TEACHERS MEETING A GREAT SUCCESS
A Good Corps of Instructors Present and the Program Was Helpful to the Teachers of Duchesne County
The teachers' institute, which was the first of its kind ever held in Duchesne County, was held at Roosevelt on Monday and Tuesday, November 9 and 10, 1919. About 9:30 Monday morning the teachers assembled at Roose-velt hall and were called to order by Supt. J. A. Washburn. Prayer was offered.

Supt. Washburn then made a few introductory remarks followed by Supt. Cummings, who gave a thought for teachers. He said in part that it would be well to have some sort of devotional exercises of a moral nature in every school—passage of scripture, a hymn—these things to be inculcated for the development of character; some great moral truth for the uplift of mankind, in order to form the character of the pupil, teaching them the way to live a clean life.

Mr. Morton gave a short sketch of his life. The successful teacher must have the wisdom of Solomon the patience of Job and the simplicity of Simple Simon. Children are starving for love—need it more than hard, dry facts.

Prof. Barrows gave an interesting talk on "Nature Study." There is a great difference in the teaching of today and yesterday. Today we consider the child as a bundle of great possibilities to be developed. Education is broader than the school. Nature brings the home and the school closer together, and is inseparable from ihe elementary school work. He who teaches science teaches the subject; he who teaches nature teaches the child. We were then favored with a violin solo by Joseph Pearce of the local high school.

Afternoon Session
Song by the high school girls and an instrumental solo by Miss Lewis. Supt, Broadbent then announced that the high school and grammar grade deportments were to remain in the hall, and the primary would go with Mrs. Hollister to the high school building and discuss primary plans.

Mrs. Hollister said she felt when she attended institute like the man who went to Saint Peter. University of Utah, through its president, says "we are anxious to help you.. Anything we can do for you we are here to do it." Tell your story simply and direct-ly and always tell the truth. Truth builds character. All the best the ages have given to us we give to our children in stories. The first-year child lives in a world of wonder. There is always a re-ward for good and a punishment for evil. If we do not teach a love for nature, a reverence for God through all our lives, we have been a failure.

Prof. Hall spoke of the problem of organization and recommended a primary supervisor would do more good than anything else, and also spoke of the group system to help us solve our problems. In high school we do not attempt to teach more than four subjects a day. Elementary school is far behind the school in its way of testing standard pupils. This is a matter of organization. He advocated a good course of agriculture to every eighth grade boy. English should be taught in the seventh and eighth grades— no sooner. In the study of geography give the climate conditions, and do not require too much writing from the children. They will acquire a pinched-up finger movement, and suggested the Ayer's measuring scale. Let pupils measure their own writing. There will be no 100%. No child will get perfect. Use red ink sparingly and don't make your standards too high in composition. On Monday evening a banquet was given in the I. O. O. F. hall, and all the teachers in the country were at the feast. It was a grand affair and all were contented and happy. After the banquet they all assembled at the amusement hall, where the teachers and the high school boys played a game of basketball. The score resulted 8 to 11 in favor of the high school. After the game the floor was cleared and all took part in the grand ball.

Tuesday Morning
Prof. Barrows said America started at the top instead of the bottom. The high schools of this state are fulfilling the needs of the people. The main objects of the country high schools are to fit its students for the life which they are expected to live. High school agriculture should be based upon the work of the grades. Farm management is becoming very popular. It enables the farmer to tell what particular crops arc paying. The high school teacher should keep in towch with the grade school. Discussion brought out the fact that consolidation is the best way to give children good results.

Prof. Hail delivered a fine lecture on "Standard Tests in Arithmetic." In arithmetic our aim has been impossible and should be changed.   Nine-tenths of the time spent in teaching difficulties should be spent in solving problems of evory-day life. Standard from now on will be knowledge of the four fundamental principles, and the most important will be accuracy. Our standard must be changed. Better cut out all intricate problems that do not enter our actual lives.

Tuesday Afternoon
The session opened with a duet entitled "The Wild Rose " Followed by a piano solo by Mrs. McMillan.

The theme of Mrs. Hollister's instruction was changed to "Art and Construction." Art is no longer considered a specialty; it is a necessity. Art is not just picture making, it is to give the child more joy in life. We want art for life's sake, not for art's sake. Teach the child color scheme, it will help in making things har-monize with his life. A child is born an artist and we must not educate him out of it.

Supt. Broadbent said: "Don't criticize the parents because they have always been loyal to the school. Whenever a special tax has been levied, they have rallied to the support of the children. It is not because we are out of harmony with the parents, but we are not in a position to keep up with the rapid progress of the state. The school will never succeed as long as we have a new corps of teachers every year. Cease to be tramp teachers, become stable. Make your influence felt and necessary. Teachers, be optimistic in your woHc—be responsible for your work. Have respect for your principal and help share his responsibilities.   The superintendent urges that a night school be established for unfortunate boys and girls, men and women, in their effort to get a round nearer the top of the educational ladder."

Supt. Washburn spoke of the hopes he had for the future progress of this new country, which was and has so nobly and sue-cessfully been started and carried on for so many years by Supt. Broadbent. He spoke in behalf of the teachers, the appreciation they felt for his labors.

President Smart asked for the attention of the teachers for a few moments, in which he eulogized the work of Supt. Broadbent, and presented the following resolutions:

Whereas, it has been deemed wise by the citizens of Wasatch County to divide the county, creating out of the eastern section Duchesne County, and

Whereas, this division carries with it the close of the administration of the Hon. David A. Broadbent as superintendent of the schools of this eastern unit; and

Whereas, this is the last institute in which he will preside over us in the above capacity; therefore.

Be It Resolved, that we do most heartily appreciate the intelligent and persistent efforts he has put forth while fathering the establishing of an educational system in this pioneer section; and thtt in bidding Supt. Broadbent an affectionate farewell, we wish him God speed along his future life's busy and beneficial pathway; be it further resolved:

That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this institute, and that a copy of the same be presented to our honored superintendent.

The above resolutions were unanimously carried by a rising vote.

Principal Shelton of Duchesne district extended a vote of thanks to the Roosevelt teachers for the entertainment given the visiting teachers.

EARLY SCHOOL DAYS
Sent by Florence B. Madsen. Duchesne, Utah
From the year 1915 to 1919 Jess A. Washburn was superintendent of Duchesne County schools. He was appointed to that position when Duchesne County was created from parts of Wasatch and Uintah Counties in 1914. At that time, if you looked at a contour map of our country, you could see the trails winding over great humps, through canyons, along the river beds and over the benches and the escarpments, long ridges and sudden jutting rocks, which made traveling dangerous, especially along the Duchesne River between Duchesne and Hanna (then called Farm Creek.)

On the 29th of November, 1915, Supt. Washburn and myself made a trip to this upper country to visit schools. It had been a beautiful fall and even at that time there were splashes of scarlet, yellow and amber to be seen in the little draws among the tall, stately pines that showed more black than green against their back-ground. The sky was cold and withdrawn, a pale grey—that made the foreground of this beautiful timbered range seem a dismal grey-brown color, however, we stopped and marveled at the handiwork of God and discussed the way God worked through nature and how we could lead children through nature to God.

Glancing at the sky, Supt. Washburn predicted a storm, and storm we had before returning to Duchesne. We were traveling as usual with the Washburn mules, Pete and Min, a one-seated buggy minus the top, one time reinforced with baling wire, and a broken hub thiough which a wire was pulled time and again to lend strength. As we left the Washburn home this particular morning. Mrs. Washburn stood in the door of the Millinery room and called, "Jess. I hope to heaven you get home in time for me to attend Primary Conference in Roosevelt." And then she waved us on our way.

We made our way up the old Blue Bench dugway. I drove while Mr. Washburn pushed, thus helping the mules up the steep incline and over the boulders, and at the same time he kept his eye on the right rear axel. We reached Tabiona without mishap and. having a good two hours of daylight, we decided to push on to Farm Creek. On account of ill health, Supt. Washburn did not think of anything to eat, but I insisted on something, so wc stopped at Mr. Jollcy's store and purchased his last box of crackers.

About three miles away from the store, the storm in all its fury caught us, slowed our progress to such an extent that we did not reach Farm Creek until 11 o'clock that night. Having not a place to stay, Supt. Washburn aroused people in several cabins, but was unable to secure any accommodations for us, as these small homes were already over-crowded; however, at one very small cabin a boy piped up with, "Ma. why don't you send them up to Atwood's?"

Thus it was that I stayed at Aunt Maude At wood's, and the begin-ning of a friendship was formed. Next morning, Nov. 30, we visited Barry Harris (teacher in the one-room log school house.)

The storm did not abate and Aunt Maude insisted we stay with her again that night. Next morning it was still snowing, but we decided we had better move on. The wind blew the frozen snowflakcs with such force that it cut into our faces and caused the blood to ooze out. There were few trees and no fences to stop the force of the wind. Wherever there was a log hut or a cotton tree the snow piled in great drifts. We arrived at the Tabiona school about noon, just as the storm broke into full force again. The school house had lost much of its chinking and the wind drove the snow through every little crack. The children sat around the wood-burning stoves with coats, toboggans and hoods on, trying to keep warm. I will never forget the red bandana that one little fellow had tied around his head, that contained more holes than scarf. Supt. Washburn joked with him a little about the bare spots and the little fellow retorted: "Red is a warm color, and anyhow now I can't hear Miss Stewart when she asks me a question."

Now, Supt. Washburn, like the rest of us, kept his coat on but being courteous and polite, sat back from the stove. The wind coming through the cracks whizzed around his neck and piled the snow then upon his shoulders and head. I knew he was worried, but having a duty to perform he stayed with the school until closing time, then gave instructions to the teachers. After due deliberation we decided to try to push on to the Alma W. Wagstaff Ranch and stay with these good people. In the course of the journey Supt. Washburn's head began to ache, and his neck to have shooting pains running through it to such an extent that the jar of the buggy caused such excruciating pains he thought it advisable to get out and walk, and walk he did.

So with Pete and Min, I jogged on, stopping every once in a while to see if Mr. Washburn was making the grade. I finally became so cold that I left him to survive or perish and went to the Wagstaff home. Three hours later Brother Wagstaff helped me from the buggy and while Sister Wagstaff attended to my needs such as rubbing my numb hands and feet with snow to get the blood to circulate, Brother Wagstaff stabled and fed the mules. Supt. Washburn came straggling in about midnight, just as Brother Wagstaff came from the shed with his team going to search for him.

Next morning the sky was clear, no wind, but we had to break trail from the Wagstaff ranch to Utahn through practically two feel of snow. Supt. Washburn still walked, as that was much easier on his neck, at least he did not suffer as much while walking. We arrived at Duchesne safe but not very sound, at 2 o'clock the next morning. Let me state here that Supt. Washburn had that back of his neck sore for two weeks, but he stayed by his motto, "If you have a duty to perform, do it."

First Duchesne County Officers
George G. Lindsey, county commissioners
Ray Dillman, county attorney
Lula Hood Munz, county treasurer
J.E.L. Carrey, county commissioner
Simm Russell, County commissioner

Source: Early History of Duchesne County
Preserved by the Duchesne Chapter of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers - Compiled by Mildred Miles Dillman
Submitted and transcribed by Barb Ziegenmeyer

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