Cynthia Pease Mann Continued from page 1 Cynthia Pease Mann was instrumental in founding the Children's Home Finding and Aid Society of Idaho in 1908. Working with concerned citizens and the governor, she helped take the first step in providing a temporary home for Idaho children who were orphaned or neglected. Cynthia Mann owned a block of land on Warm Springs Avenue that she donated to the Society. This land had been awarded to Cynthia as part of her divorce agreement from Sam. At first children stayed and were educated in cottages on the Warm Spring's property. But the Society had other plans. They needed a bigger building. The State Legislature agreed to give $20,000 to the Society if they would match it with another $20,000.

The Children's Home

Cynthia Mann and her friends were very busy organizing money-raising activities for the Children's Home. They planned events such as a charity ball, baked-food sales, theatrical productions, and a Tag Day. On Tag Day, prominent citizens were arrested and held in jail until someone paid their "fine".

With the governor's support and the support of leading citizens, the Children's Home Board of Directors finally raised the matching funds for the new building. In May of 1910, an elaborate parade and ceremony were held to lay the cornerstone. Everyone dressed up to come hear the speeches for the celebration. The Children's Home was completed on December 28, 1910. J. E. Tourtellotte, the architect of the Idaho State Capitol building, designed it. At the time of the dedication, the Society had already cared for 465 children, finding permanent homes for most of them.

Cynthia Mann third from right.

Cynthia Mann must have been very excited to be part of the dedication of the new building. The building that you see on Warm Spring's Avenue is the same building. It is called the Children's Home, and it is still run by the Children's Home Finding and Aid Society of Idaho. Although it was an orphanage for many years, it has since been used as an alternative school and currently as a counseling center for children and families. One of Mrs. Mann's former students lived in Boise for a while. In an interview in the summer of 1994, she had these thoughts about her own early life and having had Cynthia Mann as a teacher.

"I was born in Emmett in 1905. When I was very young, from the age of 3 through about 6, my stepmother was very abusive to me and my twin sister. One day the police took us away and put us in the Children's Home orphanage. Cynthia Mann became my teacher. Looking back that was from about 1911 until 1913. She was a darling. I'll always remember Cynthia Mann's sweetness and kindness. She had a little bell. When it was time to come in she would say, 'OK children, time to come in.' She'd be so happy. "

"I used to make the other kids laugh in class. One time Mrs. Mann had me sit under her huge wooden desk where she could keep an eye on me. I remember peeking out from under the desk and sticking my tongue out at the students. The kids all laughed. Cynthia Mann would lean down and say 'Myrtle, we must behave.' She always spoke softly and kindly to me. She was never harsh. "

"I would make mudpies with Paul Hickman. We'd bring Cynthia Mann out to see our mudpies. She'd be delighted and clap for us."

"Perhaps it was my own background, but I remember everything about her as love, sweetness and happiness. Later in my life I wondered if anyone would remember Cynthia Mann. Then, four years ago, I saw the new school that had been dedicated to my very special teacher. I was thrilled." (Myrtle Brewster, former student of Cynthia Mann, died January 1995 at the age of ninety) )

Cynthia Mann was an enthusiastic club member. She was a member of the Council of Women Voters and nominated for its president. She worked hard with the legislature to give women the right to vote. She was a member and first state secretary of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.). As a member of the D.A.R.'s local Pioneer Chapter, Cynthia Mann organized the Letitia Howell Pease Scholarship fund. This fund was named for her mother and lent money to young people. Growing up, Cynthia's mother had influenced her in many positive ways.

Cynthia Mann was an early member of a business-political women's club, the Columbian Club. She was supportive of young women who had to make their way in the world. The first goal of the Columbian Club was to equip and maintain a free public library and a reading room in Boise. The Club also secured a children's playground and public park.

Not only did Cynthia Mann work on numerous educational and service projects, she also volunteered during World War . She knitted hundreds of sweaters and hats for military men overseas. Cynthia Mann supported the Red Cross, helped sell Liberty bonds, and paid for the support of three French and Belgian war orphans.

Cynthia Mann was very generous. In addition to donating the land for the Children's Home, she also insisted on making other donations. Her friends knew this was financially difficult for her, but she did it anyway. She would rather give to others than keep for herself. Cynthia Pease Mann never tired of teaching. She could have retired and received a pension, but she wanted to teach until her death. She came down with the flu during the "Spanish Flu" epidemic of 1918-1920. Many people died during this epidemic. Cynthia became very ill and summoned her brother, Levi Arthur, who was living with his family in Wyoming. Without hesitation, Levi, his wife and two children, took a stagecoach to Boise to be with Cynthia. Levi Arthur's oldest daughter, Evelyn, is now 96 years old, but remembers that time.

Cynthia Mann seated on right. Her mother's photograph (Letitia Dowell Pease) hangs on wall in center.

Sweet hour of prayer

"My brother, Arthur Clinton, and I were not allowed to see Aunt Cynthia in Boise. The flu was very contagious and Mom and Dad didn't want us to get it. My dad was the only one who was allowed to see Aunt Cynthia. Mom and my brother and I stayed in Aunt Cynthia's small white house next door. I was 14 years old at the time. Aunt Cynthia died February 6, 1920, less than a week after we arrived in Boise. The funeral service was held in her house. Arthur and I weren't permitted to attend the service for fear of getting the flu. We stayed upstairs and listened to the sounds of people talking below.

By the time Aunt Cynthia died, we had all caught the flu and were very sick. My dad died 22 days after Aunt Cynthia died. I was the only one in our family well enough to attend his funeral."
(Personal correspondence with Evelyn Pease Matthews, 96-year-old niece of Cynthia Pease Mann, Milwaukie, OR, 2002)

Cynthia Pease Mann's greatest wish was fulfilled when she "died in the harness" having taught up to the week she became ill and died.

"Some want wealth and ease, some learning and culture, some music and poetry, I chose the latter: the music of children's happy voices, the poetry of their lives; for as Longfellow said: 'They are the living poems…' Am I not right when I say it should not be called a sacrifice when we get large returns? " (From a letter written by Cynthia Mann shortly before her death.)

A music lesson - Cynthia Mann with violin.

Cynthia A. Pease Mann 1853-1920 IT WAS HAPPINESS TO SERVE

Cynthia Pease Mann was an extraordinary woman and dedicated teacher. She affected the lives of many children and adults in a very positive way. We are proud to have a Boise public school named after this outstanding pioneer teacher.

TIME LINE
Aug. 9, 1853	Cynthia A. Pease was born in Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky (Idaho 1900 Census; conversations with Evelyn E. Matthews, 2002)
Bet/ 1853-1875	Cynthia A. Pease moved with her family first to Illinois, then to Kansas. (1920 obituaries)
Sept. 13, 1875	Cynthia Pease married Samuel B. Mann in Kansas (1920 obituaries)
1875	Samuel B. Mann came by stage to Idaho. Cynthia Pease Mann soon followed. (1920 Obituaries)
From 1880	Cynthia Mann began teaching in Idaho. She taught in Silver City, Payette, Caldwell, and in small schools around Boise. (Idaho Statesman)
From 1889	Cynthia Pease Mann was living and teaching in Boise. We know that she taught at Park School and then at Cole School between 1889 and 1904. (Boise City Directories)
1890	Idaho became a state.
1892	Idaho State Board of Education issued Cynthia Pease Mann a life time teaching diploma (The Normal Mirror, May 1903)
1893	Cynthia Mann was living at 730 Warm Spring's Avenue -Address of land she later donated. (City Directories)
Feb. 25, 1895	Cynthia A. Pease and Samuel B. Mann were divorced (County Court House records)
1896	Women were given the right to vote in Idaho.
1901	Cynthia Pease Mann graduated from Albion Normal School (Teacher training school, Normal Mirror, May 1903)
1902	Cynthia Pease Mann earned Master's Degree in Pedagogy from Albion Normal School (Normal Mirror, May 1903)
1904	Cynthia Mann was teaching at Hawthorne School. (City Directory)
1908	Cynthia Mann donates her land on Warm Spring's Avenue to the Children's Home Finding and Aide Society. (1920 Obituaries)
1908	Cynthia Mann was teaching at Park School in Boise. No longer standing. (City Directory)
1909	Cynthia Mann was teaching, again, at Hawthorne School in Boise. (City Directory)
Dec. 28, 1910	The Children's Home on Warm Spring's Avenue was completed.
1911	Cynthia Mann was teaching at the Children's Home. (Personal correspondence with Mertle Brewster, student of Cynthia Mann in 1911).
1914	Cynthia Mann was teaching at Children's Home, until a few days before she died. (City Directory; Personal correspondence with niece Evelyn Matthews in 2002)
Feb. 6 1920	Cynthia Mann died of the "Spanish flu" at the age of 67.