Education: I Must Stay

Eighteen months ago Melvin G. Attig, 26, a high-school teacher in Aurora, Ill. ignored the advice of his principal and friend, took a job as high-school principal in nearby Oswego, Ill. (pop. 1,200). He knew that it was no sinecure, for many Oswegans were angry over removal of his predecessor, but he did not know it was a killing job.

Melvin Attig worked hard to overcome Oswegans' animosity. He sang in a church choir, won so many friends that he was elected president of the Oswego Business Men's Club. But at school life was less smooth. Egged on by some still resentful parents, rowdy boys cut Principal Attig's telephone wires, strewed his papers, fired his wastebasket. unhinged doors. All this Principal Attig bore patiently. He cracked no heads, said nothing to parents or school board, tried to solve his problem alone. He also refused a better job. remarking grimly: "I must stay and give Oswego the educational program it is worthy of."

Each day his wife and two children saw Melvin Attig grow more worried. One day last fortnight Principal Attig heard a disturbance in the basement of his school, went to investigate. As he entered the room, boys hooted, drenched him with water.

Principal Attig quietly finished his school day, walked home, drove off in his car to a railroad crossing. When the train came by he jumped in front of it.