We have shown that the first schools were of the nature of private instruction. The teacher was a wanderer, not always with sufficient education to instruct in even the rudiments—reading, writing, and spelling—and frequently of doubtful character. He seldom taught two terms in the same locality. The slight progress made by boys and girls under such instruction is to be attributed to the unquenchable desire for knowledge rather than to the fitness of the system or the proficiency of the teacher. We have shown that this meager schooling was now and then supplemented by the instruction given by ministers of the gospel who, coming from the older settled states, were often men with collegiate training. And again that it was not unusual to send the boy back to the older states for some seminary or collegiate instruction. In the preceding pages we have reviewed the origin and growth of private and church schools for higher education. In this chapter we shall see what the state has done to meet this demand for advanced instruction and discipline.

STATE AID AND LEGISLATION

       When it is remembered that the state did little or nothing for the common schools prior to 1855, it will not be difficult to understand why state aid was so long in coming to the support of any agency of higher education. However, the state was liberal in granting charters for academies, colleges, and for “school districts.” In 1837 the general assembly passed an act, known as a charter, empowering the common council of the city of Alton “to establish elementary or common schools, wherein reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, and other useful branches of an English education may be taught.” To this end the common council was authorized to assess a tax upon personal property and real estate sufficient to raise the necessary funds for buildings, equipment, teachers, etc., provided the rate should not exceed one quarter per cent on the taxable property. It will thus be seen that the common council could establish schools in which, in addition to the studies P 393 usually regarded as elementary and preparatory, “other useful branches of an English education” might be taught. In a very early day the Alton school did include in its curriculum advanced studies many of which are now found in the high school courses.

      The legislature granted in all thirty-seven of these “special charters” creating school districts, in various cities in the state, only three of which cities are within the limits of Southern Illinois, namely: Alton, Upper Alton, and Sparta. However, every one of these charters except the one granted to Alton in 1837, was granted after 1855 and prior to 1870. In each charter there was authority explicit or implied whereby the board was authorized to provide for such “other useful branches of an English education,” as were considered necessary. Here then is the entering wedge of the modern city high schools. For example in the charter creating the “Sparta school district” the governing body is known as the board of education; and section 8 of the charter reads as follows: “Said board of education shall establish a system of graded schools in said corporate school limits, commencing with a primary grade and ending with a high school .

       In 1851 Dr. Newton Bateman organized the West Jacksonville District School by creating four departments—primary, intermediate, grammar, and high school. Dr. Bateman says that all departments were made free to resident pupils prior to the passage of the school law of 1855. The high school course fitted for college “and it was the first genuine high school in the state which was a free school.” The Peoria high school was organized in 1856 with Charles E.  Hovey as principal, and the Chicago high school followed the same year with C. A. Dupee as principal.

      There was no provision in the enactment of 1855 specially authorizing the organization and the maintenance of a high school. Nor is there any specific law now authorizing high schools outside of the township high school, but by a liberal interpretation of the laws as they are found upon our statute books we can organize a high school in any district where public sentiment will support it. In the seventh article of the school law—the article dealing with teachers and certificates—we find in section three the studies upon which the county superintendent may examine the prospective teacher. These are for first grade certificates—or­thography, reading, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar, modern geography, civics, the elements of the natural sciences, the history of the United States, the history of Illinois, physiology and the laws of health. The purpose of the examination in these branches is primarily to see if the candidate is familiar enough with the subjects to teach them. Now, in section six of this same seventh article, we find this: “Every school established under the provisions of this act shall be for instruction in the branches of education prescribed in the qualification for teachers, and in such other branches, including vocal music and drawing, as the directors or the voters of the district at the annual election of directors may direct.” Here then we find the authority for the modern city high school.

       In pursuance of the provisions of this article, boards of education in cities and boards of directors in towns of less than one thousand inhabitants, have organized high schools of two, three, or four years, according to the interest in education which prevails in the locality.

       It is useless to try to conceal the fact that for the past half century P 394 the educational progress of the central and northern counties of the state has outstripped that in Southern Illinois. The free school idea was an innovation foisted upon the state by the Yankees who settled almost altogether in the central and northern counties. The early settlers of Southern Illinois were largely if not altogether from the slave-holding states where the free school idea had taken slight hold upon the affections of the people. The city high school is a phase of the free high school idea. We would expect therefore that the city high school would secure a foothold in the northern counties much earlier than in the southern counties.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOLS

       At present there are 339 regularly organized city high schools in the state. In addition there are fifty-six township high schools, making a total of 395 regular four year high schools. Of the 339 city high schools, forty of them are south of a line from Alton to Terre Haute. And of the fifty-six township high schools, twelve are in Southern Illinois. Thus out of a total of three hundred and ninety-five high schools in the state fifty-two of them are south of the old National Road. It is proper to add, however, that there are in Southern Illinois scores of well organized village and town schools that are doing one, two, or three years of high school work; and in a few instances the work covers four years, but such schools are excluded in the census of regular four year high schools on account of shortness of terms, dearth of equipment, or character of preparation in the teaching force.

       The authority to organize and maintain a city high school is an implied power as we have seen. But there is explicit authority for the organization of the township high school. Article three, of the school law, deals in general with the township trustees. Section 38 of this article reads as follows: “Upon petition of not less than fifty voters of any school township, filed with the township treasurer, at least fifteen days preceding the regular election of trustees, it shall be the duty of the said township trustees to notify the voters of said township that an election “for” or “against” a township high school will be held at the next regular election of trustees, by putting notices of such election in at least ten of the most public places throughout such township, for at least ten days before the day of such regular election, etc. If the proposition carry it is the duty of the board of trustees of the township to hold an election of a township board of education which board shall erect buildings and organize the school.

       There can be little doubt that the city four year high schools and the township high schools of Southern Illinois are of as high a grade as can be found in the state. It may occur that the buildings erected for high school work in the central and northern parts of the state surpass those of Southern Illinois in cost. It may be that the equipment is more costly and that the enrollment is larger, yet we are not willing to concede that the character of the instruction is superior or that the product is one whit better. And there is at least one element of strength found in the entire school system in Southern Illinois which is largely absent in the system in the other parts of the state. This is the presence of male teachers throughout the system. In many county institutes in Egypt one may notice that a majority of the teaching force of the county is made up of men. Another noticeable thing is a matter of pride to an Egyptian; P 395 the per cent of the total enrollment in the high schools in Southern Illinois of boys is greater than it is in the schools farther north.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL UNIVERSITY

       But the crowning act on the part of the state in the effort to provide for higher education and better instruction in the grade schools and high schools is found in the act of the general assembly which created the Southern Illinois (State) Normal University. While this school was brought into existence primarily for the training of teachers for the common schools of this end of the state, it is true that its mission in reality has been in a wider field. It has served the state well in the lines of general training, information, and culture. The law, ordinarily called the charter of the school, was passed in the spring of 1869, and was signed by Governor John M. Palmer April 20, of that year.

       The school was the outgrowth of a need of better trained teachers which was felt not only in Southern Illinois but all over the state. As early as December, 1848, a meeting was called by the Illinois  Journal for Springfield to be held June 15, 1849. Memorials or circulars were sent out giving some notion of the line of action that ought to be taken at the Springfield meeting. One thing urged was the “Creation of a State Normal School and providing for its support.” At this meeting of January 15, 1849, steps were taken urging the creation of the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and another resolution as follows: “Resolved: That a portion of the College and Seminary funds of the state should be devoted to aid in the education of common school teachers. 

WORK OF THE STATE TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

       An Industrial League was organized in Chicago November 24, 1852. This league was deeply interested in the training of teachers and it urged the founding of a state university with four departments, one of which and the one first named, was “A Normal School Department.” The fourth convention of the League was held in Springfield, January 4, 1853. At this meeting the establishing of a state university was considered. Resolutions were passed which urged Congress to donate lands to the value of half a million dollars to each state for the endowment of a system of Industrial Universities to cooperate with the Smithsonian Institute and for the practical education of our industrial classes and their teachers. The fifth convention of the League was held in Springfield January 1, 1855, and took up the question of a university and said:

       “The object of the institution shall be to impart instruction in all departments of useful knowledge, science and art, commencing with those departments now most needed by the citizens of the state, towit:

       “A teachers’ seminary, or a normal school department, for the improvement and education of common school teachers.”

       On January 26, 1853, in Bloomington, a state convention was held at which resolutions were passed as follows:

       1. That a state teachers’ institute (association) should be organized by this convention.

       2. That the legislature be urged to create the office of State Super­intendent of Public Instruction. P 396

       3. That a school journal ought to be established.

       4. That this convention take measures to secure the establishment of a Normal School.

       5. That a free school system should be established.

       As a result of this agitation by both the Industrial League and by the Educational Convention, which came to be called the State Teachers’ Institute, the legislature of 1854 created the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the next year established the free school system very much as it is today. In the sixth meeting of the State Teachers’ Institute, held in Springfield, December 26, 1855, that body resolved— “That the Institute does not wish to discuss any university question, but to occupy themselves with the interests of the common schools and the Normal Schools.”

       In all this discussion there was in no sense a unanimity of opinion about the question of normal schools and a state university. The Industrial League was for a university with a normal school department or for a normal school vitally connected with an agricultural school. Behind the agricultural idea was Prof. Jonathan Turner, who was giving a large share of his time to scientific agriculture. Then there were those who wanted normal schools as distinct agents to prepare young people to teach. There was another group of public spirited people who believed the state should in some way, not very clearly pointed out, provide appropriations to be used in the denominational schools for the maintenance of a teacher-training department.

       The seventh meeting of the State Teachers’ Association was held in Chicago in December, 1856. Charles E. Hovey of Peoria, was president of the meeting. Mr. Hovey was one who believed that the normal school idea should be divorced from all other educational projects, and that a normal school should be established which would be free from all entangling alliances. Among the resolutions was one which read as follows: “That the educational interests of Illinois demand the immediate establishment of a State Normal School for the education of teachers; and we recommend an appropriation by the next legislature of a sufficient sum annually for the next five years to support such a seminary of learning.” At this Chicago meeting Prof. Jonathan Turner waived his objection to the establishment of a normal school without the entangling alliance of an agricultural school.

LEGISLATURE CREATES NORMAL UNIVERSITY

       The legislature which met in January, 1857, was induced to pass a bill creating a Normal University, The bill was signed by the governor on February 10, 1857. A body of men fifteen in number was named in the bill as trustees of the school. The State Superintendent was ex­officio a member and was considered a great addition to the board. After considerable delay the site was selected for the school. It was located just north of Bloomington. A building was planned and its erection begun, the corner stone being laid, September 29, 1857.

       Prof. Charles E. Hovey was chosen the first president, and on October 5, 1857, the school was opened in Major’s Hall in the city of Bloomington, with twenty-nine pupils present on the first day. The number enrolled before the close of the first school year was one hundred and twenty-seven. There were aggravating delays in the progress of the building, but the class of 1860 graduated in the unfinished structure. P 397

       We do not desire to follow further the history of the normal school at Normal. What has been given will enable us to understand the hard fight necessary to win the battle for normal schools, and the winning of the victory in 1857, made some easier the winning of a similar victory for Southern Illinois in 1869. The educational progress which the state as a whole had made from 1848 to 1868 had not greatly affected Southern Illinois. There was not at the latter date a well organized high school in all Southern Illinois. True we had MeKendree, Shurtleff, and an academy here or there, but there was no real educational spirit in all Egypt. The common schools were at a very low ebb. What college training there was supplied the bench, the bar, the pulpit, and the doctor’s office. Few persons receiving a college education would think of going into the school room to make a living or to do missionary work.

       We have already spoken of the efforts to provide training schools for teachers in the church schools which were being planted in various localities. Church schools were planted in many localities but they never seemed to gather much strength and hence eked out a miserable existence financially. One such church school was founded in Carbondale in the year of 1856, by action of the Presbyterian synod. It was called the Carbondale College. It was opened in 1861. It passed into the hands of the Christian Churches of Southern Illinois in 1866, and in October of that year school was opened in the rooms of the old college building by Clark Braden. We have traced the history of the school under private schools and need not give it here, In the legislature of 1867, a charter was granted entitled “The Southern Illinois College.” At the same session or probably in the next session a bill was introduced appropriating fifteen thousand dollars for the relief of the school on the plea that it had a normal department, but on the grounds that it was a church school the appropriation could not be made.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS

       In April, 1868, a call was issued for an educational convention to meet in Carbondale in June, to consider the educational interests of Southern Illinois. Among other things mentioned in the call were these:

       1. To hear from Superintendents and teachers a statement of wants in their section.

        2. To organize a Southern Illinois Educational Association, and to discuss the best means of securing the education of teachers of this part of the state.

       3. To consider any other matters which may come before the convention.

       In this call it was pointed out that all educational meetings have been held in the central and north part of the state, and that the expense and inconvenience in attending these meetings by teachers living in Southern Illinois had prevented our teachers from profiting from these meetings. Our needs are peculiar to this section of the state. “We have several thousand teachers who need Normal instruction, and our excellent Normal University (at Normal) can educate scarcely a tithe of them. We need a school in Southern Illinois.”

       This call was signed by Joel G. Morgan, Cairo; J. W. Blair, Pinckneyville; W. J. Yost, Cairo; H. C. Robinson, De Soto; and B. G. Roots, Tamaroa. P 398 Clark Braden, George C. Yost, Stephen Blair, J. W. Spiller, Daniel Gilbert—Committee representing the Southern Illinois College.

       D. L. Davis, S. G. Hindman, Frank J. Chapman—Directors of the Public Schools of Carbondale.

       On June 15, 1868, a supplemental call was sent out by the Southern Illinois College as follows: “In accordance with an announcement made last April 20th, arrangements have been made for a Southern Illinois Educational Convention at Carbondale, commencing at 2 o ‘clock P. M. Wednesday, June 24, and continuing two days, closing at noon, Friday 26th.” The call was extended to all teachers, county superintendents, principals, etc., south of the Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. Speakers were announced—Prof. J. V. Standish, of Lombard University, and editor at that time of the Illinois Teacher; Maj. J. B. Merwin, of St. Louis, at that time western manager of an eastern publishing company; a Mrs. Smith, of Oswego, New York.

       No one was assigned to a particular topic, but the topics were printed and the discussion was free for all. Two important topics were:

       Normal School. What steps shall be taken to secure the establishment of a Normal School in Southern Illinois. 2. Organization of a Southern Illinois Educational Association. Necessity for it. When and how shall it be done? Shall it be done now?

       The meeting was held at Carbondale on the “Campus” of the Southern Illinois College which was then located just where the Lincoln School is.  There were present sixteen county superintendents, over two hundred teachers, from forty-one counties, and over two thousand other persons. At this meeting steps were taken to organize the Southern Illinois Teachers’ Association, and the need of a Southern Illinois Normal discussed.

       The Hon. Newton Bateman in his biennial report of 1869 and 70, in speaking of this Carbondale meeting of June 24, 1868, and of the teachers’ convention at Centralia held that year, says: “The general movement among the friends of education in Southern Illinois—the great conventions held in Carbondale and Centralia, in 1868—the numerous addresses, circulars, petitions, and resolutions, whereby the intelligent masses of the people. in that portion of the state were aroused to an unwonted degree, the chief object toward which all those efforts were being directed being the foundation of another Normal School, to be located in the southern part of the state—all these were referred to in my last report.”

       The catalogue of the Southern Illinois College for the school year closing with June, 1868, has the following reference to normal training:

       “There is great need of qualified teachers for our common schools in this vicinity. Our teachers are poorly qualified  because they have not had opportunities to fit themselves for their calling. We intend to make special instruction of common school teachers a leading feature of our school. During the term just closed we have had over sixty pupils in our Teachers’ Classes, and the progress made has more than ever convinced us of the advantages and necessity of such classes. We expect to make such instruction a specialty in the College. Next fall we shall organize classes in the branches taught in our common schools, for the purpose of reviewing these studies. Lectures on the organization, discipline, and management of schools will be given also.”

       In the Centralia Sentinel of February, 1868, we find this reference to a normal school in Southern Illinois. “We present to our readers this week the able address of the committee appointed by the Southern P 399 Illinois Educational Association, at their meeting in Centralia September 1, 2, and 3. It sets forth in forcible language the great importance of the enterprise. The success and general results flowing to the state from the Northern Normal University, located at Bloomington, has aroused the attention of educators to the necessity of an additional institution of the same general character in Southern Illinois.” The article further speaks of the crowded condition of the normal school near Bloomington; puts forth the claims of Centralia as an ideal place for such a school as the convention recommended. This article was copied into the New Era, a weekly paper published in Carbondale, and commented on as follows: “We endorse nearly every word contained in the above extract. We agree with that paper in everything except the location of the school. Carbondale is the proper location. Our town is located in the richest and healthiest part of the state. Our railroad facilities are greater than those of any other town in Egypt. We can in the way of inducements, outstrip any other place. Building material is close at hand in inexhaustible quantities. Fuel and produce of every kind are cheap. Land for such purposes can be had for the asking. In natural beauty our location is five hundred years ahead of all others.

       “Another great advantage, and one we will hereafter dwell upon from time to time, is, we already have such an institution successfully at work. We speak of the Southern Illinois College. The enterprise has met with so much success that it has now become a fixed fact, and is one of the departments of the college.

       “Thus here in Carbondale, the foundation for such an institution as a Normal University is already laid. It behooves our people to watch their interests, and secure the necessary legislation. The liberality of our citizens, the reputation of our town for morality, and temperance, our healthy location should all be brought to bear. Let us go to work at once, that rival towns shall have no start of us.”

        In the campaign of 1868, John M. Palmer was elected governor. When the Legislature was organized it was found that the governor was at variance with the general assembly, and some feared it would be difficult to get certain legislation through. However, it proved to be an easier task than at first thought. Among the bills introduced was one chartering the Southern Illinois (State) Normal University. This was passed and signed by the governor March 9, 1869. The governor appointed the following board of trustees, who should locate the school and construct the building: Captain Daniel Hurd, Cairo; General Eli Boyer, Olney; Colonel Thomas M. Harris, Shelbyville; Rev. Elihu J. Palmer, Belleville; and Hon. Samuel J. Flanagan, Benton.

       On April 29, 1869, this board organized by electing Rev. Elihu J. Palmer, president, and Hon. Samuel J. Flanagan, secretary, and immediately proceeded to advertise for the location of the new institution, as provided in the 10th section of the act establishing the school, which reads as follows:

       “The trustees shall as soon as practicable, advertise for proposals from localities desiring to secure the location of said normal university, and shall receive for not less than three months from the date of their first advertisement, proposals from points situated as hereinafter mentioned, to donate lands, buildings, bonds, moneys, or other valuable consideration, to the State in aid of the foundation and support of said university; and shall at a time previously fixed by advertisement, open P 400 and examine such proposals, and locate the institution at such a point as shall, all things considered, offer the most advantageous condition. The land shall be selected south of the railroad, or within six miles north of said road, passing from St. Louis to Terre Haute, known as the Alton and Terre Haute Railroad With a view of obtaining a good supply of water and other conveniences for the use of the institution.”

       In due time sealed proposals were received from towns and cities situated in the district defined by the terms of the act as follows: Anna, Union county; Carlyle, Clinton county; Carbondale, Jackson county; Centralia, Marion county; DuQuoin, Perry county; Irvington, Washington county; Jonesboro, Union county; Olney, Richland county; South Pass, Union county; Tamaroa, Perry county; Vaudalia, Fayette county.

CARBONDALE, SITE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL UNIVERSITY

       The trustees finally chose Carbondale as presenting the best advantages, everything considered, and the school was located three-fourths of a mile south of the Illinois Central Depot, on a twenty-acre tract of farm land. The contract was let to Mr. J. M. Campbell, a local contractor. The work went rapidly forward. The contractor began the manufacture of brick upon one corner of the twenty acre tract. The Boskydell stone quarry, some four miles to the south of the building site, became a busy place. Scores of men were quarrying out the great blocks of red sandstone, other scores were loading these on cars, and still other scores were busy cutting stone and getting ready for the first great function in connection with the school—the laying of the corner stone. Great preparations were made for this, event. The first story was rising rapidly. The proportions of the building, the substantial and artistic character of the work, the fact it was a state project, all added interest to the coming event. The day set for the laying of the corner stone was May 17, 1870. The Masonic Order of Illinois, was invited to participate in the exercises. The order accepted the invitation and the lodges of Illinois sent large delegations to the cornerstone laying.

       The day, May 17, was an ideal day. The trains came loaded with enthusiastic Illinoisans. Bands of music, uniformed ranks, distinguished citizens, and the rank and file of Southern Illinois poured into the little city. Everything was in readiness. The first story which was of cut stone was well on its way. The walls were very beautiful, the rich red color of the stone, and the beautiful window and door trimmings were a wonder to the country people. The Grand Master of A. F. and A. M. was the Hon. H. G. Reynolds. He was assisted by the state officers of the order, and the laying of the corner stone was a most beautiful and appropriate beginning of the life of a great institution. A score or more of expert stonecutters headed by Mr. John Amon, assisted in the actual work of laying the stone. The number of people who were present in the city on that day has been estimated as high as twenty thousand. The number of Masons in line has been placed at three thousand—probably this is overestimated. The formal exercises occurred in the forenoon, and then the question arose in the minds of many, how can the multitude be fed? But the good people had had this problem on their hearts for weeks and they were abundantly able P 401  

THE FIRST  BUILDING OF THE  SOUTHERN ILLINOIS STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY, BURNED NOVEMBER 26, 1883

The Present Main Building of the Southern Illinois State Normal University