15. What is, approximately, the railroad mileage of the State? 16. What lines of railroad in your community? 17. Are there any interurban lines near you? Are any such lines being discussed? 18. What motor truck service is being carried on in your community? 19. Locate the state highways and the county roads of your county. 20. Describe recent improvement of roads in your community. CHAPTER XVII EDUCATION IN KANSAS =The First Schools in Kansas.= The first schools in Kansas were the mission schools for the Indians. When Kansas was organized as a Territory and the white settlers began to make their homes here, the education of their children became one of their first interests. In the summer of 1855 the first Territorial Legislature passed a law providing for the establishment of common schools, and thus laid the foundation for our public school system. =Early Territorial Schools.= In January of 1855, when the town of Lawrence was only six months old, a school was opened in the back of Dr. Charles Robinson’s office. A term of school was held in Lawrence every winter thereafter. Other towns also maintained schools, as did a few of the country communities, but the settlers’ claims were so widely scattered and the dangers during the days of raids and warfare were so great that country schools were almost an impossibility during the first few years. =Subscription Schools.= Many of the earlier schools were “subscription schools,” which means that they were not public schools supported by a tax levy, but that the teacher’s pay came from a tuition charged each pupil who attended. =Beginning of Our School System.= By 1859, when Territorial conditions had become more settled, the Legislature turned its attention to the matter of education and passed a set of school laws that has served ever since as the basis of our system of education. While Kansas was still a Territory, a few districts were organized and schoolhouses built, and the minimum school term was made three months. [Illustration: SOD SCHOOLHOUSE.]