Catherine "Josephine" STAHL

STAHL, TALLEY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/30/2011 at 14:45:27

The Blue and Gold, Pages 15-16

OUR PRINCIPAL, MISS STAHL

To express on paper an appreciation of the work of our beloved principal is a pleasant task - but difficult. Miss STAHL is retiring and will make her home in America, but she will continue to live here in India, and espcially in Queen's Hill School.

Miss STAHL has been a missionary in India and Burma for thirty-six years, and principal of Queen's Hill for sixteen years. She has given her best years of service working and praying over this school, and has seen it grow from the Arcadia of 1899 with its thirty-seven pupils to the present Queen's Hill with over two hundred boys and girls. She has left the mark of her influence upon hundreds of girls who have known and loved her. To be a genuine Queen's Hill pupil or teacher is to have absorbed not a
little of Miss STAHL'S charming spirit.

To do justice in words to the character of our principal would require the inspiration of the Muses. She has done everything and has done it well. But to help old pupils and teachers recall the one we all love, let us reminisce a bit: --

What pupil can forget Miss STAHL'S keen sense of justice combined with a sense of humour? Do you remember when you were reported to her and you saw the twinkle in her eye, which foretold a just punishment? A little girl became rather exasperating and was told: "If you aren't good, I'll send you to Miss STAHL." Little Miss Four-Year Old replied: "I don't care. Miss STAHL likes me."

Yes, Miss STAHL loves her girls (and punishes in suit [of] the offense). It is not an uncommon sight to see the little ones hanging on her or following her to show a broken doll and get a word of sympathy. And pupils of any age do no quake with fear when they are told that Miss STAHL wants to see them. She is more apt to aske them if they are feeling well and to give them some medicine than to punish them.

Miss STAHL has an abundance of sympathy for her girls. One teacher remarked: "I'd rather be a pupil under Miss STAHL than a teacher, because she is always trying to make her pupils happy." The number of her pupils who appil for posts as teachers under her is proof of her remarkable spirit. After several rainy, dismal days, it is Miss STAHL who suggests a holiday "because it is a fine day and we do not know when we'll have another." Or she allows a juggler to do his tricks to amuse the pupils, who have not been out; or she plans a hike and picnic lunch. On these occasions, Miss STAHL leads the way, and when the others are so tired they are ready to drop, she is still alert and energetic. As she informed a new teacher who was being solicitous of her welfare, "you will have to learn, my dear, that my gray hairs do not mean anything." She is as young as the youngest and as full of fun.

Do you remember Miss STAHL'S illustrated lectures after morning prayers? Sometimes she would speak of proper enunciation, sometimes of carriage; on relaxing; how to sing, or, act, or speak; and annually she has taught the pupils how to receive their prizes.

What memories are awakened by the announcement: "Has any one seen my fountain pen?"

One pupil says: "Miss STAHL is not like other principals, who bury themselves in their offices, and whom pupils never see unless they are to be punished. She knows what every pupil is doing in shcool, and often she knows our parents and this helps her to understand us."

To her staff, Miss STAHL has always been loyal and kind. When the school was moved to Mt. Hermon, she sympathized with them because they were so far from town and she did all she could to make their lives pleasant and happy. If a teacher has some new ideas, Miss STAHL says, "try them out." No teacher can have too much enthusiasm for her work. Miss STAHL appreciates their suggestions and their effords, and tries to mold the staff into a happy, united family. When a difficult situation arises, it is handled tactfully, and ironed out as only she can do it.

Some call our principal an autocrat, but she is a most loveable, charming autocrat. What loyal daughter of Queen's Hill was not proud to see her meet the queen of the Belgians so gracefully? And with what natural ease she meets and converses with those who are holding the highest positions in the city or state.

She is always mistress of any situation and seemingly at ease with those of high or low estate.

When pupils talk of Miss STAHL'S leaving Queen's Hill, they mingle laughter with tears, for she has found her way into the hearts of the children, and has won the confidence and respect of parents and patrons by her unfaltering faithfulness to what is best for the pupils and her beloved Queen's Hill.

L. K. H.

Submission by Mike Avitt, April of 2011

NOTE: Catherine "Joephine" STAHL was born December 2, 1860, the daughter of Michael and Mary B. (TALLEY) STAHL, Ringgold County pioneers. She died died October 8, 1934.
Interment was at Bethel Cemetery, Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa. Her epitaph reads,
"They rest from their labors and their works do follow them." ~ SRB

Ringgold Biographies maintained by Tony Mercer.
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