Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-05-13

1u0 xOIuldx OR0lxkA4 VI UA0 SOAACAO III
Hot Springs and the normal school in
Speartsh marked more than one step
in the advancement of educational
work in the Black Hills. 1t is with JUS
tiiable pride that we point to the high
places which these institutions now
occupy, and the broadening influences
which they carry with them.
The vigorous educational! sentiment
which characterizes the: people of Hot
Springs prompted.them to give liber-
ally labor aud lands for the location Of
the college at this place.
Black Hills college opened Sept. II,
1880, with Rev. j. w. Hancher as the
president. The work of founding q
college in this new country seemed to
many a perilous undertaking; but with
an intelligent and growing population,
a strong need was early felt for a
school of higher learning. Under
Pres. Hancher's enthusiastic leader
ship the college has grown to be a
strong center Of educational useful.
ness.
Elmer z. Lymer who BECAME vice
president Of the faculty and professor
of Latin and higher mathematics, is
now president of the institution, having
succeeded Pres. Hancher, who resigned
after six years of faithful and valuable
service.
The new president is not only en-
dowed by nature and education for the
arduous duties which have devolved
upon him, but having been for SO
many years identified with the college
as an instructor fully understands its
needs, and his deep interest in the
school insure for it, success. The col
lege has but recently closed avery sue.
cessful year under his able administra-
ton.
The State Normal School at Spear
fish came in answer to q demand for
more skillful teachers in our common
schools. 1t is now generally recog-
nized that teachers need special prep
aration and training for the art of
teaching-for teaching is truly an art
based upon established principles.
Scholarship alone is not q sufficient
qualification for q teacher to possess
yet too often it is the only require.
ment.
The opening of the school occurred
April IA, 1884, with Mr.. Van Baker as
principal. In Sept. 1885 Prof. Cook, a
we'll known educator of Minnesota
was engaged to succeed Mr.. Van Baker
Prof. Cook soon made his superior
qualifications for the position mani
fest, and through his able manage
ment at the close of the year there
were seventy students enrolled, an in
crease of fifty-three over the enroll
ment at the beginning of that year
The third year opened with an attend
ance beyond the seating capacity, max
ing a demand for more room a neces
sity. An appropriation of $4,000 wa
accordingly made, and a new building
erected to meet the increasing needs
The writer became associated with tn
school as an instructor in 1886, and TO
six years observed its phenomena
growth and advancement from thes
humble beginnings.
Prof. Cook has been untiring in hi
efforts to bring the school to its pres
ent high standard, and with the aid O
the faculty is doing anoble work 70
the graded and common schools of tn
Hills in supplying them with teacher
trained for the work.
In most Of the cities and towns O
the Hills and in many of the rura
schools are to be found graduates G
this Normal school of whom it may b
said, "By their works ye shall kno,
them"
In appreciating the value of q mol
NAL training the various school board
of the Black Hills are evincing q PR
gressive and intelligent spirit. Ma
the good work go on.
Our public schools, which are th
basis of every wise system ssof leduc,
ton are surely aud steadily ;advancin
in the right direction. This IL esp.
cially true in the cities and towns ,