Keokuk County Iowa IAGenWeb - 1904 School Essay Contest

The school which I am now going to describe was named in honor of the Father of our country and is known as the Washington School. Its is located in the southeastern part of section No. 2, District No. 2, Adams township, Keokuk County, state of Iowa.

An acre of land was purchased from Joseph Bailey, in the year 1874 and on this site which is the most suitable and healthful location in the district, the present school house was erected. It was built by Joshua Jones and is a one-story structure facing the south, with a base of 20 by 30 feet.

Wesley Greene of Iowa County was the first instructor of this school and Howard Dansdill of Thornburg the last of its list of teachers.

After the opening of the school, the members of the district put out a large number of maple trees along the north and west sides of the schoolgrounds, also a pair of boxelders in front of the schoolhouse and an apple tree nearby, which never fails to yield annually its share of troubles to the boys and girls.

Originally there was a four-board fence around the playground but in later years the directors of the district decided that no fence was needed along the road and accordingly it was removed and has never been replaced.

In the years 1896, the schoolhouse was repaired. It was then painted on the outside and replastered on the inside. This made a very handsome and comfortable schoolhouse.
In the spring of 1898, a well was dug a short distance southwest of this and it was furnished with an iron pump. Previous to this, water was carried from the neighborhood wells by the pupils; but since that time an abundant supply of water can be had without much effort.

In the year 1899, a fine coal house was built a short distance back of the school building. One year later a library was placed in the school. This library consists of thirteen books which were selected by the county superintendent.

Of those who finished the common branches in this school, some have entered higher schools, but most of them are quiet humble tillers of the soil. We are proud of the prosperous farmers who have finished this school, for farming is one of the most noble callings of life. The freedom and independence of its followers are envied and the greatest men of our nation were born on farms.

No time in life is treasured with as much pleasure as the days enjoyed at the country school. At no time in life can character be more easily molded than in the early days at the country school. There is no more important factor than the country school in the preserving the high moral, physical, and intellectual standard of our country.

Washington school, while its past is not a spotless one, has a record to be envied and is now one of the most prominent schools of our county.

Through the thirty years that have intervened, the situation of this school building has been unchanged. The desks with their jackknife carve initials are the same that were used just thirty years ago. Each desk is made so as to accommodate two occupants although sometimes, by the increased attendance, the old maxim: Always room for one more” is observed and accordingly one is placed in the middle.

The walls are adorned with pictures and objects appropriate to a patriotic school. Beside the many pictures which attempt to describe objects of nature are the portraits of Mrs. William McKinley, wife of our martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, the great Emancipator, George Washington, the illustrious of Father our country, and the county superintendent, Mr. Cap E. Miller, to whom we should bestow honor for the result of the many improvements of late in the schools of the county and consider him as the chief exponent in the origination of the present meeting. No greater incentive that these images is necessary to encourage the mind of the industrious patriots of our country.

Among the aids that assist the instructor in imparting nowledge to the pupils are two charts. One of these describes the physical features of the earth by written description and drawings. In the other are embodied all the important principles of arithmetic. In other words, it is supplied with the ordinary equipment of a modern school.

The infant trees as they existed some thirty years ago are to the present grove as the tiny acorn is to the mighty oak. Ofttimes has their grateful shade been employed as a substitute for the monotonous quietness of the schoolroom in warm sunny days. The birds and the rustling leaves seem to tell tales on the mischievous pupil who was successful enough to escape the keen glance of the master.

The future of this school is an unknow quantity. It may stand for many years or it may be absorbed by the almost universally discussed problem of consolidating the schools. Doubtless a time will come when the country school well be a thing of the past.

The building is which Abraham Lincoln received his first bit of education was a log structure. In one end of the building was a fireplace and the desks and seats were made of slabs. Today, we have thousands of fine schoolhouses throughout the country besides the many colleges, universities, and state institutions where we can complete our education. We can scarcely believe that so great a progress can be made in the next fifty years. Yet many things which seem impossible are accomplished.

Much time and immense sums of money are expended annually by our youth in acquiring and education. Let us push our efforts in the right direction. If country school is not giving satisfactory results, let us cast it aside and get something better.

I cannot predict with any degree of certainty a future whether of progress or otherwise for Washington school. I can only say that it may be judged by the past and leave the matter rest in the hands of Father Time.