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expends annually for public education is nearly double the rate on the assessed valuation of that expended by the latter state on her valuation; while the public school funds of Missouri exceed those of Massachusetts $5,405,127.09. It must be remembered that Massachusetts is classed as one of the leading states in all reforms, being the only one of the original thirteen that did not tolerate negro slavery.

The following, as taken from the 31st annual report of the state superintendent of public schools of Missouri, shows the amount of the nent productive public school funds of the state:

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State school funds, $3,031,887.74; township school funds, $1,950,732.89; county school funds, $3,968,185.08; total amount school funds, $8,950,805.71, being ahead of any state in the Union. State fund to be increased by "net proceeds of all sales of lands and other property and effects that may accrue to the state by escheat from unclaimed dividends and distributive shares of the estates of deceased persons," etc.; township funds, by sales of school lands, county funds, by net proceeds of sales of estrays; clear proceeds of penalties and forfeitures and fines collected for breaches of penal and military laws; also moneys paid for exemption from military duty. "State fund," in the above, includes university fund, except value of agricultural college lands; unsold school lands not estimated,

Pettis county has taken a deep interest in education. The very first teachers of this county were men of ability. George Heard, Esq., taught the first school in the county, and Mr. Milton Thompson was the next teacher. The first schools were taught in log cabins and such other rude structures as those times could afford. The poet has said:

"God sends his teachers unto every age,

To every clime and every race of men,

With revelations fitted to their growth,

And shape of mind, nor gives the realm of truth,

Into the selfish rule of one sole race."

The cause of education is coeval with the county's settlement, and continuous with its growth and development. The duty to educate was a germ planted in the hearts of the pioneer settlers, and was so nurtured and fostered, that it grew from its embryonic state, at first orphan-like, without any house of its own, to what we see around us in the form of more than one hundred and twenty buildings where children receive learning. The early education of Pettis county was very limited indeed. At first a few private schools were started in the settlements by subscription, which grew, as the demand for schools increased to what we see around us to-day in magnificent costly public school buildings with well paid and skilled teachers. The pioneer teacher lived upon a meager salary and taught his school in a log cabin, without windows, except the chink

holes. In such rude school houses many of the parents and grand-parents of the present generation took their first lessons of school life.

In the year 1833, (January 26th) the governor was authorized by the senate and house of representatives to appoint three suitable persons to form a system of common school instruction, as nearly uniform as possible, throughout the state, and to report at the next meeting of the legislature. The reader is reminded that this is the date of the organization of Pettis county. She certainly came in under a happy star. Only a few other sections of Missouri had at this time breathed the spirit of public schools. It is true that St. Louis had organized a board of trustees according to an act of the territorial legislature, which was approved January 30, 1816, but was not incorporated by law under the title of "St. Louis Public Schools," till February 13, 1833.

As will be noticed elsewhere, the office of school trustees and school commissioners was filled by appointments from the county court. Some of the first school officers of Pettis county took deep interest in the welfare of the public schools.

At a session of the county court, November 7, 1853, A. A. Glasscock, Esq., was appointed commissioner of common schools and required to give a bond of $1,500, with good security, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office. Mr. Samuel A. Lowe was commissioner of the school lands at an early day in the history of common schools of Pettis county.

The first school districts contained a whole congressional township, and it was common for boys and girls to walk three or more miles through the woods or wild grasses, in the pioneer days of this county. Washington district (November 6, 1838), was the first organized school district of the county. W. I. Westerfield, Oswald Kidd and Willis P. Ellis were the trustees. The following year (1839) Christian district was organized, and Thomas Brooks, Jesse Pemberton, and Geo. W. Glass were the trustees. These school districts are more elaborately noticed under the head of organization.

In 1841 an academy was established, under the statute, at Georgetown, which was quite successful. In 1847 Campbell College was incorporated in the same town, and this was followed by establishing, in 1860, Georgetown Female School by Anthony Haynes, now of Boonville. Good schools were maintained here for several years.

Prof. A. N. Neal established the Georgetown Academy for both sexes in 1865, and continued at its head till 1870, when he was elected county superintendent. This was one of the best private schools in Pettis county. About 150 students were in attendance. Many of our prominent young citizens and business men were students under Prof. Neal.

October 3, 1865, Thos. E. Bassett, clerk of the county court, was ap

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STATE UNIVERSITY, AT COLUMBIA, BOONE COUNTY, MISSOURI.

pointed county school commissioner, and was continued in office till, under the new constitution, a county superintendent was elected.

From 1865 to 1875 may be counted a decade of unprecedented prosperity for popular education and public schools in Pettis county. At the close of this decade began an era of retrenchment, cutting down salaries and discontinuing the office of not a few officials of that period. With reform in view men are liable to go on extremes. With all the good the new school law of 1865 had done for the people, there were instances in which it was administered by knaves and men whose hearts were guilty of embezzlement of the school moneys from the children of the county. The strikers for reform at the session of the General Assembly of Missouri, in 1874, destroyed the office of county superintendent of public schools, substituting a nominal office, filled very often by incompetent men, styled county school commissioners. This was not aimed as a blow against the schools; however, much injury has been the result of this experience of socalled reform.

Strictly speaking of the efficient work of the county superintendency during the years 1866-1874, which was what the times demanded to arouse a deeper interest in the cause of education, it had its enemies as well as its friends. The schools in the country and a few towns, have not done so well in porportion as under a superintendent. School boards and teachers are embarrassed and lukewarm without some one to lead. In fact the great army of teachers and schools officers of any county should have a captain, whose business it is to look after the drill of those under him. It is now well recognized that a system of public schools needs some responsible head to direct its course. This is found in the highest school officer-the county superintendent of public schoolsa name dear to every lover of education. The very nature of his task and the duties of his office imply that he is a man of large experience in the school room. It is an office indispensable to the successful operations of the free school system. Experience has taught that the people of the west should select school officers for their fitness, regardless of political ties or church relations. Here prejudice has often run high, even to the over-shadowing of an office-seeker's qualities. To insure efficiency in the office, men of sterling worth, tried in school room methods and able to direct, should be elected, the choice being unanimous, and made with a view to the highest good of the patrons of the schools, and future welfare of the children. Indeed, the candidate should be a scholar, a christian of the hightest type, who loves the free schools and the children's interests as he loves himself.

This county can boast of but few professional teachers. Many teach as a stepping to some other more lucrative avocation. One thing may be said for Pettis county, which shows the interest of her teachers over her

sister county, Johnson, which lies under the shadow of a normal school, and that is she has never failed in sustaining county institutes. This county has good, live, whole-souled workers in the institute. In the teacher's profession, like many others, Pettis county offers a place for those who are competent with honor and usefulness. The public schools of Sedalia are the very best. The course is thorough, fitting boys and girls for practical life. This county denounces pretenders in teaching, and those who complain and are not alive to the grand opportunities of the school room and their profession.

The county court of Pettis county, September 5, 1870, made efforts to secure the state normal school, then soon to be established. At a special session the 8th of the following month, the county court thought perhaps they might secure the location of the school if they would give the $50,000.00 instead of $75,000.00, which they proposed at the last session, and on the 7th of November, the court confirmed and approved this measure. At this time, E. W. Washburn was president of the county court. Accordingly, an election was held the 29th of this month, authorizing the county court to issue $50,000.00 bonds, which resulted in a vote of 914 for and 318 against, carried by more than two-thirds in favor of the proposition. On the 6th of December following, Gen. Geo. R. Smith was appointed for the county on normal schools, and allowed $500.00 for lawyer's fees in case he needed it. Through fraud, men of Warrensburg, Johnson county, secured the state normal school for the second normal district of Missouri. However, before Pettis county would give it up, a lawsuit ensued and the matter was taken to the supreme court of the state, and on January 2, 1872, Pettis county court ordered the suit withdrawn, and on the 8th of the following month Gen. Smith was relieved of duties as agent for the county on normal schools.

Herewith is appended a brief sketch of the institutes from their incipiency, with proceedings and names of members, to the year 1882:

In response to a call by A. J. Sampson for the organization of a teachers' institute, a number of teachers and citizens met at the court house at 11 o'clock A. M., May 13, 1869.

The meeting was called to order by County Superintendent A. J. Sampson. After prayer by Rev. E. T. Brown, the following officers were elected, to-wit: A. J. Sampson, as chairman; B. F. Curnett, secretary; Mrs. M. J. Tucker, treasurer; and A. J. Sampson, G. W. Ready and T. J. Barton, executive committee. Held two days' session.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, Our legislature has made it the duty of all public school teachers to become members of the teachers' institute in order the better to fit themselves to meet the responsibilities of instruction of the youth; and,

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