The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-08-02
PUBLIC SCHOOL
INSTRUCTORS
Teachers who Have been Engaged
For the Ensuing School Year.

OId-time Schools, with Teachers
Handy at Whacking Refractory
| Pupils - Professor Haven's wise
Administration Since 1869.
The public schools of Morristown
which rank among the best in New
Jersey are an object Of interest to all.
Previous to 1869, the schools known
as public or scommon" were three in
number and while not of high order,
were on par with those elsewhere in
the state. One taught by the late Elias
T. White was located ON Franklin street
about opposite Alderman Burke's resi-
dence, another taught by N. Kiser
was on Market street about opposite the
Fire Department houses. while the ses-
sions of the third were held in an old
barnlike building at the junction of
Sussex and Speedwell avenues, the pre-
sent site Of Herzog's greenhouse. James
Brookfield was the individual who
taught the young idea how to shoot and
administers : strop oil to refractory pu-
pills. 1t is said that at the latter he was
a master hand, whenever he managed
to overcome his usual lethargy
Corporal punishment was then consi-
dered necessity and many Chronicle
readers will remember what it meant to
hear the teachers sharp words, "hold
out your hand. Punishment was usually
inflicted with ruler, rod, strop or switch,
whichever came handiest. In those
days if the average teacher believed in
nothing else, they held to the proverb of
the Wise Man 'spare the rod and spoil
the child" Perhaps the absence of old
time epersuaders' accounts for the
greater number of "spoiled" children
with which the teacher of the present
day has to do.
Upon the incorporation of Morristown
those active in bringing that result
about were, fortunately, great believers
in advanced methods in public school
work.
The first Board of Education COM
prised Mayor George t. Cobb, William
G. Baker, Augustus w. Cutler, Isaac
Bird. o. j. Burnet, j. G. Hines. Francis
A. Day, Ezra j. Cooper and Isaac A.
Garfield. Mr.. Baker was its efficient
president and Mr.. Bird secretary.
The present Maple avenue school
building was finished in the fall of 1869.
Since that time several additions have
been made to it.
The school opened on Monday morn
ing, Dec. 10, 1869 with the following
corps of teachers: Principal, W. L. R.
Haven; teachers, Irene A. Poole, Lizzie
A, Nixon, Abbie G. Ford, Julia B Ford,
Sarah E. Scarborough, Mary L. Bird,
Sarah E. Bird, S. Eta Bennett, Anna
Morehouse, Fanny Jackson, Eliza
James, Edith /. Shreve
Four hundred scholars put in an APP
pearance the first day, and the number
was increased fifty during the week.
After much correspondence and per-
sonal inquiry the Board wisely selected
William LIE Roy Haven to become
principal of the school and to him was
committed the details connected with
grading, arranging the course of study
and other matters incidental to so i'm
portant a step as the reorganization of
the entire public school system of the
town
Mr.. Haven was born at Athol, Mass.
where he attended school. To enable
him to to continue in school beyond the
period when it was then thought boys
should do for themselves, Mr.. Haven did
the hardest kind of teamwork early and
late. When he had sthus fitted himself
for college he entered Williams College
where he graduated in the Class.of Ga.
He then became principal of the public
school in Beliot, Wis, he afterwards
filled similar position in Madison, ir
the same state. He moved from there
to Plattsburg when he became principa
of the Academy and year later wher
it became the high school he was ap
pointed its superintendent.
After, three successful years in 1867 ht
accepted call extended by the Morris
town Board of Education.
The excellent condition of our public
school system is largely owing to Mr.
Havens efforts, Mr.. Haven, while con
servative, has always been on the out
look for whatever was a real improve
ment on former things and has beer
ready TO adopt everything which would
be for the real good of the schools un
der his charge. He is rigid disciplin
arian though at the same time he has il
remarkable degree the affection anc
good will of the teachers and scholars
He is held in very high regard for hi
sterling character by the whole com
munity considerable proportion o.
whom have at one time or another beer
under his care.
The public schools will reopen OF
Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, with these teachers
Maple Avenue-W l.. r. Haven
Supt,, Miss Clara E. Brown, vice-princi