Muscatine High School - Auroran Yearbook (Muscatine, IA)

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SEVENTY YEARS OF ADMINISTRATION -4... Personalities, more than anything else, leave an indelible impression on the minds of growing youth. If it is as true as it is trite to say that a pebble thrown into midstreani arouses wavelets that touch even the most remote shore, we may also say that the influence of the teachers of yesterday is reaching out into our school system, and that our present faculty is building up the heritage for future generations. F. M. Witter was one of the most important factors in the development of our school system, and especially of our high school. He was born at South Bend, Indiana, August 15, 1839. When only ten years of age, he left his native state with his parents, crossed Illinois and the Father of Waters, and finally settled in Delaware County, Iowa. Later the family traveled by covered wagon to Decatur County, where they made their home on government land. In the summer his hours were occupied with toiling on the farm, carpentering, or helping to transfer large droves of cattle over the plains as far as Ft. Lar- amie. The 'foundations of his education were laid during the winter months. First he attended thc dis- trict school and academy, and later, in 1859, he entered the University of Iowa, from which he gradu- ated in 1361. In 1862 Mr. Witter was elected to a position in a Davenport school, and in 1863 he accepted the principalship of School No. 2 in Muscatine. At the close of this year he prepared a plan for organiza- tion of the Muscatine school system and was then elected superintendent of the city schools and made principal of the high school, positions he held until March, 1881. At this time he preferred to turn his attention to business enterprises. However, in August, 1885, upon the resignation of Superintendent O. F. Emerson, Mr. VVitter was recalled to be the head of schools. This position he retained until 1901. Other teachers, although not so well-known, played their particular parts in the history of our school equally well. From 1869 to the time that high school was moved to its first permanent quarters, the following teachers had been assisting Mr. WVitter: the Misses Alice Reed, Augusta B. Raymond, Carrie Barrows, jennic Cleaves, Marilla Hopkinson, and Mary Leyda. The Misses Lillie E. Morrison and Eliza Prosser were the assistants at the opening of the school-the fall of 1869. By the efforts of these teachers in putting on entertainments, the school was able to purchase a compound microscope and a four-inch equatorially mounted refracting telescope. The instruments were first class and cost 350 dollars. During the next two years the Misses Clara and Emma Lillibridge and C. E. VVhite were assistants. In 1874, L. C. Crossman was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. White. After March, 1881, when Mr. VVitter resigned, Miss Clara Lillibridge and Mr. Crossman managed the school until the end of the term. R. B. Huff was elected to fill Mr. NVitter's position. In March, 1882, Miss Lillibridge accepted the principalship of the high school in NVaterloo.' Mr. Crossman, as first assistant, and Miss Sarah V. johnson, as second, finished the school year. Mr. Huff continued as prin- cipal, and Mr. Crossman, as first assistant: until june, 1884. ln 1882-83, George M. Whicher was assistant with Mr. Crossman. In 1883-84, E. F. Schall suc- ceeded Mr. WVhicher. O. F. Emerson succeeded Mr. Huff as superintendent and principal of the high school in 1884. Mr. Schall became first assistant- and Miss Anna B. Cloud, second. Mr. Emerson resigned in August, 1885, when Mr. Witter was again elected superintendent, and Mr. Schall became principal of the high school. He retained this position until 1901. During the time that Mr. Schall was principal the following teachers assisted: the Misses Anna B. Cloud, Agnes B. Hatch, Emma F. Underwood, Laura Eaton, Fannie C. Hadley, Emma Rankin, Leona E. Howe, Mary E. Whicher, Ella Knoll, Mary Ryan, Ellen H. Neallyg Mrs. Emma L. Mahin, G. J. Roberts, O. D. Longstreth, and I. S. Pepper. Since 1901 our enrollment and the number of teachers have rapidly been increasing, until today we have an even more efficient staff, numbering thirty-five members. After contrasting the teaching forces of today and yesterday we are confronted with some out- standing differences. First among these is the fact that in thc early history of our school system the education and experience qualifications of the teachers were not greatly stressed. In reviewing the history of past years one also comes to the conclusion that the instructors did little toward the social develop- ment of their pupils. The only organizations or societies that stand out clearly in the history of our school from the year 1864 to 1901 were a literary or debating society and the high school orchestra. No interschool contests of any sort were enjoyed and school parties were few. Today an entirely different situation exists. NVe have a staff of trained teachers who do their part toward making their pupils successful, both intellectually and socially: Assembly programs are provided every week, class parties are annual occurrences, organizations that prove a benefit to theirmembers are numerous, and interschool competition is common. ' Let us recognize and appreciate the worth of years of experience and industry, but let us also strive to keep the unfavorable portions of this history from repeating themselves.

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,iw if YL ' 'gl ' X xr Qf FACULTY FIRST Row: CLARK BROXYN-, B. S., Iowa State Teachers' College, Aidlllldl Arn, ROBERT KINNAN, B. A., University of Iowa, History, Iakvlceflmli' Conch, CAROLINE LIEBBE, B. A., University of Iowa, Commer- cial, VV. HOXX'ARD NICILRATII, B. A., Grinnell College, Parsons College, Speech, De'bdl6, Drrmmlicsg ELDEN A. LICI-Irv, B. S., Northeast Missouri State Teachers' College, M. A., University of Missouri, lllarhrmarirrg FRANK J. Hows, Nil Ped., Greer, Armour Institute, Cnmruerrialg Looisiz GARKLR, B. S., Drake University, M. S. University of Iowa, illalhmsaricxg CIIARLRS Snoox, B. A., Iowa Wesleyan, Sociology, Jlluxic SECOND Row: Gsmtvisvs IVICCANDLESS, B. A., University of Nebraska, English, ESTELLE IIEEZEN, B. A., M. A., University of Iowa, English, RlTBER'T F. NIARK, B. A., Grinnell College, Englirh, EDN.-K IIINRICHSEN, B. A., Iowa State Teachers' College, M. A., University of Iowa, English, NRAL SANDS, B. S., Monrnouth College, Civirs, Econ.ou:ir.v, Foallmli Coach, NIARY B. RYAN, B. A., M. A., University of Iowa, Frrnrh, L.-xwRI-1NcR HILI.vARn, B. S., Iowa State College, Printing, LORRAINE JOHNSTON, Mus- catine .Iunior College, Lihrarimz 'THIRD Row: NIILDRFD STIRLRN, University of Iowa, University of Chicago, Home Economics, CARL C. LIRBRR, B. A., Carthage College, Sriefrrfg H. NIARGARET KEIVIBLIA, B. A., Iowa VVesleyan, M. A., Uni- versity of Iowa, Lalin., Speech, DoRoTnv TI'I.IaR, B. A., University of Iowa, Cnmmcrrial, ELLA OBRR- IKIEIER, B. A., M. A., University of Iowa, English, Laliug GENEl'.A Gia.-ics, B. A., University of Iowa, Seizure, DULLIE DULGAR, B. A., M. A., University of Iowa, Science, LEONARD HUNN, B. S., ,University of Iowa, Cofimzeririfvi, Track Conch FOURTH Row: M.kRTHA GKHAD, B. A., Martha VVashington College, M. A., University of Iowa, Hixlory, Eranowicx, INIADISON GRIIPFITI-I, B. S., Kirksville State Teachers' College, Illfzrherrllafiarg EIKINIA How!-2, B. A., University of Iowa, Eriglirhg EI.I2AIxIQ'I'II SMITH, Ph. B., Penn College, lwfrrhclurzfirsg Louisa jniucno, B. A., Iowa VVesleyaII, M. A., University of Iowa, Hixroryg LINDLEY Hoor-Es, B. S., Iowa State College, Vocaliarml rlgriruizureg MRS. BJIARIE RUTHENBRRG, Sccrelary, HENRY HIJLTZER, B. A., Uni- versity of Missouri, Science ' I X

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