Schools: Fiske Union Submitter: Mildred Turner Jones MARCH 2002 Source: Catherine Lewis ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** MEMORIES OF FISKE SCHOOL SCHOOL BY: CATHERINE LEWIS FEBRUARY 28TH, 2000 In the early 1930’s many families were forced to leave their homes because of the devastating depression of 1929. There was no money and no jobs to be found. Many found their way to Northeast Louisiana where they learned that rich land abounded. With much hard work, determi- nation and a deep faith in the Lord they began a new life, many as sharecroppers. Most of the land belonged to large landholders. Eventually these owners offered land for sale with no money down and ten years to pay. Land was then cleared and put into cultivation. One settlement began about seven and one half miles west of Oak Grove, in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana. There were no roads and no schools that could be reached during the wet winter months. In 1932 more families were moving into the area. By 1933 parents were discussing the possibility of getting a school in the area. On August 19, 1933 Mr. Donald B. Fiske donated three acres of land on which to build a school. The small one room school would be located on a high ridge in ward three, adjacent to ward four line. The men and boys of the community cut and hauled logs to a small sawmill to be made into lumber on halves. With the help of Mr. O.E. Huey, they succeeded in building the school in time for the 1933/34 school-term. In honor of the benefactor the school was named “Fiske.” Now, sixty- seven years later the area is still known as Fiske Community. Miss Marie Everett was hired as both teacher and principal for the school that had an enrollment of thirty-three. Included were grades one through six. While there Miss Everett boarded with a family nearby, traveling by horse and buggy on weekends to her home in Forest. Once the buggy became stuck in the mud and there was no teacher until almost noon. Before the 1934/35 school years began another room had been added, as well as another teacher, Miss Laurine McLaurin. Sixty-five pupils now attended. Of great interest that year were visits by Miss McLaurin’s fiancé, Mr. Grady Bagwell, who later became her husband. Mr. Bagwell was an artist and thrilled the children by drawing pictures of them on the blackboard. Families were surviving, but had little money with which to buy needed school supplies. Miss Everett and Miss McLaurin, assisted by interested parents held a box supper to help buy needed items. Mothers and daughters prepared boxes of food. Each box was wrapped and decorated. Using kerosene lanterns for light, everyone assembled in the classroom where boxes were sold to the highest bidders. Men and boys tried to buy the boxes made by their wife or girlfriend. After all boxes were sold, those preparing the boxes joined the buyer to share the treats. Even though some were disappointed at not getting the right partner, everyone had fun and enjoyed the treats. In the end the children were able to have art supplies, etc. that they would not have had otherwise. Until this time only a right-of-way had been cleared of trees, but the stumps remained where a road was to be built. There were no bridges. Therefore it was necessary for the men to saw logs and make walkways across the streams of water. These were known as “foot-logs.” Occasionally, a child would fall into the water, having to return home for dry clothing. Some even fell through ice as they skated across the frozen stream. In the winter of 1935 the state appropriated money for a gravel road to connect this community to a road that is now Louisiana Highway Two. A crew came using dynamite to blast the stumps from the right-of-way. On one occasion a stump was blown through an open window to the middle of of a bedroom. Heavy equipment was brought in to cut through ridges and build up low areas to make a road suitable for the traffic that was to come. So spectacular was the sight that children were allowed to go out with their parents and watch till bedtime. For the school year 1935/36 another room was added and enrollment was up to ninety-eight. Mr. J.W. Alsbrooks was hired as principal and teacher. A four-room house was built on school property for Mr. Alsbrooks, his wife and two dogs, Penny and Lula Belle. Mrs. Elsie Dew Alsbrooks kept school supplies in her home to sell to children who had no way to get their own. Road conditions were so bad that Mr. Alsbrooks was not able to get his late model car to his home. Mr. Will Benton, who lived on a highway about 2 ½ miles away, allowed him to park in a garage on his property. At times they would walk to their car. Sometimes they rode with neighbors in a mule drawn wagon and all rode to town in the car. Early in the school year the teachers and principal gave a cakewalk with proceeds going to purchase supplies for playground and classrooms. The cakewalk netted $32.53, and the School Board matched it with $30.00 to purchase library books. The purchases included a pencil sharpener, bulletin boards, jump ropes, two softballs, and curtains for closets, Aladdin lamp and a “Victrola.” Only two records could be bought at that time. The children enjoyed marching around the room on rainy days to the music of the marches. They never tired of hearing “Camp Town Races” and “The Glendy Burke” and often sang along with the music. During this time timber was being cut from a tract of land not far from the school. In order to get the logs out, a railroad track was installed in the area. Each day at recess the children would run out on the stiles to see the train cross the road about a mile away. Some days it was seen but not always. When logging was finished the tracks were removed leaving a clean roadbed. The road remains to this day and is called “Dummy Line” road or Louisiana Hwy 587. On May 22, 1936 the first graduation from Fiske School was held at a church that had been built nearby. The church is now known as New Zion Baptist Church. Miss Rosa Veal, Supervisor of Elementary Education was invited to give the Commencement address. Mr. Lucian Castleman, School Board Member for ward three, gave out the diplomas. The school victrola furnished music for the march. Mr. Alsbrooks was hired for another term as Principal for the 1936/37 school years. Two new teachers were added, Miss. Louise Baldwin and Miss Louise Norsworthy. (They were jokingly referred to as “Big Louise” and “Little Louise”) Another cakewalk was given, which netted $27.77. This money was used to purchase basketball and volleyball equipment, two pencil sharpeners, a flag with ropes and pulleys. A photographer made pictures of all the pupils. A commission made from this was used to purchase six framed pictures for classrooms. During Christmas vacation, Mr. Huey secured the aid of W.P.A. and N.Y.A. workers to make improvements on the school.The three rooms were ceiled; new windows installed and inside walls painted beige. Outside walls were stained green, doors and facings painted white. With the approval of Mr. Hopper, State Supervisor of Elementary Schools, Fiske School was added to the list of approved state schools. With the aid of an N.Y.A. worker employed for the school, the children did much to improve the appearance of the school and its surroundings. Native trees, including Red Bud and Dog Wood were dug up from surround- ing forestland and transplanted on the grounds. Children brought flower seed from home to plant. Nasturtiums blooming in white window boxes added much to the beauty of the school. During the summer vacation of 1937 a forth room was added to the school. A folding wall was installed between two classrooms. Opened, this served as an auditorium. Enrollment at this time was 188. Overcrowding of classrooms made it necessary to transfer all sixth grade and part of third grade to Oak Grove School. A vacant room in that school was used and a teacher hired for the job. At the end of the 1937/38 sessions all pupils were returned to Fiske. Various events were held to raise money for athletic equipment. This enabled both boys and girls to have basketball and softball courts. Each had very impressive teams. The boys were undefeated in Basketball and lost only once in softball. They won first place in both at the Rural Elementary School Rally held in Oak Grove. At the beginning of school year 1938/39 enrollment was 230. Another school, about six miles north of Fiske was also having a problem with overcrowding. Union School was located near Beulah Baptist church. Talks were already underway concerning consolidation of these two schools. Parish Supertendent and School Board Members met and appointed a committee to help decide on a location for this school. After considering distance and flooding conditions in the area, a location was chosen on a high ridge in the west central part of Ward 4. Building began, roads were improved, and teachers secured. Buses would be necessary to take children to school. Mr. Clarence Bienz and Mr. Raymond Thrush were already employed to take students to Oak Grove High School. Elementary children would be taken to this school and buses would continue on taking high school students to Oak Grove. Mr. Garland Fryday was employed for an additional route needed to this school. There was much discussion about a name for this school. Parents and pupils from each school wanted their name first. Therefore, a committee, including parents from both schools was chosen. It was decided that the name would be “Fiske Union.” The Christmas party at school was extra special that year. Most parents attended taking all pre school children; there was a gift for everyone. After all, this would be the last Christmas at a school that had been built from scratch and was loved by everyone. When school was to begin on September 12th, building had begun, but not nearly enough was finished to begin classes. Therefore all pupils reported to their original school where they would remain until the new building was nearer to completion. When school dismissed for Thanksgiving the children were sad to be leaving behind the school they loved so much. Yet there was excitement over the prospect of a new school and lots of new friends. The following Monday morning, big yellow buses picked up anxiously awaiting children to begin a new venture. Even though the building was far from being finished, there were enough rooms available to begin classes while work continued. There was a stipulation in the land deed. The land was to be returned to Mr. Fiske in the event it was no longer used for school purposes. Buildings could be removed or torn down. Therefore a deal was made between school officials and the N.Y.A. The workers were allowed to tear down the building and use the lumber for other projects.After all building materials had been taken away some boys discovered something had been left behind. They gathered up all the lead from the nail heads that had been used to secure the tin roof. Some were used for fishing- line sinkers, but most were used for a different purpose. The lead was melted in a small pot over an outdoors fire, and then poured into snuff can lids to cool and harden. These small discs were used as washers for pitching. For a long time to come the favorite sport in Fiske Community was “Pitching Washers.” Old and young alike enjoyed the game. All the boys were praised for their accomplishment. Other teachers not before mentioned were known to have taught at Fiske School at some time. They were Miss Wilma McGuffie, Miss Ruth Lee and Miss Mary V. Bailey. Found in School board records was a ruling that no married lady would be hired to teach in West Carroll Parish Schools. If a teacher married after being employed she would be terminated immediately.