The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-03-16

These are days of peculiar tender
ness among students and patrons
| Plymouth schools because it is now
known that we are to lose Superin-
tendent Randall. A man of profound
scholarship, of great nobleness of
character, and genial comradeship to
those on the inner circle of his
friendship, Mr.. Randall has woI a
place in the hearts of most Of our
citizens and the announcement of his
resignation has caused a gloom to
settle over those Immediately con-
cerned in school affairs.
In the midst of this general sad
ness, however, those who have the in
terests of the school at heart, fee
great satisfaction with the Schoo
Board s choice of a successor TO Mr.
Randall. Plymouth must have Away
had a School Board of unusual wis
dom, for while the "shores Of
Time" of most public schools are,
strewn with the wrecks" of mis-fi
selections of Superintendents, prin
cipals land those in high places, Plym-
outh has always been blessed with a.
long line of remarkably strong and
able captains at the head of her edu-
cational system. As to teachers, too
! Plymouth has had a record perhap
not equalled by any city of the sam
size. A great many people, now hold
ing positions of success and promin
ence or having held such, were at on
time teachers in Plymouth, until the
outgrew the size of our little city an
went elsewhere to fill larger field
They have left their impression with
us, however, and have taught bot
school board and people to demand
unusual merit and efficiency in it
teachers, and the boys and girls ia
school today are reaping the benefits
it is matter for congratulation
that most of those teachers who hav
helped to make our school what
! has been the past year are to return.
In the Webster Building Miss Miller
Miss Starck, Miss Boss and Mis-
Haines have signed their contract
for another year. Rumors told o
some of these, that we would be uI-l
able to hold them longer as the
were such fine teachers larger place
would be calling them, but Fortunate
ly they have given their word and W
are in spirit to declare with Shyloc
that we will have our "bond" Mr.
McKesson is to leave his work wit
the boys and girls and to 90 into tn
law and insurance business in Plym
outh. 1t is too bad for our schools
One of his co-workers enthusiasticall
declared of him the other day, oh
is more than an ordinary man. III
is diamond in the rough" Thos
who know him best appreciate wha
he has done for our future citizens.
| AT the Washington Building not all
have yet signed their contracts 70
the next year. We are in danger
losing some of the most valuabl
members of our teaching force in thi
building and we are awaiting wit
anxiety news of their renewals.
II is gratifying that at the time ,
the announcement of Mr.. Randall
retirement from the Superintendent
of our schools, should have also
come the choice of a Euccessorl
Upon the wise selection of the ma
for this place hangs the welfare o
Plymouth one thousand school chill
dren. The making or breaking of on
thousand characters in the formin
is to large degree in the hands o
he who stands at the head of on
school system-truly great response
bility for our School Board. The
have met the situation thoughtful
and those who know Mr.. Mcdowell
feel that they have made no mistake.
While younger man than Mr.
Randall, Mr.. Mcdowell is a man o
judgement and maturity. He has ha
considerable experience in teaching,
having taught three years in the dis.
trict schools Of Miami County, four
years at Veedersburg, the last two Of
which he was PRINCIPAL there, on
year at the head Of the Mathemati-
cal Department of Bloomington Hig
School. He began his teaching
Plymouth in the Fall Of 1908 and
finishing his third year as Principal
That he has been successful here
evidenced by the confidence which tn
School Board are now reposing in
him.
Mr.. Mcdowell comes Of sturdy, up
right stock. His father, Rev. D. A.
Mcdowell, being a minister in the
Christian church at Bunker Hill, Ind
his mother in her girlhood, being q
Dunkardess. Mr.. Mcdowell came un
spoiled through the trying experience
of being the only boy among fv
sisters. Three of his sisters are mar
ried, one is attending school
Bloomington and one, Letonia, 4
i planning to come to Plymouth soon
and kopn bouca For bar bvofbor IN