ssor of English literature in Butler
University, who throughout her term of service from 1869 to 1883
enjoyed the deserved reputation of being one of the strongest
members of the faculty;[343] and Miss Rebecca I. Thompson, who is
professor of mathematics at Franklin College, the leading Baptist
school in the State. The women occupying these conspicuous
positions are all identified with the suffrage movement;
Professor Thompson, of Franklin, is the president of the Johnson
County Suffrage Association. Miss N. Cropsey has served the cause
of public education in Indianapolis in some capacity for twenty
years, and has for several years been superintendent of the
primary schools, a place which she fills with acknowledged
ability. Miss Cropsey is another living denial of the common
assertion, that only half-cultured and ill-paid women want the
ballot.

Of the four medical colleges in Indianapolis, two admit women and
two exclude them. No theological school in the State receives
women, nor does the only law school, which is located at
Indianapolis; but its former president, Hon. James B. Black, told
me that it was ready to receive them upon application.

Formerly, many questions now decided by the board of trustees of
each school district, were directly settled by the people
themselves at the annual school meeting. For instance, the
teacher for the coming term was elected from among the candidates
for that place; the salary to be paid, the length of term, the
location of the school-house, were all questions to be decided by
ballot. I have reliable authority for the assertion that in some
parts of the State, as early as 1860, widows, and wives whose
husbands were necessarily absent from the school meetings, voted
upon these questions. During the years of the war this practice
became very common, but fell into disuse upon the return of
peace.

There are many physicians in Indiana enjoying the merited esteem
of their respective communities and having a lucrative practice.
The most notable example of success in this profession is Dr.
Mary F. Thomas of Richmond.[344] Another living testimony to
woman's right in the medical profession is Dr. Rachel Swain of
Indianapolis, whose patrons are among the first families of the
city. By zealous devot