Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-23
w. c. T. U.

4
Both the girls kept journals, but dur
ing the lonliness occasioned by thell
mothers absence on visit, Frances
began to branch out more extensively
in that direction, scribbling sketches
and verses and she even began novel,
which soon became standing joke in
the family. Her brother declared that
"she had so many characters that fol
the life Of him he didn't see how she
was going to get them all killed off IN
a thousand pages"
The first great break in their lives
was when Oliver went to attend school
In Beloit. Soon after, Frances and
Mary took their first journey, going
back to the old home at ChurchviIle,
where they spent several delightful
months with their many relatives.
This visit east somewhat disturbed the
old time contentment with their coun.
try home, and soon after, it was ar
ranged that the girls should go away
to school, They spent some time at
the Milwaukee Female College. where
they made many friends. Frances
formed strong attachment for Mar
ion W0lcott, daughter of one of the
most prominent physicians of that city.
81 never rested" say Miss. Willard,
It'll like her, / also heard ten, (ten
meaning perfect, read after my name
each week" In 1858 they attended a
college at Evanston, Ill. AS at Mil
waukee, Frances was soon an acknowl.
edged leader In all school activities.
She must certainly have oItgrown
her real or fancied plainness, for many
who met her at this time declare her to
have possessed very rare and delicate
beauty. She edited the college paper
and was much interested in all intel
lectual pursuits. But she was still
fond OF her fun and frolic, inventing
all manner of diversions, some of them
requiring considerable thought and
time. She spent much time ia study
outside Of the class room.
Those of her school mates who visited
her in her room, found her always at
her desk with books, pen, and paper.
Her journal kept during her school
years shows much OF her inner life and
thoughts. She says: 81 thought that
next to wish had to be q saint some
day, / really would like to be poll
tician." When her course was draw
ing to close she writes: Professor
detained me after class this morning,
and with his most engaging smile made
this announcement, BY vote of your
teachers you are made valedictorian, l
was glad, Of course, 'tis like human
nature. To others it will seem small
thing, it is not so to me-" Miss Viii.
lard made her school days a pleasant,
happy time, full Of pleasant recollec-
tions, and successful because of her
independence and untiring effort.
After leaving school Frances decided to
teach although opposed in this by
her father who thought woman's place
was in the home. She first taught a
district school, and later obtained
position in the Pittsburg Female Col
lege. A friend who knew her we'll at
this time writes: "She had q grandly
magnetic influence over young girls,
believed in them, trusted them, stood
by them, often when others condemned,
and sought out those who were shy and
retiring, and tried ever to inspire them
with her own high ideals of life and
character.
In 1871 she was elected president of
the Evanston Female College for ladies
the first woman to whom such a title
was ever accorded.
In this capacity she endeared herself
to all her pupils, who soon found that
che had Their best interests at heart.
She placed character above all compe-
titlon, and formulated her plans for
self government which placed the pu-
pills on their own honor, and in which
scholarship had nU part.
The union of the Ladies College with
the Northwestern University brought
about many changes in her plans, as
the authorities of the University took
the ground that the girls would get on
very we'll with very little supervision.
Miss Willard tried to inspire her girls
with sense of their individual respon-
sibility; an "arrest of thought" she
believed was far more effectual way
of reaching the desired end than by a
multitude of rules. "Help us always
to be what in our best moments each
of us wants to be" was often a part of
her evening prayer.
Miss Willard's withdrawal from the
University left her on the best Of terms
with the faculty and the students. She
was in a hopeless minority in her views
concerning the administration Of the
College and as she says; "My resolve
was taken, the world was wide, and /
mould not waste nv life i'm friction