One-room schools, in 1910

Dillsboro, Jan. 1910

ONE-ROOM SCHOOL

PROBLEM IS UP

Indianapolis -- John R. Carr, superintendent of the Marion County schools and president of the Indiana County Superintendents Association, in his opening address at the meeting at the statehouse, advocated the appointment of a commission of citizens and parents of the common schools by the governor to inspect the conditions of the one-room school buildings in the township and report the nature of their findings.

He declared that patrons would not tolerate the conditions of these school if they knew about them, and that an indignant public would demand reform were the conditions laid before them as they actually existed.

As a second means of bettering the conditions, Carr said that the state Board of Health should have more power and more help so that it could make a sanitary inspection of every such school building in the state, with absolute power to condemn and close where the conditions were found detrimental to the physical welfare of the child.

Now the board investigates only in such districts as send in complaints because of lack of sufficient force.

"But," he said, "that community needs most aid were the people show their stolidity and contentment with the wretched influence under which their children are attending schools, their utter unfitness to rear, unaided, citizens for this commonwealth." 

"The rural school," he said, is in charge of officials, from township trustee to county superintendent, all of whom are compelled to ask for inspection at the hands of a political party. No set of schools ever did rise above mediocrity that was not first purged of politics. With the elimination of politics, it would be possible to place the schools in the hands of experts."

As it is, he said patrons are "complacently entrusting the management of their schools to men whose whole thought and training have in no way fitted them for their duties."

Carr advocated getting rid of the one-room school by consolidating all such schools in graded school buildings.

Robert Aley, late superintendent of public instruction, said that the one-room school would exist in Indiana for many years to come, and that the energies of the school officials should be directed first of all toward bettering the conditions in these schools where they are certain to remain.

Note: Almost all one-room schools were closed by 1922. Some were forced to close much earlier than that, including Farm Hill and Saltwell.

Christmas season ads from 1897

 

1883 -- ads for the inquisitive

 

1906 -- news we barely noticed

Democrat, 1906

Elm Poles and Hickory Butts

I am now ready to buy second growth white elm poles, also second growth hickory butts at the Hub factory at Stavetown. Please call at factory for prices and specification cards for both.

-- Jacob Meyer

Raw Furs Wanted

I will be at Walter Bros. Livery barn on Saturdays. Bring in your furs and get the market price.

-- J.W. Seal, Cedar Grove

For Sale or Trade

One Clydesdale stallion, 7 years old, 17 hands high, weighs 1,500 pounds, bay in color, unusually well bred, sound, stylish, a good breeder and gentle to handle.

Also, a first-class Spanish Jack, black with meaty points, good size, sound, a good breeder and gentle to handle.

Want to close out my entire stud and will dispose of this stock at a bargain.

Inquire of Dr. E.L. Patterson, Brookville

PO Box Rent

A new order from the post office department requires box rent to be paid the last 10 days of the quarter in advance instead of the first 10 days as heretofore. The present quarter ends Dec. 31, 1906, and box rents are due and payable from Dec. 21 to Dec. 31.

Storm Fronts for Buggies

The Brookville Carriage Co. has a limited amount of storm fronts which they will sell at first cost. First come, first served, the price is only $1.50. Everybody ought to have one at this price.

Call at their repository two doors south of Trichler's store.

For Sale

Building 18x85, as good as new and can be used for a good money purpose. Also, one bowling alley, brand new, in sections, easy to take up and put down; 30 balls and everything belonging to it to make it complete. Weill have to sell or move, so offer at a bargain.

-- Chas Joerg

Give a Photo

Of yourself to friends and relatives this year. Perhaps nothing so modest a value would please them as well and perpetuate pleasant memories for so long a time. Arrange for a sitting by phone No. 58. Many of your intimate friends would probably prefer an artistic likeness, such as are produced by the Swayne Studio, to anything else you might present them at Christmas time. The time is short.

-- J.H. Swayne & Daughter

School Socials

An ice cream and oyster supper will be given at the Beech Grove school house, Springfield Township, Dec. 15th. Proceeds for the benefit of the school library. Everybody is cordially invited to attend.

-- Louise Reifel, teacher

 

Sunday soldiers

Democrat, 1917

Children's Day at Fairfield

Children's Day of the Fairfield Sunday School was observed at the morning service on June 10 by an unusual number of friends and parents of this up-to-date school.

The members and young people were there at roll call to the number of 131, which demonstrated they were interested in the great Sunday school work, and from the methodical manner it was evident that the pupils both old and young had been trained by their teachers like soldiers to march in military style.

The vocal and instrumental exercises, declamations by young tots, dialogues, duets, solos, in fact the entire program was in perfect accord, and was pleasing and entertaining from start to finish, showing to an outsider that efficient training will accomplish wonders, and that the Fairfield Sunday school is second to none we have visited in Franklin County.

What impressed the writer as unusual, was to note the number of grown adults of both sexes taking special interest in the Bible classes and vocal numbers for Fairfield is noted for having splendid singers.

Note: Nothing like a little military to teach toddlers how to act.

Democrat, 1903

Piss't off

It is not often that circumstances make it necessary for an escape valve to one's feelings or there would be an explosion. In the language of Sam Jones, the evangelist, we like to tell professional (?) people of their meanness.

Several instances have been illustrated, not only in Fairfield but at Wynn, Ind., by persons of presumed Christian graces, who weigh worth and standing on different scales than the meek and lowly Savior advocated.

Worthy citizens whose characters were above reproach and whose only sin was poverty, have been treated similar to the parable of the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan.

Note: No idea why the editor was in such a mood. Wynn was also Palestine.

American, 1854

Public Supper and Fair at Fairfield

The Ladies of Fairfield will hold a public supper and fair on Tuesday evening, Aug. 1. The Brookville Brass Band will be present for the occasion and will play a number of choice airs during the evening. Everybody is invited and everybody "
had ought to" go.

Note: Rock on. This is one of the earliest news items I can find on Fairfield.

First we heard of this

Democrat, March 1950

Flood Control

Group Visits

Town Council

Delegation wants action on 2 Whitewater River dams

A delegation of approximately 35 persons representing the Ohio Valley Flood Control League appeared before the Town Board in their regular meeting last Monday evening. 

The delegation is seeking action by the federal government on the two proposed dams to be located on the East and West forks of the Whitewater River north of Brookville.

After listening to the plea of the committee, the members of the Town Board agreed to appear before the County Commissioners at the next regular meeting of that body to be held in April.

It is planned to hold a public mass meeting on the matter at a later date.

The Ohio Valley Flood Control League holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month in the Miami Township Hall at Cleves.

Notes: 

West Fork, huh?

Cincinnati newspaper ads -- 1900