History of Education in West Virginia, Wetzel County

This article History of Education in West Virginia, Wetzel County
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History of Education in West Virginia
Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools
1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904                   
pg. 249-250


Wetzel County

BY S. L. LONG, SUPERINTENDENT

It is not our aim in this brief sketch, to give a complete chronology of
education in Wetzel county from its formation to the present time, but
our aim will be to give the reader a brief outline of our wonderful progress
along educational lines within the last half century.

The first schools taught within the borders of what is now Wetzel
county were subscription schools. These were taught mainly by teachers
from other states, principally from Pennsylvania and Ohio, and were
called "forerners" by the average citizen of those days. The school
term averaged about twelve weeks; the rate of wages from eight to
twelve dollars per month; the teacher boarded around among the patrons
of the school and helped the boys do the chores morning and evening
to pay for his board.

To be able to read, write, cipher and wield the "birch" was good "stock
in trade" and about the only requirements for a teacher.

These schools continued up to the time West Virginia was admitted
Into the Union.   The constitution of the new State provided that the
Legislature should establish a system of free schools throughout the
entire State. Wetzel was one of the first counties to attempt to put
the new system into operation.

This attempt by the advocates of popular education was fraught with
many disadvantages. It seems strange to us now that there was any
opposition to a measure that gave to all classes an equal chance to
secure at least a common school education.

But the advocates of the new law went to work with the determination
to make it a success. New houses were built, new district boundaries were
established; the attendance at school gained right along; our own boys
and girls began to prepare to become teachers themselves—a new era had
come.

At first the people were a little doubtful of the home teachers. They
didn't think it possible for them to teach and govern a school, but
they soon saw their mistake and for the last twenty or twenty-five years
the schools of the county have been supplied almost wholly by home
teachers, except the last two years. On account of the vast development
of the material resources of the county many of our teachers have quit
teaching, temporarily, and are working at other occupations more re-
munerative. This of course makes a scarcity of teachers and makes room
for teachers from other counties where work is not so plentiful.

The school houses, at first, were built of logs with the chinks chunked
and daubed; an old-fashioned fireplace six or eight feet long; a piece cut
from one of the logs, usually on the opposite side of the house from the
door, over which greased paper (sometimes panes of glass) was put to
admit light. A board or puncheon six or eight feet long placed under this
window served as a writing desk, where the pupils were required to
stand and write during the writing period. A split sapling, with pins
driven into it for legs, served for seats. But these log houses have
gradually given way for modern frame buildings with patent seats and
desks.

The old-time apparatus—the dunce cap, dunce block, and birch—has
given way to charts, maps, mathematical blocks, globes, etc. To-day the
schools of Wetzel county are as good and as well equipped as in any county
of the State.

The patrons of the schools are becoming alive to the necessity of good
books for the pupils to read along with the studies prescribed by statute.
Many of the schools have procured small libraries by giving entertainments
of various kinds, and by popular subscription.

The outlook for libraries in every school in the county in the near
future is very promising.

The only high school in the county at present is at New Martinsville,
the county seat. The present school building, one of the finest in the
State, was erected in 1891, at a cost of about $40,000.00. The building is
equipped with modern appliances, apparatus and furniture.

The teaching force, numbering sixteen teachers, is equal to any in
the State.

It seems to be the consensus of opinion among the leading teachers
and citizens of the county that there should be at least one high school in
every magisterial district. With this end in view the board of education of
Grant district are contemplating the erection of a brick building at Pine
Grove, and will take a vote, which we have no doubt will carry in
favor of a high school.

Some of the other districts are advocating a system of graded and
high schools.

The outlook for the schools of the county in the future is very bright.

Following is a list of county superintendents from the beginning of
the free school system to the present time: R. W. Lock, John J. Yarnall,
Wm. Newman, Geo. K. Franks, J. U. Morgan, J. M. Haskins, Chas. J.
McAlister, John H. Wade, L. W. Dulaney, W. T. Sidell, Friend W.
Parsons and S. L. Long, the present incumbent, and author of this sketch.