University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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 IN EDUCATION . . . a A Sr 4 V fjr AA ' ■’ V5 v « v cv :rf I

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EARLY STRUGGLES Wisconsin has today nine state teachers colleges. They were originally established as normal schools. The first was given to Platteville and the second to Whitewater. Where should the third be placed? That problem was before the Board of Normal School Regents when the Civil War closed. On February 28. 1866, it decided that the school should be placed somewhere in the Fifth Congressional District. A normal school would be a fine thing for any of the communities in the district. The people of Neenah and Menasha were prompt in laying such advantages as they had before the board. The Omro Union sounded an ominous note. Without doubt, it wailed, Oshkosh will make an effort to secure the location of it there. It then raised the question, Why not Omro make an effort to get the school located in their village—Why not. indeed? To secure it requires a certain amount of money. Is Omro able, and if able, will she give? This is the question. An offer of S26.000 in site and material would secure a school to the village. Oshkosh Secures Normal That last statement was over optimistic. Oshkosh offered S35.000 and got the school. The decision, taken by the Board in 1868, narrowed the field but did not end the struggle over the location of the school. Each city ward desiring the school was asked to give good reasons why it should be in that particular locality, for now is the time to urge its convictions upon the regents, and influence them in their decision as much as possible. A site was chosen in the Fifth Ward before the end of the year. The news was reported in the Oshkosh Journal in the following words: We understand the site selected is located in the Fifth Ward on what is known as the Kellogg farm. It is a very loca’.ion, high and dry. It is the very nice location, high and dry. It is the last place we thought of for its location, and must say, therefore, that we were rather disappointed ... in our opinion there were better sites for it. What influence was brought to bear on the Board we know and care not. judgment directed . . . There are probably many with us who were disappointed at the final termination of the Normal School question, but to all such we refer to the language of scripture. My zeal hath consumed me. Disappointment in the Fourth Ward Voters in the Fourth Ward were seriously disappointed. The citizens of the Fifth Ward had not shown sufficient interest in bringing the school to Oshkosh. It was not right that they should carry off the prize. Something was wrong somewhere. An irate resident of the Fourth Ward unburdened himself in a letter to the Oshkosh Northwestern which appeared in the December 17. 1868. issue of that paper. The exact means used, so states the letter. may not here be pointed out in detail, but it is generally believed that liberal inducements were offered, through their agents, by other honorable gentlemen of the west end — such as money, and perhaps, some fat takes , and other political preferments, such as might be at their disposal hereafter. The public should know, the letter continues. that there was undue outside pressure brought to bear upon those having the thing in hand, or the Fifth Ward would never have carried off the prize to which it was so little entitled, either in Oshkosh in 1871 Main Street from the Bridge, 1896