Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-12-17


purposes. 04,Ooi W
From the census of 1865 it appears that
Iowa County was the fourteenth County
in the State in order of population, and
from computations based upon the School
Returns, it is shown that we still hold our
rank.
In 1866 the census returns give the
County a population Of 20,657, and the
school returns for the same year report
1872 children between the ages Of, four and
twenty. If the proportion between the
whole population and the children Of
schoolage remains the same, estimating
the unreported district at 30, the total
populat,oa Of the County is at the present
time $4,000. Il is presumed this estimate
is nearly correct.
Four new schoolhouscs have been built
during the year, and several old ones re-
paired and mado comfortable Only 70
out Of the 122 schoolhouscs are reported
by the District Clerks as being in good
condition. This report upon the condi
ton of schoolhouses may not have a very
fatterirg appearance, but when compared
with their condition four years since,
shows decided Improvement
Four diapidated old shells which have
long stood in the way Of new and better
ones, have within two years been destroy
ed by FIRE; generally supposed to be clear
cases of spontaneous combustion. There
are still several left, the destruction of
which would prove blessing to all con,
cerned.
Since my last Annual Report, l have
visited all the schools in the county except
two which were not in session at the time
occupying nearly the whole of my time
from November until April At these
visits | have usually conducted the school
exercises, examined the scholars in as
many branches as the time would permit,
and made such remarks and suggestions
as the circumstances and occasion seemed
to require, though winter Of perserver-
ing labor in all conditions of weather,
am satisfied it has not been altogether
without good results At no previous
time have | observed so much interest
among the people generally in regard 20
the condition Of their schools as of the
present.
Dariag the year have held II public
examinations of teachers at which there
was 2S5 applicants of which number l g.
received certificates Some of these how
ever are counted twice, having been exam
ined both in the spring and fall.
Believing properly conducted examina
'tions themselves are means of instruc
tiou to teachers, [ have endeavored as
much as possible to prevent irregular and
private examinations. | also frequently
'have applicants who are too young, or who
do not expect to teach, but desire the ben
e6ts of the drills and exercises in the diff
ferent branches which these examinations
afford. Notwithstanding the additional la,
Dor required, have not objected to, bu,
rather encouraged such applicants; es.
pecially those who expect eventually to
ibecome teachers. In all such cases their
papers are carefully examined and their
standing given in blanks prepared for the
purpose.
Besides in the city of Mineral Point
there are at present three graded schools
in the county, viz; In Dodgeville, Lin
den and Avoca.
In Dodgeville they have an efficient
thorough, but labor under the disadvan
taSeS OF not having SultaOie anu Coil'eul
ent school buildings. Avoca has the bes
schoohouse in the county outside the city
of Mineral Point. The people of that
Town are in favor of good schools, and
have been fortunate in selecting a School
Board Of public spirited men who have ta'
ken pains to procure competent teachers,
and who labor to advance the interests OF
the school. In Miffiin, fine, new, two
story schoelhouse has just been completed;
neatly finished and furnished, where a
graded school is expected soon TO be in
operation.
The village of Highland is sadly in need
of a new schoolhouse. centrally located.
and of sufficient capacity to accommodate
all the children of the village, instead OF
being separated into two districts as they
are at present. 1t is to be hoped that the
enterprise of the citizens of that town will
be equal to their necessities.
Since the opening of the State Normal
School at Patteville. have nominated ~
candidates from. this county; most Of
whom, have passed the required prelimin-
airy examination and been admitted.
Many of this number however, being ac-
tive teachers in the county, have as yet