Evening times-Republican., 1911-06-05
LIFE AND SERVICES OF OLD
SCHOOL TEACHER ExTOLLED
At STATE CENTER.
H. II. STiPP, DEs MONIES,
.GIvES PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
Former Students of Woman Who Was
Principal Of School For Twenty Ono
Years Tell of Work-SchooI Board
Represented By Speakers-Gavs Life
to Work at State Center,

Despite the oppressive weather the
was filed to overflowing Sunday aft
ernoon when friends and former pupils
of Miss Lucy Curtis Joined in observ-
ing memorial service in her honor. The
service was in cOmmemoration Of the
life and services Of one who. for TWEEN
ty-one years. devoted her very life to
the success and welfare of the schools
Of State Center. Miss Curtis died at
San Diego. Cal, last Thursday evening,
and her body was laid to rest there
Saturday.
The memorial service was most i'm
pressiyc, and there were but few dry
eyes in the audience during the ad-
dresses made by old friends and for
mer pupils. Harley H. ,Stipp, of Des
Moines. a former pupil, delivered the
principal address, and among other old
students who spoke We're James Alli-
son, Burt Merrill, and Miss Hattie
Bassett, of State Center; and George
Gregory. Of this city. w. II. Stipp. Of
this city, spoke on behalf Of the school
Board. having been d member OF that
organization when Miss Curtis was
principal. Frank Adams. of State Cen
teer, who was, secretary Of the board
for several years while Miss Curtis
was principal, also spoke. Miss Amy
Gilbert. a former student presided at
the memorial service. Brief addresses
were made by Rev. Mr.. Love, pastor OF
the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Mr.
Dwello, pastor Of the Methodist church.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Allison sang.
Gave Life to Work.
That Miss Curtis gave her very life
work for the State Center schools dur
ing her long incumbency as principal
was the keynote not only OF MI. Stipp's S
address but also of the others who
spoke.
Bereaved In her younger days, by
the death of her affiaIced husband
who fell on the field Of battle as q M
ion soldier. Miss Curtis gave up her
life to the education Of the young and
that she was successful was testified to
by all who paid her tribute She
came to State Center from Clinton.
where she was superintendent of the
county schools. AS a warm personal
friend Of Henry Sabin, also OF Clinton,
and for many years state superintend-
ent of public instruction, Miss Curtis
served as a member of the state ex-
arining board for teachers for many
years Miss Curtis was about 73 years
old at the time of her death.
Many Of Miss Curtis pupils were
born when she was principal at State
Center, and educated under her per-
sonal care and supervision. While the
marble shaft erected to her memory
,,y331
be many lasting monuments erected to
her memory in the hearts Of State
Center people and other residents Of
Iowa, was sentiment expressed at
the memorial.
Was Natural Teacher.
In reminiscing of the old school
days spokesmen among the students
referred to Miss Curtis as a great
teacher and a natural teacher. and
possessed Of a wonderful pleasing per-
sonality. Her teaching appeared to be
a labor Of love in a cause that laid
very close to her heart. In her teach
ing, no after what the topic. she al
ways sought to bring out the underly-
ing principle Of high morals and ideals.
and send 1t home to the young mind.
She had a remarkable faculty Of i'm
pressing her own high ideals upon her
pupils. and her personality was a Won
derful force for good not only in the
school room but in the community at
large.
Personification of Unselfishness.
In speaking Of Miss Curtis life. Mr..
w TT. Stipp said: "If a self-sacrific
ing spirit was one Of the elements Of
Lincoln's greatness. such greatness
was exemplifed in Miss Curtis. Miss
Curtis possessed that trait IN a re-
markable degree, as she was one Of the
most unselfsh persons mag aginabie. Tile {
last fifty years of her life were lived
for others especially the young. in
whose service she remained long after
her health was broken"
Not in recent years has there been a
death which caused more general re-
gret in State Center than in Miss
Curtis, and the fact that the towns
people turned out in the observance Of