TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL HISTORY FEBRUARY 7, 1849 TO FEBRUARY 24, 1937 Mr. David Hargett, Superintendent of Schools, gave this School History of Tallahatchie County Mississippi to me August 16, 2001. have typed the pages as they were in 1937. My word speller on the text editor did not agree with some of the spelling, and usage of the words. This is a Historical doccument and in no way do believe they should be tampered with. this page placed in Tallahatchie County Mississippi web pages 12-31-2001. HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROJECT February 24, 1937 Tallahatchie County SCHOOLS OF TODAY--ASSIGNMENT #19 Project No. 2984 Canvassers-Mrs. Mary Wilson Mrs. Fairrest Carter Miss Birdie Harrison PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM: Names of County Superintendents from beginning to present, with length of service, salaries, and accounts of outstanding contributions of each as to consolidations, better buildings, libraries, better equipment, sanitation, etc. Reverend Angus Johnson was the first Superintendent of Education in Tallahatchie County-February 7, 1849. There is no record of his successor until. MB Avery, served from 1871 until 1879, salary $280.00 annually. A.C. Fonda, 1879 until 1888, salary unknown. J.L. McCorkle, 1888 until 1890, salary $35.00 per month. Reverend H.M. Morrison, 1890 until 1893. Salary unknown. During his term of office, the Tallahatchie Male and Female Academy situated Northeast of Charleston was erected; also the Cascilla Normal School at Cascilla. In 1892, the term of office of the Superintendent was extended from two years to four. J.L. McCorkle, 1893 until 1895, salary $40.00 per month; due to his death, Mr. McCorkle's unexpired term was served by N.R. Turner, who served for six months. Joel D. Rice, 1895 until 1899, salary unknown; during Mr. Rice's term, the Charleston High School, valued at $2000.00, was built. Tallahatchie County Page #2 H.H. Womble, 1899 until 1903. Salary unknown. He was re-elected and served until 1907, during which term he received $75.00 per month. J.H. Wallace, 1908 until 1920, salary $100.00 per month; during Mr. Harrison's second term of office, in 1917, the Agricultural High School was built in Charleston. In 1918, the Charleston High School and the Glendora Grammar School was built. John McCullah, 1920 until 1924, salary $175.00 per month; during his first term, the Tippo Grammar School, the Philipp High School, and the Cowart School were built. Mr. McCullah was re-elected and served until 1928, during which term, he received $200.00 monthly. The Tutwiler High School, the Webb High School, (now the Webb-Swan Lake Consolidated School), the Brazil school, the Sumner High School, and the Blue Lake Grammar School were all built during his second term. W.H. Morgan, 1928 until 1932, salary $250.00 per month. The Enid High School was built in 1931. R.H. Harrison, 1932 until 1936; salary $225.00 per month. The Paynes High School was built in 1932 and the Paynes Teacherage in 1936; the Cascilla School (High School) was built in 1935. * Reference: School Survey in T.H. Harrison's office, (Superintendent of Education. Tallahatchie County Page #3 How County Schools financed, from sources, such as Sixteenth Section Fund, County and State Taxes. Separate School Districts, Equalization Fund. Chickasaw Fund. Sixteenth Section. The Sixteenth sections yield rent and interest--each year and the revenue forms the 16th Section Fund which is spent entirely on the maintenance and operation of the schools. By the County. An advalorem tax on all of the property in the county outside separate School Districts is levied each year for the Common School Fund. By the State. State Per-capita fund disbursed by the State Board of Education. The number of educable children in the county is determined every two years, this school census being taken by the superintendent of each school district. The amount of money received each year by the county and separate School Districts depends on the number of educable children in the county or district between the ages of six and twenty-one. By the Districts. Each district has a local levy to pay supplementary salaries to teachers and maintain the School in the district. This is called the District Fund. State Equalizing Fund. This fund is disbursed by the State Board of Education on the needs of the county. If a county is not able to carry on its school for a full term on funds received from the State Per-capita Fund and local taxes, the State Board of Education will send money for the equalizing fund sufficient to carry out A full normal term. In other words, the equalizing fund is supposed to equalize the term in all counties, helping the poorer counties to even up with the richer counties. Chickasaw Fund. None * Reference: Mr. R.H. Harrison, Superintendent of Education Tallahatchie County Page #4 & part of page 5 TYPES OF SCHOOLS IN COUNTY: Rural, City Consolidated Separate School Districts 4 Consolidated School Districts 12 Consolidated Line School Districts 2 Total Number of Schools 18 Racial: Negro, Indian, Chinese, or others Elementary Negro Schools 79 Separate School Districts Elementary Negro Schools 8 Charleston Training Schools for Negroes (High School_ 1 88 There are no Indian or Chinese schools in Tallahatchie County. * Adult education, through the continuation of old "moonlight" schools, through extension courses, or by WPA teachers. Adult education is sponsored by the WPA and is included in the term "American Schools". It came in view in 1924 and into Tallahatchie County in 1932; it has made great progress. We now have classes in Agriculture, Home Making, Literacy work, Basic subjects, Social science, Art, Music, Public Speaking, and Dramatics. The teachers have taken training courses at Delta State Teachers College at Cleveland, Mississippi. They are now taking a correspondence course and will be given a test later on questions prepared and sent out by the State Department of Education. American Education is observed annually to inform the public as to the needs,aims, and achievements of the schools. The general theme for 1936 observance was " American Schools at Work" and a program was carried on throughout the state on the subject: "Unfinished Business of Education". This in reality is a program of Adult education. There are six white teachers and six negro teachers employed in the County. * * Reference: Mr. R.H. Harrison, Superintendent of Education Charleston Tallahatchie County Continuation of Page 5 LATER DEVELOPMENTS OF COUNTY SCHOOLS: Through Consolidation by Transportation: There are twelve consolidated white schools in the County; also two Consolidated Line Schools: Wade Line Consolidated School, Tallahatchie-Sunflower Counties; Vance Elementary School, Tallahatchie-Quitman Counties. Tallahatchie County pays the salary of each teacher in each of these line schools. Forty-six bus drivers are paid by the County. ** Through Agricultural High School Movement: The Tallahatchie Agricultural High School was built in 1917. The trustees were Jacob Kuykendall, Enid; R.H. Harrison, Charleston; Hamp Dogan, Cascilla; M.H. Dick, Philipp, and M.T. Bynum, Webb. The School buildings and domitories were situated on the ground formerly occupied by the Athletic Park at the end of East Main Street; the farm lands consisted of two hundred acres and were ideal in almost every particular. The school opened its first session September 10th, 1917, with the following faculty: A.B. Dille, Principal and Agriculturist L.R. Elizey, Mathematics and History * Reference: Mrs. Blanche Payne, Cascilla Mississippi ** Reference: R.H. Harrison, Charleston Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #6 Miss Norvel Breazeale, English and Latin N.E. Morris, Manual Training Miss Alice Bridges, Home Science Miss Lorena Arlidge, Music Mrs. Sue Matthews, Matron Miss Sadie Holliday, County Home Demonstration agent A.E.Terry, County Farm Demonstration Agent The buildings were the best equipped agricultural high school buildings in the State at the time. The interior was plastered and finished in red gum, giving a very pleasing effect. Each room was equipped with steam heat, electric lights and running water. The home Science Department and Manual Training Departments were supplied with the best modern equipment. The farm was in a good state of cultivation and afforded the best opportunity of teaching practical agriculture. The boarding dept was run on the cooperative plan and board was furnished at cost, which did not exceed eight dollars, per month; this with the matriculation fee of five dollars and the cost of books made up practically al the expenses of attending the school for one session. Not only the people of Charleston but the entire county were proud of this establishment and the splendid buildings. The enrollment for the first week of school was seventy-five, fifty-five of whom were boarding students. During the depression, this school was closed du to lack of funds. At present time, the administration building is used for WPA offices and the domortories are being used by care-takers.* Through Home Economic Instruction: Home science was put into the curriculum of Tallahatchie High Schools Reference: R.H. Harrison, Charleston Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #7 in 1918.Home Economics is now one of the most outstanding and interesting courses given in High School.This study is open to students of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades. The course includes instructions in Housing and Furnishing, Home Management, Family Relationships, Health and Nutrition, Foods, and Clothing. The room in which it is taught are provided with all the material necessary for the teaching and practicing of the studies. In the fall of 1930, the Home Science Department of Charleston High School qualified under the Smith-Hughes Act and received Federal Aid. ** Junior Colleges: None NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY: Present buildings, types, and cost; equipment, and libraries. Transportation facilities, public and private. Grades: Elementary or Grammar. Junior High, Senior High, Special Courses: Household Arts, Domestic Training: Manual Training: Music; Art; Physical Culture; Shorthand; typing, book-keeping, and any other. Extra-Curricular Activities: Clubs, Dramatics, Debating, Hi-Y's,Scouts, Girl Reserves, Play-ground activities, Disciplinary Control. First aid. ------- The present-day school is one of the most-noteworthy symbols of progress. Our mothers can appreciate the privilege of sending their children to a modern school to be taught by teachers who have been thoroughly prepared for their work. The modern school affords the student a varied course of study. Until he reaches High School, however, his studies are arranged by the State Board of Health; upon entering High School there are optional courses. These courses include science, history, language,mathematics,and. ** References: Miss Eva Nell Ousley, Tutwiler, Mississippi Miss Edna Lavender, Charleston, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #8 & part of Page #9. Commercial training. There are well equipped laboratories in which chemistry experiments are performed. Girls are taught cooking and sewing in rooms provided for that. There are large libraries in the schools, heating facilities, sanitary toilets and fountains, auditoriums, music rooms, and gymnasium, aside from the many class rooms. Most schools have foot-ball fields, base-ball diamonds and basket-ball courts; school teams compete with one another in games.The grounds are equipped with swings, slides, and other means of amusement for smaller children. Many students, upon completing their High School education, are sufficiently prepared to secure and hold good positions. The Charleston High School. Charleston has two schools for the white people located in the North-eastern part of town, and one for colored. The Grammar school, a three story brick building, was built in 1908 at a cost of $25,000.00; it housed 300 pupils for the grades one to five inclusive. The other building, known as the High School, was built in 1918 at a cost of $75,000.00.It is a three story brick building and housed both Junior and Senior High pupils, which number 360. In this building, we have science laboratories, home economics department and commercial rooms. It also has a library with 1800 volumes, 14 magazines, two daily and one weekly newspaper. Two hundred forty pupils are transported in eleven busses and three cars. The first five grades are known as Grammar Schools, the sixth, seventh, and eighth as the Junior High, and the nineth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth as the Senior High. Our work is departmentalized from the fourth grade up. Tallahatchie County Page #9 Two courses are offered in Senior high school; one for College preparation, as Foreign Languages, three years of mathematics, three in History, one in science and the four in English. The other, Vocational courses, also include four years of English, two in History, one in algebra, one in science, and others as Junior Business Training, business Arithmetic, Health, geography, typing, book-keeping, short hand, and Office Training. We offer three years in home economics, for girls, where sewing, cooking, serving, and household decorating are offered. The extra-curricular activities are athletics, as football, baseball, track, and basketball for boys, while the girls take part in basketball and track. Hi-Y and scouts for boys, and Girls Reserves, debating, 4-H Clubs. Music and Band are taught. * The Sumner High School: In 1925 , the Sumner High School, a beautiful two story brick building, was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by the present $65,000.00 brick building, complete with the most up-to-date equipment and library. Upstairs there are two large well equipped rooms in which Home Economics is taught, one for sewing and one for cooking. There is a laboratory provided with all material necessary for the teaching of chemistry and biology. There are class rooms upstairs and down, a large auditorium, balcony, offices, commercial room, and sanitary toilets and fountains; all rooms are steam heated. Transportation facilities are privately owned but drivers are paid by the County. Grades are taught from the first through the Twelfth. Aside from their regular studies, High School students are offered Home science and commercial work. The latter includes typing, short-hand, and book keeping. Reference: W.W. Gunn, Charleston Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #10 A music teacher in the school teaches music through the twelfth grade,Kiddie Band, and Band. There are Girl Reserves, Hi-Y, Athletic Club, 4*-H, Choral, and Latin clubs. Each week a program is given in chapel by one of the grades. Basket-ball, base-ball, and foot-ball teams compete with other schools. Tutwiler High School. About twenty years ago, an annex costing $20,000.00 was added to the Tutwiler school; it is now a large two story brick building with extensive grounds and worth approximately $50,000.00. Recently, through the CWA, the science (science) room equipment was increased and cabinets installed in the class rooms. There is one school bus operated by the school and two by the county. Commercial work consists of typing, short-hand, book-keeping,and commercial law. School activities, aside from the regular class work include 4-H club,Girl Reserves, Glee Club, boy Scout club, baseball, basketball, football,volly ball, tennis and track. ** Webb-Swan Lake Consolidated High School. The Webb-Swan Lake Consolidated High School is located in Webb. In 1923, the $45,000.00 one story brick building and $5000.00 teacher's home were erected. The school has modern equipment and one large library. Through the CWA, a $2000.00 improvement was made on the school. There are five buses paid by the county. Grades are taught from the first through the twelfth. A special course is given in commercial work which includes typing, book-keeping and short-hand. * Reference: C.S. Bigham, Sumner, Mississippi ** Reference: J.F. Almond, Tutwiler, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page # 11 The students have organized a Girl Reserves, Hi-Y, and choral club.The play-ground is well equipped and there are ball courts around the building.* Paynes High School. The present building at Paynes is located five miles west of Charleston; it is a brick building valued at $10,000.00, with a $3500.00 teacherage. It has a large library and is otherwise well equipped. Five busses are privately owned and paid by the County. Seven Teachers are employed. A commercial course is given, Organizations include Girl Reserve, Hi-Y, and Boy scouts. Both boys and girls have an active basketball team.** Cascilla High School. The Cascilla school is located about sixteen miles from Charleston. It was erected in 1935 and is a beautiful brick building with up-to-date equipment and library, with ten teachers including the superintendent. There are five school busses financed by the County. Twelve grades are taught. There is a Home Economic department but typing is taught. A 4-H club has been organized, and there are girls' and boy's basketball teams. *** Enid High School. The Enid school is located two blocks from the Illinois Central railroad in Enid, Mississippi. This building which was built at a cost of $9, 500.00, was erected on the site of the previous school in 1931. It is a beautiful one story brick building, composed of four class rooms besides the big auditorium. There is a nice stage which is furnished with a lovely suit of living room furniture. The library is a very nice size for this size School. Each room is furnished with a big circulating heater and a few books for each class. Three trucks privately owned and paid for by the County are the means of transportation. Twelve grades are taught. Besides the usual subjects, commercial work and domestic work are taught, the Home Economics department being well equipped. There are five teachers besides the Superintendent. Just recently a new teacherage was completed at a cost of $2000.00; it is a frame house, modern in every way. Enid has a splendid basket-ball team. * * Reference: W.R. Applewhite, Webb, Mississippi ** Reference: J.D. Ramsey, Paynes, Mississippi *** Reference: W.D. Purvis, Cascilla, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #12 Philipp School. Located a few blocks east of the Y. & M. V. Railroad in Philipp, Mississippi, is the one story frame school building. There are four rooms besides the large auditorium. The building cost $11,000.00; it is well heated with large circulating heaters and has a small library. Two trucks privately owned and paid by the County provide transportation. Until this term,beginning in 1936, this was a high school,teaching twelve grades. This year there are only ten grades with four teachers besides the superintendent. There is a splendid basket-ball team. Last year,they won the Delta Championship; had it not been for five members of the team having the "flu' they would have played for the State Championship last year. The playground is equipped with few swings, and other amusements for the children.** Glendora Grammar School.The brick building in Glendora replaced a $1500.00 frame school building. The present school, including equipment is valued at $14,000.00. As this is the only Grammar school, there is a small library. No transportation facilities are needed as only town children attend. * Reference: W.L. Cobb, Enid, Mississippi ** Reference: Wabster Buchanon, Philipp, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #13 Special courses include art, penmanship, and Kiddie Band. Outside their regular studies, the students are taught current events and engage in debates. There are no ball teams but recreation is afforded by a well equipped play-ground.* Brazil Grammar School. A $14,500.oo school building is now under construction at Brazil. This brick building replaces a frame one which burned in February, 1936. Equipment valued at $1,600.00 is being installed and a library will be added; three teachers are employed. There are three school buses in operation, the drivers being paid by the County. This is only a grammar school and the students, aside from their regular studies, are given instructions in methods of farming and the raising of cattle, chickens and gardens. Much interest is taken in 4-H club work. There are small baseball and basket-ball teams. ** Blue Lake Consolidated School. In 1925, a large frame building and a teacher home was constructed at Blue Lake through the Bond system; the value of this is estimated at $15,000.00. The class rooms are equipped with desks, black-boards, and teacher's desks. There is an artesian well on the school ground and sanitary out-door toilets. There are two school buses which are privately owned and financed by the County. The usual Grammar school subjects are taught. The students have organized a 4-H club in which they study farming and the raising of live stock. Their only play-ground equipment is comprised of a basket-ball court.*** * Reference: Miss Mary A. Furguson, Glendora, Mississippi ** Reference: L.B. Johnson, Brazil, Mississippi *** Reference: George Hammock, Blue Lake, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page # 14 Cowart Elementary School. Located five miles west of Charleston on Highway 32, is a very small community called Cowart. The school, a three room frame building, is painted white. Just behind the building runs a big levee which prevents the Tippo Bayou from overflowing. The school was built at a cost of $9,000.00. They have no library other than a few books in each room for the children. Two buses, privately owned and paid for by the county, are their means of transportation. Being an elementary school through the sixth grade. There are only two teachers besides the superintendent. There are no special courses.* Murphreesboro Elementary School. The Murphreesboro school, Which was located about seven miles south of Charleston, burned in fall of 1936. Since then, they have been using a building temporarily. The project for a new school has been approved and will begin to be constructed in the near future. This is an elementary school but there is an active 4-H Club.** Compromise School. The Compromise School, a little one room frame building, is located about five miles south-east of Charleston. This is an elementary school with only one teacher and about twenty-five pupils. *** Teasdale School. About nine miles north of Charleston is a small community called Teasdale. Here is located an Elementary school, a three room frame building with two teachers and a superintendent. There is a deep pump on the school ground with a small latticed house around it. The building cost $7,000.00. **** * Reference: J.B. Whitten, Cowart Mississippi(Cascilla Mississippi) * * Reference: W.N. Wood, Tillatoba, RFD, Mississippi *** Reference: Mrs. Janet Breedlove, Charleston, Mississippi **** Reference: H.L. Craig, Enid Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page # 15 Rosebloom Elementary School. In 1930, a small two room frame building was built at Rosebloom about five miles from Cascilla. There is a very small rural elementary school, employing only one teacher. Two trucks are operated and financed by the county. There is a 4-H club organized here. * The Tallahatchie County Training School for Negroes. The Tallahatchie County Training School was built in 1929, and is located in the extreme north-eastern part of the town of Charleston. It was organized and built upon property donated to the County by the First District of Tallahatchie County Baptist Association. The association donated to the County $15,000.00 worth of property and the County in return guaranteed to the Association a four year High School, running nine months. The old public school was united with the new one making two departments to the negro school, namely the Grammar school with eight grades and the High School with four year High School courses. The school is accredited and all students finishing here are admitted to college. The old building of the Grammar School has burned, but plans are on the way for a new Grammar School building. The present faculty of the Tallahatchie County Training school is as follows: J.H. Hopkins, Principal; E.L. Luckett of Jackson Mississippi, Assistant Principal; other teachers: Archie B. Hopkins, Hetty B. Drinkwater, S.N. Drake and Bertha Walker. The school turned out five four year graduates last year and have a class of seven this year. J.H. Hopkins is a graduate of Central Mississippi College, Koskiusko, Mississippi; E. L. Luckett is a graduate of Jackson College; Archie B. Hopkins is a graduate of Central Mississippi College, Koskiusko, Mississippi. Bertha Walker and Hetty B. Drinkwater are both graduates of Jackson College. * Reference: F.C. Mullen, Cascilla, RFD, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page # 16 The Tallahatchie County Training School is an outstanding school of the State for Negroes. The school has turned out several graduates; some are doing well, S.P. Hoskins is now in Tougaloo College pursuing a college course. Leonia B. Harris is also at Tougaloo College doing college work. Sallie B. Williams finished Jackson College and is a teacher here in the Training school. Others are Ada Lou Hoskins, Almeda Byrd, Fannie Simmons, Ludelia Mallett, Rubye Simmons and many others. All Teachers of the County. * There is a negro school located at Tutwiler, Mississippi, which teaches through the tenth grade; also one at Mt. Calvery, (situated on a plantation in West Tallahatchie County), which teaches through the nineth grade. These schools are under the supervision of Mr. J.F. Almond, Superintendent of Tutwiler white school, but have their individual Trustees.** The following is a list of the Elementary Rural schools for Negroes in Tallahatchie County: Monrovia, Mt. Levy, Mt. Moriah, New Davis, Ned Light, Omega, Powell Chapel, Pilgrim Rest (E), Palo Alto, Philipp Rosenwold, Pattison Lake, Pilgrim Rest (G), Pine Grove, Rabbit Ridge (Tippo), Rabbit Ridge (Tutwiler), Rockey Springs, Roane, Sherman Creek, Sandy Ridge, Poplar Springs, Stover, Shady Grove, Sulphur Springs, St. Elmo, St. Mark, St.Peter, St. James, Strangers' Home, Sturdivant Chapel, Soloman Chapel, St. Albin, Smith Chapel, Tippo, Tenet, Taylor, Viney Ridge, Mellow Bend, Wright, William Lake. * Reference: J.H. Hopkins, Charleston, Mississippi (Col) ** Reference: W.H. Wherry, Tutwiler, Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page # 17 Rockey Branch, Anderson, Alvis Grove, Bell View, Bulah T, Bell Chapel, Bethlehem-Moore, Bulah R. Brown, Baker, Brooklyn, Blue Lake, Counties Chapel, Ghestnut Grove, Center Mound, Cottage Hill, Chrestman, Dyess Chapel, Dogan, Elijah, Chapel, Escarin, Eutah Bend, Franklin Ranch, Frierson, Good Hope, Hatten, Hubbard, Hickory Grove, Harris Grove, Indiana, King, Locopolis, Little Mound, Lake View, Lake side, Mount Oliver, and Massey Grove. * Parent-Teachers Association. There are only two Parent-Teachers Associations in Tallahatchie County at present; one is in Enid and one in Vance. Active Parent-teachers Associations were formerly had at Charleston, Sumner, and Tutwiler. Among other good work, these organizations sponsored medical examination of school children and did follow up work. " The Enid Parent-Teachers Association began as a Mothers' Club about twenty years ago. The first officers were; Mrs. C.B. House, President; Etta Mitchell, Vice President; Mrs. Georgia McLendon, Secretary; Mrs. Lillian Dickinson Mitchell, Treasurer. "Better schools" was the primary object in organizing the Mothers' Club. Our first objective was a larger and better building. Sandy Creek and Newman schools consolidated with Enid, Teasdale high school coming in later. Professor W.E. Johnston and Miss Gladys Johnston were the first to teach in the new building. Our school has continued to improve and grow. The Mothers' club became a member of the National Parent Teachers Association last year (1935-1936)." ** * Reference: Records in Office of Superintendent of Education * Reference: Mrs. C.B. House, Enid Mississippi Tallahatchie County Page #18 & part of Page 19 Faculty Meetings. Faculty meetings are not held periodically in any of the schools; only when it is thought necessary. Most of our conferences are with individual teachers for some definite purpose or when some urgent question arises. Cafeterias. None of the schools in the County has a cafeteria but a few have a WPA lunch room. First Aid. We have no First Aid classes held in schools except those sponsored by the WPA. The WPA teacher meets her class once each week. Teachers of Today: Changed living conditions (from old "boarding-around" era); present influence; present qualifications as to education and personality. In 1870, it was customary for school teachers to board with different families: they had no permanent boarding place but stayed a short time with each family in the community. The duration of their stay in each home depended upon the number of children in the home.* ----- As a rule, Mississippi schools in the county were poor because of inadequate salaries and uncomfortable schoolhouses. Before the Civil war, the buildings were of logs with a wide fireplace across the end, seats without backs made of split logs with the flat side up, and legs fitted into bored holes on the rounded side. These buildings were used until the saw-mills became more plentiful and they gave way to framing usually one room sometimes two and sometimes an upstairs room which was used for Lodge or Grange. These were heated by wood-stoves, one or two to a building. *Reference: Miss Ruby Barnhill, Charleston Mississippi Many girls' ambition was to be educated well enough to teach the neighborhood school, and besides being teacher she taught Sunday school. Advised and helped mothers, provided entertainment for the children, and almost always spent her earnings at home. Young men, too, were ambitious to teach as a means to other things. The two teacher school was almost always taught by a young man with a young lady assistant; the assistant beginning her work when the enrollment reached forty. There was much enthusiasm aroused over Friday afternoon programs of speech, debates, and sometimes music. Closing exercises consisted of dialogues, plays, recitations, orations, and songs. Tallahatchie County Page 19 cont. . Spelling matches were popular, too. Games played were marbles, baseball, town-ball, anti-over, ring-up games, hide-and-seek, stealing chips, base, dare, turkey-merchant, and many others. Board in the rural districts was from five to seven and one-half dollar per month. The teacher was an honored guest; she was given the best room, was waited upon, and loved by all the family. Homes were lighted by kerosene lamps, clean and shining. Wide fireplaces, heaped with logs made the rooms bright and cheery. School began about the first Monday in November and lasted for four to five months. It the trustees thought best, one month was postponed until summer so that the children could help with the crops. Often children were kept at home in the fall to pick cotton so that many children received about two or three months of school each term. Assistants in two-teacher schools usually received from $20.00 to Twenty-Five Dollars Per Month Tallahatchie County, Page # 20 Cont from Pate 19. The Principal received about Forty Dollars or Forty Five dollars. Hours were feom Eight A.M. Untill four P.M. No reports were given but home study was required and the rod was applied with Vigor. Improvements in shcools nd teachers began with J.R. Preston. State Superentendent of Schools when requirements of teachers were raised and the subject for examination for teachers license increased from seven to Twelve. Many of our greatest thinkers were educated in those and one and two teacher schools. They served the country well. Much depended on the personnel of the community, but there were many problems of that day that have not been solved in spied of the progress in education. Almost every family owned their home, and had their home-raised hogs, vows, chickens and plenty of vegatables and fruit. Health was taken for granted. The best families kept clean, neat homes where plenty of shade trees and spring flowers were found in abundance. Dirt roads were narrow and crooked floowing hills and ridges wherever possible and across the bottoms were cross-laid or "cordwroyed" with poles. A sudden rain or a fise int he creeks or rivers kept the pupils at home or gave them the privilege of spending the night with a family living near the school. It was considered a great privilege to have the teacher spend the night in the patrons' home. Usually she was glad of the privlege and enjoyed the visit, the good food and the welcome, as well s the conversation with the family. During the winter, the teacher took part in any social activities the place afforded. Tallahatchie County Page #21 The course of study was announced by the State Superintendent and covered by the subjects studied in grammar grades, first through the eighth, but often the teacher taught any subject the students wished. Many students left one-teacher schools to enter sophomore years in college which were equal to about Senior High School now. Some parents did or could not provide books and writing material. Children would bring a reader, arithmetic, and slate. Slates were erased with sponges, washed occasionally, or wiped of on sleeves after having been rubbed off on fingers dampened by putting them in the mouth. Children were on the average very healthy, in spite of common drinking cups, the habit of slate-erasing, and swapping or lending gum. Sweet gum and pine resin was gathered from nearby trees and a bit of "store-bought" chewing gum was unusual and coveted. Water was brought from springs and kept in open cedar buckets with a long-handled dipper; children helped themselves, and if the sound of a wagon was heard every child became thirsty immediately, hurried to the water-stand near the door, and gazed at the passer-by until the irate voice of the teacher sent them shame-facedly to their seats. Books were laid on benches or hung in satchels on the walls. Boards were made of planed planks, painted black and fastened to upright pieces. The teacher furnished the chalk. Some patron who raised sheep sent a piece of sheep skin for the erasers. Two girls were chosen to sweep the floors each day. Friday was a day of general cleaning when school closed earlier for that purpose. Tallahatchie Mississippi Cont. Page 21- Page 22 Occasionally there would be pupils who would take other's property, but not often. As a rule, children were honest. Some studied, some did not. Some made good grades; others failed. Whether it was teachers, parents or the community's fault, no-one knows. These are our problems today. Salaries are better now, but living expenses are higher. School terms are longer, children are provided with books and clothes, but the problems are still with us. * The modern school teacher has to have a college degree and usually majors and minors in some subject. In that way, a student has a much better opportunity to learn each study more thoroughly. PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN COUNTY: Colleges, including Church or Denominational, and Junior Colleges. None. Commercial Schools or Colleges: None. Private Schools: The Albert Johnson Negro School. The Albert Johnson Negro School is located one mile south of Brazil on that branch of the Y. & M. V. Railroad known as Webb-Swan Lake Turnaround. In 1918, Albert Johnson, a large negro planter at Brazil at that time, gave five acres of ground for a Negro School building. He gave one thousand dollars on the building, in addition to donating the lot and campus and also lent twelve thousand to be used in building the school. The total cost of the school was thirteen thousand dollars. He also paid for the boy's dormitory and the professor's home which cost seven thousand. The school building is a frame building and the architect was W.M. Palm. It is a two story building with class rooms down stairs and the girl' dormitory upstairs. *Reference: Miss Mable Robinson, Charleston Mississippi. Tallahatchie County Page #23 It is kept up by the Southern Negro Methodist Conference and what the boarding pupils pay. At present, it is not in a good state of repair. It accomodates seventy-five boarders and two hundred pupils.The extent of Albert Johnson's land holdings was thirty-two hundred acres. He built a handsome home on his plantation which cost six thousand dollars. He died on November 3rd, 1919 and is buried on the school ground.His heirs have lost all this property now, and Mr. Gill now lives in the Albert Johnson Home. * Kindergartens. None. Any others in the county. None. References: Mr. Roy E. Tranum, Sumner Mississippi Report signed by Mrs. Isabel Summers, Supervisor, Historical Research Project, Tallahatchie County Copyright January 01, 2002, By Helen Arnold & Lela Evans. 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