Randolph County, West Virginia - The Elkins Public Schools ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** Submitted June, 1999, by Valerie F. Crook History of Education in West Virginia Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools 1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904 pgs. 159-161 The Elkins Public Schools BY J. S. CORNWELL, SUPERINTENDENT The town of Elkins began its corporate existence in 1889. It was then a small village, giving little promise of the thriving town it has now become. Its present population is estimated to be about 4 000 and is steadily increasing. From its youthfulness the brevity of its educational history may be inferred. The expansion of the public school has kept pace with the increase of population and it will not be claiming too much to say that in thoroughness of organization and instruction, in practical efficiency, it is second to few or none of the schools of the State. The "Independent School District of Elkins" was established by act of the Legislature in 1893. The movement to secure an independent district met with strong opposition, but through the efforts of progressive citizens, the movement finally succeeded. Its success was fortunate for. the educational interests of both the town and the county; for had the inde- pendent district not been established, the wages paid the teachers of the town school would have been little or no higher than those paid in the country schools, and the town school would never have attained its present efficiency and could not have exerted the influence it is now wielding upon the school work of Randolph county by its exemplification of the use and superiority of advanced educational methods. This is a proper place to observe that at this time the tree school system had some enemies in Elkins, and though there is, at present, no avowed opposition, still the old aristocratic idea that the free school la a charitable institution and that children who attend the schools open to the common people will lose caste and distinction socially, is entertained by a few people. In consequence several attempts have been made to establish private schools. These attemptps [sic] have not been successful, and some of the youth, especially young ladies, who could very profitably attend the public schools for several years more, are attending private schools away from home. "When the independent district was created, Elkins had no school building. In 1890 two rooms in the Harvey building were used. The next year the school board was obliged to rent three rooms in different parts of the town to accommodate the one hundred twenty-five children enrolled that year. The same unfavorable conditions existed in 1892 and 1893, though there was, in the latter year, an enrollment of 225. Soon after the establishment of the independent district, however, the erection of a building of eight rooms was begun. The cornerstone of this structure was laid with appropriate Masonic ceremony on July 4, 1894; and on De- cember 17 of that year was opened this first temple of learning in the town of Elkins. The cost of this building was approximately $30,000. At that time the eight rooms were not all needed, but in less than seven years after its completion this building was inadequate. In 1901 and 1902, the board was obliged to rent one or more rooms. This year, 1903-4, suitable rooms could not be rented and the board was compelled to enlarge the building by tire addition of four rooms, making twelve In all. Owing to the heavy expense of building, and the low rates at which property is assessed, the school has not been well supplied with the necessary apparatus and appliances for teaching. The school has had three principals. The first was Mr. N. G. Kelm, who served in that capacity from 1893 to 1896. It was fortunate that, at this stage of its existence, the school was entrusted to a man of Mr. Keim's experience and ability. In 1896 he was succeeded by Mr. C. W. Flesher, who held the position three years. He was succeeded In 1899 by the present principal, J. S. Cornwell. Under the management of these three men, the school has been thoroughly organized according to modern ideas of grading and management. In 1893 there were 225 pupils, and three teachers, besides the princi- pal; in 1903 there were 500 pupils and thirteen teachers. This does not include a colored school of one teacher and about 25 pupils. The following are the teachers for 1903-4: Mr. S. H. McLane, Misses Lena Stutzman, Edna C. Allen, Mary E. Harmon, Winifred Fenton, Kate Crouch, Ruth Wamsley, Bessie Maxwell, and Belle Stalnaker, Mr. Luther S. Wees, Mrs. R. E. Leonard, Mr. D. F. Greynolds, and Mrs. C. H. Hamill. The course of study includes, besides the common branches. Physical Geography, Rhetoric, Literature, General History, Civil Government, Ad- vanced Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Latin. The absence of Physics from the curriculum is owing to the want of physical apparatus. The work in Literature consists in the study of masterpieces of English prose and poetry. Nature study and drawing are taught this year in primary grades. The vertical system of penmanship has been taught the last four years. Special stress is laid upon the teaching of phonics as a prep- aration for reading. A history of educational progress in Elkins would be incomplete with- out some mention of Davis Memorial College. The building for this in- stitution is nearing completion, and occupies a commanding eminence in the southern suburbs of the town. The college is under the management of the Presbyterian church. The Lexington Presbytery raised a specified amount of money and the additional sum needed to finish and equip the building was contributed by ex-Senator Henry G. Davis. The total cost will not be less than $60,000. This institution will be liberally endowed by Mr. Davis.