Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

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THE 1935 Three Centuries — Of Educational Progress 8 iic Ids in Step with Time — The year 1635 is one of the most important dates in American history because it was in that year that the Boston Latin School, forerunner of the present American high school, established public education for the first time in the modern world. By the close of the century possibly forty Latin grammar schools had been founded in New England, The Latin grammar school was a tuition school and in the modern sense it can not be said to have been free, but it was public in that it was controlled and partially supported by the town. The purpose of its pro- gram, preparation for college, was rigidly adhered to. Few Latin gram- mar schools survived the American Revolution because the political, economic, and social development which followed the American Revo- lution made necessary a broader, richer, more-democratic educational program. Thus the American aca- demy came into being. This insti- tution, designed to provide educa- tional opportunities for children of all classes, aimed to train a citizenry capable of self-government. The public high school today is a natural descendant of both of these institutions, designed to meet the needs of the expanding Republic. The first school house erected for the accommodation of the children of Seymour, was built by Meedy W. Shields, on a knoll at the corner of Ewing and Fifth Streets. It is be- lieved that this frame structure which contained three rooms, the one above being used for church pur- 1870 — 1910 Page Eight

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PATRIOT the work of the local, state, and national associations the death rate is being gradually dirriinished. The Jackson County Association received the State Prize this year for showing the largest increase in the collecton of funds for carrying on its work. Relief work of the community is supervised through three agencies cooperating for the best interests of the people. The Federal and state agencies supervise the distribution of relief work and extend direct re- lief to needy families. The Seymour Welfar e Association provides emer- gency relief and supplements the work of state investigators. Mrs. Annette Test, City Attendance offi- cer, investigates the cases of needy school children and provides books and clothing if advisable. A building without a basis cannot stand; faith is the foun- dation, and every good action is but a stone laid. — Feltham The citizens of Seymour were well aware of their spiritual needs, and by 1870, nine churches were estab- lished to contribute permanently to the character of their members. The names of the churches and the dates of their organizaton are as follows: Baptist, 1839; First Presbyterian, 1855; Catholic, 1858; St. Paul, 1859; Christian, 1863; Church of Christ, 1866; Trinity Methodist, 1866; Lutheran, 1870; First Metho- dist, 1883; Nazarene, 1905; and Christian Science, 1911. The churches and clubs through cooperation and perserverance have given invaluable aid to Seymour. Through their unceasing efforts and noble application of Cod ' s instruc- tion, Thou art thy brother ' s keep- er , they have raised the moral and physical standards of the citizens. The conditions of conquest are always easy. We have but to toil a while, endure a while, believe always, and never turn back. — Simms Page Seven

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PATRIOT 1910 — 1923 poses, and the two rooms below for school, was erected in 1854. After a few years the building became so unsubstantial that when the bell in the tall belfry was rung, the whole structure shook. The old school building was destroyed by fire. June 9, 1859, and a new, two-story brick building was at once erected on the same location. Church and Sunday School were held in this building. The new school consisted of one large room downstairs and one up- stairs. In one section of the upstairs was a small room where recitations were heard. When Ewing Street was graded, the workmen graded so close to the school that part of the build- ing was almost undermined. It be- came so dangerous that parents re- fused to send their children to it. In 1868 there were not enough pupils to justify a teacher at the Ewing Street School, so school was held in buildings conveniently lo- cated throughout the city. One building was located on the southeast corner of Second and Vine Streets. This school was so crowd- ed that often pupils were compelled to sit three in a seat. Another was located at 311 Indianapolis Avenue. These schools were not free but charged tuition. The following information was taken from the commencement number of the 1910 Patriot. In 1870, after hard work on the part of Rev. C. H. Huffman, then councilman, bonds were issued and the school trustees, P. S. Carter, J. Kling. and J. W. F. Cerrish were able to lease the lot on which our school building now stands. The heirs of Captain M. W. Shields later gave the land to the city for school pur- poses. At that time it was a forest, separated from the city by an iron fence, running north and south about one hundred and fifty feet from Wal- nut Street. On this lot a building was erected which for many years stood Page Nine