Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-10
Americanization in
Northern Maine

Northern Maine
zone reads SO much about Ameri-
canization in large cities like Worces-
ter, Mass. Boston and New York one
almost feels that the work of educat-
ing the adult foreigner does not es-
pecially concern our home state. The
younger generation everywhere within
the Maine borders has the benefits of
a modern education. Our cities and
large villages also offer evening
schools through the winter for adults.
But how about the sparscly settled re-
gions i'll Northern Maine?
Thanks to our State superintendent
OF Public instruction, Hon. A. @.
Thomas, much is now being done to-
wards Americanzing the adult Cana
dian "half-breed." The enthusiasm of
several teachers from the "wilds OF
Maine was stimulated by the Ameri-
canizatton program offered last sum-
mer at Castne Normal school. A few
teachers were sufficiently inspired to
organize evening schools. on their re-
turn, independent of State aid.
As concrete example, the North
ern" magazine tells Of the work Of
Miss Leona Cyr, as teacher in Lille. "a
tiny hamlet 30 miles beyond Houlton
IN the valley of the st. John river.
The people living in that community
are nearly all French. descendants of
the Acadian French. Although they
are prosperous farmers. but few have
Il right TO vote. Some Of the resi-
a f. ,,,lJ ~
teach them at evening school during
the winter 50 that they could at least
sign their names aud vote in the
spring. they would gladly pay her.
This was an opportunity not only to
make them better citizens, but to pro-
mote more Intelligent interest in the
progress Of their children. The per
mission of the district superintendent
was gained and the necessary funds
collected for a term Of 10 or l. weeks.
The town provided schoolhouse, heat.
kerosene lamps, and text books.
The school began the first Monday
in December and was in session four
evenings week from $50 until $50
with hNe-mnute recess. At first
there were 10 pupils. but the number
gradually increased to 20. The ages
ranged from 16 TO So. The pupils. for
the most part, did individual work I'm
reading, practical arithmetic, Ameri-
can history and in letter writing. The
progressive reading series used in orr
primary schools, formed the basis or
the reading lesson. Quite a fcw could
read some English when they began,
but they didn't understand what il
was all about and every word had to
be translated.
The following is an cpltome OF a
letter by one Of tho rupilS;
Lille, Maine Jan. 81. 1872.
Dear F'riend:--
l Will tell You about our night
school\we have had five weeks | tell
you its straw ride every night and |
didn't miss amy Yet I'm moried and |
am 46 years old / have seven children,
| have lots of work but | leave that
for the spring I don't want TO miss
any for when l began that work |
could read a little hut | couldn't write
any now l can write a letter 1t is not
very good but | think when | give five
more weeks l will do better. we are
very glad that some body think of the
country people if we had no school w.
would have been green all our lives.
nope that same boday will think OF us
next winter. Good night.
Sincerely,
Mrs. More Y. Cyr."
The men wanted to learn the names
OF me tools they worked with SO
pltchforks, shuycls, gasoline engines
etc, were cut from an old catalogue
and mounted on cardboard. IIouse-
hoId articles We're illustrated in the
same way for the women. The puDils
were SO much interested that the term
was increased to 90 weeks. Miss
cyr's own father and mother were
write, her mother being "a years of
age.
one lesson that may be learned from
the Frenchman. whether he be Paris
IAN French. or Canadian French. is po-
I likeness. Those of us who have stud
led the French language know that it
has only two gcnders; namely, mascu-
. ilhe ana feminine. Yet when the
frcnchman gets his genders twisted
in English or the cart before the
horse We Immediately laugh uproar-
lously. on the other hand, when We
Americans make such gross errors I'm
French that We are at first unintelIigi-
bic. the Frenchman makes US feel de-
! cldedly that VIC are comforting upon
nm favor by repeating. The French
/ Canadians. as rule may also be COM
mcnded for minding their own bust
ness, and it is noticed that many of
those who are already within our bor-
ders and who have come to stay. sre
coming to feel that better acauafn-
lance with our language and customs
IL part of their business and merits
encouragement.
Arrested by Accident