Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-13
horses. the use of which had been granted
to the public schools


In 1876 Mr.. Joshua L. Henshaw was ap-
pointed teacher of the Western School
Mrs. Emma d. E n Southworth an
American novelist, who still survives and
is resident of this city, was the step
daughter of Mr.. Henshaw, and was for
some years also a teacher in the public
schools of Washington
Inc two original schools, supplemented
Tor several years by the Lancasteran
Schoot and for short period by two sub
divided Presbyterian schools, ran an inter-
mittent course. without any considerable
growth or improvement.
In 1873 the principal teachers in charge of
the four District male schools We're:
First district, Mr.. Joshua L. Henshaw;
second district DIR. Tobias Watkins: third
district. Mr. Hugh Mccormick: fourth dis
trict, Mr.. Henry Hardy The first special
teacher of vocal music, Prof. j. H. Hewitt
was appointed the same year
Mr.. John f. Thompson succeeded Mr.
Hardy as principal teacher of the fourth
district male school in 1915 and there are
hundreds of his pupils now living who hold
his name in grateful remembrance. and
stIuction.
Mr.. Samuel Kelly who was appointed to
succeed MI. HenShaw the principal
teacher of the first district male school
IN lSi?. then occupying the jefferson stable
pulidlng. used to wind up his school and
set it agoing like clock, and then go out
10 call on his friends in the neighborhood
and invite them to visit the school in his
absence and see if it was not running all
right They would accept his invitation.
go to the So hool find every scholar string
bolt upright at his desk with his eyes set
on his book, and report to Master Kelly
accordingly; and woe to the boys had it
been otherwise
Mr. Strong John Thomson, who commence
ed his service as 4 teacher in the public
schools in 1852, and was promoted to be
Mr.: kellys successor in 1884, is now ac
lively and efficiently performing his duties
as the principal of the Abbot School, the
senior of the corps, and without a rival in
the number of Washington boys who have
acquired under his tuition a sound and
thorough education in the elementary
studies.
Prof Joseph H. Daniel was appointed
teacher OF vocal music in 1si6 and | am
happy to say, has most acceptably hlleJ
that Office down to the present time. The
number of school children in this city
whom he has gently and sllllfully taught
to sing during his long career would well
hish equal the present population.
Annual Professions.
During the years 1sIo-,1 the N ling pri-
vate and public school teachers and other
citizens interested in education organized
The Columbian Teachers Association"
Gradually an inexpensive two-rooin build
ing had been erected in each of the four
school districts by the corporation; addi-
tonal rooms. notably in Easements Of
churches, had been rented the walls ard
ceilings of which We're punctilfously white
WASHED Just before tie annual examination
OF the schools; somewhat improved school
furniture. appliances and text books had
been introduced: night schools had been
organized which hourished for time and at
the END of the school year. in the latter
part Of July. long professions of all the
81 hool children in each district. marshalej
by their respective teachers and trustees
with the flag of their country ard school
al a mad Viii 1.
vices ard legends. were seen marching
along the streets and avenues on their way
to the Capitol grounds at an earlier data
and az later one to the hall of the Smith
sonian restitution. there to receive in the
presence OF large concourSe of gratified
relatives and friends at the hand of his
hcror, The mayor, the prizes honorable
mention. certificates diplomas, books, sill
Yer and gold medals-awafded for merit in
attendance. punctuahty and scholarship.
President Fillmore conferred these nonors
at the Capitol grounds in 1850.
During the latter part Of this period and
the first part of the following one each
school, that is the teacher and pupils in
d single room. usually sola ted. had ills
distinctive banner. legend colors, charac-
ter. reputation and pride, which il was
bound to defend and maintain against all
rivals with spirit worthy of d Highland
elan of Scotland in the first half of the
seventeenth century. This stage of the
school system. lad its peculiar merits and
attractions. and produced scholarship of
the ve!y highest order of excellence in
certain lines. varying il different schools.
Little Aid From Uncle sum.
Liberal donations Of city lots We're made
to Georgetown and Columbian colleges
but the OILY assistance ever received from
the Congress by the public schools the
permission to occupy temporarily three Or
four vacant public lots or parts of pub
lie reservations, the gift in fee of the old
jefferson stable, the use of the old Union
and AnacoStia engine houses and the site
of the Force School 50 long they shall
be occupied fer school purposes, the gift
of an Old frame building, a relic OF the
war, located on leased ground at the cor
ner of I'D and | streets northwest and
on one or two occasions the advance of a
sum from the United States treasury 20
pay salaries Of teachers in arrears. with
d proviso for its repayment-a beGgarly
list of old clothes and small loans for
short periods-until We come down to ISIS.
when the Congress assumed the payment
of one-half of all the expenses of the Dis
trct of Columbia including those of the
public schools The District was then so
heavily in debt that the public schools
did not receive the fun benefit of this
national did until after the close of the
period of which l am writing.
In 1865 occurred a memorable incident
in the history of the schools. The vet
eran armies of the Union, returning to
their homes in the north, were to marcn
past the Capitol on their route up Penn
sylvania avenue to be reviewed from a
stand in front Of the Executive Mansion
by the President of the United States
their commander in-chef, the Secretary of
War. the generals who had led them to
victory and other distinguished citizens.
The public schools of the city We're 10
pa rticipate in the ovation, and promptly at
the hour named thousands were in the
place assigned TO them Oh the north por-
tico of the Capitol and all down the
grassy slope of the park in front extend
irg to the line IF march.
For six hours during the march. without
sign of WEAKNESS, the boys and girls pre-
scented their floral offerings, waved their
flags. rent the air with cheers and at
intervals a grand chorus of 300 voices
under the lead of Director Daniel sang
"The Star Spangled Banner. Battle Cry
of Freedom When Johnny Comes
Marching Horse," Victory at Last" ami
other patriotic songs and hymns. all of
which were most gratefully received and
heartily acknowledged by officers and sol
dierS.