Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1878 — Why a School Was Taught in the Open Air. [ARTICLE]

Why a School Was Taught in the Open Air.

The lot on West Mission street, on which was recently erected a one-class school-house, was yesterday the scene ■M a curious spectacle. This lot is in dispute, and is claimed by P. Donahue ana also by the Board of Education. I The case was recently tried in the Ninej teenth District Court and resulted in a j verdict in favor of Donahue. The \ school-house was occupied for the first ; time about three weeks ago, and no attempt whatever was made to prevent j the scholars from assembling there un- , til yesterday morning. Mr. Donahue, ; feeling elated over his victory in the j court, determined that no further dispensation of knowledge! should take place again within its walls. He was on hand early Yesterday morning with his cohorts, and when the teachers and scholars met there as usual they were informed that admission to the schoolhouse was impossible. The teachers, after a brief consultation among themselves, concluded that school would be held though the heavens fell. Then, marshaling their pupils, they marched them to within a short distance of theimpregnable • school-house and seated .them all upon the sidewalk, under a

friendly shelter of a high board fence. The village Hampdens, to the number of thirty or thereabouts, were then Sven the lesson of the day, and despite e airy condition of their improvised school-room and the curious glances of the many passers-by, they settled down to their work, oblivious of all surroundings. This condition of affairs continued up to the recess hour, when the scholars were dismissed for their midday pastimes. At one o'clock thA uiuHtlinM tinlfln fmt tlia 1 unllml wnrnnnr uußio inc nciiwi wh vwttuti them together again, when they moved from the scene of their morning exercises to the porch of an unoccupied house adjacent to the disputed schoolroom. They continued there for a short time; until an officer approached with a warrant for the arrest of the bold Donahue, when a flank movement was executed by them and they once more took possession of the schoolhouse, and there they remained until dismissed for the day. The schoolhouse is now in possession of the representatives of the School Department, and unless to-day Donahue nnds some other means to circumvent the present holders the scholars will meet there. Several police officers were on hand during the day and prevented by their presence any breach of tho peace.— San Francisco Chronicle.