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.