Report of School Visitations - Lyons:  1870

SOURCE: The Clinton Weekly Herald, July 7, 1870

Office of Sup't of Com. Schools, Clinton, June 20, 1870

Visited public schools of Lyons city, April 13, 14, 16, June 7, 8, 10

BOARD OF EDUCATION

E. Baldwin, G. M. Davis, R. W. Rand, James Tierney, C. Moesinger, C. D. Cunningham; E. Baldwin Prest; G. W. Stumbaugh Sec; Wm. H. Holmes Treas; C. C. Sayder Supt.

High School department -- C. C. Sayder, principal, Anna L. Cross 1st and Mary J. Boice 2d assistant.  Average number belonging 59; deportment admirable.  The method of teaching shows a high degree of mental culture, in drawing out and expanding the mind, by the genial, earnest, and interesting elucidation of the higher branches of learning, persued in this department, thus offering to the young ladies and gentlemen of the city, the rare opportunity of acquiring a thorough academic education, and nobleness of character, that is best secured, and protected, by the restraining, and endearing influences of home.

Grade Sixth -- Miss Kate Hudson, teacher.  Average number belonging 65; deportment commendable.  This department is in charge of a verteran and accomplished teacher, who merits the highest commendation for untiring energy and devotion to the profession, and the educational interests of her pupils.  The board have shown their appreciation of her ability, by retaining her so long in the position she so ably fills.

Grade Fifth -- Miss C. C. Adams teacher.  Average number belonging 74; deportment correct.  The pupils, in this department, are of superior intellectual make up, and are bound to be heard from, in the progressive future of the school, which their mental labors, will contribute to distinguish.  Miss Adams is faithful, and attentive to her duties.

Grade Fourth -- Miss Emma J. Evans, teacher.  Average number belonging 65; deportment good.  The pupils, in this department, possess that wide awake, mental stamina, that requires a cool head, and steady nerve, to manage; but their match is more than found, in the interesting and thorough mode of teaching adopted by Miss Evans.

Grade Third -- Miss Maggie A. Davis, teacher.  Average number belonging 45; deportment fair.  This department is interestingly conducted, and the pupils display active mental energy, in the acquisition of the rudimental branches.

Grade Second -- Miss Leora S. Cross, teacher.  Average number belonging 55; deportment meritorious.  The pupils are interested, and carefully instructed, by the pleasing, common sense style of teaching.  Miss Cross evidently understands her business.

Primary department -- Miss Mary J. Powers, teacher.  Average number belonging 33; deportment excellent.  Superior talent, experience, ability and energy, are displayed in the live, spirited and attractive, manner in which this school is conducted, and the School Board have developed the strength of their common sense by placing Miss P., in charge.  Long may the little ones of the primary, be greeted by her pleasant smiles, and kind instructions.

German department -- Mr. H. Gresen, teacher.  Average number belonging, 46; deportment good.  This department has been recently organized and under the good management of the Board, promises to become one of the most useful and attractive schools in the city.

North School -- Miss Anna Tierney, teacher.  Average number belonging, 65; dpeortment generally good and manner of teaching well adapted to the class of pupils attending, many of whom are restless, wide-awake boys, whose intellects are sharpened by honorable labor, on farm, or in garden, and who requre rare executive ability, apt discernment of right and wrong, kind, firm, and impartial treatment to make tractable, all of which are judiciously administered by Miss T., who is bound to excel as a teacher.

South School -- Miss E. King, teacher.  Average number belonging, 73; deportment tolerable.  The don't care style of teaching, prevailing in this school, is not productive of marked mental progress, on the part of pupils, nor of special commendation from patrons.

With the erection of another school-building, furnishing about four more school-rooms, an improvement is contemplated, in the present system of gradation, which will place the Public Schools of Lyons among the most flourishing in the State of Iowa.  The value of the three school-buildings, and grounds, now owned by the Ind. Dist., is about $45,000.  The central building, which is of brick, was erected in 1857-8; at a cost of about $30,000.  It is a large, stately, and substantial structure, situated on a beautiful bluff, overlooking a future city of fifty thousand inhabitants, grand scenery, and, one of the largest rivers of the continent.  The present levy of tax will liquidate the entire indebtedness of the Ind. School Dist., of the city, and the rapid accumulation of capital and population, promise abundant means for future improvements, which the live citizens of Lyons will not be slow in appropriating for the enlargement and beautifying of their school buildings, and grounds, and those modern educational facilities, demanded by the progressive spirit of her people.

R. B. Millard, County Sup't.