Year	Real Estate	Personal Property	Total
1905 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914	.$10,728,470 14,038,560 43,388,760 44,389,990 46,287,370 47,361,221	$ 4,150,060 5,760,820 13,172,250 16,039,270 18,816,290 25,824,041	$14,878,530 19,799,380 56,561,010 60,429,260 65,103,660 73,185,262

Funds	Levy (Mills)	Est. Receipts
General Public Safety Public Health Public Service Sinking Public Library Firemen's Pension Police Relief Totals	.210 1.104 .196 2.066 1.244 .123 .034 .023 &5.000	$15,368.91 80,796.53 14,344.31 151,200.75 91,042.47 9,001.79 2,488.29 1,683.26 $365,926.31

Funds General Public Safety Public Health Public Service Public Library Firemen's Pension Police Relief

1909 $ 26,246 88,473 7,196 104,756 6,380 672

1914 $ 45,091.13 118,649.98 17,110.83 128,904.93 7,371.73 3,077.89 1,579.00

A more detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements for the year 1914 indicates that $41,308.38 is expended in maintaining the police department, of which $38,610.02 goes toward the salaries of the force. About $20,000 more, or, to be exact, $61,442.35, sustains the fire department, the members of which are paid $54,916.10 in salaries. The expenses of these departments are paid out of the Public Safety Fund, the total expenditures of which were $118,649.98 for 1914, which, with the balance brought over from the preceding year, left a balance on the right side of the ledger of $1,759.70. The public health is protected at a momentary loss, as, including the Hospital Fund, more than $17,000 was expended for salaries, medical and food supplies, etc., and only $16,700 received. The Public Service Fund is the largest within the financial system of the city, as it includes the operations of the sewage department, including those of the great disposal plant ; street lighting, cleaning and repairing; public parks, and the City Hall, Auditorium and markets. The receipts for the year amounted to $128,338.70, and disbursements $128,904. Aside from the general tax levy, which realized over $88,000, the largest items in the receipt column were the Auditorium rent, $3,990, and the Market House rent, $2,607. For street cleaning and repairing $33,565 was expended for 1914, and $33,542 for street lighting during the same period. For the support and development of the sewage treatment plant bonds to the amount of $260,000 were sold, and $53,882.70 was expended upon the same, leaving a balance of $206,117.30 to continue that fine work of sanitation. The total special improvement funds raised by assessment showed the following large proportions : Balance, January 1, 1914, $193.869.77 ; receipts during 1914, $788,621.37 ; disbursements in 1914, $605,193.61 ; balance, December 31, 1914, $377,297.53. Under expenditures the largest items are those covering contracts and "transfer to sinking fund," $404,222.90 and $168,205.15, respectively. Among the trust funds, the following showed the status of those 320 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY connected with the fire and police departments : Firemen's Pension Fund showed receipts of $10,482.53 and expenditures of $9,142.06, which, with a small balance brought over from the preceding year, indicated a balance of $1,868.11 on December 31, 1914. The items relating to the Police Relief Fund indicated a balance, January 1, 1914, of $1,431.83; receipts for 1914, $1,761.63; expenditures, $2,685.54; balance, December 31, 1914, $507.92. The public library account just balanced, the amount being $7,371.73. When the city auditor struck his final balance he found that there was $702,388.43 in the municipal treasury on December 31, 1914. This result was obtained with the following as its basis : Balance, January 1, 1914, $350,764.52 ; receipts for the year, $1,803,374.33 ; total in the treasury, December 31, 1914. The disbursements for the year 1914 amounted to $1,455,853.90, leaving as the auditor's total balance on the last day of the year $698,284.95; add to the latter sum $4,103.48, which represented the outstanding warrants, and the result was the treasurer's balance December 31, 1914, being $702,388.43, as stated. The report made by the city health officer in January, 1915, indicated that during the year 1914 there had been 650 deaths and 1,278 births, and that the rate of death per thousand for an estimated population of 63,000 was 10.03. The total number of typhoid fever cases reported was thirty-one, of which only eight were fatal. The chief causes of death were given as organic diseases of the heart, 81; pneumonia, 55 ; apoplexy, 61; tuberculosis of the lungs, 39 ; diseases of early infancy, 46, and Bright's disease, 28. There are few cities of 63,000 people which can present a better record. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Canton's police force, from the days of the town marshals until the time of its organization on metropolitan lines, has always done good work, considering the means at its disposal. There was one of its members, Joseph Riegler, who served for more than fifty years. He was retired on account of physical incapacity in 1909. His first position, that of deputy marshal, was under Jonathan Oldfield. Being ambitious, he served the first year without pay, and the second year for $12.50. When he was an old rheumatic-ridden man, but still about as jolly as ever, he would say, with a laugh : "It's a fine thing to be a policeman now. All he has to do is to walk around, and if an arrest is made, to call the patrol. But I tell you in those days if a policeman arrested one man a night and lugged him to the calaboose, he was about done up. Sometimes if a wheelbarrow or handcart were handy, the man, if drunk, would be given a ride." HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 321 Riegler was the marshal of war times. He was elected first in 1861 and served three consecutive terms of one year each under Mayors Dunbar, Meyer and Crevoisie. In 1866 he was elected a fourth time under Mayor Clark. He served his last term in 1867 when he was elected the fifth time, serving under the first administration of Mayor Daniel Sayler. Since that time he has been on the force almost continuously. During the early days, as marshal, Riegler found time to manage a quartet of local singers which old-timers declare was one of the best then in existence. The singers were George Hershey, Tom Keefer, Orrin Cox and Mr. Ballard. The quartet would go out at night accompanied by the marshal, who was needed as protection against hoodlums. The best residences of the town would be visited, and Joe says that many a night the quartet took in as high as $10. For several years previous to the time when Riegler was made city janitor and placed under half pay he acted in the capacity of turnkey. His hearing became so defective that he was forced to give up the position. Policemen tell of many funny incidents that occurred when Riegler was on the desk. One concerned a telephone call to the effect that a man was beating his wife. Riegler failed to catch the word, and thinking that the man was beating a dog, he answered through the telephone : "Kill the dog." George W. Oldfield succeeded Riegler as city marshal and served four terms, the first one year and the others two years. each. Mr. Old-field served as city marshal longer than any other man. He served under Mayors Daniel Sayler and Robert S. Shields. "The most familiar character in police circles at that time," said Mr. Oldfield, "was ' Old Fritz.' His full name was Fritz Alexander Swope. I never heard of him having any relatives. I could almost swear that during my seven years as marshal I arrested him on an average of once a week for drunkenness. I am certain he holds all records. He was a familiar character to all the old-timers and was known as the 'steam saw mill.' Before he went to the army he could saw three or four cords of wood a day with ease. "He was a hard character for me to handle because of his great strength. Towards the last I made myself a pair of handcuffs out of catgut and when I would pull them out Fritz would say, 'George, I go mit you.' If the patrolmen nowadays had to earn their money as we did they would resign. I never wore a uniform because I didn't like the brass buttons." Abraham C. Eitner was the first paid policeman to serve under a marshal. Eitner liked nothing better than to gather with his friends Vol. I-21 322 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY at J. Stahler 's shoe shop in South Cherry Street and discuss the old times. Eitner, Joe Riegler, Stahler and several others constituted what was known as the "rump parliament." Eitner could tell of the days when he lugged drunks from the South Market Street Bridge to the county jail, when was then located on the southwest corner of Cleveland Avenue and Ninth Street. "I caused the first calaboose to be built," he said. "I seriously objected to waiting a half hour for the sheriff to let me in every time I arrested a prisoner and brought him to the county jail. More than one cold winter night I half carried and half dragged a man for a mile and then had to wait on the outside of the jail for a half hour or more. When I had one prisoner it was not so bad, but when there were more than one it was no picnic." In 1903, under the new code, Mayor William H. Smith appointed Fred S. McCloud his chief of police. McCloud was the first chief of police of Canton. Soon after A. R. Turnbull was elected mayor H. W. Smith was raised to the head of the police department, and he continued to serve as chief of police until 1914, when the present incumbent, C. N. Riblet, was appointed. MEYER'S LAKE OF THE PRESENT Besides, there are two beautiful lakes within easy riding distance, to which thousands resort annually for rest and recreation. Meyer's Lake, only about two miles from the city, a mile long and half as wide, is surrounded by fine groves, and its shores are lined with cottages and the building improvements which have been controlled by the Northern Ohio Traction Company for some years. These include a large bathing house, with diving platform and slides, a shoot-the-chutes and other amusement concessions, as well as convenient piers and beaches for the accommodation of the numerous canoes and boats which, in season, cover the pretty sheet of water. There is also a large and well managed hotel for the refreshment and care of transients and those who are not the owners of cottages, as well as a summer theater, fully alive to the demands of the amusement-loving public, young and old. The grounds at Meyer's Lake also provide accommodations for athletic contests, military encampments, include a large baseball park, and are altogether the scenes of continuous life and pleasure during the open seasons. The Lakeside Country Club also leases it handsome club house and large golf links from the Traction Company ; so that Meyer's Lake is a pleasure resort in the full sense of the word. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 323 CONGRESS LAKE AND THE CLUB Congress Lake, a fine body of water, somewhat larger than Meyer's Lake, is about twelve miles north of Canton and is owned, as a body, with all the abutting property for some distance inland, by the Congress Lake Club. Altogether the country club is the owner of 500 acres of land and water—the only organization of the kind in Ohio which owns an entire lake. The property is finely improved. The details of such improvements, both of the Congress Lake and the Lakeside Country clubs, will be given in the sketches of the social organizations, to be incorporated in succeeding pages. Both of these popular resorts are easily reached by electric or steam transportation, and the object in briefly mentioning them at this point is to indicate what generous provisions have been made by the city and private agencies for the airing and entertainment and general invigoration of residents and visitors. WEST LAWN CEMETERY It is quite natural, in modern times, to associate beauty and restfulness of landscape with homes for the dead ; this is as it should be, and although pleasure, in the frivolous sense, is left behind upon the entrance to such sacred grounds, the cemetery of today is the most beautiful kin' of a park known to mankind. There are a number of such peaceful and tastefully improved grounds in Canton, but the one which most partakes of a non-sectarian character and of a public nature is West Lawn. West Lawn Cemetery is 1 1/2 miles northwest from McKinley Park, which was the original city cemetery, and in the fifty-six years since it was founded it has expanded from a little plat of ten acres to a beautiful and stately burial ground of eighty acres. The cemetery association, which has faithfully attended to its care-taking and improvement, was organized March 19, 1859, by John F. Raynolds, William Hawk, P. P. Trump, D. H. Harman, J. W. Myers, B. F. Leiter, John Lahm, Cornelius Aultman, Louis Schaefer, I. P. Miller, James S. Rider, J. C. Brownwell, J. C. Bockius and son, R. H. McCall, S. Slanker, W. K. Miller, S. D. Day, W. Harrison, R. A. Dunbar, T. W. Saxton, Henry Cock, H. Buckius, W. P. Ellison, E. P. Grant, John Danner, Isaac Harter, E. D. Albert, David Lind, Joseph H. Mathews, Lewis Miller, Thomas Goodman, William Prince, H. H. Myers, William Barber, U. R. Feather, George S. Hurford, R. C. Kimball, S. Kaufman, Samuel Bard, D. Raff, James B. Estep, J. K. Boze, John Malline, J. D. Brown, J. G. Lester, Samuel Beatty, William Hatcher and J. A. Saxton. This long list of names is given, both because they have never before been published and because 324 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY they include so many of the prominent citizens of the ante-war times. So far as can be ascertained, the only person living of the original organizers of the West Lawn Cemetery Association (then known as the Canton Cemetery Association) is John Danner. In 1861 an incorporation was effected under the present name, West Lawn Cemetery Association. The original shares were $50 each, and it required (PICTURE) SOLDIERS' MONUMENT IN WEST LAWN CEMETERY thirty subscribers to call a meeting. The first board of trustees was composed of P. P. Trump (president), H. H. Myers, B. F. Leiter, J. G. Lester and John Maline. Thomas Goodman was chosen clerk. Among those whose names have been long associated with the development of West Lawn are P. P. Trump, its first president ; Louis Bockius, who also held that office, and Judge Henry A. Wise, the present incumbent. The late John Lahm and Louis Schaefer were always on the honor roll. Joseph A. Reed, the present secretary and superintendent, has HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 325 been a tireless worker in its interests for many years, as well as the treasurer, Charles W. Strohn. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY By Mary P. Martin, Librarian Prior to 1885 Canton did not have a public library in the modern acceptance of the term. During the superintendency of Henry R. Martin, 1854-64, there was organized and established a well equipped library for the public schools, the circulation being limited to the pupils. Later, one under the care of the Young Men's Christian Association was made public, in that anyone who cared to pay for the privilege might draw books. The real inception of the public library movement was the incorporation, under the state laws, of the Public Library Association in May, 1885. The purpose of the association, as stated in the constitution, was "to purchase, establish, manage and conduct a public library which should not be for profit." Subscription papers were circulated among the citizens and generous contributions secured for the purchase of books. The city council, in furtherance of the wishes of the people, provided for the use of the library a well furnished room in what was then the new City Hall, and in November, 1885, the library was opened to the public with a collection of 1,300 volumes. The room was occupied until 1895, when, because of inadequate space, the library was removed to the second floor of the Odd Fellows Temple, there to remain until 1905, when the present building was ready for occupancy. During the early years, maintenance for the most part was from private contributions ; later, support came from the city in an annual tax levy. In 1901 William W. Clark, president of the association, because of failing health and business demands, relinquished the presidency and membership of the board, presenting, with his resignation, a deed for a building, site valued at $10,000. Two years later the_ offer of Mr. Carnegie was accepted without hesitancy and the library has today a permanent and satisfactory home. The building, renaissance in style of architecture, is built of light colored pressed brick, stone, concrete and steel. Three of the four departments, circulating, reference and reading, are located on the first floor ; the young people's department, on the second ; in the basement, the story hour, storage, packing and engine rooms. The growth of the library has been slow but sure. The policy of the association has been to give the free use of its books, magazines and 326 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY papers to all the people of Canton, and, as the city increased, to extend its privileges to the very limit of its ability, including in this privilege, all students of the higher institutions, whether residents or not. Benefactions have been generous, notably : From the estate of the late Cornelius Aultman, through his daughter, Mrs. George D. Harter ; by terms of the will of Catherine B. Aultman, $25,000, unaccompanied by conditions, but by order of the board made a permanent endowment, the income, after a few years, to be used as a book fund ; from William S. Hawk, of New York City, a gift of $500, which made possible the (PICTURE) CANTON'S PUBLIC LIBRARY establishment of the young people's department ; through the daughters of the late Col. John J. Young, a collection of 500 rare and valuable books for the reference department ; the medical library of Dr. Thomas H. Phillips, presented by his daughter, Mrs. Ralph S. Ambler, and a collection of 1,430 volumes known as the Holmes Memorial Collection, given by Mrs. Mary Ella Holmes, wife of the late Rev. Oliver Wendell Holmes, D. D., former pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Canton. The population of Canton in 1915 was 63,380; bound volumes in its public library, 26,119 ; circulation in last fiscal year, 80,835. Board of trustees: A. B. Clark, president ; W. L. Alexander, vice president ; George H. Clark, secretary-treasurer ; F. E. Case, H. W. Harter, Austin Lynch, Julius Whiting, Jr., H. B. Fawcett. Mary P. Martin, librarian. Building: Architect, Guy Tilden ; source of funds, Andrew Carnegie : HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 327 cost of construction, $60,000; dimensions, 66 by 90 feet ; book capacity, 18,500; additional shelving, 90,000. CANTON 'S FIRST CIRCULATING LIBRARY To the foregoing succinct, yet complete history of the Canton Public Library, it may be added that the first circulating library in the place was established shortly after the War of 1812, a number of citizens banding themselves together to support it. Each one who contributed $3 a year was entitled to the use of a book every two weeks. The library consisted of thirty volumes. The collection grew, to some extent, and remained in existence until about 1830, when it was discontinued and divided among the patrons. Some of the books can still be found, as valued relics, in some of the older Stark County families. THE CITY HALL The two representative municipal buildings of Canton are the City Hall and the Auditorium, the latter including the fine Market House, which is the present-day successor to the old institution founded so early and patronized so steadily. The City Hall, a two-story and basement red brick structure, with comfortable accommodations for all the municipal officers, was completed in 1883. The square on which it stands presents several interesting relics of the Spanish-American war, with a memorial to the victims from Stark County. The latter, including a cannon captured by the Americans, was dedicated July 4, 1900. 0. F. Williams, United States consul at Manila, presented another gun as a reminder of Stark County's close identification with the last American war. THE AUDITORIUM The Canton Auditorium is one of the largest in the country and will comfortably seat nearly 4,000 people. It has done much to add to the city 's fame as a center of politics and large movements, as well as the gathering place of famous men and women, who were so strongly attracted to the city by the activities in national movements of such men as McKinley and Day, and many others of less note. Besides the grand auditorium hall, the massive and ornate structure of brick and stone houses the large city market, which stretches across its entire width. Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays are the market days, and nothing necessary to a bountiful table is omitted from the articles on display-- 328 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY meats, vegetables, fruits, fish, butter, eggs and everything else to satisfy the human appetite. The G. A. R. headquarters are also in a corner of the Auditorium Building; but, as stated, it is the hall itself which is the grand feature. The building of the Auditorium was authorized by an act of the Ohio Legislature in 1902, and early in the following year the contract for its construction was let to Melbourne Brothers, of Canton. The building trustees appointed from the city council and the citizens were Augustus Dannemiller, Rev. E. P. Herbruck, Anthony Fager, W. A. Lynch, David Owen, Jacob I. Piper, George H. Leggett and C. C. Loyd. When com- (PICTURE) THE CITY AUDITORIUM pleted, in the fall of 1904, the building, with furnishings, had cost about $180,000, which, with estimated value of the land upon which it stood, $25,000, brought the value of the property, as it then stood, at $205,000. Dedication of the Auditorium took place on the night of October 20, 1904. An elaborate musical program was rendered by a grand festival chorus of 250 voices, and by the Grand Army Band. The speakers were Rev. E. P. Herbruck, Judge H. W. Harter, George H. Leggett and Mayor W. H. Smith. On numerous occasions since was the Auditorium not only filled to capacity, but many turned away for want of room. Such was the case recently when W. J. Bryan was here in the cause of prohibition. One of the most notable events in the history of the Auditorium was the holding of the McKinley banquet there in February, 1905. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 329 Among the speakers on that occasion were Charles W. Fairbanks, former vice president of the United States ; Governor Herrick, Lieutenant Governor Harding, General Black and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. Supreme Justice William R. Day was toastmaster. On the day of the dedication of the McKinley Monument, September 30, 1907, President Roosevelt, and a large number of national dignitaries, took luncheon in the Auditorium. William J. Bryan, Judge Alton B. Parker, Governor Harmon, Senator Dolliver, Ex-Governor Hanly, of Indiana, Senator Benton, and Carrie Nation have been heard in the Auditorium. Conventions have been held in the building by the Ohio Sunday School associations, Ohio Hardware Men's Association, United Spanish War Veterans of Ohio, Ohio Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, Ohio Grange, German Saengerfest, Swiss-American Saengerfest, National Association of Letter Carriers and various others. As truthfully stated by a leading citizen : "The building proves an irresistible attraction to musicians and speakers of world-wide fame, who otherwise could not be persuaded to come here." THE POSTOFFICE Although the postoffice comes strictly within the domain of Uncle Sam, it is so closely identified with the every-day life of the every-day citizen of Canton that it is popularly associated with the city itself. It is across the street from the City Hall, on Cleveland Avenue S. W., and is an elegant two-story building of stone, with an impressive corner tower. It was completed in February, 1894, and has been since much improved. The second addition of considerable size was completed recently. This was made necessary by the large increase of the local postal service. The free delivery service in Canton was established in 1882 and the rural delivery in 1899. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM The public educational system of Canton embraces so many institutions and carries with it so many invaluable forces tending to uplift the coming generations of men and women that from the standpoint of the higher life it leads all the municipal departments. The board of education is, for all practical purposes, an independent body, whose acts are influenced more by the state than by the municipality. In October, 1915, the enrollment in the elementary schools of Canton numbered 8,109; in the high schools, 1,255; total, 9,364. So that as this 330 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY book goes to press the enrollment will approximate 10,000. The total number of teachers on the pay-roll, in the fall of 1915, was about 300. As is customary in the American curriculum of the public schools, the elementary course covers eight years and the high school four. Aside from the regular academic work the pupils have wood work, pattern making, lathe work, cooking, sewing and millinery, and during the year (PICTURE) THE POSTOFFICE 1915 such features were added to the local system as medical inspection, dental clinics and night classes for foreigners. As ever, the Canton system is modern and adapting whatever seems practical to meet local conditions. THE CITY SCHOOLS The schools already in operation comprise the following: 1. Central High School, corner of Tuscarawas W. and McKinley Avenue N. W. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 331 2. North High School, Oxford Avenue and Fourteenth Street N. W. 3. Clarendon Avenue School, Clarendon Avenue N. W. 4. West North School, corner of Sixth Street and High Avenue N. W. 5. Summit Street School, on Summit Street N. W. or Tenth Street N. W. 6. Woodland Avenue School, corner of Woodland Avenue and Fifteenth Street N. W. 7. North Cherry Avenue School, corner of Cherry Avenue and Ninth Street N. E. 8. Washington School, Ninth Street N. E. 9. Gibbs Avenue School, Gibbs Avenue and Sherlock Place, N. E. 10. Crystal Park School, Fourteenth Street, between Belden Avenue and Mahoning Road N. E. 11. East Third School, 920 Third Street N. E. 12. East Second Street School, Second Street N. E. 13. Henry S. Martin School, Third Street near Young Avenue S. E. 14. Hartford School, west side of Hartford Avenue S. E. 15. Ira M. Allen School, Eleventh Street and Gonder Avenue S. E. 16. Liberty School, corner of Liberty Avenue and Ninth Street S. E. 17. South Market School, east side of Market Avenue S. 18. South McKinley Avenue School, corner of McKinley Avenue and Sixth Street S. W. 19. South McKinley Avenue School Annex, Fourth Street and Dewalt Avenue S. W. 20. Garfield School, Garfield Avenue and Fourteenth Street S. W. 21. Stark Avenue School. corner of Stark Avenue and Nineteenth Street S. W. 22. Dueber Avenue School, corner of Dueber Avenue and Ninth Street S. W. 23. Cedar School, corner Ninth Street and Wertz Avenue S. W. In addition to these school buildings, which are all substantial brick structures, there are fifteen one-story frame portable buildings that were erected during the last three years to relieve the over-crowded condition of the schools in different sections of the city. SCHOOLS PLANNED AND BUILDING Several magnificent school enterprises to meet the rapidly expanding population and insistent demands have been projected and are partially under way. The new high school, to replace the one completed in 1887, is to be opposite the McKinley home, North Market Street and Louis Avenue. The cost of the building is estimated at about $800,000, and 332 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY will be planned to accommodate 2,000 students. It will be of brick and stone, three stories above the basement, and its proposed site is valued at about $90,000. If completed according to present plans, there will not be a finer high school in the state than that at Canton. The J. J. Burns School, being built in the northeastern section of the city, is to cost about $110,000 and the Henry S. Martin School, on Third Street S. E., $90,000. Both will have auditoriums, manual training and domestic science rooms, and the J. J. Burns School with roof fitted for open schools. An annex to the Woodland Avenue School will contain auditorium, gymnasium and four school rooms, and on Twenty-third Street, N. W., a schoolhouse of six rooms is being built, which will eventually be expanded into a structure of twelve class rooms and accommodations for manual training and domestic science. HISTORY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL The present high school was dedicated April 7, 1887, and the event marked a distinct departure from the old, to the better and the best in educational methods. Its original cost was about $100,000, including furnishings. The speakers of the afternoon and the evening, which covered the dedicatory exercises, presented not only the picture of that day, as it related to things educational, but such salient facts of preceding events which had led up to the realization of what was then a magnificent temple of public education, that the writer cannot do his subject more justice than by at once drawing from their stores of knowledge. George E. Baldwin said : "In 1824 the first school house built upon the site where the present building is now located, was erected. At that time Canton was a village of but a few hundred inhabitants. That school house was ample to accommodate all persons who desired to avail themselves of its benefits, but Canton continued to grow, increasing in business and population until 1842, when that building was removed and the brick school house erected which recently gave way to this elegant structure. That building was regarded at that time as one of the finest school houses in the State and was sufficient to accommodate all persons who desired to avail themselves of its benefits; but Canton continued to grow ; she had become a great manufacturing town and had increased wonderfully in population, her business interests had spread, and her boundaries had stretched out taking in a large amount of contiguous territory, so that she was no longer a village, but assumed the proportions of a city, and this school building was no longer large HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 333 enough to accommodate the throngs of young men and women who were anxious to receive an education. During this time she had turned out a large number of men and women who were to become useful in the future,—many of whom embarked in the profession of teaching, giving instruction to the young, preparing them for their various callings in life, and the schools and colleges in many places in this State and country were fortunate in securing their services as teachers and professors in the various institutions of learning. Many educated and skilled mechanics also trace their start to the instructions received within the walls of that same school house. The medical profession received many recruits educated in this school house who became a credit to their pro- (PICTURE) THE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL fession. A number chose for their profession and calling that of proclaiming the glad tidings of the Gospel to an erring world ; and the legal profession claims a number of men educated in this place who have become eminent in that profession." It was also learned from Mr. Baldwin's address (which, in the years since past had gone from the writer's mind) that George W. Kramer, of Akron, was the architect ; that the building covered 14,332 square feet of ground, and that the tip of the spire rising from the tower is 169 feet from the basement. The building is three stories and basement, with dimensions of 153 feet from east to west and 108 feet from north to south. The arrangement of the rooms, including those of the superintendent and the principal and the board of education and clerk cn the first floor have not been materially changed, although, of course. 334 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY with the years, and the addition of new branches, as well as the improvement of heating and ventilating methods, various alterations have become necessary, with the final decision to erect an entirely new building which shall be a credit to the intelligent, educated and enterprising people of Canton. Mr. Baldwin presented the old high school in behalf of the architects and contractors, and J. J. Clark accepted it for the board of education. He described the steps leading directly to the building of the high school, as follows : "The re-organization of the Board of Education of Canton, was effected at the Spring Election of 1884. It was composed of fourteen members, and fortunately was equally divided between the two political parties. The first important question which challenged the attention of that Board was the erection of a new High School Building. For many years the necessity for such a house had been constantly before former Boards, and at one time a proposition had been submitted to the people to authorize by vote the issuing of bonds to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, to be used for that purpose, and the people had willingly responded to that call by a large affirmative vote. But for some years previous to that time, our population had been and was then increasing very rapidly, and the necessity for additional school accommodations was so imperatively pressing that the old Boards were compelled to build in quick succession, three or four six-room ward buildings, and to do so they issued of the bonds voted for the new high school to the amount of nearly seventy thousand dollars, so that when the new Board of which I am now speaking came in, they found an empty treasury, a heavy school debt, and the long standing demand for a new building intensified by the dilapidated, untenable and dangerous condition of the old building then in use. "After mature deliberation, on September 2nd, 1884, Mr. H. C. Fogle, then a member of the Board, and myself, as a special committee, submitted a report which embodied a resolution declaring the urgent necessity of a new house, and the record shows it was unanimously adopted. To provide the means the Legislature subsequently passed an act authorizing the sale of }minds to the amount of seventy thousand dollars. As soon as the resolution was passed, declaring the necessity of the building, the active skirmishing began. "In a Board composed of fourteen members it would be reasonable to suppose that there would he a diversity of opinion on all essential points. The size, the altitude, the capacity, the architectural design, the finish, the methods of heating and ventilating, and the material, were all much mooted questions. But the unanimous desire to have a new house, induced such harmony of action that after no more time HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 335 spent than seemed absolutely necessary to obtain the required information on the various subjects connected with such an undertaking, an architect was agreed on and his plans adopted. The wisdom of that choice, as now demonstrated by the results here produced, we submit to the candid judgment of all who meet with us this day, to rejoice with us over the accomplishment of this great work, according to those grand designs." Then came the speech of Henry W. Harter, accepting the "new house" on behalf of the people, in which occur these words : "That old High School was a shop, in which generous and impressible youth was moulded into stern and noble manhood, and many a good citizen to-day thanks the builders, who in that now almost sacred place, in the olden time laid broad and deep the foundations of a good character and of future usefulness. The history of the new High School (meaning that of 1887) is yet to be written. I shall not attempt to rend the veil which divides the present from the future, or to picture the possibilities opened up to the youth of the city, by the generosity and the wisdom of the people, who have reared this stately structure and dedicated it to the free education of the masses. But may we not indulge the hope that when a future generation comes to dedicate another High School building in Canton, it may be said of this one that no error was ever taught within its walls, and that it had always stood a veritable temple of truth?" From long connection with the educational system of Canton, the writer can say that, on the whole, Mr. Harter's hope has been realized, and that fact will stand secure until the really new high school shall be completed opposite the home of Canton's most distinguished and beloved citizen. DR. SLUSSER'S HISTORICAL ADDRESS Dr. Lew Slusser, the old settler and distinguished war surgeon, physician and public man, then entering the last half-decade of his life, furnished the connecting link between the old and what was then the new in an address which is so replete with information that it is quoted almost entire : "The founders of our government regarded education as the corner stone of our liberty. It was incorporated as a component part of the civil policy of the nation. Before there was a settlement of whites north of the Ohio river, and preparatory to the organization of the State of Ohio, the Continental Congress in an ordinance passed by it, for the survey of the land, it was provided that section 16 of every township be reserved for the maintenance of public schools within the township. 336 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY "It was made a part of the organic law creating the State of Ohio, that 'religion, morality and knowledge, being essentially necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education, shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision.' "Actuated by these noble principles, the first settlers of Canton, as soon as there were a sufficient number of children to justify, erected a log building on the courthouse lot. It was a rude structure—clap-board roof, windows made by sawing out a section of a log and covering the opening with greased paper, the door hung on wooden hinges, the only fastening a wooden latch, opening and closing by means of a string. The seats and writing tables were made of slabs. The teacher was Andrew Johnson, from the State of New York. That was in the winter of 1807-8, eighty years ago. A pupil of that first school, and the only one living, is with us to-day—Daniel Dewalt, now in the 88th year of his age. "As the time allotted to my address is short and limited to a history of this ground and the buildings that have been erected thereon, I must necessarily be brief. Omitting the mention of other schools taught in town during the interval between the first already described and the period when this lot was taken possession of, I would state, that the quarter section of land, of which this school lot is a part, was purchased from the general Government by Bezaleel Wells, of Steubenville, in 1805, at $2.00 per acre. The year following he located the town of Canton in anticipation of securing the county seat of Stark, not yet organized. He was liberal in donating lots to the town, among others this lot which he had marked on the recorded plat, 'For an Academy.' The square immediately opposite, he gave for a church. It was taken possession of by the German Reformed and Lutheran congregation at that time, and for many years subsequently worshiped together, constituting the dominant religious organizations of the town and neighborhood. They erected a church and a school-house on the same lot. After occupying the ground for nearly ten years, a majority of the congregation became dissatisfied with the location, and, upon a vote, it was decided to abandon the lot and locate farther east. Both buildings were sold, the school-house removed to the south-east corner of this lot and continued as a school-house for some years. The teachers who occupied it and who are well remembered by gray-haired men and women now living, were Bradley C. Goodwill and George Lyman. This building was again removed, and now stands upon the first lot east,—the frame structure adjoining the brick. "James W. Lathrop, an early lawyer of Canton, was a warm friend of education. He represented Stark County in the State Legislature. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 337 and bears the enviable reputation of having been the first man in the State, who advocated the principle that the property of the State should educate the children of the State ; in other words, he was the first to advocate the idea of free schools. "In 1823, a movement was started by several of the more enterprising citizens of Canton, having for its object, the erection of a school building upon this lot—one commensurate with the wants of the people, and the plan suggested by the donor of the lot—something above the grade of (PICTURE) CANTON'S FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE a common school-where the higher branches would be taught—to be known and designated an academy. "It should be mentioned, that notwithstanding provision had been made by law, looking for the accumulation of a fund for school purposes, from it nothing had yet been realized. But few school sections had been leased, and the tenants of those were unable to make more than a scanty living ; consequently, were unable to pay any rent. "Under the circumstances the means necessary to build the academy had to be raised by voluntary contribution, and as the passing years are fast obliterating all knowledge of our early settlers and their good deeds, it is proper on this occasion to give the names of those who contributed of their means towards the construction of this academy : John Harris, Wm. Raynolds, George Stidger, Thomas Hartford, James W. Lathrop, John Saxton, Wm. Fogle, Winans Clark, John Sterling, George Dunbar, Philip Slusser, Wm. Christmas, John Webb, Samuel Coulter, Jas. Hazlett. "Contracts were entered into for material and labor in the winter of 1823-24, and early in the spring work on the structure was com- Vol. I -22 338 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY menced. The building was a two story brick 40 by 75, with a wide hall in the center and stairway leading to the upper story. Two rooms below and two above, sufficiently large to accommodate from fifty to sixty pupils. The rooms were heated with large ten plate stoves. Among the first teachers were Michener, Munks, Culbertson, Allen, Caldwell, Gallwitz, Judd, Dunbar, Beck, Held, Whitney, Coles, Hartman and others of less notoriety. The schools in the different rooms were in no way connected ; each teacher was independent, and the intercourse among the pupils of the different schools quite limited. The text books were less numerous than at the present day, nor was it a custom to carry books home to study in the evening. We had the United States Speller, The Introduction, English Reader, The Preceptor and Columbian Orator. In arithmetic our text books were Daobell, Western Calculator and Pike. Mental arithmetic had not then been introduced, save the multiplication table, nor were blackboards in use. In geography we had Adams, Morse, Mitchell and Olney. Map drawing was a common exercise, an excellent mode of acquiring knowledge of the outlines of a country and the course of rivers. The drawing was done with a pentograph ; first traced with a pencil and afterward marked with ink, then colored and varnished. In grammar we had Murray, Kirkham and Smith. Dr. Michener compiled a small grammar which he had published in the Repository office and used as a text book. The text book in algebra was Bonnycastle 's, and on trigonometry and surveying, Gummere. In penmanship we followed the copy set by the teacher. The pen made out of a goose quill, was the universal implement for writing. No substitute had then been invented. The outdoor plays during intermission consisted of 'hat ball,' corner ball,' cat ball,' 'shinney,' 'mumble-peg' and ' marbles.' The teachers generally took part in the plays, were expert with the ball and hit hard. "Corporal punishment was a prominent feature of the discipline. It was graded according to offence, chastising with a rod, pointing with a rule at an object, standing on a platform with one hand tied behind, or wearing a fool's cap. Whether the government was better than under the later day mode of moral suasion I will not undertake to decide. "Night schools were popular in those days, and proved a valuable auxiliary in the acquisition of practical knowledge. The chief studies were confined to the leading branches, arithmetic, geography, grammar and book keeping, with exercises in composition and declamation. "Before the Methodist congregation of our town had a building of their own they worshipped in the east room of the second floor ; subsequently both upper rooms were thrown into one, and fitted up as a theater. Here, during the winter season, for several years, ambitious young men of Canton displayed their histrionic talent, receiving the HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 339 plaudits of the patrons and youth of town. It was during the occupancy of the building as a theater that it obtained the name of the 'Salt Box.' "About 1836 the subject of free schools commenced to agitate the public mind. Many of our citizens believing in general education, insisted that provision be made for the education of those who were unable to educate themselves, as contemplated in the organic law of the State. There were those who opposed the movement, contending that it was money thrown away ; that the opportunity would not he improved. However, the school directors, under the law in force at that day, decided to try the experiment, and appropriated so much of the school funds as was necessary to defray the expenses of a three months' term. The upper room of a large frame building, corner of Rex and Third streets, known as Fogle's tanyard, was secured, and here in the winters of 1837-8 the first free school of Canton was started under the management of B. F. Leiter, afterward a representative from this district to Congress. The attendance at the free school was at first quite irregular, the pupils were subjected to many petty annoyances from pupils of other schools. The idea of children without distinction mingling together in the same room was repugnant to the cultivated sensibilities of many parents, but that free school, started in an old abandoned building in an obscure part of the town, the sport and ridicule of pupils of pay schools, was the embryo of a growth that has attained the magnitude and grandeur. figuratively speaking, of this beautiful edifice. "As there was no one authorized to care for the old academy or make repairs, it eventually became unfit to occupy, and in 1842 the Board of Directors decided to remove the old structure and rebuild. The English Lutheran congregation, then without a church, proposed to subscribe a sufficient amount of money to meet the cost of an additional room to accommodate their congregation, which proposition was accepted. and a new building was erected in 1842. It was somewhat in shape of a maltese cross, the church room in the center, with a school room on each side and three rooms above. "Mr. and Mrs. James Cowles were the first teachers in the new building. Dr. Biederman taught a German school in the east room on the first floor. A. McGregor and his father, John McGregor, were popular teachers in this building, as well as Ira M. Allen. "During .the winter of 1805-51, the question of adopting the Union school system, passed by the Legislature the winter previous, was brought before the people of Canton for adoption. It met with considerable opposition, and when submitted to a vote was carried by a majority of only 28. Among the early friends favoring the High School system may be mentioned Judge Belden, Dr. Wallace, A. McGregor, E. P. Grant, 340 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY J. C. Lester, James A. Saxton, Arnold Lynch, John C. Bockius, John F. Raynolds, Isaac Harter, B. F. Leiter, Dr. Brackebush. "In the spring of 1851, the first Board of Education was elected. They took control of the building and elected Ira M. Allen general superintendent and principal of the boys' grammar and high school, and Miss Betsy Cowles, of blessed memory, superintendent of the girls' grammar and high school. Each room seating about 100 pupils, with assistant teachers in recitation rooms, who taught classes composed of boys and girls sent from these two rooms. Although the boys and girls of these departments occupied separate rooms during study hours they recitcd together. Besides these there were secondary and primary departments in the same building, each seating about 200 children. Two other primary schools were in operation, one in the northern part of town and the other in the eastern, making an enrollment of over 700 pupils. Although there were several other private and denominational schools in town, before the end of the first winter the Union School had become so popular, the private schools werc abandoned. Meanwhile the church sold their interest in the building and the room they occupied was taken by thc school. It may be interesting to know, in these days of general complaint about wages, that the salary of the general superintendent and principal of the grammar and high school was $650, and that Miss Cowles, acknowledged to he one of the most successful female teachers in the State, received but $450, as principal of the girls' grammar and high school. Mr. Allen was succeeded by H. S. Martin, in 1854, who continued in charge until 1864. He was followed by H. S. Leland who remained but a short time, when Daniel Worley bccame superintendent. He continued to have charge until 1874 and was followed by J. IL Lehman, the present incumbent." The writer served as superintendent of the Canton public schools from 1876 to 1888, and those at the head of its system since then have been J. J. Burns, 1888-95 ; L. W. Day, 1895-99 ; 0. A. Wright, 1899-1901; J. M. Sarver, 1901-1905; J. K. Baxter, 1905—(present incumbent). MARY LYNCH AND ANNA MCKINLEY Much favorable mention might be made of the personnel and good work of teachers in the Canton schools twenty-five and more years ago, when the writer was actively identified with the schools as superintendent, but we shall refer to only two, Mary Lynch and Anna McKinley, who occupied prominent positions in the city schools for a long term of years. Mary Lynch was a native of Canton and graduated from the high HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 341 school with the class of 1859. The same year she began her work as teacher in the district school known as "Buck Hill," about two miles southwest of the city. She taught there two years and then accepted an appointment to a position in the grammar school in Canton. Later she was advanced to the position of assistant in the high school and served in this capacity for six years. In 1876 Miss Lynch was promoted to the principalship of the high school, which position she filled with much success until 1882, when she resigned on account of failing health, having devoted twenty-three years of her life to faithful and most effective work in the public schools. She died April 24, 1894. Mary Lynch was a woman of fine intellect, of high ideals and of scholarly attainments. Her influence was unobtrusive but all-pervading. She inspired her pupils with a love for study and a pleasure in overcoming difficulties. Miss Lynch was a capable, successful instructor and a true character builder. She was always the calm, kind, dignified woman, whose very presence commanded the respect and esteem of her pupils. Her influence for good lives today in the hearts of many men and women who once were her pupils. Who can say when that influence shall cease Mary Lynch was a sister of William A. Lynch and Austin Lynch who attained high rank in the legal profession. Anna. McKinley, sister of President William McKinley, was born in Niles, Ohio, in 1832. She was a graduate of Westminster Academy, Pennsylvania, and Poland Seminary, Ohio. Miss McKinley taught in Poland Seminary and had been principal of the DeShaw Select School in Cynthiana, Kentucky, before she became a resident of Canton in 1860. She was the first of the McKinley family to locate in this city. She at once began her long and notable career of thirty years as teacher and principal in the Canton public schools. Twenty-five years of this long term of service she was principal of the A grammar or eighth year of the school course. Anna McKinley was a born teacher. She took a comprehensive and exalted view of education and of the teacher's work and labored constantly for the physical, intellectual and moral advancement of her pupils. Her pure and true example was a constant rebuke to evil-doers and her earnest words in behalf of what is noble and best in human conduct will be the last to fade from the memory of her pupils. Anna McKinley had a large measure of common sense and good judgment, was conscientious in all that she did, and had the courage to stand for the right and do her duty, no matter who or what might oppose. She was always the same, self-possessed, earnest, dignified and kind-hearted teacher. 342 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY Miss McKinley died July 29, 1890. She gave her life to her work, and although her body lies buried in West Lawn, she lives in the hearts of thousands whose lives have been made better by her labor and her influence. IMPORTANT DECADE, 1905-15 In the past ten years five buildings have been added and three additions to other buildings, making at present twenty-two school buildings, with three new grade buildings and a new high school building in process of construction. All new buildings are fireproof and modern in every way. The number of teachers has increased from 159 in 1905 to 301 in 1915, including supervising principals over each building and special supervisors in music, drawing and writing, and special teachers in woodwork, mechanical and free hand drawing, turning, pattern making, cabinet work, cooking, sewing and millinery, and other subjects included in a good course in household arts. Kindergartens are maintained in four centers now, and others will be opened when new buildings are completed. The buildings are thrown open to patrons as social centers and many activities, including parent-teachers' associations and three night schools for foreigners, are in operation. Manual training was introduced in a modest way for pupils of the seventh and eighth grades in 1904 and in the last ten years this department has grown so rapidly that now there are six centers for this work, accommodating pupils from the sixth grade to and including high school. Other centers will be added as soon as rooms are available in the new buildings. When the new high school building is completed the course will be extended to the full four years of high school work in this line. Not only are pupils in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades given this work, but any pupil fourteen years old or over, regardless of his grade, may have opportunity of taking manual training work. In 1914 the school nurse was introduced, and in 1915 medical supervision was inaugurated. At the same time two dentists were employed by the board to operate a free dental clinic for the school children. All of this work in the interest of the health of the pupils has proven satisfactory and will be extended as funds and rooms are available. During 1915 a school for the deaf has been opened. Sign language is not used, but pupils are taught the lip language. Pupils who have never talked are now speaking audibly. With this school in operation several children can remain at home with parents and still have the HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 343 same instruction as is given in the state institutions for such pupils. The entire course of study is changed from time to time to keep abreast of sane educational movements. TEACHERS' PENSION FUND. The Canton Board of Education passed a resolution creating a teachers' pension fund May 5, 1913. The board pays into this fund annually 1 per cent of the gross receipts raised by taxation in accordance with sections No. 7,875 to No. 7,896, school laws of Ohio. There are now 300 teachers in the Canton public schools, 203 of whom contribute to the pension fund $2.00 per month for ten months of the year. The board contributed in 1913-1914, $2,928.48, and in 1914-1915, $3,047.92. Any money received from donations, legacies, gifts, bequests, etc., goes into the permanent fund and only the interest thereof is applied to the payment of pensions. Twelve thousand dollars of this fund is invested in Canton city school bonds, yielding net 4.35 per cent. A teacher may retire after thirty years of service and become a beneficiary, receiving $12.50 for each year of service as teacher, but not to exceed $450 in any one year, payable monthly. Teachers must pay or have paid into the fund $600, being $20 per year for a period of thirty years, to entitle them to a pension for life. If a teacher retires before he or she has paid $600, 20 per cent of the amount due shall be deducted from the amount due the teacher until the $600 has been paid in. One teacher, who was serving her thirty-eighth year in the Canton schools, was obliged to retire on account of ill health during the last school year and is now entitled to a life pension of $450 per year. The law provides for a board of trustees of the teachers' pension fund. The trustees of this fund in Canton are : E. E. Mack and H. H. Timken, who were selected by the teachers, and C. N. Vicary, selected by the board of education. Investigations are now being conducted in the matter of the causes of defective and backward children and, as soon as practicable, schools for backward and defective pupils will be opened. Also as soon as rooms are available open air schools for anaemic and tubercular pupils will be opened. Over $40,000 are earned by the various pupils of the schools each summer vacation. In order to foster the idea of thrift it is planned to introduce the school bank. An employment bureau is maintained in the high school for the purpose of bringing together employers and students who desire positions. Through this agency all pupils are aided to positions. 344 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY The schools are awake to any good thing that will help prepare the pupils for the active duties of life and to become respected citizens. As stated, the free public school system of Canton has reached a high degree of excellence, and throughout its history it has always been eager to adapt the most modern methods of instruction and administration from other municipalities and lands. At the present time, all colleges within the Northwestern Association, embracing those of Ohio, the University of Michigan, the Chicago University and the University of Wisconsin, as well as the minor institutions of learning under state control in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin and other states of the. Middle West, accept a diploma from the Canton High School as prima facie evidence of the required qualifications to enter such institutions without entrance examinations. There is a constant demand from the business men and manufacturers of Canton and the county for pupils who have completed the course in shorthand and type writing or in bookkeeping and commercial law. There is always a waiting list-a list of requests for young men and young women who have taken the course and are ready to accept employment. When the commercial department was first introduced into the public schools the plan was to admit all applicants who had completed the grammar school course and to complete the commercial course in two years, at the expiration of which a certificate to the effect that the course had been taken was issued but not a diploma, such as is given the graduates of the regular course. There was not the honor or dignity attached to these certificates that the diploma represented. Now the same diplomas are issued to the graduates of both branches. Provision is made, however, for those who for any reason are unable to take the full high school course of four years but desire the commercial training. During the third year in the high school a pupil may elect to discard all scientific, literary and art branches and devote his whole time to the commercial course, thus securing three periods of study each day in the commercial branches and completing the commercial course in one year. Such pupils are not granted diplomas, but they are well equipped for the commercial work. Another provision along the same line is for pupils who having taken the full classical course for three years, desire to take up the commercial course during the fourth year. Such pupils may abandon the branches of the classical course and devote the whole year to the commercial.