May 17, 1987
by David Buchanan
Vigo County Historical Society
Wiley given watch from grateful staff
On May 13, 1882, a regular teachers’ meeting took place in the sessions room of Terre Haute High School. William H. Wiley, for whom Wiley High School soon would be named, and the superintendent of schools, presided.
It was a typical spring day in the Wabash Valley:
The Express published a letter from Charles P. Croft calling for an initial meeting to form a society to prevent cruelty to animals.
The same newspaper also carried an article concerning the safety of oleomargarine. According to reports, the fats of dead dogs, cattle and horses had been used, in some instances, for oleomargarine.
It was reported that 380 persons were drawing government pensions in Vigo County, a greater number than any other county in the state.
A party of bricklayers had just left for Omaha because there was more work there at higher prices.
The Rev. Thomas Parry of Central Presbyterian Church was preparing his fourth lecture of a series on Biblical Creation versus Evolution.
The Senate Select Committee on Woman Suffrage had voted 3-2 for approval of a constitutional amendment empowering women with the right to vote.
And the fashion editors were proclaiming that “plump girls are fashionable this Spring; wasp waists are quite out of style.”
It was a typical spring day.
May 13 seemed like just another spring day when Wiley called the teachers’ meeting to order. But the teachers had something else in mind.
Wiley had worked in the school system for more than 17 years on that day; 13 of those years had been in the position of superintendent.
Wiley’s efforts to improve the Terre Haute school system had earned him the reputation as “the father of Terre Haute’s schools.” Under his guidance the school system went from one with just a handful of students to one meeting the needs of thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.
The teachers were determined to recognize Wiley’s accomplishments. So the last speaker of the day, Professor Byer, stood up and began the teachers’ praise. He said, in part; “. . . he has never been found wanting. Through his efforts our schools occupy a position amongst the best in the state.”
The teachers then presented Wiley with a gold hunting-case watch, manufactured by the American Watch Co. of Waltham, Mass. The case of the watch was inscribed: “Presented to W.H. Wiley by the Teachers of Terre Haute Public Schools, May 13, 1882.” Also engraved on the hunting case were the initials, “W” and “H.”
The American Watch Co. was incorporated in 1859. The company eventually became the Waltham Watch Co. and ended production of watches only in 1957. It’s estimated that the company produced more than 34 million watches between 1860 and 1957.
Wiley held the position of superintendent for 37 years until 1906. After he left that position, he served on the school board. When he dies in 1927 he left the watch the teachers had presented to him 45 years before to his grandson, William W. Waite.
Waite gave the watch to the Vigo County Historical Society in 1964.
It is again May and spring in the Wabash Valley. Accounts in today’s newspaper are very similar to those of 100 years ago. And Wiley’s presentation watch again is on display, a tribute to the “father of Terre Haute schools.”
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.