Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-04
A "REMINISCENCES.
Fred S. Robinson of oeIwein, Formerly
of Eldon, Writes Former Pupil.


The following letter from Fred S.
Robinson of Brooklyn, at one time
principal of the Eldon public schools,
makes mention of o. ]. Garriott of this
city, formerly clerk of the district
court, and of Roy Duffield, the deceas-
ed son of Mrs. S. A. Duffield, 203 North
Wapello street Mr.. Robinson is en-
gagged in newspaper work at Oelwein
and is well known in Ottumwa
Following is the letter to Edward
Moore, a member of the first class to
graduate from the Eldon high school
after the study of Latin, geometry and
the sciences were introduced:
In looking over some papers the
other day came across two or three
copies of the course of study that was
in force in the Eldon schools ten years
ago. | enclose you copy that you
may see what was being done in those
schools decade ago when 1 was the
superintendent. You will see that
there was a high school course of four
years, with geometry, the sciences,and
Latin, which includes reading Caesar
and four orations of Cicero.
The first class to graduate from this
course was in the spring of 1891. There
were seven in the class, three boys
and four girls. They were Roy Duff
field Ed. Moore, Alonzo Courtney Grace
Huston, Maggie Burke, Nellie Bierce
and Blanche Norton. The graduating
exercises took place in the old G. A.
r. hall that stood on the site of the
Baptist church. Roy Duffield was
killed by the cars some years ago while
on his way from the University of Min
nesota. You are in business there and
Lon Courtney is railroading, l believe.
Three of the girls have been success
| committed matrimony. Blanche Nor
ton entered Parsons college in the fall
of 1891 and graduated in the spring of
1895.
The first three years of the high
school work of this class was passed
In the old school building on the east
side of the tracks, while the last year
was passed in the brick school house
on the hill. The president of the
school board at that time was DR.. R
w Huston, and the other members
were G. M. B. Myers, E. D. Dibble, d
M. Moore, w. H. Bierce, A. w. Hudler
The secretary was o. j. Garriott ano
the funds were looked after by George
Earhaft. Mrs. Robinson was the prin
cipal of the high school.
During the present month it ha!
been my pleasure to attend a number
of graduating exercises, and having
found this course of study it occurred
to me that it might be well to brini
up some of these "reminiscences, lies
We forget, lest we forget"
For some years have been engaged
in newspaper work in this city of owe
5000 people, and / have a school o
about $500 readers whom / try t
keep interested by dishing up to then
the current news of the city, county
state and nation. However, l thin
once in while of the six years passet
in school work in Eldon. While in thu
editorial convention at Waverly SOM
weeks ago, l was invited, togethe
with Senator Brant, to address tn
high school there. In beginning m.
remarks I alluded to the fact tina
there was a young lady in the JUNO
year, who was in the primary depart
ment of the Eldon schools nine year
ago when l was connected with thos
schools. I often meet my former pu
pills as my business calls me to differ
ent points.
With kind regards to you and to 9th
er friends and former pupils, l remain
Sincerely yours,
Fred S. Robinson