The story of Detroit / by George B. Catlin.

DETROIT FEMALE SEMINARY 443
the first newspaper of the Territory and a number of school
books and religious tracts. In these schools, all under direction
of Fr. Richard, the rudiments of the English and Latin languages
were taught, also elementary algebra and geometry in addition to "the three R's." At Spring Hill Academy he had more
than 30 young ladies, who were also taught the domestic arts
of the day. For equipment the founder installed 30 spinning wheels and one loom on which linen and woolen cloths
were woven. Among the scholars were several Pottawatomie
Indian girls who were under the immediate supervision of their
grandmother, who held them sternly to their appointed tasks.
Other equipment imported from New York consisted of a
spinning machine of 40 spindles, an air pump and a frictional or
static electrical machine. Vegetable colors and dye pots were
also provided for teaching the art of dyeing yarns and woven
fabrics. So far as is known this was the first attempt at reaching
industrial arts and domestic science in this country.