History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=101 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041f0f21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="937182d0.jpg" border=0 width="24" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Belwe Cn BT" ><B>Kewanna Schools</B></FONT><B>      |   </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Baskerville BT" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Utah Condensed" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kewanna Schools"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="alumni.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alumni Home"><U>Alumni Home</U></A>   |   <A HREF="bulletin_board.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bulletin Board"><U>Bulletin Board</U></A>   |   History   |   <A HREF="faculty.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Faculty"><U>Faculty</U></A>   |   <A HREF="sports_rivals.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Old Rivals"><U>Old Rivals</U></A>   |   <A HREF="principals.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Principals"><U>Principals</U></A>   |   <A HREF="kewannians.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kewannians"><U>Kewannians</U></A>   |   <A HREF="thanx.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thanx"><U>Thanx</U></A>   |   <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="whoda_thought.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whoda Thought"><U>Whoda Thought</U></A>   |   <A HREF="recent_photos.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Photos"><U>Recent Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="now_and_then.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Now Then"><U>Now & Then</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=183 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040f2f02egerdp.jpg"> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="0c8a86a0.jpg" border=0 width="168" height="106" ALT="KHS" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>   Kewanna High School</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>   Kewanna Indiana</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>   1900 - 1982</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=379 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="120300c00egerdp.jpg"> <div> <I>History</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> A History of Kewanna Schools</div> <div> by John M. Agnew & John W. Bauman</div> <bR> <div> Even before the town of Pleasant Grove, (now Kewanna), was platted in the early 1840's, the pioneers of this community were in the process of establishing a school system. Information concerning this undertaking is contained in the <U>New Historical Atlas of Fulton County, Indiana</U>: "On the 25th of July, 1840, the Board of Trustees met and proceeded to divide the township into school districts, and shortly afterwards a log schoolhouse was erected by the citizens a mile west of the present site of Kewanna. District 1 was made to include Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15; District 2, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17 and 18, and District 3 the south half of the township. The trustees or directors, for the several districts were James Maxey, Joseph Clayton, and Mark B. Core, District 1; Jacob Curtner, John Shoup and Stephen Bruce, District 2; and Junia Lathro, Greenup Troutman and Joel H. Davis, District 3 and a schoolhouse was erected in Section 26. The first (school)house in District 1 was erected in 1842, on land donated by Stephen Bruce, and in 1844 a similar building was erected in District 2, on a lot donated by James A. Carter. These were hewed log buildings, and the school fund was derived from the sale of  the school lands of the township. As long as this fund was ample to meet the expenses of the term, no tuition fee was charged; but when the reverse was the case, the schools were sustained partially  by private patronage. On the 28th of August, 1844, Vincent McCoy, Treasurer of the township, reported that the township had received that year, as revenue for tuition, $22.25 from the County Commissioners, and $12.81 from the Treasurer of Fulton County, and that there was due the township, on sundry notes, $55.81. In that year the total number of children attending school in the township was 166, and the revenue being insufficient, the deficiency, it is said, was made up by private parties. A great improvement  was made in the public school system by the revised Constitution of 1851, providing for the maintenance of the schools by a direct tax upon all citizens, and making their benefits free to all. Eight districts in the township are now supplied with neat, comfortable houses, in which school is conducted during six months of the year, and by the rigid examinations to which applicants for teachers' certificates are subjected, none but those eminently qualified for this position are selected. The citizens are justly proud of their public schools, which wield a mighty influence upon the moral and intellectual welfare of the community."</div> <div> The next article was taken from the August 25, 1899 Kewanna Herald. "The old log M. E. church was used for the first school house in town, for several years. The next school house was the two lower rooms of the home of Rev. J. W. Cummings. The first house built specifically for a schoolhouse was the present home of P. S. Troutman, built in 1865. Soon after this the question of establishing a graded school was discussed with the result of a new two story building of 44 feet square, divided into two rooms with anterooms above and the same below. This building served the town for some twenty or more years when it was burned down. Thus was made imperative the erection of the present beautiful building on the north side only a few years ago. And the town has already outgrown it and is clamoring for more room"<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="6dd2cca0.jpg" border=0 width="556" height="458" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The house referred to in the previous article as that of  P. S. Troutman was the home of Edith Bauman in 1967 (when this article was written) and is located on South Logan Street (State Hwy 17, South), the second house south of the Church of Christ. The hewed logs can still be observed as the frame for the present building.</div> <div> Harlan McKinsey (03), who was most helpful in volunteering information, among his recollections, could recall the building of the school referred to by the words "erection of the present beautiful building". With his help the date of construction was narrowed down to the early 1890's. The Rochester Sentinel of November 4, 1891 reported that school began that Monday morning in the new building. This would seem to establish that this building was not completed until that fall, else why the late date in November for beginning classes.</div> <div> This building was destined to become the first school in Union Township to serve as a high school in the late 1890's, and to yield the first graduating class of 1900. This was strictly a town school controlled by the town board and those living(in the country) in the township had to obtain a transfer to attend.</div> <div> An article of October 8, 1897 stated: " It is always a source of pleasure to call attention to the institutions in our midst that are doing a work creditable to themselves and the community. Such we have found the Kewanna schools to be. Prof. LeMasters, with his efficient corps of teachers, has the work for the ensuing year well in hand. A recent visit to the school revealed the pupils in the several rooms busily engaged and orderly in their deportment.</div> <div> In the High School department we were present at the hour for recitation of the class in rhetoric. This being their first year they are weighing anchor, as it were, to launch out in this important study. There was a marked thoroughness in the Professor's mode of impressing the fundamental principles of composition upon the minds of the students.  Two compositions were read and commended for originality of expression, which was urged upon all pupils.</div> <div> In the Grammar department we found the pupils exercising their faculties on the divisor, dividend and quotient by the cancellation route. All seemed to understand the process very well.</div> <div> In Miss Foglesong's room the third and fourth grades were as busy as the older pupils. The Geography class in its recital gave evidence of the activity of their brains by the thoroughly original questions propounded to their teacher. Miss Foglesong is a very earnest teacher and will , we feel confident, inspire her pupils to do a splendid year's work.</div> <div> Last in enumeration, but first in importance, is the primary department. As we entered this room and looked upon the bright innocent faces, the remark of the lamented Garfield when he was greeted by a company of school children came to mind: 'I always want to raise my hat when I see the children, for there are so many noble possibilities buttoned under those little coats.' What a privilege and what a grave responsibilities rest upon the primary teacher. To her it is given to cast the mold of the educational career which shall fit them for life's work. Shall it be one of noble purpose or frittered away in aimless endeaver.</div> <div> Swift, the noted educatoer, has said the character is formed at the age of six and then development only takes place. This seems like a broad statement, but the more you think of it the more feasible the thought appears. This shows the importance of the teaching of children before school years arrive, and next the care in selecting the teacher to whom to entrust  the development of the tender impressionable little ones that are more than life to us.</div> <div> Miss Slick, in the Primary department, has the faculty of keeping the pupils busy and good order prevailed, and what pleased us still more, has the love and confidence of her pupils as was evidenced by their expressive faces as they bade her good-bye at the door at the close of school. The pupils in the school have been divided into two divisions for literary work and have fortnightly exercises on alternate Fridays, giving every child an opportunity to take some part once a month. This afternoon is the time set apart for one of the divisions. The two rooms on the first floor uniting on such occasions, as well as the two higher rooms.</div> <div> The school building is very good, being well lighted, heated and ventilated. But another room could facilitate the work a great deal. The room now used for a recitation room by the high school pupils is very small, in fact too small for the purpose. But the teachers are not daunted by small obstacles and the wheels of progress turn merrily on."</div> <div> By the fall of 1899 steps were taken to alleviate the crowded conditions. The article of August 25, 1899 states: "The old M. E. Church which stood on West Main Street, and which was recently purchased by the school authorities has been moved onto the school grounds and will be fitted up for the high school". Several of our early graduates can recall this frame structure which is visible at the extreme left of photograph T.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6d82b9f0.jpg" border=0 width="555" height="415" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This brings us to the turn of the century and our first graduating class and it seems appropriate to inject information pertinent to the school at this time. Our digressions may stray from the strictly academic point of interest but never-the-less this reminiscing has its value in the establishment of the mood of the community.</div> <div> The following article of September 15, 1899 indicates a prosperous community boosting it's young high school. " The Kewanna Public Schools open next Monday. A number of notable changes have taken place since last year's opening, among which is the providing of new and additional quarters for the accommodation of the constantly increasing attendance, and the securing of two new instructors for this term. The popular report that the newly provided building would be used by the High School department is false, as the room will be occupied by the Grammar department, under J. C. Gorsline. The building has undergone repairs which put it in excellent condition and make of it a commodious, comfortable, well lighted, well ventilated and desirable room. Prof. LeMasters very kindly conducted us through the buildings Monday morning on our initial visit and to say that we were surprised at their extent, arrangement, and desirability would be putting it mildly.</div> <div> The heads of departments for this term are as follows: J. LeMasters, Supt., D. I. DeWolfe of McDonough County, Ill., Principal; J. C. Gorsline, Grammar Dept.; W. H. Gohl, Intermediate; Miss Foglesong, Second Primary; Miss Elsie Slaybaugh of Akron, First Primary.</div> <div> This school year will witness the graduation of the first class from the High School, which class will consist of five young men. The class which this term takes up High School work has twenty-five members, four or five of whom are from Pulaski County and three of whom are from Wayne Township, this county. The first morning bell will ring at 8:10 and teachers will be required to be in their rooms prior to that time to receive pupils. Pupils living in town are requested not to enter the building until after the ringing of the first bell. Mr. Fabe Snepp has secured the position of janitor to succeed Jas. Clifford. The Kewanna Public School is undergoing a steady growth and substantial improvement, is an institution of which the town and community is justly proud, and the ensuing year will doubtless prove even more glorious than those preceding."</div> <div> An article of March 30, 1900 announced the approaching graduation of it's first class with these words. "The first class to graduate from the Kewanna High School will be the one of 1900. The baccalaureate sermon will be delivered by the Rev. J. A. Maxwell at the Methodist church on April 29, and the commencement exercises will take place at the same place on May 4, at which time Rev. H. G. Ogden will deliver an address. The class is composed of five young men."</div> <div> The five men referred to were Harry Heimberger, Harry Wilson, Arthur Shaffer, Clyde Lemasters, and James McNeff. Their picture, and all that followed are located in the Kewanna Library.</div> <div> The following article of September 7, 1900, is typical of that era and seems to indicate a lack of specialty courses. There are indications that this lack was soon eliminated and opportunities for specialty courses soon prevailed. " The Kewanna Public Schools open Monday and a large attendance is expected. Pupils from the township who wish to attend the town schools must see the trustee for a transfer even though they were transferred last year. The teachers are all in attendance at the county institution this week. The schools will be conducted this year with the following excellent instructors in charge: J. B. Lemasters, Supt.; J. H. Evans, Principal of High School; J. C. Gorsline, Grammar Dept.; W. H. Gohl, Intermediate; Miss Foglesong, 2nd Primary; Miss Comer, Primary."</div> <div> A report given by J. B. Lemasters, Superintendent, in an article of October 12, 1900, gives pertinent enrollment information for that year. "Report of Kewanna Public School at close of the first month of school, October 5, 1900. Total enrollment, 221; enrollment at close of month, 216; average attendance for the month, 211; cases of tardiness, 11; number on roll of honor, 101. (J. B. Lemasters, Supt.)"</div> <div> Returning to the changes in the school building, it should be emphasized that there were several country schools which served as a feeder system to some extent for the high school. The number of districts involved at one time reached twelve. No attempt has been made to specifically follow the development of these schools, but some comments will be made later as to their absorption into the school in the town of Kewanna.</div> <div> As previously stated, the turn of the century found the M. E. Church augmenting the high school building. By 1903, responsible citizens had foreseen the necessity of adding to the basic building evidently with the idea of eliminating the need for the church. A NOTICE given on June 19, 1903 indicates the intention to build an addition. "Kewanna, Ind., June 8, 1903. Under House Bill No. 262, approved March 9, 1903, acts of last Legislature, Section One, we, the School Board, propose to extend the sum of forty-five hundred dollars for the erection of a two story, brick, slate roof addition on the north end of the present school building in the town of Kewanna, Fulton County, Ind. Said addition is to be 40 x 54 feet. Signed G. W. Ralston, Pres., D. H. Snepp, Sec'y., J. P. Russell, Treas.</div> <div> An August 7, 1903 article reported the difficulties attendant to the situation. "The proposed addition to the Kewanna school building will not be built this year as the bonds cannot be disposed of. Beside there being a flaw in the manner of giving notice of election the bond buyers refuse to put up any cash until the supreme court settles the question as to the constitutionality of the act of the last session of Indiana's legislature authorizing the issuance of bonds for such purpose. Other towns have been similarly turned down and a case has been taken up from Rushville for the Supreme Court to dissect. The outcome will be watched with interest as this has grown to be a matter of vital importance, not only to Kewanna but to many towns over the state. However the school board has employed eight teachers, as against six of recent years, and proposes to give the school going public the best they have."</div> <div> The best information we have is that this problem was solved quickly and the addition materialized sometime before the spring of 1905. This photo was taken during the 1904-05 school year and the new addition shows clearly in the background.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6da4c910.jpg" border=0 width="588" height="401" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="6d950c60.jpg" border=0 width="592" height="454" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The succeeding years were quite prosperous for our school. A drawing class was added to the curricula , musical groups sprang up among students, athletic teams sparkled against tough competition. A well stocked chemistry laboratory is detected in this picture from 1910.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6dc4c710.jpg" border=0 width="588" height="369" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> German was at least one of the foreign languages offered. The Alumni had formed and were meeting annually to renew old acquaintances. In regard to music instruction - it was offered as early as 1897, although there were periods when no music instruction was available.</div> <div> By the spring of 1916, the condition of the school building had evidently deteriorated to the point of discredit by the State Board of Education. The following article of April 28, 1916 further clarifies the condition f the facilities. "At the regular session of the Kewanna School Board held Wednesday night in the library assembly room the following bills were ordered paid: J. B. Cannon $2.95, D. Kopp $1.65, F. H. Gillespie $1.25, F. P. Gould $1.50, McPhersen & Ralston $7.98, Hilands $33.10, Bert Gillespie $2.80, Anna Wilson $1.50, Thersa Wehr $3.00, C. L. French $11.81, E. L. Fisher $2.00, Earl Heimburger $5.00. The matter of employing teachers for next year was deferred to next meeting. A report from the manual training department shows that there were made this year 17 library tables, 2 writing stands, 35 tabourettes, 17 knife and fork boxes, 20 key racks, and 12 game boards. As looking ahead to the conditions confronting the schools the following letter from the State Superintendent is of interest just at this time: 'At a meeting of the State Board of Education February 9<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> the commission for the Kewanna High School was reissued in the name of the school, to expire June 30, 1916. Your inspector recommends that all desks and arm chairs be put in first class condition; that the reference books in History, English, and Domestic Science should be definitely increased to the extent of $100.00, by September 1916; the Physics laboratory supplies should be brought up to standard; suitable up to date maps for both grades and High School should be purchased; the entire basement floors should be concreted and all walls and ceilings whitewashed and the entire basement to be put in a thorough, sanitary condition in every respect; a separate stairway must be provided for entrance to the girl's toilet; the entire building should be redecorated - the ceilings in ivory and the walls in light tan; if the best interests of the school are considered a new building should be erected at once. Very truly yours, Chas. H. Greathouse' "</div> <div> By the time of the next week's edition prompt action had assured the transfer of control of the school from the town board, to the township trustee. This paved the way for the plans for construction of a new school building. " One of the most significant and withal important meetings ever held by the Board of Town Trustees was held Monday night in the library assembly room when action was taken which will take the control of the Kewanna Schools out of the hands of the School Board through the Town Board and vest it's entire control in the Trustee of Union Township. A petition was circulated Monday among the freeholders of the town, when 115 signatures out of a possible 150 were secured, the exact wording of the petition being as follows: 'We the undersigned resident freeholders of the Incorporated Town of Kewanna, State of Indiana, do hereby respectfully petition the honorable Board of Trustees of Kewanna, Indiana, to abandon and discontinue its management and control of the Public Schools within said town, and abolish the Board of School Trustees therein. This petition is in conformity with the Acts of 1913, page 35, Laws of Indiana, placing the schools within the management of the Township Trustee.' Bear in mind this petition contained the signatures of 115 out of the 150 freeholders of the Town, whereas a majority is all that is really necessary under the law. To make a long story, the Board immediately adopted a resolution in conformity with this petition and declaring the same effective on May 10, 1916, at 12 o'clock noon.</div> <div> Not only did a majority of the freeholders petition for this change, but a majority of the School Board asked for the dissolution of the Board, thereby throwing themselves out of office. Fortunately the change is also agreeable to Township Trustee George Garman, who, while realizing the enormous responsibility and added work thus thrown onto him, with no increase in salary, faces the ordeal with cool nerve and hopeful courage.</div> <div> Briefly, among the reasons for this great change in school affairs, may be named the following: The present Kewanna school building is antiquated and wholly out of date. It is unsanitary, poorly lighted, poorly ventilated and all shot to pieces. Recently school officials of the state took a look and named a long list of things that would have to be done to make it even lawful of permissible to continue holding school therein. It was estimated that it would require $2,000.00 to make these alterations. Money with the school corporation is scarce - painfully so. Hence no one, or mighty few, wanted to see $2.00 spent in temporary repairs, just to keep up appearances for a year or two, when it is conceded that a new building will have to be built before long. So, in the interests of economy, it was decided to bring about the change which for so long has been planned for and looked to - that of placing the schools within the control and management of Union Township. Union Township, you know, has a assessed valuation of more than a million and a half of dollars. Hence it can be bonded for approximately thirty thousand dollars, which sum will give the township a magnificent, new, modern, lawful and altogether desirable and creditable school building, such as Kewanna and Union Township deserve.</div> <div> This is a big job to tackle and will require lots of time. The State officials have indicated that they will extend the present commission one year if assured a new building after that time. Accordingly it is planned to make just the change demanded to squeeze by for one year and begin work on a new building early in the spring of 1917 so as to have it ready for the opening of school that fall. The present school building, grounds and all equipment and everything belonging or pertaining thereto will be deeded to the Township, together with all moneys remaining in the present school treasury, after which we will sail along just as they do at Akron, Fulton and other places where the town is incorporated  but its school affairs are wholly and entirely in the hands of the Township Trustee and his Advisory Board."</div> <div> An article of July 21, 1916 deals with the problem of transportation which was novel at the time due to the aforementioned consolidation effort. "Trustee Garman has just contracted for a new school wagon to be used in transporting school pupils from outlying districts to Kewanna. This comes about through the town school having just been thrown on to the township, this coming term to be the first experience locally along these lines. The district north and west will be the first to use the transportation facilities but in the course of time all the smaller schools of the entire township will be centralized here, all contingent upon the erection and completion of the proposed modern school building in Kewanna."</div> <div> An article of September 8, 1916 discussing the school opening for that year indicates that the change in school control was considered a major change by the community. "The schools of Kewanna and Union Township will open next Monday morning, September 11<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>, for the term. Since the close of the last term the Kewanna schools have been thrown onto Union Township and as a result there is an unusual interest attached to the operation of the town school in this its first year under the management of Trustee Garman and his Advisory Board. The Kewanna school lineup is as follows: Prof. Clyde French, Miss Theresa Wehr, Mrs. Clyde French, Miss Dottie Reese, Miss Dola Garman, Miss June Willoughby, Miss Esther Barnes. The janitorship is again in the hands of Frank Working. The Township schools are in the hands of the following capable teachers: Jubillee, Alvyn Troutman; Bruce Lake, Arthur Felder; Ireland, Rayne Miller; College Corner, Louise Gorsline; Monger, Eldon Walters; Prairie Grove, Chloe Ewing; Bruce Lake Station, Plaudia Enyart; Russell, Van Tuyl Gillespie".</div> <div> An article published the following week on the 15<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> of September gives enrolement figures for that school year. "The Kewanna School opened Monday under most favorable auspices and with every promise of a most successful term. The total enrollment is 213, which is sixteen ahead of last year. Miss Barnes has 25 in the first grade and 13 in the second. Miss Willoughby has 13 in the third grade and 14 in the fourth. Miss Garman has 14 in the fifth grade and 16 in the sixth. Miss Reese has 12 in the seventh."</div> <div> An article of February 2, 1917 indicated that the plans for the new building were progressing. "Trustee George Garman received word the first of the week that the plans now being prepared by Freyermuth & Maurer, the well-known South Bend architects, for the proposed new Kewanna and Union Township school building, would be ready within ten days or two weeks. The sum of $32,000 has been appropriated for this building and those plans are supposed to provide a structure which will come within the appropriation. If so and they are adopted, then arrangements will be made for the sale of the bonds, and the work will be pushed along as rapidly as consistent with good management."</div> <div> An article of April 6, 1917 reports an attempt to sell the existing building. We are not aware of the final disposal but some of the bricks were used in the construction of the new building. "Apetition is being circulated and freely signed asking Trustee Garman to sell the present Kewanna school building, as there will be no further use for it when the proposed new one is completed, the full arrangements for which, together with the funds, have now been provided for. If this petition gets two-thirds of the local voters names on it the Trustee will appoint a commission of three to appraise the property, when it must sell for two-thirds of its appraised value."</div> <div> By the fall of 1917 the building of the new school posed problems for facilities for that school term. The laying of the cornerstone was held that fall with high hopes for Christmas occupancy. Several articles of September 14, 1917 are pertinent. </div> <bR> <div> "When the Kewanna schools open next Monday morning they will be in charge of the following line-up: Principal, Philip Greeley of Churubusco; Assistant Principal, Miss Christina Belcher of Wayne Township; 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> Assistant, Newell Day of Macy; Music and Domestic Science, Mrs. Maude Conrad of Kewanna. Grades 7-8, Miss Dottie reese; 5-6, Miss Dola Garman; 3-4, Miss June Willoughby; 1-2, Miss Esther Barnes. Township Schools: Jubilee, Van Tuyl Gillespie; Bruce Lake, Louise Gorsline; Ireland, Rayne Miller; College Corner, genevieve Felty; Monger, Chloe Ewing; Prairie Grove, Mable Thrasher; Bruce Lake Station, Plaudia Enyart; Russell, Grace Fall."</div> <div> "Trustee George W. Garman has now completed arrangements for the opening of the Kewanna schools right on time next Monday morning. Due to the fact that the new Kewanna school building will not be ready for occupancy before spring, it has been necessary to locate the grades wherever he could find places for them. Accordingly grades 1-2 will be in the library basement. Grades 3-4 and 7-8 will occupy the upper floor of the library, while grades 5-6 will take the upper floor of the old F. and M. bank building, over the Hendrickson real estate office. The high school will occupy the entire ground floor of the Smith & Gilbert auto sales room at Main and logan streets. All of these rooms mentioned have furnace heat and good light and will be made to answer the purpose, under existing conditions. The lot at Main and Logan, adjoining the Leasure & Tomlinson garage, has been cleaned up for a general school playground."</div> <div> This article of September 21, 1917 gives an account of the ceremonies connected with the laying of the cornerstone and indicates progress on the construction. "The cornerstone of Kewanna's new school building was laid Monday afternoon with appropriate ceremonies. The members of Kewanna Masonic Lodge no. 546 formed in procession at their hall and marched with the band and entire school enrollment, three blocks long, two abreast, to the site of the new building, where the ceremonies were in charge of the lodge led by Dr. Chas. A. Lippincott of South Bend, who for the occasion had been commissioned Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Indiana. Following the impressive ceremonies of laying the stone, an able address was delivered by Dr. Lippincott from the porch of the Barker home, with the large and attentive audience ranged over the lawn. The cornerstone is inscribed simply "Erected A. D. 1917." Sealed up in the metallic box placed within the stone is a U. S. Flag; copy of the latest issue of the Kewanna Herald; roster of Kewanna Lodge No. 546, F. & A. M.; roster of Kewanna Chapter No. 322, Q. E. S.; members of Kewanna and Union Township Library Board, with Librarian and Custodian; Town Council and Officials; County Superintendent; Trustee and Advisory Board; Teachers for Town and Township; Architects and Contractor. The work on the building is now proceeding more rapidly and Contractor Cooper stated to the writer Monday that he now hoped to have it complete for use after the Christmas holidays."</div> <div> The article of October 26, 1917, provides a later look at the progress that was being made. "The contracts for hardware and electric wiring for the new Kewanna and Union Township school building were let Saturday afternoon at the office of Trustee Geo. Garman. The Advisory Board and Attorney Metzler of Rochester were present and bids were opened as follows. For the hardware - Daniel Kopp of Kewanna $597.50; G. E. Myers & Sons of South Bend $600.00. For the electric wiring - The Electric Shop of Plymouth $453.75; Colip Brothers of South Bend $544.60; and S. D. Moran also of South Bend $594.00. The hardware contract was awarded to Daniel Kopp and the wiring contract to the Electric Shop of Plymouth. The work on the building is being rushed as rapidly as possible and yet it looks like it would not be completed before spring."</div> <div> This article of September 13, 1918, indicated for the first time that the school was ready for occupancy. "The schools of Kewanna and Union Township will open next Monday, Sept. 16<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>. The list of teachers was printed in these columns last week. Everything is now in readiness for the opening and since last weeks Herald was printed Trustee Garman has employed the Superintendent for the new $35,000 schools here in town in the person of A. Carl Wright of Macy, late of the Chili schools. He has this week moved his family of a wife and son here and they are occupying the Mrs. Ella Hudkins property one square east of the Hotel Toner."</div> <div> An article of September 20, 1918, shows that some of the country schools are becoming obsolete as four districts were being hauled into the new township school building. Many of the alumni are aware that not all the county schools were consolidated immediately. "The schools of Kewanna and Union Township opened Monday morning under most favorable circumstances, and everything is moving off smoothly. The school notes on another page give details concerning the town schools. Four districts are being hauled in here this year, Ireland by Fred Stubbs, Mt. Carmel by Tone Wilson, College Corner by Henry Eisenman and Scotland by Albert Bruce."</div> <div> The high school news that same issue gives enrollment figures and speaks with pride about the new school. "School opened Monday morning at the usual time. The High School morning exercised consisted of two patriotic songs by the school and introductory talk by Mr. Wright. The total enrollment of the school is 217, 66 High School pupils; 19 Freshmen, 17 Sophomores, 16 Juniors and 18 Seniors. Miss Booth reports 16 in the eighth grade and 19 in the seventh grade, Miss Garman has 26 in the sixth grade and 12 in the fifth grade, Miss Miller 15 in the fourth grade and 25 in the third, Miss Robinson has the banner room for attendance, having 22 in the second grade, and 25 in the first grade. The beginners are: Florence Cox; Wilmar Zellars; John Harrington; Ermal Kimble; Robert Hendrickson; Cloyd Zuck; Russell Linden; Harold Woolington; Irma Martin; Katherine Starr; Delia Lambert; Harriet Elston; Ray Cole; Annabelle Nafe; Emerson Overmyer; Byron E. McKinsey; Katherine Cox; Margaret Kumler; Eldona Gohl; Harland Showley; Zella Horten; Eva Berbitsky; & Ray Felty. About 18 are taking a course in Contemorary or War History. This class is taught by Miss Belcher and will change to a course in Bible Study the second semestor. Miss Reese has charge of a class in Agriculture. 17 boys and 4 girls are taking the course. No Manual Training will be given this year. Announcements concerning Domestic Science will be made later. The Athletic Association reorganized and elected the following officers: Pres. Albert Shoemaker; Sec. Margery Garmon; Treas. Mr. Wright; Custodian, Harold Washburn; Yell Leader, Byron Hudkins; we are planning to make good use of our new gymnasium. Mrs. Conrad will be at Kewanna the last of the week instead of the first. Everybody is pleased with the new building. Mildred ?eter, school editor."</div> <div> This school was the east part of the present structure and served the first six grades plus furnishing locker rooms, a shop area, a home economics room, and a music room for the upper six grades. The plaque commemorating the construction was displayed in the entrance lobby adjacent to the south door. The inscription read: "Union Township School, Fulton County, Erected 1917. T. F. Berry, County Superintendent; Geo. W. Garman, Trustee; B. G. Smith, H. B. Kumler, Geo. M. Calvin, Advisory Board; Freyermuth & Maurer, Architects; W. H. Cooper, Contractor." </div> <div> This photograph is from the Kewannian of 1924.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6e4963d0.jpg" border=0 width="406" height="317" ALT="1924 School" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The gymnasium mentioned earlier, was one of the highlights of this building. Both boys' and girls' basketball teams from K. H. S. have many fond memories of hard-fought victories on this floor. Of more importance, however, was the gym's value to the educational program as a whole.</div> <div> The most representative report of this era is given in the <U>History of Indiana</U>.</div> <div> Bear in mind that the report includes the country schools that remained in existence at that time. "The condition of the township is shown by the report of the school year of 1921-22 which is as follows: Children in each grade of the elementary schools: grade one, 64; grade two, 46; grade three, 55; grade four, 39; grade five, 35; grade six, 39; grade seven, 26; grade eight, 47 - making a total of 351 children in the elementary schools, of which 185 were boys and 166 were girls.</div> <div>      Children in each grade of the high school: grade nine, 26; grade ten, 26; grade eleven, 21; grade twelve, 15, making a total of 89 children in the high school, of which 40 were boys and 49 were girls.</div> <div>      Per capita cost of education in the elementary schools was $53.22 with a total of $7,736.16. To cover the cost of education, a .20 special tax and a .35 tuition tax was levied on each $100 of taxable property. Five of the buildings are brick and two are frame, the value of all being $54,600 including the grounds.</div> <div> The transportation of the children is effected by the use of one private motor bus, one public motor bus, four private horse drawn and two public horse drawn vehicles.</div> <div>      Six of the schools are under the supervision of one teacher each. There is one commissioned high school in the township."</div> <div>      The school year book, the Kewannian was published for the first time in 1924 and serves very admirably as a record. The following photographs from the 1925 Kewannian are of interest. In the first photo, the stage at the extreme bottom was removed. Later, the assembly room was divided into a home economics room and a fifth grade class room.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6e52c820.jpg" border=0 width="556" height="386" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The orchestra pictured in the next photo had been in existence for only one year when string instruments were added. Before that time, the band had been organized two years prior.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6e271c30.jpg" border=0 width="625" height="707" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>      By the late 1920's the school was bursting at it's seams and completion of the consolidation effort was desired. The addition contemplated was actually larger than the basic structure. This addition materialized in 1928. The cement marker on the exterior of the building near where the "middle doors" stood is engraved with the following words: Wm. B. Starr, Trustee; Advisory Board, Harley B. Kumler, Frank Scott, Walter ?. Wilson; Wm. Gregory Rammel Arch't.; James I. Barnes Contr.; 1928.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6de13210.jpg" border=0 width="531" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This addition allowed most of the 1917 structure to be used by the lower eight grades. The old assembly room was used for many years for the seventh and eighth grades and each grade from one to six was able to have a room for itself.</div> <div>      The addition had a gymnasium with seating available for several hundred and a stage on the ground floor. The second floor had a large assembly room, several classrooms and an administrative office. A long hallway also on the second floor was made continuous with the hallway of the 1917 structure.</div> <div>      In order to bring the building up to date, mention should be made of the addition of new restrooms at the junction point between the 1917 and the 1928 structures during the 1950's. The rest rooms on the first floor of the 1917 building were removed and the first and second grade classrooms were enlarged to utilize the space. Although extensive remodeling was done from time to time, the basic structure, as seen above, was substantially the same as in the early 1930's. </div> <bR> <div> So ends  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" >A History of Kewanna Schools </FONT>by John M. Agnew & John W. Bauman </div> <bR> <div> In 1965 the principal's office was moved to the projection room between</div> <div> floors on the middle stairway. About this same time the wooden stairways were replaced with</div> <div> cement ones. Lockers were installed in the high school hall in 1967 and the library and audio-visual rooms were built into the west half of the assembly room. In 1970 a pre-fabricated band</div> <div> room was added at the norothwest corner of the school. In 1974 the south side of the balcony was closed in to make a room, which was used for a students' lounge and later a teachers' lounge. In 1979 the office was moved to the pre-fab band room because the State Education Department forbade its use as a classroom, so the band had to go back to practicing on the stage as it had done in years past.</div> <div> When the Leiters Ford school building burned Jan. 5, 1946, they moved in with Kewanna school and two separate schools were operated in the same building. They did not want to lose their identity so it was not a merger. This continued for two years and then Leiters Ford students attended classes in the Methodist Church at Leiters Ford for one year until the new</div> <div> Aubbeenaubbee Township School was completed in the fall of 1951.</div> <div> <I>Information Provided by John M. Agnew (41) and John W. Bauman (56)</I></div> <bR> <div> Principals of the Kewanna High School: </div> <div> 1896 -1904 - J. B. Lemasters</div> <div> 1905 -1910 - W. A. Dayo</div> <div> 1911            - W. A. Arnold</div> <div> 1912 -1914 - Cecil Grayson</div> <div> 1915 -1918 - E. L. Fisher </div> <div> 1919 -1923 - A. C. Wright</div> <div> 1924 -1927 - C. O. Hoover</div> <div> 1927 -1933 - Clarence Gilmer</div> <div> 1934            - Loyd Blickenstaff</div> <div> 1935 -1940 - W. Don Collom</div> <div> 1940 -1941 - W. Russel Wells</div> <div> 1941 -1943 - Wayland D. Richardson</div> <div> 1843 -1947 - Willis Bowen</div> <div> 1947 -1948 - Harold L. Stafford</div> <div> 1948 -1949 - Virgil Gwin</div> <div> 1949 -1951 - Keith Dubois</div> <div> 1951 -1956 - Carl D. Harmon</div> <div> 1956 -1959 - Russel D. Walter</div> <div> 1959 -1961 - Leo W. Marshall</div> <div> 1961 -1964 - E. Cleon Ginn</div> <div> 1964 -1966 - Millard P. Sink</div> <div> 1966 -1968 - Robert J. Prout</div> <div> 1968 -1970 - John A. Hurst</div> <div> 1970 -1977 - Dr. Charles Bernhardt</div> <div> 1977 -1979 - Wayne Pearl</div> <div> 1979 -1980 - Dr. J. Earnest Ridgley</div> <div> 1981            - James Shidler (five months)</div> <div> 1981            - (beginning in May) Dr. Charles Bernhardt.</div> <div> [Kewanna, Thelma Johnston, Wade Bussert, Jan Cessna, and Tammy Evans, <I>Fulton Co</I></div> <div> <I>Folks, Vol. 2</I>, Willard]</div> <div>   <B>After the school closed in 1982, the 1917 building was removed. The 1928 structure which includes the gymnasium remains (in 2000) and is used by a nearby factory for storage. All of the graduating pictures which lined the upper hall were removed along with KHS records, trophys and other effects to the Kewanna Library. Make a note to stop by there the next time you're in town.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#800080" FACE="Georgia" ><A HREF="http://www.globalscape.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.globalscape.com"><U><IMG SRC="121054290.gif" border=0 width="84" height="41" ALT="CSB" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>    Contact webmaster at </FONT><A HREF="mailto:wm@kewannahigh.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:wm@kewannahigh.com"><U><U>wm@kewannahigh.com</U></U></A>  <A HREF="http://www.addr.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.addr.com"><U><U><IMG SRC="107f581f0.gif" border=0 width="88" height="31" ALT="Powered by Addr.com" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>