Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-06-18
Our SCHOOLS.
CoNrrNuED FROM LAST WEEK.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
The Elk Point Schools remained
under the charge Of Mrs. Myers,
principal, and Mr.. Myers and Miss
Cobb assistants, having three grades
one under the charge Of each teach
er. The total number Of scholars
enrolled was about 200. In addi-
ton to the studies required by law
U. s. History, Algebra and Natural
Philosophy (Science of Common
things) were taught. Several who
contemplated teaching in the sum-
mer We're students. In this school
only five hours study, three in the
forenoon and two in the afternoon
have been required, upon the theory
that the school room should be a
place Of real, earnest work; that time
employed any other way in the
school room is productive Of evil and
that five hours work is as much as
the ordinary child Of from s to IL
years ought to do at school in one
day. The attendance, industry and
department Of the scholars have been
good.
The school in district No. 10 was
taught by Miss Sackie Hopkins.
The school was small but industrious
and attentive. The scholars were
not far advanced in their studies.
The district is very small and has
but few scholars and consequently
can have but q few months of school
in each year. The school room
though an old log building q think
the Oldest in the county, was neatly
kept and had a tendancy to develop
a love of order and pleasant sur
roundings and a good and useful life.
Three other schools were taught
in Elk Point township but not hav-
ing opportunity to visit them I cam
not well report them, viz: In district
No. 8 Mr. N. G. Bently teacher. In
district No. % Mr. Holcomb, teacher.
In district No. % Miss Alice Cham
berlain teacher.
In district No. 81 the school was
taught by Miss Ida Kindlie, About
50 scholars enrolled, Is present.
The attendance had not been very
regular. Industry was medium.
Instruction given good. The schol-
ars in this district are mostly Sean
dinavians and have double work to
do in acquiring an education in the
common schools. Nearly all parents
wish their children to learn the Nor
wceggian language as it is in use in
.hoi- hurc,a services and very much
in the service .. % life. ,
The Richland schoc.. was engaged
by Mr.. James Van Kirk. He taught
two weeks and then surrendered his
contract. Mr.. w. A. smeaton was
his successor and taught a term of
three months. Attendance and in
dustry ss a rule were scarcely medi-
UNI, though there were some who
gave quite good attention to work.
This school in scholarship is one of
the best in the county excepting the
Elk Point school. About 40 enrolled
The School in district No. Al, was
taught by James Van Kirk. His
labor in this district gave "~coa s,t;s.
faction. Enrcnm about IS. At
enhance regular and punctual. In
dustry good. Department good.
His care extended to the habits Of
his scholars at their recess, checking
wrong at its commencement and pro-
viding methods of spending these
hours of release from study and aid
ing in the same. He did not appear
to give much instruction, but made
the opportunity and required his
scholars to work for themselves.
This school has not been organized
long and was in the first part of
studies, except a few scholars in
arithmetic.
The school in district No. 81 was
taught by Mr.. Albert Hasson. No.
enrolled IS. This school was medi-
um in industry, respected the teach
er and had made good improvement.
The school in district No. A was
taught by jeremiah O'Connor but l
failed to make my visit in time to
see it.
The school in district No. "a was
taught by Miss Ida Kiplinger. No.
of scholars enrolled about %. At
tendance regular on the part of some
but irregular as a school. Industry
and department good. The school
is primary in its studies, was well
conducted. Noticeable points were
care as to appearance of room and
scholars and energy in the work as
signed.
Schools were taught in districts
Nos. GO, GA and 65. They were not
visited by me but were acceptable to
the patrons. That in GO was taught
by Mr.. Alex Lindblom; that in GA
by Miss Martha Anderson and Mr..
Andrew Anderson; that in 65 by
| Oscar Lawson.
The school in district No. 25 was
taught by Mr.. r. B. Stoddard.
About 80 enrolled. Attendance 20.
Industry scarcely medium. Deport-
ment not very good, that is, there
was too much noise in study, too lit
tie attention to work. MI. Stoddard
possesses good ability to instruct and
manage when these powers are in
exercise. In his judgment it was
not best under existing circumstan-
ces to make the requirements essen
tial to a well conducted school.
The school in district No. SO was
taught by II. B. Thomas and receiv-
ed the approval of the patrons. The
| attendance. industry and deportmpnt