The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-06-24

Miss Wiggin is the daughter of the late
Nathaniel and Sarah A. Wiggin, and was born
the year the house was built which has al
ways been her home She was educated in the
public schools and began her life-work of teach
ing in September 1866, as assistant in the
South Primary school, where she taught two
terms at $50 per term. Miss Eleanor Mans
field was the principal. In the spring of 1867
she entered the intermediate school at Sl25 per
year, with Lottie Murch, now Mrs. Bertram L.
Smith of Patten. The last of September, 1867,
she became principal of the South Primary
school at 5000, and was associated with Mrs
taught in district No. 2, Belmont, having 40
pupils, some of whom We're young and
women. Miss Wiggin recalls many interesting
incidents in connection with this, the only IN
graded school she ever taught. The pupils and
parents were kind and pleasant and she was
urged to take another school in that town, but
the next spring she entered the Intermediate,
taught one year, but was then compelled to
resign on account of illness. Regaining her
strength, and learning that the committee wish
ed her to teach, she applied to Mr.. M. P Wood
cock, the agent, who remarked that she could
have the school so years if she would take it;
and in the fall of 1872 she taught the South
Primary without assistant In the spring
of 1876 she took 40 pupils from the South
Primary and established the South Intermedi-
ate and had since been its principal continu-
ously, receiving at the time of her retirement,
June 18th, 1886 per year. She has taught Al
years and one term; was out three terms on
count of illness and two terms for her mothers
illness, but provided substitutes, so that her
name has been off the pay roll only two terms
since September, 1866, most remarkable rec
ord
In conversation recently with Journal rep
resentative MissWiggin said that she always en-
joyed teaching; that the first day was as happy
as the last; that she believed in dropping school
cares and enjoying the vacations; spending some
of the time out of the city, if possible. Dur
ing her long term of service Miss Wiggin re
ceived uniform courtesy from all school Of
ficals, and has enjoyed the cordial respect of
parents, who very rarely questioned her judg-
ment She has taken pleasure and pride in
collecting specimens to illustrate nature studies,
and her collection of coral is very interesting.
In 1892 the w. C. T. U. established the savings
banks accounts in her school as an experiment
and it resulted in interesting the children in
saving money and having bank accounts. The
school has library of 100 volumes of school
literature and fiction appropriate for children
of their years. In 1898, $40 were raised by
selling 10-cent certificates and 30volumes We're
bought, and each year additions have been
made Miss Wiggin has acted as librarian and
books have been charged and credited to the
borrowers.
Although busy with school cares, Miss Wig
gin has been helpful in many outside circles.
For years she has been an interested and valued
member of the Universalist Church and
teacher in the Sunday school. From the be-
ginning she has been enthusiastic over the Bel
fast Home for Aged Women and is one of its
directors and its efficient collector.
Miss Wiggin remarked yesterday that for
years she had wished she might in some way
meet her pupils, but had never expressed the
wish and was surprised that it was to be graft
fed through the efforts of former pupils and
friends.
An informal reception was rendered Miss
Wiggin by former pupils and friends last night,
from to 10 o'clock, in the Universalist vestry.
The room was effectively decorated with ferns,
potted plants and jardineres and vases OF cut
flowers The receiving line consisted of Miss
Wiggin, Mrs. Maude F. Follett, Miss Grace A.
Lord, Messrs. Charles S. Bickford and S. A.
Parker musical program was enjoyed, the
following vocalists participating: Mrs Jerome
F, Hanshue. Miss Lillian Rhea Hunter of john
son CITY. Tennessee, Mrs. E. S. Pitcher and
Mrs. E. P. Frost of this city. Punch and
waters were served. Later in the evening 500
in gold accompanied by the cards of those who
were pleased to share in this token of apprec-
alton, was presented to Miss Wiggin