94 
 
 
far as we know that little romance ended as old romances used to 
end, 'They lived happy ever after,. 
      "The district officers, at this period, seemed to fully 
realize the responsibility of their work.    It is recorded that 
March 28, 1854, notice for a special meeting was duly given by 
posting four notices calling upon all qualified electors within 
the jurisdiction of district No. 5 tovw of Omro, to meet in solenm 
conclave for the purpose of transacting the following described 
business, which is namely considering the indebtedness, and also 
additional room for the school. At the annual meeting September 
24, 1854, ten dollars was voted f or a globe and outline maps f or 
the school. This was the first money voted by the district for 
teacher's help in the school room. At the annual meeting, September 
24, 1855, it was voted to raise a tax to pay the wages of the two 
teachers and the incidental expenses of the two departments as 
follows: 
 
     Teacher's wages.......360.0 
     Fue. ..... .......... ... 20.00 
     Roomrent.............    32.00 
     Incidentals...........   20.00 
     T o t a . . . . . . . . . . . . -4 0 -7 
 
     "It was then voted that a tax of $600 be raised to be used 
in building a new school house in district No. 5, Omro. The school 
board was authorized to sell the present school house to the highest 
bidder and use the proceeds, in part, for the purchase of another 
lot adjoining the present school lot, and to use the remainder 
towards defraying the expenses of building the new school house. 
The board was authorized to present a plan for the new school 
house at the next meeting in two weeks.   The plan was presented 
and accepted. 
     "March 3, 1856, the contract for the new school house, the 
old Red Brick, was let to Geco-. Sokes for $2,170.   (The cost ran , 
higher than expected so actual cost was about 82,600.) This sum 
did not prove sufficient to finish the building and more money was 
voted later. The first school house was moved to a lot opposite 
David Grossnman, s place (now 440 or 456 Madison) and was occupied 
as a dwelling house many years, by Mrs. Young. Afterward John 
Grossman purchased it and remodeled it for a home. The old Red 
Brick was finished and occupied in December, 1856. This building 
had three departments, primary, intermediate and high school. Mr. 
Henry Raymond of Oshkosh, a most excellent Christian gentleman, 
was the first principal, with a salary of $50 per month. 
     "Mrs. T. Bunker who had taught a private school some months 
in the village taught the intermediate and Miss Jennie Huie the 
primary departments. Mrs. Bunker gave up her work as teacher at 
the close of the winter -term and Luthera H. Adams, a pupil in the 
high school during the winter was employed to finish the year in 
that department. The building was full to overflowing the first 
year, other branches of study were introduced and an assistant 
employed. 
 
 
     "tOaro was a growing town at that time. Various rooms around 
the village were used for the overflow of pupils until a wooden 
building suitable for a school house was built west of the Red