Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-19
COUNTY SCHOOLS.
Notes OF lnspection OF schools by tho
County Supcr1ntendent.

Notes OF Inspection OF schools by the
County Superintendent.
District No. Al was Organized Oct. Sth,
includiog the country around GAINESVILLE
bridge. Il was visited Nov. 18th, when
found that in the meantime the new district
officers had built a snug log school house
BY Frank Huber's place, we'll supplied with
desks, stove, blackboard, aud the newest aud
best books, with Mr.. B. P. Martin as teacher.
The school opened with eleven p ,pils, and
prospects of many more. This being the
first week Of school ever taught in that
vicinity, it is needless to speak of its condi-
tion or progress, except to say that good
order and an earnest purpose to learn were
apparent at the beginning.
District No. 25, near Norway P. o. was
also in session Nov. 18th, with Miss Eva
Jefery as teacher, and twelve pupils present
This teacher excels in the order, quiet, and
studiousness Of her school, insisting that all
failures in classes shall be made up that day
if possible, even each misspelled word,
instead Of passing them BY carelessly and
encouraging poor lessons. She has employed
her time diligently this fall in preparing to
do the best work in the school-reom, by at
tending the Yankton High school and the
teachers' institutes. The school house is =
cottonwood building burrowed half way into
hillside, and warmly sodded up. Neat
ness and comfort were evident, and the
school board have lately shown their desire
to give these poor Scandinavian and
German children the best facilities
for learning, by procuring a good
new blackboard and U. s. map, and
q set Of the latest textbooks. To visit
these two schools required SO miles travel
and four dollars paid out for conveyance
District No. 8 has small school taught
by Miss Louise Cavalier, in small school
house near Henry Arend's. A new school
house is proposed, and the district celtainly
needs it. Found only eleven pupils pres.
ent Nov. 23d The earthquake of Nov
14th came near causing disaster, as the
logs of the roof cracked and settled under
the heavy dirt root, rendering prop neces
sary for safety. Ths conduct of pupils was
very different, some beiug qliet aud studi,
ons and Others neadiag constant watching
an9 frequent correction. The teacher seem
ed to be working industrious'y, to put the
school in the best condition.
District No 2 just east of the city, haG
% pupils enrolled and 10 present when Wis
tied. Mrs Annie L. Marshlll was teach.
ing in very successful and pleasant man
ner. The attendance was very regular and
scholars we'll advanced in their classes
They were Studying indust:iau,ly aud re-
citing good lessons of which the teacher
kep!a careful record hy marking on scale
OF 10. She seems to al lopl aud practices
many of the bes, modern ma,hois making
good use of the black b,,rl aal Slat"s.
Complaint was made thu, nn uniform set OF
books was authorized, and tha; diversity OF
textbooks caused annoyance. The house
is in great'need of being lathel and plaster
ed, and better desks and larger black
board would add to the convenience and
progress Of the school. The rcctstions in
geography, grammar, arithmetic, reading
and spelling, were all satisfactory aud cred
liable, but ventilation was neglected.
District No. 10 has a snug log house, a
the mouth Of Beaver creek, which answers
the purpose quite we'll till better one /.
built. The school consisted of about TWEEN
ty pupils. taught by Mr.. David DE Vol,
teacher Of many years experience, who ha.
returned to the profession after having long
abandoned it. Ispsnt four or five hours ex
amining and teaching this school, being
happy to find clsse attention and great zca
among the pupils. The parents are highl,
pleased with their teacher; the utmost har
mony and good will prevailed. Mr.. De Vol
} though teacher of the past generation
readily adapts himself to all real improve
ment; and the school board, pupils All,
teacher all we're pleased to obtain fresl
modern text books in place Of the old ones
!, District No. 4, known as " Stanages," ha
given its log building new roof, fool
, windows, door, &C., and is whitewashe,
within and without. so that it is both nea
and comfortable; but some further improve
ment In the desks is much needed. Twent
pupils were enrolled December Sd, but onl
twelve were at school, as farm work wa
urgent. Mr.. Russell j. Mershon is th
teacher, and shows much natural adaptation
to the profession, for one previously devote,
to other pursuits. He is thorough on ele
mentary principles. patient and quiet il
government. and wholly interested in hi
work. A chronic habit of whispering va
the worst symptom among pupils. who's
appearance and progress will be much aid
ed by having it dispensed with as soon a
possible. The school officers visited th
school with me, and showed deep interes
in its success. They agreed that it was be.
to supply the school with good globe an,
new series of readers and spoilers, whic]
we're accordingly ordered at once.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.