The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-01-28
Big Meeting Held last Night;
Addressed ByssMessrs. Deta-
- R more and Knox
Grom Fridays Daily.

entity are wrestling with the problem
of the betterment of rural schools
and the idea OF consolidation has
seized a sufficient number of the
people of that community with such
force that all other topics are shelVed
at the present time. AS a result of
the enthusiasm that prevails COM
inunity meeting was held in the viii
Iage last evening. About one hundred
and seventy families reside in the
proposed district and invitations were
sent out to each of these families.
Close to four hundred people gathered
20 absorb all the information given
ny the speakers of the meeting and
discuss the matter. The committee
On arrangements, composed of w. w.
Iulge, Carl Pickles, J. N. Compton,
z. R. Tanner and others, secured
Superintendent C. w. Knox of
Cleveland and County Superinten-
dent w. H. Detamore of this city,
assisted by Rev. Stevens, pastor of
the Eagle Lake Methodist church, as
principal speakers of the evening.
Preceding the talks by the speakers.
literary and musical program was
given with the following numbers:
Music by an orchestra composed of
Miss Schwarble and Mr. Frances
Jackson; talk on Our Community
by. Rev. Stevens; "Old Time Music"
by Samuel Remington; reading by
Mrs. Henry Herren; quartet, "Old
Time Songs" by quartet composed
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Pickles, Mrs T..
John Cummings, and Miss Aline Nc
Beth; music by Miss SchWarble
and Mr.. Jackson on the violin and
cornet; solo by Carl Pickle. This
program was well carried out and
appreciated greatly by the audience,
which was indicated by the encores
Superintendent Detamore was next
introduced, and as he was on the
program for remarks his talk
consisted of summing up Of the
conditions in the rural school and
while Mr.. Detamore did not come out
decisively in favor of consolidation as
a cure for all the problems Of rural
schools in general, he made it very
plain that some plan for better
education system was very urgent.
AS an example he reported the real
situation in a number Of schools in
this county. In some instances the
buildings were in q shameful con-
dition and from five to eight pupils
represented the entire enrolment.
This situation is brought about, the
speaker stated, because Of the fact
that people were compelled to send
their children to graded schools in
the towns and villages to give them
the advantages of higher educa-
ton. AS we have stated, Superin-
tendent DetamOre left no doubt in
the minds of his hearers as to his
attitude towards the betterment of
the rural school and Blue Earth
county can rest assured that their
present, superintendent will solve
the problems arising with fearless
conservative determination
With an appropriate introduction,
superintendent c.. w. Knox Of the
consolidated schools of Cleveland
was presented TO the audience. Al
though comparatively young man,
Mr.. Knox has gained sufficient
knowledge of the operation of a
consolidated district to give any peo-
pie clear understanding of the
situation. During his labors in Red
wood county, Mr. Knox helped to
organize and had charge of two con-
solidated schools and at Cleveland
is having grand success. OF course,
the speaker is an enthusiastic con-
solidated school man, but he handles
his subject in such manner that
he impresses his hearers with the
thought that he is indeed the right
man in the right place
Summing up Mr.. Knox's talk he
gave these facts: At Cleveland they
have a building that cost $4,000 and
it is now equipped with nearly all
the modern conveniences found in the
largest high school. Eight teachers,
all especially fitted for their grades,
are employed and the school IS
maintained at cost of only four
mills increase in taxes. Taking the
assessed valuation of land in Blue
Earth county the increase in cost to
maintain consolidated school with
ulSlTlCL UHO size OIL the prOpOSou
one at Eagle Lake, the added cost
in taxes would be in the neighbor-
hood Of SIS. The Cleveland school
gives greater efficiency in every
grade. The Cleveland district uses
eight vans for transportation at a
cost of $50. so for each van per
month. No accidents have occurred
since the school started and no pu-
pill walks ever 40 or 60 rods.
While we are not in a position
to say that the new district at Eagle
Lake will be realized, there is a
move on foot there to thresh out the
problem thoroughly and feel conf
dent that they are going to do the
right thing eventually.
1t would be unfair to the ladio~
of Eagle Lake and vicinity not
mention that a fine lunch was serve /
at the conclusion of the program.
cro,a Erfdav,s naYIv