Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-10-27
Birds Eye View of the Schools of
Plymouth.

we have passed through the place and
taken bird's-eye view of the schools, for
the purpose of calling the attention of the
readers Of the BEPuBLIoAN TO certain
things of the utmost importance TO the
growth and prosperity of our town and
county. We Often pay more attention to
the training of a horse, IN the care of an
other, than we do to those who have the
intellectual training of children most of
the time. We are careful in our efforts
to make as much of our cattle as possible,
but at the same time, neglect those OF
more value than the cattle of thousand
hills. We invite your attention to the
sketch We herewith present, and The facts
stated, taking the different schools sepa-
rately, and at The close drawing few in
ferences and making few suggestions.
| THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
We have high school building in
which are three departments and three
teachers. We take first the high school
department 1t is under Professor ID. ID.
Luke, who is universally acknowledged
to be a thorough scholar and industrious
and efficient principal. In this depart.
ment there are fily-two scholars. OF
this number sixteen are IN teacher S
class, that is, are preparing themselves for
teaching. The ages of those in this de-
partment range from twelve to twenty
three. The number of young ladies and
young men are about equal. There are
but two young men-those we commonly
call young men--from town and no young
ladies from town over sixteen years or age
except one. The young men at
tending are from the country,
and greater number than ever
before. The number win probably in
crease every year if interest is taken in the
prosperity of the school by the citizens of
the town. There are six young ladies
over sixteen years old from the country,
ard most of them have taught school.
The country is very far ahead Of the town
in this department. The town does not
make even q ri spectacle show in point OF
numbers. The course of instruction is
not so comprehensive as during last year,
yet, in addition TO the ordinary English
branches German is taught, and the first
and second parts OF algebra. The oppOr-
tuniiy for a thorough education is excel
lent in this department, and two young
men are now in the university of Mich
igan who entered the college course with
an excellent preparation in our high
school.
The grammar department is under the
supervision of Miss Vonia Chamberlain.
In this department there are forty-two
boys and girls together, varying in ages
from twelve to fifteen. They are the mid
die grade of scholars and are all from
town, though five classes FROM the high
school department recite to Mss Guam
berlain. The expediency Of having SC
many scholars under one teacher is doubt
full, but the scholars in this department
are orderly, attentive and progressive In
their studies. under very successful and
pleasant teacher.
The primary department is under the
supervision of Miss Sarah Pierce. This
department has sixty scholars, and if one
teacher can alone teach and govern them
she must be remarkable person. The
present teacher is well adapted to the po-
sition. She is wide awake and so are al
the scholars. The system ofeducation here
is up with the age. Ii is the Webb Word
Method'--a system that all the townships
in the county have adopted, except two
or three To those Of us who commenced
with the old A, Is, G., of the spelling
book, this new method is exceedingly nov
ell and interesting. 1t would be an hour
very proftably spent by parents and Others
If they would visit this department and
see how children learn to read by this
method of instruction. The children learn
to read before they learn to spell, and De-
fore trying to spell they have o distinc,
idea of the word.
There is one ward school, in the south
eastern part of town. This school is un
der the supervision of Miss Barber. All
primary scholars south of LaPorte stree,
attend this ward school. There are forty
! five scholars in attendance. The teahcer
has lonely time way out there, and
quite peculiar school, but she is labori
Gus, faithful, and very successful.
THE CHAPEL SCHOOL.
This school is under the supervision oil
Miss Bolster, as preceptress, ard Miss
Emma Russell as assistant. 1t is q select
school for boys and girls, and the course
of instruction embraces all that is neces-
sary for first-class school. German and
algebra are taught. Miss Bolster is from
the Wesleyan female college, Cincinnati,
and not only well prepared for teaching
such school, but well adapted to the po-
sition by her genial and pleasant nature.
The assistant is 80 well known here that
It is not necessary to point cut her good
qualities. We all know them. There
are forty-five scholars in attendance, and
three>fourths of them boys. Their ages
range from nine to fifteen, and they are
fiom town. The number is not limited.
On the walls of the school room we no.
tice many excellent notices as: Thou
God seest me- Love is holy We obey
Orders Onward, Upward BE Always
truthful The scholars are remarkably
re gular.
THE LADIES SCHOOL
This is school exclusively for girls
and young ladies' 1t has two excellent
and efficient teachers, Miss Nichols and
Miss Kinney, from the east. Those pre-
ferring school of this kind can find one
here, as complete and thorough as can be
desired. The scholars range in age from
five to seventeen. There are thirty five
scholars enrolled this term The scbolara