The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-22


eaching here short time she had rsom
fitted up, in Lighthouse near
ler fathers s'dweling in which she taught
successfully for some time. She, being
lady and model teacher, always
opened school with reading the Scriptures
and prayer. After this school closed, we
were obliged TO travel fully two miles to q
school, which was taught by James l.. Ne
wins, in an old bodybuilding, located at the
forks of the road leading from Bloomsbury
to Buckhorn At this time Montour be-
longed to Hemlock township. The law, in
those days, provided for the schooling in
dgent children at the expense of the coun-
ty, was scarcely realized. Parents would
rather have their children grow up in to-
tai ignorance, than permit them to be edu-
Gated under this act.
Then came the passage of the common
school law, which created great sensation,
The idea of assessing a tax upon the people
for the schooling Of all children, was a sc.
rious thought with some, and, consequently,
a division of Hemlock township was brought
about, by a GAUGES being held by some of
the citizens in the southern part of the
township, who ethought, by dividing the
township, they could get rid of the school
law Thus, in 1888, Montour was taken
from lIemlock. Much might be said, in
comparing the past with the present; but
in conclusion, shall only say, that have
been director tor six years, and have just
entered upon the duties for three more, to
look after the future blessings of the rising
generation. Yet, | loathe to say, there are
some who are opposed to public schools, and
ever ready to criticse director for faith
fully and conscientiously discharging the
duties of his office.
Why not make our school-houses and
grounds pleasant and attractive, as well as
our homes?
One of the greatest privileges | enjoy is
to visit our schools, and compare their con-
trast with those of forty years ago.
M, Pleasant. first school in Mt.
Pleasant was founded by Peter Oman. He
employed an instructor, at his own expense,
to come to his dwelling to instruct his and
his neighbors' children. Finally three
houses were built: one upon the land now
owned by Joseph Gilbert, one upon the land
now owned by Aaron Kester, and another
upon the land now owned by Andrew Grouse
I These houses were of the same description
as early school.houses generally, built of
| logs, filled between with sticks, daubed over
with mud mixed with cut straw and furn.
ished with slab seats Careful proyision-
were made for a large fire hearth, and spa
cious door, so that logs could be rolled il
for fuel. This afforded amusement for til,
boys at recess.
Ordngc.-The first school in this township
was taught in building which was locate,
on the northeastern part of Honorable ii
r. Klines farm, by Daniel Rake, Philil
Doder, and Jonothan Colley, father of Al
exander Colley, of Benton, now ninety-on
years of age. 1920, George Vance, VIII
taught at Bloomsbury, opened school in
small log building, which stood on the Ian
now owned by William Delong, below Or
angevlle. hr. Vance was succeeded b.
CIemuel G.. Rickets, William Rantz an
John Kline. The house was then tor
down, and a more substantial one erected "A
Orangevile on the very spot where MI
Kline's residence now stands This hou,
was accepted aiterward tor public schoo
purposes. Among the earliest teachers wor
Abraham Kline, Ira Daniels, and Charle
Fortner.
In regard to adopting public schools, tn
same feeling arose here as elsewhere in tn
county. The most enlightened, by whor
+ nearly all the taxes were paid, advocate
their adoption.
: Pine. This township was not as earl
and rapidly settled as some of the township
in the county. In 1880, there was but on
school house in it, which was taught b
, In 1896, when public schools were accer
ted, education took new impetus, and 8
present the schools in this, as well AS tn
schools in other sparsely settled township
compare tayoraby with those in towns an
villages.
Roqrjogcreek-Th first school within tn
present limits Of thi. township, was taugl
in 1916, by Joseph Stokes, in a small dive
ling which belonged to Mahlon IIibbs, an
= stood on the land now owned by Wilial
Rhoad,.
This school continued only one tern
. The following year Thomas Cherington,
surveyor and experienced teacher, opened
school in his sons dwelling, which stood 0
the land now owned by Samuel Hauck. A
ter teaching several terms, making his eT
tire work in the field as Il teacher, tort
- winters, he abandoned the profession, an
assigned the school to his son Samuel, wi
. taught it successfully up to the introductC
of public schools.
P In 1921, Charles Breech re-opened al
q other school in the same house in whiC
Mahlon Hibb5 had taught, and about II
same time, David Chase also opened one
an old log,dwelling, near where the Methodi
Episcopal church now stands. The fir
: house for school purposes was built on Il
: site where mo. 2" school house now stan
fourteen years after the organization of Il
first school.
iScoH.-The first school-house was bu
# in Scott, about the year 1905. One at +
py, on lot No. So, and the other belC
!. Light street, on lot now owned by j, \
n Sankey, This lot belonged to the tract
a land purchased from chief of the Proyin
d of Pennsylvania, in 1878,
The school at Espy was established
t, Messrs. Webbs, Kennedy, aud Waters.
IS In 1914, the third school was opened in
building which was located on lot NJ
e, owned by b. zimmerman, at the upper e
d ofs Light street.