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Show Page 71<br><br>time kindergarten methods had been employed in private schools by Miss Camilla Cobb and Mrs. Marcus E. Jones. Miss Dickey carried on the kindergarten in the basement of the First Presbyterian church, with a branch at the Westminster and one in the Day Nursery, now merged into the Orphans' Home. She also trained a class [PHOTO: MRS. EMMA J. McVICKER] of young ladies in kindergarten methods, who carried on the work for some time after she returned to the East. Private kindergartens were opened from time to time, but failed from want of support. In the fall of 1892 the Salt Lake Kindergarten Association was formed chiefly through the efforts of Mrs. E. H. Parsons, who had studied kindergarten methods under Miss Dickey. In January, 1893, a kindergartner, Miss Bessie Goodrich, was sent for and a kindergarten opened, which was supported largely by tuition from the pupils. This work was carried on for one year; during that time 94 pupils were enrolled and a class of young ladies given some training. Owing to the ill health of Miss Goodrich, the kindergarten was closed January, 1894. During that winter a committee from the association, Mrs. C. E. Allen, Mrs. Elmer B. Jones and Mrs. E. J. McVicker, met and conferred with the education committee of the Legislature, with the result that a bill was introduced and passed giving the school boards of the Territory power to open kindergartens whenever they wished to do so. The association felt the necessity for free kindergartens, both as an introductory step to kindergartens in the public schools and as something indispensable for the many poor children getting a street education in vice and crime before reaching the school age of six years. Therefore notes were sent out to the representative women of the city, particularly those connected with the various literary clubs, inviting them to a kindergarten tea June 18th at the Ladies' Literary club rooms. After an exposition of the kindergarten principles and some discussion of plans the Free Kindergarten association was formed, a constitution adopted and the following officers elected: President, Mrs. McVicker; first vice-president, Mrs. C. D. Moore; second vice-president, Mrs. Egbert Roberts; secretary, Mrs. Augsburg; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Buzzo; treasurer, Mrs. Bascom. Directors: Mrs. Elmer B. Jones, Mrs. Clarence T. Brown, Mrs. M. C. Fox, Mrs. E. O. Lee, Mrs. Nellie Little, Mrs. H. W. Brown. The new association went to work with a will and in less than two weeks raised over $100, with a part of which they purchased the furniture and materials belonging to the old association. The Salt Lake association now dissolved, after having raised about $179 by subscription, which they turned over to the Free association. In September, 1894, Miss Chapin, a graduate of the Boston Training school and a trainer and kindergartner of national reputation, opened a training school and in connection with Miss Porter, a model kindergartner, in the First Congregational church parlors. At Phillip's chapel and Plymouth Congregational church, at the First Methodist, First Baptist and Rowland Hall kindergartens were carried on with rates of tuition varying from 25 cents a week to $5 a month. There were also several private kindergartens, among them that of Miss Nagel's, where German was taught; Miss Emmeline Wells's and Mrs. Smith's in Darlington. [PHOTO: MRS. GRANT.] In January, 1895, a free kindergarten was opened in the Odd Fellows' hall, on Market street, by Miss Blanch Brown, principal, Mrs. Quay and Miss Porter, assistants. Miss Brown came from the Chicago Free Kindergarten association, having been a successful principal of the Halstead Street Kindergarten and one of the three chosen to represent the free work at the World's fair in Chicago. The location on Market street was favorable and the kindergarten began to fill up and promised well, when unfortunately Miss Brown was attacked by la grippe and not being acclimated, was obliged to give up the work and return East. Miss Chapin, whose pupils had been acting as assistants, came to the rescue and took charge of the work, and by her energetic labors soon brought the enrollment up to eighty-three and the kindergarten to a high state of excellence. The year's work closed on the anniversary of the organization, June 18th, and the occasion was marked by a birthday party given by the Board to the pupils, parents and patrons, at which the usual bags figured, giving a nice little sum towards expenses. At the July meeting a board of fifty managers was elected from the association to assist the board of directors on the various committees and an advisory board consisting of the leading business men and educators of the city was also elected, to whom the plans of work could be submitted for criticism or advice. During the Constitutional Convention the association was indefatigable in its efforts to obtain recognition of the kindergarten as a part of the public school and were eminently successful in its undertaking. The association has assumed control of the training school, retaining Miss Chapin as principal and supervisor of kindergartens. The design is to make the training school equal to any in the country. On October 28th a model kindergarten in connection with the training school was opened on Fifth East street, Miss Vawter, an experienced kindergartner, from Indianapolis came to take charge of it and to assist in the training school, where she gives the instruction in the games and Delsarte. The model kindergarten gives an opportunity for parents able to pay tuition to place their children in a first-class kindergarten. A class in connecting work is being organized for children from five to eight years old, who are preparing for the public schools. Arrangements have been made by which mothers and others wishing to take special subjects with the training class can do so. Some of the subjects are music, Delsarte, games, occupations, drawing, literature and Education of Man.<br><br> LYNNE AND SLATERVILLE<br><br> Churches are both the outcome of the joint labors of the New West teachers and of Rev. Mr. Bailey of Ogden. Lynne is a suburb of Ogden and Slaterville is a settlement several miles from that city in a prosperous community of farmers. After the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Prof. W. H. Tibbals became a settled pastor for these two fields, and labored earnestly for their up-building. Since July Rev. Geo. H. Perry of Kansas has served these churches, together with Coalville and Echo. The small number of faithful members are taking on new courage believing that there are bright prospects before them, under the leadership of Mr. Perry.<br><br> COALVILLE CONGREGATIONAL.<br><br> Fourteen years ago a New West school was opened in Coalville, and from that day to this the large number of pupils attending have been under most excellent Christian training. It was in connection with this school that the first Christian Endeavor society in Utah was organized. A church with a small membership was gathered soon after, but owing to lack of workers they have had no resident pastor for several years. Last July Rev. Geo. H. Ferry of Ogden took charge of this work and the mission at Echo. Under his faithful labors the interest is deepening, the audiences are growing and the contributions are increasing. He seems to be just the right man for the place, and the people are full of hope for the future. |
