Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1911 — TALLS OF COTHAM AND OTHER CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TALLS OF COTHAM AND OTHER CITIES

Teacher Has Never Whipped a Pupil

her credit, Mrs. Mary S. Boyd, the pioneer school teacher of the Ozarks is still engaged in instilling into the minds of youth the first elements of learning In one of Springfield’s public schools. "If there is one thing in the American public school of which I disapprove,” Mrs. Boyd tells her friends, “it ts corporal punishment. “I remember very distinctly how, when a young girl going to school in a log cabin schoolhouse, I sat in my seat, frozen with terror, whenever the schoolmaster chastised an unruly t>upil. Even when I was nearly grown, the sight of a pupil being punished made me feel Bick asd faint How greatly I feared th "slender birch switch, a whole bundle of whichr stood in the schoolroom. “I began teaching school in Spring-, field in 1862, before the terrible war had begun. I have trained probably four generations from that time to this —and have seen from a teacher’s

standpoint, all their little traits and peculiarities. Boys and girls of today do not get the physical punishment that was administered to their parents and grandparents. And I sincerely believe the modern child can be managed better without it. My views on this subject are firm, and never in all of my experience have I ever chastised one of my pupils.” Mrs. Boyd’s control over her scholars was clearly demonstrated at the burning of the Mary S. Boyd Public school building, named in her honor, a few weeks ago. Soon after the fire was discovered she marshalled her pupils who, at her command, marched from the building in an orderly manner, leaving books and wraps behind. Had it not been for the masterly handling there would undoubtedly have been a great loss of life among the four hundred or more children in the building. ’As Mrs. Boyd converses, her eyes sparkle like those of a 16-year-old girl, and looking into their depths one would never imagine themselves looking at one whose hair has long since turned gray. Her face, though slightly furrowed, is marked with wrinkles caused by smiles, and is still fresh and rosy. The love of work has discovered for her the true “fountain of youth,” the elixir of which does not allow her spirit to become old, even though her body has become frail.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. —Nearly 90 years old, with 48 years of teaching to