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Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN
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-r *f A. P. Ritchie, superintendent of the Bemkiji schools, gives out the following concerning the term of school, which has just closed. "The Bemidji city schools closed yesterday for the regular holiday vacation. The teachers and pupils have worked hard during the past four months and will now have a vacation of two weeks, during which time they will rest from the grind of school life. The Bemidji schools have rap idly come to the front, and do not take a back seat' when compared with other schools of the state in work attempted. This year the schools have been improved in sev eral ways. More teachers have been added to the corps and the work extended in the following lines: Music is being regularly taught in all the grades and the high school. Physical culture and drawing have been added as a part of the regular grade work. In addition to the above, the work in the high school has been improved by strengthen ing the science department and the establishment of a commercial de partment. In the latter department bookkeeping,study of commerce and typewriting are taught. It is hoped that by another year stenography may be added. "As yet, nothing has been done along the line of manual training or domestic science, and probably will not be done until a new high school- Until Christmas Eve Store Will Be Open Until 10 O'clock. CHINi I vtiiii^ LADIES' GLOVES BUY CLOTHING ,'t, BEMIDJI SCHOOL CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY VACATION Superintendent Ritchie Tells of Excellent Work of the Schools Daring the Present Term.Need of More Room for Scholars. To rea A men Qf hln THE BEMIDJI building is elected. The latter courses have found there way into nearly all of the best high schools of the state, and wherever established they have become very popular, and no thought of discontinuing them is entertained. 'There is probably no other school in the state, the size of the Bemidji public schools, where either manual tiaining or domestic science, or both, are not a regular part of the course. There is no criticism on the part of the board of education for not having established these de partments, as the rapidly growing school population has been a prob lem in itself to solve. This year the enrollment will have passed the 900 mark, before the year closes. It is doubtful if the usual class of beginners can be admitted in the spring, as all the lower grades are crowded and there is no room for another teacher. Two teachers are now compelled to use the same room in the Central building. The three buildings now in use outside of the main Central building have enrolled 288 pupils, as follows: Reed build ing, 100 school No. 2, 110 school No. 3, 78. It is a conservative estimate that from 75 to 100 more pupils will be enrolled next year than this. The question for the people of Bemidji to settle is how shall they be taken care of? Shall we go on and rent 0'LEARY & BOWSER BEMIDJI, MINN. TOYS ivikj. tirely a desirable G-ifts in thisC department. an Mocha G-ioves &L.25 to $1.75 Kid G-loves $1.00 to $2.00 VOLUME 5. NUMBER 208. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, 1907. erything from a top to a steam engine. Cu Glag LADIES' COATS AND FURS rear parfto of store. In this department you can buy seasonable presents at a low price. more outside buildings, wholly unfit for school purposesheat, light and ventilation in such a condition that they would be condemned as a prison for convicts? Then the additional expense of rent, heating and janitor service is a matter that should be given consideration. At present the items above mentioned in the six rooms in the outlying buildings exceeds the expense of the same items in the large Central building, in which sixteen teachers are em ployed. Shall the policy of main taining more small buildings be con tinued or shall another large build ing be erected? These are matters that should be taken up at once by those interested in school affairs. I suggest them because I think it my duty to do so. "Now a word to the parents directly: We know that you are interested in the best possible devel opment of your boys and girls physicially, mentally and morally. It is the duty of the schools to help the home build along all of these lines. It. is the duty of the home to help the school. To this end, we believe that all should work together. I shall now point out, for your consideration, some lines along which I think improvement can be made: The tobacco habit has fastened itself on far too many boys, and many others are acquiring the habit. Do you know whether your boy uses tobacco or not? Is it encouraged or discour aged at home? Nearly all the tobacco users in school are fond of cheap, trashy literature, which is another great evil which has to be met. I think that both of these habits men tioned are on the decline in Bemidji, and especially among the younger pupils. I am sorry to say that the reading of cheap literature is not confined to the boys alone, but many of our girls indulge in it. "Right along with the habits ore Room FOR Holida Good larg Section you'll Ki lo Bee 1 days, but just received a shipment. For the Men and Boys Suit' Weofferan 25 per cent off. $30 garments now $22.50. $25 garments now $18.75. $20 garments now $15. $15 garments now $11.26. $12 garments now $9. 810 garments now. $7.50. $5 garments now $3.75 ..,.,K "ggggg Store Will Close All Day Christmas section devoted en- toshow Children's Gifts. Ev- we a large assort- find Glove 0vercoat Trousers in the store at a discount of man fe a f Pai mentioned is the habit of 'trapsing* the streets after school hours and evenings. Do you insist on your boys and girls returning home immediately after they are dis missed? It has come to my knowl edge frequently that boys and girls will loaf rround town, go skating on the lake, or do something else, and then tell their parents they were kept after school by the teacher to do work. "in order that parents and teach ers may talk these matters over, we are planning to call a meeting at the Central building during January to discuss topics of interest. "Very respectffully submitted, "A. P. Ritchie." In addition" to Superintendent A. P. Ritchie, the teaching corps of the Eemidji schools consists of the following: Mr. Biddinger, Chicago Eva Graling, Minneapolis Nellie Harding, Northome Mrs. Dwyer, Bemidji Nellie Shaw, Funkley Ida Ormsrud, Crookston Mabel Brown, Brainerd Ruby PilQt, Moorhead Dora Hanson,] Moorhead Lillian Nelson, Atwater Miss Wessberg, Fergus Falls Maude Hayden, Elk River Bernice Stoker, Minneapolis Mary Tchumperlin St. loud Ada Holes, St. Cloud Gerrrude Alley, Buffalo Miss Elliot, C&dar Mills Bertha Taylor, Bemidji Miss Oliver, Minneapolis, and Verna Bell, Cedar Mills. MEETING OF ODD FELLOWS WAS INTERESTING ONE There Was a Large Attendance First Degree Conferred on Six Fine Lunch Served. The meeting of the Odd Fellows, which was held last evening, was one of the most enth&sfastic and largely attended gatherings of the lodge which has ever been held in this city, It was expected that Grand Mas ter Shearer of St. Peter would at tend the meeting, but it was im possible for that official to come. However, although there was considerable disappointment at the absence of the grand master, the meeting was full of enthusiasm. J. J. Jenkinson, district deputy grand master, and W. B. Stuart delivered interesting addresses filled with useful information con cerning the "three linkers." The first degree was conferred upon a class of six candidates and the work did by the local team was very good. At the conclusion of the regular meeting, elegant lunch was served by the Rebekahs, which was liber ally partaken of by the Odd Fel lows and the Rebekahs. It's "Papa" Gibbons Now. There is ample cause for that smile that won't come off which City Attorney John Gibbons is wearing these daysin fact, he has carried it with him ever since he came from St. Paul Wednesday even ing. When Mr. Gibbons was at St. Paul, the first of the week, the edi tor of the Pioneer met the gentle man there and was informed that there was a son and heir born to the house of Gibbons, and that the youthful newcomer was a lusty Irish descendant, tipping the scales at over nine pounds. John has not said much since returning home,but that satisfactory smile betokens considerable. Sam is Optimistic. Sam Cone, who represents the L. S. Loeb company of Duluth, and is one of the commercial travelers who is particularly well satisfied with the business of the past year, is in the city today. This is Sam's last trip before the close of the year. Sam says: "I have nothing but optimistic views of the financial situation for 1908. I believe it will be better than 1907, which was by far the best year since I have been 'on the road'." Additional local matter will be found RECKLESS YOUTHS BOUND TOWARD STATE SCHOOL "Kids" Are Destroying Property and Committing Lawless Acts that De serve Severe Punishment. Judging from recent occurrences, there are a number of youngsters in this city who are heading toward the reformatory or the state school for a severe term of discipline, if not imprisonment at hard labor, for acts of vandalism and wanton destruction of property. One of the uncalled-for acts of which some of the youths are guilty is the destroying of windows in the Street buiiding, adjoning the build ing used as a school room opposite the Markham hotel. On Thursday, a number of young imps broke into the building, knocked out and ruined forty-two panes of glass, broke a lot of dishes, and damaged the interior to the extent of a con siderable sum, afterwards going their way, utterly unconcered as to the consequences. A. P. Ritchie, superintendent of the Bemidji schools, got busy and learned the names of some of the boys, and it is more that likely that they will be punished for their law lessness, or will be extremely lucky if they can avoid prosecution by paying for the damage done. There are some other acts of youths that will be punished if the perpetrators do not cease their "play fulness." City Attorney Gibbons informs the Pioneer that some per sons have of late been forcing their way into a number of the private boat houses along the lakeshore, and after gaining admittance have done considerable damage to the property. Mr. Gibbons states that the next ex pedition of this kind will result in vigorous prosecution of the perpetra tors. Roy Bliler returned this morning from an extensive trip through the country in the vicinity of Blackduck and Battle River. Mr. Bliler has been doing some surveying for pri vate parties near Blackduck and in the Battle River and Red Lake country, and has spent the past month in this work. The' Big Bemidg" basketball team will play two games against the Crookston basketball team this evening and Sunday afternoon. The Crookston team arrived in the city this noon. The members are a husky-looking lot of players, and they will undoubtedly give the local team two very warm games. These games are on the regular schedule which the local team has formed for its contests to determine, the championship of northern Min nesota. It is expected that both games will be very warmly contested as Bemidji has shown that it has some remarkably fast players and the Crookston team is the fastest five in that city. Last year Bemidji won two games from a Crookston team, in one of which it left the visitors without a score. The two teams will line up as follows: "Big Bemidg"H. Geil and T. Markham, forwards L. Heffrou, center W. Collins and G. "Peterson, guards F. Brown, substitute. Crookston TeamWattam and Lommen, forwards Carlson, center McLaughlin and Beaudin, guards Moulton, substitute Edson Jerome, manager. Do Not Worry About Those Stockings We Offer Beautiful Christmas Gifts For All The Most Attractive Line to Choose Your Presents From Our Carefully Selected Display of Holiday Attractions Will Impress You with Its Worth, Beauty and Reasonable Prices. Desirable and Useful Presents Novel and Beautiful Presents A Special Feature of Our Stock is the Opportunity for Selection. From Inexpensiva Articles to High-Grade Gifts, we are showing the Nawest and Best of the Season. Ou Attractions Insure the Greatest Pleasure in Buying, the Most Joy in Receiving For Gifts That Are Decidedly Popular and Pleasing See Our Line of Watches, Clocks, Silverware, Novelties, Etc. W Offer You the Happy Combination of a Superior Stock, a Large Assortment and the Fairest Prices Every article shown is the best of its classevery class represented is varied and complete You WillApproveof Our VeryReasonable Prices COME, Even if it is Necessary to Come Without Knowing WHY. Ydu Will Find GOOD REASONS when youaee the many Splenpid Opportunities we Offer J&Mr BARKERS JEWELER3 BARKER'S DRA7G STORE "BIG BEMIDG'-CROOKSTON GAME IS ON THIS EVENING Locals Will Be Pitted Against Strong Visiting Basketball Five from the "Queen City."Another Game Tomorrow Evening. The Pioneer40c per Month MINNESOTA II8T0RICAI. I#0C!ETY. FORTY CENTS PEB MONTH! Tonight's game will be called at 9 o'clock. There will be skating prior to the game. -Ji-S '1 *-.i *A *?i***