SCHOOL HISTORY: 1877 Common School Report, Allegheny County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives 02/10/2005 by Judy Banja & Linda Braund Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ _______________________________________________ COMMON SCHOOLS OF PENNSYLVANIA REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1877 Harrisburg: Lane S. Hart, State Printer, 1878 ALLEGHENY COUNTY - James Dickson. Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 11 The educational history of Allegheny county being so intimately connected With the history of the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny, which cities were, Until quite recently, under the same general supervision as that of the county, Makes it very difficult, under the rulings of the department, in the space allowed to present anything like a full sketch of our educational history. Especially is this true in reference to the early enactments of the Legislature, the history of educational associations which were held conjointly by the cities and county, as well as of the higher institutions of learning which, although located in the cities, have been supported liberally by the county. For a very full description of early educational enterprises north of the river, I am indebted to my venerable friend, Reverend Daniel Nevin, who has been connected with our educational interests perhaps longer than any man now living in the county, and who has done so much, as a cultivated christian teacher, to advance the cause of true education, as well as by a pure life to elevate the teacher's profession. Mr. Nevin's description will serve to illustrate not only the condition of our early elementary schools, but it will also give an idea of the general growth of education in our county. Earliest Elementary Schools in Allegheny County North and West of Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. The greater part of Allegheny county lying north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers was, down to the commencement of this century, and, indeed, sometime after, in a state of semi-barbarism. Schools were almost unknown outside of Allegheny town. Several causes, physical and civil, had concurred to retard the progress of first-class settlements in this direction. The soil, away from the alluvial lowlands, was generally thin, and difficult of cultivation; unlike that of the southern and eastern divisions of the county. It so happened, also, that extensive grants of unseated lands were held here, which, with disputed titles to numerous tracts beside, long served to hold the primeval forest intact for miles together over the district. Schools were consequently few and far between during the first quarter of the century; and such as were started seemed little 12 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, better than a travesty on the name. A rude log cabin, centrally located, near some country church, if such existed, was the primitive schoolhouse, where rudimentary "schooling" was imparted to such children and youth as could be spared from work, found scattered over a circuit of country twelve or fifteen miles in extent. The school-master employed was generally, not always, some strolling pedagogue, whom fortune or chance had brought into the settlement. Neither board of directors nor examining committee was thought of as essential; no approved testimonials of character or qualifications were required from the vagrant teacher. Usually the latter, on his own motion, traversed the district with subscription paper in hand, procuring for himself the names of scholars, and when a paying complement was obtained, proceeded to open the school altogether on his private account. About the year 1820, 'Squire John Neely opened a subscription school in the neighborhood of the Big Sewickly creek, which may be taken as a sample of primitive elementary schools throughout this portion of the county. The sparsely settled district, from the several parts of which his scholars found their way, through woods and clearings, to the school- house, embraced an area extending six or eight miles in every direction from the seat of rustic instruction. His schedule of studies was homely and circumscribed; his recitations being limited to spelling lessons from the "United States Speller;" reading exercises from the New Testament; and sums in "ciphering" from the "Western Calculator." Penmanship formed the salient Feature and highest accomplishment of the school; for which - copy books once procured -inexpensive materials were ever found close at hand, viz: goose quills (had for the asking) for pens, and the purple juice of poke-weed berries for ink. From humble beginnings in experimental science there is still a tendency toward perfection. So, a few years later Mr. Boyd, an itenerant bachelor of Scotch parentage, having superseded Mr. Neely in the school, introduced some important additions to its curriculum of studies, namely: English grammar, and a "Key to the Western Calculator." The role of improvement was now inaugurated; one of Mr. Boyd's successors added some time later to the branches named, the "Outlines of Geography." Academies. In the spring of 1838, Messrs. William M. Nevin and John B. Camp Established an academy for boys in Sewickley valley, twelve miles below Pittsburg. This institution, known in its time as the "Sewickley Academy," and subsequently as the "Old Sewickley Academy," was intrinsically a select boarding school, which afforded a classical or commercial education, as desired, to its pupils, preparing them either for college or the counting-room. Its patronage was obtained chiefly from the neighboring cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny. After a brief, though flourishing existence of three and a half years, its career was terminated suddenly in the fall of 1841, by the withdrawal from its head of Professor Nevin, who had accepted an invitation to a professorship tendered him from Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Ex Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 13 One year later, in the fall of 1842, the revived or "new" Sewickley Academy was inaugurated, by the well-known philanthropist Reverend Joseph S. Travelli, then just returned from Singapore, off the coast of Malacca, where he had been employed for several years, together with his wife, in missionary labors. Commencing with but indifferent buildings for his purpose, Mr. Travelli soon vindicated, by the character and growth of his school, its claim to the title of a first-class scientific, classical, and commercial academy. Perhaps no other institution in the county has ever so strictly represented in its dominant characteristics the mind and marked individuality of its principal, as did his during its best days. His talents were of the popular order, his manners persuasive, and his fluent speech admirably adapted to conciliate. His morning talks in the schoolroom, spontaneous, earnest, and full of simplicity, enforced, as they still were, whilst he sat before his assembled boys, by the enchantment of his sympathetic yet penetrating dark eyes, served all along during the twenty-two years of his academic control, to enkindle responsive enthusiasm, and to infold his courses of instruction with a semi-romantic interest. It was noteworthy how quickly the different assistant teachers, employed by him in his class-rooms during those years, realized and conformed to his ideas, learned to think and teach like him, and became thoroughly inoculated with his educational zeal. Mr. Travelli found his precedent - which he reverently followed - in the celebrated school of Doctor Arnold, of Rugby, the renowed English educator. The academy, taken throughout its extended career generally, contained in its classrooms from forty to fifty boarding pupils, together with a contingent about half as large, from the neighborhood, of day scholars. The old style of summer and winter sessions - five months each - was then maintained. It is only due, to add that not a few men in Pittsburg and its vicinity to-day, formerly pupils at this institution - men prominent in manufacturing and commercial circles, or distinguished in the learned professions - still proudly acknowledge their obligations to their old preceptor, and love to speak of that plastic ability with which, long ago in the golden years of his prime, he molded their youthful habits of thought and action. In 1864, Mr. Travelli, by the advice of his friends, closed the doors of his academy; domestic bereavement and broken health having then greatly impaired his wonted energy, and blighted the old enthusiasm. Female Seminaries. The Edgeworth Ladies' Seminary, organized primarily during the fall of 1825, in the city of Pittsburg, was the first institution of the kind, of high rank, started west of the Allegheny mountains. Previously to that period the daughters of our opulent families had been sent to eastern seminaries for their higher and ornamental education. The foundress of this pioneer institution was Mrs. Mary Gould Olver, an English lady, distinguished for her mental endowments, for her fine presence, and graceful manners. 14 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Her school was well sustained from the outset; yet in order that the important experiment might be tested amid surroundings more congenial, the enterprise was transferred, after two years, to Braddock's Fields, ten miles distant from the old city limits. In that then rural and romantic locality, hallowed by pathetic reminiscences, the seminary, having been installed in extensive buildings and converted strictly into a boarding school, was maintained successfully throughout a ten years' leasehold of the property. Pupils were attracted thither by the high reputation of the school, even from adjoining States, notably from Ohio; many having come from Columbus, Cincinnati, Marietta, and other cities to enjoy the monopoly of polite learning it possessed at the time Indeed, throughout that entire decade the seminary buildings were filled to overflowing, having usually numbered within their walls, during the long sessions, from sixty to seventy buxom students. During those years, as might be expected, an efficient corps of teachers was maintained, among whom, besides ladies of talent, were several gentlemen afterwards somewhat distinguished in their professions, viz: Mr. John Chislett, the first superintendent of the Allegheny cemetery, and original designer of its beautifully outlaid grounds; Mr. Henry Watkins, a native of England, who, having subsequently returned to London, attained celebrity as a miniature portrait painter, patronized by the Queen and royal houshold; and Mr. William M. Nevin, now the venerable Professor of Belles Lettres at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster. In 1837 the Edgeworth Seminary was removed to Sewickley valley, Mrs. Olver having previously purchased land and erected spacious and costly buildings there for its reception. In that new and charming location her school still maintained its prestige, and continued to flourish during the succeeding five years, until 1842, when alas, its accomplished principal, having at last succumbed to a chronic malady, was taken away in her fifty-eighth year from her earthly labors. Following close on her decease, and the withdrawal of that cunning hand which for seventeen years had so finely fashioned and upheld its fortunes, this eldest of western female seminaries began to languish, and about a year after went into temporary suspension. The second era, as it might be termed, of the Edgeworth Seminary opened With the spring of 1846. The institution was revived by the Rev D. E. Nevin and From a small enrolment of pupils at the commencement, soon attained a Successful emulation in point of numbers with its best days in the past. The resuscitated school was conducted on the same general plan which had characterized its earlier management; a similar course of studies, useful and ornamental, being maintained, and a like prominence given to the moral training and religious culture of its pupils. The seminary, how-ever, was in no sense a denominational institution, nor subject at any time to ecclesiastical supervision or control. From the liberal patronage it enjoyed throughout this second era of its existence, it was indeed chiefly in- Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 15 debted to Episcopalian and Presbyterian families of Pittsburg, Allegheny, and their opulent suburbs. In the fall of 1852, after a prosperous administration of six and a half years, Mr. Nevin, on account of impaired health, retired from the institution, having transferred its control to Mr. Samuel R. Williams, for some years till then Professor of Natural Sciences at Jefferson College, Canonsburg. Under Professor Williams' able management, the school continued, during the brief two years in which he remained at its head, to maintain its place firmly in the public confidence. His lamented withdrawal in the autumn of 1854, to accept the presidency of a similar institution at Lexington, Kentucky, left for his successor, to say the least, a place which his popular incumbency had now rendered it difficult to fill. During the following ten years which then intervened between the relinquishment of its control by Professor Williams and its final dissolution, the seminary became the property, first, of Reverend Henry R. Wilson, D. D., now secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, New York, by whom it was run for the space of three years; and then, by what proved to be its final change of management, it passed under the control of Reverend Aaron Williams, D. D., and so continued for the remainder of its existence. In the month of February, 1865, the venerated buildings were consumed by fire; and thus this pioneer seminary of the West, which, during thirty-five years in all of active existence, had bestowed its priceless educational treasures upon thousands of households over the land, passed away at length, through that holocaust, to the domains of history and tradition. I am able only, for want of space in the report, and sufficient time to collect data, to give a very succinct local history of a few districts in my jurisdiction. These districts are chosen, however, from various localities, so as to represent, as fully as possible, the local history of the county. Moon Township. Moon is one of the original townships of Allegheny county. Probably the First school-house was on the farm of Joshua Meek. However, there was a Building almost as early on the farm of Mr. Philip Riccords. Mr. George Morrison says: "I attended school in the latter building more than eighty years ago." Matthew Province and Robert Gibson taught in the township at a very early period. Findley. Findley was formed from a part of Moon, January, 1822. It is thought that The first school-house was erected on the farm now owned by John Twyford, about 1795. Mr. Layney was the first teacher who taught in this house. Robert Christy and Dr. John Pollock, who afterwards became a celebrated physician, were early teachers. An academy was organized in Clinton about 1825, by John Cloud, who subsequently studied theology and became a missionary. 16 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Doctor Charles Morgan, Andrew Wallace, Reverend Samuel Wilson, D. D., of Xenia, Ohio, were students in this academy. There was a very determined opposition to the school law of 1834. Doctor John Pollock, Andrew McLeister, Samuel Meloney, John W. Stewart, Hugh Burton, And William Erwin were among the substantial friends of the new law. "Linnean Academy and Normal Seminary" was organized and commenced its work at Clinton, on the third Monday of March, 1865. The principals, James Dickson and James A. Dunbar, were very much encouraged by a liberal patronage. The school continued to prosper here for two years, when the principals were obliged to abandon the enterprise for want of suitable buildings. The school was removed to Mansfield, Allegheny county, and commenced its first term there March 18, 1867. High schools were taught in Clinton, usually with fair success, by Messrs. Irons, Veasy, and Bailey. North Fayette. Fayette derived its name from General LaFayette, and was erected a township in 1790. Mr. John P. Ewing says: "I think Adam Potter, John McGregor, and Samuel Thompson were the first directors of the schools of North Fayette. The location of the first school-house, in our township, was between George McKee's and Amos Ewing's, near the site of the S. Blakely house. The schools in early day were taught by men from Ireland. Having no trade nor any other means of support, they credited themselves capable of teaching school. I commenced to teach in 1831, and for teaching the poor I drew my pay from the county treasury. I bought all the books and stationery needed by the poor children, and put the amount expended in this way into my bill. I taught the first year the new school law was in force. The sub-committee of the schools called in the aid of some learned man or men for the purpose of examining teachers. I think Doctor Grier and Reverend Rodgers were the first examining committee under the new law. The law was strongly opposed at first, and it was said that it was hard to understand. There were, undoubtedly, many mistakes made by the expounders. John Nicholson, John Peoples, and myself are three, I remember, who taught the first year after the new law was in force." Mr. Andrew Dickson says it is his belief that the oldest school-house was located on the McElhaney farm, on the Steubenville pike. Another very old school-house was located on the Best farm, above Noblestown. William Cavit taught for several years in the Best school-house. Among the early friends of the school law might be named Doctor Banks, John P. Ewing, Andrew Dickson, Andrew Pierce, William Cavit, and William McElhany. An anecdote is related by Mr. Dickson of an Irishman, named Gibson, who Was engaged in "rearing the tender mind, and teaching the young idea how to shoot." On his way to his temple of learning, Gibson would Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 17 stop at Torrence's tavern, and warm up by taking a morning dram. He began to think that the gill tumblers, then in use, did not hold enough, and one morning, probably being more thirsty than usual, he asked the barkeeper if that was a dram. The bar-keeper replied that it was. "Well," said Gibson, "I think it is only a scruple." The love of "distilled damnation" had grown upon this early teacher, and he had evidently begun to think that if three scruples made one drachm, he could easily take nine scruples at one fell swoop. St. Clair. Mr. Thomas Algeo informs me that the first teachers in Lower St. Clair township were Alexander Steele, James Turbert, John Hanna, Joseph. McGibney, and H. Ingraham. Many good teachers were employed, and not a few of our best citizens were educated in the rudimentary schools of that clay in Lower St. Clair. The poor law of 1822 was not a success. The law of 1834 was immediately adopted, and went into effect in 1835. Among its early friends were Alexander Carnahan, William Dilworth, John Murray, Henry Ingraham, George McGibney, and many others. Alexander Carnahan, William Dilworth, Henry Ingraham, and John Murray, were members of the first board under the act of 1834. James Turbert, --- Hays, --- Slater, George McGibney, Benjamin Goss, and Samuel Baldridge, Were the first teachers under the act. There are two private schools in the bounds of this township, a Catholic parochial school and German grammar school. Scott Township. Mr. W. Fulmer says: "The law of 1822 was not successful. The poor would Not apply for assistance, and became very indignant when their neighbors Reported for them, and secured assistance. The law of 1834 was more friendly received, and was accepted at the first election. There were a few men who worked hard against it. On the day of election nearly every man in the township was out; they decided to discuss the question, and they organized for that purpose by electing Colonel William Lea chairman. After hearing speeches both for and against the law, Doctor James McCully moved that they would vote, by the friends of the law crossing over the stream in front of the house, and those opposed, to stay where they were. The opponents of the law thought that there was no doubt of their success; but when McCully called on the friends of education to follow him, there was a rush to see who would get over first, and the opponents were surprised to see that they were in the minority. The territory now forming Scott township was then part of Upper St. Clair. And of the six directors first elected, five were in the end now forming Scott; they were James Flecher, Doctor James McCully, Henry Bellzhoover, Esquire, Colonel Lea, and James Long. They were all friends of the law. Among other prominent friends of education, we might mention Honorable Judge William Kerr, J. A. Robb, Esquire, and 18 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, John Turner. The first teachers under the act were Doctor J. B. Stilly and James Irwin. In 1855, what is known as Mt. Lebanon Academy was built. The men who took The most active part in this enterprise, were J. H. Robb, Dr. McCormick, Colonel William Espy, W. Douglass, Adam Amin, and Henry Bockstoce. The teachers were in the order named; Messrs. Campbell, Gettus, Park, Hastings, Reed, and Mrs. Douthett. Plum. In 1834, Plum township comprised within its territory what is now Patton township. At the election there held the opposition was so strong, that the school system was rejected. The opposition came principally from old men, who had raised their families and educated them at their own expense; but, in the course of the next year, the minds of the people underwent considerable change, and in 1835 the common schools were adopted, but not organized until the winter of 1836-7. The first board of directors consisted of David Bowman, David Kuhns, Uriah Stewart, George Morrison, and Samuel Snodgrass. In accordance with the law of that day, each school was a sub- district, under the supervision of a local committee. Plum was divided into nine or at most ten sub-districts, and a joint district, the latter at Turtle creek. Of the nine or ten houses originally built, five or six are within the present limits of Plum township. Among the early teachers were John Cupples, Charles Heany, Riley McLaughlin, James Sharp, William Walker, Harry Smith, and Alexander Thompson. Away back, however, in the latter part of the last century and beginning of the present there was a log school-house near the residence of John McElwain, close to Logan's ferry. In this house for many years Patrick Murty taught a country school. He was a native of Ireland, and had received in that country an excellent education; but, like most of his countrymen of that day, he loved his grog; but at a time when each one took his dram three times a day, and thought it did him good, this peculiarity in Patrick was but little noticed, and Master Murty was the wonder of the county. Many young men of that day came from a distance to him to learn the art of surveying lands. Reverend Osborn and Reverend S. M. McClung served as directors and examiners under the law of 1834. I am indebted to a very intelligent and zealous friend of education for the following description of Harrison and vicinity. He says: "I am sorry to say that the information I have been able to pick up in regard to the early history of the schools of Harrison township, is meager in the extreme. In the absence of any records, I have been compelled to fall back on 'tradition' and the testimony of the ' elders,' and these same 'elders' seem to be much better posted on the physical progress of Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 19 the State, county, and township, than on the educational. They can tell all about the beginning, progress, completion, and existence of the Pennsylvania canal; of all the panics and hard times since 1800; some of them all about the war of 1812, and the times after the war; but when you begin to talk 'school- house' to them, their memory becomes cloudy and uncertain. And thus it happens that any information I can give you will be mostly under the head of 'general remarks' - one of the topics on the list left with me. Of the "history of the schools and teachers prior to the law of 1822, I can tell you nothing. About that time Harrison township was a part of a much larger township, and it don't seem that any of the school-houses were located in this particular section of it. The 'boys and girls' of that date, any of them that I have talked to, seem to have got their 'larnin" in what are now Fawn and West Deer townships, Tarentum borough, and some of them in the wilds of Butler county. There does not seem to have been a schoolhouse within the present limits of our township in 1822. About 1825 or 1830, the first house was built, situated on the Freeport road, about half a mile west of John Harrison's; a log building; with clap-board roof, the clap-boards being not nailed on, but ' rafted on' with timbers laid across their ends. The principal patrons of this school were the Karns and Clawson families, now nearly extinct in the township, and the Beales family. "The most noted events in the school, were the energy and enterprise exhibited by the young men, and women, too, in the annual ' barring out.' The 'article' was always drawn with a business exactness, that would have done credit to a modern 'bill of exchange,' and withal so comprehensive in its scope as to insure complete satisfaction with the 'treat' - the tastes of all being consulted. I have learned that not only was the item 'whiskey' invariably down as to quantity, but the ' proof' was specified, and the particular distillery (there were lots of them around) from which it must come. Our primitive school children in this township, I am proud to say, were not devoid of taste. As to the teachers in this original school, I have not the names of any. A characteristic of one of them struck me as being of such an amiable kind, and produced results so pleasing and beneficial, that I hint it to you as being perhaps worthy of resurrection. He was an Irishman, and says my relator, of an afternoon when scholars were getting dull, and time was hanging heavy, he would take off his coat, roll up his sleeves, get out in the middle of the floor, and dance them as beautiful a "jig" as ever you saw in your life." Soon after the passage of the public school act, steps were taken for the formation of a district in this, then Fawn township, and in 1836 three buildings were put up. They occupied the sites of our present three hill schools, and I think it somewhat remarkable that these sites have never since been changed, and that they now seem to be in the 'centers of population.' They were all log, 'chunked and daubed,' and with the clapboard roof mentioned above. 20 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Mr. Washington Beales, a prominent stock importer and raiser in our township, tells me his father was contractor for the upper one, near Freeport, and that they had a "raising," finishing and roofing the building in one day, and a big dance in it the same evening. The first teacher in the upper, or No. 1 school, was James Newman. I have been unable to learn the names of any others. In regard to the "examing committees," I find that when any examination was made the board did it, and it was confined mainly to ascertaining the applicant's ability to make or mend a pen. If the board satisfied themselves that an applicant would be equal to the emergency on every occasion in the school-room (and these occasions were very frequent,) when a pen "let down too much" or "didn't let down enough," and if he wasn't too high-toned on the question of salary, he was pretty sure to pass. In those days "No women need apply." The "growth of the system" has perhaps been slow, up to what you find it today. Patton Township. Doctor Robinson says: "The first school-house in Patton was built in 1796, on what is known as the Johnston farm, one mile east of Monroeville. Thomas Harriss, David H. Martin, and Ephraim Robinson were among the first teachers. They were paid four dollars per pupil for a term of twelve months. When the school numbered twenty-five scholars, the teachers kept an "open school," i.e:, additional scholars were not charged. The school law of 1834 was accepted immediately, and the first directors were Joel Monroe, Matthew Snodgrass, and William Filbrook. Among the first teachers were James Watt, Thomas Evans, McDowell, Thomas Petrie, and Charles Haney. A select school, known as "Tranquil Retreat," was founded by the Reverend Doctor Gill, in 1827. Thomas Sproul, D. D., Doctor Beatty, Honorable Thomas Mellon, Honorable Judge Sutton, Thomas McConnell, Esquire, Doctor William Miller, and Doctor James Duff, were educated at this school. The school was continued until the death of Reverend Gill, in 1846. Wilkins Township. Wilkins was erected from, a part of Pitt, in November, 1821. It was named from Judge Wilkins. Subscription schools, taught in log huts, were common from 1790. Probably the earliest house was located on a farm owned by one Horner, near the present city limits. The law of 1834 was nearly defeated. Mr. James Kelly, Reverend Jams Graham, James Morrow, John Morrow, Charles Snively, Emanuel Stotler, Colonel Hawkins, Isaac Mills, and the families .of Johnstons and Wilsons were the firm supporters of the law. James Graham, Emanuel Stotler, Christopher Snively, James Kelly, David Gilleland, and John Stoner, were the first directors. Reverend James Graham was the examiner for many years. Mr. James Kelly has been a school director in the township almost consecutively for forty years. Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 21 The present directors in this township are among the most liberal in the county. Their schools will compare favorably with the best district schools in the State. Bellevue Borough School District - A Retrospect. Until a few years ago what is now known as Bellevue borough was literally in the woods. Towards the close of the war, however, there was an influx from the cities to this undulating and. picturesque locality, which, at that time, formed the southern boundary of Ross township. With this inflow, a desire for increased educational facilities was manifested. At that time a small brick building, containing one room, in which the pupils yearly went through a six months' routine of tangled studies, was all the means possessed for the intellectual development of the children of the district. To improve this condition of things it was thought desirable that the district should be formed into a borough, and a new order of things established. Within the prescribed limits there were, all told, about two hundred inhabitants. The necessary measures were then taken, and a borough and new school district were formed. On the 17th of September, 1867, the first meeting of directors was held, the following persons having been declared elected, by the voters of the borough, to fill that position: William Roseburgh, Richard Straw, John Snodgrass, Thomas Bakewell, J. J. East, Hugh Claney. The board having organized by the election of Thomas Bakewell for president and John Snodgrass for secretary, at once proceeded to business. As the population of the borough was rapidly increasing, the erection of a new school-building, in a central location, was regarded as a necessity. Here, however, a difference of opinion arose as to what kind of structure should be built those who had long resided in the locality desiring a wooden edifice, suitable for the immediate wants of the borough; the other, and larger portion, who, until recently, had been city residents, being in favor of a building which should meet not only the immediate, but also the prospective needs of the district. James M. Balph, a well known architect in western Pennsylvania, was instructed to prepare plans, the one adopted being of brick, having a plain, but handsome, facade and cupola; a basement, the greater part of which is 8 feet high; two rooms on the first floor, each 35x30 feet, connected with which are two small anterooms and a hall on the second floor, 35x60, the height of the ceiling being 15 feet. The building thus constructed is admitted to be one of the most imposing and beautiful suburban school structures in the State. On the 9th of November, 1868, the new school building was opened, the school session having been fixed for six months, and J. J. Snodgrass elected the teacher, at a salary of eighty dollars per month. Only one room was famished, the average attendance at that time being fifty scholars. This condition of things continued until the commencement of the school year of 1869, when another room was opened, and an additional teacher appointed, the school year being fixed at nine months instead of six months; 22 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, the salaries of the teachers fixed at eighty dollars and thirty-five dollars per month. The large room, or hall, was now used on the Sabbath by the Presbyterians for religious services, a rent being paid for such use, while during the week it was occasionally engaged for concerts and lectures. The directors felt that gatherings such as these must exert a salutary influence, instructing, edifying, and elevating the popular taste, and if such a result must accrue from such assemblages, they felt that no error had been committed in thus providing facilities for the intellectual growth of the district. The population still increasing in 1876, what had been known as the public hall was furnished with moveable school furniture, and occupied by the principal and the advanced pupils. Teachers were now in charge of each of the rooms; the session was fixed at nine months; the salaries at eighty dollars, forty-five dollars, and forty dollars per month; and the average attendance had increased to one hundred and thirty scholars. It is now proposed that for the coming winter, night-schools shall be established, in which not only the common branches of an English education shall be taught, but also for a small extra fee, German, Latin, and book-keeping. The directors accept the fact that it is better to prevent than punish crime, and that he is a true benefactor to his race who uses his best endeavors to so cultivate the moral and intellectual faculties of the rising generation, that they shall eventually become useful and virtuous members of the community. Such then is a brief resume of the rise and progress of the educational interests of the borough of Bellevue. Aetna Borough. This section has always been favored with enterprising inhabitants - with some persons whose views were ahead of the masses. The influence of those has aided largely in promoting educational interest. The territory now known as Aetna borough formerly constituted a part of Indiana township, and subsequently belonged to Shaler township. By the latter arrangement, part of Etna was left without suitable school accommodations. Joseph Lee offered to donate a tract of land for school purposes, providing the other citizens would erect the building. A building committee, consisting of Messrs. Hieber, Sutters, and Stewart, was appointed, and the cost of the school-house defrayed by subscriptions; but afterward the township paid a portion, and assumed control. In a few years another story was added to the building, and the school divided into two departments. About 1830 school lore was disseminated in a small frame building situated in what is now known as Pine Creek. In this school-house John McKay, an Irish Catholic, did some effective teaching, and was patronized by Protestants as well as Catholics. His terms were two dollars per quarter. Thirty pupils were considered sufficient to constitute a good school, though that number was seldom obtainable. Young men were in the habit of subscribing, so as to insure sufficient remuneration to justify the can- Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 23 didate to open school. Poor families, if unable to pay the tuition for their children, were privileged to take the benefit of such subscriptions. After this building was vacated, the school was, first, taken to a small brick school-house, then to a larger one. In those buildings schools were taught by Messrs. Curr, Campbell, McCauley, Frizell, and Lee. Samuel McCauley has the honor of being one of the first teachers in this place, under the free school system, and William Barnes the first in the building erected upon the tract donated by Joseph Lee. Mrs. Adlington was the first lady teacher employed. She taught the primary department, and her husband the grammar department, about 1850. In 1869, when incorporated, Aetna contained two school buildings; the one erected in 1857, containing four rooms, the other but one. In 1875, the school board, Messrs. Calvert, Hieber, Zoerb, Boertzler, Kurtz, and Weissert, erected a magnificent three-story building. In January, 1876, the pupils of the Aetna schools had the satisfaction of occupying a school-building second to none in the county; and in December, 1876, the first volumes of the public school library were distributed. It is with a just and noble pride that directors, patrons, and pupils point to their educational facilities. Institutes. In 1854 some of the teachers of Reserve, (then Ross,) Shaler, and McCandless townships, formed themselves into a "Teachers' Association for Mutual Improvement." and agreed to meet tri-weekly in the different school- houses, and formed themselves into a class, to be taught by one of their number previously appointed to this duty. They were ambitious to make themselves an honor to the profession of their choice. In addition to the class drills, the meetings always ended in a lively debate on some such subjects as: "The Best Methods of Cultivating Thought;" "he Best Methods of Governing Schools;" "The Best Methods of Grading and Classifying Schools;" "The Necessity of a Uniform System of Text Books;" "The Necessity of Black-board Surface," etc., etc. This association continued for several years, and was a great benefit to the members and to the common schools in this part of the county. Teachers' Institute. The first association of teachers of any note in this county was the "Allegheny County Educational Association." It was organized in the year 1850, and met monthly during the school term of ten months. It continued its existence with considerable vitality until the year 1868, a period of seventeen years. It did, to some extent, the work of an institute, as most of the time of its meetings was devoted to lectures on methods of teaching and school management, and the discussion of questions relating to the teacher's work. Teachers' meetings, under the name of institutes, were not held in this county until the law providing for county superintendents had been some 24 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, time in force. It was generally understood that the holding of institutes was a part of the superintendent's official duty. At a meeting of the county association, held July 1, 1854, one month after the first superintendents had been commissioned, the following resolution, after having been discussed, was unanimously passed: "Resolved, That the holding of teachers' institutes is the most efficient means of making the office of county superintendent beneficial to our schools." James Prior was the first superintendent of this county. He took no interest in teachers' meetings, and hence announced it as his intention to call no institutes. After six months' service, he resigned. B. M. Kerr was appointed to serve the remainder of the term. Mr. Kerr was an enthusiastic teacher, and very popular with the teachers. He held two meetings of the teachers during each year, which were called institutes. They were well attended, and quite profitable. Mr. Kerr was succeeded in office by Rev. C. W. Quick. During his administration, one institute meeting was held. His relations with his teachers were far from being harmonious, and hence he was not desirous of frequently meeting them in a body. The next superintendent was A. T. Douthett, who served five terms. He was a good institute man. Early in his administration the county institute attained a regular organization. A constitution was adopted, which provided for semi- annual meetings, and permanent officers were chosen. To make the meetings profitable, the best available teaching talent was secured for the purpose of giving instruction, and the teachers were urged to attend. These efforts were attended with success, and institutes became popular. In 1867, was passed the law establishing the county institute as it now exists. Previously such meetings were voluntary, and the expenses were borne by the teachers themselves. This law makes it the duty of the superintendent to hold a county institute annually, which shall continue in session at least five days, and provides for an appropriation by the county, not exceeding two hundred dollars, to pay expenses. Of the literal provisions of this law, the teachers, headed by the superintendent, availed themselves with alacrity. The teachers themselves frequently contributed from three to five hundred dollars, which, together with the county appropriation, enabled them to conduct their institute in a very liberal and efficient manner. Not less than two, and sometimes three, of the best institute lecturers in the country were employed to give instruction at the same meeting, and the number of teachers in attendance frequently reached five hundred. The meetings were very popular, and largely attended by the citizens of Pittsburg, where they were held. The exercises, also, assumed a character more in accordance with the popular idea of a teachers' institute. It is generally held that the institute should be in some sort of a school, where teachers may obtain, to some extent, a professional training, and hence the exercises should consist, not of instruction only, but of recita- Ex. Doc.] ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 25 tion as well. Before the present law took effect, no attempt at recitations was made at the county institute. At the district institute recitations were practicable, and were practiced. Under the new regime the recitation feature was introduced, class drills were conducted with some success in the county institute, still, the recitation exercises, though not a failure, were not a great success. A large class of pupils, strangers to each other and to their teacher, cannot proceed with a recitation without much disagreeable friction. The present superintendent has been in office since the last triennial election. He is a firm believer in the great value of well-conducted institutes. During his administration, of a little more than two years, three annual institutes have been held, which for ability of instructors, attendance of teachers, and general interest among the people, will not suffer in comparison with any that preceded. Allegheny County Teachers' Association. It seemed patent to the county superintendent and others, that a better harmony of school work was needed throughout the county, and that the methods of instruction might be much improved by a frequent conference of the teachers; accordingly, a county teachers' organization, which convened once a month, was organized in September of the past school year. The attendance given, and the professional zeal manifested at these meetings far surpassed the expectations of the most sanguine. When it is remembered that this is the first effort of the kind in this section, that this is a large county, the territory very hilly, and that many of the extreme parts have no railroad communication with the city where the meetings are held, it certainly augurs thorough work, a glorious future for our public schools. A light put upon a candlestick cannot be hid, neither can some of the good results already making themselves manifest throughout the county. What was at first an experiment, has grown into a necessity. It is the teachers' experience meeting. The young teacher comes to be instructed; the experienced and successful one to instruct; all come to exchange views and lighten each other's burdens. The superintendent meets his teachers monthly, face to face; answers questions, gives friendly advice, and is instrumental in promoting uniformity throughout his jurisdiction. In closing this report, which for want of proper time has been collected and written very hastily, I desire to extend my thanks to Professor Andrew Burt, Professor Gross, George Quail, Esquire, James B. Duff, Esquire, John Donaldson, Professor Dummett, H. Elliott McBride, J. J. East, and others, who have rendered me invaluable service in the collection and preparation of this report.