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

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of Gettysburg, Thaddeus Stevens was a member of that committee. When the future of the college was in grave doubt, because of poor financial support, it was Stevens who spoke for and assisted in getting an ap- propriation of 318,000 from the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Thaddeus Stevens was one of the most ardent advocates of the public school system in Pennsylvania. His argument was strong, his sarcasm, biting, He possessed an abundance of dry wit and his tongue cut like a razor. During his lifetime, his followers Could find no words strong enough to praise him, and his enemies, especially in the South, no language bitter enough to ridicule him. Although totally indifferent to fame and high office, Thaddeus Stevens has left his mark in Gettysburg and Adams Cou11ty. Stevens Hall on the Gettysburg College Campus, is named in his honor. LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY In 1826 laws were approved and at the same time agents were appointed to collect contributions in the United States and Europe for the erection of the Sem- inary of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church in America. Choosing the place to build the Seminary was rather difficult-Hagerstown, Carlisle, Frederick and York all being considered along with Gettysburg. Weighiiig carefully all the advantages offered, the committee de- cided upon Gettysburg by unanimous vote. Dr. S. S. Schmucker, the first professor of the Sem- inary, was inaugurated as President on September 5, 1826, and among the ten subjects he taught were Greek, Hebrew, and Biblical interpretation. The first classes of the Seminary were held in the Adams County Academy building, at the southeast corner of Washingtoii and High Streets, where the Reuning families now reside. The Seminary began with S1,700, one professor, eight students and a small library. In two years the students increased from eight to twenty-three. A second professor was needed and hence Ernest I-Iazelius was inaugurated on September 29, 1830. Q K7 . Cx .E I W ' H. .'49?i' W 221m Cn- ' ,.,., A il L i RARE TREAT FOR GETTYSBURGIANS On the IQII1 and 20271 of S0f7fL'llZff28l', ISII, G0ffyslmrg'ian.r were treated fo cl rare sight A fling Eleplzantf' 25 reins fm' adults, children half price. NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT The elephant is not only the largest and wisest animal in the world, but from a peculiar manner in which it takes its food and drink of every kind with its trunk, is acknowledged to be the greatest natural curiosity ever offered to the public. She will lie down and get up at command, she will draw the cork from a bottle and with her trunk, will manage it in such a manner as to drink its contents. She is eleven years old and measures upward to fifteen feet from trunk to tail, ICI1 feet around the body, and eight feet high. PERHAPS THE PRESENT GENERATION MAY NEVER AGAIN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING AN ELEPHANT, AS THIS IS THE ONLY ONE IN AMERICA, AND THIS PERHAPS ITS LAST VISIT TO THESE PARTS. Five

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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

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THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GETTYSBURG JOINT SCHOOL SYSTEM Mr. Ralph W. Guise, vice president: Mr. Emory A. Foxy Mr. Edward Eikerg Mr. Charles A. Vlfertg Mr. Glenn R. Trostleg Mr. John W. Woods: Mr. Raymond S. Scotty Mr. Paul M. Rohrbaugh, secretary, Dr. Ralph Nvickerham, president, Dr. Lloyd C. Keefauver, superintendent of schools. Not on picture: Mr. Raymond A. S1bert. GETTYSBURG JOINT SYSTEM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CUMBIQRLAND FREEDOM Russell Durlnoraw, president John W. Woods, president B. W. Redding, vice president Mervin B. Bishop, vice president Emory A. Fox, secretary Raymond S. Scott, secretary Edward Eiker, treasurer Guy Gordon, treasurer Mrs. C. Stanley Hartman Sterling Stultz GETTYSBURG Paul M. Rohrhaugh, president George T. Raffensperger, vice president Mahlon P. Hartzell, secretary Gettysburg National Bank, treasurer Charles S. Black Ray Kitzniiller Mrs. Sydney J. Poppay Dr. Ralph D. Vlfickerhani Daniel VVolff H mn LAND STRABAN Ray F. F unt, president Ralph W. Guise, president Charles A. Wert, vice president Hugh C. McIlhenny, vice president Charles Lott, secretary Russell M. Spangler, secretary Glenn R. Trostle, treasurer Edgar VV. Weaner, treasurer Charles Cluck Raymond A. Sibert Six