Jewell Lutheran College
Jewell Lutheran College
Officers of the association were: John Thoreson, President; F. H. Alexander, Secretary, and William Anderson, Treasurer. On Nov. 14, 1893, they purchased ten acres of land in the College Addition of Jewell Junction, Iowa, from the Lyon Investment Company for $180. The members of the board of directors were: Rev. C. J. Eastvold, Rev. G. E. Gerstad, Rev. J. N. Sandren, E. E. Rorem, and Adolf Molstre. A board of trustees were also named in the articles of incorporation. They were: A. E. Hanson, N. J. Nelson, Ed Hanson, Ole J. Olson, Richard Nelson, E. E. Rorem, N. K. Hill, Hans Underdahl, and Rev. C. J. Eastvold.
The Association set about constructing a three-story building with a full basement to serve as the college building. The basement housed bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and laundry facilities. The first and second floors were devoted to classrooms and administration. The third floor served as the dormitory. The Aug. 18th 1894 Stanhope Saturday Mail reported that Prof. Vigness and N. J. Nelson were in Chicago last week and purchased a complete supply of new furniture for the Jewell Lutheran College.
The Jewell Record of Aug. 25, 1894, reported that "The dedication of the Jewell Junction Lutheran College will occur on Sept. 4th. This will be the biggest day Jewell has ever seen for a number of years." The Jewell Record for Nov. 3rd 1894, reported the start of the second term on Nov. 20th. The advertisement states that the "College Association owns $20,000 worth of real estate in Jewell and differs in responsibility from the average school that nestles in the rented upper story of general stores. The 1896 county atlas shows the college grounds with only one building located at the north end of the college grounds. Faculty was hired and a schedule was organized to hold classes in four terms; each was ten weeks long. The faculty consisted of L. A. Vigness, President; M. D. Miller, Prof. of Mathematics; J. P. Peterson, Commercial Department; Jessie Bucknam, Prof. Reading and Physical Culture, and Lydia Klove, Music.
In 1894 there were 30 students enrolled at the college. The cost for a student to attend a ten-week term was $27.50, which included room, board, tuition, and books. The college soon began to experience financial problems. Prof. Miller stated that he was promised a salary of $400 for the year based on an enrollment of 20 students. This amount was not paid in full. Miller began to question Pres. Vigness in board meetings about his accounts and several expenditures. At the end of this first stormy year, Miller and Peterson both resigned. The board then decided to fire all teachers and vindicated Vigness. Vigness served one more year before he left. Later he became the third president of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
In 1895 the college enrollment was 39 students. The Stanhope Saturday Mail in 1895 urged the people of Jewell to open their homes to provide each student with comfortable living quarters. The course offerings were expanded to include Arithmetic I, II, III, Higher Arithmetic, Geometry, Grammar I, II, U. S. History, History of Education, Psychology, Science, Art of Reading, Bookkeeping, Penmanship, Botany, Zoology, Rhetoric, Civil Government, Latin, Vocal Music, and Physical Culture. The May 29, 1895, edition of the Jewell Record reported there was talk of organizing a baseball club at the college.
This news
article Published October 7,1897:
The Jewell Lutheran College is one of the most thorough educational institutions
in the state. The number of students is gradually increasing,
thus giving chance for better equipment. We had the pleasure
a short time ago of going through the building and found it complete in
every detail. A few of the courses pursued are: Didactic, Parochial,
Commercial, Musical, Special Penmanship, Shorthand and Typewriting.
Each of these courses have excellent instructors. Jewell ought
to feel proud of this institution as it is a fact that as education advances,
morality increases and the community becomes better. Another
excellent institution is the public schools, and under the direction of
Prof. L N. Gerber and his able assistants it is gaining ground every
week. At present the enrollment is large and will increase
as cool weather comes, and the boys and girls who have been helping on
the farm during the summer begin to enroll. It is only a matter
of time when Jewell will be noted for her educational facilities.
LATER -- As we go to press we
learn that the Jewell Lutheran College has been purchased by Hauges Synod.
As it is too late at this date to give particulars in this issue, we wait
till next week. A success of this institution is now a certainty.
The expenses of operating the college were more than the local Association could handle, so they transferred the college property to the Iowa District of the Hagues Synod on Nov. 9, 1897. This synod included the states of Iowa, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, and Texas.
(View an 1898 note concerning a
perceived problem at Jewell Lutheran College.)
(This is from our Stories Page.)
1897 Jewell Lutheran College Commencement Program
(View the 1897-1898
J. L. C. Catalogue which shows the names of faculty, the courses
offered, the fees, and more.)
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The sixth school year of J. L. C. opened with a glorious "Sangerfest" beginning Monday evening Sept. 11th. The evening was perfect and crowds came from far and near. Prof. Reimstad Rev. Rangen and Miss Peterson were the attractions of the evening and did not disappoint their attentive auditors. Their efforts of speech and song were highly appreciated. The opening exercises on Tuesday morning created great enthusiasm for J. L. C. The eloquent addresses by Revs. Haugan and Gjustad will not soon be forgotten. The school was mentioned as a powerful agent for good in the community for its mission is to prepare trained men and women for life's battlefield. Just as trained soldiers do not always march in straight lines nor go through the same maneuvers in actual battle as the military academy, so do not men and women make use of the many rules, facts and formulas laboriously learned at school, but through apparently practically useless, they form a means to that invaluable end -- a trained mind. A liberal attitude towards a good cause was eloquently urged. We should take lessons in liberality from the faithful patrons of the saloon and gamng table. Support J. L. C. with word and deed and rest assurred that you are aiding a noble cause. Tuesday afternoon was, if possible, more interesting than any previous session. Prof. Reimestead was in excellent voice and sang exquisitely. His brief but spirited address kindled great enthusiasm for the divine art of music, which he is such a lover. The pointed remarks of Rev. Lang, of Story City deserve special mention. The story of Fritz and Katrina, besides forcibly illustrating his point of the great power of song, created great mirth. Rev. Paulsrnd of Chicago also vriefly addressed the assembly. At the close of the session a short meeting was held and a permanent organization formed of all the surrounding choirs with the intention of holding an annual "Sangerfest" at the opening of every school year of J. L. C. The folowing officers were elected: President, O. O. Stageber; Secretary, Louis Jacobson; Treasurer, John Johnson of Eagle Grove. Committee on music: Miss Hetlesaeter, Miss Nelson of Slater, and Miss Lena Dale. Committee on regulations: O. M. Johsnon, Prof. Stageberg and Miss Hetlesaeter. Musical director: O. O. Stageberg. The business men of the town considerately closed their places of business in order to be in attendance, for which they deserve commendation. The last session came all too soon and crowds of people flocked to hear the last of the intellectual feast. Rev. Falk Gjertsen of Minneapolis arrived Tuesday afternoon and ably addressed the assembly on the superior advantages of the young people of today. Miss Peterson won laurels in the rendition of the beautiful "Jerusalem." The grand chorus consisting of about 150 voices, throughout the summer under the immediate direction of Miss Hetlesaeter, rendered some stirring songs at every session. Rev. Eastvold closed with a few encouraging remarks and the benediction. At first it seemed difficult to face the reality that the festival was indeed at an end, but let the thought console us that the fall of 1900 wil bring us one equally good if not better. Thanks are due to the townspeople for the hospitable way in which they entertained the visitors to the Sangerfest. Each one left with the conviction the "Jewell is the place to go". |
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A new windmill was raised over the college well. The water will be forced up to a tank and from thence conveniently led to different parts of the building. Another instance of progress. In 1900, the college students organized an Athletic Association with Prof. S. E. Dime as chairman. They laid out a baseball diamond on the college property and organized a baseball team. A lawn tennis team was also added.
(This college news was published
in the Jewell Record on May 11, 1900.)
In 1902, the college constructed this two-story ladies' dormitory just west and south of the college building. The men continued to be housed on the third floor of the main building. Then tragedy struck the college.
You may click to see a larger version of this article for
easier reading.
A fire
on Dec. 2, 1903, burned the main college building to the ground.
Two male students, Burton Milang of Rose Grove Township and Julius Peterson
of Red Wing, Minnesota, died in the blaze. The fire was
discovered by a student named Britt, who arose at 5:00 a.m. to catch a
train for his home in Slater. When he descended the stairs
he smelled smoke and retraced his steps to alert the 22 boys who were sleeping
on the top floor. All hurriedly dressed and escaped, but it
was later learned that Millang and Pederson apparently returned to the
building. The loss to the college was $22,000.
College officials announced that classes would be held in the ladies' dormitory
until a new structure could be built.
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THEY WILL REBUILD
Jewell Lutheran College Will Erect New Main Building. LARGER THAT THE OLD ONE Trustees Came to This Decision at Meeting Tuesday - Finanial Assistance Offered.
The Jewell Lutheran College at Jewell will be rebuilt on a larger scale than before the destruction of the main building by fire in which two of the students lost their lives. This was decided at a meeting of the trustees of the college which was held Tuesday. The board is composed of the following: Tuesday was the first meeting since the terrible fire. The sentiment of the board was unanimously in favor of immediately rebuilding the college on a much larger scale than before. Many tenders of assistance in a financial way were received from people in this and adjoining counties.Rev. C. J. Eastvold, president, The citizens of Jewell are ready to lend all necessary assistance to the college authorities if it is necessary. The college was the pride of the town and the people living there would not let any obstacle remain in the path of rebuilding. The loss to the Synod is about $10,000 which they are able to bear although it is a considerable one. Plans for a new building will be drawn immediately and it will be at least twice the size of the destroyed building. Work will probably be started in the early spring and the building made ready for the opening of the next school year in September. The college authorities can not be blamed in the least for the death of the two young men whose bodies were found in the ruins. The college buiding was well provided with fire escapes and had this not been the case the death list would have been large as there were several narrow escapes even with the aid of the fire escapes. Nothing was saved from the doomed building. Among the furnishings were some valuable pianos, recently purchased. The structure was outside
the fire limits of Jewell and the department could render but slight aid.
It was with difficulty that the dormitory adjoining was saved.
A great crowd congregated at the fire and many of the students, bent on
saving some of their personal effects, rushed back into the building.
It was in this way that Burton Millang and Julius Pederson lost their lives.
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SHIP BODIES HOME
Remains of Two Young Men Burned to Death at Jewell Sent to Homes MRS. MILANG CRITICALLY ILL Money Being Raised to Rebuild College Building -- Meeting With Success The body of Julius Peterson, who lost his life in the Jewell Lutheran College fire, was shipped Thursday to his home in Bricelyn, Minnesota. The funeral of Burton Milang, the Rose Grove boy, was held Thursday. Juslius Peterson was a graduate of the Red Wing College and would have been graduated from the Jewell College next June in the scientific department. It has been determined that
the fire which destroyed the college originated in the southeast corner
of the baseent east of the room occupied by the furnace. The
authorities do not think that the fire caught from the heating plant.
The body of Julius Peterson was taken from the ruins at ten o'clock.
It was found near the orth wall within a few feet of a fire escape, undoubtedly
the unfortunate young man had been overcome by smoke just as he was about
to leave the building for the second time. The body of Burton
Milang was not found in the ruins until three o'clock in the afternoon.
Before the search was commenced for the second body the west wall of the
college building was pulled down with ropes as it was in an unsafe condition.
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Completed in 1904, the new building was a two-story structure that had classrooms on the first and second floors. The basement was used for the kitchen, dining, and laundry. The male students were housed at various homes in Jewell, and the women moved back into their dormitory.
The Aug 24th, 1905 issue of the Jewell Record reported "… of last year's faculty, all but one could have been retained: but under the circumstances the board deemed it best to engage an entire new teaching force."
To gain more financial support, in 1905 the Hagues Synod transferred the college to the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
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College Begins - Promising Year |
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Tuesday began the new year for Jewell Lutheran College, a year that
from every prospect will be the most successful in the history of the school.
The formal opening of the school year was held Tuesday and was attended by a number of the officials of the school. Among those attending were the following mebers of the board of trustees, S. O. Stensland and Rev. G. O. Vik of Beresford, Soth Dacota, Ref. I. L. Lasseson of Dasson, Minnesota, and L. Schanbusch of Roland; and the following members of the school board: Rev. Lehre, Rev. Lasseson, Rev. L. Harrisville of Chicago, Rev. J. N. Sandven of Roland, and Rev. A. O. Mortvedt of Newark, Illinois. Other out of town visitors attending were Jens Vigen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Thos. Silrum of Bricelyn, Minnesota, Mrs. J. Wolseth of Rochester, Minnesota, and Miss Sanders of Mr. Horeb, Wisconsin. The school opened with scripture reading and prayer by Pres. N. J. Loehre. Short talks were given by members of the school board and a short talk for the faculty by Miss Louis Nelson. Miss Nelson has been connected with the faculty for nine years but last year was out on a year's leave of absence. After opening exercises, all were dismissed to be enrolled. In the afternoon first lessons were assigned. There have been some changes made in the faculty from last year. Rev. Lehre remains as president. His services in that capacity have marked a wonderful growth and advancement in the school, and all who have been interested in the college have come to regard him as the right man in the right place. Anton Quello, Ellen Barrows and Mildred Hawkinson remain on the faculty in the same capacities as last year. Rebecca Johnson who was acting as assistant in the Academic department has been given places on the faculty. Miss Louise Nelson is back again, a fact that is noted by old students with genuine pleasure and that will be received with equal pleasure by new students as they come to know her. R. M. Hall is appointed to fill the place made vacant by the resignation of Prof. Okkelberg who is studying in Minnesota State University for his Master's degree. Miss Josephine Hagen is another teacher who is not back this year. Prof. Quello, finding life lonesome last winter, returned this fall neither lonely nor alone, but with a wife who has charge of his domestic economy. Miss Bertha Skordal is matron and Martin Larson is the jovial janitor. Prospects for the new school year are bright and glowing. The enrollment at the end of the first week totaled eighty. Last year at the same time there were only about sixty. The attendance for the year will undoubtedly increase over that of last year by nearly the same proportion. The estimate, based from letters received from old students and prospective new ones, and inquiries made, is for a total attendance in the year of from 250 to 300. The attendance for last full year reached 230. Students are present now from at least eight states, the states sending the larger numbers being as follows in order of numbers sent: Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota. One girl is here from the state of Washington. Last week there were several vistors at the college among whom were Rev. N. G. Peterson of Northfield, Minnesota, and Mr. Barsness of Lodi, Wisconsin. The college Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. associations are already taking up their work among the students and will be a feature of great good during the school year. Last year these associations did good student work. A peculiarly pleasing feature of their work lies in the fact that their committee meet the new students at the depot and give them the hearty hand of good fellowship and a royal greeting to the school that is greatly appreciated by the student in the first few days of his absence from home.
The trustee committee on recomendations met at the college Sept. 8th, the opening day, and made some important recommendations that were submitted to the trustees and that will undoubtedly be acted upon favorably by that body. The committee recomended that the heat piping of the dormitory should be over-hauled by experts and refitted and that a new boiler be installed. They deem it necessary to have two boilers. The school board also met on the same day, but the business which they transacted has not as yet been made public. A reception
was held last Friday evening for new students under the auspices of the
associations and of the faculty. The reception was held at
the college chapel and refreshments were served in the dining hall.
The affair was held to introduce new students to each other and to the
old students and proved a most delightful event.
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The College Year is Ended Once more a college year is ended and at Jewell Lutheran College, after nine months of activity, all again is quiet for a three months of summer rest. The young people who have taken advantage of the opportunity within the doors of Jewell's growing educational institution have gone away to their homes, and once more a big factor in the life of Jewell has temporarily been withdrawn. One misses the college students. Even those of us who have not been even in a small degree directly connected with the various interests of the college and who knew personally practically none of the two hundred or so boys and girls who have been in school here the past year, miss them now that they are gone. We are all accustomed to seeing them about to hearing their carefree and joyous talk and laughter, and to feeling ourselved happier and better simply from the reflection of their happy youth. And we will all be glad to see them come back again next fall, with perhaps added numbers, with more or new students to take the places of those who have graduated or who will not return. The past year has been a successful one for Jewell Lutheran College. In fact, successful years are becoming the custom of the school. Each year the attendance gradually grows. Under the wise management of President Lohre and his efficient corps of fellow members of the faculty, and under the capable control of those in charge of its destinies, Jewell Lutheran College is becoming constantly a stronger and a better and a more widely known and appreciated institution. The class this year is the 14th graduated from J. L. C. The first class was in 1895, and each year since then a class has graduated except in 1896. The class of 1903 was the largest, having 19 members. Just two other classes have been larger than the one of this year, last year and in 1901 classes of 14 being granted diplomas. This year the class had 13. So far as we can learn a year never before ended with so large an attendance in the closing term as this year, and no other year ever had so large an average attendance throughout the nine months. And the propects for next year are brighter than ever before ended with so large an average attendance throughout the nine months. And the prospects for next year are brighter than ever before. These facts come with a large degree of pride and satisfaction to every friend of the college. The extended program of commencement week events was carried out as previously announced. The attendance throughout was large and every event was gratifying successful. Commencement week at Jewell Lutheran College is an event that is coming to be looked forward to with cordial anticipation by every one in the community throughout the year. Programs were Excellent Beginning Monday evening teh various programs of commencement week were all successfully carried out as arranged and as announced in the Record last week. On Monday night came the recital by the three graduates of the music department, Misses Anna Nelson, Emma Jacobson and Emma Olson. Miss Faith Fenton contributed an interesting part in an essay on "Musical Centenaries." The gradate recital was an excellent effort and a credit to the department and to the young ladies taking part. The program was not long, but every number was of a degree of excellence that won the approval of the audience. Class Day Program The class day program was rendered Tuesday evening at the chapel and was by many of the attendants throughout the whole of the ceremonies of commencement week, pronounced the best program of the week. Floyd Billings in the class prophecy, Dora Bowers in the class history, Clara Sogge in an oration, "Joan of Arc," and Gladys Bonner in an oration, "For Native Land," all won the hearty applause of their listeners. The original dialogue by Barkeim, Stene and Omvig was especially entertaining. In fact, the entire program was most excellent. Each number had its own style and the variety combined with the splendid thought as well as keen wit and humor, showed that the class of '09 is one of no mean ability. Commencement Program Friday night was the last event of the week of commencement ceremonies. And standing room in the college chapel was at a premium. Visitors from abroad were present in numbers, including old students and graduates, and parents and friends of graduates and friends of graduates and students. And the people of Jewell and vicinity attended in numbers that speaks well for the harmony existing between college and town. Indeeed this happy condigtion of affairs is so evident as to call for an expecial word of appreciation from Pres. Lohre Friday night, when he publicly expressed gratification in behalf of the college for the cordial interest and excellent relations existing between the college and the people of the vicinity. The commencement program was an excellent one and was well rendered. The parts taken by the graduates in this as well as in all of the programs of commencement week were ample evidence of the worth of the time spent in the school here in developing earnest and thoughtful young men and women. The boys and girls who graduated from J. L. C. in the class of 1909 showed in the parts they played in commencement events the results of careful, capable and earnest intellectual training, coupled with the best efforts of instructors can do do not forget the characters and soulds of oung men and women while striving to develop their minds.
Congratulations To the members of the class of 1909 who have graduated from Jewell Lutheran College, the Record is glad to have an opportunity to extend hearty and sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future. Whatever and whereever may be the paths in which it may be your destiny to walk in the years to come, may happiness and success be the lot of each of you in such measure as each may deserve. And we feel confident that in the young women and young men of the class of 1909, Jewell Lutheran College numbers among her alumni thirteen young people who will be always a credit to their school and to their opportunity. and the address of D. Bartholemew can be read in the news clipping seen above. |
The next news article was published in The Jewell Record on December 21, 1911:
J. L. C. News
Will Revise College Courses
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Four Year Normal Couse is Added This Fall to Work Given By the College. Course is Fully Accredited. September 12th, two weeks from next Tuesday, is the date when the new school year opens at Jewell Lutheran College, and the officials of the school are looking forward to a successful college year. A good many inquiries have already been received from prospective students and further inquiries are being received almost every day. It is anticipated that the attendance this year will at least not be less than last year's attendance and it is hoped that the enrollment will be larger. There will be no change in the college faculty from the list announced in the catalog last spring, at least not so far as is known at this time. The list includes President K. O. Eitreim in Religion, Norwegian, and commercial branches, R. M. Hall in physics and history, Miss Sina Silrum in English, Miss Josephine S. Peterson in Latin and German, O. N. Refsell in political and natural sciences, S. Louis Ostrem in Commercial branches, Carl Abrahamson and Miss Emma R. Knudson in music, Miss Etta G. Hill in domestic science, Miss Clara Nelson in art, and M. O. Tjernagel, band instructor. Friends of the college will be interested in the announcement that this fall one new course will be added to the work given at the college. The new department is a Normal course, a four years course that meets the requirements of the state and is fully accredited. Graduates from this course will be eligible to receive a two years teachers certificate good anywhere in the state without an examination before the state board, and this certificate can be renewed for an additional three years without examination. With the new Normal course the college will now maintain five complete courses. The preliminare course is for students who have not completed the work of the eighth grade. The four year academic course is a fully accredited course, graduates being admitted without examination to the freshman classes of the state universities of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and other institutions. The other three courses are the commercial department, the music department, and the new Normal department. In addition work is given by the college in agriculture, home economics, art, and manual training. |
In 1917 the college president, Knute Eittrem, reported to the Synod at a meeting in Minneapolis that were were 72 students enrolled at the college. The college continued to operate until the 1918-1919 school year when it closed because of the World War. On June 5, 1919, the Association met and decided to re-open the college in the fall. See the Jewell Record news article below.
At one P.M. October 31st, the Jewell Lutheran College Board of Directors met at Jewell College for a very important meeting. The Board consists of the following members; Rev. G. O. Paulsrud, president, Rev. P. C. Birkelo, vice president, Rev. Martin Norstad, secretary, Mr. Gilbert Knudson, treasurer, Mr. A. M. Henderson, Mr. C. J. Lund, Mr. O. S. Boyd, Rev. T. J. Severtson, and Dr. A. K. Gaard. Dr. Gaard, being ill, was the only member of the board who was absent.
The Board was in fine spirits and after mature deliberations, decided two very important matters. Firstly, the Board decided to build a gymnasium 60 by 120 feet with a playing floor 49 feet by 100 by 23, and a running track 5 and a quarter feet by 320 feet. The funds for the gymnasium had already been subscribed, the the building would be erected at once. Work on the foundation began on the 4th and on the 6th the building crew would begin the real construction of the building.
Secondly, the board decided to build a dormitory with a music hall in connection. This dormitory would furnish rooms for 75 students and is to be ready for use at the opening of school next fall. Work on this building will begin early next spring.
The president of Jewell College, Rev. Okdale, was chosen to get into the field at once, and to solicit the necessary funds for these improvements. At least $75,000.00 will have to be raised for the proposed buildings, and this will have to be raised in our school field.
When the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America transferred the Jewell Lutheran College to the Jewell Lutheran College Corporation, the N. L. C. of America stipulated that the Jewell Lutheran College Corporation should erect a dormitory. By virtue of this position of our Synod and the dire need of Jewell College of the proposed dormitory, it is clear that the subscription now to be taken in our Jewell College field must have precedence to any other subscription in our field of a more general nature, and which are for improvements not in our field.
The people of the Jewell College field have the means, and what is more, they have vision to see that the money invested in Christian education brings the geatest possible returns to community, church, and state.
Here is your opportunity. Your Liberty Bonds will be gladly and thankfully accepted by the Jewell College. Send them in. The Lord hath need of them. (This text is from a 1919 news article published in the Jewell Record. View the article.)
So in 1919 a gymnasium was constructed to the south of the dormitory. The college campus then consisted of four buildings: the main building, a dormitory, a gymnasium, and the college president's residence. The students organized both boys' and girls' basketball teams, which played against most of the high school teams in the area.
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The Jewell Lutheran College basket ball team will play its first game on the season next Tuesday night, December 7th, when the team will play the Radcliffe High School team at Jewell. Not only will this be the opening game of the season for the college five, but also it will be the first athletic event to be played on the floor of the splendid new college gymnasium. With a big floor to play on, approximately 80 feet long and 45 feet in width, the contesting teams will have the advantage of a suitable floor on which to play, something basket ball teams have never had in Jewell before. As a result, of course, a far better game can be played than has formerly been possible, and fans are assured of a game played under the most favorable conditions. The new gym also provides splendid accomodations for the spectators to view the game, in comfort and from advantageous seats for viewing the play. The balcony running track will be seated and a big crowd can watch the game from the choicest kind of seats. The
college boys began practice at once after school was resumed following
the Thanksgiving vacation. Most of the men who were on the
football squad before Thanksgiving, as well as several other aspirants
for places on the five, are out every day for practice. Coach
Vigness has a good sized squad from which to select a team and competition
for place on the basket ball squad is keen, a thing that will help materially
in developing a fast team . . . .
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Jewell Lutheran College had more
than a baseball diamond and tennis court.
There was finally a gymnasium
on campus.
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FOOTBALL AT THE COLLEGE For the first time, we believe in the history of Jewell Lutheran College, the game of football, the best and the greatest of all college and high school sports, is to be played at the college this fall. Prof. Vigness is to be in charge of the coaching of the game, and he had his men out for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon for the first practice of the season. Evough men reported for practice to make up two full teams with a few to spare. Coach Vigness gave the men two very busy hours kicking and passing the ball and learning to fall on it, with instruction in tackling and blocking. The men also lined up for a short time and went through a few simple formations. Suits and other equipment will be secured, and as soon as the men become sufficiently familiar with the game the coach will arrange some games to be played. Several of the candidates for the team have played so Vigness will not have an entirely green squad to work with. |
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The Music Department of Jewell Lutheran College is now able, for the first time to announce that full entrance credits will be given by the colleges of Iowa for all work taken by the students in the music department of the college. That announcement involves two things: that the colleges will hereafter give recognition to study of Music as a credit for entrance requirements, which they have not done in the past; and that the course of study of the college department of music is fully up to required standards, in respect of instructors and course of studies given, to meet the requirements of the state Music Teachers Association. Heretofore, music was not accepted as part of the sixteen units required for college entrance credits. The colleges of Iowa have now accepted music studies and giving credits for it. |
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The
Jewell
Record of May 31, 1923, reported on changes in the faculty for the
next year. Roger Peterson and
Prof. G. A. Larson resigned and were replaced by Prof. H. D. Eittreim and
Dr. L. M. (Jake) Jacobson. The article continued to say that
"the attendance the past year has been only fair which caused friends of
the school to be fearful as to the financial outcome." This
same year there was talk in Jewell about the need for a new public school
building. On Nov 2, 1923 it was noted that the students had
started to drive to school in cars. Elmer Charlson drives over
from Randall in his 'Star', Burton Olson drives another Star from Wall
Lake, and Helen and Irene Hove drive daily from Stanhope in their Ford.
On Jan. 11, 1923, the J. L. C. boys defeated Gilbert in basketball last
Friday evening with a score of 30 to 21.
L. A. Vigness, by now Executive Secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, learned of the financial worries of the Jewell College and wrote a letter, dated Dec. 5, 1923, to Mr. Henningson, Chairman of the Board of Education, stating that he wanted to submit some suggestions regarding the Jewell Lutheran College. He stated that, due to a reduced budget for the church, they were "looking at the possibility that Jewell Lutheran College will be one of those schools to discontinue their operation." He went on to say that they were interested in negotiating a transfer of the college property to the Jewell Independent School District.
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Hamilton County Memories. Read what
Ed Nass wrote
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The college continued until May 24, 1924, when the final commencement of Jewell Lutheran College was held. Only seven students graduated that year. They were: Winfred Bly, Sophia Froisland, Sophie Moline, Ellen Olson, Hazel Hage, Clarence Hanson, and Bernice Sebby. According to records stored at St. Olaf College, 4,236 students attended Jewell Lutheran College during its 31-year history. Presidents serving the college were, in order: Lauritz A. Vigness, Cornelius R. Hill, Meyer Brandvig, Victor H. Hegstrom, Olaf Q. Skogeberg, Nels J. Lohre, Carl J. Eastvold, Knut O. Eittreim, Henry A. Okdale, and Iver Iverson.
On June 19, 1924, a mass meeting was called for July 8th at the college in an effort to save the school. Two plans to be discussed were: 1) raising sufficient funds to purchase the college and operate it by the local churches and: 2) turning the college into a junior college. Apparently neither plan was approved as nothing more was reported in the Jewell Record.
All four college buildings - Main, ladies' dormitory, gymnasium, and the president's residence - were transferred to the Independent School District of Jewell Junction, Iowa, on June 26, 1925, by Warranty Deed for the sum of $45,000. The school district then used the main building to house the high school and junior high. The ladies' dormitory was transformed into a grade school, and the gymnasium was used for its intended purpose. The president's residence then became the home for the superintendent of Jewell High School.
Reuion held of those graduated from Jewell Lutheran College
(Click to view enlarged photo.)
