Carthage Female Academy home Carthage School
The first school-house in Carthage was a log-house. It stood on a lot about
a quarter of a mile north and half-quarter west of the public square. It was the
only school house Carthage had until the building of the Carthage Female
Academy.
In 1855 the legislature of Missouri passed an act incorporating the Carthage
Female Academy. This institution was under the management of a number of
trustees; the building, which was a good brick house, stood where the present
handsome public school building now stands (1870-1888 Central building).
The tract of land was in the 700 block of South Main. It was built by Judge
James Haggard; cost $3000, and was destroyed during the Rebellion. Its
cast metal bell was preserved and is now located at the entrance of the present
day Carthage High School. The trustees of the academy were Elwood B. James,
Norris C. Hood, Wm M. Chenault, and several others, whose names are lost to
history.
The first talk of the urgent need of a school house in Carthage following the Civil
War was an announcement published in the Carthage Banner, February 2, 1868 by
F. S. Haughawout, listed as school superintendent.
The first public school, at the elementary level, was opened in 1868 in a large
frame business building on the south side of the square, with a staff of two,
W. J. Seiber, principal and A. P. French, assistant principal. W. J. Seiber graduated
from the State Normal school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He came to Carthage
in 1866. On April 9, 1868, the first school board was elected, consisting of D. S.
Thomas; Jacob W. Young, G. McGregor, A. B. Parkell, Isiah Lane and T. M. Garland.
Sources:
1883 History of Jasper County, Missouri;
Carthage High School Mural Booklet, Class of 1931 by Marvin VanGilder
The Carthage Press, September 19, 1956