Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-02-25
Education in Gralnger County.

TAMPICo, EAST Tenn, Feb. y, 1874.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: There is no fea-
ture of yoIr paper, which ] more heartily
endorse than your faithful and persisting
efforts to build up the common schools of
our State. And it seems to me there is no
class of men more directly interested in
extending the circulation of such a paper
than the school teachers, who have in it q
friend, one of the great aims OF which is
to aid them in teaching the people the vast
Importance of education. The common
schools of the country are indeed the
corner stone and foundation of our repub-
liCan institutions. Let the editor aud the
school master go hand in hand. Then the
people will learn to pay more of their
money for good newspapers and good
schools, instead of trying how much they
can ''lay up" for their children to spend
and quarrel over, after they are dead and
gone twill not only be better for them
selves, but infinitely better for their child
ren.
l am sorry to say that in Granger coun-
ty there has not generally been manifest
ed the interest that should be in the cause
of education. Our public schools have
continued only about three months, on
an average, throughout the county. There
is, however, one exception to therule. The
community where this awakening has
taken place is the neighborhood around
Powder Spring, about seven miles from
Rutledge. About six months ago, Mr.,
James Justice began public school there,
continuing it three months as a subscrip-
ton school after the public money gave
out, and by his energy and perseverance
succeeded in exciting an interest in school
matters not felt in that community for a
long time. ] had the pleasure of being
present at the closing eXerciseso of the school,
which took place yesterday. The students
were examined during the day on their
various studies, having visitors from several
miles around. / would like to mention one
of the young ladies in particular, Miss
Anna Nicely, who really seemed perfect a.
far as che was examined also Miss Esther
Mitchell, Miss Gertie West and Miss Ell
nora Weaver, who all did remarkably well.
The younc men did well, too.
| must say something OG the excellent
dinner which the patrons Of the school had
prepared and enjoyed by an visitors from =
distance.
The exercises after night consisted Of
deCianaliOn- by the small boys and
girls and tue Young men, and "com.
positions" 10y the four young ladies men.
TONED above, and finally by several comic
dialogues. During these eXersizes the house
Che Powder Spring cRurch) was literally
packed large number being unable to OBJ
tain seats.
Prizes were awarded to Master Raudo
Parrot and Hattie Kinsland among the
smaller scholars; TO Miss Elnora Weaver,
best composition" and to James Nicely,
best defamation. Though the "compo-
sitionsn of the young ladies were all good,
as were also several of the declamations of
the young men, l give the names of these
young men as given me by one of the COM
mittee who awarded the prizes: VIM.
Allsup. w. NJ. West, Alonzo Allsup, Jesse
Jarnagin, Marshall Higgs, S. ID. Thoma-
son, Thornburg Merit, $. NJ. Adkins, 10.
a. Mitchell, Stokley Vitettoe, 4. NJ. Jar
nagin, Jesse West j, J. Bunch, Zach.
Adkins, 5. Il. Cate, A. T. Nitittoe, and w.
4. Bunch.
The people where the school was taught
are sadly in need OF a good school house
and it is to be hoped that they will at once
pat into practice their present intention Of
building one. III.