July 8, 1871, Messrs. Chapman, Dolph and Dennison, directors, let a contract for an extension to Harrison street building to Thomas Stephens for $4,995. May 30, 1877, Messrs. Ladd, Ainsworth and Morgan, directors, let a contract to Collins & Mayo for $5,840, to build two extensions to this building. Total cost of this building, simply the original bids, $20,777. This building was destroyed by fire Thursday morning, May 29, 1879. Insurance on building and furniture, $7,000—has been paid. At this writing, July, 1879, a contract has been awarded to J. E. Mayo, Esq., to erect on the old foundation a twelve-room, two-story wooden building, for $14,800, to be completed on or before January 10, 1880.
NORTH SCHOOL.
January 22, 1865, Josiah Failing was instructed to confer with Messrs. Couch and Flanders relative to purchasing school property, etc.
May 22, 1866, the directors, Messrs. Failing, Ladd and Shattuck, report the crowded condition of the schools, and recommend the purchase of more ground and the erection of another building.
Dr. R. Glisan made, in writing, several propositions, looking to the sale, to the district of a block. His ofifer of block 80, west side of North Tenth between C and D streets, Couch Addition for $4,400, was accepted. The board paid $152.90 interest on an unpaid balance on this block.
During the summer of 1867, Messrs. Goodnough & Clark erected a sevenroom building on this block. Total amount reported by the clerk as paid on this building, $12,816.55.
Monday, February 10, 1868, school was opened in the North building, with G. S. Pershin as principal. Misses E. J. Way, A. S. Northrup and Carrie L. Polk assistants. First quarter there were enrolled—boys, 116; girls, 100; total, 216.
G. S. Pershin was principal for two and a half years, August, 1870; T. H. Crawford, two year; September, 1872, S. W. King, one year; September, 1873, W. W. Freeman, three years; September, 1876, R. K. Warren, one year; September, 1877, E. E. Chapman, one year; September, 1878, Miss Ella C. Sabin, one year; reelected for the ensuing year.
May 30, 1877, Messrs. Ladd, Ainsworth and Morgan, directors, awarded a contract to Wm. Braden to add two wings to this building, for $4,121. Total cost of North school, original bids, $16,937.55.
HIGH SCHOOL.
This important branch of our school system was instituted in pursuance of a resolution passed unanimously by the board, Messrs. Wadhams, Lovejoy and Shattuck, April 14, 1869. It was formally opened in the North building, Monday, April 26, 1869, with J. W. Johnson as principal, and Miss M. N. Tower (Mrs. F. K. Arnold) as assistant.
During the Christmas holidays, the high school department was transferred to the second story, north wing of new Central, and October 10, 1873, it was moved to the lower floor of the new building.
By resolution of the present board, the high school will be transferred in September next to the second floor of the Park school building. After such a history, as to its peregrinations, it is hoped the high school has at last found a place it can safely call "home." J. W. Johnson was principal for seven years and a quarter; September, 1876, A. J. Anderson, one year; September, 1877, R. K. Warren, two years, reelected for the ensuing year.
COLORED SCHOOL.
At the annual meeting, April 1, 1867, Dr. G. H. Atkinson moved that a separate school be opened for colored children, and that the directors be empowered
