Schools

The first school in the neighborhood was held northwest of town on what is now the Mineral Spring grounds, but known then as the "hooking quarter." Squire James H. Mar­tin was the first teacher, and was followed by a man named Queal. Later a school for the younger children was opened in the village with W. W. Pease as teacher.

The first public school was held in Ray's hall, in a warehouse owned by Knowles, Ray & Chapin, west of where the Columbia hotel now stands. A school house was built in the south part of the village in 1861, and taught the first year by a Mr. Carr from Galesburg. At the same time a school was carried on in the room over J. H. Gilmore's present store room. August 28,- 1865, a tax of 2 3-4 per cent, was levied for the purpose of building a school house on the north side of the railroad, on a square owned by the village. The building was completed in 1866 at a cost of $3,000, and opened for use in November of that year, with Misses Angle Egbert and Abbie Perkins as teachers.

Miss Underbill (now Mrs. Henry Tubbs) and Miss Laura A. Brown were teachers in the south building at the same time, but after a few weeks Miss Underbill was transferred as an ad­ ditional teacher at the north school and her place at the south school was taken by Miss Luella Perkins. The north school was burned December 6, 1898, and the next year a handsome brick school house was erected on its site. The building cost about $9,000, and was built by Contractor J. W. Sanderson, of Burlington. W. C. Tubbs was president of the board at the time. The present board is com­ posed of John Holliday, president; W. K. Gam­ ble, clerk; Dr. J. M. McClanahan, treasurer. The teaching force for the year 1902-03 is: T. E. Savage, principal; Miss Mattie Armstrong, Sadie Green, Anna C. Hogue, north school; Miss Melle Willett, south school.

History of Warren County

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