School Report: Hampshire, Elk River, Deep Creek

The DeWitt Standard, Jan. 26, 1859

HAMPSHIRE

There are five schools in this township, two of which are quite large, averaging about forty pupils, and two very small, averaging only from twelve to fifteen. One of these is taught by a female, and is composed chiefly of foreigners. They seem to learn with great facility to read our language, and are very studious. Three of the school houses are unfinished, cold and uncomfortable. It is very important that these be completed at the earliest possible period.

The two other buildings are good structures; comfortable and very well arranged. The schools are making fair progress.

ELK RIVER

There are five schools in this District, none of which are large, the first not averaging over thirty pupils. One of the school-houses is very poor and small; and another is unfit, in its present condition, to be used for school purposes; the seats being uncomfortable, and writing desks wanting. It is strange that parents will permit their children to labor under such disadvantages, when a trifling expense would add so much to their comfort. Three of these schools are doing very well, though the teachers lack that thoroughness in their instruction too common in our schools. The other schools are not doing as well as could be desired, one of them is taught by a youth, who, though succeeding in some things very well; yet from immaturity and want of experience, fails in some essential points. He will do better next time. The other school is taught by a young man, who, I understand, leans to the legal profession, and who acts the pedagogue, no so much from choice as from necessity. He says he has but little interest in his school, which is certainly very candid, and also most manifest. His thoughts perhaps, are ever and anon soaring to a higher sphere and kept in such earnest rappart with a Blackstone and a Story that he can scarcely condescend to these meaner things, such as A, B, C, plus and minus or the varied tones that fall from childhood’s lips. Seriously, no person who cannot find enough in the instruction of even a dozen or fifteen youths to wake up his mind and interest his thoughts, should never offer himself as a teacher of a public school.

DEEP CREEK

I found but two schools in this township, and these were small; one of them not averaging more than from ten to fifteen. This school, however, seemed to making very good progress. The house though not completed, is very good and comfortable.

The other school is some larger, and manifestly making progress; the teacher, who is a German and a scholar, labors under some embarrassment from not being able to speak the English language easily, but is making every effort to succeed in his present undertaking. The house is a miserable affair indeed; made of logs, old, open and uncomfortably seated. They talk of erecting a better one. The little sufferers confined to this poor cabin day after day, I am sure will bless the day it is done.

SUPERINTENDENT