Knox County TN Archives History - Books .....Educational Matters - Chapter XVI, Part 2 1900 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com September 12, 2005, 2:21 pm Book Title: Standard History Of Knoxville Hampden-Sidney Academy was established under the provisions of the congressional act of 1806, which has already been referred to under the history of the University of Tennessee. This act gave to the state of Tennessee 100,000 acres of land, the proceeds of the sale of which were to be devoted to the endowment and maintenance of one academy in each county of the state, the name of the academy established in Knox county being as above. This academy was incorporated with the following trustees: Nathaniel Cowan, John Crozier, Thomas Humes, John Adair and George McNutt. To these trustees there were added the next year the following: Isaac Anderson. Samuel G. Ramsey, Robert Houston, Francis H. Ramsey, and John Sawyers. By an act of 1811 the number of trustees was still further increased by the addition of Thomas McCorry, George Wilson, James Park, Thomas Emmerson, Hugh L. White, and John Hillsman. The board of trustees was organized for the first time April 4, 1812, Hugh L. White being elected president; George Wilson, secretary, and Thomas Emmerson, treasurer. At this same meeting steps were taken to procure suitable teachers for the academy, and as William Park was about to go to Philadelphia, he was requested to select a principal and an assistant teacher. His instructions were as follows as to the kind of president he was to select: "A president of the academy is wanted, who must be a good scholar, capable of teaching the Latin and Greek languages and the sciences. He must, moreover, be a man of genteel deportment and unexceptional moral character. A minister of talent and a considerable show of eloquence would be greatly preferred, and especially one who has heretofore taught with success. To an able teacher the trustees propose to give a salary of $800 per annum." As to the assistant he "must be a man of good moral character, capable of teaching reading, writing, English grammar and arithmetic. One who understands surveying and bookkeeping, also, would be preferred. To such a man the trustees will engage to pay a salary of $500 per annum." The reasons for offering these low salaries were given as follows: "The salubrity of the climate and the cheapness of living render the proposed salaries equal to much larger ones in most places to the eastward." These preliminaries having been taken, everything seemed to be in readiness for the opening of the academy, but for various reasons it was not opened until January 1, 1817, under the principalship of David A. Sherman, a graduate of Yale college. The building used was that of the East Tennessee College, which had been suspended then since 1809, when occurred the death of President Carrick. Some of the original subscribers to the support of this educational enterprise were John Crozier, Thomas Humes, Hugh L. White, Joseph C. Strong, Pleasant M. Miller and Calvin Morgan, each of whom gave $100. In October, 1820, when the trustees of East Tennessee College decided to put their institution again into operation, they elected David A. Sherman president, and Hampden-Sidney Academy and East Tennessee College were united, and from that time on until 1830 the academy had no separate existence. In October, 1830, the trustees of the academy reorganized under a new charter granted by the legislature, electing Dr. Joseph C. Strong president, H. Brown secretary, and James H. Cowan treasurer. This reorganized board secured the services of Perez Dickinson as teacher, he being a young man then recently arrived from Massachusetts, and the academy was reopened in the old college building. Mr. Dickinson remained in charge of the academy until 1832, when he resigned. During the following summer a lot was purchased on Locust street, from Hugh L. McClung, upon which a frame, two-story building for the use of the academy was erected; but the academy did not prosper, and in 1834 it was suspended. By an act of the general assembly passed in 1818 there was appropriated $18,000 annually for the use of county academies, and the trustees determined to reopen Hampden-Sidney. The building having been repaired the academy was again opened, in November, 1839, with Rev. N. A. Penland as principal, who remained nearly two years, when he was succeeded by William D. Carnes, who resigned in October, 1842. From that time on until 1846 the principals were W. S. Williams, J. H. Lawrence and M. Rowley, and in May, 1846, the academy was consolidated with a public school which had been established in Knoxville. This arrangement, however, did not prove satisfactory, and at the expiration of one year the two schools were separated. In October, 1847, Rev. Mr. Elwell became the principal, remaining until 1850, when he was followed by John B. Mitchell. In 1850 a new charter was obtained and the board of trustees was reorganized with William Swan, president; Joseph L. King, secretary, and James H. Cowan, treasurer. In 1852 Mr. Mitchell accepted a position as teacher in the East Tennessee University, and from that time on until the beginning of the Civil war the academy was in session but a short time. At the close of the war a school was opened in the building by J. K. Payne, but he soon went to the university. March 22, 1866, a few of the old trustees met and reorganized by electing William Heiskell president and James Roberts secretary and treasurer. September 3, 1866, the academy was once more opened, this time by M. C. Wilcox, who continued in charge until January, 1868. The property was then leased for one year to the university for the use of the preparatory department. In 1871 the lot and building were sold, and a new lot at the corner of State and Reservoir (now Commerce) streets was purchased at a cost of $2,500, and in 1876 the erection of a three-story brick building was begun and completed in 1877, which was then rented to the city for the use of the public schools, at a merely nominal rent, and has been so used ever since. The Knoxville Female Academy was established in 1827, an organization being effected on April 26, by a number of enterprising gentlemen, of which Joseph C. Strong was elected chairman and F. S. Heiskell secretary, and committees were appointed to secure a suitable building and teachers for the proposed seminary. The school began operations in the following September, with John Davis principal, and Mrs. Davis, Miss Morse and Miss Littleford, assistants. In October of the same year the academy was incorporated by the legislature, with the following board of trustees: F. S. Heiskell, William C. Mynatt, William S. Howell, S. D.Jacobs, A. McMillan, Dr. Joseph C. Strong, Hugh L. White, Robert King. Robert Houston, Matthew McClung, Calvin Morgan, William B. Reese, M. Nelson, James King, James McNutt, James Park and Daniel McIntosh. Two lots adjoining each other on Main street were donated for the uses of the academy by Dr. Joseph C. Strong and Matthew McClung, upon which a building was erected at a cost of about $3,000, and which was completed in January, 1829, John Crozier and Charles McClung each contributing $200, and several others contributing $100 each. John Davis having resigned the principalship he was succeeded by Joseph Estabrook, a graduate of Dartmouth College, under whose management the institution was very successful. Principal Estabrook, in 1834, being elected to the presidency of East Tennessee College, Henry Herrick became the principal of the academy, remained in charge until 1838, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Townsend. Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church having proposed to patronize the school on condition of being permitted to share in its control, a meeting of the trustees was held in September, 1841, to take this proposition under consideration. The arrangement made was that the conference should appoint four of the thirteen trustees, to which number the trustees were raised, and that the conference should also appoint a board of nine visitors, the trustees and the board of visitors to constitute a joint board for the election of teachers, the academy being thus in effect transferred to the conference. Rev. J. E. Douglass of Alabama was elected principal and under his management the academy was reopened September 1, 1842. Rev. Mr. Douglass resigned at the end of one year and was succeeded by Rev. D. R. McAnally, under whose management the institution was unusually prosperous. In 1846 the charter was so amended as to permit the conferring of degrees, the name was changed to the East Tennessee Female Institute, and in 1847 a movement was started to sever the connection of the institution with the Holston Conference, which movement was at length successful, and the institution again placed under the control of the old board of trustees. The first graduates from the institute were Margaret H. White, Isabella M. White, Theodosia A. Findley, and Harriet A. Parker, each of whom in 1850 received the degree of "Mistress of Polite Literature." In 1851 Rev. Mr. Me Anally resigned the principalship, and there was considerable difficulty in securing a successor. J. R. Dean was at length elected, remaining in charge until 1856, in which year he was succeeded by R. L. Kirkpatrick, who remained in charge until the beginning of the war. After the war the institute was again opened, three trustees, Thomas W. Humes, Horace Maynard and George M. White accepting a proposition from John F. Spence to open a school, provided the building were restored to its former uses by the provost marshal. During the spring of 1866 the school was again in session, and Mr. Spence remained two years. From that time until 1881 the school was not in session, and in this year the building was leased by the board of education for a girls' high school, and was used for this purpose until 1885. From that time on until 1888 Mrs. Lizzie C. French conducted therein a flourishing female seminary. In the years 1889 and 1890 a new building for this institute was erected on Main street, No. 702, which building is one of the finest school buildings in Knoxville. The building is of brick, the main part being three stories high above the basement. The rooms are large, well lighted and ventilated, and are well supplied with apparatus, books and maps for teaching languages, science, art and history. The principal of this institute since 1890 has been Charles C. Ross, the other teachers at the present time being Miss Emma Jane Oram, Miss Cora M. Stearns, Miss Florence Young and Miss Mary Ogden. There are eighty pupils in attendance. The departments of study are as follows: Kindergarten, primary, preparatory, collegiate and modern languages. The trustees of the school at the present time, together with the officers, are as follows: J. F. J. Lewis, president:* H. L. McClung. Jr., secretary; A. P. White, treasurer: C. M. McClung, James H. Cowan, C. S. Newman, W. W. Woodruff, E. J. Sanford, Lewis Tillman and C. M. McGhee. *Since deceased and vacancy has not been filled. Knoxville College, like most other schools for the children of colored parents, traces its origin to the results of the Civil war. In September, 1862, under the auspices of three presbyteries of the United Presbyterian church, Rev. J. G. McKee opened a school for negroes that flocked into Nashville. This school grew and prospered until the death of Rev. Mr. McKee in 1868. The United Presbyterian church had also other schools for colored children in the South, and at this time it resolved to concentrate on one school, and to elevate the character of that one school by adding thereto the normal feature. In carrying out this idea the general assembly of the church in June, 1869, recommended its board of missions to freedmen to proceed as soon as possible to the establishment of a normal school somewhere in the South, and authorized it to draw upon the church for the necessary funds. But the project was not easily realized, and it was not until 1874 that it was revived with hopes of success. Knoxville appearing to be the most promising location, the Nashville school was removed to Knoxville in September, 1875, and was opened in a building which had been used as a freedmen's school. The new building erected for the use of this school contained nine rooms for teachers and seven for recitations and was dedicated September 4, 1876, the address being delivered by Rev. R. B. Ewing, D. D. The first principal of the school in Knoxville was Rev. J. P. Wright, assisted by Rev. S. B. Reed, Miss Aggie Wallace and Mattie M. Baldridge. The school opened in this new building September 5, 1876. The name of the institution became Knoxville College, and at the end of one year Rev. J. S. McCullough. D. D., became president and has retained the position ever since. Miss Eliza B. Wallace was lady principal from the opening of the school in Knoxville until her death. December 12, 1897. Besides the main building erected as above stated in 1876, other buildings have been erected as required by the growth of the school. In 1887 a Little Girls' Home and in 1890 a Little Boys' Home were erected, in which children from six to thirteen years of age are cared for. In 1891 this college had an enrollment of 313, ten of whom were state normal students. The property consists of 224 acres of land and three main buildings, besides other buildings, enumerated later on in this sketch, and it is all valued at more than $100,000, the chief support of the institution being received through the board of missions to freedmen of the United Presbyterian church, amounting to about S7,000 per annum. In 1892 this college was made virtually the colored department of the University of Tennessee. The object of this college is to fit young men and women with a substantial, practical education. The primary school with kindergarten covers three years of study. The training school follows with four years. The normal school occupies four years more and fits a student for college work, and he then has the choice of the literary course, two years; the agricultural course, three years; the mechanical course, four years: the scientific course, three years; the classical course, five years; the theological course, three years, and the medical course, three years. Besides instruction is given in music, art, military science, etc. The buildings, located on a rise of ground about two miles west of Knoxville on the Clinton pike, are as follows: The college building, 119x75 feet in size, with an extension 61x43 feet, and is two stories high, contains seventeen rooms, besides a chapel, with a seating capacity of 600. The McCullough Hall, an L, one front of which is ninety feet and the other seventy-five feet, the depth being forty-three feet. It is three stories high, and contains forty-five rooms in addition to laundry and bath rooms. Elnathan Hall, rebuilt in 1897-98, to take the place of old Elnathan Hall, burned down December 15. 1896. This is a four-story building, with sleeping and study rooms for sixty girls, and kitchen and dining rooms capable of accommodating 200. It is 90x40 feet, with a rear extension 47x58 feet. Each floor of this building has bath rooms with hot and cold water. The Little Girls' Home, three stories high, is 60x40 feet in size, and contains study rooms, kitchen and dining room accommodations for fifty girls. The Little Boys' Home is of the same dimensions as the Little Girls' Home. In these two buildings children from six to sixteen years of age are taken care of for an almost nominal sum. The Industrial building is two stories high, 61x40 feet, and has a one-story rear extension 30x50 feet. It is equipped for instruction in agriculture and mechanics, including printing. Four cottages afford homes for the families of the president, professors and others connected with the institution. Four of the main buildings are heated by steam, and all except one cottage are lighted by electricity furnished by a dynamo run by the students. Boarding and tuition cost each student $6.50 per month, and during vacation $1.50 per week. The girls in this college are required to dress alike, in order to prevent any feeling of superiority or inferiority among them and to promote economy. According to agreement with the University of Tennessee all colored students over fifteen years of age have free tuition, provided they are able to enter any class above the second normal year. As showing the elevation in study to which the colored students attain in the scientific and classical courses, the courses for the senior years are given, as follows: Senior Scientific—First term: German, Moral Philosophy, and Chemistry. Second term: German, Mental Philosophy and Chemistry. Third term: German, Mental Philosophy, Chemistry, and Church History —one lesson per week through the year. Senior Classical—Moral Philosophy, Political Economy and Science of Government, Mental Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Geology, Logic, and Evidences of Christianity, Church history—one lesson a week throughout the year. Knoxville College is under the care of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, and is sustained mainly by contributions from the various congregations through the board of missions to the freedmen. It welcomes students of good moral character, without regard to sex, color, or denomination. BOARD OF CONTROL. Rev. Joseph Kyle. D. D., Allegheny, Pa. Rev. D. A. McClenahan, D. D., Allegheny, Pa. J. J. Porter, Esq., Pittsburg. Pa. Rev. D. W. Carson, D. D., Burgettstown, Pa. Rev. W. H. McMillan, D. D., Allegheny, Pa. Rev. D. F. McGill, D. D., Allegheny, Pa. H. J. Murdoch, Esq., Treasurer, Pittsburg, Pa. Peter Dick, Esq., Pittsburg, Pa. Rev. R. H. Park, Valencia, Pa. Rev. J. W. Witherspoon. D. D., Cor. Sec., Allegheny, Pa. Following is the faculty of the college at the present time (January, 1899): Rev. J. S. McCulloch, D. D., President, Professor of Mental, Moral, and Political Science. Rev. J. R. Millin, A. M., Principal of Theological Department. Rev. R. J. Love, A. M., Ph. D., Principal Normal Department and German. Miss E. Belle Kerr, Principal of Training and Primary Departments. A. G. Boal. A. B., Greek and Latin. L. M. Wright. A. B., Agriculture and Chemistry. W. G. Purdy, C. E., [Mechanical Arts and Mathematics. George LeRoy Brown (Captain Eleventh Infantry, U. S. A.). Military Science and Tactics. Mrs. Ida M. French. English. Miss Matilda Wishart, B. S., Physiology and Mathematics. Miss Agnes Wishart, B. M., Music. Miss M. Irena Kerr, Teacher of Dress Making and Sewing. Miss Grace D. Long, Training School. Miss Maude Brooks, A. B., Primary Work. Miss Jennie McCahon, Bible Reader. Miss Emma Pinkerton, Matron. Miss Maggie McDill, Superintendent of Little Girls' Home. Miss Anna Rutherford, Superintendent of Little Boys' Home. Mrs. Mary Wallace, Matron McCulloch Hall. Miss H. A. Kerr, Matron Elnathan Hall. R. M. Ginter, Director Printing Department. The faculty of the medical department of this college is as follows: Rev. J. S. McCullough, D. D., president; E. L. Randall, M. D., theory and practice of medicine and surgery; A. C. Edwards, M. D., anatomy and histology; W. H. Moore, M. D., physiology and obstetrics; John C. Clear, M. D., materia medica. therapeutics and gynecology; W. W. Derrick, M. D., chemistry and physical diagnosis, and J. C. Ford, attorney, medical jurisprudence. The University School was established in 1889, by Lewis M. G. Baker, M. A., and Charles M. Himel, both of the University of Virginia, who came to Knoxville upon the invitation of several prominent citizens of the place upon a guarantee of $2,000 for the first year. During this first year the school was kept in a rented building on Main street, just west of High street, and a three-story brick building was erected on Highland avenue between Third and Fourth streets, which, on March 23. 1893, was destroyed by fire. During this year a new building was erected at the southeast corner of Highland avenue and Fourth street, four stories high, of brick, and at a cost of $12,000, including furniture. A large lot was purchased on the northwest corner of the same streets, on which a large dining hall was erected, and the entire property of the school is now worth $25,000. The object of the University School is to prepare boys for college, and was established to meet a demand in the South for a larger number of schools of this character. During the first year the school had thirty-three students, the second eighty-six, the third, 104, and the fourth, 120. Since then the number of students in attendance here has averaged about 100. The boarding department had at first four boarders, has averaged about twelve and now has ten. The intention of the authorities is to largely increase the numbers in the boarding- department. To this school there are two departments, the preparatory and the academic. The preparatory department is designed for boys from eight to thirteen years of age, and the academic department is designed to receive pupils who have completed the preparatory course. Students completing the academic course are admitted without further examination to the University of Tennessee, the University of Virginia, and to Harvard and Yale colleges. The reputation of this school has become so extensive that it has attracted students from as far north and east as Illinois and Connecticut and as far south as Louisiana and Texas. This school was incorporated December 24, 1891, by Lewis M. G. Baker, Charles M. Himel, C. S. Newman, J. W. Caldwell and Jacob L. Thomas. Following is the faculty at the present time (January, 1899): Lewis M. G. Baker, M. A., instructor in Latin and Greek: Charles M. Himel, instructor in mathematics: H. D. Hoskins, instructor in history and modern languages; and R. W. Peatross, instructor in English. The main building of this institution contains three stories and a basement. In the first story are the assembly hall, the recitation rooms and cloak rooms: in the second story are an assembly room, recitation room, library and dormitories, and in the third story are dormitories, lavatories and a study hall. The Tennessee Medical College was established in the summer of 1889, securing the use of a building on the corner of Gay and Main streets, which was opened for students September 2 of that year. Dr. C. C. Lancaster was professor of physiology and Dr. Cawood dean, and Dr. R. M. C. Hill professor of materia medica and therapeutics. When the term opened there were present twenty students, the number soon being increased to forty-seven. In March, 1890, eight students received the degree of doctor of medicine. A dental department was early established. At length a lot was secured at the corner of Cleveland and Dameron streets, in the northern part of the city, and in the spring of 1890 the erection of a building was begun on this lot. When completed this building was four stories high above the basement, and it was opened for students December 12, 1890. This building was burned to the ground December 3, 1897, involving a loss of $40,000, the building being valued at $15,000 and the contents at $25,000, the whole amount of insurance being only $10,000. The Tennessee Medical College was incorporated May 20, 1898, the incorporators being Michael Campbell, M. D.; Charles P. McNabb, M. D.; S. M. Miller, M. D.; J. L. Howell, M. D., and B. B. Gates, M. D. The capital stock of the corporation was $20,000 at which it still remains. Under its charter the college was authorized to purchase or receive by gift in addition to the personal property owned by the corporation, real estate for the transaction of its business, and also to purchase and accept any real estate in payment of any debt. The special business for which the incorporation was effected was to open and maintain and operate a medical college In Knoxville in which to teach the knowledge, science and business of medicine and surgery, dentistry and kindred professions, to grant diplomas, confer degrees, and to exercise all other powers lawfully belonging to a medical college. On June 17, 1898, Dr. M. Campbell made application to the board of mayor and aldermen of Knoxville for the use of the Rose avenue school building for the use of the college, which, after the renewal of the application on July 1, by Dr. Miller, was granted, at an annual rental of $250, and occupied October 1, 1898. In the first class of students in this college there are forty-six students; in the second, twenty-four, and in the third, or highest class, twenty. Following are the names of the several members of the faculty of the college, together with the chairs which they respectively fill: Chas. P. McNabb, M. D., Dean. S. M. Miller, M. D.., Registrar. Michael Campbell, M. D., Professor of Mental Diseases. Benj. B. Cates, M. D., Professor Anatomy. S. M. Miller, M. D., Professor Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Harry K. Wingert B. S., Ph. D., M. D., Adjunct Professor Ophthalmology, etc. J. H. Morton, M. D., Professor Physiology. S. L. Jones, M. D., Professor Hygiene. Henry R. Gibson, M. A., LL. D., M. C, Professor Jurisprudence. John L. Howell, M. D., Professor Surgery. J. W. Slocum, Ph. D., Professor Chemistry. S. R. Miller, M. D., Professor Materia Medica and Therapeutics. E. R. Zemp, M. D., Professor Dermatology and Pediatrics. H. P. Coile, M. D., Professor Clinical Medicine. Chas. P. McNabb, M. D., Professor Practice of Medicine. Henry J. Kelso, B. A., M. D., Professor Operative Surgery. Benj. F. Young. M. D., Professor Ophthalmology, etc. W. S. Nash, M. D., Professor Regional and Surgical Anatomy. W. R. Cochrane. M. D., Professor Bacteriology, Histology. Olof Olofsson, Secretary and College Clerk. The Slater Training School for the manual training of colored children was opened in 1885 and incorporated with the following board of trustees: Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Humes, president; E. E. McCroskey, vice-president; Miss Isa E. Gray of Boston, Mass., treasurer; Miss E. L. Austin, secretary; W. S. Mead, C. Seymour, A. S. Jones of Washington, D. C., and Rutherford B. Hayes of Fremont, Ohio. The work of raising funds for the erection of a new building was begun, the citizens of Knoxville contributing $1,000 and friends of the cause in the North contributing nearly $5,000. In 1886 a three-story house was erected and furnished with all the modern improvements. In September of that year the school was opened with 200 pupils, three grades of the city schools being taught in the building, these pupils being required to take a course in the industrial department. A carpenter shop and a printing office were fitted up, and the girls were taught sewing, cooking and housekeeping. There were also established in connection with the school a Young Men's Christian Association and a Shakespeare Club, composed of the teachers of the colored school. The first year of the existence of this school there were four teachers, who were paid $1,385. The total receipts were $2,821.24 and the expenditures $2,398.34. J. B. Williams of Knoxville was the principal; the sewing school was under the control of Jennie McCahen, and the cooking school under Mrs. N. Bedout. The receipts for the year 1886 were $1,534.35 and the expenditures the same. The new building was erected this year, the funds for which were contributed by friends in Knoxville to the amount of $983; by colored people, $97.23: by Boston people, $2,501; Philadelphia, $1,076: New York, $670, a total of $5,327.23. The building was of wood, 40x50 feet in size and three stories above the basement. S. L. Dickson was principal of this school in 1886-87: George W. Deaderick, 1887-88; S. L. Dickson, 1888-91. The receipts of the treasurer of this school, Miss Isa E. Gray, for the year ending April 1, 1888, were $3,712.17, and the expenditures $2,625.65; for the year ending April 1, 1889, the receipts were $4,199.67, and the expenditures, $2,873.19: for the year ending April 1, 1890, the receipts were $4,520.87, and the expenditures $3,166.46, and for the year ending April 1, 1891, the receipts were $4,910.05, and the expenditures $4,645.42. The year 1891 was the last of the Slater Training School. Miss Emily L. Austin had then been working as teacher among the colored pupils of Knoxville for a little more than twenty years, coming here in 1870. From the nature of the case and the preconceived sentiments and opinions of the people in reference to the education of colored people, her labors for the first few years were not of the most pleasant kind; but she persevered and her devoted and self-sacrificing work was continued until she saw the Austin School a success, and the Slater Training School firmly established. The building in which this latter school was held became, in 1891, the property of the American Missionary Association, which association has carried on the same work so nobly begun by Miss Austin. During the year 1890-91 the little housekeepers' class was under the control of Mrs. Greenwood; the cooking school under Julia A. Williamson, and the carpenter shop was conducted by Mr. Whisenant, who came here from Talladega, Ala. There were also given lessons in vocal music and in drawing. Miss Austin, in her farewell report on the Slater School, said: "I came a stranger to Knoxville a little more than twenty-one years ago. and many persons there know how it was in those days, and what the feeling was toward the 'Yankee teacher,' but it has been many years since I have felt that any one regarded me in any way different from a native Tennesseean." She spoke very kindly of J. A. Rayl, E. E. McCroskey, Albert Ruth, Charles Seymour, Dr. J. H. Frazee, S. C. Roney and the Young Men's Christian Association for the manner in which they had all aided her and tried to make her labors lighter. Miss Austin died in Philadelphia, Pa., May 4, 1897. On June 20, 1897, memorial services were held in her honor in Logan Temple, the building filled with colored people who wished to testify their appreciation of her labors for them. The meeting was presided over by Principal J. W. Manning of the Austin School, and addresses were made by Dr. John H. Frazee, E. E. McCroskey, S. C. Roney, Rev. Isaac Emory and J. W. Manning. A series of resolutions was adopted expressive of the loss the colored people had sustained, and it was resolved to place in the Austin building a tablet to her memory inscribed as follows: In Memory of MISS EMILY L. AUSTIN. Born October 1, 1829; died May 4, 1897. Founder of the Austin School of Knoxville, Tenn., and for thirty years a devoted friend of the freedmen, fearless of criticism, shrinking from no duty, unswerving in fidelity, coveting on Divine approval. She is gratefully remembered by those whose elevation she sought by educating mind and heart. "She has done what she could." Knoxville public schools had their origin in 1870, on the 16th of December of which year the mayor and board of aldermen appointed a committee, consisting of W. A. Henderson, J. A. Rayl, and J. R. Mitchell, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a system of free schools. At the next meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen the committee made a favorable report, and on January 21, 1871, the matter was submitted to the people and was carried by a vote of 433 to 162. A tax of one mill on the dollar was levied for the support of the public schools, and a board consisting of J. A. Rayl, chairman; W. A. Henderson, and Dr. John M. Boyd was appointed to inaugurate the system. Although much pressed with their own private affairs, these gentlemen gave the subject thorough study, and frequently met for consultation, being assisted in their deliberations by John K. Payne, professor of mathematics in East Tennessee University. Aided by Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Humes the committee procured aid from the Peabody fund to the extent of $2,000, and as soon as suitable buildings could be procured the schools were opened September 4, 1871, in nine houses situated in various parts of the city, with about 1,000 children in attendance. During the first year the schools were in session ten months, fifteen teachers being employed. In the summer of 1872 the Bell House, originally erected for hotel purposes, at 220 Main street, was secured at a cost of $5,500. The necessary repairs and alterations were made, and with greatly improved facilities for grading, the school was opened in this building in September, 1872. Twenty teachers were employed, several of whom had taught during the preceding year. Until December, 1873, the schools were conducted by a committee appointed by the mayor, this committee consisting of members of the city council holding their offices for one year. On the 12th of December of this year the council passed an ordinance creating a board of education, consisting of five persons, to be elected by the city council for a term of five years, one member retiring each year, there being thus at all times a board of education experienced in the management of the schools, and familiar with their needs. The first board consisted of J. A. Rayl, chairman; Charles D. McGuffey, secretary; J. W. Gaut, treasurer; F. A. Reeve and W. W. Woodruff. On July 24, 1874, F. A. Reeve tendered his resignation as a member of the board of education, and Matthew McClung was elected to fill the vacancy thus caused. September 19, 1874, a petition was received from Catholic citizens calling attention to the fact that they had erected a school-house on Summit Hill, capable of accommodating a large number of children, which building had been erected at great expense, and as they did not expect any aid from the city in the shape of donations or salaries of teachers, fuel, etc., they would ask the board of aldermen to make them a donation from the city funds to aid them in providing furniture suitable for said building. Upon motion of Alderman Albers the board appropriated $400 toward said purpose, and appointed a committee of three—Lewis, Albers and O'Connor to supervise the disbursement of the money thus donated. In 1874 a new schoolhouse was erected at 311 Morgan street, at a cost of $6,000, and a school named the Peabody School was established, and in 1877 the trustees of the Hampden-Sidney Academy erected a new building at 304 State street, which they tendered to the board of education for the use of the public schools, in which the next year a school for girls was opened. In 1881, the schools again having become crowded, the trustees of the East Tennessee Female Institute offered their building on Main street to the board of education, and in it a girls' high school was opened. This building was thus used until 1885, when the girls' high school was transferred to a business block at the corner of Church and Gay streets. In 1886 a very fine public school building was erected at 431 Walnut street for the accommodation of girls from the third to the tenth grades inclusive. This is a three-story brick building, well-fitted and furnished, and cost $35,000. January 1, 1883, when the ninth ward was admitted into the corporation, graded schools were opened therein in a building previously erected, and this is now a part of the system of public schools. It was doubtless greatly to the advantage to the public school system of Knoxville that they had at the beginning such a clear-headed and broad-minded man as president of the board of education. In his report to the board of mayor and aldermen, submitted August 15, 1874, he presented the following paragraph on the character of the schools: "From the first day that the schools went into operation it has been an inflexible rule with those having them in charge, and fully endorsed by the people, 'that no teacher shall be allowed to teach sectarian views in religion or partisan or sectional views in politics.' " If any violation of this rule has occurred it has not been with the knowledge or consent of the board of education. On the other hand, while thoroughly in sympathy with the idea that all children should be fully instructed in moral and religious truth, yet the main idea in public free schools is to give to every child the opportunity of getting a good practical secular education, leaving to the parents and the churches the duty of training up their children in the principles of our holy religion, and especially of teaching the peculiar tenets of their denomination. With such teaching the schools can have nothing to do, and it is the sense of every friend of popular education that they should not attempt it. But educate white and black, rich and poor, Catholic and Protestant, exactly alike, giving no advantage to the one that you do not give to the other, and making all conform to exactly the same rules." The several superintendents of the schools of Knoxville have been as follows: Alexander Baird, 1871-75; H. T. Morton, 1876-77; R. D'S. Robertson, 1877-81; Albert Ruth, 1881-97; J. H. McCallie, 1897 to the present time. The members of the board of education since the first election, thus recorded, together with the dates of the expiration of their several terms of office, have been as follows: W. P. Washburn, 1877 and 1881: J. W. Gaut, 1878: J. A. Rayl, 1871 to 1874, 1879, 1881, 1883, 1893 and 1896: James Comfort, 1880: J. L. Lloyd, 1881: T. L. Moses, 1879 and 1884; Leon Jourolmon, 1880: E. J. Sanford, 1882 and 1887; E. E. McCroskey, 1885, 1890, 1895 and 1900: H. H. Ingersoll, 1886 and 1891; N. S. Woodward, 1888: J. H. Cruze, 1889, 1894 and 1899; William H. Lillard, 1892; Sam House, 1893; William M. Baxter, 1896; John Williams, 1897; M. J. Condon, 1898 and 1902; William Epps, 1901. The officers of the board of education have been as follows: Presidents—J. A. Rayl, 1871-1881; E. J. Sanford, 1881-85; Henry H. Ingersoll, 1885-87; E. E. McCroskey, 1887-99. Secretary-Treasurer—James Comfort, 1871-76; W. P. Washburn, 1877-81; E. E. McCroskey, 1881-87. Secretary—H. H. Ingersoll, 1888-89; William H. Lillard, 1889-93; John Williams, 1893-97; W. H. Lillard, 1897-99. Treasurers—N. S. Woodward, 1887-88; J. A. Rayl, 1888-93; James H. Cruze, 1893-99. The school known as the John Sevier School, mentioned above, has a seating capacity of 450. The principals there since 1876 have been as follows: S. A. Craig, 1876-77; E. P. Moses, 1877-81; Douglass Caulkins, 1881-82; J. H. Pitner, 1882-83, Mr. Pitner dying July 7, 1883; W. T. White, 1883-86; Miss J. L. Gammon, 1886-92; James A. Andes, 1892-99. This school was named the John Sevier School October 22, 1897, and dedicated January 30, 1898, a new two-story brick building having been erected. The Peabody School, located at 311 Morgan street, has had the following principals: W. L. McSpadden, 1875-76; Grace Kimball, 1876-77; S. A. Craig, 1877-79; W. T. White, 1879-83; W. M. Rogers, 1883-86; W. B. Carty, 1886-99. The Hampden-Sidney School, located at 304 State street, has had the following principals: Mrs. C. A. Lancaster, 1877-78: Miss S, A. Hoadley. 1878-80; Miss M. A. Fletcher, 1880-81: Miss Ida M. Lee, 1881-86; W. M. Rogers, 1886-91; John W. Hyden, 1891-97: W. A. Cate, 1897-98, and J. W. Bryan. 1898-99. The Ninth Ward School, located at the corner of Tulip and Deaderick streets, has had the following principals: A. O. Roehl, 1883, the year in which Mechanicsville was admitted to the corporation of Knoxville, to 1886: J. H. McCallie, 1886-1897, and J. W. Trotter, 1897-99. Park Street School, located at No. 304 Park street, West, has had the following principals: Miss Sallie J. Mann, 1883-84; Miss Mary Odell, 1884-93; Miss Minnie Lichtenwanger, 1893-99. This school, since October 22, 1897, has been known as the Jesse A. Rayl School, and the building was dedicated November 23, 1897. The Girls' High School, located at 431 Walnut street, formerly in the East Tennessee Female Institute building, from 1881 to 1885, and then in the Barton block at the corner of Gay and Church streets from 1885 to 1886, when it was transferred to its own new building at 431 Walnut street, has had the following principals: Miss M. A. Fletcher, 1881-83; Mrs. M. A. Bowen, 1883-84: Miss Francis M. King, 1884-85; Mrs. M. S. Cummins, 1885-86; W. T. White, 1886-99. The numbers graduated from this high school have been as follows: 1882, 17; 1883, 19; 1884, 11; 1885, 9; 1886, 13; 1887, 15; 1888, 16; 1889, 18; 1890, 16; 1891, 14; 1892, 15; 1893, 15; 1894, 13; 1895, 25; 1896, 16; 1897, 22; 1898, 32; 1899, 44. The Austin School for colored children, named in honor of Miss Emily L. Austin, and located at No. 327 Central avenue, originated in the following manner: On June 20, 1879, Chairman Rayl of the board of education stated to the board of mayor and aldermen that Miss Emily L. Austin of Philadelphia, Pa., and Miss Isa E. Gray of Boston, Mass., had informed him of the fact that certain generous citizens of Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Newark and other places in the North, had subscribed $6,500 with the view of aiding the citizens of Knoxville in building a school-house for colored children, and that this money was forthcoming as soon as the city had complied with the terms of the subscription. It was therefore resolved by the board of mayor and aldermen that the money be accepted in trust and that the honor of the city be pledged to the donors that the whole amount should be used for the purpose of completing the building already commenced by the city of Knoxville, to be used for a school building for colored children residing within the corporate limits of the city, and that the city would, as previously, furnish the said children free tuition in the same. This school has had the following principals: J. J. O'Shea, 1876-78; J. S. Fowler, 1878-81; J. W. Manning, 1881-99. Fairview School, for colored pupils, located at No. 1624 Dora street, has had the following principals: Joshua S. Cobb, 1883-85; Mrs. Blanche V. Brooks., 1885-91; W. H. Hannum, 1891-95; Joshua S. Cobb, 1895-98, and W. J. Causler, 1898-99. A new building was erected on Clinton street for this school in 1897, and the name of the school changed to the Horace Maynard School, in honor of the Hon. Horace Maynard. This new building was dedicated November 18, 1897. King's Chapel School, for colored children, located at No. 606 Payne street, has had the following principal: S. L. Dickson, 1891-99. A new building was erected for this school in 1897, at the corner of Kentucky and Campbell streets, and named Heiskell School, in honor of Hon. S. G. Heiskell, then mayor of the city. It was dedicated November 11, 1897. In 1887 it was determined to give such colored pupils as were prepared for it a course of high school study, and in 1888 the first class of such pupils was graduated from the colored high school. The class was composed of four members, viz.: Augustus David Hodge, William Lineas Maples, Priscilla Blount Manning and Mary Lelia Moffet. To this class E. E. McCroskey, president of the board of education of the city of Knoxville, delivered an address, full of historical knowledge and of good advice not only to the class itself, but also to the race to which it belonged. After paying a high tribute to Miss Emily L. Austin, Mr. McCroskey said: "You are indebted to her in an obligation of gratitude you will never be able to discharge. She raised the larger part of the money that is assigned exclusively to your people, and has given much of her time to bring about practical methods of instruction in the line of useful education. Some years ago she established an industrial school, now called the Slater Training School, and although some of your race have said that it was a white man's trick to get a nigger to work, yet it is the place where the young people can learn something that will be of lasting benefit to them." Mr. McCroskey said much that would be of interest to quote, but want of space forbids. In 1889 there were no graduates from this high school. In 1890 there were 3; in 1891, 1: 1892, 5; 1893, 6; 1894, 5; 1895, 2; 1896, 6; 1897, 5; 1898, 9, and in 1899, 6. The West Knoxville public schools were organized March 18, 1888, with one principal and six teachers, and 215 pupils, and for the remainder of that school year were under the control of a board of five school commissioners appointed by the mayor and consisting of W. H. Simmonds, William Rule, W. W. Woodruff, J. F. Gallaher, and James H. Cowan. An organization was effected by the election of W. H. Simmonds, president, and James H. Cowan secretary and treasurer. The above-named commissioners were elected a board of education March 16. 1889, but soon afterward Dr. H. P. Coile succeeded W. H. Simmonds as a member of the board, and their respective terms expired as follows, together with their successors: J. F. Gallaher, 1891: William Rule, 1892; W. W. Woodruff, 1893; Dr. H. P. Coile, 1894, and James H. Cowan, 1895; J. F. Gallaher, 1896; Dr. J. M. Masters, successor to James H. Cowan, resigned, 1895; E. H. Flenniken, 1897; F. K. Huger, successor to Dr. H. P. Coile, 1894; E. C. Scaggs, successor to Dr. J. M. Masters, moved out of the city, 1895: J. E. Platt, successor to E. H. Flenniken, deceased, 1897; Leon Jourolmon, 1898: F. K. Huger, 1899. The officers of the board of education were as follows: Presidents—W. H. Simmonds, as above stated: W. W. Woodruff, 1889-91; H. P. Coile, 1891-93; Leon Jourolmon, 1893. Secretary-Treasurer—James H. Cowan, 1888-92. Secretary—J. C. Tucker, 1892-93, and Treasurer—J. M. Masters, 1892-93; E. C. Scaggs, 1893. The superintendents of the schools have been as follows: J. C. Tucker, 1888-94; R. Porter, 1894 to 1897; W. M. Rogers, 1897 to 1899. These schools were free to all persons between the ages of six and twenty-one years living within the corporate limits of West Knoxville, and were divided into primary, intermediate, grammar and high schools, and also into white and colored schools, during the first full year of their existence there being seven teachers for the white schools and one for the colored school. From September 1, 1889, to June 6, 1890, the entire cost of the schools was $4,193.75, the average salaries paid the teachers being $341.87. During the second year the schools were kept in a building on Highland avenue, with an overflow school in the old building, the total cost of the schools for this year being $5,118.52, the average wages paid the teachers, of whom there were ten, including the principal of the entire system and the teacher of the colored school, being $338.53. In 1890-91 the Highland Avenue School had six teachers, the Rose Avenue School, four teachers, and the Riverside School (colored), one. The same numbers prevailed during the next succeeding year. In 1891-92 the schools cost $6,492.97, and in 1893-94, $5,946.94. At the beginning of the year 1893-94 the Riverside School was discontinued, the pupils being sent to the Knoxville City schools and to Knoxville College, thereby effecting a saving to West Knoxville of $200. North Knoxville public schools were organized in September, 1889, by Prof. Charles Mason, and for most of the first year were taught in three small buildings on Gratz street, which had been turned over to the city by the school commissioners of the Second district of Knox county. In this work of organization Prof. Mason was assisted by Mrs. Kate C. Callaway, Miss Mary McDonough, and Miss Jennie B. Irwin. These three, buildings proving too small to accommodate the number of pupils desiring to attend, and hence the board of education purchased two lots on the corner of Alexander and Tennor streets, upon which a new school building was erected and which was used for the schools during the last six weeks of the school year of 1889-90. As this building furnished room for most of the pupils the previous practice of receiving them for half-day sessions only, in order that all might attend during a portion of the day, was abandoned, and the following additional teachers employed: Miss Miriam Cocke, Miss Jennie B. Ramsey, and Miss Josie Stans-berry. The twenty colored pupils of the city of North Knox-ville were sent to the Austin School in Knoxville. Prof. Mason having at the close of the first school year resigned was succeeded by Prof. J. M. McCallie, who remained principal of the schools until the close of the school year 1893-94, and was then succeeded by the present principal. Prof. J. R. Lowry. The several members of the board of education of North Knoxville were as follows, together with the years in which their terms expired: W. L. Welcker. 1891 and 1896: W. R. Cooper, 1892, 1897, and 1902; John W. Ward. 1893 and 1898: Frank A. Moses, 1894; J. S. McDonough, 1895: D. L. Ross, 1896 and 1901; J. P. Haynes, 1898: W. A. Wray, 1899, and J. E. Johnson, 1900. The terms of the several members all terminated upon the consolidation of the three corporations and the consequent consolidation of the schools. December 31, 1897. when the three corporations were about to become one, the board of mayor and aldermen of North Knoxville resolved that the superintendent, teachers and janitor of their schools and other employes of North Knoxville were entitled to receive their salaries and wages for January, 1898, and of course subsequent months, from the corporation of Knoxville, and they urged the board of education of West Knoxville to unite with them in a demand upon the mayor and aldermen of Knoxville for such compensation. The officers of the board of education of North Knoxville were as follows: Presidents—J. S. McDonough, 1889-94; W. A. Wray, 1894-97. Secretary-Treasurers—Frank A. Moses, 1889-94; D. L. Ross, 1894-95; W. R. Cooper, 1895-97. The scholastic population of North Knoxville was as follows for the years given: 1891, 765; 1892, 818; 1893, 831; 1894, 851: 1895, 865; 1896, 982; 1897, 1,110. The average monthly wages paid the teachers in these schools were as follows: 1890-91, $38.75; 1891-92, $40.56; 1892-93, $45-45; 1893-94, $43; 1894-95, $43-32; 1895-96, $42.37; 1896-97, $38.82. The following table covering the last twenty years of the public schools, including the statistics for the first year of the consolidated schools, will be found both comprehensive and interesting: 1878-79. 2,100 684 825 1,009 930 68.00 $13,659.83 $13.54 26 $442.50 1S79-80. 786 973 1,328 1,253 64.00 15,701.21 $11.25 $416.65 1880-81. 914 1,070 1,526 1,458 65.00 15,701.21 $10.28 26 $442.91 1881-82. 3,044 970 1,167 1,590 1,512 70.00 16,134.01 $10.12 30 $421.67 1882-83. 3,196 1,068 1,197 1,607 1,519 70.87 19,920.69 $11.61 34 $435.48 1883-84. 4,315 1,314 1,423 2,054 1,953 63.45 24,421.30 $11.89 44 $442.08 1884-85. 4,817 1,304 1,477 2,216 2,142 57.73 27,753.97 $12.52 50 $461.21 1885-86. 5,180 1,360 1,427 2,305 2,220 53.80 32,986.78 $14.31 57 $462.36 1886-87. 5,637 1,363 1,571 2,357 2,250 52.05 31,865.82 $13.52 55 $469.91 1887-88. 6,239 1,531 1,729 2,586 2,489 52.25 31,929.36 $12.35 55 $478.18 1888-89. 7,375 1,506 1,722 2,615 2,516 43.76 37,870.14 $14.48 60 $523.64 1889-90. 8,327 1,517 1,771 2,643 2,540 39.48 40,385.85 $15.28 61 $507.50 1890-91. 8,408 1,536 1,844 2,699 2,598 40.20 41,892.34 $15.52 64 $583.65 1891-92. 10,083* 1,653 1,917 2,800 2,697 35.46 46,680.58 $16.39 69 $556.75 1892-93. 10,232* 1,505 1,697 2,551 2,457 31.29 47,968.54 $18.80 68 $586.14 1893-94. 8,994 1,366 1,617 2,512 2,442 33.16 45,404.36 $15.90 62 $592.85 1894-95. 9,112 1,504 1,654 2,583 2,489 34.66 41,120.69 $15.91 60 $559.55 1895-96. 9,160 1,486 1,606 2,644 2,574 33.75 38,866.36 $14.70 58 $530.44 1896-97. 9,795 1,564 1,637 2,744 2,670 32.68 39,072.69 $14.24 62 $505.76 1897-98. 14,272 2,090 2,419 3,906 3,774 33.68 48,265.93 $12.25 91 $487.69 * Including Tenth Ward. Jesse Addison Rayl, one of the founders and always a strong friend of the public schools of Knoxville, was born near Russellville, Hamblen county, Tenn., in 1825, and graduated at Tusculum College in 1846. From the time of his graduation until 1849 he was engaged in teaching, and then removing to Knoxville, he entered the mercantile house of Cowan & Dickinson, at the corner of Gay and Main streets. In 1851 or 1852 he formed a partnership with F. W. Vanuxem, under the firm name of Rayl & Vanuxem, they keeping a large stock of miscellaneous books. Mr. Rayl remained in the book business until the beginning of the war, when he went to Lexington, Ky., and was there engaged in the same business as a member of the firm of Rayl & Taylor until the close of the war, when he returned to Knoxville, and here became engaged in the general merchandise business with S. B. Boyd. Selling his interest in this firm, he became part owner of a paper mill at Middlebrook, in which he was interested until 1888, when he sold out and retired. In connection with a few others, Mr. Rayl secured the first tax levy for the public schools of Knoxville, was a member of the first board of education and was a member of the board for twenty-three years, and served as president of the board ten years. He was also active in the work of the associated charities and for forty years was a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church. For six years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school, and in all his work he was enthusiastic and efficient. His death occurred January 13, 1897. When it became necessary, on account of physical inability to longer perform the duties of his position, for him to resign as a member of the board of education, in 1897, the board passed a series of resolutions, of which the following may be copied here: "Resolved, That the people of Knoxville owe to Mr. Rayl a lasting debt of gratitude for the able and efficient manner in which he has served their interests without compensation, and that he should ever be held in grateful recollection for these services." Additional Comments: From: STANDARD HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE WITH FULL OUTLINE OF THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES, EARLY SETTLEMENT, TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT, INDIAN TROUBLES, AND GENERAL AND PARTICULAR HISTORY OF THE CITY DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME EDITED BY WILLIAM RULE GEORGE F. MELLEN, PH. D., AND J. WOOLDRIDGE COLLABORATORS PUBLISHED BY THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/knox/history/1900/standard/educatio12gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/tnfiles/ File size: 53.2 Kb