Gettysburg High School - Cannon Aid Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

Page 7 text:

QW We zzz Ill ,,..l.-.1 il-

Page 6 text:

W. C. SHE1-:LY Judge of Adams Comify, 1950 Adams Count , 1800-1950 HIS YEAR Adams County celebrates the a p i. 7 sesqui-centennial anniversary of its found- '-4 ing as a separate county. Although settled be 'fi ' in the early part of the eighteenth century, it was not until 1800 that its residents were successful in securing an act of the legislature establishing this area as a separate county with its own officials, its own courts, and its own county government. Witli a population of 13,172 in 1800 the county has grown in population to more than 45,000 in 1950. The same period of time has seen the county advance toia position of major importance in the commonwealth in many Helds of activity. It is perhaps not too much of an exaggeration to say that no other county is so out- standing in so many different fields of endeavor. Es- sentially an agricultural community, it has not only excelled in the production of fruit and other agricultural products but it is favorably known for its educational institutions, its industries. and its scenery and points of historical interest which make it an ideal tourist and vacation resort attracting many thousands of vis- itors each year. Patriotically, the people in the county have responded in every war in which our country has been engaged by the enlistment of men and women in the armed serv- ices and in civilian work connected with the war effort. No appeal of the government whether it be for men, money, materials, or assistance in morale-building pro- grams has gone unanswered. In most instances the response of the people of the county has far exceeded the request. During every period of emergency the people of the county have moved as a united group to accomplish that which was necessary. Adams County is justly proud of its patriotic record. It has been said that the county was settled by all the important racial elements which constituted the colonial population of Pennsylvania. This area was indeed a melting pot of populationf, Herein lies the secret of the growth and importance of the county and herein is its greatest asset. Made up of people of many races and creeds our ancestors learned to live and work together harmoniously for the common good and to respect the viewpoints of others. This is the heritage which they have given us and because of it we have been able to remain united, working for the good of all, and accepting those views most likely to accomplish that goal. In our sesqui-centennial prayer we humbly give thanks to our Creator for the many blessings our country has received and for permitting us to be a part of a county so constituted. 'We pray that every- thing we do will add to the glory of its history. A .Meal

Page 8 text:

For Everyone an Education e! MONG the valuable records of the Gettys- Qfgfvjx burg school system are the secretary's re- U-j5i ,'1VJ N ports of school board meetings held'a1most it ce-ntury acgo. A few of the policies are Herein state . Teacher hire was an important matter in 1850 at a summer-time meeting. A teacher for the female high school was elected at a monthly salary of S22.50. For the infant school a teacher was also elected, the salary to be 312.00 a month. HIGH STREET SCHOOL Early in 1852 a two-room school was established on High Street in a stone house owned by Mr. S. Fahnestock. It was decided also that the schools should be kept open regularly, including every Saturday morn- ing. The teacher's salary was reduced to S22 a month. Another decision was reached-school was to be opened in the morning with Scripture reading and closed in the afternoon with singing. The year 1854 brought about changes. Tuition rates were set up-seventy-five cents per month for each scholar, unless he was a high school student. Rates for them were 51.00. In September a committee of three was appointed to separate the sexes in the pri- mary schools. If the new plan worked satisfactorily, the same procedure was to be followed in the other school. The advisability of having four grades was also discussed. The 1854 annual report showed a decided improve- ment in school attendance. There were 233 boys and 209 girls in school. The male teachers numbered three, with an average monthly salary of S21.67. The female teachers numbered six, with an average salary of 81633. Attendance was a favorite topic in 1855. Any scholar absent from school one week out of four, except for sickness or a satisfactory reason, would lose his seat. By 1856 the directors planned to build a two-story school house with the two sexes in the same room. With this thought in mind two lots on High Street were purchased from Mr. Fahnestock for 5300. The first big building program got under way in 1857. Messrs. George and Henry Chritzman were awarded the contract to build the High Street School, cost to be 35,363 Prior to 1857 practically every house on High Street had served for school purposes. In 1858 borough schools were operating for all the youths of the town, including pupils whose parents F ma' Caste? resided in the borough, adopted children, indented apprentices, hired and bound servants. NOTICE Avi English schoolmastvr, Capable of Teaching the Matlieinzatics, is reunited iii Gc'ttysburg. None need apply zeitlzoat good I'CC0lll'lIlL'1lfd0fi07lS of lzis abilities in feacliinfg ana' moral coarluct. A large school can be made -up. Such au offer will be duly attentletl to by cz committee appointed for that purpose. ADAMS CENTINEL, February 22, 1803. THADDEUS STEVENS Thaddeus Stevens, the great statesman and Con- gressional leader lived in Gettysburg from 1816 to 1842. Although he was born in Vermont in 1792 and studied law at Dartmouth College, he practiced law in Gettysburg and was very active in the anti-Masonic movement locally and nationally. The name of his native county, Caledonia, was given to the iron furnace he founded on the road between Gettysburg and Charn- bersburg. The Saviour of the Common Schools of Pennsyl- vanian deserves the gratitude of every resident of the Keystone State. WVhen Stevens made his classic speech in opposition to the repeal of the Common School Law of Pennsylvania in 1835, in the House of Representa- tives, he said Take lofty ground-look beyond the narrow space which now circumscribes our vision- beyond the passing Heeting point of time on which we stand-and so cast our votes that the blessing of edu- catio11 shall be conferred on every son of Pennsylvania -shall be carried home to the poorest child of the poorest inhabitant of the meanest hut of your moun- tains, so that even he may be prepared to act well his part in this land of freedom, and lay on earth a broad and solid foundation for that enduring knowledge which goes increasing through increasing eternity. T HADDEU s STEVEN s The year before, the eloquent Stevens had made a memorable speech in defense of the Free Public School Act of 1834. At the same time he was serving as a member of Gettysburg's first school board. Wlien a group of men sought to obtain a charter for a new college, to be called Pennsylvania College