The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-03-09
The schools of tsatfeIIe, Clay
and Grant Districts.


the graduates Of the public schools of
Battelle,' Clay and Grant Districts.
Monday was a toilsome day and was
spent, including about three hours of
the night, in reaching the hospitable
residence of Mr.. John White, in Bat
telle District. about 80 miles from the
county seat. The cordial reception
given the travellers here almost re-
paid one for making the trip. After
being cared for during the night
by this most estimable family the
party repaired next day to the
church at West Warren and were
present during the examination of
the graduates of this district. The
class numbered twenty, majority of
whom evinced a knowledge of the va
rious branches taught in the free
schools. AT this place they were met
by Geo. w. Atkinson, Esq, editor of
the Wheeling Standard. Here Mr..
Atkinson was we'll received and by
his courtesy, cordiality and manli-
ness made many friends, of whom
large number became subscribers to
the Standard. In the evening a
large audience was addressed by
President Thompson. The distin-
guished speaker chose for the basis
of his remarks, "a talk about our
free schools" The workings and the
condition of our schools were present
ed with q force, clearness and ear
nestness that commanded the undi-
vided attention of his hearers. The
notifications of our teachers were
shown anti their duties clearly defin-
ed. Candor compels us to say that
in majority of the eases that have
come under our observation they have
fallen far short of the standard indi-
Gated by the distinguished instruct
or. Many of our teachers are dcsti-
tute of libraries and some Of them do
not even subscribe for newspapers
and of course are wholly ignorant of
the events that are transporting in the
world without the limited bounds of
their own observation. The duty
that parents owe to their children
and to the laborers who try to teach
them was also discussed and, unless
spoken to d mind destitute of sensi-
bility, it will do good. The criticisms
and advice given were well received
and their business acknowledged by
all. Battelle is composed Of some of
the best territory in Monongalia and
gives evidence Of progress in many
ways. A move is on foot to estab-
lish high school at West Warren.
with reasonable prospects of success.
AS an account of a sojourn like this
must necessarily be unsatisfactory
and incomplete, we may as well pass
to another topic. Very many of our
friends in Battelle have the thanks of
the entire party Cor kindnesses rem
dered, among whom we mention Mr..
John White and family, S. A. Barn
ard, j. ii. Spragg, Maj. J. ii. Show
alter and DR.. A. b. Mason.
On Thursday, Feb. 2Sth, the exam
ination for Clay District was held at
New Brownsville. About the same
programme was followed as at Wades-
town, the class not being as large as the
former In addition to the other exer-
cises Geo. W. Atkinson delivered a
lecture on "The Demands of Society
upon its Young Men" phis lecture
was well prepared and was appreciat-
ed by the audience. One noticeable
characteristic of the teachers and
others Of the vicinity is q disinclina-
ton TO subscribe for papers or to pro
vide themselves with other matter
that would enable them to keep up
with the times. Notwithstanding all
this they appreciate the kindness
hown them by our friends here,
among whom are A. w. Brown and
his cstimablc lady, Hon. VIM. Price
and family, A. w. Tenant and Mr..
and Mrs. Lcmley.
On Saturday, March I'd, the exam
nation for Grant District was held
at Arnettsville. There is such a
similarity to the exercises above
mentioned, that it is unnecessary to
particularize. The class compared
favorably with those of the other dis
tricts. Prof. III. L. Cox was present
at this place and assisted in the ex-
aminations. In the evening Presi-
dent Thompson entertained the peo-
pie with ain address and Mr.. Akin
son delivered his lecture The party