The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-29
GOODBYE, NO. 1.
Pleasant Memories Sur
rounding the First Pub
lie School Here.
PRINCIPAL LINSLEY'S CAREER
Classmates Form an Association
and Honor Their Old Teacher
Some Of the Boys.

Now that it is proposed to tear down
the old No. School Building the cid
pupils and graduates of the school are
revivsng their pleasant memories of the
good old times and beginning to find that
they have some of the '.Woodman. spare
that tree, feeling about it,.
When No. School was first organ
lied in 1885. 1t was held in building on
Sussex sstreets paat wlaere the old 5ail
stood. Its first principal was Albert T.
Smith. and Mr.. George H. Linsley, the
present principal. was then first assis-
tant. In 1S47 the brick building on York
street was built. A first it was a long
narrow building of the present height.
There was but one room on each floor.
undivided even by curtains.
GREAT CHANCES MADE.
After while as the scholars grew more
numerous, wings were added at the back
on each side, and later the wings were
enlarged until they occupied the whole
front which was formerly yard. The
changes inside were as great. In place
OF the one long room. We're a number Of
small class rooms separated by rolling
doors which could be pushed aside,
throwing the rooms into one large room
again. This rolling down system, which
was first put in operation by Prof. Lins-
aey in No. / School, has since been copied
by every school in the ely.
Mr.. Smith having left the school to
enter the Hudson County Bank in 1851.
Mr. George H. Linsley was made prin-
slp, ssipal At THAT that time there was no High
No. School they had finished their edu-
cation Then. also, there was no escape
thing one day, they knew II the next.
Mr.: Linsley then taught his pupils him
self and alloYsS. 4 Tift5E n slgTTiBg; ag9HngT,
years, but in 1858 a fund was started to
allow INDECENT children. to attend. and
Bosa 81 ss sda90 until HERS fS5s was rhe he
school 2a,sa was Sc at first managed by trussees
until 1855. when School No. 2 was built.
After time 1t was thought that the
pupils needed higher education than
could be given by a grammar school SO,
Linsiey Started in in lsa Normal rs is scho5i 15
IN dGr sagEdaSs n schod n N6 aad s
attended by all the graduated scholars.
some OF whom expecIsd to be, teachers.
The Normal School was very popular
and was regularly attended until 1875
when, the High school having. been or
It, much to the regret of the pupils.
PANIC. AT A FIRE
Darng tie cheo1 ye1aar Of its
once been on fire. The fire sarted in
the rear of the building and it was at
first hought the students would stampede.
AT that time the boys of the Grammar
Department were on the third floor, the
girls on the second floor, and the little
tots on the first floor. The discipline
was so great that the scholars on the
two higher floors We're kept in check, but
the children below were so frightened
that they could not be. restrained, and
which were. nailed to the. floor were
broken off by the children in their ex-
citement. They were so closely packed
togeher that at first they could not get
were passing were obliged to pull them
out. In spite of this none of the scholars
beyond few scratches
No accoun of School No. l. would be
complete without alluding to the man,
who. by his honesty. integrity, prompts
l the historic school it is,-George H
Linsley. Mr.. Linsley by his very thor
oughness and perseverance won the love
Of his scholars and has kept their friend
Mr.. Linsley had so instilled patriotism
into his pupilh that when the Civil War
regiments and the girls neglected their
studies to scrape lint. The stay-at-hemes
were soon interested by Mr.. Iinsley
and Wms T. Dickinson in Relief AS
sociation which enlisted the sympathies
and the pocket-books of the people for
the. destitute wives and mothers of the
soldiers. Though No. School was never
refugees who infested Jersey. City, it
was often the place where the people
of Jersey City met to concoct plans for
helping our soldiers.
POPULAR ALMA MATER.
ASchool No. 1 was for many years the
most popular in the city. 1t Is the Alma
noted men, all of whom retain their old
interest in and respect for their OLD
teacher. Many are the stories Mr.. Lins-
when going to school, I1 speaking of one
Lingsley said to a News" reporter:-,..
around this fioor. In spite Of the the fog log.
gings and lectures, these ssboys'' stiil
have warm spots in Their hearts for Mr..
Linsley, and sought In 1891 to show to
him by rendering him upon his birthday,
ASsoCIATIoN FORMED.
first t. class graduated, the Class Class Of 1855. SIS
open to graduates Of later years;
of '5S, the following aetter was received
by Mr.. Llnsley:-
George Il. Linsley. ESQ.
School NO 1, first class, years 1851 to
1883 having formed an association. deem
to tender you a reception and banquet on
Wednesday, evening. June 8, 1891.
For many years this idea has been
on the minds Of a large number Of those
who. .appreciat ting your efforts in their
behalf as teacher and friend, now wish
to show their affection and esteem by
meeting together and holding a reunion,
afford.ng an opportunity to join in social
Intercourse, and 1--we over the merry days
of our boyfleod in your presence.
1--WE intend to make the occasion one
that can be participated in without for
mality or restraint, SO that all can en-
joy it.
assuring you a good time,
''cHARLEs f CASE. s
~f!f}aRfEN e tRly Mr = I5RaIfy d9gg Egy Esgiea;-
Dear Sir.-I beg to assure YOU that I
appreciate very highly the imitation to
join with the boys of Public School No.
ception and banquet Nothing can give
a veteran teacher. surrounded and sup
ported by the friendship and loyalty Of
former pupils dating back from 80 to 20
years, now representing positions s;, N varir
sweetness and. satisfaction which only
the rpeness of years can fully enjoy
Trusting that. my cordial acceptance
of your invitation to meet these. old
friends in kindly eeting and SOCIAL si,al- IL. 4.
our bond. Of unioh and good viii, SUBJ
scribe myself e: Is Icy eyer: ,n,, fr,ona
GEORGE H, LINSLET."
LIST OF OLD BOYS.
This first banquet was largely attended.
and each guest received a photograph of