The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-11-26

very complimentary ttIiuS, anu WAS
heartily applauded.
Senator Vischer Barnes was former
ly from The town of Somers, and left
his home some years since for Dakota,
where he entered upon the practice of
law. and has earned distinction for
himself. His early education was OBJ
tanned in School district No. 2, in that
town, two and half miles from this
city, ON the Burlington road.
Upwards of twenty-five years ago
country boys, after having mastered
the rudiments of a common education
in the district schools, were obliged to
resort to the higher schools of the city
to advance themselves in higher
branches than the most common, there
by involving considerable expense.
The citizens of that district conceived
it to be for their interest to improve
their own school, and thus enable their
scholars to pursue the higher mathe-
matics and other branches little be-
yond the ordinary schools at home.
For that purpose they secured better
qualified teachers, without regard to
expense. The experiment was sue
cessful. Every taxpayer cheerfully
contributed, and for several y airs the
school Of District No. 2, Somers,
stood second to none in the county
perhaps in the state. Teachers were
secured who exerted themselves, and
the people sustained them and cheered
them on. Parents, teachers and pupils,
alike, felt commendable pride in
their progress. Library, books of refer
ence, maps and apparatus were pur-
chased and put to practical use.
The little wayside school house,
standing at the corner Of the streets
on the hill in beautiful little grove,
became the center of attraction for the
people, and many winter evening was
pleasantly spent within its walls in the
study of vocal music, in which the
teachers were competent to instruct,
or in the debating school. to the mutual
interest and improvement of all con-
cerned, both old and young, male and
female. Many gleeful song was sung,
and many newly-fedged little orator
broke down in his first attempt to de-
bate, only to persevere for the next oc-
casion.
To call names of patrons, teachers
or pupils might seem superhuous,
where all did so we'll. To do so i'm
partially would require a list of the
whole. The result of these few years.
pleasurable exertion was just what
was aimed at-an advanced common
school education. and a high moral
tone among the pupils. In the course
of time these pupils passed into
higher schools, normal schools and
colleges, and in looking for them to-
day they are found widely scattered |
throughout different states. Some
have distinguished themselves in pro-
fessional pursuits; others have made |
their mark as business men, mer.
chants and lumbermen; while others,
still, have become intelligent and we'll
TODD farmers, and all maintaining a |
high standing as upright citizens.
Nor are the girls to be passed over
in silence. They bravely performed |
their duties, in their own sphere,
equally with the boys. Several gained |
high reputation as teachers, and the
greater number are now the wives of |
professional or business men, taking
high rank in society.
The influence exerted by the school |
was felt by all classes of people in the |
district Even those who had no
pupils of their own, felt an interest, |
and mingled at the winter evening |
gatherings for improvement. How |
far that influence may eventually |
reach no one can tell. Senator
Barnes, of Dakota, was one of the
school boys in that district twenty-five
years ago.
Since that day our. district schools
have all made rapid strides in the
right direction, and no doubt there
are numerous other schools which
have exerted an influence quite as ex-
tended as No. 2 of Somers. We men,
ton this district, as having been some
what conversant with it's standing at
the time, but by no means in spirit of
dlsparagement to other schools.
Somers has maintained high reputa-
ton for schools for many years. We
should be happy to hear from other
in the county, and the citizens
educated in them twenty-five years
ago. Our common schools are the
great reliance of our country, and
when we foster them we foster our
own interest. 1t is not every one who
enjoys the advantages afforded by the
city high school or higher institutions,
but a respectable education is within
The reach of every one, in our common
schools, if the effort is but made to &C
luire it,
CRISIS OF THE CHICAGO AN
ARCHISTS.
An amnesty association has been
formed in Chicago to secure the deliv-
erance of the condemned anarchists