The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-02-09
Notes of Progress Made at This
Thriving State
School
INDUSTRIAL SIDE DEVELOPS
The New Shop and Gymnasium
Are Very Strong
Attractions

Recently Il representative of this
paper, at the..kind invitation of Presi-
dent Geo. W. Nash, spent an after
noon at the Northern Normal and
Industrial school inspecting its very
many interesting features. Over a
year had elapsed since the writer had
been at the school and he was agree
ably surprised to see the many evil
dences of the generous support this
school seems to enjoy at the hands Of
the state through the board of re-
gents. New furniture imparts an air
of comfort, even elegence to many Of
the rooms, notably the Office of the
president and the parlor and waiting
rooms at the dormitory. But the big
thing in the way of improvement is
the new building in which are work
shop and gymnasium.
The first department inspected was
that of reading room and library.
Here the students have an npportun-
ity to keep posted in current litera-
ture and current events, as over forty
of the highest class periodicals pub
lished are kept on the tables. The
ample shelving Of the library, display
ing about two Thousand volumns, has
room for very many more. The refer
ence portion is exceptionally strong,
while in history, and belle lettres the
selections show what the writer be-
lieves to be very superior judgment.
Mr.. Ferd Goodfellow, lately curator
of the state department of history,
who is librarian, is instructor in type
writing and shorthand and private
secretary of President Nash-is a very
fortunate acquisition and most useful
all-around good fellow.
From the library we went down to
the basement floor where the model
schools are located. Hereclasses in the
various lower grades occupy several
rooms which,are in charge of advanc-
ed normal pupils who experience the
practical side of teaching by being
placed in charge OF these different
grades. There are upwards of 100
pupils in the classes of the model
school.
On the upper floor we found Prof.
Smith of. the department of natural
science, who was just making an ex-
animation of spores of the black rust
obtained last year and imprisoned in
glass. A large number of them col
lected on the glass made a faint little
blur scarcely visible to the naked eye,
but when seen through the professors
strong microscope resembled some
what a collection of pollywogs
The next department of which note
was made was that of domestic
science under charge of Mrs. Merrill.
Here vas found a modern up-to-date
kitchen fully equipped to demonstrate
the science Of cookery to the young
ladies. Unfortunately there was
nothing doing in this interesting
apartment when we called.
Passing out through the heating
plant in charge of MI. Clark, we saw
the big furnace which furnishes heat
to the three buildings. Mr.. Nash said
the mild weather would enable them
to get through the winter with a con-
sumption of coal very much short OF
their allowance.
We next entered the basement Of
the new building where the shops
under charge Of the very competent
Professor Mansfield are located. The
professor had his work clothes on and
was busy at it with the rest of the
boys. The wood shop is the large
room in the north end Of the base
ment, exceedingly well lighted. Here
some twenty boys are accommodated,
each with a work bench fully equip
ped. A good supply Of well seasoned
oak lumber is on hand with a circular
saw Tor ripping IT. into any sized pieces
desired. a band saw also will soon be
installed. The boys were engaged on
different articles Of furniture made in
the solid mission style. Adelbert
Gallett had a nicely designed substan-
tial oak stand about completed. La
this room is also the department. Of
mechanical drawing.
The large south room OF the base.
ment Il the blacksmith shop. Here
are FORCES enough for sixteen workers
each supplied with wind by a power
bellows, and from which the smoke il
drawn by suction and forced out BY
fans. In this room are installed 8
number Of first class lathes, to be used
in. working wood or iron. On these
machines q number OF the boys were
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