Chapter 08 - School Days

20

The time, from the move out of the cabin on the hill, through the big fire, the building of a new hotel, and the addition of two new annexes all of this had been a hectic, chaotic, exciting period for the family. But to the boy, it seemed more or less routine. Actually a youngster does not have the prior experience which to judge the emotional impact of a current period of turbulence. Most of the year he was in school from, nine in the morning until four in the evening, thus missing most of the action going on in town. The school itself was probably not too different from other such back-woods institutions of the era. It was a simple board and batt one room building with wood shed attached behind. There were four rows of desks, in graduated sizes, enough to seat about twenty pupils of all grades. There were, however, never more than 15 pupils, and as few as 9 or 10. Up front, near the teacher's desk, was a long "recitation bench" to which each grade 1-7 called in turn for subject lessons. Other furnishings were a globe and a chart on a tripod. This chart had about 20 large colored illustrations on tent cloth and paper sheets, depicting a variety of subjects from, geography to skeletons. It was probably published in the 1880's, but was still in use through 1912.

The school was located not too far from town on a sunny hill top, with cattle grazing outside its fenced enclosure. Narrow plank walk - way crossed the swampy meadow, for the miners also used this trail on their way to work at the Buster Mine. (White spot, center, above first bank of trees About 1908).

It seemed further away in winter time only because of the snow and the cold. (Huge icicle grew larger each night from the snow melting off the roof.

The teacher did not have things as easy as the small number of pupils might indicate. She had to be at the school an hour or more before the opening bell. After a fresh snow fall in winter time, a couple of chivalrous men would usually go ahead of her to "tromp a trail" for the quarter mile distance. On arriving, her first chore would be to start a fire in the stove, kindling for which been chopped the day previous by one of the pupils. The larger boys would keep the fire stoked during the day. Her next duty was to sweep out the building and perform such other janitorial duties as seemed necessary. Then she might proceed with preparation of the day's lessons. In short, she was not only principal and teacher, but also sole custodian of the institution.

At times the teacher needed help to beat a path through the snow to the front door.

Inside: It seemed that pictures were always being added, but never removed. Pictures are recognizable of latest two presidents; McKinley and T. Roosevelt. Extreme left: wood burning heating stove. Right rear: foot powered reed organ near wood - shed door. (About 1909)