EDUCATIONAL ITEMS. 

The school history of the town of Jonesport covers a long and interesting period. As a whole, her citizens are proud of the record that is handed down. The town's representatives who have entered various phases of work in outside fields, speak well for their home training. 

In the early beginning of our town, school houses were not provided. Each parent was supposed to have a room where the teacher would come and instruct his children and others who met there. Usually some family, which had an unusually large room, offered their hospitality for this purpose. This school instruction was carried on by the "board around" system, when the instructor received very low wages, probably paid in boards and shingles, and was obliged to journey from one house to another for lodging. 
The length of time that he remained in a family depended on the number of school children in that house, and, perhaps to his own discomfort, the longer stay was made where there was the most children. In the remembrance of some of the town's aged citizens the above forms were carried on. Schools were kept in the houses, and, at one time, in an old loft in what was then the upper apartment of Joshua Walker's store. 

The first school building erected in town was on the Indian River road, near the site of Obed Lamson's residence. This house was afterwards used for storage purposes. The second building for school purposes stood at Sawyer's Cove, near the site of James Bryant's home. This was built by the town and district. The town gave $100 for its erection, providing that it should be used for town meetings. The Union Vestry at West Jonesport was the third school building erected in town. This was done in 1848 by Abraham McKenzie, who received $400 for his work. 

The scholars in these schools had books, such as they were, if they were able to purchase them. Hon. D. J. Sawyer informs the writer that at one time, when on the school committee, he visited one of the island schools, and there found a pupil with only a farmer's almanac from which to study. Thanks to the present "Free Book System," the pupil, rich or poor, is supplied alike. Our town was one of the first in this section of Maine to adopt this much needed system. Great credit is due to the persistent labors of Mrs. D. J. Sawyer, who was largely instrumental in bringing this 
about. The sad death of this beloved woman and friend, which occurred on July 2d, 1902, took away the town's most ardent educational promoter. Mention should also be made of her husband, Hon. D. J. Sawyer, who has worked unceasingly in the interests of the schools in town. 

From this small beginning our town has its present schools, and justly proud and thankful ought she to be for the marked advancement that has been made. Not many towns of her size can boast of a better regulated system, or more tasty school buildings. A good idea of their present condition may be gathered from the following: The town of Jonesport is divided into ten school districts, with a total of 16 common schools of lower grade, and one high school. The number of scholers in town drawing school money is 906. Each of these schools are graded, thanks to the earnest and successful labors of the town's present superintendent, Mrs. B. B. Mansfield, supported in every move by the committee, W. L. Noyes, Rev. T. B. Hatt and Dr. H. A. Mansfield. For these schools competent in- structors are secured. Within the last two years many improvements have been made on the school buildings. Most of them are now supplied with a school bell and flag. 

Two modern Grammar school buildings, the Lincoln, at West Jonesport, and the Washington at the Lower Village, have been lately erected at a cost of about $10,000. The town is to erect during the summer a one-story school house at Head Harbor, and a two story structure at Alley's Bay. 

Prior to 1894 there was no free High School in town. For a long time the citizens had felt the need of such an institution, for their children who wished to go to college were compelled to leave the town to fit themselves for entrance. It was in the spring of 1893 that the first potent move was made to establish such an advanced school of learning. At that annual town meeting an article was put in the warrant asking that a Free High School be established, and that the town, in conjunction with the Masonic Lodge, erect a building for its use. Each was to pay one-half of the cost of construction. The town was to occupy the first floor, and furnish it at her own expense, and the Masons were to use the upper apartment, which they should furnish. This article was accepted, and $1,500 was appropriated for the erection of the building. 

In the fall of 1894, the building having been completed, the first term of High School opened, with Mr. Horsman, a graduate of Bowdoin College, at its head. The next year Harry Wilbur, of the same college, assumed the principal-ship, and remained with this institution several years. The first graduation occurred in the spring of 1896, when eight students received diplomas. Then in one year the school had three teachers, Clarence Parks, Lincoln Roys and Harry Wilbur. The next principal was J. D. Murphy, a graduate of Williams College. Mr. Murphy was the first to have an assistant in the school, Miss Annie S. Morrison, a graduate of Smith College, occupying that position. In 1904 the present principal, Henry G. Clement of Gorham, Maine, a graduate of Bowdoin College, assumed charge of this school. His assistant is Miss Betsey A. Nickels of Cherryfield, a Colby College graduate. Both of these instructors have proved themselves efficient in their positions. The school has an attendance of about fifty students. College Preparatory and English courses are instituted in the school, from which a student is granted a diploma, having finished the course of study with a rank of 75 or more, on a scale of 100. This institution, although in its infancy, gives promise of a very useful career. The town is doing everything possible to make it one of the best of its class.