noble aspirations for doing
good. She enters with alacrity into his
schemes for the good of others; whilst her
Municipalities ofhead& q heartimpart charm
to the domestic circle, and make her house
most agreeable home to the wayfarer.
June, 1858, f. L. Q.
County School Examiners.
From the information we have received in