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THE first school-house was erected in Fort Dodge in 1888 on Locust street near the
corner of Sixth, and is now known by the name of the "old brick."
At that early day it was the only public building in the town, and was used for
holding the courts, political meetings, churches, festivals and all other affairs
considered ol public utility. It was there that the tocsin of war was sounded, on
the news of the Spirit Lake massacre in the earlv spring of 185T, and two companies
organized to visit Spirit Lake, bury the dead and chastise the Indians. It was in
this service that the lamented BUMICH OLDER, of Fort Dodge, and JOHNSON, of Webster
City, lost their lives.
The first school was taught in this building by HENRY GUNN during the winter of
185(> and IKI',7, and dismissed on the news of the Indian massacre, the heuse being
occupied In the mean time by the early settlers north and west of Fort Dodge, all
Of whom fled to our town with their wives ami little ones, for protection against
the cruel savages' until the danger had passed, and the Indians hinlieft for more
congenial climes. The old school-house is in a fair state of preservation, and is
regarded with veneration to-day, by several of our business men and ladles, whose
first lessons were learned therein. It is doing good service to-day ; the upper
room is occupied by the German school, and the lower story by the Baptist church,
who held service there every Sabbath.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES—CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
Tins school was established and the original building erected by Father JOHN MARSH
in 18G2, on what is known as "Seminary Square," a beautiful plat of ground just
north of the Catholic church, and donated by the proprietors of Fort Dodge. After
the death of Father MAKSH , the school was broken up, the finances of the school
owing to the sparse population not justifying the "Sisters" to remain. In September
1873, the Sisters of Mercy from New York, took charge of the school, since which
time additions have been made to the building, and still more room is needed to
accommodate the scholars desiring to attend. the number of teachers and number of
scholars at the present time is one hundred and eighty.
GERMAN SCHOOL.
THE German school was established in Fort Dodge in 1865, and for a long time was
held in the Lutheran church. The school at present is held in the old brick school
house, and is under the charge of Prof. J. R Aí) EM ACH un, who has 08 pupils. The
English branches are taught one half the day and the German the other half. This
school receives Its entire support from the parish of the St. Paul German E. L.
Church.
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