Joplin School History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="006fa9e3.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#99FFFF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Joplin School History<B>   </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.jaspercountyschools.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.jaspercountyschools.org/"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>   </B><B> </B><A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Joplin"><U><B>Joplin School </B></U></A></div> <div> The Franklin School</div> <div> During the 'forties a school district which embraced the greater portion of southwest Jasper county was </div> <div> organized and a log school built near Castle Rock. The school was on the south side of the creek and not </div> <div> far from the old Schifferdecker Garden.</div> <bR> <div> In 1870, when the mining activities of Joplin were commenced, the district extended from Pilot Grove</div> <div> (now Mount Hope Cemetery) on the north to the county line on the south, and from Harmony Grove on the </div> <div> east to where Schifferdecker Park is now on the west. This old log building, although like most of the pioneer </div> <div> schools poorly furnished and without modern conveniences, housed a sturdy class of pupils, was presided </div> <div> over by a number of good masters and sent out into the world a number of boys and girls who have achieved </div> <div> success. </div> <bR> <div> The following are some of the boys and girls who there learned their three R's: </div> <div> John C.Cox, Jr., capitalist ; B. F. Cox, attorney and retired capitalist ; Mrs. Alex Campbell </div> <div> (nee Josie Cox) who was, by the way, the champion speller of the school ; Mrs. Dr. Blackwell </div> <div> (nee Sadie Cox) ; "W. S. Taylor, ex-county assessor and James Turk, Villa Heights booster.</div> <bR> <div> Organization of Schools</div> <div> As mentioned in our introductory article about Joplin, at the time of tin' coming of Moffet and Sergeant the Franklin </div> <div> school district embraced all of the territory within the present limits of the city of Joplin and was officially known as </div> <div> District No. 1. township 27 and range 33.</div> <bR> <div> In 1872 the board of directors of District No. 1 were John C. Cox, Jeremiah Turk and D. P. Ballard.</div> <bR> <div> During the summer of 1872 a private school was established in East Joplin and called the Union High School. </div> <div> The school occupied the second floor of Hutchinson Hall and was taught by J. H. Burris and Mrs. Lou Cruch. </div> <div> It was formally opened September 9, 1872, and liberally patronized. Captain Hubbard also started a night school </div> <div> in Sanders Hall and enrolled a goodly number of students. The question was now agitated of building a schoolhouse </div> <div> and Messrs. John II. Taylor. S. B. Corn and John C. Cox offered to advance the money necessary to build an </div> <div> up-to-date building for that purpose in East Joplin. A special meeting of the qualified voters was called in October, </div> <div> bonds were voted in the sum of $6,000 and were purchased by John H. Taylor, S. B. Corn, and John C. Cox, each </div> <div> taking $2,000 at par. A contract was let for a four-room brick school and the work of building was commenced at once.</div> <bR> <div> Schools of West Joplin (Murphysburg)</div> <div> Early in the fall of 1872. the Mining News in a number of editorials set forth the necessity of a school organization</div> <div> for the portion of the town west of the Creek and the question was agitated by the leading citizens of west-town to </div> <div> organize a separate district. On September 20,1872, at a meeting of the voters of West Joplin, School District No.4, </div> <div> township 27 and range 33 was formally organized, the territory embracing that portion of the mother district lying west </div> <div> of Joplin creek. The board of directors elected at this meeting consisted of the following named gentlemen : </div> <div> John B. Sergeant, M. W. Stafford, C. J. G. Workizer.</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Sergeant was elected president of the board and Mr. Workizer district clerk.</div> <bR> <div> The board of directors of District No. 1 opposed the forming of the new district and claimed that it had not been </div> <div> legally organized.</div> <bR> <div> The township treasurer refused to turn over to the new district its quota of the school funds and for this reason no school </div> <div> was maintained in West Joplin during the fall and winter of 1872-3. </div> <bR> <div> The Schools</div> <div> East Joplin — At the spring election of 1877 Prof. S. A. Underwood, of the East Joplin school, was elected county school commissioner </div> <div> and was succeeded by James A. Race, who was a scholar of high attainments and whose administration was highly satisfactory. G. W. McKinney </div> <div> was principal of the school in 1878 and Theodore H. Riffey in 1879.</div> <bR> <div> West Joplin — Prof. J. C. Mason of the Carthage schools was employed as superintendent of the west Joplin schools in </div> <div> the spring of 1877 and at once organized a high school in the Ferguson hall.</div> <bR> <div> For the fall term the Christian church was rented and a canvas partition strung across the center of the church, thus dividing </div> <div> the main audience room into two parts. Professor Mason taught the high school in one end of the church and L. Z. Barr, </div> <div> the Christian minister, taught the seventh and eighth grades in the other end of the room. The Old Brick, the Fourth street </div> <div> frame and the Smelter Hill schools were also used, making a total of eight teachers in the West side school.</div> <bR> <div> In the spring of 1878 the first public school exhibition took place in the Tabernacle. One thousand people were in attendance. </div> <div> Miss Alma Sergeant, later Mrs. C. Craycroft, read the salutatory address and Jack Dolan, C. B. Revis and others who later</div> <div> became prominent in Joplin life, took part. Before the arranging of a regular high school course of study it was customary for</div> <div> the pupils to go, before the county school commissioner and take the regular teacher's examination, the certificate, if granted, </div> <div> taking the place of a diploma. The first pupils in the Joplin school to take the examination and successfully pass were James R.</div> <div> Thomas and Fannie Paddock.</div> <bR> <div> In 1878 Mrs. Milner established a Young Ladies Seminary and this was largely attended. In 1878 the original two rooms of the </div> <div> old Central building were constructed and Joplin closed out the first decade with five school buildings (in its three districts) and employed fourteen teachers.</div> <bR> <div> To give an idea of the growth of the Joplin public school system during the nineties we cite the following: </div> <div> On January 1, 1890, the school district which embraced East Joplin, Lone Elm and West Joplin had a teaching </div> <div> force of twenty-five. On December 31, 1899, seventy instructors were employed.</div> <bR> <div> New High School</div> <div> The building boom which came on following the adoption of the new charter, including the construction of sidewalks, </div> <div> sewer system, etc., was at its height, January 1, 1890, and the schools were so crowded that half-day sessions were </div> <div> resorted to in eleven of the twenty-four rooms occupied. Shortly after the opening of the session in September, 1889, </div> <div> it was apparent that more school rooms were needed and $30,000 was voted for school improvements, including a new </div> <div> ward and high school building combined, which was erected at Fourth street and Jackson avenue. The Jackson school, </div> <div> when first built, was a three story brick structure, the third story of which consisted of two study rooms, and an auditorium </div> <div> which was used for the high school. The principal's room on the second floor was used as the superintendent's office. </div> <div> The Jackson High School was formally dedicated December 12, 1890, Maj. J. B. Merwin, of St. Louis, editor of the North </div> <div> American Journal of Education, delivering the principal address of the evening.</div> <bR> <div> In 1892 it became necessary to build again and $20,000 were voted for ward-school improvements — additions being </div> <div> made to South Joplin (now the Franklin School), East Joplin, Byersville and North Heights (now Columbia). </div> <div> The north half of the present high school was built in 1896.</div> <bR> <div> School District Enlarged</div> <div> In 1892 the city extended its limits to embrace Blendville on the south and, at the annual meeting in 1893, the </div> <div> Blendville school district containing- some 600 children of school age, and the Parr Hill district embracing the </div> <div> southeastern portion of the enlarged city, with a two-room well oi'ganized school — both voted to unite with the </div> <div> city district. Following the addition of this new territory the original six rooms of the beautiful Alcott school were built.</div> <bR> <div> In order that the reader may have an idea of the public educational system during the decade, we mention here </div> <div> a few of the school happenings which occurred during that period :</div> <bR> <div> On June 1, 1891, the census covering the school districts of Joplin, Blendville and Parr Hill showed the following: </div> <div> Joplin, 3,528 ; Blendville, 539 ; Parr Hill, 215. Total, 4,282.</div> <bR> <div> High School Alumni</div> <div> On February 22, 1890, the members of the classes which had graduated in 1887, 1888 and 1889 met and </div> <div> formed a permanent organization, the following being elected the officers of the Alumni Association for the year </div> <div> 1890: President, W. A. Nickel, class of '87; vice-presidents, Misses Ida Calfee ('87), Blanche George ('88), </div> <div> and Stella Taylor ('88); secretary, Blanche Sergeant ('87): treasurer, Eunice Timmons ('88).</div> <bR> <div> The First Alumni Banquet and Reunion</div> <div> The first reunion and banquet of the alumni was held at the Keystone Hotel, at the close of the school year 1894, </div> <div> when that body formally welcomed the class of '94 into the organization. The affair was a brilliant success. </div> <div> F. T. Snapp was the master of ceremonies and as a toastmaster was a success, and by his witty little speeches</div> <div> in introducing the several speakers, kept everyone in the very best of humor.</div> <bR> <div> The following was the program: "Welcome to the Class of '94," W. A. Nickel; response, R. N. Graham;  "History of the Alumni," </div> <div> Mrs. Emma Price; "Recollections," Miss Alice Q. Haven; original musical selection, Miss Ira Joe Grant; recitation, Miss Maude </div> <div> Stewart; "The Present and Future of the High School," Principal Vawter: "The Next Thing," Rev. J. J. Martin.</div> <bR> <div> These banquets and receptions so happily commenced were continued through the nineties.</div> <bR> <div> Placed on the Approved List</div> <div> On March 9, 1890, Supt. R. D. Shannon received a letter from President Jesse, of the State University, stating that the </div> <div> state inspector of high schools had approved the Joplin High School as meeting the requirements of a standard school </div> <div> and that the faculty of the university, acting on his recommendation, had placed that institution on the list of schools whose </div> <div> graduates would be admitted to the Freshmen class of the State University without examination.</div> <bR> <div> Public School Cadet Corps</div> <div> In 1891, at the suggestion of 0. B. Hamlin, a member of the Board of Education, a Cadet Corps was organized </div> <div> and placed in charge of Public School Cadet Joel T. Livingston, principal of the Byersville school, as commandant,</div> <div> with George H. Shaw, supervising architect and second sergeant, Joplin Light Infantry, and John W. Gray, principal </div> <div> of the Lone Elm school and late sergeant Carthage Light Guards, as captains of the two companies that were </div> <div> organized. Fred W. Parks, now chief clerk in the office of Cornelius Roach, secretary of state, then a young man just</div> <div> out of a military school, acted as adjutant. The corps consisted of eighty boys belonging to the seventh and eighth </div> <div> grades and the freshmen year in the high school.</div> <bR> <div> For the purpose of procuring uniforms an entertainment was given at the Haven Opera House and the beautiful </div> <div> play of "Pygmalion and Galatea" was presented to a large audience. Emmet King, then an actor residing in Joplin,</div> <div> and who has since won great fame before the foot lights, and as a story writer, played the part of Pygmalion, and</div> <div> Mrs. Victor Brown of Griffin, Georgia, a most beautiful woman and an elocutionist of note, who was visiting in the city, </div> <div> represented Galatea. The entertainment netted enough money to buy the cloth for uniforms for the entire corps, and </div> <div> the mothers of the boys, together with a number of the lady teachers, under the direction of Mrs. Lola Spear, met one </div> <div> day and cut out and made the uniforms which were of the zouave type so popular in that day.</div> <bR> <div> The corps made its first public appearance August 26, 1891, when, on the invitation of 0. P. Morton Post No. 14, </div> <div> G. A. R., it accompanied the old soldiers to Baxter Springs to the big reunion acting as escort to the old veterans. </div> <div> The exhibition drill which they gave on the parade ground of Camp Weldy won for them a hearty round of applause. </div> <div> The Cadets maintained their organization until the middle nineties, during which time they participated in a number </div> <div> of public celebrations, having been reviewed by Gov. Francis on the occasion of one of his official visits to Joplin— </div> <div> the meeting of the Missouri Columbian World's Fair Commission.</div> <bR> <div> The corps also made a number of out-of-town trips, one of the most enjoyable to Pittsburg, Kansas, accompanying </div> <div> the teachers of Joplin to a friendly visit to the Southeastern Kansas Teachers Association in session at that place.</div> <bR> <div> Columbian Parade</div> <div> The four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus was appropriately observed in the public </div> <div> schools of Joplin, the feature of the day being a parade of the children of all the grades — from the primary to the </div> <div> eighth, and the high school pupils. The parade was participated in by 2,600 pupils, and it was a most imposing sight. </div> <div> Every child carried a small United States flag and also each wore a souvenir badge on which was printed a picture of </div> <div> Columbus. Under the head of the great discoverer was the motto of the United States and over it the national eagle. </div> <div> The pupils were assembled by grades at the Central school and the line of march was down Main to Fourth and west </div> <div> to the Jackson school, where the exercises were had.</div> <bR> <div> The exercises were concluded in the evening at the Club Theater by a spectacular production representing different </div> <div> historic happenings and events in American history, and the rise of English liberty. The characters in the extravaganza </div> <div> were chosen from the teachers and pupils, over two hundred taking part in the several historic sketches.</div> <bR> <div> The Joplin Daily Herald, in speaking of the affair, said: "The entertainment, as a school creation and production was, </div> <div> without exception, the most enjoyable, meritorious, and successful ever given in Joplin. In every one of the historic </div> <div> sketches there was obvious careful preparation, studied effect, tasteful arrangement and almost perfect execution</div> <div>  — all conspiring to make the whole a charming divertisement from the usual school entertainment,"</div> <bR> <div> Arbor Day, 1893</div> <div> April 7th, Arbor Day, was generally observed in Joplin and at all of the schools appropriate exercises were held, </div> <div> trees and shrubs were planted and the pupils taught the use and care of trees.</div> <bR> <div> At the Jackson school a tree was planted and christened "Tennyson." Dick Graham delivered the christening oration. </div> <div> Miss Lillian King read a charming essay on "Historic Trees and Forest Products," and Principal S. A. Underwood </div> <div> delivered an interesting talk on "Tree Planting."</div> <bR> <div> At the Franklin school a very large number of patrons assembled to witness the exercises, over one hundred visitors </div> <div> being present. Each of the six rooms planted a tree, after which the visitors were invited into the school to inspect the </div> <div> display of school work.</div> <bR> <div> The six trees planted by the Franklin school were named Ferdinand, Isabella, W. E. Coleman (the father of Arbor day </div> <div> in Missouri), George Washington, Columbus, and Gen. George A. Custer.</div> <bR> <div> At the Columbia school four trees were planted and named Coleman, Washington, Columbia and Whittier. Every one </div> <div> present participated in the planting, placing a shovelful of dirt around the trees.</div> <bR> <div> At East Joplin, Byersville and Central trees were planted and the yards cleaned up.</div> <bR> <div> Manual Training</div> <div> Manual training was introduced into the high school in 1898 and at once became very popular, the Joplin exhibit of </div> <div> mechanical work having excited the favorable comment of the citizens of Joplin and educators of surrounding towns </div> <div> who came to see the display.</div> <bR> <div> School Officials (1890-99)</div> <div> We present below a list of the several gentlemen who served the city of Joplin as members of the Board of Education </div> <div> during the decade, the superintendents and principals of the high school, and the graduates from the first class in 1887 </div> <div> to the thirteenth class in 1899 :</div> <bR> <div> Members of the Board of Education: R. S. Lanyon, Lee Taylor, C. Schifferdecker. P. L. Swartz and A. II. Waite. </div> <div> April 1, 1890; A. B. McCarty, April 5. 1891; H. Cline, June. 1892; M. L. Downing, J. H. Spencer and H. B. Crossman. </div> <div> April 4, 1898; II. Phelps, April 3, 1894; T. W. Cunningham and E. 0. Bartlett, April 2. 1895; .1. \Y. Freeman and </div> <div> C. W. Lyon, April 7. 1896; A. Reynolds and A. C. Blakey, April 6, 1897; C. S. Poole, April 5, 1898; and C. M. DeGraff, 1899.</div> <bR> <div> Superintendents and principals of high school: 1890, R. D. Shannon and S. A. Underwood; 1891, E. T. Ingham and </div> <div> S. A. Underwood; 1892, R. D. Shannon and S. A. Underwood; 1893, R, D. Shannon and S. A. Underwood; 1894, </div> <div> S. A. Underwood and V. L. Vawter; 1895, W. B. Brown and J. D. Ellif; 1896, W. B. Brown and J. D. Ellif; 1897, W. B. Brown </div> <div> and J. D. Ellif; 1898, J. D. Ellif and J. M. Guinn ; 1899). J. D. Ellif and J. M. Guinn.</div> <bR> <div> Alumni of High School</div> <div> 1888— Johanna Becker, Ida Caffee, M. M. Hamilton, Cora Hoyt, Cora Lichliter, Mayme Robinson, Blanche Sergeant, </div> <div> "William Lechie, Taylor Snapp, L. L. Lichliter, Roy Lapsley, W. A. Nickell. Ollie P. Simpson.</div> <bR> <div> 1889 — Conine Allington, Judith Barner. Irene Faulkener, Blanche George, Iva Grant, Lucy Jenkins, Leela Taylor, </div> <div> Eunice Timmons, Rose Mary Grant, Venona Wootring, James Cox.</div> <bR> <div> 1890 — Daisy Darby, Alice Duncan, Blanche Elain. Sarah Ellen, Emma Price, Laura Roesch, Jessie Stephenson, </div> <div> C. B. Spencer.</div> <bR> <div> 1891 — Maude Ells, Alice Haven, Jessie May, Alice Treganza, Sadie Lichliter, Anna McNeal, Maud Neeley, Margaret Ryan, </div> <div> Dora Price, Lizzie Risling, Albert E. Duncan, Eugene Hamilton.</div> <bR> <div> 1892 — Eula Freeman, Jessie Gardner, Ella Helpenstine, Cora Hollingsworth, Minnie Lambkin, Jennie Maddy, Ora Miller, </div> <div> Eva Price, John Murphy, Cornelia Shannon, Maude Stewart, Lenora Turner, Isabella Wade.</div> <bR> <div> 1893 — Flo Adams, George Dickenson, Dilno Ells, Minnie Cotton, Mabel Downing, Maude Wright, Dollie Board, </div> <div> Cora McDonald.</div> <bR> <div> 1894 — Josephine Elam, Erraa Roesch, Dick Graham, Callie Leard, Maie Price, Lena Lowry, Lois Whitwell, Marie Klotz,</div> <div> Edith Cotton.</div> <bR> <div> 1895 — Pearl Kier, Jessie Short, Ella Whitwell, Bertha Greer, Lena Phelps, Aruba Treganza, Clara Paul, Margaret Donnan. </div> <div> John Cotton, Ray Wenrich, Chas. MeGarren, Mercer Arnold, Claud Calvin. Ollie Faulkender.</div> <bR> <div> 1896 — Blanche Trigg, Walter George, Mabel Price, Emily Reeves, Will McAntire.</div> <bR> <div> 1897— Gertrude Creller, Roy Calvin, Pearl Campbell, Ethel Davidson, Myrtle Foster, Grace Fones, Lillian Foster, Nellie Fenn, </div> <div> Clar Frye, Ovilla Gardner, Ben Lutman. Oscar Nelson. Louis Ogburn. Imo Price, Bertha Pertusche. Etta Taylor, Elmer Williams, </div> <div> Luna Yale, Susie Maupin, James Broadbent, Laura Adams, Edith Donnan, Sam Thornton, Hugh Claycomb.</div> <bR> <div> 1898 — Georgia Turk, Jane Paul, Mae Hansel, Maude Frye, Ida Miller, Luella Powell, Bess Turner, Walter Regan, </div> <div> John Hutchinson.</div> <bR> <div> 1899 — Eecless Greer, Earl Murray, Maggie Davidson, Edna Henrichs, Etta Broadbent, Nell Henley, Lottie Glover, </div> <div> Augusta Radley, Fannie Willim, Lina Stabb, Alvin Hall, Charley Davidson. </div> <bR> <div> Joplin Business College</div> <div> In 1892 Prof. Thomas and W. B. Joiner established the Joplin Business College and it at once became a strong school. </div> <div> Its course of studyembraced a full and complete instruction in bookkeeping, business and commercial education and it </div> <div> sent out a well equipped class of students who took responsible positions.</div> <bR> <div> The past ten years of Joplin 's school history, if written in full, would make of itself not only a large but an entertaining </div> <div> volume. It would show each year the introduction of new and up-to-date methods of education and a gradual increase </div> <div> in school population and percentage of attendance and an expansion in the area of the school district which, as the city </div> <div> spread out, necessarily took in the former outlying territory. Each of the superintendents gave to the schools some </div> <div> progressive policy and stamped his individuality on the city's educational system.</div> <bR> <div> Manual Training, Music and Summer Normal</div> <div> To J. D. Elliff the school system owes the enlargement of the high school course of study, so that it met the requirements </div> <div> of the State University for a first class high school ; also the designation of Joplin as one of the points for the establishment </div> <div> of an experimental Summer Normal, to articulate with the University. Under Mr. Elliff's administration manual training was </div> <div> introduced in the high school and the government established a Weather Bureau at Joplin and placed it in charge of the</div> <div> science department of the high school.</div> <bR> <div> During W. P. Roberts' term of office, music was introduced into the schools and a supervisor elected to look after this work. </div> <div> The matter of better penmanship was also given especial attention and an expert penman employed to supervise this most </div> <div> important branch of work.</div> <bR> <div> Inculcating Love of the Beautiful</div> <div> Superintendent Roberts was also a great lover of the beautiful and to the end that the pupils be taught, in a practical way, </div> <div> the love of home and out-of-door beautification, he secured from the school board an appropriation to purchase a large </div> <div> quantity of flowers and garden seeds, which were sold to the pupils at cost. The idea proved so popular that the first year </div> <div> of its trial (1904) it was necessary to twice order an additional supply of seeds and, as a result, over six thousand packages </div> <div> were distributed. The effect of this was far-reaching in its importance and cannot be overestimated when we think of the joy </div> <div> and the additional beautification which came from the six thousand flower beds which were planted and cared for by the</div> <div> children of the city.</div> <bR> <div> Professor L. J. Hall and Edmund Vert also left their individuality impressed on the school system.</div> <bR> <div> George V. Buchanan, who was chosen superintendent in 1908, has made a strong executive officer and, in addition to</div> <div> introducing many up-to-date methods, has in a most diplomatic manner harmonized all of the different ideas of educational </div> <div> policy and united the several factions who, during 1906-7, created much feeling in public school circles.</div> <bR> <div> Space will not permit a mention of all that we would like to say about the school system of Joplin. We will, however, chronicle </div> <div> a few of the happenings so that the reader may keep in touch with the general character of the work and the school policy. </div> <bR> <div> Size of Joplin District and Teaching Force</div> <div> In 1909 the school district of Chitwood and East Hollow, suburbs of Joplin on the west and a part of which had the year </div> <div> before been taken into the city limits, petitioned the city district to be annexed, and at the election of 1909 was formally annexed, adding approximately five square miles to the area of the district and about 600 to the school population.</div> <bR> <div> The school census of 1911 showed the district to have 9,341 children of school age. The annual revenue derived from </div> <div> taxation and public appropriations is, in round numbers, #175,000. During the year 1910-11 the district employed 172 teachers.</div> <bR> <div> The following table will show the relative importance of the several schools :</div> <bR> <div> School  Principal  Enrolment</div> <bR> <div> Alcott— L. G. Knight 462</div> <bR> <div> Byers— Cora McDonald 275</div> <bR> <div> Central— Walter Colley 465</div> <bR> <div> Columbia— Mildred Drye 257</div> <bR> <div> Emerson — H. C. Kilburn 479</div> <bR> <div> Eugene Field — Ida Linton 167</div> <bR> <div> Franklin— W. E. John 462</div> <bR> <div> Garfield — Louise Kirkham 357</div> <bR> <div> High School— F. H. Barbee 707</div> <bR> <div> Irving— C. L. Spaid 465</div> <bR> <div> Jackson— W. A. Nickell 460</div> <bR> <div> Jefferson— Eva Corlett 285</div> <bR> <div> Lafayette— G. B. Martin 498</div> <bR> <div> Lincoln (colored) — Chas. Brooks 162</div> <bR> <div> Laurel — Minnetta Sanderson 85</div> <bR> <div> Longfellow — Isaac W. Whaley 291</div> <bR> <div> McKinley— W. 0. Burns 310</div> <bR> <div> Parr Hill— May Tyler 105</div> <bR> <div> Washington — Frank Barton 652</div> <bR> <div> Compulsory Education</div> <div> At the session of the general assembly in 1903 a law was passed making it obligatory for all pupils over eight </div> <div> and under fourteen to attend school — either public or private — at least four months in the year.</div> <bR> <div> The Joplin Board of Education, in 1905, for the purpose of enforcing this law, employed a truancy officer and also </div> <div> established a truancy school, to which the habitual truants and unruly pupils were sent. S.S. Nix was the first truant officer </div> <div> and enforced the new law with tact and good judgment. When he found children out of school, on account of not being </div> <div> provided with proper clothing and books, he saw to it that means were provided for the same. He personally visited the </div> <div> parents of children not in school aud talked with them, not as an officer of the law come to enforce the mandates of the </div> <div> state, but as a citizen and fellow townsman interested in the welfare of the boys.</div> <bR> <div> In nearly every instance he secured the cooperation of the parents and during his first year as truancy officer did not </div> <div> make a single arrest for non-compliance with the law. Mr. Nix was elected city assessor in 1907 and was succeeded by </div> <div> O. D. Billick. who served the district faithfully until 1911, when he retired and was succeeded by S. S. Nix. who was recalled</div> <div> to the position.</div> <bR> <div> The Truant School</div> <div> As an experiment the Board of Education established a Truant School in 1905 and placed it under the supervision of </div> <div> R. C. Burns, one of the best teachers of Joplin. The school was a success, so far as results were concerned, but did not </div> <div> prove popular with the people, and the next year .Mr. Burns, having accepted the principalship of the Shreveport (La.)</div> <div> school, resigned his position as principal of the Truant school, and it was not reopened in 1906.</div> <bR> <div> School Improvement</div> <div> During the decade the school district spent $175,000 in school improvements, among them being the enlargement of </div> <div> the High School in 1906, which doubled its capacity. The building, although well located and excellently appointed, is now </div> <div> crowded and the matter of building a new $100.000 High School building is now being agitated and is among the possibilities </div> <div> of the near future.</div> <bR> <div> The Play Ground Idea</div> <div> Of recent years the school board and teaching force have encouraged the plan of putting on the play grounds apparatus </div> <div> to help make the recreation hour both pleasant and helpful and at three of the schools, viz., Irving, Jackson and Garfield</div> <div> — the pupils have given highly successful entertainments and have raised money and purchased complete equipment for </div> <div> the playground, consisting of swings, horizontal bars, vaulting poles, etc.</div> <bR> <div> Recent Additions to School Work</div> <div> During the administration of Superintendent Buchanan, among other things the following have been added to the school </div> <div> work and course of study.</div> <bR> <div> The Manual training department has been enlarged by the addition of a domestic science department, and the work has </div> <div> also been extended into the grades.</div> <bR> <div> A department for the teaching of business methods has been added to the high school and has proved very popular with </div> <div> the people and highly satisfactory to the school. </div> <bR> <div> Information from:</div> <div> <I>A History of Jasper County, Missouri and Its People, Volume 1, by Joel Thomas Livingston.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><script language="JavaScript1.2"> /* Disable right click script II (on images)- By Dynamicdrive.com For full source, Terms of service, and 100s DTHML scripts Visit http://www.dynamicdrive.com */ var clickmessage="Please send an email if you would like a copy of this photo." function disableclick(e) { if (document.all) { if (event.button==2||event.button==3) { if (event.srcElement.tagName=="IMG"){ alert(clickmessage); return false; } } } else if (document.layers) { if (e.which == 3) { alert(clickmessage); return false; } } else if (document.getElementById){ if (e.which==3&&e.target.tagName=="IMG"){ alert(clickmessage) return false } } } function associateimages(){ for(i=0;i<document.images.length;i++) document.images[i].onmousedown=disableclick; } if (document.all) document.onmousedown=disableclick else if (document.getElementById) document.onmouseup=disableclick else if (document.layers) associateimages() </script></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>