The York High School.
"Y. H. S. Come Along And Try!
O. K. O. K. Y. O. R. K. YOrk!"
The York High School
with all it stands for today is a feature of the City's life that
cannot be passed by without appropriate notice. The development of
this institution is probably more remarkable than that of any
other in the city. The beginnings of the High School can be traced
to 1871 when Judge Montgomery taught the first school in the
county in the old County House directly opposite the Blodgett
Hotel. The next year a new school house was put up on the site of
the present High School building and Miss M. A. Hill presided
within it. In two years the school outgrew its quarters and the
Congregational Academy was rented. Hon. N. V. Harlan, J. Corchran,
T. A. Parkerson, and Miss Kate Keckley are among the teachers
connected with the school at this period.
A new brick building was erected just back of
the little frame school house in 1881. Prof. R. M. Bridges who was
elected at this time was the first man to be dignified with the
title of Superintendent. Under his direction, the first three
graduating classes of the school, those of 1884, 1885 and 1886
held their Commencement exercises.
During the administration of Prof. C. S.
Edwards, who succeeded Prof. Bridges, the school building was
declared unsafe and board sheds were constructd (sic) on the
grounds for temporary use. These were the "cow sheds," famous in
poetry and song for many years, under which the class of 1888
completed its school life.
Supt. F. C. McClelland the next year had the
honor to graduate the first class from our present high school
building.
In 1890, Supt. H. C. Corbett, who afterward held
the position of State Superintendent, came to the school,
remaining four years and graduating as many good classes. During
his administration the school grew rapidly and many new
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features were introduced into the work.
When Mr. Corbett assumed the State
Superintendency, Prof. Moulton, who had previously served as
Principal of the High School, succeeded him, Supt. Moulton has the
longest term of service in the high school, up to date, to his
credit. He worked faithfully for six years, during which time the
crowded condition of some of the rooms in the Central Building
became a serious problem.
With the advent of Supt. C. R. Atkinson in 1900,
the Central Annex, sometimes known as the Boyer building, became a
part of the school system and this year the old German church was
fitted up as a home for the Eighth Grade under the name of the
Whittier School. The room formerly occupied by the Eighth grade is
now used for high school recitation purposes and with an
additional teacher in the high school force it is possible to look
after the two hundred pupils in the four grades in the most
thorough hand systematic manner ever known in the school. Every
Monday after noon the Lyceum League of America, the boys' literary
society of the high School, now marches to its quarters in the
Fraternal Hall, having outgrown its former meeting place in the
Ninth Grade room. These and other changes have been brought about
so naturally and so quietly in the past three years that it is
difficult to realize the extent of the improvement made.
The York High School as now organized is an
enthusiastic and self-reliant body of two hundred loyal Young
Americans with nearly a thousand more in the lower grades to draw
from in the years to come. It does things. It is equal to the
occasion whether the demand is to move a piano, fix the clock or
wire the building for electric lights. Under Supt. Atkinson's
administration all the good features of the past have been
preserved and every encouragement has been given to the new
student's organizations and interests required to meet the demands
of a growing school. Perhaps no better testimony can be given to
the good work done in our high school than the fact that when
vacation comes nearly every pupil on the rolls is anxious to
engage in some form of useful and profitable labor.
THE
PRIDE OF YORK. York
College is the pride of the city of York and of York County. It is
now one of Nebraska's standard colleges and making a fine record.
It has a strong faculty of eleven members and offers thirteen
courses of study, including Music, Art, Elocution, Commercial
Branches and Shorthand, Normal Subjects, and full College
Courses.
THE
PEOPLE'S SCHOOL.
York College is the people's school. It was not created by a
single individual for the sake of gain, but by the united efforts
of thousands for the sole purpose of helping the young people of
this region to secure a thorough education at the least expense of
time and money and under the most pleasant, healthful, moral
influences.
FOUNDED IN 1890. It was
founded on Aug. 26, 1890, and two weeks later its doors were
opened to students. Its first quarters were rented rooms in the
Wirt Block and very unsuitable for college purposes, but served as
a makeshift till a building could be erected.
ITS
BEAUTIFUL SITE. A
more beautiful site could not be found in the State of Nebraska --
a gentle eminence in the, eastern part of the the (sic) city, the
highest ground in York County. Here on a campus of eleven acres
the first building was erected, and dedicated in June 1892. It is
a splendid edifice of brick and stone, 88 x 99 feet, basement and
three stories, beautiful in architectural design and in
approaching the city from any direction can be seen for many
miles.
EXCELLENT
EQUIPMENTS
The building is well furnished and well equipped and unusually well planned for college purposes. The recitation rooms are large and light. The commercial room covers nearly half of the second floor. The chapel will seat about six hundred. The literary halls are
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among the finest in the State. The library contains about 1500
volumes, and the reading tables are constantly supplied with an
abundance of the best periodicals of the day. The museum has
several hundred feet of shelf-room filled with specimens in
geology, zoology and botany. The laboratories are well supplied
with apparatus to facilitate the work in the natural sciences.
ANOTHER
BUILDING. Another building has been
projected and the work begun. The foundation is laid and the
structure will be completed in 1903. It will be 80 x 36 feet, four
floors, containing thirty-five rooms, besides halls, closets and
bath rooms. It will be heated by steam as is the main building and
both supplied with city water and electric light. The building
will be devoted to the conservatory of music and ladies'
dormitory.
STRONG
BOARDS. York College is controlled by a
Board of seventeen Trustees, composed of educators, ministers,
professional and business men. On the present Board are three
ex-state officers. E. A. Gilbert, Ex-Lieut. Governor of Nebraska,
is Chairman; J. W. Purington, Secretary; N. A. Dean, Treasurer.
The Board elects the president and members of the faculty and has.
general supervision of all the work of the college.
There is also an executive Board of six members,
all residents of York, whose duty it is to carry out the will of
the Board of Trustees.
Such strong managing Boards are an assurance to
all patrons that their interests will be carefully guarded and
wisely conserved.
PRESIDENTS. -- Rev. J.
George, A. M., D. D., served as president from August 1890 to
August 1894. The average yearly enrollment during his term was
176.
Rev. W. S. Reese, Ph. M., D. D., succeeded,
President George and served three years. During this time the
average yearly enrollment was 149. The large debt incurred by the
erection of the main building became a heavy burden during this
administration, owing to financial panic and crop failure.
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Rev. William E. Schell, A. M., D. D., was called to take charge on
August 3, 1897. That was a dark hour in the history of the
institution. Every dollar of a great debt was due and suits
entered for collection. There was nothing in the treasury to stay
the impending crisis. Some of the trustees advised giving up the
work. Every member of the faculty had resigned except J. E.
Maxwell, M. S., Professor of Natural Sciences and Mrs. D. E.
Sedgwick, Director of the Music Department. No catalogue had been
issued.
The details of the five succeeding years cannot
here be given. It is enough to say that the entire situation has
been changed. The debt is liquidated. The sum of two thousand
dollars has been expended for additional equipments and six
thousand dollars in good pledges, is now on hand for another
building. The courses of study have been strengthened.
In the faculty enlarged and York College has
taken high rank among the institutions of Nebraska and the West.
The average yearly enrollment during the five years of President
Schell's term has been 281 -- over three hundred yearly for the
last three years. The present year is going nicely, with a fine
attendance and flattering prospects of continued success and
growth.
FACULTY. -- William E.
Schell, A. M., D. D., President and Professor of Philosophy.
(Western College, Toledo, Iowa, June 1890, A.
B.; June 1893, A. M.; Lane University, Lecompton, Kas., June 1902,
D. D.)
J. E. Maxwell, M. S., Vice President and
Professor of Natural Sciences.
(Nebraska Wesleyan University, June 1894, B.
S.; June 1895, M. S.)
Sareva Dowell, A. M., Professor of Latin and
Greek.
(Amity College, College Springs, Iowa, June
1893, A. B.; June 1898, A. M.; Post Graduate work in Europe.)
Theodore Jorgenson, A. B., Professor of Modern
Languages.
(Western College, Toledo, Iowa, June 1900, A.
B.; Post Graduate work in Europe.)
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Annie P. Jorgensen, A. M., Professor of
Mathematics.
(Nebraska State University, June 18,99, A. B.;
June 1902, A. M.)
Lena E. Schell, A. B., Assistant in English and
History.
(York College, June 1902, A. B.)
M. D. Adams, M. Acc'ts., Principal of the
College of Commerce and Professor of Commercial Branches and
Shorthand.
(Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill., June,
1898, M. Acc'ts.)
Ruth Smith, Director of the Conservatory of
Music and Instructor of Piano, Pipe Organ, Reed Organ, Harmony,
General Theory, History of Music and Voice Culture.
(Western College Conservatory, June 1899,
Diploma in Piano Course; June 1901, Diploma in Voice; Victoria
College of Music, London, June 1902, Diploma as Associate in
Piano.
Max Baumeister, Instructor OD Violin.
(Studied in Omaha and St. Louis, then five
years at the Bavarian Conservatory, Wuerzburg, Germany. Court
Musician.
L. E. Porter, Principal of the School of
Expression and Instructor in Elocution and Physical Culture.
(Studied at York College. and Columbia School
of Oratory, Chicago.)
Lauriette Dowell, Principal of the Art
Department and Instructor in Drawing and all lines of Art
Work.
(Studied at Tarkio College, Tarkio, Mo., and at
Nebraska State University.
G. E. Driver, College Pastor.
(Educated in England. Traveled extensively in
Europe and Palestine.)
STUDENTS. -- The
aggregate of the enrollment, for the twelve years is 2556. The
students have always been of a most excellent class and the
graduates are toiling in fields of usefulness this wide world
over, even in India, China and the Philippines. In Chicago,
Washington, St. Louis, Omaha, Kansas City, Denver, Cheyenne, St.
Paul, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Lincoln and in almost all the
cities and towns of Nebraska they are doing a good and honorable
part in the
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business and professional work of the world. Their ranks include
college professors, ministers' missionaries, civil service men,
lawyers, physicians, merchants, musicians, machinists,
superintendents of schools, teachers, public officers and other
vocations worthy of note. And many, though not completing courses,
have gone forth after terms or years of profitable association and
study, with increased knowledge, improved gifts and larger life,
and are now filling useful positions in the industrial pursuits
and professions of this busy age. The passing days, ever and anon,
bring back the story of their success and their joy in having made
York College their choice.
Fifty-eight of the business men of York and
eighty four of the teachers now in charge of schools in York
County are old York College students.
THE
COLLEGE. -- The Collegiate department
offers four courses of study: Classical, Philosophical, Scientific
and Literary, each of four years. Those who have completed a high
school course or the preparatory course may be admitted to the
College Courses, and on completion of the work receive college
degrees.
THE
NORMAL. -- The Normal Department offers
superior training to those who wish to enter the teaching
profession.
The Teacher's Course includes all the branches
required for a First Grade Certificate, and also Latin, Zoology,
Physiography and General History.
The Normal Course extends two years above the
Teachers' Course and leads to the degree Bachelor of Didatics.
THE
PREPARATORY. -- The Preparatory Department
officers a course of study covering the ninth, tenth, eleventh and
twelfth grades and gives the student an excellent preparation for
the higher courses of study. It is superior to a high school
training, because the student comes into close association with a
large faculty, has all the benefits arising from the Literary
Societies, Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations,
and the incitement of the higher college classes.
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THE COLLEGE
OF COMMERCE. -- The York
College of Commerce is second to none in helping young people to a
business education.
The Commercial Course embraces three term's work
and is equal to that ofiered (sic) by the best commercial
schools.
The Advanced Commercial Course takes the student
two terms further, gives him a special fitness for managing
business enterprises, prepares him to teach the commercial
branches and leads to the degree Bachelor of Accounts. After two
years of successful teaching, the degree Master of Accounts may be
conferred.
THE
SHORTHAND
DEPARTMENT. -- The Shorthand and
Typewriting Courses are up to date in every respect. The length of
time required will depend largeley (sic) upon the aptness of the
student -- from two to three terms.
The Gregg system of Shorthand is taught. This
system is the shortest, quickest and best; easiest to learn,
easiest to read, and easiest to write.
The touch method of typewriting is employed. The
most improved Remington and Smith Premier machines are used and
the work is conducted in a room specially fitted up for this
purpose.
THE
CONSERVATORY. This department offers the
best of instruction at moderate expense and those desiring to
study Music will find it to their advantage to come to York
College.
Courses are offered in Piano, Organ, Violin,
Voice, Harmony, General Theory and History of Music.
SCHOOL OF
EXPRESSION AND
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
This department carries a splendid two year's course, including
Life Study, Bodily Expression, Elocution, Sight Reading,
Repertoire, Fencing, Clubs, Bells, Wands, Etc., and the work is
open to students in auy (sic) department at reasonable rates.
SCHOOL OF
ART. The Art Department offers lessons in
Still Life, Pencil, Crayon, Oil Painting, Water Colors, Pastel,
China Painting, Newspaper Illustrating, and Pyrography.
OTHER
FEATURES. Mention can not here be made of
Lectures, Contests, Athletics, Cadet Company, Young Men's
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and Young Women's Christian Associations, Literary Societies,
Students' Receptions and Socials and the many features that go to
make up the helps and benefits of life at York College.
MANY
TRUE, ONE
FALSE. York College was born of noble
purpose and high aims and has been fostered by many of the good
and great. Its teachers have toiled hard and made many sacrifices
in order that the work might be carried forward and, like the
twelve disciples, all have proven true save one.
A FACTOR IN
PROGRESS. York College from its inception
has connected itself with the best life and most vital interests
of the city and county and has wrought a mighty part in their
material growth and moral welfare. The object has ever been to
produce true manhood and true womanhood; not only breadwinners,
but also world-movers. It has already proved to be a great
blessing to the city, the county. the state and the world and is
still bestowing its benefactions with open hand. All may be well
assured that influence exerted in its behalf, whether by the
expression of helpful words or by pointing the youth to its halls,
is for the advancement of a Christian public enterprise of
inestimable value to us all.
The rates are very reasonable. The advantages
are in every way superior. The large faculty and the many students
in attendance take special pains to promote the welfare of all who
choose to join their ranks.
William E. Schell was born in
Carroll County, Ind., Oct. 25, 1861. He is of German decent,
related to some of the best families of the land and his kin are
found in the U. S. Congress, among financiers, bishops and
scholars of wide reputation.
His mother died when he was but a child. His
father, a prominent Chicago business man, went down in the panic
of 1873. This left the lad to face the world alone, long before he
had reached his teens. With the true spirit of German independance
he remained away, from his relatives, leaning upon his own efforts
for success. He taught school at the
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age of fifteen, was in the mercantile business in his early
twenties, bending his energies, meanwhile, in the direction of a
college course, which he completed in due time at Western College,
Toledo, Iowa, in June 1890, with the degree A. B. and with highest
honors.
After graduation he served for three years as
pastor of the U. B. Church, DuBois, Nebraska.
The next two years he was the York College
pastor. Being an indefatigable worker, fully appreciating the
various needs of the church, and one upon whom God has set his
seal of approval, his years in pastoral labor were fruitful in an
unusual degree many being added to the church year by year. But
during these years so crowded with pastoral duties, he still found
time for study and in June 1898 he took the degree, A. M.
Then followed nearly three years of service as
Presiding Elder of York District before he was called a second
time to the presidency of York College, the first call being
declined three years before.
Though a modest, unassuming man, Pres. Schell is
an excellent financier, prepossessing in appearance, an eloquent
speaker, possessed of good judgment, keen insight, rare tact, and
a faculty of bringing things to pass.
He has served the church as a member of two
General Conferences and as a director of the Board of Missions. He
is now serving a four year's term on the Board of Education which
has the supervision of all the colleges of the denomination.
He has been a member of the Nebraska College
Association for several years and has served as secretary and as
president of the same. He has been elected to membership .in a
number of national associations of scholars, and his name appears
in several biographical cyclopedias, while in June 1902 Lane
University, LeCompton, Kansas, honored him with the degree D.
D.
His services have been repeatedly sought by
other institutions, but at the earnest solicitation of his many
friends he has continued in his present relation; and having the
support of the people of York and a large constituency out over
the State, it is to be hoped that he will remain for years to
come.