Yuba County, California History Transcribed by Kathy Sedler This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://calarchives4u.com/ These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. Chapter XXXIV - Public Schools The Constitutional Convention of 1849, made provision for a public school system, and set apart the five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress to new States, to be appropriated for the support of these schools. Near the close of teh first session of the Legislature, 1849-50, the Committee on Education reported that it was not advisable to pass a bill taxing the people for the support of the public schools, and this suggestion was carried out by the members of the Legislature. On the last day of the second session of the Legislature, 1850-51, a bill was passed concerning the common schools. The first "School Law" was exceedingly imperfect, and none of the lands set apart for school support were sold under its provisions. John G. Marvin, the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in his first annual report to the third Legislature on the fifth of January, 1852, among other suggestions, recommended the creation of the office of County Superintendent. He also reported the estimated number of children in each county and the number of schools in existence. Yuba county had one hundred and fifty children, and one school in Marysville of thirty scholars taught by Tyler Thatcher and his wife. Mr. Marvin roughly estimated the number of children in the State between four and eighteen years of age to be about six thousand. There was then no organized State school system, and nearly all the schools were private. An improved bill was passed at the third session of the Legislature in 1852. This bill provided for the levying of a "State school tax of five cents on each one hundred dollars of the taxable property of the State." Three School Commissioners were to be elected from each district; counties and the Common Council of any incorporated towns could each levy a tax not to exceed three cents on each one hundred dollars. The Fourth Legislature, in 1853, amended the existing school law, one measure being to make the County Assessors ex-officio County Superintendents. During the sixth session of the Legislature, in 1855, a bill introduced by Hon. D.R. Ashley was passed. The most important provisions were in regard to the election of County Superintendents, limit of taxation, and the election of City Boards of Education and City Superintendents. The Legislature of 1860 provided for the appointment by the County Superintendents of County Boards of Examination. The provision in regard to a State series of text-books was also adopted at this session, but was repealed in 1861. An appropriation of thirty thousand dollars was made for building a State Reform School at Marysville. The Senate Committee on Education of the Legislature of 1863 referred to State Superintendent John Swett the labor of revising and codifying the school laws. He performed the work in a very satisfactory manner, and much of the completeness of the present school law is due to his advanced ideas and knowledge, as embodied in this report. The session of 1865-6 passed an Act which, with but few changes, is the present school law. The services of Mr. Swett were again in this case called into requisition. Provisions were made for a State series of text-books, the establishment of graded schools, State and county taxation for schools, and the formation of City Boards of Examination. Mr. Swett in his Second Biennial Report, 1866-67, gives thirty-two points as a summary of the improvements effected by the revisions of 1863 and 1865. Few changes have been made by subsequent Legislature. At every session of the Legislature the matter of the disposal of the school lands was brought up, and changes were made, principally in the payment. The result was that the five hundred thousand acres realized only about six hundred thousand dollars, not one-half of their real value. Among the noted professional teachers who, in early days, taught in this county may be mentioned the following: - D.C. Stone taught in Marysville from 1854 to 1868. He then moved to Oakland, and established a "Family School." In 1873, he entered the San Francisco Department as teacher of natural sciences in the Girls' High School, and in 1876 was appointed Deputy City Superintendent, which position he occupies now. J.B. McChesney commenced teaching at Forbes Town in 1857, but soon after removed to Nevada City, where he organized a Grammar School, and afterwards a High School. In 1865, he was elected to the Principalship of the Oakland High School. He is one of the most cultured and popular teachers in the State, and the school under his charge is the pride of the "Athens of the Pacific." Isaac Upham, who taught for a long time in Butte county, was County Superintendent of Yuba county in 1868-9. Azro L. Mann was a teacher in Marysville for several years, and afterwards went to San Francisco to take charge of the classical department of the Boys' High School. In 1877, he was elected City Superintendent of Schools, a position which he still holds. He was a candidate for the office of State Superintendent of Schools at the election in September, 1879. The first school in Marysville was opened during the last week in May, 1850, by Rev. S.V. Blakeslee. It was a private school, and was kept in a sheet iron building, eighteen feet in length and ten feet in width. There were in attendance nine pupils, male and female, ranging from eleven to seventeen years. After a session of three weeks he was obliged to discontinue on account of the great heat and uncomfortable quarters. Sometime during the latter part of 1851, a school was established by Rev. Mr. Thatcher in the Presbyterian Church on D street. During the first years of growth and settlement of Marysville, the population was composed almost entirely of males. But in the latter part of 1851, and the first of 1852, several gentlemen brought from their Eastern homes their wives and families. It was then that the need of public schools became apparent. May 4, 1852, a meeting was held in the Recorder's office, of citizens interested in establishing a free public school. The attendance was small. A committee was, however, appointed "to submit at the next meeting, the basis of a plan for the organization of a school association." The committee was composed of the following gentlemen, viz: - James Cushing, Dr. A.H. Wilder, General Miles, Rev. Mr. Simonds, Richard S. Mesick, and John T. McCarty. The meeting was then adjourned to the sixth. On that evening Jno. H. Jewett presided. The attendance was large, and definite action was taken. A committee of two from each ward was appointed "to draft a plan and make an estimate of a house for school purposes, and to solicit subscriptions amounting to ten thousand dollars, for that purpose." The committee chosen was composed of the following: - First Ward, J.C. Fall and W.W. Smith; Second Ward, A.Y. Smith and R.S. Mesick; Third Ward, Captain Macy and G. Kent; Fourth Ward, I.A. Eaton and E. Mattoon. A subscription paper was passed around, by which the signers agreed to meet their subscriptions in monthly payments of twenty-five per cent of the amount subscribed, commencing on the first of June. The Methodists had also been at work for the purpose of defraying the cost of their church edifice and supporting a school, and had raised by this time five thousand two hundred dollars. They had already established their school. A proposition was made for them to combine with the citizens to build one public school, but they declined to do so. In the middle of June, 1852, an ordinance was passed, establishing a system of common schools in the city of Marysville. In July, the first public school was opened, and with the exception of the necessary vacations, has been continuous ever since. The basement of the M.E. Church was fitted up, and a public school started there in May, 1854. The city had a perpetual lease of this basement of three rooms. The city school house, on the corner of B and Seventh streets, was completed in 1858. It was sixty-six feet long and fifty-six feet wide, being two stories high. There were four school rooms and one recitation room. The contractor was Mr. J.A. Steele. In 1855, Mr. D.C. Stone was principal of the male department, and Miss H. Macey principal of the female department. In 1858, the number of pupils had so increased, that Miss Emily Wilson was assisting Mr. Stone. The girls' department was under the superintendence of Miss L.A. Buckmaster, assisted by Miss Anna Goodwin. For a number of years, Mr. D.C Stone, now Deputy City Superintendent of San Francisco, had charge of the boys' department of the City School. The following is a list of school districts, with number of children in Yuba county, according to reports of the School Marshal for the year 1857: - DistrictsNo. of ChildrenOrganized Marysville5351852 Bear River-1853 Oregon House461854 Peoria House381854 Foster Bar-1854 Pleasant Grove651855 Linda361855 Keystone-1855 Camptonville1031855 Rose Bar651856 Brown's Valley511857 Bear River, No. 2481857 Linda, No. 2-1858 Before 1862, the public schools were divided into six departments, of which the following were held in the new building, corner of B and Seventh streets: - Grammar Department, under the charge of Mr. D.C. Stone, M.A.; Boys' Intermediate, Miss Julia M. Fitch; Girls' Intermediate, Miss Harriet H. Belcher; Girls' Primary, Miss Anna Goodwin. Two primary classes of boys under the charge of Miss M.A. Fuller and Miss C.L. Hyde, occupied the rooms in the basement of the Methodist church. The whole number in attendance during the year 1861, was over three hundred, with an average daily attendance of two hundred and fifty. In the spring of 1870, a wooden building finished in imitation of stone, was erected on E street, corner of Seventh street, W.C. Swain being the architect. It cost ten thousand dollars, and was furnished at an additional outlay of fifteen hundred dollars. The girls occupied this building. The classes were as follows: - Grammar School, Miss M. Hemenway; Intermediate School, Miss Ella Moody; and a Primary school, Miss Sallie Curtis. Miss Delia Hemenway was teacher of the Latin, French and German languages. The boys occupied the structure erected in 1855. The classes were: - Grammar School, A.G. Drake; Intermediate School, E.A. Davis, Primary School, B. Gurney; and Sub-Primary School, Miss Lao Barnes. A school for colored children was kept in the basement of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, on Sixth street, between D and E streets, by Miss Carrie Oldfield. The school census of Marysville, taken in August, 1870, reports eight hundred and seventeen white children, between five and fifteen years of age - four hundred and one boys, and four hundred and sixteen girls, besides twenty-six negro and three Indian children. Of these, four hundred and thirty-two white children and seventeen negroes attended public schools during the previous year; two hundred and forty-three white children attended private schools, and one hundred and fifty children did not attend any school. There were also three hundred and seventy-two white children under five years of age, and twenty-four Mongolian children. The Marysville High School was organized by the Board of Education, September 25, 1871. Since that time eleven young ladies and eight young men have graduated. The first Monday in October was set for the opening of the first term, in the building on the southeast corner of E and Seventh streets. Twelve pupils entered for the course, Mr. Drake being chosen as instructor. The plan of the school was to furnish a preparatory course for the University of California, and to complete teh studies commenced in the grammar department. Of the twelve who first entered, five graduated at the end of three years. During the fourth year, the number enrolled had increased to twenty-seven. Only two pupils, young ladies, graduated this year. The year 1875-76, closed with the graduation of four pupils. On the eighth of November, 1876, the school, as well as the community, met with a severe loss in the death of Mr. Drake. In the latter part of that month, Rev. E.H. Ward was appointed Principal, and taught about two months. He was succeeded by Prof. E.K. Hill, a teacher of long experience and much ability. The school at the end of the year 1877-78, graduated three young ladies. During the fall term of the year 1878-79, the school was, to a certain extent, broken up by mixing its pupils with the senior classes of both grammar schools. The teachers were Prof. Hill and Miss Olive A. Parshall. This plan soon proved impracticable, and at the beginning of January of the present year, the schools were again segregated, and the High School classes placed under the charge of Prof. B.E. Hunt. The Board of Education has decided to continue this excellent institution, fully realizing the many benefits derived both by pupils and residents in the city. The following is a list of School Trustees of the various districts in the county, prior to the election in June, 1879. In the last column will be found the names of the persons chosen at that election, placed opposite those whose places they take. DISTRICTTRUSTEES, 1878-9 ELECTED JUNE 1879 Bald MountainL.R. Scott, ClerkJohn Richards Bear RiverW.W. Holland, ClerkJohn SteinmanDr. D.P. DurstB.F. Dam replaced John Steinman BrophyThos. Mahoney, ClerkThos. CullooWm. Simcoe Brown's ValleyF.W. Schaaf, ClerkJohn PalmerWm. JefferdF. Chatham replaced John Palmer BuckeyeA.S. Wright, ClerkAbram RichardsonJames BrydenWm. Edwards replaced A.S. Wright ClarkJohn Grover, ClerkJohn Bristol S. Botsford filled vacancy CorduaW.D. Smith, ClerkJ.P. StallH.K. BoomerS.H. Williams replaced H.K. Boomer Dobbins' RanchJoseph Merriam, ClerkThos. LabadieL.S. Camper ElizabethP.L. Hutchinson, ClerkC.P. GilletteSamuel KusterD. Cantlin replaced Samuel Kuster EllaW.A. WimberlyJohn F. BarrieRobt. MillarW.L. Pratt replaced John F. Barrie, A.C. Gray replaced Robt. Millar GreenvilleG.B. Pepper, ClerkA.J. EdgarThos. Jones HansonvilleJ.H. Hanson, ClerkT.J. WoodR.M. JohnsonLevi Bainbridge replaced J.H. Hanson, Stephen Compton replaced R.M. Johnson HoncutJ.G. Cornell, ClerkG.W. HutchinsGown Strain Indiana RanchLouis Wilder, ClerkE.C. Erwin W.C. Fuller replaced E.C. Erwin JunctionPeter Kessler, ClerkJoseph Watson LindaJ.S. Mills, ClerkG.W. SutliffA.J. SlumanW.E. Shelton replaced G.W. Sutliff Long BarH.B. Cartwright, ClerkWm. Young Lone TreeD.N. Jones, ClerkJohn WalshW.B. Vineyard, Jr. McDonaldsJ.J. Farrell, ClerkR.E. Welch M.Honor filled vacancy, L.A. Rodgers replaced R.E. Welch Mill CreekMichael Long, ClerkS.C. JewettJohn Kennedy New YorkDaniel Foss, ClerkJohn Dowell John Liebhauser filled vacancy Oak ValleyPeter McKeon, ClerkJames GrayCyrus P. Godfrey Oregon HouseGeo. R. HouschGeo. W. Johnson James M. Yore filled vacancy PeoriaT.C. Wisner, ClerkEly CountrymanChas. Fennimore PlumasJ.H. HammonW.S. StaleyR.T. ThomasD. Staley replaced J.H. Hammon Prairie HouseA.N. Van Fleet, ClerkH. FolsomF. Richardson Rose BarLyman Ackley, ClerkT.S. BrewDaniel McGanney Sharon ValleyGeorge Bates, ClerkChas. SooyChas. RuffC.L. Foss replaced Chas. Ruff Slate RangeJ.P. Brown, ClerkJohn R. MeekJohn Ramm Spring ValleyD.O. Dagget, ClerkJoseph BruceJoseph RisherWm. Fitzpatrick replaced D.O. Dagget Strawb'ry ValleyChas. Prindle, ClerkJ.T. BirminghamN.D. Travis VirginiaH.H. Hollister, ClerkE.B. LangdonJohn MajorsDaniel Ostrom replaced E.B. Langdon YubaJames Bowman, ClerkRobert TolanJohn Brady PRIVATE SCHOOLS Mrs. Sarah E. Snyder opened a school for young girls, October 10, 1853. Mr. Owen Connolly in December, 1854, had a select school on D street, opposite the postoffice. H.F. Murphy, M.A., had a school in the basement of St. John's Church, at the corner of C and Seventh streets, in the year 1858. It had an attendance of thirty-seven pupils. Mr. George R. Baker kept a select school in 1860. He also had a school several years before. Mr. J.M. Bellaude opened a select school for boys in 1862. THE COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME, MARYSVILLE The Convent of Notre Dame, Marysville, was founded by Rev. Father Magagnotto, Passionist Missionary, in 1856. The first building erected that year under his auspices was a solid brick structure of three stories, 51 feet by 35 feet, which stands on the southeast corner of Eighth and C streets, contained two good sized school rooms, parlor, temporary chapel and community apartments. The Sisters of Notre Dame entered into possession of their new establishment October 26th of this year, and on the tenth of November following, opened a day school for externs. Three Sisters and a young lady assistant constituted the teaching staff for the first year, but for the ensuing session the number of the community was increased to six. In the year 1857, an addition was made to the original structure, providing dormitories, refectory, and kitchen for the boarding school, which was opened in the month of September of that year. In the year 1858 a free school for girls was opened, and subsequently a school for boys under the age of ten years; at present the age of admittance for the latter is extended to twelve years. The increasing number of pupils demanded an enlargement of the premises, and on the other hand, the frequency of fires from the small wooden tenements then in the immediate vicinity of the convent, rendered their removal extremely desirable. The neighboring house lots were, therefore, successively purchased, some of them at exorbitantly high rates, until in 1869, the entire block, bounded by B, C, Seventh and Eighth streets, 380x360 feet was acquired, the city authorities having given permission to close that portion of Virgin Alley running northward through the block, which was subsequently ratified by Act of the State Legislature. In the year 1861, the building fronting on C street was added, 72 feet by 49 feet, affording class rooms, dormitory, and a spacious and comfortable attic. This building was scarcely finished when it served to shelter several families that were flooded out of their own domiciles in the great flood of 1861-2. The next projection, forming a south wing, 117 by 37 feet, was added in 1866, comprising a permanent chapel, refectory, study and recitation hall, parlor and infirmary. On this projection was erected, in 1869, the main tower, 118 feet high, surmounted by a gilt cross. The apex of this tower was intended to have been nineteen feet higher, so as to allow for an observatory in the intervening space, but the death of the architect occurring before the completion of his work, the original plan was not carried into effect, much to the detriment of the external appearance of the building, the harmony of proportion being destroyed in this essential. This projection and tower, now forming the southern extremity of the building, mark the center of the original plan, which, should future needs require, may be carried into execution. In the year 1874, a substantial and commodious brick building, 30 by 80 feet, was erected at the southern extremity of the grounds, to provide class room for the boys, and also for the free school, the unpretending frame structures, previously used for that purpose, having long ceased to fulfil their mission in the march of progress. The schools, though contiguous, are entirely separate, the entrance for boys being in Seventh street, and that for the girls on C street. The cost of the buildings thus far erected exceeds $60,000. The floods of 1861 and 1867, seemed to respect Convent property; in those years the rising water came within sight, but did not invade the inner walls, but in 1875, the bed of the Yuba being filled with mining debris, on the nineteenth of January, about nine o'clock P.M., the waters coursed through the city, broke down the eastern wall of the Convent enclosure, and rose to the hight of two and one-half feet in the main building. At two o'clock A.M., of the twentieth, they began to subside, and by 10 A.M., had entirely disappeared from the ground floors. The flood produced temporary financial embarrassment, many parents withholding their children, for fear of sickness, which was apprehended. It is a notable fact, however, that during the summer of 1875, which all had anticipated would be exceedingly unhealthy, physicians complained that they had scarcely anything to do. Or the inmates of the Convent, not one had suffered even from a cold, though the Sisters had been for a considerable time exposed to the waters. This institution, under the title of College of Notre Dame, was chartered by the State Legislature, in 1869. the diplomas since issued are, 1870, one; 1873, one; 1875, two; 1876, one; thirty of the students, after having passed successful examinations, before county boards of examiners, have received certificates of competency and proficiency, entitling them to fill positions in the public school department. Of these certificates, four are of the first grade State, fourteen of the second grade, twelve of the third. The cause why so few receive the honors of graduation from this institution is, that the greater number of students, finding no lucrative advantage in the possession of a diploma, are satisfied when they acquire a certificate, and do not complete the collegiate course, the love of study, for its own sake, not being a sufficient stimulus for self-improvement. The system of instruction in this institution, comprises besides the preparatory, grammar and elementary-scientific departments, a higher scientific and classical course, including belles lettres, history, and the higher mathematics. The methods of instruction pursued are in accordance with the views of the present day, being principally based on the customs of American institutions, modified by improvements from Germany, England and France, according as they are found beneficial. The ladies directing the institution profess the Roman Catholic religion, but members of all denominations, irrespective of creed, are admitted to the classes, the only essential requisites being high moral worth, and conformity to regulations. For twenty years the institution prospered, gradually and constantly extending the sphere of its usefulness, when, in 1876, a decree was issued, closing the establishment and withdrawing the sisters. This decree was partly carried into effect, when, on the interference of ecclesiastical authority, a portion of the community was permitted to remain and re-open the day schools. Daily applications and petitions for the re-opening of the boarding schools, at this time, (August), are being made, and it is hoped that such permission will be granted. Fro the scholastic year, ending in July, the number of scholars and sisters have been as follows: - 1857, scholars, 63; sisters, 3; 1860, scholars, 120; sisters, 10; 1865, scholars 280; sisters, 14; 1870, scholars, 305; sisters, 17; 1876, scholars, 340; sisters, 18; 1879, scholars, 260; sisters, 11. MARYSVILLE ECLECTIC INSTITUTE The Marysville Eclectic Institute was opened August 18, 1853, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Rev. James H. Bristow and wife. They announced that the various branches of a thorough American education were to be taught and the discipline was to be prompt, yet mild. The prices were five, six and eight dollars per month. In the fall, C.C. Cummings became principal of the school. MRS. POSTON'S SEMINARY This school was opened in November, 1857, on E street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, by Mrs. E.C. Poston. Subsequently it was removed to the corner of D and Sixth streets. Mrs. Poston has now a flourishing school in Oakland. MISS JONES' SCHOOL Miss Jane Jones opened a school in 1870, in the Flathmann building corner of D and Sixth streets, and in the fall of 1876, removed to the building formerly occupied by Mrs. Poston, where she is now. Pupils are instructed in the studies of the primary and intermediate grades. Misses Wadsworth and Mason, in 1872, took the Poston Seminary and taught the English studies, music, drawing, French and German. They continued four years. Mrs. S.M. Miles, widow of the first Mayor of the city, opened a school on Eighth street opposite the Baptist Church, in 1874 or 1875. It was called the "Marysville Select School." Several ladies have started private schools at various times but were not very successful, and after a time abandoned the project. KNOXDALE INSTITUTE At Brownsville, on the western slope of the Sierras, thirty-two miles northeast from Marysville, is located an institution of learning, which, although recently opened, has received quite a number of pupils. It is under the proprietorship of Mr. and Mrs. M. Knox, while Prof. E.K. Hill, late Principal of the Marysville High School, has the general management and control. The design is to make it "a school complete in itself, from the lowest primary instruction to a full high school course, crowned with complete courses in the sciences, arts, literature and the modern languages; from which will branch off short courses for business, and preparation for college in Latin and Greek." The departments of instruction include the preparatory, high school and scientific, business, languages and music. Besides these a normal course has been instituted. The Normal Institute which is specially designed for teachers, or those wishing to become such, is open for six weeks during the summer vacation. Botanical analysis, botanical drawing and the collection of herbariums are made specialties. Practical demonstration of the methods of teaching will be given in the model class. The attendance already secured is an indication of the success of the institution and the realization of the hopes and intentions of its founders.