NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

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The history of education would fall similarly into two such periods. As with the general history of the place, so with its educational history, the tale of the first period is one more of plain homely interest, not without its romance, rather than one of material growth. In the latter phase, the material advances overshadow almost all else. As might be expected of the quality and former surroundings of those comprising that early band of settlers, one among many such bands at that time seeking new surroundings in the West, the turmoil of the exodus and the perils and adventures of the journey were scarcely past before their attention was given to making two provisions to which theyi had been ac customed in the old places, and which must early be made in the new, namely, religious worship and education. Few though these families were, there were over a dozen children of school age. Occupied closely in the first year with the tremendous task of establishing their homes, the pioneers of 1883 had nonetheless given thought to the establishment of a school. W. P. BATE Among the first frame buildings of 18834 was one that was built by the "Company," and was always known as the school house, though little used for that purpose. This was the scene of the first assembling for school, under the direction of one J. W. Powers, whose name appears in the annals of the Temperance Colony Pioneers' Society as taking part in its proceedings, civic and literary. Mr. Powers was author also of the "Sask~ toon Sentinel," a manuscript journal for a time circulated in the settle- ment. The school was running in August, 1884, as a voluntary school. It was equipped with maps presented by the Temperance Colony Society, and a committee of the Temperance Colony Pioneers' Society reported a subscription of $271.64 towards the teacher's salary. In the school-house the first school and first regular religious services were held. The furniture was home-made, the seats benches-a primitive school. Were that first school roll available, it would probably show such Page 83

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