McCook schools overcrowded in 1898

Corporal punishment didn’t even have a name when I was in school. It was known as being sent to the principal for a swat, but it actually existed in many classrooms, no need for the principal to be bothered. Our classrooms were crowded by today’s standards because the “baby boom” of the 1950’s was in full swing. My most vivid memory of corporal punishment involved a fairly petite teacher taking a boy by the ears, dragging him to the broom closet and locking him in there for the rest of the day. I’m thinking her teaching days would be over had that happened today. I can’t imagine what that boy was feeling but I guarantee her actions struck fear in the hearts of the rest of the 1st graders in the room.

In 1898 McCook’s school were struggling with a burgeoning student problem. The town was growing by leaps and bounds and classrooms were filling up with children faster than the community had planned for which culminated in a re-arranging rooms and teaching assignments.

The McCook Tribune in a November 18, 1898 article reported on a visit the editor had made to the classrooms to assess the changes. Note the number of students in each class as I share with you part of his observations.

“One of the greatest difficulties, that of over-crowding in certain grades, has been almost entirely overcome, and the results from relieving this congestion are already apparent in better work on the part of the pupils and in removing excessive burdens from some of the teachers.”

At this time, McCook had a West Ward wood structure building, the still standing East Ward building, the wooden South McCook building and a High School. The following is how those buildings were being utilized and who were the teachers at the time.

“First and Second East- Miss Thomson and Miss Rowell-106 students. The grades occupy two rooms and are in charge of Miss Thomson.”

“First and Second West-Mrs. Duffy and Miss Oyster-75 students. They occupy one room, with a small recitation adjoining. Though not so well equipped or comfortably situated as the East Ward primary, creditable results are coming from their efforts.”

“First and Second South-Miss Stroud-82 students. This building has been much improved in internal and external appearance, besides in added convenience and comfort. It is one of the most interesting departments of the city schools, and although the work is too heavy for one teacher, it is being done with tact and skill and with success unusual and praise-worthy. The children are nearly all of German-Russian parentage and have to be first taught English. The average attendance is about 66.”

“Third West-Miss Weibly-67 students. This grade is doing encouragingly better work since the readjustment and is expected to accomplish very satisfactory results by the end of the school year.”

“Fourth West-Miss Powers-63 students. Like the Third, this grade is in good shape and progressing nicely, hoping to fully cover the grade work this year.”

“Fifth West-Miss Leonard-57 students. Separated from Sixth, being less crowded, and it being possible to do more personal work among the pupils, this grade is doing well and is expected to give a good account of itself, this year.”

“Sixth, City Hall- Miss Beitcher-54 students. This grade is very comfortably located and is settling down to do the work of the grade earnestly and strongly.”

“Seventh East-Miss Case-44 students. Separated from the Eighth and less crowded, this grade is improving the opportunities gained by having a room and teacher of their own. This room is sorely in need of more seats and desks.”

After noting the amount of students in each grade listed above, one would think the remaining 5 school levels would be huge, but in those days often a grade school education was all the family could afford because the hands of the child were needed at home to help either care for the youngest siblings or work on the farm or in the business. Consequently, the Eighth through Twelfth grades total enrollment was only 130 students. Teachers for those grades were: Miss Meserve, Eighth grade, Mr. Burgert, Ninth and Eleventh Grade, and Miss Berry, Tenth and Twelfth grade, the senior class totaling 6 pupils.

This article is available on www.chroniclingamerica.gov if you wish to read it. School census records are available at the SWNGS library, 110 West C, Suite M-3. We are back on our regular hours, Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 PM, weather permitting.

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