Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-135) and index.

Introduction : children on the frontier -- The first schools in upper Louisiana -- The Missouri Territory -- A new state -- The rural schoolhouse -- The rural schoolteacher -- The scholars' day -- Tools of learning -- The slow progress of common schools -- Rebuilding Missouri's school system "without regard to color" -- A gathering place.

"History of early schools in Missouri, including accounts of teaching materials and methods and schoolday activities. Describes schools in frontier settlements such as Ste. Genevieve. Discusses the beginnings of public education in the 1850s and the contributions of John Berry Meachum, James Milton Turner, and other African American leaders"--Provided by publisher.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2013. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.