The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-08
Schools VIII Open on Septem-
Der Is.
History of Remarkable Sys-
tenn.
PERIOD OF PROGRESS.
There Have Been No Backward
Steps in Schools.
Many improvements We're Made
During Vacation.
TEACHERS ALL BACK.
Where They Spent the Period
of Rest.
Board of Education is Active
and Capable.
TEACHERS ALL BACK.
Where They Spent the Period
of Rest.
Board of Education is Active
and Capable.

The boys and girls Of Topeka are look
Ing up their books. They viii need them
in a week The city schools will open
on Tuesday. September IS. This is the
first year that any other opening day
than Monday has been chosen.
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
One of the first acts of the Topeka
town company when it was organized In
1854 was to donate a number OF town
lots on which suitable school buildings
could be erected.
The first building erected by the city
for school purposes was the old Aarrl-
son street building which was erected IN
1865. The building was torn down about
a decade of years ago and the handsome
and commodiouS ten room building now
known as the Harrison street school was
erected
Until the time of the erection of the
Harrison street building the schools or
the city had been occupying rented quar-
tiers in various parts of the city. But
with the occupation of the new school
house in 1865 an effort was made TO
place the schools on a thoroughly or
ganized and systematic basis. This was
continued with uncertain success be-
cause of the fact that the school popula-
ton was rapidly increasing. This growth
proved to be quite embarrassing to the
school board because under existing laws
it was impossible to secure means to
build suitable school houses.
A change in the laws was made in
a
port OF the schools. Since that time the
board has been able to erect buildings
as fast as they were needed. At present
there are twenty-five public school
buildings in the city.
SUPERINTENDENT PAST AND
PRESENT.
The present organization of the schools
was inaugurated under the school law
ton Of a superintendent of city schools
by the board of education. w. H. But
terrified was the first man to fill this
position. He was chosen to fill that posi-
tion in 1867 and remained in the office
until 1869. A J. Banfield was then
chosen and he held the office from 1869
Haines who held the position from 1871
to 1872. In 1872 Mr.. Butterheld was
again chosen as the superintendent. He
remained in Office until 1881 when he
was succeeded by d. c. Tillotson. In
1886 Prof. Tillotson resigned to practice
law and ]. NJ. Bloss succeeded him. He
resigned in 1892 to accept the presidency
of the State Agricultural college Of Ore
gon. The present incumbent, Mr.. W. NJ. |
Davidson was then chosen Mr.. David
son is now serving his ninth year in
energetic and tireless worker. The
magnificent manner in which he has
handled the schools since he has been
at their head has stamped him as a
school man Of force, and has placed
him in the foremost rank with the lead
ing educators of the state.
The growth of the schools has been
continuous since their organization, and
each year shows a marked increase over
the preceding. Since the year 1880 the
enrolment has more than doubled In ,,
that year it was 1900. Last year it was
1886. At last accounts the school popu-
lation was 1887. The number of teach
ers employed in 1880 was 50 while during
the coming year 142 teachers will be
required The expenses have increased
from $4,000 in 1880 to about $125,0 900 for
the coming year.
With this expenditure have come in
creased advantages, such as cOmmod-
ious and healthful school buildings,
more and better apparatus for illustra-
tive purposes and later and more eff
cient methods for instruction. All these
advantages combine to place the schools
of Topeka by the side of the best or
ganized and managed schools of the
country. The city of Topeka receives
from the semi-annual dividend of the
state and county fund more than $4,000
yearly, over one-half the amount appor-
toned to Shawnee county.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The educational affairs of the city are
directly under the control of a board of
education composed of two members
They are: First ward, J. w. Priddy and
j. +. Buck; Second ward, w. II. Wilson
and Rev. F. E. Mallory; Third ward,
William Macferran and Edward Wilder;
Rodgers; Fifth ward P. W. Griggs and
Geo. H Matthews; Sixth ward, A S.
Embree and c. w. Daley.
Mr. Wilson was made president of the
board after the resignation of Mr.. Will
der. During Mr.. Wilder'S term the fol-
lowing improvements were made: The
new BrSnner school was erected at q
cost of $4,000; new Clay school COM
pleted at a cost of $4,000; Polk school
being completed according to original
plans at a cost OF $4,000 and a two
room addition was made to the Euclid
school at cost of S3,5e0. The plan of
decorating the schools was also orig
mated during Mr.. Wilder's term as pres
ident.
The course Of study in the Topeka
schools embrace twelve years work
-Four years in the primary department,
-FOUR IN the grammar grade and this |
last four in the high school.
The high school since its organization |
IN 1870 has kept pace with the rapid adj |
Vancement and progress OF the best |
schools of the United States. From an |
enrolment of only few pupils at the |
time OF its organization it has grown IN |
I'll 1t now has an enrolment of about |
zoo Eighteen teachers are required to |
hanuie this large body of scholars.
Until September, 1894, the high school /
had no permanent home. Occupying /
1894 the present Splendidly equipped and /
handsome building was Completed at a /
cost OF $S5,O00 1t is believed to be one |
Of the finest high schools in the west. /
1t has seating capacity for 1900. II I
recitation rooms. library room, a |
museum room. splendidIy equipped |
chemical and physical laboratories and /