The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-05-12

paired, at the front street crossing, and before
the train could be stopped, the engine ran so
near the place where the men were at work,
that the rails spread, letting the engine down
upon the ties. After considerable delay it was
righted, and went along.
A shocking affair occurred in Leesville,
Crawford county, on Saturday night OF last
week. Mr.. Abraham Holmes, one Of the first
business men of the place, has for the past
year suffered from fits of insanity. At this
time, from some unknown reason, he attacked
his wife and nearly killed her, before assist
anes came to her rescue. She was left in q
very critical condition. He was Immediately
taken to the asylum
Meeting of the Northwestern Teach
eE's Association.
Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather,
of the latter part of the week, and the indica-
tons of coming storm on Saturday morning,
the attendance of teachers from distance was
very good, although not so large as anticipa-
ted. Every preparation had been made for
the proper entertainment of the guests, and in
honor of the occasion, the different halls in the
High School building, had been decorated in
seemly manner by the deft hands of the teach
ers and pupils, and presented handsome ap-
pearance to the visitors, as expressive of a cor
dial greeting.
Promptly at the hour named the presenta-
ton of classes from the High School began,
with recitation by NJ. De Witte Long, which
evinced more than ordinary ability in that
way, although little stiffness in gesticulation,
and lack of variety in information, detracted
little from an otherwise superior performance.
While the defamation was proceeding, the
scholars of the class were engaged In map
drawing, in which they gave evidence of great
proficiency. The class in Reading, which fol-
lowed, gave evidence of careful training, but
read, we thought, with more care for pronun-
ciation than regard for punctuation. In Ply
sical and Vocal Exercises, the class which fol-
lowed was very proficient. The synthetical
examples, by the next class, were evidence of
proficiency of which the class may well feel
proud. Recitation, by Miss Ella Dorr, well
rendered, with correct conception of the spirit,
Of the composition and corresponding cor
rectness of style of reading. Glass in Num-
bers worked rapidly and correctly; and that in
Analysis did itself and the teacher credit.
SSix Year Old's Protest" was rendered by lit
tie Inez Higsley in an inimitable manner, and
delighted all with its perfect aptness The
Reading of Bessie's Letter from London, and
the vocal exercises accompanying, were so
closely allied as to give correct idea of the
system of training to which the scholars were
subjected. It seems to US, however, that
the effect is somewhat monotonous, each one
apparently acquiring the same intonation, the
same inhexion of the voice, and lacking that
variety in reading which would ordinarily dis
tinguish the one from the other as effectually
as marked individual characteristics would
distinguish individuals. Glass in Logic, with
demonstrations, was highly creditable Map
Drawing, by Construction Lines, was very
commendable. Recitation, by Miss Fannie
McCulloch, was very fine exhibition of cor
Isct reading. And the German Song, by a
class from the German School taught by
Mr. George Heldt, was, 50 far as harmony and
melody were concerned, the best similar per-
formance of the day. This exercise closed the
presentation Of classes, and the schools were
dismissed
The Association was then called to order by
the President, W B. Furness, and the busi-
ness Of the Organization proceeded; Express
sions of views upon the exercises just concIu-
ded were called for.
MIR. CowGery, of Sandusky had been SO ab-
sorbed in the exercises that he had not noted
how time had passed. He had seen much in
them which was commendable, and the drill
by which such proficiency had been attained,
ought TO bescopied in other schools. It was
thorough, and it was evident to all that there
had been much labor expended by the teach
ers in perfecting the scholars. He especially
commended the reading branch of educa-
ton which, he thought, was more desirable
than the art Of piano playing, and thought the
exercises he had heard here were calculated to
give favorable impression of the value of
correct reading. In passing, he paid high
compliment to some readers he had recently
listened to in Painesville, commencing their
selections, and their style of reading, as very
superior. He did not specially favor the use
of construction lines in map drawing, but had
not specially used the system. Had been &C.
customed to teach upon the parallel and meri-
dian system, and preferred it. Mr. Ross use
of the construction line system appeared to
work well, as the evidences before them gave
proof. In some subsequent remarks, he ex-
planned that his principal objection lay in its
being too mechanical, and its teaching the pu-
pil to rely too much upon aids, instead of de-
pending upon themselves.
To an inquiry as to whose method had been
employed in the vocal and physical exercises,
time employed, &C., the Principal explained
that Monroes had been used, and but a few
minutes employed each day, upon the exer-
cises.
Capt Wood, Of FindIay, being called for,
said he would prefer to listen to the remarks
Of others. Had never attended any meetings
OF the association before Had been well
pleased with the exercises.
Mr.. Stevenson, OF NOrwaIk, being called for,
said if was late when he arrived, and he had
missed part of the performances, but was
well pleased with what he had heard. He
congratulated the teachers and pupils on the
excellence of the exercises. They were pleas
ing and instructive. Hnothing else resulted
from the meetings Of the Association, such
exercises alone would justify spending one day
every two months, at the meetings. Obiec-
tions were sometimes urged to these exercises,
because the pupils were drilled; but as moth
ing can be accomplished without drill It was
right and proper they should be drilled to the
highest point attainable, as evidence that the
system of culture depended on was effective
and salutary. Thought the use of construc-
ton lines, in map drawing, was calculated to
produce quicker and more perfect work. The
scholars evidently undsrstOOd the system per-