The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-04-26

with Some Past History, as View
ed by a Visitor.

Tionesta, nestled so cozily among the
forest covered hills of western Pennsyl-
vania, with all the love that true patriot
ism irlplies, will not for a moment feel
envious of any praise given to the city of
Warren in our own Judicial district. A
broader expansion Of the Allegheny at
this point makes the city one "beautiful
for situation" For those who dwell
within its borders, Mature hath done
her part and the science and industry,
genius and enterprise, not only of the
early settlers, but of succeeding genera
tions, have contributed much, from time
to time, of all that wealth and architoc-
ture can do to make city beautiful. But
it is the culture and refinement of its
citizens, together with the educational
advantages they have provided, that
make Warren desirable place of resi-
dence.
In taking glance over the past CEN
tury, we can scarcely realize the rapid
strides that civilization has made in trans
forming almost trackless wilderness
into all that it takes TO make an cup to
date" city of tho present day, and one
No doubt much of this is due to the char
acter Of the early settlers. who were an
intelligent class of people and for whom
the legislature of Pennsylvania, as early
as 1899, provided that 500 acres he laid
off for the use oi such schools and acade-
mics as may hereafter be established by
law in said town." BY the same act, of
the same General Assembly, provision
was also made for the towns of Franklin,
Waterford, and Erie.
1t may be interesting TO note that soon
after school was opened in Warren, in a
vacant room in the home of Danied Jack
son, Esq, great grandfather OF Madames
Hopkins and Proper of Tionesta, and
taught by the father of tho late Governor
Fenton of New York. But by surprs-
ing lack of foresight and negligence on
the part of the trustees of the Warren
settlers for 80 years at nominal sums, the
educational interests of the borough and
county lost the use of great many
thousands of dollars, and for forty years
the young men OF the county desrous of
an academic education had to go else
where, or so without their fondest hopes
being realized, When the academy was
finally established, it was with great
zeal and interest the citizens took hold of
the new enterprise, till the Union School
was opened in 1857. The academy, in
which Judges Rdssales Brown end S. p.
Johnston were teachers, was then aban-
densd and since then every energy has
been bent towards making the public
schools of Warren equal to any in the
State.
For over forty years the Union school
continued to be in use, with such inn
provements as were thought necessary
added to it at.diflerent times.
Among the first teachers who taught in
this building were Miss Maria Shattuck
Mrs. l.. d. eWtmore), Miss Stebbins
(Mrs. h. p. King, Miss McIntoah Mrs.
DIR. Hazeltlne)an Hon. CIV. Stone, who
was principal from '63 to '65. These eX.
cellent people and the good they have
done are only types of those who have
taken their places, and the great army of
men aud women who have come out
from that school to take their places in
the busy world have made the world the
better 10y their doing and have helped
raise the standard of culture and intel
lectual pursuits still higher in their
midst. In 1876 Prof. A. b. Miller, now
Of New Haven, Conn, became principal
and for fourteen years did excellent
work. During his administration" a
complete course of study for the high
school was arranged, and diplomas is
sued to the first graduates in rs. The
West end building was also erected and
in 1890 Prof Miller resigned his position
as superintendent. He was followed by
Prot. w. l.. MacGowan, who has held the
position ever since, and who has been in
strumental in bringing the school system
up to the high standard of the present.
In 1892, more room being needed, a beau
tiful structure OF nine school rooms was
built on the corner of East and Third
streets at cost of 500, 900. 1t is a model
in regard 20 comfort and health, and an
ornament to the town. 1t was consid-
cred one of the finest ool-buildings in
this part Of the country, till now, when il
is far surpassed by the new High Schoo
bullding-a magnificent structure thai
was just completed at the close '9S at 4
cost of 100000. To attempt a description
of this beautiful building, in the shor
say, like the queen OF Sheba of old, "B,
held, the half was not told" 1t is only
to visit the building and its differen
apartments that anyone can realize wha
the citizens of Warren haYe done and arr
doing for their country.
No better patriotism can be shown any
where than to prepare the children of th,
present generations TO become good citi
zens. 1t is true that the taxes have beer
raised, but no wise and unseliish person
regrets for one moment the small amOun
he has contributed, but has deemed ii ;
privilege to be considered "helper" II
this great enterprise. Any money spen
for the betterment Of humanity is wis'