The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-03-15
TRIBUTE TO DIR. STEVENSON.

| At recent meeting of the city teachers
George E. Campbell gave a brief sketch OF
DR.. Stevenson, which, at the request OF
many Of the teachers. is published as fol
! lows:
X. W. Stevenson graduated with high
honors from first class college in Ohio,
| and soon after entered upon his life work
| and chosen profession as superintendent OF
schools at Dresden, o.: from there took
charge of the schools at Norwalk. 0.
After several years of successful man
agement OF these schools he was called to
the superintendent OF schools in the rap
idly growing city of Columbus. o. For
eighteen long years DR.. Stevenson kept
these schools well organized and the char
acter Of the work. in ali of its depart
ments, fully abreast of the leading schools
Of the west.
When he came to take charge of the
schools of this city he brought with him a
mature mind and Judgment, ripe scholar
ship, and a thorough and most complets
knowledge of our free school system in all
Is departments.
1T was my pleasure to go with him the
first day after he took charge of the Wich-
tia schools. With his quick perception,
long experience AID administrative ability,
he soon took in the situation; and, there
are many before me today who remem Der
the kind works of good cheer which fell
from his lips the first time lie visited our
schools. How be inspired you with hope
and encouraged you TO do your best work;
and, as you learned to know him. you
appreciated his worth and loved him.
You had II leader whom you were proud to
follow; and your present able superintend-
ent has frequently spoken of the excel
lency Of the work done under his super
vision
Eighteen years ago I was teacher in
the Portsmouth High school. Professor
Stevenson WAS invited to condrct the in
stitute in that city, and he then and there
endeared himself to all in attendance.
After the work of the institute was COM
pieted and he had closed d most excellent
farewell address, he saip: Fellow teach
ers, con't go home this afternoon. l want
you to 90 with me across the Ohio river,
to yonder beautiful Kentucky hills; we
Will all climb to the SUBMITS, and visw
the landscape DER; we will have a
nice, restful tme-get better &C
acquainted and learn to love each other
more: then we can all go home and to our
schools better prepared for the work be-
fore Us.
1t WAS there learned to admire aud
iOSc uill DIS Il IrleDQ ana DrOGner.
All these Years have regarded him as
safe man to follow; not only in matters OF
education. but in nobility of character.
generosity of spirit aud love of heart
Those who knew him best loved and re-
spected him most.
That he had enemies, we admit; so had
the Man of Calvary; and the man who
said. There must be something wrong
with our schools for all the teachers of our
city speak we'll of DR.. Stevenson" did not
thoroughly understand the situation.
know you are competent judges and |
but expressed your honest convictions, |
when you said you regarded him not only, |
a most capable schoolman, but friend |
and Christian gentleman whom you held !
IL the highest esteem. Dr. S. never |
betrayed a trust nor forsook "A friendi
The board of education, the citizens of |
Wichita and teachers all learned, with |
sorrow. "A few months ago Of his resigna- |
ION and of his intention to retire from |
active school work, and remove from |
among US to his former home in Ohio.
His work is done! The summons came
Iuickly!! He lives in the memory of Us
iil!!l He was prepared and the Lord took |
lim. Teachers, friends, do You feel the
les of friendship and love drawing you to |
The other shore! Do You wish TO push
'slde the veil that separates Us from the
friends over there? Wait, and complete
vour work. Tomorrow the Master will |
,all you.