Harmony High School - Cardinal Yearbook (Harmony, MN)

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(Our District Number Forty (formerly known as District Number Twenty ) was organized during the pioneer days of the early lifties. |l was the twentieth to be formed in Fillmore County and although a great many more have since been organized, it has always ranked among the first in educational affairs. In the minutes of the first annual school meeting, held in 1859, we find this interesting information: RRSoi.vrd, That ihree months of school shall bo hold by a qualified male teacher who shall recieve not more than twelve dollars a month: said teach rr shall receive what money shall be drawn from the county treasurer as so.m as ll .h availau.c i.n l fo: the l aiar.ee of his salaiyfif any) he shall wait until Oct. 1st. isiJO, without interest. Said teuchorsha.l board free of charge with the parents or guurdlans of the children attending school, according to the number of children sent, and it is further made the duty of parents and guardians, sending children to school, to furnish their children scats and desks and ull othor necessaries and also to furnish n snfllcicnt amount ot wood, froo of chargo to the district. Francis J. Craig. Clerk. In 18'»9, fifty seven were in attendance in the first school house. The attendance increased rapidly as young men and young women, with the children, found that the school was a profitable place to spend a few hours each day during the winter months. In 181J4. a small frame school house was built east of Greenfield Church. Many of our prominent citizens attended this school. Among those who taught it are found the following: M. A. Maland, 1872: Ida Ferris. 1S72: Tollef Sanderson, 1874: Nellie Gnuatad, 1878; Maria Adams, 18S2: o. .1. Wolsted, 1ks2: Nettie Dean, 1 83: L. E. Goss-man, 1883; I . Ii. I lamer. 1884. The foundation of Harmony had been laid and the pioneers, realizing its favorable surroundings, saw fine prospects for a thriving village. After consideration it was decided to build a two-story school house here. This building.which is a part of Arlington Hotel, faced the cast toward Main Street. In the lower room Miss Farrell taught the primary grades. Under her care seven of this year's graduates received a thorough start and a good foundation for the work which has followed. § rluml 9 The building was lighted by windows on the north and south. The rooms were heated by large stoves, placed in the center of the room. The teacher generally served as janator, or kept the troublesome boy busy by allowing him to carry in the big sticks of wood. The stove in the upper room was surrounded by a galvanized iron jacket, and most of the Seniors can remember the sensations resulting from roasting cheeks and cold f ? t. The following were principals in this building: VV. 11. C . Dux-bury, 1HXH: .1. H. Diixburv, 1887: -I. D Stout. 1888: R. VV. fi. Vogen-itz. IKS!): S. C. Vordale, I89; : K ;. Voshurgli, 18»H: VV. K. i;Um-mings, 1892; ,J. T. Keppel, 1893; Walter Cooper, 1MM: .1. F. Jones, 1895. The attendance ranged between KH and 143. In 1895 a small building in the north part of town was rented and used as a school room, because of tin crowded condition of the school house. In this building, which the pupils spoke of as the •'school in the sink hole,” Rupert Barnes instructed the intermediate grades. Ibis same year many plans were made to provide room for the increasing attendance. After due consideration the voters decided to build a four room building on what is the present site. This site contains one and a half acres and far • » Main Street. F. VV. dates was the lirst principal in the new building. Three rooms were used in 189i, but in the following year the fourth room was furnished and the fourth teacher hired, with J. F. Jones as principal. In 19JJ C. F. R!ford introduced sum.» high school work. It was not divided, however, from the grade work and because of disadvantages was not. recognized as of importance until the following year, when 0. (i. Selvig, the present superintendent, became principal. 1 hat same year a lifth teacher was engaged, and a lirst year high school class was organized and instructed in connection with the eighth grade. I hat year the attendance increased to -1)5 and more room became an imperative necessity.

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Tollkf Sanmkusuk N. X. Helle iitiarfo uf Eburatinn K. W. Fust L. O. BAUCiKN, Secretary A. H. Daniels, President . N. Thundaijs, Treasurer