Mexico Missouri message., 1915-09-23
lBy w. Clyde Johnson. }

events. For the first time in the his
tory of the county, yes, even for the
first time in the history of the State,
have three or four and even as many
as eight rural schools suspended their
regular work for a day and gathered
together at some community centre
to hear our State superintendent Mr..
Gass, tell about his wonderful family
of 800, 900 school children and 10000
teachers and the $1,6OO,OO0 he sent
out to assist in furthering the cause
of education and how he endorsed and
urged four or five districts to consol-
idate into one large district that they
might have the opportunity to get a
high school education, which is due
them; also to hear Prof. EmbersOn
and Mr.. Reavis, organizers of the
Boys Club work for Missouri, explain
how easy the work is and how valua-
BILE and interesting to boys and girls;
and Miss Root, the organizer of the
Girls Club work, show the girls how
easy and how interesting and neces-
sary it is for girls to learn to sew.
Then there was Mr.. Sipple of Kinks
Vile, who for several years was Su-
perintendent of Adair county, but
now is Field Man" for the Kirksville
Normal, who encourage the boys and
girls to be somebody and do some
thing worth while in this world.
Monday morning at Chapel Grove
eight teachers and their pupils-1O0
in all and 20 more fathers and
mothers were present. Although twas
threshing day at c. A. Browns he
sent his daughter with a team to
bring their teacher, Miss Gertrude
1OdlSOhI anu hOl pupllS' II was IhS
first day of school at Prairie Chapel,
but Miss Rockwell brought Miss Aga
tha Copman and the entire school.
E. E. Shay of Benton City had all his
pupils present and regretted that Miss
Moore with her primary pupils were
not also present. Miss Nellie Pryor,
of the Crane School, Miss Elizabeth
Miller of the Sunrise school. Miss
Anna O'Brien of Fennewald and Mrs.
Anna Kelley, of Stauffer with their
pupils were the visitors, e. L. Craw-
ford and his pupils were the hosts
Teachers, pupils and parents were
greatly interested, and said it was a
good thing. There was large dinner
of the best. The entire board was
present. We were surprised to find
a new heater already installed, yard
moved, the water sterilized and out
buildings soon to be cleaned.
In the afternoon Miss Zella Brown
and pupils of Hedgedale, Miss Della
Talbot and pupils of Dye, and Miss
Yea Smith and pupils of McClintic
met us at Rush Hill with G. V. Ford,
principal, and Miss Anna Miller, pri-
mary teacher. There were the four
schools present, about 20 pupils, and
DR.. Cornett and Mr. Erdel of the
school board and few other patrons.
We noted new floors, fresh paint, pa
per and varnish and that the weeds
had been moved.
Monday night Mr.. Gass made an
interesting talk to the people of Lad
donia Others of the party made short
talks. Teachers were interested and
viii organize clubs. A large audience
was present, w, H.Logan presided. He
is proud of their school, as are all
Iaddonians-a well they may be
The last two years they have increas-
ed their school levy, are getting State
aid, have added an extra teacher and
every one Of the three high school
teachers has from 80 to 40 college
hours credit in his line of work-an
have increased their equipment, max
ing schools first class in all repects.
They have enrolled Sc in the higt