Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-10-20

pupils were compelled to stand
during the trying periods of
'1esson-hearing.'
The recesses lasted from fifteen
to twenty minutes. Co-educa-
ton was not practiced at these
times, the girls having their
recess first and the boys follow
ing. At first the school month
counted twenty-five days, but
later it was changed to twenty
days. The average attendance
was about twenty-five.
Examinations, so we'll known
to the scholars of today, were
not. practiced. The teachers
ranked their pupils according to
their daily recitations. Spelling
down" contests were the JOY of
every pupils heart, and at these
occasions prizes were often offer
ed to the best speller.
This building exists today.
Until few months ago, it was
located on the corner of Baker
and Milwaukee streets. 1t has
now been converted into resi-
dence and moved to another lot.
Union School" in 1861.
A union school" was built in
1861. The structure was two
stories high and was located on
the southeast corner of the
grounds, where the Howe build
ing now stands. Ithad three de-
partments-high, intermediate
and primary. The first principal
was M. w. Martin; his wife and
daughter had charge of the two
lower departments. In 1854, he
was succeeded by Mr.. Jackson,
who two years later was
relieved by ]. A. Sabin. Mr..
Himebaugh taught from 1868
to 1869.
10. Emery Advanced the Schools.
Then ca me a man who later
has become known throughout
the United States-J. Q. Emery.
He remained till August, 1878,
when he became president OF the
River Falls Normal school. He
did a great deal in advanc-
ing the schools and his departure
was therefore regretted by both
the scholars and the citizens.
Mr. Emery was succeeded by
James A. Gaynor, a graduate of
the state university. He took
charge of the schools of Grand
Rapids in September, 1873, and
taught two years, when he
began the study of law.
Judge J. A. Gaynor's Work for the Schools.
1t was under ]. A. Gaynor's
able superintendent that the first
class, consisting of eight, was
graduated. This year, too, the
school was placed upon the
accredited list of the university
for the scientific course. The
attendance increased rapidly.
In 1871, there was an attendance
of $50 and in 1872 almost all of
the 485 pupils who were entitled
to school privileges attended.
Plans for the Howe Building.
Plans were made July Is, 1872,
to erect another building. The
board voted $500 for grounds
and $4,000 for the building.
Lyman Howe then offered
$4,000 in addition, with the
understanding that the building
should bear his name. March
20, 1873, Thos. Stevenson's
plans and specifications for the
new Howe high school building
were adopted. S. J. Purdy was
awarded the contract and in
1874 the foundation was laid.
The work was then put eff till
1875, on account of the strin-
gency of the times and the failure
to receive Mr.. Howe's bequest.
The building was finally COM
pleted in the fall of 1876 at a
cost of $32,5OO. 1t is three
stories high, built Of stone, and
it's dimensions are 72xS2 feet.
Teachers in the Howe Building.
The first principal of the Howe
high school was I. N. Stewart,
who taught one year. Mr.
Stewart was succeeded by Thos.
w. Chittenden, he also remained
but a year. ]. Rosholt came
next. He taught here three
years. Following Mr.. Rosholt
came F. W. Cooley. Then 6. D.
| Jones, now of Wausau, took
charge of the school and remain
ed until 1884. Since then the
following persons have been
principals of the Howe high
school: D. NJ. Kellogg, B. R..