CHAPTER XIX

Schools and Education.

Gone long since, the day of "the little red school house," that generator of concentrated intellectual fire, hallowed by the shades of Webster, Choate, and a hundred other illustrious names. In the flamboyant present we get our somewhat promiscuous education from ornate buildings of brick and stone. Parents no longer need to stint themselves to buy textbooks for their children, since now the state, in loco parentis, flings the text-books at their heads. Without attempting to balance the relative merits of the old and the new, or trying to decide whether the loss of the accurate and broad knowledge of the learned few is well atoned for by the thin educational veneer of the many, let us turn to conditions at home in this year of grace, 1916.

Schools and means of education were ever first in the thoughts of Genesee County pioneers and their descendants have not been false to the fine educational spirit of these worthy hewers of the way. When Daniel O'Sullivan, "the Irish schoolmaster," arrived in Flint river settlement in 1834 and taught twelve pupils in a little cabin near the thread Creek, at the rte of ten cents per week, he little dreamed that the scene of his humble educational efforts, over eighty years later, would board many great buildings devoted to learning and costing hundred of thousands of dollars.

Aaron Hoyes succeeded Mr. O'Sullivan as teacher and remained until a small building was erected for school purposes on the land now occupied by the Fenton block, the first schoolmistress being a Miss Overton.

The reports of early educational interest in Genesee County are very meager and from 1837 until 1855 the data are most incomplete. However, the official figures of the school inspector of 1838 give the number of pupils as sixty, of whom thirty-nine were between the ages of five and seventeen and twenty-one were under five and over seventeen. After struggling for some years to maintain a school on the rate plan, which was frequently a great tax on parents with several children, the friends of education made a rally for the union school system as a remedy for scholastic ills, and in 1845-46 the old "Union School,' as it was known for many years, was built on the site of what is now the Walker School.

Later, when Flint became a city in 1855, Prof. William Travis, an accomplished teacher, was placed in charge of the Flint schools for three years and, by his ability, culture, energy and enthusiasm, gave a new impetus to the cause of education, which left a lasting impression. At the annual meeting of 1859 it was voted unanimously to organize a graded school and the following board of trustees was elected: For three years, Levi Walker and Daniel Clarke; for two years, S. N. Warren and Grant Decker; for one year John Delbridge and C. N. Beecher. It would be impracticable to note here all of the teachers whose faithful labors have done so much to lay the foundation upon which the reputation of the Flint schools were built.

April 3, 1869, is a most important date in the educational history of Michigan, worthy a centennial remembrance as the day when No. 116 of the acts of the Legislature for that year, by virtue of which rate-bills were finally abolished and the free public school really established, was approved by the governor and became the law of the state. This event gave new vitality to the cause of education which, together with the constant growth in population and wealth, soon placed the Flint schools on a high plane.

In 1855 district No. 3, which contained the most territory and largest number of pupils with the least taxable property, proceeded to erect a brick house on Oak street in the third ward. This house (which was a two-story building, neither commodious not elegant) originally contained two school-rooms, and a small recitation room. In the absence of any records, we can only say that able and faithful teachers labored here and did their part in advancing the great work of education.

District No. 4, which contained the least territory, with the smallest number of pupils and a larger proportion of taxable property, instead of building, purchased an unfinished dwelling house on Grand Traverse street known as the Blades house, and, fitting it up a an apology for such a school house, occupied it as such for several years. It was not very successful and an effort was made in 1861 to have it united with No. 3. In 1863 there was a decided expression of public sentiment in favor of the measure. The formal consent of the district officers was obtained and the measure was effected. The democratic principle of free public schools seems to have been but dimly recognized in this enterprise. In a remonstrance against abandoning the Blades house and substituting the city hall building, a measure demanded for the accommodation of more pupils, it was claimed that as they had escaped the burden of a school tax in a great measure in the past, immunity should be continued as a vested right in the future. In 1867 districts Nos. 1 and 3 were united under the title of "Union School District of the City of Flint.' After the annual meeting, the school was reorganized under this act, with the following board of trustees: President, Levi Walker; secretary, William L. Smith; treasurer, George R. Gold; Paul H. Stewart, Sumner Howard and Daniel Clarke. The union made the necessity for further accommodations urgent. As the best temporary relief which could be obtained, the unfinished building on the corner of Saginaw and Third Streets, known as the City Hall building, was leased of the city for a nominal sum and fitted up at an expense of about five thousand dollars for the accommodation of the high school. This house continued to be used for this purpose until the completion, in 1875, of the present high school building. After this time a male principal was employed in addition to the superintendent, S. R. Winchel being the first to occupy that position. The trustees' report at the annual meeting of 1870 shows two male and thirteen female teachers; the number of pupils enrolled in the district between the ages of five and twenty, 1,269; whole number attending school, 1,157 of whom 150 were non-residents.

By an act of the Legislature, approved march 18, 1871, amending the charter of the city of Flint, the school district No. 1 of the town of Flint, was annexed tot he city as the fourth ward and, by the consent of both parties, became merged in Union School district, its property being transferred and its liabilities assumed. A brief sketch of this school will illustrate the rise and progress of schools in a new country and verify the old adage that "where there is a will, there is a way." The territory now comprising the fourth ward was, for some years after the settlement of Flint, mostly occupied by a dense growth of pine, forming a most striking feature in the landscape and giving the newcomer the impression that he had at last reached the border of that vast pine forest of northern Michigan of which he had heard so much. After the establishment of this vicinity of the state institution for the education of the deaf and dumb and the blind, this pinery was rooted our and a village platted. Being connected with the business portion of the city by a new bridge, a settlement soon grew up there. As the nearest school house was at an inconvenient distance, the need of another was felt. On April 9, 1859, this territory was set off as distinct No. 1 of the town of Flint and was soon afterward organized by a meeting at the house of G. F. Hood. At this time it was reported that all the qualified voters in the district to the number of twenty-one, including one female, had been notified. The following officers were elected: Moderator, D. M. McKercher; director,. H. G. Beach; assessor, H. W. Whitney. At a special meeting, held April 28, on motion of G. F. Hood it was voted that the board have power to purchase materials and put up an eighteen-by-twenty-eight-foot shanty, suitable for a school building. This was built at a cost, including furniture, of about one hundred and forty dollars. It did good service, being used eleven years, and the, after the completion of the new house, was sold at auction for thirty-three dollars. By the time of the annual meeting in 1867, the number of pupils had increased to one hundred. The shanty had become too small and the necessity for a new building was felt. For that purpose it was resolved to raise one thousand dollars of tax and three thousand dollars by loan. A plan submitted by P. Cleveland, of Flint, was adopted and a two-story brick building, surmounted by a belfry, was erected. It contained a spacious schoolroom in each story. At the next annual meeting in 1868, it was resolved, by a vote of twenty-eight to eight, that two dollars per scholar be raised by tax for the support of the school. This tax amounted to two hundred and sixty-two dollars. In 1869 a graded school was established and the following six trustees elected: L. P. Andrews, J. Williams, G. L. Walker, O. Maltby, G. Stanard and H. Haver. The reported state of the finances at this time was "an empty treasury, rate-bills abolished by law and teachers unpaid." However, these difficulties were overcome. A male teacher, C. Donelson, was employed and the school continued to flourish until absorbed into the "Union School of the City" in 1871.

School district No. 2 was formed March 8, 1845. In the following year a brick schoolhouse was built on Detroit Street. the early records of this district are lost of inaccessible. It seems not to have been very prosperous or to have soon fallen into decay. Its condition became a source of such annoyance that the inhabitants took steps to improve the character of the school. The financial crises of 1857 materially hindered the plans, but at the annual meeting in that year the project was started. A committee reported at the next meeting in favor of a new schoolhouse; the report was adopted and the sum of one thousand dollars was raised to aid the enterprise. The result was the building of the best school house in the county at that time. This zeal in a good cause went onto establish and sustain a fist class school At the annual meeting in 1859 a graded school was organized under the act of the Legislature then recently passed, and the following gentlemen were elected a board of trustees: For one year, D. S. Freeman and D. S. Fox; for two years, A. McFarland and O. Adams; for three years, F. H. Rankin and H. W. Wood. In 1865 valuable apparatus was bought and two thousand dollars raised by tax to enlarge the new schoolhouse, which had become inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. In 1867 the enlarged house again became crowded and another, known as the "Branch House," was built on Second Street at the corner of Lyon Street.

The movement which had been inaugurated in the union school district on the south side of the river for building a new house, attracted the attention of the people in this ward and in 1871 a preamble and resolutions were adopted in favor of union on certain conditions. These conditions were assented to and, after further conference, the consolidation of the four wards of the city in one school district was effected by an act of the Legislature approved March 28, 1872. Thus this prosperous school in the full tide of its success became merged in that grand enterprise which has brought all the Flint schools into one organization.

Each augmentation of the union school district rendered the call for a new house more urgent. In 1871 the board of trustees in their report most strongly urged the absolute necessity for enlarged accommodations. A tax of five thousand dollars was voted for the purchasing of a site and the issuing of bonds to the amount of twenty thousand dollars was authorized. Later fifty-five thousand dollars was added to the amount of bonds authorized. A committee, consisting of President Angell of the State University, Professor Estabrook, of the State Normal School and Hon. M. F. Crofoot of Pontiac, recommended the adoption of the Lamond block as the most eligible site for a building --the site now occupied by the high school building. Their recommendation was adopted by the board and subsequently ratified by the taxpayers. The south four lots of that portion of the block now occupied were obtained at a cost of eight thousand five hundred dollars, and the north four lots at a cost of ten thousand dollars.

After deciding upon the size, ground plan, and general arrangement of the building, the subject was referred to Porter & Watkins, architects, who submitted plans and specifications of the building. The contract was awarded to Reuben Van Tiffin, June 16, 1873, at sixty-eight thousand dollars, the work to be completed by July 1, 1875. The contract was faithfully fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of the board of trustees. The whole amount paid the contractor was seventy-seven thousand, three hundred and seventy-seven dollars, and sixty-two cents.

No serious accident occurred to any of the workmen engaged in the construction of the building, but the edifice itself had a narrow escape from destruction by fire, which originated from the culpable carelessness of the men employed to install the heating apparatus. Had it not been for the timely discover of the blaze by some young men returning from a late party, the whole structure would soon have been amass of flames.

A sad event, one which greatly shocked his colleagues and threw a gloom over the entire community, was the death of Hon. Levi Walker, which occurred on April 25, 1874, at Lansing, where he was engaged with his accustomed energy and fidelity in discharging the duties of representative in the state Legislature. Mr. Walker had been for twenty years connected with Flint schools in their various phases of organization and, by his generous nature, culture, sound judgment, legal experience and sturdy independence, had rendered invaluable service at many a critical juncture, and his death was a great loss.

The building was dedicated on July 13, 1875, on which occasion a highly interesting and instructive address was delivered by Hon. Duane Doty, of Detroit. On August 30, 1875, the school was opened in its several departments, under charge of Professor Crissey, assisted by an able corps of teachers. A class of eight graduated from the high school at the close of the school year 1875-76. In 1877 the graduates numbered fourteen; in 1878 there were twenty-one. The high school was organized with four courses if study; Classical, Latin, English and scientific. Composition and elocutionary exercises were given throughout the several courses. The first of these courses prepared students for the classical course in the University of Michigan, the second for the Latin and scientific, the third for the scientific and engineering course (requiring, however, the addition of one year's work in Latin) and the fourth for the English literary course. This was one of the high schools of the state from which students, if recommended, were admitted to the university upon their diplomas.

Marshall T. Gass took charge of the schools in 1880 and was very popular with the pupils. He left during the year 1883 to do excellent work among the deaf and dumb in Michigan and Iowa institutions, and was succeeded by Irving W. Barnhart, who remained until 1886, since when he has had a successful business career in Grand Rapids. Mr. Barnhart was followed by Wesley Sears, who remained for two years and was succeeded by David McKenzie in 1888. Mr. McKenzie had been principal of the high school for some years previous. He continued as superintendent for four years and did splendid work for the schools, bringing them to a high state of efficiency. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of all, school board, parents and children alike. His excellent work in the Detroit central high school has demonstrated his great ability.

The next to take charge of the Flint schools was George W. Fiske, a very cultured and scholarly gentleman, who remained only one year and was succeeded by W. H. Honey, a rigid disciplinarian. Mr. Honey was succeeded by F. R. Hathaway, a gentlemen of fine education, unusual executive ability, who stayed for our years and did good work, leaving the schools in 1898 in excellent condition. He was followed by W. C. Hull, who remained for three years. Mr. Hull was succeeded in 1901 by R. H. Kirtland, who also remained three years. At this time A. n. Cody had been principal of the high school for several years, and on the retirement of Mr. Kirtland was promoted to the superintendency. Mr. Cody still occupies this position.

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.

The history of the Flint schools would not be complete without mention of the St. Michael's parochial school. In the year of 1856 a small, one-room building was erected on the south side of the old St. Michael's church building, during the pastorate of Rev. Fr. Deceunnick. School started the same year with Miss Fawcett as teacher. The buildings were used for school purposes until 1871, when the present school building was erected by Rev. Fr. Gilloetise. Among the teachers employed were Julia Marum, a sister of Mrs. William Hamilton, Mary Wallace, Miss Holland, Miss Anna Lennon and John Donovan, the latter better known as "Donovan of Bay.' During the administration of Rev. FR. Haire, the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary were brought to Flint and given charge of the schools, which have since been conducted under their supervision. Through the efforts of Rev. Fr. Murphy and the Sisters, many important changes have been made and at present it consists of grammar, primary grades, kindergarten, and music. The course of study embraces Christian doctrine, reading, spelling, language, geography, arithmetic, United States history, civil government, physiology, penmanship, drawing, nature study, sight singing. A music department was added in 1896. This course embraces lessons in vocal and instrument music, piano., violin, banjo, mandolin and guitar, and is considered a very important adjunct to the school.

St. Mathew's Catholic School, opened in 1914, by the Rev. Fr. Michael John Comerford, is a handsome brick structure on Beach street, and is under the supervision of Mother Hilda of the Order of the Immaculate Heart. All Saints' parish school, the institution founded by Rev. Fr. John B. Hewelt, is one of the finest school buildings in Flint, where five hundred children of foreign parentage are taught the English language and are also instructed in the duties of American citizenship. From the roof the American flag floats reassuringly and within are to be found a club and reading rooms. It is the home of the Hungarian, Slavic, Italian, Bohemian, Moravian, Polish, and Chorvatian societies of Flint, who use it as a club house and social settlement.

The phenomenal growth of the city of Flint from 1905 to 1916, increasing its population from about sixteen thousand to seventy-five thousand, has necessitated the erection of new buildings for school purposes as follows: the new Stevenson school, the new Clark school, the Dort school, the Oak school addition of six rooms, the Hazelton school increased to ten rooms, the Kearsley school, four additional rooms, the Parkland school, the Homedale school and the Fairview school. These various new buildings and the increased facilities of former buildings have made a four-fold increase in school rooms. This does not, however, keep up with the city's growth, and a new building, the George W. cook school, is voted, to cost about ninety thousand dollars and to be completed before the fall of 1917. The old high school building, too, has become obsolete and a new one, to be of the most approved character, is now voted and the appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars made for it.

Alvin N. Cody has held the responsible position of superintendent of schools for the entire time since 1905. C. G. Wade resigned as principal of the high school to become superintendent of the schools of Superior, Wisconsin, in 1914: Linus S. Parmalee succeeded him as principal and has since filled that position with great credit and notable efficiency.

The high school has grown very rapidly, not only in numbers of pupils in attendance, but also in the scope of instruction, which has been expanded to meet present-day requirements. Vocational instruction, sanitation and domestic science are all receiving attention. There is now being built on the site of the old Clark school a "fresh air" school to meet the requirements of those students who need a different environment for physical reasons. All of the new school buildings are models of their kind and are frequently visited by boards of education from other places who contemplate building and wish to inspect the very latest in school architecture. With the completion of the new high school building, the Cook building and the fresh air school, it may be said with little fear of contradiction that Flint will be the best equipped city in the United States in school buildings and apparatus.