The Kansas legislature of 1901 changed the date of beginning of superintendent’s term from the second Monday in January to the second Monday in May, thus creating a vacancy in the office for four months. Mr. Campbell was appointed by the county commissioners to serve during that period. John Klopfenstein, served May, 1901, to May, 1903. O. O. Hastings, served May, 1903, to May, 1907. J. W. Campbell, served May, 1907, to March 18, 1909, when he died. J. A. Shoemaker, served March 23, 1909, to July 1, 1915. D. Anna Speer, served July 1, 1915, and still remains superintendent. ATCHISON CITY SCHOOLS. It was lamentable, but, nevertheless true, that there were many residents of the city of Atchison of the early period in its history who doubted the justice of supporting free schools. In 1860 the school board refused to levy a tax for school purposes in the city of Atchison. Following this, however, a more progressive spirit prevailed, and free schools were regularly supported by annual tax levies. For ten years the schools occupied rented quarters, excepting two frame buildings in South Atchison. The basement of the Congregational church, the lower floor of the old Masonic building that stood near the corner of Eighth and Commercial streets, the upper floor of the Auld building on Commercial street, near Sixth, Price’s Hall and probably other buildings were used during those years. There was little or no general supervision of the work of the schools up to 1866, little or no system, and little distinction between public and private schools. During this unorganized period the business affairs of the schools were administered by a district board of three members. Under a law approved March 1, 1867, the Atchison city schools were organized June 3, 1867, at which time the first board of education of Atchison was elected, as follows: First ward, Wm. Scoville, Wm. C. Smith; Second ward, M. L. Gaylord, L. R. Elliott; Third ward, John A. Martin. Julius Holthaus; Fourth ward, Geo. W. Gillespie, Jacob Poehler. In the organization of the first board, Wm. Scoville was elected president, John A. Martin, vice-president, and M. L. Gaylord, clerk.