The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-06-11
From the Topeka Daily Commonwealth.
THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

AlOk0 WIS . AtCislOCE- VI LA1O hdtlSSt
House of Representatives. Dir. Esk-
] ridges parliamentary career was nete-
| worthy for two things: the drafting OF
/ an immense number of resolutions, and
omnipotence i'll combinations. BY xir-
1 tue of the last mentioned faculty he
actually succeeded In organizing force
which. failed only through the detection
of one member, in locating the State
/ University at Emporia. Even as the
. bill was finally passed, it provided that
/ it should be- established at Lawrence
only on condition that $4,000 should
be deposited in Simpson 10 Bros bank
within thirty days, for the purpose OF
. erecti1g a suitable building !; and that
! If this failed the institution should still
/ go, to Emporia. 1t was only by des-
I perate struggle that Lawrence raised
tile money aud saved the school.
I Defeated in this mafvelousIy well
managed scheme, the gentleman felt
sad and down hearted enough. Empo-
| ria was then struggling little town,
fighting for life against numerous re
walls her very existence had thus far
been, prolonged only through skilful
manipulation of county lines; she
stood encircled by Agnes City, Amer
icus, Neosho Rapids, Forest Hill, Co.
ilumbia, Plymouth, Fremont, Elmenda-
y
hostile thirty, cities of Etruria. 1t is
almost impossible to comprehend in
these peaceful and prosperous days, the
| fierce local riEalries of those pioneer
| times, Small chance of life had EHfpO-
ria, unless some great public interest
| SHOULD center there hence the citizens
were greatly elated at the prospect of
gaining the University, and correspond
ffnglyl depressed and eXasperated at
their defeat. The baffied Represent
alive feared their vengeance.
At this juncture, some one suggested
to him the advisabiIify of establishing
Normal School at Emporia. "Nor-
NAL SCHOOL, what's that I" said the
Representative, who didn't happen to
be posted. The nature of the thing
was fully explained, and a new light
dawned. Half loaf was better than
no bread.H A new combination was
speedily formed the school was locat-
ed at Emporia, and endowed with fifty
nine sections of land connected with
the State salt springs, and an appFopria-
ton of one thousand dollars was made
to put the thing in motion. The above
being upon condition that Emporia
should donate site of twenty acres of
land adjacent to town. There was
scarcely a dissenting vote in either
house, and the general supposition was
that tho project would never be heard
from again.
However, there were two men in the
newly chosen Board OF Directors, who
were noted for their tenacity of pur-
pose: Gov. -Eskridge, and Rev. G. G
Morse. of Emporia. In due time, by
the efforts of Mr.. Eskridge, the condi-
tlons of the organic. act were fulfilled,
and Mr.. Morse started for the East in
search of a teacher. By singular sue
cession of providential arrangements,
he was directed to the right man, and
l. b. Kellogg, of Bloomington, ILL.,.
was chosen Principal of the State Nor
NAL School of Kansas, and began work
in the public school building of Empo-
ria, in December, 1854. In July, 1865,
Mr.. Kellogg went East, in turn. COM
missioned to select an Associate Princi-
pal and III. b. Norton, also of the
Bloomington Normal, was elected to
that position. Mrs. J. III. Gorham, of
Bloomington, Miss NJ. J. Watson, and
Miss Ellen Plumb, the latter two being
graduates of the school, were added to
the faculty at intervals, as the growth
of the institution made. their services
necessary. The State made provision
for the construction of a suitable build
ing, which was formally dedicated JAN
uary 1867. Four students graduated
in 1868, and class of nine will grad
nate Jue a, 1869.
The Normal School is entirely distinct
in its character from the ordinary acad-
envy or college. 1t is a professional
training school for teachers. and closely
| adheres to its speciality. The course OF
stcdy, which ordinarily occupies three
years, includes q thorough drill in the
elementary English branches, according
to the improved Normal methods OF
instruction: also, all advanced course
| in the mathematics, history, natural
science, and the theory and art of in.
struction.
Special attention is given to the last
mentioned study, the theoretical par
being made practical by actual work in
the experimental school attached to the
Normal. The course of training is moi
a new one; the experience of the vari
GUS Eastern States has shown how in
dispensable the Normal School is to
perfect common school system. Kan
sas has come TO appreciate her owl
Normal School; its growth in the pub
lie favor is something wonderful. It.
last winters experience in the Legisla
ture was a remarkable example of this
While the appropriation for most Other
State institutions was curtailed anf
slaughtered in the House, the estimates
presented by the Normal School Direc
tors, were adopted without any dim
mutton, and with hardly a dissenting
vote.
Travellers visiting Emporia, inform
us. that the first recommendation
which is made to them is. "Go and SCI
the Normal School" The building
stands upon beautiful eminence on thu
north side of town, fronting dowI
Commercial street. the main husines
thoroughfare. a broad sidewalk ex
tends to il from the center of town. Tn
lgrounds are tastefully fenced, planted
with trees. and furnished with all need
full conveniences. The basement con
tains two dressing rooms, and a larg
store-room for fuel and other things
There are four large recitation am
school rooms on the main. floor, and tn
third story is occupied by the principa
4 assembly room, which is lofty, elegant
and we'll furnished hall. The buildin,
is of stone, 40X60 feet on the ground
and surmounted by lotto cupola.
Over one hundred and fifty student
were in attendance in 1868. For 1865
the roll will be much larger. CheaI
boarding accommodations. have latel
been provided. Tuition and textbook
are furnished free to all students VIII
take the pledge to become teachers j
: this State.
; What West Point is to our army, tn
Normal School is to the school system
of Kansas not as supplying all the Off
GERS or teachers, but as giving tone, sys
tenn, conference, to the whole, introduC
ing and disseminating new ideas an
improved methods, and furnishing in
structors of unequaled aptness and pro
fessiOnal enthusiasm, whose work ma
4 furnish a model for general imitation
The third annual commencement OF
curs On the 9th inst TIlose intareSfe