Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1910-02-18
Exercises at Lincoln School

gong in the corridors and basement
assembled the pupils and visitors in
the large hail on the first floor, the
pupils of Lincoln School occupying
the stairs and landings, and the visi-
tors the main floor. The program was
announced by the singing of our
national hymn, after which Gretchen
Sprenger unveiled the statue of
Lincoln, presented to the school by
the pupils who are enjoying the COM
forts of the new building. Bennie
Winklemann presented the bust in be-
half OF the pupils, and Fred Hollen-
beck gave an essay on the appropriate
ness of naming the school after that
great American statesman. Alex
Hoffman, delivered a recitation en-
titled, Abraham Lincoln" and Helen
Frey recited the poem, 20 Captain, My
Captain. The Gettysburg Address
was recited by Hildegard Zeitler.
Superintendent w. P. Roseman then
gave a few appropriate remarks on
what the tax payers CT Watertown
were doing for the educational uplift
of the young people in our city, and
hoped that the children might appre
ciate the same by taking good care OF
the new building, studying and some
day become true American citizens.
Mayor Arthur Mulberger spoke on the
progress which our city has made dur
ing the last few years., and pointed
out how money expended for educa-
tional purposes yielded a larger in
come to the community and nation
than that expended for any other pur-
pose. He related how Wisconsin's fame
had travelled into European countries,
because of the reputation gained
through her state university. Mr.
James w. Moore, president of the
board of education, gave an interest
ing talk on the construction OF the new
building. He related some of the diff
ficulties encountered in such an under
taking, and told how every member of
the board labored to construct build
ing durable, beautiful, convenient,
sanitary and modern in every respect.
To this end they labored untiringly,
and often at the expense of their own
business. Mr.. Moore stated that the
building committee and city school
superintendent. made several trips to
visit school buildings in different parts
of the state, and that every member of
the board made at least one trip, and
all of this was done at their own ex-
panse; that after the construction
work commenced, the board inspected
the work daily, and when errors were
noticed, corrections were ordered in
a business like manner. The pfest
dent of the board expressed regrets
that In the face of these facts, a few
of our citizens were disposed to give
credence to false rumors perpetrated
by persons with selfish motives, rath-
er than rely on the sincerity of busi-
ness men whose integrity has been
proven by long years OF business ex-
perience and public service in Water
town s k.s}s 1884
Professor C. F. Viebahn contrasted
the old building with the new. He en-
phasized two points, ventilation and
furnishings. He said what a revOlu
ton to be in school building where
the air is changed every few minutes
and think of having lived in one
where the air. was changed, during
the winter months, only at noon and
during recess periods" He referred
to the new adjustable desks by saying
years ago the child was made to fit
<I1o
to fit the child" a''
During the afternoon and evening
the building was the rendezvous for
hundreds of people, and all, so far as
we have heard, went away speaking
in the highest terms of it all, but en-
Enthusiastically over the ventilating and
heating scheme. Even the air in the
toilet rooms, which have been in use
several weeks and constantly during
the day, was as fresh as that on the
outside -s t+,
The board of education and the su-
perintendent were recipients of many
congratulations, but their greatest
praise was sung on having provided a
room for domestic science, where the
girls can learn how to cook. II the
present enthusiasm continues, the
board may have to open this depart
ment at once. AS one good German
father expressed it: "Ich moechte ha-
ben. dass meine Tochter des Morgens
aufsteht und mir mein Fruehstueck-
essen surechtmacht und nicht sagt,
.Ich kann es nicht,' oder gar 1ch muss
mein Latein Studieren.'
Several handsome gifts were pre-
sented to the school, among them a
picture The Declaration of Independ-
ence, donated by Howard Donner, and
head of Lincoln, the gift of Gustav
j. Doerr. The beautiful cut flowers
in the upper hall were presented by
Mrs. A. F. Solliday.
The board of education is to be con-
graduated for giving to our city this
modern structure. and can feel well
repaid for their anxiety during it's
construction in knowing that it is sat
isfactory in every way. No one de-
serves more credit in this work than
Superintendent Roseman, who has de-
voted all his spare time and energy
for the past year in looking after the
many little details in the construction
of the building and its appointments.