SCHOOLS
Numerous educational institutions had advertisements in the 1871 directory, among them the following:
English and German select school in the Patillo Academy on Benners street—principal, Professor A. Rosentspitz.
St. Mary’s School, corner Market and Henderson streets—Teachers, Sisters of Charity.
Collegiate Institute, for male and female, corner Broadway and Alley streets—Principal, Professor J. T. S. Parks, Vice Principal, Professor M. Parks.
School for Boys and Girls on Friou street of which Professors P. Calhoun and G. A. Calhoun were principals.
Christ Church School for girls—Rev. E. G. Benners, Rector. Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Simmons were teachers.
Other teachers of an early day were Prof. Draper, Mr. Foster, Mr. Jess Benten, Mr. Pickens, a red whiskered Irishman, and Miss Mahala Halloway who taught in the basement of the old Methodist Church.
Mr. Sam Ward organized the Paradise Academy near Jefferson in 1867.
Col. Bass taught a mixed school in the old courthouse, now the colored school.
Mr. R. W. Vinson and wife taught a private school and later when the public school was established, Mrs. Vinson became one of the charter teachers. A few years ago she voluntarily resigned but she is still deeply interested on all educational subjects.
Prof. Looney was one of the early day teachers, as was Miss Maggie Godfrey and Mrs. Willie Owens.
Miss Mary Boise taught a girls school with Mrs. Maggie Preston as assistant.
The Jefferson Institute was another early day school of which Miss Ellie Norwood was principal.
A public school was established in Jefferson in 1888 or ’89 with Col. Bass as the first Superintendent.
Mr. R. W. Vinson was the first County Superintendent and Miss Alice Emmert was the second.