University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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was f far fi Fowl tive t —Est the h the le west ( and si chosei accoir at Pc propr This 1 merid by all towns first p Crock a mas of Gil Early scripti appoii openei tender relath cast ol in the by the ings v would were c NORMAL AND CAMPUS

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n moriam MRS. EVA J. CASE. Mrs. Case held the position of preceptress in the State Normal school at Kearney, from the beginning of the school, until her death, in November, 1907. She was well known in the educational circles of Nebraska, having been county superintendent of Webster county and city superintendent of Red Cloud for a number of years. She was a faithful member of the faculty, and her broad sympathy and good judgment made her a true friend and wise counsellor of the young ladies of the school.

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History of The Normal m the West Mamie Tompkins. For a long time there had been a feeling through Nebraska that there was need for better facilities in educating its teachers. This was felt very strongly by educators who knew the conditions in central and western Nebraska. Teachers situated in this part of the state were so far from educational institutions that few had an opportunity to prepare thoroughly for their profession. State Superintendent William K. Fowler, realizing these needs, in his biennial report to Governor Mickey, published January 1, 1903, made the following recommendations rela- tive to the Normal school question: First—Exchange the Industrial school at Kearney for boys, with the State Normal school at Peru. Second —Establish a new Normal school at Lincoln. The idea of moving the Normal Nom Peru was met by so much opposition that it was given up. hut the fact remained that a Normal somewhere in the west was badly needed. A bill, known as House Roll No. 1. was drawn up and introduced in the legislature of 1903 by Chauncy Warner, of Lancaster county. It provided for an appropriation of $100,000 for the location of a new Normal west of the sixth principal meridian, the selection of the site to be left to a committee of nine members of the legislature, three from the senate and six from the house of representatives; the three senators to be appointed by the lieutenant governor and the six members from the house to be chosen by the speaker; one from each congressional district. No site should be chosen unless twenty acres of land, worth at least $75.00 per acre, accompanied it. The school should be under the direction and control of the board of education of Nebraska and governed the same as the school at Peru. After careful consideration it was agreed upon by Normal school advocates that the bill should be amended providing for an ap- propriation of $50,000, the selection of the site to be left in the hands of the state board of education, but otherwise the bill was the same as before. This bill was introduced March 20, and on March 26 had advanced to the third reading in the house, but was amended to the ninety-eighth meridian instead of the sixth principal meridian. It was then passed by both houses and signed by Governor Mickey. Its passage was assisted by all western Nebraska cities, as well as many individuals. As bids were soon to be opened for the location of the Normal, and as several other towns had already made headway along the lines of securing lands and other requirements for it. the citizens of Kearney, on April 23, held their first public meeting on the new school question, for they were anxious to secure the prize for Kearney. The old committee, of Messrs. Gregg, Lowe, Crocker, Robinson and Dryden, was continued as executive committee with power to appoint financial and sub-committees. The first part of May a mass meeting was held in the city hall. Reports or speeches were made by the following: C. H. Gregg, J. F. Crocker, Representative Davis of Gibbon. Representative Knox, A. O. Thomas, E. C. Calkins, 1.. F. Watson, Senator Wall, Mayor Roe, Judge Oldham and N. P. McDonald. Early in June a committee meeting was Held at which subscriptions were checked up, accounts averaged, and people urged to bring in their sub- scriptions. In July delegates from Central City and Holdrege visited Lincoln in behalf of their respective cities, and probably to look after the appointment of the new member of the board, to take the place of W, L, Stephens, whose term was to expire June 21. As the bids were to be opened July 28, this new member was a matter of great importance to all concerned. Before this date Governor Mickey had appointed Superin- tendent Delzell. On July 12 advertisements appeared in the papers by order of the hoard of education to the effect that pVoposals were solicited relative to the donations to the state of suitable land, not less than twenty acres, worth $75.00 per acre, west of a point not exceeding five miles cast of the ninety-eighth meridian, building or buildings, money or registered bonds, might be included in the donation. Thc4e were to be opened in the presence of the board, Tuesday, July 28, 1903, in the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The proposals would be investigated by the board and it would consider in making a selection the character and value of the site, the building or buildings thereon, whether the build- ings were to be donated or sold, and the value of the bonds accompanying the proposal. The Normal school would be located on the site which would appear to be for the best interests of Nebraska. Other elements entering into the selection of the site not mentioned in the advertisements were density of population immediately around the proposed site, distance from the railroad depot, drainage and lighting facilities. library STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE KEARNEY, NEBRASKA