Joel A. Snell Diary, 1888

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Summary

Creators:
Snell, Joel A. and Caroliana Books
Abstract:
Diary of Joel A. Snell, a schoolteacher in Modoc County, California.
Extent:
1 item
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joel A. Snell Diary. MC363, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

A diary kept by Joel A. Snell (1856-1934) during the year 1888, documenting his time working as a schoolteacher in Modoc County, California. According to this 1934 obituary, Snell was "long a leading California pioneer educator," who "knew pioneer life" after moving to Shasta County at the age of ten, and was a veteran of the Modoc War. After graduating from San Joaquin Valley College and Stanford University, Snell taught in Shasta Modoc, San Joaquin, and other California counties, was the first principal of Gridley high school, and worked for 13 years as a principal in the Philippines.

The diary primarily documents Snell's time teaching in a small schoolhouse near Alturas, California. He often begins his day early in the morning to start the fire in the schoolhouse, and resolves to be a strict disciplinarian--"Arose at 6. Made fires at school house...Scholars seemed glad to see me." I mean to be very strict. Studied my lessons until 11" (January 3, 1888). He comments frequently on the misbehavior of his students, and his efforts to enforce discipline:

"A disagreeable day at school. Lectured my scholars in the evening and laid down the law pretty straight" (January 13, 1888); "Some disturbance in school. Boys persist in skylarking with the girls" (January 26, 1888); Drew a chalk like for the big boys. I think some would be benefited by being suspended" (January 31, 1888); "Suspended 1 boy for insolence. It seems as though the devil has stirred up some of the scholars. Some of them are too dull to stir much" (February 2, 1888); "Scholars seem to know when the teacher lacks nerve force and take advantage of his weariness" (March 1, 1888).

He also recounts his own difficulty in operating the underfunded, understaffed school, which often lacked janitorial staff and basic supplies:

"Some scholars unruly. Promised cowhiding as a remedy. No janitor no stove no long bench must have them" (October 11, 1888); "Trustees are delinquent as to their duties when a teacher will shoulder them" (September 1, 1888); "Lack books must go to Davis Creek where my sister is teaching for some books. Did a good deal of janitor work this morning" (September 3, 1888). Snell also recounts his own internal struggles, at points feeling like a fraud or failure, or alternatively thinking that he is working too hard for little reward ("School as usual. I am always tired at night and am hardly ever satisfied with what I have done"--January 12, 1888).

Additionally, Snell records his financial struggles and indebtedness, and documents his expenses, which are listed in further detail in the back of the book. Despite these struggles, however, Snell remained creative in his lessons, incorporating the drums, as well as experiments with magnets and batteries. He also writes about grading papers, and pens his thoughts about state issued school books ("State school books a nuisance. Dealers do not wish to carry them"--September 5, 1888), and about examinations ("Am much in doubt whether examinations should be easy or hard, long or short. Scholars whisper and compare work and peep into books so that examinations to a great extent are failures."--November 23, 1888). In fall of 1888, Snell runs for County Attorney on the Prohibition Ticket, and writes about his speechifying and his campaign efforts on election day: "Prepared my table and ballots. Votes for Prohibition. Electioneered all day. Furnished apples, 'Patterson Pain Killer,' cigars and water to voters many voters were disgruntled at Patterson…so I put a bottle of Perry Davis' pain killer on the table…I acted fairly today making no trades nor deals " (November 6, 1888).

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Caroliana Books, January 2024.
Processing information:

Elizabeth Wood created this finding aid with information supplied by the seller.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Archives and Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Physical description:
Modoc County, California: 1888. "Bancroft's Pacific Coast Diary for 1888" binding of pale orange flexible cloth wrappers, 6.25 x 3.5". Begins with a printed title page and 50 directory and almanac pages, followed by blank pages for journal entries, accounts and addresses. Of these, 297 pages contain diary entries in pen or pencil, and 21 pages contain accounts. Inscribed "Joel A. Snell Alturas, Modoc Co, California" to front endpaper. Entries range from one or two lines to a full page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joel A. Snell Diary. MC363, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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