River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-12-16
Historical Sketch of The Normal.
THE SITE SELECTED AND phID FOR
Struggle Interval that Brought The
Fourth Normal Falls.
The Pioneers who Did the Work. The Early Teachers.
The Schools Story in Outllne.-The Strong
Courses To-day

speech that gave distinction and vital
force TO the exercises.
The annals Of the Normal since its
dedication might better be written
| by hand that has taken an actual
part in its many-sided progress, than
by one that has hardly spent a day
within its doors. To have studied for
period of four years or more under
the kindly direction of high-minded
people gives preposseSsion TO the
| thought and a keenneSs to the
enthusiasm that are highly desirable
in writer of local history. One who
| has made his first speech in the liter
AIRY society OF his Alma Mater and
helped to down her rivals in football
or debate, will find at his tongues end
more pleasant stories to tell of her
than a disinterested person could
ferret outin days. II he nun bers
among his experiences that o. receiv-
ing a diploma on commencement
day, with flowers at his feet and choral
music still ringing ia his ears, and
finds, besides, as he looks back upon
some lively reception, that the whole
affair is merged for him into the
memory OF two bright eyes and
Somebody's laughter, he's in find way
TO impart to his narrative those
particular graces of personality and
local color without which history is
hardly worth the reading. But in the
present lack of this fortunate
alumnus, certain things fall TO be
said, and may best be put in simple
outline, merely for purposes OF
reference.
When Pres. Parker first took charge
OF the Normal, having resigned his
position as superintendent and
principal of the public schools at
GAINESVILLE, his corps of teachers in
cluded none of the instructors
who are now supporting him. In
those days it was Miss Curtis who
signed the monthly reports Of the
model grades. She remained with
the school but three years, retiring in
1878 to become matrOn OF the School
for the Blind at GAINESVILLE. Miss
FooJe, beloved of all the q. is, was ore
of the earlier teachers, and remained
till 1888, when she went TO Redlands,
California, her present home. Miss
Ellen G. Jones, a woman of
unusual intellectual graces, had
charge Of the geography branches
until 1882. She is now principal of
the Hillside Home school in Iowa and
has wide reputation as an educator.
The history department. was flrst
given in charge Of Miss Laura q.
Lowell, a sister of Mrs. John ID. Put
nam, and remained under her direc-
tion for several years. Miss Mae f.
Schneider, now instructor of literature
in the Milwaukee Normal, form erly
had supervision oyer the singing and
music and also taught history and
other branches later on. by her en-
gaging social qualities and a certain
intuitive charm of manner she made
a wide circle of friends, and exerted a
strong personal influence in the school.
Another instructor of this early
period whose personality was agree
ably forCeful, was Prof. j. IL. Ihayer,
an eminent teacher and a very genial
gentleman. Chief among the workers
in this early faculty, which seems to
have included none but prin timber,
was Prof. h. IL. King VINO Is now on
the faculty Of the State University.
He joined the school in 1876 and with
drew in 1887; and during that time
made the department of natural
science one of the most distinctive
and original features of the school.
Prof. Earthman was another OF the
arly instructors who possessed a
trOng individuality and wide range
+ information.
On the resign alton of Pres. Parker
inJ June 1883, owing to impaired health,
Prime. j. q. Emery of the TT. Atlin-
son public schools, now State Super
intendent, was elected to preside over
the school. Until his withdrawal In
June, 1888, he conducted prosperous
and vigorous administra ton. John
Hull, eX-president of the Southern
Illinois Normal University, succeeded
him and remained in charge one year.
La September, 1894, Pres. Parker was
again installed in the administrative
chair, from which he had already
presided with truly mastery grace for
fourteen years. Restored in health
and refreshed by change of scene and
occupation, he was re-welcOmed with
the most sincere enthusiasm both by
the school itself and by the COM
munity that had SOrcly missed him.
The three years of administration that
have followed his return have amply
fulfilled the claim of his friends that
the second period Of his presidency
would eclipse in maturity and depth
even the striking success OF the earlier
period.
A word remains 70 be said in regard
to the development of certain prom
inent courses in the school. At the
head Of all the departments, occup-
ing position to which ii has been
urged by persistent and painstaking
effort, stands the professional course,
the theory and art of teaching. 1t is
conducted by two competent and en-
thusiastic instructors, Miss Shultes
and Miss Smith, who devote almost
their entire time to the work. The
department of natural science which
was put on so sound footing by Prot.
King, is still ably conducted by Prof.
Ewing with due attention given to
experimental research and original
Investigation. The study of Qeog-
raphy, which was made living theme
by Miss Jones in the early davs, is
again i'm especially competent hands.
Prof. Sims treats the subject philo-
sophically and brings into prominence
its intimate relation TO human in
dustry and the distribution OF popula-
ton. The English branches. under
the direction Of Prof. Brier, are hand
led with tact and good taste. In
drawing, which was given a real i'm
petus by Miss Knox, who withdrew in
'93, Miss Pardee has aroused a rem ark
able interest and given TO the depart
ment a very wholesome prominence.
The department Of physical culture,
which began with Prof. Andrews in 80,
is now in charge OF Mrs. Truesdell and
has kept pace with the modern de-
mand for such training Ia the schools.
From time TO time, as need has
ompted. new courses and DEPART
ments have been added. the latest is
the Kindergarten, an undertaking
that has won instant favor, and
through the trained supervision Of
Miss Lucy Peckham is preparing a
COM any OF young ladies for practical
work in this important branch Of
/ teaching.
PLUM CITY.