Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1898-05-14
DEwEY,s BOYHooD.
Was Leader of the Anti-Teacher Bril-
gdde at School.


From the New York Sun:
Early in the fiftIes, when Dewey
was a boy, Major Z. X. Pangborn, now
resident of New jersey, and for thIr-
ty years editor of the Evening Jour
nal of Jersey City, being then fresh
from college, undertook the manage
ment of a district school at Montpe-
lier, VT. The school had been in re-
belion for long time, and the boy
Dewey was the leader of the anti
teacher brigade. Several previous
teachers had been removed, zone had
been stood upon his head in snow
bank, and it was generally said at
Montpelier that nobody could govern
that school.
When Mr.. Pangborn appeared at
school the first day of the session he
noticed Dewey up tree throwing
stones at small boys. He told him
quietly that he must stop that The
reply was that the teacher could $50
to- the place reserved for a certain
class of departed mortals, and Dewey
did not come down. School went very
smoothly that day, but there were in
dications that showed the teacher
that trouble was coming. So he pro-
vided himself with nice rawhide
whip, which he tucked away over the
door, and then placed several sticks of
good hickory on the top of the pile in
the old woOdbox.
Next day the fun began. Another
boy who was diSOrderly was told to
take his seat. He did so, and seven
of the big boys Joined him on his
bench. Then Dewey stepped up and
coolly informed the teacher that they
were ''going to give him the best lick
ing that he had ever had"
go to your seat" commanded the
teacher, who was not so big ''man''
physically as either of the two boys
mentioned.
Dewey struck out, and the next in
slant the rawhide was playing catch
and-go all over him. The other s'big-
gest boy" entered the fight and was
promptly laid low with blow from
one of the hickory sticks. Dewey was,
by this time, lying upon the floor,
bowling for .'quits," and the other
boy lay near him unconscious. The
rebellion was over, and Mr.. Panghorn
had no further trouble with that
school.
He took Dewey home to his father,
and reported that he had brought
him his son, somewhat the worse for
wear, but ready for school work.
''Thank you," replied DR.. Dewey. 81
guess George will not give you any
more trouble. He will be at school
tomorrow"
The father of the other boy tried to
get warrant for the arrest of the
|schoolmaster, but there was not a
magistrate in the county who would
issue one. They said that if anybody
had been found who could govern that
school he was the man for the place.
Young Dewey remained at school,
He soon became good scholar, and,
under his friends tuition, fitted for
the Annapolis academy. Years after
these events he was wont to visit
Major Pangborn at his home in Bos-
ton. where the former teacher was
editor of the old Atlas and Bee On
one of these visits he said to him: 81
shall never cease to be grateful to you
You made man of me. But for that
thrashing you gave me l should prob
ably now be in the state prison. -
Dewey was at this time young lieu
tenant in the navy and a chum of
Major Pangborn's brother, who was
also young naval officer. The two
spent much time at Major Pangborn's
home, and he always speaks of Dewey
as ''one'of his boys and is naturally
very proud of him.