The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1923-07-07
BENIIEY'SP PATH IS MARKED
BY DISCORD and TROUBLES
Rip,saw Scout Touches More High Spots in Brutal
Educators Career-Put Henderson School on
Athletic Map but Left Out Its Soul

The educational record Of J. H.
Bentley, superintendent Of Duluth's
public schools. bears ample evidence
that he Is firm believer in the old
Sesuitical principle, 'The end justi-
fies the means" Coupled with that,
he has developed a fine capacity
for looking out for his own best
interests. In tracing some of his
educational footsteps, you further
find that, unlike the leopard, he
can change his spots, at least so far
As educational ideas and policies
are concerned.
Thanks to Supt. Bentley having
pyer-reached himself in his auto
cratic, aggressive and ruthless stunts
during the past year, the public
has secured line on some of his
peculiar curves. Very little has been
learned about his educational life
and adventures in other fields,
thanks to close-mouthed policy on
the part of this Kaiser of our
schools.
Thanks to a little scouting quickly
done, the Great Family Journal has
followed portions Of the Bentleyan
trail through the educational world.
"A recent issue Of the Rip-saw
touched some of the high spots in
Supt. 3entley's connection with the
schools of Paducah, Kentucky, from
which he resigned in peevish pet
and then was dazed by the prompt
acceptance of his resignation. This
informal and somewhat rambling
narrative will give snapshot views
of other portions of the Bentleyan
trail through the educational fields,
forests and jungles.
Just when and where J. H. Bent
ley was ushered into this rough old
world, affiant knoweth not. He
probably was not born with even a
silver spoon in his mouth, for his
father was a Methodist preacher.
When a boy, Mr.. Bentley resided
in Savannah, Andrew county, Mis-
souri,, about twelve miles by trolley
car from the city Of st. Joseph.
The elder Bentley was pastor of
the M. E. church in Savannah and,
later, resided in Maryville, Nodaway
county, Mo-, where he was presiding
elder for the Maryville district.
Later ON, Rev. Mr.. Bentley was
connected with the Wesleyan hos
pital at st. Joseph. 1t Is under
stood, therefore, that ]. H. Bent
leys fundamental education was
obtained in the schools of North
western Missouri.
At Henderson, Kentucky, teachers
who taught with and under Mr..
Bentley in the high school declare
that he Is not even college
graduate. He certainly is not a
Doctor of Philosophy, hence can
not qualify under. the requirements
Of MIST. J. Davis. For several
years, 1t was imperative that a
superintendent Of the Duluth schools
possess the degree Of Phi. D., one
from Columbia university having the
preference in every way. The vague,
Indefinite Kramer ]. Hoke was a
Doctor of Philosophy, as was DR..
Kent. When Madam dfsectress
Barnes, of Duluth and New York,
picked Bentley for superintendent,
she waived the Phi. D. She was
satisfied with his few months of
special duty at dear old Columbia
and some earlier summer study at
the University of Illinois.
Those somewhat familiar with
Bentley's earlier trail say that he
attended the Wesleyan college at
Cameron, Mo. Some think he grad
uated there, while others are very
doubtful. about graduation. Still
others have an idea that he also
attended a prominent Wesleyan in
stitution in Connecticut, W lie
others think that he merely was a
strong booster for it, but never
attended there, himself.
1t is not assumed that any dark
secrets are connected with Mr. Bent
ley's efforts to gain an education
and there probably is no reason