The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-15

On the recommendation OF the com
inittee Oh schools and text books, the
board voted to reconsider. its action
fixing the salary of Miss Elizabeth
Lewis, principal of the eighth grade,
at $40 Il month, and voted to make
it $3.50.
Miss Anna Brono of st. Peter was
elected teacher of the third and fourth
grades of the West Mankato school, to
succeed Miss Elizabeth Lloyd, who was
one of the dozen who did not accept
their recent election. The salary was
fixed at $50 Il month. Miss Brouo is
Il teacher of several years experience.
Mrs. Hannah Fairwcathcr of West
Mankato was elected TO the position
OF Kindergarten primary teacher OF the
West Mankato school, and her salary
was fixed ut $50 Il month. She has
taught six years at Welcome and two
or three at Vernon Center. She is ii
daughter of the late Mr.. Keenan,.
The matter of the purchase of in
vitations TO the graduating exercises
was referred to the committee on
schools and text books with power to
act. after considerable discussion. The
graduating class wants special de-
sign used and to send the order out
of the city Mr.. Blissenbacl thought
that the work should be done i'm Man
kaIo.
The attendance report for March
showed q decrease of twenty -four from
last year. due TO measles, which is
Keeping many children out OF school.
The board voted to allow Miss
Fanny Pitcher ~ month to dcfray
her expenses in going FROM one build
ing to another, TO supervise the work
in music and drawing.
Mr. Blisscnbach said that he would
like To see some action taken on the
proposed addition to the Franklin
building. 1t was stated that plans
were prepared several years ago, and
the secretary was instructed to look
these up and report at the special
meeting to DC held soon.
Memorial to Mr.. Fletcher.
The special committee to prepare
resolutions on the death of Mr.. Fletcher
presented the following:
1t is fitting that this board of cd
ucation pay tribute to the memory OF
Hon. l.. G.. NJ. Fletcher, who for nearly
sixty years gave time, strength and
thought to the cause of education.
Mr.. Fletcher was born Feb. ID,
1890. at Stockholm, y. u. and died
at Mankato, Jan. p, 1910. He re-
ceivcd his education in the common
schools, ST. Lawrence academy and
Ogdensburg academy of New York
state. For five years, from the age
of nineteen to twenty four, he taught
school in New York.
I'm August, 1854, Mr.. Fletcher took
a claim just north of the present site
of the city of Mankato. and the next
year became active in the erection OF
our first public school house, located
where the Union school now stands
Mr.. Fletcher was the first teacher, and
taught this school two years, one
year teaching a month without coui-
pensation because the school funds had
given out. In 1860, Mr.. Fletcher was
elected to the school board and fol
nearly fifty years was IL strong factor
! i'll the management of the public
schools of this city. He was upright
| conscientious, fearless i'll the perform
ance of duty. untiring, interested il
every teacher and i'll every pupil, in
! terested in the details of school admin
! istration, and active i'll school inter
ests. The title, Father of Education
/ in Mankato.' is rightly his. He held
the respect and esteem of all who eyel
served with him on this board.
Mr. Fletcher's public activity was
not confined to educa tional interests
nor to the city of Mankato He served
with credit and distinction in othe
public capacities, and the welfare o
his state and country ever were o
deep concern to him.
Your committee recommend that al
Il mark of respect to the memOr,
of Mr.. Fletcher that the foregoin;
tribute be approved by this board an,
spread upon its minutes, and that /;
copy thereof. certified by the presiden
and secretary, be sent to the family
(Signed) Evan Hughes, Alice Ayre
Smith.
On motion Of Mr.. Davies, the repor
was adopted and the recommendation
approved, and the secretary was in
structed TO have the memorial en-
crossed. to be sent to the family.
The matter of getting new book
) for the secretary, to replace thos
that arc nearly used up, was rcferre
to the committee on property and OK
pcnsc with power to act.