Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 93, Number 28, 1 February 1923 — Page 10

PAGE TEN

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, RICHMOND, IND.. THURSDAY, FEB. 1, 1923.

CENTER TOWNSHIP'S SCHOOL RANKS HIGH IN COUNTY'S SYSTEM The completion of, the nev 5140.000 Junior-senior high school building marks the continued Interest of the citizens of Center township In the educational -welfare of her children. In 1919 the town and township became as one system for educational purposes. One year ago there were six county schools In the township with an enrollment of 176 students. When the new building was completed It was the desire of the patrons that the country schools disband. AU county students whether In grades or In high

school are now conveyed to the Center township public school In modern motor trucks. There are eight motor

trucks and two touring cars which bring the children to school. These

trucks are heated, ventilated and kept in good sanitary condition. Prior to the opening of the school year each hack driver made three trips over his route, making all stops. A schedule was given each patron stating the time the truck would arrive for the child. No child is on the truck going to or returning from school to exceed 45 minutes. No hack has arrived late

since the routes were established. The

motor and chasls for these trucks are

furnished by the hack driver while the

bed is the property of the township.

One hack Is kept at the school house

during the day to be used In case of necessity, 1. e.. hauling school supplies or transferring sick children

home. 200 children are hauled on hacks, 47 of this number are high

school students. System

The school Is organized on the 6-3

plan. The faculty is composed of 15 full time teachers and a county domestic science supervisor. Total enrollment 436. The old building which was constructed in 1892 is in good state of repair and used for the first six grades. Each room is provided with an adequate supply of reference books, supplementary readers, dictionaries, encyclopoedias, globes and maps. A rest room Is equipped with a sanitary couch mattress, blanket, two chairs and a stand where sick children may be comfortably, cared for during the day. Artificial light Is In each room. New Building

The new building which is used for

the upper six grades is modern in every respect. Besides the regular academic course, manual training, domestic science, a complete commercial course is offered. It is hoped that

vocational agricultural course will be

offered In 1923-4 with a full time agriculture teacher working In school and township. The grounds and buildings have been beautified by appropriate plantings of shrubbery, which in a few years will make this one of the beauty spots of the town. H. M. Gaar, of Cambridge City, a landscape gardener, was employed at a cost of $300 to do this work. Domestic Science Department, . Cafeteria The domestic science department Is used by students from the 7th grade ( through high school. Sewing and cooking are offered. In the cooking room the girls work under modern conditions. A large room with snow white brick walls, well lighted and heated. 5 white tables with hot and cold water available at each. A large stone-topped table for washing dishes, cooking utensils, dishes gives an idea of thp equipment and conditions under which the domestic science classes in the dining room which adioins the

cooking room serve from 75 to 125 students to a hot lunch each noon. These lunches are furnished at cost price 12c. The warm lunch which was

an experiment in a school of this size has become popular among students and parents. Through the help of the trustee and outside organizations warm lunches are served to those children who come from homes where the parents are unable to furnish proper kind and amount of food. The girls in the cooking classes look after the planning of meals, buying of all articles, the settling of all bills at the stores. Practical experience in management of a home is the aim of such instructions. After the lunch is served students who desire to work for their lunch, wash dishes, sweep and put everything in condition for next day. The sewing classes work in a room equipped for this purpose. The equipme nt consists of 6 sewing tables.

each of which is provided with drawers, wheA students may place articles they are working on at the end of cl;is period. Four Singer sewing machines including one motor machine, a large 3;Pannl mirror and tables comprise the equipment of this room. Tfiere are 76 girls taking either sewin? or cooking. Manual Training Manual training is offered to the bovs in the junior and senior hig'i t-rhool. A room 40-27 ft. equipped with 10 work benches provided with necessary tools, saws, chisels, hammers, planes, etc. comprise the equipment at the disposal of the boys who pre Tearing the fundamentals in man-

Facility and Officials of Centerville School System

15 Win ; (T W VSrJ. cQx l AiA . 'torm. - .. ri- .......v.,. I - & ;. -

COMMUNITY NEEDS . SERVED BY SCHOOL

A typical Instance of the community

usefulness ; of the school building is seen in the farmers' Institute which is

being conducted in the school this

yeaf. . f

This la the first time that it has

been possible to entertain farmers' in

stitute visitors in the school building.

the old one providing neither display

room nor an auditorium.

Now however, there Is not only a commodious assembly room, with a stage for the speakers and entertain

ers, Dut'Kitcnens for preparing noon

meals, where both the regular hot

lunch for the children and the sDecial

meals for over 250 visitors were pro

vided, and ample display room for exhibits, all used without discontinuing regular school classes, except such as

were dismissed for attendance at the

institute.

In addition to the instructive pro

grams during the-day, entertainment

programs were given both evenings in the . auditorium, and proved it a real

community center. Complete accounts

of the institute are given in another

column. .

Top, left to right: Miss Mabel Williams, Miss Mildred Douglass, Marjorie ilurt, Kd.th Uramer, Bertha Beeson, Mary Dickson. Middle: Miss Iva Monger, Mabel Taylor, Catherine Strickler, June W'estbropk, Iva Nicholson, Mrs. Rose Hamilton. Lower (seated): Ralph Ranck, Hollis Deakyne, ex- Trustee Ralph McMinn, Super

intendent Frank M. Cory

1816 an act was passed by the legis

lature authorizing the removal of the

county seat from Salisbury to Centerville provided the citizens of the couu

ty furnish without expense to the

county public buildings as good as and

of the same dimensions as those at Salisbury. These conditions were mec

in 1818 and court was held at Centerville. The town of Centerville which for more than a half century was the seat of justice in Wayne county, baa in many respects a remarkable history. Rarely does it fall the lot of a small place to be the home of so many

the Pennsylvania railroad. The loca- n ITnnilO Ofl finCOlTC Uon is healthful and Pleasant and j Yb KUllO UU-UrtnA 1 1

surrounding It. Centerville has a pop

ulation of nearly 1,000.

Newspapers In 1824 John Scott commenced the

publication of the Western Emporium.

In 1832 Septemus Smith, a lawyer and

man of literary taste and attainments published the Western Times. In 1835 Samuel Meredith published the

Peoples Advocate, a Democratic pa

TO IMPROVE STATUS

OF TOWNSHIP SCHOOL Although the furnishing of carpets and hangings for the teachers' and

I the girls' rest rooms, co-operation

uel arts. The boys made the benches which are used to seat the gymnasium, repaired cabinets for science department, built flower boxes, composi tion files, etc. used in the school. The boys are given freedom In selecting the project they desire to work on.

All articles are made under the direction and supervision of the manuel training teacher. Material used by the boys may be brought from homp or is purchased by the manual training department. Each student may take 'the article he makes by paying the actual cost of the material used. In case the student does not want the article he makes it will be sold at cost price to any one wanting it. The auditorium which Is the community center for the township 13 used not only by the school but by any of the organizations in the township for plays, entertainments, etc. This room is equipped with 625 opera chairs on the lower floor and balconv.

The stage which is 35 by 15 feet Is equal that found in first class theatre. A grand piano also adds to the attrac

tiveness of the room. For the rear of

the auditorium is a fire proof motion

picture cabin equipped with a new

Kolograph motion picture machine

The motion picture programs are un

der the auspices of the school. A

number of educational films have been shown: plays which supplement

the English history and geography

work are of especial interest to the

school.

The gymnasium is of regulation size, 18 feet ceiling and has a seating capacity of 350. AH school basket

ball games are played here. Physical training is required of all students In

the junior high school.

The floor is laid off for basketball,

volley ball, tennis and indoor baseball

A horse and mats are also used for

corrective exercises.

Shower bath rooms provided, with

lockers for boys and girls are availa ble.

Teams and organizations outside of

school may use the gymnasium, but

have to pay the janitor for looking after room for other than school activities. The gymnasium as well as the auditorium may be shut off from the rest of the school building while in use. A teachers rest room is , equipped with a reed settee, two rockers, writing desk, two rugs and draperies for the windows. A girls' rest room is equipped with a wash basin, sanitary couch, two chairs writing desk, rug and draperies for windows. These are both very attractive as well as useful rooms In the school system. The equipment for these rooms all matches and was bought with the idea of using the equipment on the stage when plays were given. A large well lighted room equipped with work tables, easel, and cupboards

is used for art work only. This department makes the work not only artistic and original but practical as well. The high school classes have done much craft work. With the use of enamels they have made old glasses and tin boxes into vases and decorated candy boxes, have painted luncheon sets, collar and cuffs, table scarfs on sanitos for home use. The students carved designs on linoleum blocks and stenciled scarfs, etc. The

junior class made stages and set the stage suitable for some scene in a play. The junior high school did the same work and also tried their luck with type and dye work, which was

quite, successful.

The grade children have done nice

School Buildings of Centerville System

work with cut paper free hand drawings and construction work. The seniors are this semester malting reed trays and French ivory nov

elties. The other classes are making! model Florentine jewelry. j e Music j The high school has chorus two pe-1 riods per week in the auditorium.) Just now we are getting acquainted with the folk and patriotic songs of: our country. The girls glee club : meets three times per week. The girls ! use their noon hour tor this. We are i working on a Japanese operetta which i will be given in February. The grade 1 children gave two Christmas onereitas :

and have chorus once per week. The j

primary room has a- horse shoe or- j

chestra and are now working on a

kinder" orchestra. The high school

orchestra has joined with the commu

nity orchestra and meets every Mon

day night in the school auditorium.

The science classes have access to two rooms equipped for science alone. One room is used to keep all science supplies. The working room has four large physics tables and an instructors experiment table. The tops of these tables are chemical proof. Water is piped into the instructor's desk.! A dark room to be used for experimen in light is a feature not found in many schools. The community department is in charge of a teacher giving full time to this work. Book keeping, typewriting, shorthand and commercial law, business "arithmetic, business English and penmanship are offered in these commercial course. The book-keeping room is equinned with 24 book.keeping . desks. The typewriting room contains 10 Underwood typewriters and desks. The commercial work is offered to juniors and seniors and in some cases to underclassmen. There are o students enrolled in typewriting, 23 in book-keeping, IS in shorthand and 12 in commercial law. Students graduat'ng

Upper view shows new school, tower old building.

the. room. This

Lockers are built in

is proving highly satisfactory. The new building contains 2S rooms other than the superintendent's office, principal's office, auditorium and gymnasium. ' ' Nine teachers give thir time to junior and senior IvSgh school work.

The regular academic work is not

eminent men conspicuous in the affairs of state and nation as have lived in Centerville in former years. The town lost its eminence as a political center" and the home of politicians and statesmen when she lost the county seat in 1873. But she still has many good and worthy citizens who

unlike that given in other schools o

., ; are awake to the best interests of the

f-. ,1 . i. : i

r " K'"15-1 students have .40 minute recitation pe

ro-v. X V" .,l "uo'( "' t riods with G minus between classes

room Ms a seating capacity o 145.

Girls' Basketball Team of Centerville High School

have about

The .junior high school

the same as in senior

r, -,l

'i t

f I

1 V;' if v

i -

Standing: Miss Mildred Douglas, coach. Top row, left to right: Hazel Jackson, Martha Commons, Cassie Fancher, Khea Staats, Mary Dunkle, Thelma Chadwick, Ruth Commons. Front row: Helen Jackson, Vinnie Josilin, Dorothy McKinncy, Martha Davison, Leota JSelson, Dorothy Smelser, Ula Pike, Iva Duff.

for passing

high school. " ' - The library which is inVear of the assembly roon contains about 900 books. All books -are properly catalogued. . .1 r Dictionaries;" encyclopaedias including International, Crompton's and World Book are at the disposal ol students. For use in geography, and history we have a complete new set of

J. Paul Good's Physical and - Political I

maps. ' Westerman's series, for ancient, medieval, and modern ' history. Foster's chart for U. S. history. ParenVTeacher ' Organization A wide-a-wake and beneficial Par

ent-Teachers organization hold their

meetings on uie second nionuay nign: of each month. An attendance of 250 to 500 is expected at each of these meetings. These are real community meetings and a" fine community spirit prevails. ; Entertainment, lunch and discussion , of school problems arf-

teatures ot tnese meetings. The credit for the arousing of Tiublic sentimenL for the construction" of the new school building must be given to this organisation. The draperies and rugs found in girls and teachers rest rooms were furnished by Parent-Teachers organization. ; . . Early History of Center Township Center township formed in, August 1817, was one.-of the six townships which first composed Wayne county. Centerville was' platted in 1814, proceeded only by Salisbury 1811. Iu

I county and are ready to aid in its ad

vancement and general welfare. Centerville is situated near the geographical center of Wayne county on the National road and the main line of

per. Finding this did not pay he changed it to a Whig paper under the name of Wayne County Chronicle. In

1846 the "News Letter", a literary paper was started by C. B. Bentley, about this time a religious paper called the Reformer was edited by Elder Benjamin Franklin. Other papers formerly published in Centerville are The True Democrat, Independent Press, Wayne County Journal, Weekly Chronicle and True Repub llcan. , Early Education Though struggling under the pres

sure of poverty and privation the early settlers erected among them the school house. The first school houses were built of logs with open fire places, floor and loft both made of split puncheons, the door of split clanboards and fastened by a wooden latch raised by a string hanging outside. The scholars facing the fire sat on rough benches of split logs. The writing desk was a long slab fasten

ed on long pins driven into auger holes in the logs and slanting downward from the walls. Early Education

Windows were made by cutting a hole through,, the logs and putting an old newspaper greased with lard. No less than 20 school houses were

built in Center township between 1815 and 1842.

A county seminary was built at

Centerville in 1828. Information concerning early schools in Centerville is not definite. An early private school was taught in a small lo? house near the old cemetery. In 1828

the west wing of the Wayne county

seminary was erected. Nathan Smith taught the' first school. Samuel K.

Hoshout taught 1836-39 and later became state superintendent of public

instruction and president of Butler

college. The east wing was built in

1840 and in 1847 the main building was commenced. In 1850 the control

was transferred to the Methodist con

ference and was converted into a

boarding school known as Whitewater college. Cyrus Nutt was chosen president continuing until 1855. At this time the college was largely attended. In 1856 Edwards, A. C. Shortrldge

and Roberts leased the building for

5 years. In 1870 the building was sold

to- the town for school purposes and was used until 1891 when it burned. Whitewater college numbered among its pupils many eminent men.

Here it was that Indiana's distinguish

ed war governor, Hon. Oliver P. Morton first went to school. It was the same Mr. Morton, who learned the

hatters trade in Centerville, purchased

property here and later practiced law

Other eminent men formerly of Cen

terville are Ambrose E. Burnside, the famous commander of the army of the

Potomac in the Civil war. Hon George W. Julian, a leading antl-slav

ery agitator was born near Centerville 1S17. Practiced law here. Was mem

ber of the Indiana legislature. A del

egate to the Free Soil convention in , Buffalo 1S4S. Was a member of the 31st congress of United States and at the Free Soil convention in Pittsburg Julian had the honor of being nominated Vice President. Gen Iew Wallace, the soldier diplomat and author whose literary work has done so much to make the name "Hoosier" respected the world over went to school at Centerville. Many other names might be mentioned, the leading ones being Henry U. Johnson. Robert Underwood Johnson, editor of Century Magazine, Henry Mosler, the famous American artist, John Newman, Charles H. Test, Joshua H. Mellett and James Raridan. Churches The Centerville M. E. church was

organized 1S23. The church was then composed of 7 members. A frame house was erected in the east part of town and in it the first Sabbath school in Wayne county was organized in 1S27. The present brick which is in

proces of reconstruction was built in 1842: The Centerville Christian church was organized about 1839. Many of the members came from the Baptist denomination. The present brick house was constructed in 1878 at a cost of $5,000. The Friends organized - a meeting in 1884. They later purchased a house in Centerville built by Cumberland Presbyterians. They now have a strong church. Lodges The first Masonic lodge irt Wayne county was organized at Centerville In 1823. The Odd Fellows Hoosier Lodge No. 23 I. O. O. F. was instituted Aug. 15, 1S45. The present I. O. O. F. hall was built in 1860. A Grand Army Post No. 210 G. A. R. was chartered July 9, 1S83. Centerville now has one of the strongest American Legion Post in this section of Indiana. They have a room furnished at a cost of $1,000. About half the equipment now found in thechooI yard was placed there by the American Iegion.

with the school official in procuring a motion picture machine and putting on community picture shows with it. are generally considered as the most important concrete accomplishments of the Center Township Parent-Teacher association, it has achieved another still more importnat result, in promoting a closer relationship between patrons and the school. While the concrete things are easiest to point to, the abstract acconi plishment has been the biggest work of the association, in the opinion of

both teacher and parent members. . "We have found that patrons arf more sympathetic . and can discuss with us more understanding! y tde needs of the school, and that. In turn, we ourselves can understand and help the children better through knowing their parents since the association has been organized," says Frank Cory, su perintendent of the school. Solves School Problems

The greatest value of the associa

tion has simply been in its get-together meetings and .social times, th-ough which we have learned to know each other better. The association aso is

rendering wonderful assistance n cooperating with us in solving school problems. It was a discussion o the ' possibilities of motion picture machines, conducted before a meting, and a demonstration, that results in procuring our machine.

Similarly, the association has dis

cussed a number of school prob?ms and has decided as soon as postble to offer a medal for English wrk. Another activity which is being on-

sidered Is milk feeding for unorK

weight children, in which the assoca-

tion became interested after Mis Katherine Daub, county Red Cro? nurse, had discussed underweigl school children before one of th meetings.

"Community uses of the schoo building has been another subject foi consideration and we are glad to say the building is being used extensively by community organizations. The American Legion uses It for shows; the Home Culture club meets here regularly, as do the farm organizations. Officers of Association "'The organization includes about 50 patrons and teachers, whose dues are paid up, although this is not the total ' number interested. Mrs. John Jackson is president Other officers' are: Frank Cory, vice-president; Mrs. Eva ' Cook, secretary; and Mrs. Hall Lundy, treasurer. Meetings are held every second Monday night at the school building, and a light lunch, prepared in the domestic science kitchen, usually is served. "The association obtains monev through benefit affairs, serving of lunches, holding markets, and by various other means, for its expenditures in behalf of the school."

APPARATUS FOR PLAY PURCHASED BY LEGION

The most valuable feature of the new school plant, according to thr grade school pupils, is the playground equipment. For much of this thev have to thank the Paul Hunt post ot J the American Legion, which has shown a vital and consistent interest in the school. The large slide, horizontal bars, and an ocean wave swing all of which are in constant use during every recess, were" purchased and installed by the post in the summer of 1922 and with the giant stride and swings formerly provided, make this school one of the

best equipped, for its size, in the state, according to the state school inspector. Children Use Apparatus. The children swarm out and over the apparatus at every opportunity, and even on Saturday or holidays, often repair to the school grounds for an hour's play. With the physical training thus given the grade pupils, a constant -supply of good material for the school teams is being developed and will be trained later in the excellent gymnasium of wnich the students boast. The Legionnaires interest in the children has not stopped with this however, as the post has formally adopted a Boy Scout troop of two patrols, and is directing the activities of the members through Scout Master Cecil Stevens. The school is used by the scouts in their organization activities as well as for studies, the summer meetings all being held on the school grounds. At present, during school months, meetings are suspended, but will be, resumed with taciation. Another Legionnaire. Keith Hatfield, is the regular motion picture operator and is called upon for all evening shows. t Through these varied activities, the legion has made an important place for itself in the life of the town and is numbered among the most important civic organizations.

Centerville High School Boys Interested in Sport of Basketball

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tev?, -ffl Ifi A J Li It Ml i k i pU 13 (M 14 h-. r Ss&. J tr 1 X

Top row, left 1? right: Ralph McCoy, Willard Knapp, Ralph Ahl, Paul Mull. Everett Harris Heman Scott . I Tice, Frank Cory, superintendent. Front row, left to right: Hollis DeaKjne, coach; Kenneth Hatfield VAaZ Terry, Harold Mays, Leonard Bowman. Robert Doddridge. Harold Harris! Everett Spotts, James DavkJ?