Lewiston High School - Bengal Yearbook (Lewiston, ID)

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F 0090 UU -.-V v p n DU n: lp 1-A uw oornnrno I A '- -1 Hvflfiwli w - History of the Lewiston Highschool CBY SUPT. JOEL JENIFERD The following account of. the first school in Lewiston is given by the late Mr. C. P. Coburn, one of the early pioneers of the town, in An Illustrated History of North Idaho, published by the VVestern Historical Publishing Co.: Late in the fall of 1863, a middle aged man of professional appearance and quiet demeanor appeared in Lewiston and proceeded to organize a small school. He wore a tall silk hat, a suit of the blackest broadcloth, and Aa white tie, all bearing unmistakable signs of long usage and giving the impression that their proprietor was a broken down sport. They did not belie him, as later events proved, but for the time being the ability of the man was all that was inquired into. After diligent canvassing he secured a few pupils and opened his school. Everything progressed satisfactorily until the teacher drew his first montlfs pay, whereupon the sporting proclivities of the pedagogue manifested themselves. He set out to double his money at the gambling table, but, un- fortunately for him, the fickle dame played him false at this most critical juncture, and his wages passed into other hands. Not desiring to remain longer in Lewiston in the face of his ignominious downfall, he quietly departed whence he came and the school was left teacherlessf' The next school was in the fall of 1864. This was a private school and was kept by P. H. Howe in a small building on Fourth Street. - This Howe was a very strong Union man and would often have his pupils quit their. regular schooi work and sing John Brown's Body Lies A-Moldering-in the Grave. . ' In the winter of 1865-66 the school was taught by William Ferrell, who was followed the next year by a Mr. Eckels, an Irishman. It is said that Eckles gave Lewiston its first really good school, and for the first time seats were placed in the school room and books pro-cured for the children. Lewiston was now incorporated and given the privilege of maintaining an independent school, with power to levy a tax for the support of schools. The next important! step in the history of the growth of the schools of the city was the acquiring of the Vifhitman School grounds o-n Main Street. Quoting again from f'An Illustrated History of North Idaho: By l87l the increased de- mands made upon the school showed the urgent necessity for additional room, and an agitation was commenced in favor of erecting a new school house instead of renting a larger building. The times, however, were stringent, and the prob- lem of securing the money wherewith to buy land and put up this new building was not an easy one to solveg nevertheless, at a meeting called to consider the matter it was definitely decided to proceed with the work. Some time previously 2 game of poker had been played in Lewiston, the outcome of which, as it 7