davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1895-06-19


Elizabeth Barrett Bro,ening
"V EN- in these enlightened days OF kin
dergarten training and modern
methods Of teaching, we sJilI hear
IL people say. "WeH, I wish they
would teach my children the three
RS. 1 don't care about that flumdoodle'
nonsense with bees and bugs"
Surely every one who has had a child in
our Washington graded schools has heard
enough in the form or questions or surpris-
ing information TO make him think more or
less abouU this science work or nature
study.
The first thing to be understood regarding
this work is that grasshoppers and tad
poles are not studied primarily IN order
to give an eight-year-old child knowledge
of geological facts, neither are leaves and
buds to give him a knowledge of botany.
1t would be well for every parent who
complains OF the time given to these studies
to the detriment OF more important work
to study this sentence taken from our
course OF study:
The study Of plants in the lower grades
is made delightful and profitable when
1t Is prescribed not to give the learner a
knowledge OF botany, not for giving him
botanical facts, but as means Of training
him 70 see, as means OF getting related
information for the learning and exer-
else OF exact expression and the correct
use OF language, and for making verbal
material that has meaning 20 the child
for his first reading lesson"
Any one who has tried teaching the old
way and the new will concede that a
child can be taught to read, write, and
spell more quickly and better through the
science lessons than by the old way
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

The first colored school in Georgetown
was opened about 1910 by Mrs Mary Bill
ings, a well-educated English woman, in a
brick house on Dumbarton street, between
Congress and High streets. These early
schools, which prepared for the teachers
position many Of the colored teachers that
have almost wholly occupied the field since
1920, we're generally taught by English
teachers. A note worthy exception in the
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

In 1884, about eight years subsequent
to the purchase of his freedom, John
+. Cook, a nephew of George Bell, sue
ceeded to this school and continued it,
with one years intermission, till his
death in 1855. The interruption was
in the Snow riot" which occurred in
September, 1885 During this riot
nearly all Of the colored schoolhouses
were partially demolished, and some
completely ruined The books and fur
niture were also destroyed. Mr.. Cook,
being especially sought for by the rioters,
was compelled to flee precipitately from
the city. He returned in August, 1886,
and Immediately reopened his school.
After his death this school was continued
by his sons until ls67-thus giving TO it,
IN the several successions, an almost unin
terrupted existence OF about half century.
Though at no time free from those
ebulliti0ns Of hatred toward his race,
which were frequently produced by the
imaginary fears OF slaYe-holding COM
munity. no period was darker to the coloTed
man OF this District than that limited by
the years 1881 and 1886. The bitter
feeling which eliminated in this COM
munity in the "Snow riot was but an
offshOot from that more bitter caused
by the Nat Turner iusurrectiOn, which was
then. with great violence, sweeping away
ali the encouragement formerly given by
the more friendly white to the colored
man in his persistent efforts at elevation.
The darkness that had gathered about
him presented. however, an opportunity
FOR the exhibition OF a charter which, under
ordinary circumstances, might never have
been seen. The withdraw wal of the friendly
mite, which had been occasionally given,
aud the friendly word, aroused a spirit Of
determination, self-reliance, and irrepressi-
bic energy that instantly fureshado wed
eventual success. In this period a larger
number Of schools, and those marked for
stability, were started than at any other
period Of same length prior TO the war.
OF that number two are deserving, In
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

The public schools for colored children
in the cities uf fWashingtonand Georgetown
have in their management constituted an
exception to all other colored public schools
fn the country The act OF Congress
bringing the schools into existence, gave
the trust to the then existing boards of
trustees for public schools III the two cities.
Nearly two months afterwards the act was
amended aud tne trust conferred upon
separate board OF three trustees.
The first trustees were white, and were
appointed ore for one year, one for two
years and one for three years. TWO were
succeeded upon the expiration or their
terms by coIored men, and in few years
later colored men only were appointed to
the positions. Such continued until this
board aud the three other separate boards
of public school trustees in the District
| were consolidated into one board for the
| entire District uf Columbia. The manage
| ment of these schools by colored men was,
| however, not disturbed by this change,
and it has still been recognized by the
| appointment invariably Of cOlored men on
| the single board to represent the divisions
embracing these schools.
| Not only has the spirit OF the separate
J board for these schools, which existed IN
| the earlier years OF their history, been
| recognized since its abolition in the trus-
| tee representation, but the autonomy or the
| separate and Independent office or super
| intendent for these schools has, in all the
changes, been respected.
Though unique, this peculiar manage
ment has afforded the only opportunity
| in this country TO a race 10 give evidence
| of its ability TO direct its own educational
! affairs: and the measure of success that
| has followed is evinced in the length or
opportunity permitted. Due sense or the
! responsibility imposed and tue pride OF
| effort il has, under the circumstances,
| inspired, have been very potential factors
| in the success the schools have achieved.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
Schools of the Seventh and Eighth Divisions.

Prior to S64 no school could be opened
on account of the insufficiency OF FUNDS,
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
How is this done?

There is a lesson in the second norma.
reader used in the schools here on the grass
hopper. The teacher looks at the lesson
and sees at once the words 'grasshopper,"
''he d. "thorax,' abdomen in
sect" and, perhaps, others that are un-
known 70 the child.
Without science lesson the natural way
would be to put these words on the board,
explain them and let the children study
them And the natural result would be
that the child would stumble over them
pitifuIy when he began 10 read
Using the new method Of work, the first
thing 10 be done is to give each chiIda grass
hopper The little ones are Interested
and intent at once. The teacher asks a
few questions about where this little animal
is 70 be found and how it moves
Quickly developing the word grass
hopper" she writes it on the board. Then
she asks how many can write that name on
the board, too. Nearly every one is ready
TO write il and can spell it correctly. Thus
the little tots have learned in such a way
that they viii not soon forget how To read,
write and spell the word "grassbopper."
That is not enough, they must learn to read
the word in sentences and to write t IN
sentences, using correct language.
If the teacher asks Who can tel me
what he has on his desk?'' every hand
is raised and he gives some one permission
I TO say, Il have a grasshOpper on my desk
Another child is permitted 20 write this
on the board. Then the teacher calls for
some one tell her a story about the grass
hopper. Perhaps some one says, I seen a
graSshOpper on my way TO school this
morning" He is shown his mistake and
told 10 write the sentence correctly on the
board. Sentence after sentence is given,
corrected if necessary, and written on the
board, where the spelling also is cor
rected.
Then the parts OF the grasshOpper are
taken up. Tue teacher gives their names,
the children draw them and write SEN
tences on the board describing each part.
Thus the child is taught reading. writ
ing and spelling from the very first in bis
science lesson, besides learning TO OBJ
serve minutely, describe accurately and
handle carefully.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

The next step is to have the child state
connectedly the result OF his study This
is almost strictly a language lesson,
though in writing these facts cOnnectedly
he again combines language study with
writing and spelling. If be be required to
read his finished work he studies reading
also.
When he can write and read an accu-
rately stated and understood account OF
the grasshopper he is ready 10 take up
the lesson in the book. No stumbling over
words now; he knows them all and can use
them himself 1t is the delight of full
grown man reading an account of his
pet hobby, not the dreary task Of the
weary school hoy.
In the same way other subjects are
taken up. Our little ones IN the first
grade study leaves and fruits. They viii
plant seeds and watch them grow with
an eager, intense interest only equaIed
by the interest we take in their still more
fascinating child-growth.
The children in the second grades viii
work with the grasshopper and hen, while
the third grades learn about frogs and
how ice and snow are made.
Prof Rice, in his articles on the public
schools in the Forum, - divi des the
schools of our country into three classes.
III Jiit 1lESI NE IS ne plGCeS JlltlSe SCHOOLS
THAT are still conducted on the antlquated
notion that the function Of the school
consists primarily in Gro wding into the
memory of the child a certain number OF
cut and dried facts, ignoring the idea
that the aim IF the school should be TO
develop the child in all his faculties,
intellectual, moral and physical" His
second class has for it's aim "the natural
development OF the child in all his faCIlI-
ties" In the third class the schuOIS
have reached a still higher state Of de-
velupment.
That we are fortunate enough to be
put in the second class, while Baltimore,
| New York and Chicago are IN the first
class is due, of course, TO the work OF
our superintendent And it is Cue in a
great measure To his belief If nature
study and its results as carried out in our
schools.
The higher purposes aud res ults Of this
study cannot be better explained than by
| quoting from paper written by Miss
Arnold. of Minneapolis, for Prof Rice.
She says.
My purpose in introducing the science
and literature lessons was to lead the chill
dren to observe, to bring them into closer
touch with nature; to add TO their enjoy
ment in and out of school-an inaIienable
right-and to fill their minds with beau
| tiful pictures and inspiring ideals, SO that
| there mlSnt De less room LOT the mean anu
| low. Material for language lessons, knOwl-
| edge of facts, and a great power of express
| sion We're ends obt aimed through the
/ lessons. but they We're not the most inn
| portant aims NV hOpe in intro
dueing the lessons was that the children
/ from homes where poverty or heredity
| had made their lives barren might have
taste Of the beautiful and learn TO love
nature 1 have been delighted with ths
| results. Bootblacks stop me in the street
| to tell me what beautiful flowers they
/ had studied in school that day
| Who can tell what this glimpse OF the beau
| full will be in their Iyes-a window into.
| the infinite &.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

period however, was Mrs. Anne NJ. Hall,
from Prince George county, Nd, who was
the first col0red teacher in this District.
She started a school in the immediate vi
cinity of the Old Capitol, and taught there
and in other localities OF the city with uni
form success about twenty-five years.
Because of the leadership of Mr.. Bell in
the earliest educational enterprise among
cOlOfed men in this community, the first
RchooIhouse- was named the Bell school
house.
creased during his active life in his con-
spiCuOusness in all efforts for the benefit
of his race in this District.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

The advantages of instruction, public
or private, to any person or class of per
sons, are heightened by the intensity of
need. The degree of public school need
is best measured by the extent of iljteracy
and by the degree Of absence of means
outside OF public provision with which TO
remove it,
While it is true that in this District,
before the initiation of public schools for
coIored children, there was a considera-
ble class of cOlored men, with line OF
intelligent family connection extending
back almost TO the beginning of the pres
ent century, who, in point OF intellectual
attainment, through private schools orgl-
mated, maintained and in most Instances
taught by colored men and women; IN
point of moral worth; in point of business
tact, thrift and energy under the most de-
pressing circumstances, were abreast or
the average person; yet ii is not less the
fact that there was a much larger class
in such oppressed condition as would sur
fer neither the acquisition of knowledge
of the letter nor the acquisition OF mate
rial means.
To this latter class, augmented by the
thousands who during the late war took
refuge in this city, and many Of whom,
if possible in vet more destitute and de
plorable condition, this public provision
of instruction has been most positively
and especially beneficial 1t is he who
famiIiarizeG himself in the earliest years
of these schools with the pupil condition
of that period who can, in the schoolroOm
of to-day, best appreciate the slgnlfl-
canoe of the disappearance of the sloyenly
in the neat, of the disorderly in the or
derly, of the Iude in the refined, of the
tardy in the punctual, of the irregular at
tendance in the regular, in short. of the
large disregard of the lesser moral vir-
tues in their regard. 1t is this moral
training which, from the character of
the motive power it gives to efforts made
possible through intellectual attainment,
is invaluable in the benefits it cOnfers not
only upon the directly trained, but also
upon society and the state.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
PreS8nt Condition Of
The OOlOr6d Schools
Their Jurisdiction Management, Work, Progress and
Advantages to the People Outlined by Supt. Cook.
Manual Training and Kindred Branches.

"For having studied and digosted a-goin"
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

In 1918. under the auspices OF an assocla-
ton Of free colOred persons, known as the
''R esolute Beneficial Society" the Bell
schoolhouse. which had been used several
years as a dwelling, was again taken for
school purposes. With Mr.. Pierpoint, of
Massachusetts. a relative OF the poet, as
teacher, a school, free to those not able to
pay for instruction, was organized IN 1t.
Aftertwo ort three years successful teaching
he was succeeded by John Adams, the first
colored man who taught in this District.
No house built in this community ex-
pressly for the instruction of Colored chill
dreu has a history more varied and replete
with interest than that so well known as
the Smothers sChOlhouse.
Itwas builtabOut S22by Henry Smothers,
a colored man, on II street north, near Four
Geenth street west. After having been used
almost constantly for forty years by colOred
schools il was destroyed by incendiaries in
lS62 Mr Smothers brought TO il as
soon as il was finished a large school
which he had started and taught in another
locality He was succeeded in 1926 by
John W Prout, a colored man of much
ability Under Mr. Prout the school
was governed by a board Of trustees and
organized as a free school
The number of scholars averaged about
$50, but, for want of voluntary pecuniary
support, after an existence of two or
three years, it became a regular pay
school.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
Study of B60S, Bugs
PlOW0rS andL8au8S
HOW AND Why OUR SCHOOL
CHILDREN PURSUE 1T.
Interesting Exposition of q
Lovely Method of Awak-
ening Young Minds.

Although such trihes, children learn By such-S
Elizabeth Barrett BropninG
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

7 fND Err the direct and independent
superinteudence of this office are
all the public schools for colored
49, children in the cities Of Washington
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

or that Ollmber two are deserving, in
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

The other day a clerk in one of the gro-
Gerry stores went into n store where several
young ladies arc employed and entered
into jolly conversation with them, never
thinking that it was about time for him
to return to his place of duty as it was
nearly time for the store be closed
The joke is that when he went back to the
store the door was locked and he had no
key, while inside was the new coat which
he was to wear to Gardiner to the dance.
After going up street about an eighth
of mile he got key and returned to get
the garment. Then much to his disgust
he missed tho car, was late to the dance
and his young lady friend was kept wait
ing
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

"Truants, yes we have great deal of
trouble with them. said one Of the school
officers to reporter the other day. "Not
day passes but some school boy must be
looked after and brought back to school.
In many cases the parents seem indiffer-
ent an sometimes they do not know that
their children are not attending school, at
least they say that they don't. The boys
streets and by the river bank. Some of
them seem to study well when in school,
while others are not particular whether
they learn anything. We try to keep
them in the schools all we can and allow
me to say that it is not any easy task"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22
BAR HaRBoR BOOMING.
Col. Wa. kimbaIl Of the Maine Central Rail-
road Interviewed.

Col. W. A. Kimball, the genial and
hustllng excursion agent of the Maine
Central Railroad, was in the city. Satur
day, on his way home to Portland from
bar Harbor, and while here was inter
viewed by q Journal man.
Yes. business is booming at Bar Har
Dor y he said, and clearing his throat, con.
tinned: Hotel Benont is booked fol
every room. The Marlboro is being
painted and other repairs are being made.
Landlord Roberts of the Rockaway is con.
structing large stone wall in front Of
his magnificent hotel. Proprietor Pulitzer
OF the New York World, has begun work
on his $500, 090 bath house. which is truly
wonder to see. The new hotel, the
Everard, named in honor of Everard
Greedy, the noted horseman, is a fine build
ing, fitted and furnished in the most
elegant style.
How about the next issue of the
Maine CentralS" asked the pencil
pusher
Now you have hit the interesting
chord, laughingly responded Mr.. Kim
ball. ut will be the ideal number and
have about 36 pages. with illustrations
that cannot help but interest and please
The front page will be adorned with a
recent picture of the steamer Frank Jones.
There will be cuts of the Rockland post
office, Bay Point hotel, scenes of the lime
rock quarries, trains being loaded and I'M
loading. There will be pictures Of Hon.
j. L. Berry of Rockland, Sidney M. Bird,
Gen. Davis Tilson and w. S. White, all of
the Lime Rock city. The railroad lead
ing up to the quarries is 12 miles long, has
three locomotives and 400 cars. The chief
write-up of the next Maine Central will
be the steamer Frank Jones and the trip
from Rockland to Machiasport, covering
all places intervening. Many new Bar
Harbor scenes will be given and much of
interest furnished "a
"The summer resort business at Bar
Harbor will begin, this year, about May
/, and promises to be large. The M. c.
r. r. will have many fine new vestibule
cars to put on the line this summer" said
Mr.. Kimball, as he boarded the afternoon
train for the Forest City.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

A novel and useful invention is being
introduced here. 1t is nothing less than
a cap provided with a false visor Of green
colored isipglass, which folds neatly into
the cap when desired, and which can be
turned down in such a manner as to pro-
tect the eyes from the dust and glare of
the sun, being particularly intended for
bicycle riders. 1t is simplicity itself and
docs not add to The cost of the cap. Tas-
ker Brothers, matters, have the agency for
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

A Journal man was told, yesterday,
while conversing with gentleman
thoroughly versed in county fairs, that
during the coming year more will be held
than ever before and that tho interest in
them is increasing why" he began,
-four corporations fled certificates at the
secretary of States office during the past
winter, the object of these corporations
being to conduct fairs. The exhibits in
nearly all cases, think; will surpass any
ever shown"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

A young woman came out of one of the
stores at the upper end of Water street the
other evening and a rough looking fellow
stepped up to her and grufliy raid. give
me your pocketbook. She thinks that
ii it had been late in the evening, and a
man had not passed about that time, the
fellow would have attempted to have
taken her purse away from her and she
jokingly said that he would not have got
much.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

Temperance of Maine will hold its 50th
anniversary in this city on Wednesday
next, at the hall of the Grand Army, COM
mencing at 10 A. M. There will be a
public meeting in the evening at the Or
thodox chapel, addressed by able and promi-
nent speakers, and it is hoped that large
gathering may be present. 1t is under
stood that the Wednesday evening meet
ings of the churches will be omitted for
that occasion.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

Twenty years experience, including the
wears of learning the trade in some of the
best houses in Boston, must be sufficient
guarantee of ones complete knowledge of
his special business or trade, hence O..
II. Groves can well claim to know all the
ms and outs OF the upholstery business.
See his adj.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

The executive committee of the Maine
Pharmaceutical Association will meet at
the Cony house, Thursday, to arrange for
the annual excursion, which will be to
kineo, this year.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

The members of the Third Maine Regi-
ment will banquet at the North, this even
ing, and enjoy one of Landlord Burns
fine spreads. 1t is a pleasant occasion for
the so veterans to assemble and chat about
days on the battle fields, long and weary
marches, sentinel duty and the hardships
of war times.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

A radiant countenance is sign of good
times. so radiant Oil stove with the
unique self feeding device, and central
draft burners in a house, is a sign of the
comfort and cheerfulness that may be ex.
pected in the hot days to come. A. ID.
Ward has just received this new oil stove
that promises to accomplish SO much.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

Miss Jennie Crowell of South Smith
field, graduate of the Pennington Nor
nal school, is acting as assistant teacher
i'm the VIM. r. Smith Grammar school fol
the present term.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

"Those are very good pictures, was the
remark made by man the other day, as
he looked at cabinet in front Of a photo
graph gallery, and he added, most every
body who has a picture takes delight in
being flattered."
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-22

Spring is causing people to clear up
and look longingly at their gardens,
anxious to delve In mother earth once
more. Horace Little, 159 Water street, has a
complete line of garden implements, seeds
and fertilizers See his ad.