486
��HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
��and beautiful, seven acres of land having been purchased l)y the Board, upon which the build- ing is located. A statement made by Henry C. Hedges, at the dedication of this building, which occurred January 15. 1872. furnishes the infor- mation that the cost of the school l)uildiugs in the four wards and that in John's Addition, was $93,450, with twenty-eight rooms. capalJe of seating 1,850 pupils at one time. The Avard buildings were all erected under the supervision of Mr. S. G. Brinley, since deceased, and have given general satisfaction.
After the completion of these buildings, changes were again made in the Board of Edu- cation, Isaac (lass succeeding Joel Myers in 1872 ; Martin B. Finfrock succeeding A. L. Grimes in 1873. In 1874, Mr. Gass was suc- ceeded by John W. Jenner, who still retains the office. In March, 1879, the number of the members of the Boai-d was changed from three to six by a vote of the people. In April follow- ing, Abraham Small, B. Sens, M. B. Bushnell and L. F. Harrington were added to the Board. Mr. Hedges retiring, after having faithfully served the city in this capacity for twenty -one consecutive years.
The Board, as now (January. 1880) consti- tuted, consists of M. B. Bushnell. M. Y. B. Fin- frock. L. F. Harrington. J. AY. Jenner. B. Sens and A. Small.
The steady growth of the city is indicated in the progress of the schools, in the additional number of pupils and teachers each year, and the occasional building of a new schoolhouse. During the year 1879, a fine brick schoolhouse was erected in Newmans Addition, in the eastern part of the city, and additions have been made from time to time to some of the old houses. These houses now number six in the city, and will seat (at one time) 2,234 pupils. The actual cost of these buildings is $103,450, and the total value of school property in the city, $150,000. Number of pupils enrolled in 1878-79, was 1.777; the per cent of average
��dail}- attendance is. of the average monthh' en- rollment. 95 ; the per cent of average daily at- tendance is. of the whole number enrolled. 76. Thirty-six teachers are employed — two males (including the Superintendent), and thirty-four females ; averages salaries of grade teachers is $40 per month : of high - school teachers. $78.33. Under the management of the present very efficient Superintendent, Mr. John Simpson, these schools have attained a high degree of excellence, and are not surpassed l)y any others in the State.
The Mansfield Normal College was organized September 10, 1878, by Prof. J. Fraise Bichard. at the suggestion of a few leading citizens of ^Mansfield, of whom Henry C. Hedges may be mentioned as the most active. The building, on the corner of East Diamond and Flint streets, formerl}- the Fourth Ward School building, was secured for the purpose, and exteriorly fitted up by the Board of Education. It had l)een un- occupied since the erection of the new Fourth Ward Imilding, and its windows aftbrded iuA'it- ing targets for the boys of the neighborhood.
From the first circular issued, the following- facts are gleaned : -The first year contained three terms of twelve, sixteen, and twelve weeks respectively. The tuition was placed at 75 cents per week, which covered all branches studied.
The ol;)jects of the institution are :
1. To afford teachers of all gi'ades the most rational methods of instruction and manage- ment.
2. To give the most thorough, recent and sys- tematic instruction, in the various subjects em- braced in the courses of stud}'.
3. To inspire the power of thorough, original investigation ; to develop earnest, consecutive and effective thinking ; in short, to cultivate that sort of mind-power which makes itself felt under ever}' circumstance in life.
4. To realize as fully as possible what is com- prehended in the expression — a modern school, dealing with practical subjects in a practical way.
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