The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-10-19
WHAT PROF. EVERETT THINKS
OF MISS KIRKPATRICK.
An Exceedingly Compliment
tary Letter in that Lady's
Behalf.
She was the Only Teacher who Gould
Subdue tbs Turbulent Spirits in
the 9TH Grade, High School
Building.
HE THINKS HER EXPERIENCE
AND QUALIFICATIONS ARE
SATISFACTORY.
And that She Would make one of the
Best Superintendenes in the State.

On thursday, MT. a. L. outer, VINO, |
during his long residence in this city, has
always been interested in the success cf
our public schools, and who is now IN
favor OF the election Of Miss Annie Kirk
patrick to the Office of county superinten-
dent of schools, addressed the following
letter to Prof ]. f. Everett, superintend-
ent of our city schools.
Rock ISLAND, Oct 18th 1871
j. T. Everett, Esq. superintendent of City Schools,
Rock Island.
Dear SIR: As the question of the
superintendency of our county SCHOOLS, is
one of absorbing interest at this time. and
as learn that you have had a successful
experience in that Office, and, by reason of
your position at the head of our city
schools, very much desire your opinion
upon the following questions:
lst. Has Miss Annie kirkpatrick proven
herself an efficient teacher?
%. Has her experience been sufficient,
and of the kind calculated to make her
advice and direction to teachers valuable
in the conducting of county schools?
Sd. Are her executive abilities such as
to warrant that all the business affairs
of the Office will be faithfully ard properly
performed?
4th. Is it your opinion that. ifelected,
she will be likely to make an efficient
superintendent of our county schools, and
will you give me some of your reasons tor
or against this supposition2
There is prevalent disposition against
giving woman chance to earn living
IN any of the positions heretofore monop-
olised by men, and your opinion will dc
much towards enabling the voters of this
county to decide uoon this innovation.
Yours, Respectfully,
AMOS +. CUTTER.
The reply of Prof. Everett was sur.
prise to even those of Miss Kirkpatrick's
friends who were aware that that gentle
man was in favor of her election to the
Office, though all who have seen his answer.
and are acquainted with the lady, are
satisfied that it is just one, exaggerated
IN no particular 1t will no doubt be the
means of changing many votes which
would have been east for her opponent,
and is as foIiowsy
Rock ISLAND. H., Oct. IS, 1877.
A. +. Cutter Esq. Rock Island;
DEAR SIR: Your favor of to day Is
is just at hand. and in reply to your sew
eral inquiries it gives me pleasure TO say
that Miss Annie Kirkpatrick has lad
large experience in almost all of the grades
of our public schools, having taught ia
this city for nearly ten years | also I'M
derstaUd that she has had an extended ex-
perieuce 10 teaching country schools. In re-
ply to your first inquiry has Miss Kirk
patrick proved herself an efficient teacher9
permit me to give you few facts IN regard
to her success since ] took charge of the
public schools 10 Rock Island in 1872.
| found her then teaching in our Second
ward school, in 4tE and 5th grade room,
doing excellent work.
also found in our High school building
7th grade room which had become very
much demorahzed, indeed SO much so that
several different teachers had been tried
the year before and had entirely failed to
control the room.
The board of education had at that time
employed Miss Hayes, graduate of a
Normal school and a teacher of expert.
ence, SURPRISING that she could manage
this room successfully, but she proved
utterly incapable of the task.
l then transferred Miss Kirkpatrick to
that room aud before the first month had
expired she had the room under perfect
discipline, and can add that no room Ia
the city showed better discipline, more
attention to study or genuine progress dur
ing the entire year than Miss Kirk
patrick's.
She remained 10 that room for over two
years, continually showing that she pos
sessed fine executive abilities, great power
to teach and tact to control. The board
then promoted her to an 9Th grade room
and increased her salary. Here she proved
herself equally Aeompetent and efficient, so
much so, indeed, that she was. at the com
mencament of last year, promoted to the
priDcipalship of the 4th Ward school,
where she now is doing excellent work.
In an experience OF twenty years | have
met few teachers who were SO entirely
given up to the profession aud who DOS
sessed so many qualifications necessary for
the successful teacher as Miss Kirkpatrick. |
ln reply to your second enquiry / would
say that her experience has been sufficient
ly extended and Of such a character that
her advice would be of great value to those
desiring to teach in the country schools. or. |
III lacti III any Scn0ol.
In regard to your third enquiry I would
say that any body who, on $50 or $50 Der
month (tor nine months In year, can
support herself and her aged mother in the |
manner she has done, and still have little |
money LETT at the expiration of each year, |
must possess fine financial and executive
abilities. She has shown in every position |
she has been placed so much attention and |
ialthtulness that | am of the opinion that /
all the duties pertaining to the Office of |
the county superintendent, should it be
entrusted to her, would be thoroughly and
done.
In regard to your fourth enquiry I would
say that am well acquainted with Miss
West, OF Knox county, and Miss White
side. OF Peoria, than whom there have
been no more efficient superiutendeuts in
the state Of Illinois during the past four
years. For proof of this declaration I |,
would refer you to Prof. NJ. B. Waldo. Of
Altoona. and Prof. White, of the Normal
school of Peoria.
consider Mss Kirkpatrick an equal of
elthcrof these ladies In ececatiUe a5ilstu and
| hnoac ,oeI that they are not her sape,iors
N thorough teaching qualifications.
Hoping that these few words in regard
10 very worthy lady may meet your
views, remain, very truly yours,
j. r. EVERETT,
Supt. Rock island Schools.
Fl