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When the early settlers established their
new homes, they did not forget that their minds could be cultivated in
a wilderness. As early as 1805, houses were built for this purpose. They
were constructed of unhewn logs, covered with clapboards held in their
places by weight-poles. The open places between the logs were chinked
and daubed with clay mortar. A large fire-place with an outside stick
chimney was at one end. The floor was made of puncheons split from large
logs and hewn into shape; these were notched on the underside and held
in position on the sleepers by their own weight The seats were mostly
of split logs, sometimes of sawed slabs. The writing-desk was placed along
one side, and was held in a slanting position by pins driven obliquely
into the wall. The door opened outward, swinging on wooden hinges and
fastened by a latch-string. The windows were small and not of glass, but
in its stead greased paper was used, admitting but a feeble light The
teachers in those days were determined to impart and the pupils as determined
to learn. The schools were conducted on the subscription plan. Then the
course of study was in the American Preceptor, English Reader, Testament,
Webster's Speller and very limited lessons in arithmetic. School government
was directly under the charge of the birch.
Time has changed the school system. Now nine months take the place of
the original four; teachers receive their salaries from the public school
fund, arising from a tax levied on all property. Brick buildings have
replaced the log ones; a broader field of knowledge is required of all
instructors. Yet, with all these, the system is far from a perfect one,
for, as Garfield says, "it is to me a perpetual wonder that any child's
love of knowledge survives the outrages of the schoolhouse."
Our schools are seven in number, besides the Mason Special District No.
1, Students' Hall, has already had four houses, the first being a log
one located in the center of Section 26; the second being the famous "Old
Stone," standing several rods south of the present site. This was
one of the most popular places of former days. Singing schools, literary
societies and Sunday meetings were held there, thus bringing together
people from far and near, to chant the melodies from the "Old Missouri
Harmony." Two brick structures have been in use since, the last having
been built in 1873 at a cost of $3,000. Three have been built in No. 2,
Mound, better known as " Dogstreet," the first being at a place
a half mile south of the present one. No. 3, Union, has had four houses.
No. 4, Twenty Mile Stand, has had four; the last, built in 1879, is one
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finest in the county. No. 5, Lick, has had three. No. 6 has
had three, the first standing where the Muddy Creek Graveyard is. No. 7,
Unity, has had four. Mason, also, has had four, the first standing about
half a mile north of the town; the second was a frame; the last two have
been brick.
Our school buildings are among the best in the county. In 1840, the average
wages were $21 per month; now they amount to $50. The enumeration in our
schools has been gradually on the increase.
In 1878, a Township Superintendent was employed by the Board of Education,
whose duty it was to make the school work in the different districts more
uniform. A general examination was held in each school, and the merits
and demerits of the different teachers were made visible. This proved
detrimental and was immediately dispensed with.
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