374 volumes were reported in school libraries. There were also 167, practically the entire number of schools, in which special attention was given to teaching the evil effects of stimulants and narcotics. The institute had an attendance of 172, but twenty of whom were male teachers. The report of 1889 showed an increased average attendance of 3,109 out of the total enrollment, 5,027, from an enumeration of 5,982, attending in 27 independent and 116 sub-districts, with 35 rooms of graded and 133 ungraded schools, employing 79 male and 233 female teachers, at average monthly salaries of $34.80 and $29.01 respectively. The total amount paid teachers was $41,713.41. The increase over the last decade was about $7 for men and about $6 for women per month. The 16 brick and 129 frame buildings were valued at $128,125, the apparatus at $2,929, the library ry volumes numbering 670, and the number of trees 1,512. There were issued 99 first-grade and 184 second-grade certificates, while the attendance at the Normal Institute was 190. While the last decade may not compare favorably with the first in increase of quantity, it certainly will far surpass it in development and quality to a degree that places Story County among the first counties of the State.
Private schools have been below par in Story County. Palestine Seminary, a solitary effort of this kind, was intended by its founder, Rev. Ives Marks, an energetic and business-like pastor of the United Brethren Church, to be the beginning of a denominational college and seminary. In 1858 he secured a subscription of $1,800 in the Big Creek region, and at once erected a two-story building on Section 14 of Palestine Township, near "Pickard's Store."
The first term began in October of that year with Mr. Leonard Brown as instructor, and about twenty-eight pupils. Robert Wilson taught afterward, but a failure in finances and the removal of Rev. Marks caused the project to come to naught, and the building, after service a while longer for subscription schools, degenerated into a barn.
The only State institution ever in the county is the Agricultural College and Farm, a mile and a half west of Ames, the location of which in the county is due to the county's vigorous efforts to secure it in her early years, when she herself had existed scarcely a decade either in population or Organization. This wise foresight displayed by the early pioneers has proven its wisdom over and over again in the great influence exerted by this institution on the entire educational system of Story County as well as her general intelligence.
The list of county superintendents with school fund commissioners who, in a meager way, represented the superintendent's position before the creation of the latter, are as follows: School fund commissioners, John H. Keigley, 1853; S. P. O'Brien, 1854-55; John J. Bell, 1856-58; the county superintendents-George M. Maxwell, 1858; Dr. W. H. Grafton, 1859; I. H. Rees, 1860-61; D. P. Ballard, 1862-63; W. M. White, 1864-65; Rev. J. G. Beckley, 1866-67; F. D. Thompson, 1868-69; John R. Hays, 1870-71; J. H. Franks, 1872-75; Charles H. Balliet, 1876-77; L. B. Baughman, 1878-81; and O. O. Roe, from 1882 to the present.
As has been said, the county superintendent's personal element is the standard above which the county schools seldom rise. It is not easy to distinguish between the excellencies of all these officers, but, as length of service generally indicates satisfaction on both sides, it may be noticed that J. H. Franks, L. B. Baughman and Supt. Ole O. Roe have had the longest terms of service--the last mentioned, double that of any other, and it is safe to say in addition, that Mr. Roe's executive ability, his solid,