Sparta High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Sparta, IL)

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ex-officio principal of the highest grade which was designated the High School. Mr. Simpson was superintendent during the school year of 1865 and 1866, Rev. J no. Hood, 1866-7 5 Prof. James S. Stevenson 1869-70, Rev. John F. Stewart, 1870-71, Prof. S. B. Hood, 1871-2, Rev. Jno. H. Bratton, 1872-3. In the fall of 1873 Miss Anna M. Small, now Mrs. F. R. Crothers, was elected principal of the High School. Miss Small was the irst principal, properly speaking, as she gave her whole time to the high school while the supervision of the schools as a whole devolved on a superintendent elected for that purpose. Miss Small retained her position for three years, resigning in 1876. She had the honor of graduating the first class, that of 1875. ' Rev. H. M. Pressly was principal in 1876-7, Prof. J. C. Burns, 1877-82, Mrs. Ida C. Burns, 1882-35 Prof. John M. Nickles, 1883-98, and Prof. L. J. Sexton from Prof. Nickles' resigna- tion in 1898 to the present. For several years at irst, the high school had no regular course of study, but in 1873 a three years course was adopted and classes organized for fu- ture graduation. The enrollment the Hrst ten years fluctuated between 40 and 64 pupils, very few of whom were non-residents. The school now has a four years course, 155 students of whom 83 are non-residents. , The irst class graduated in 1875 with the fol- lowing members enrolled: Mrs. Clara Murphy, Mrs. Nannie Baird and Mrs. Ella Finley of Spar- ta, Miss Mary C. Baird and Miss Mattie McKel- vey both deceased, Mr. C. M. Campbell of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. J. D. Crerlach of Chester, and Mrs. Lydia Reeder of Ava. There are representatives of our school all over the United States, and following all kinds of pro- fessions. In connection with the high school' there is a large Museum which contains many interesting

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SPQAVRTCA HIGH SCHOOL. COLORS-Cerise and Yale Blue. YELL. Ana-be-vo! Ana-bi-vo! Ana-be-vo-bi-vo-bum! Bum get-a-rat-trap bigger-than-n-cat-trap! Bum get-a-cat-trap bigger-than-a-rat-trap! Cannibals! Cannibals! Sis! Boom! Bow! Crack-Sparta High School! Row! Row! Row! Provision was made for the establishment of a high school in Sparta school district by an act of the state legislature approved February sixteenth, 1865. In pursuance of this act on the 31st of March, 1865, Mr. John Watson, Mr. James Gordon, Dr. J. C. Childs, Rev. JohnF. Stewart, Mr. Wm. R. Brown and Hon. John E. Detrich were elected and organized as the first Board of Education with Mr. John F. Stewart, president, Mr. W. P. Murphy, secretary, and Mr. James Gordon, treasurer. Mr. George Simpson of Sparta was the first superintendent of the Sparta Public School and

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and instructive objects and it is constantly grow- ing by the generous donations of the friends of education. We also have a ine Library which is a great help to the pupils of the high school. It now numbers about 1300 volumes which includes stan- dard Works for general reading and the necessary Works of reference. The pupils have free access to the Library, subject to such rules as are adopt- ed by the Board of Education. '21 ral vfikifii , 11' --:FEM .x.-:,1.-- ' iff? 1 ' af? Fil? 2 v . ,.5'- I ' r, 5235? 4 - 11, if .......J . 1 g 4, ' . 53 4 ' - -:elif - I fe- ,ir ff 1 A l ' f 1 4- '- -ff w:'?f-1 N .