Early Schools in Franklin County, Mississippi Contributed by: Ann Allen Geoghegan ****************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************************************** http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************* Information about Early Schools in Franklin County Which Have Been Consolidated With Other Schools or Abolished From the WPA Records – March, 1937 Canvassers: Annette Wilkinson, Mildred Porter, and Pearle Seale **************************** A private school was taught by Mrs. Wingate on the Buie Plantation in District 5. This school was taught in the Buie home. Some of the pupils were the Anderson girls, Isaphene McGehee, and Laura and Nora Cain. Katie Buie taught this same school from 1878 to 1879. REF: Mrs. Julius Whittington, Bude, MS ***************************** Mr. and Mrs. Joe Smith taught a school located on the Buie Plantation from 1850 to 1853. This was before the public school system. This school was located on the place and an old cabin was used for it. Reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic were taught. L. S. Strait was one of the pupils. REF: L. S. Strait. ****************************** In 1886 the Knoxville White Male and Female Academy at Knoxville, Franklin County, was incorporated. REF: Memoirs of Miss. Vol. 2, page 345 ****************************** The Lightwood Snag School This school was located where the present town of Quentin now stands, in District 4, Franklin County, and was taught from 1885 to 1889. Miss Pearl Bennett and Mr. Bob Bennett were two of the teachers and there were others. This was a one room log building with wooden shutters and the seats were benches arranged in rows framed in back and sides with peeled pine poles and most of them had desks. Both elementary and high school work was taught. Some of the pupils were Olive, Robert, George, Leonard, Elizabeth and Charley Strait; Annie, George, Harvey and Geneva Wells; Mag, Cora, Bruce and Jim Cox; Willie, Edwin and Eula Jackson; and several of the Montgomery children and Percy and Mazie Buie. Then about the year 1891 this school and the school on the Lazarus place were combined into the Strait School, located halfway between the two schools. Lazarus School The school that was located on the Ed Lazarus place was three miles north of the present town of Quentin in District 4, Franklin County, and was taught from 1884 to 1888. Miss Clara Herring taught in 1884, also in 1886. Mr. Edgar Torrey taught in 1888. It was a one room log building with long plank seats arranged around the walls, with a few benches made from peeled pine poles for back and sides, with a straight board for seats. Just a few had boards for desks. The windows had wooden shutters, but no glass and the water was brought from a spring in buckets. Both elementary and high school work was taught. Some of the pupils were Olive, Robert, George, Leonard, Elizabeth and Charles Strait; Edgar, Mattie, and Mamie Herring; John, Henry, Sallie, Sam and Tom Stephenson; John and Mary Lee Allen; two Goldman boys; two Strickland boys; Albert, Willie, Essie and Ida Weaver; Annie, George and Harvey Wells. REF: Mrs. L. D. Seale, Bude, MS ************************** The schools which proceeded the present school system of District 4 were viz., New Salem, Kenolia, Wrights and Ramah. New Salem probably led the others in success and we will follow it as an example. The school was organized about 1878 at the place where New Salem Church is now located or about three-fourths of a mile north of highway from McCall. The first instructor of the school was Mr. T. J. Scott. They had only four months of school taught in the summer months, but from this it gave the people of the community an inspiration to build and maintain a better school system for their children and in 1902 the first graded school of this district was organized. This school was organized by J. F. Porter, M. M. Ballard, Dave Wright, Jim Wilson, Zack Wilson, A. J. Arnold, T. S. Byrd, John Byrd, Leo Wilson, and James and David Chapman. The leading purpose was to have a more lengthy term. This school was taught in the winter months and ran from six to sometimes seven months. Not only the immediate community was interested in this type of school, but people from allover the county heard of the great work done in the school and brought their children and placed them in the homes in the community to let them receive instruction from the efficient teachers. The first principal of this school was Mr. John Bruick, a Franklin countyproduct. He was succeeded by Mr. Albert Godbold from Lincoln County. Godbold was followed by a Mr. Futch from Kentucky. His health forced him to give up his work and Hon. R. E. Bennett, now of Meadville, finished his work. He was succeeded by Mr. Moxley from Kentucky. Then came I. K. Floyd from Kentucky and he was followed by B. M. Russell from Lawrence County. The building was of woodwork. At first it was just a three room building, but the people soon saw that it would not accommodate the mass of pupils so they built an addition of two more classrooms and a music room separate from the classrooms. They taught through the tenth grade in a crude way. They kept no permanent record of work done by students, but gave examinations at the end of each session to determine if pupils were qualified to enter another grade. They knew nothing about giving reports each month, and after a student finished the required course of this school, he could, if he desired enter the college upon his word. The school grew rapidly. It used only three teachers at first, but added others until they used six and a music teacher extra. Several teachers of the State or County received their first education from this school viz., Ettice and Mary Lazarus, Myrtis and Leathie Byrd, Myrtis Wilson, Sarah and Ruth Chapman and Fred Wright. Others who received their beginning and have made good are Gambrel, Carey and Orsey Porter, Thompson Arnold, Rufus and Arthur Wilson, Clarence Wooten, Stewart Butler and Butler Byrd. About the year 1913 this school was discontinued and they moved it to Lucien and McCall where they still operate. Even though this was a very crude school compared to our present day schools, from its influence and training some great work has been accomplished that will live on and on. It brought the community together and made them as one large family, all interested in the same thing, not only this, but the county as a whole, can in and manifested great interest, also the surrounding counties. Pupils were sent out from this school to work in different sections of the state and some have gone to neighboring states. Had this school failed to organize they would never have had this opportunity in life. REF: Sarah Chapman, McCall, MS ****************************** News Article From the Franklin Advocate – April 2, 1908 – Cake Brought $83.40 The writer attended a box supper at New Salem High School on the 13th, the first of the kind ever gotten up here. It was arranged by Prof. B. M. Russell and his efficient assistants in the school, Misses Iva Coleman and Ethyl Flowers. First on the program was a lively debate on the subject “Resolved, that the works of nature are more attractive than the arts of man,” the judges deciding in favor of the negative. A handsome cake was then put up to be voted to the prettiest girl at 10 cents a vote. After a few scattering votes, the contest settled down between Miss Minnie Cupit of Lucien, a student of the school and Miss Iva Coleman of Jefferson County, one of the teachers. The voting was pretty lively, fifty votes frequently going in at one time, and when the interest began to lag, the beautiful contestants were placed on the stage. Beauty! Truly, the writer has no language to describe it as they sat there side by side, but their pure girlish beauty around the voters on each side and the votes were polled until each had 407, and it was agreed to divide the cake equally between them. After counting all the votes, it was found that the cake brought the neat sum of $83.40. Then came the sales. About forty boxes had been prepared, which were auctioned off to the highest bidder, bring from twenty five cents to one dollar, making a total of $11.65. The money thus raised is for the school, the total sum being $95.05. Everyone had a pleasant time, a flood of beautiful moonlight to light the homeward way. New Salem is one of the best schools in this county, and is gradually moving on up the grade. By: J. H. Cotton ******************************** The following were resident teachers of Franklin County in 1899; Messrs. Joseph Brueck, John Bruick, M. L. Everett. John F. Hollinger, Robert E. Bennett, V. Torrey, Ross Lambright and Mrs. C. J. Herring; Misses, Neva Newman, Maggie Newman, Lela Newman, Belle Cruise, Mamie Herring, Edna Herring, Orletha Torrey, Helen Shurtliff, Lizzie Cruise, Lizzie Strait, Alice Cain, Mary Cameron, Ethel Bennett, Olive Godbold and Anna Moore. Other teachers who have taught in the county within the last five years are: R. F. Owen, T. K. Weathersby, Louis H. Marsalis, W. M. Wadsworth, ?? Smith, W. E. Montgomery, James Albritton, James Ford, Ford Badow, C. L. Green, W. M. Dunn, Alvie Dunn; Misses Fannie Weathersby, Lillie Weathersby, Lavinia McCallum, Mattie McGehee, Birdie McGehee, America Oliver, Rosa Hewitt, Myrtis Newman, Beulah Garner, Pinkie Lowe, Susie Beacham, Annie Scott and Mattie White. REF: History of Franklin County by W. W. Lambright ***************************** The Strait School This school was located on the L. S. Strait place, he having donated the land for the school. It was in District 4 of Franklin County and was taught from 1891 to 1900. Mrs Cliff Herring taught from 1891 to 1894. Miss Mamie Herring taught in 1895 and Mr. Herbert Hughes in 1896; Mr. Walter Lambright in 1897; Miss Elizabeth Strait in 1898-1899 and Miss Olive Godbold in 1900. This school was taught four months in the year, usually in the winter months. The building was a frame building with glass windows, but only had one room, and the benches and desks were made of dressed lumber. Both elementary and high school work was taught. Some of the pupils were the Strait children, the Wells children, the Buie children, Dollie, Mamie and Alice Walker; James Eunice and Beatrice Wroten; Alma, Doris, Vincent and Matt Cruise; Romie and Houston Buckels and Sam and Sarah Ann Martin. REF: Mrs. L. D. Seale, Bude, MS ******************************* Magnolia School The Magnolia School was located in District 5 near Little Springs. It was built in 1854 and taught by an Englishman named Pat Bridges. This school was taught by Maria Crawford from 1874 to 1879. Both elementary and high school work was taught. This school was taught in the community before the beginning of the public school system and was later moved one-fourth mile to Little Springs and became the Little Springs High School. Some of the pupils were: Howard Sample, Alice Cloy, J. P. Jones, Jr., Hiram McGehee, E. R. McGehee, Phillip E. McGehee, Loretta, Fannie, Isaphine, Calvin, M. M., M. C., and J. E. McGehee. REF: Mrs. Ida Cain, Bude, MS Mr. Emmett McGehee, Meadville, MS ******************************* Article from the Franklin Advocate – May 21, 1891 – June 18, 1891 The honor roll of Pine Ridge School taught by Miss Ella Bethea in District 4 of Franklin County, for the week ending May 8, is as follows: Sally Cupit, Josie Godbold, Lizzie Rodriguez, Ollie Godbold, Minnie Cupit, Lillie Godbold, B. McCall and Allie Godbold. The honor roll of Pine Ridge School for the week ending June 5, Sallie Cupit, Minnie Cupit, Olive Godbold, Lillie Godbold, Josie Godbold, Lilly Rodriguez, Lydia Sudduth, Millard Arnold, Stonewall Wooley, Tommie Arnold, Homer Arnold and Wade Young. ********************************** Hunt A. J. Everett taught from 1882 to 1884 on the Hunt Place in District 4. A one room frame building was used. This had few windows and was poorly lighted and ventilated. Reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling were taught. This was accomplished with few textbooks. Some pupils were; Hyson Magee, Callie, Willie and Georgia Hughes; Alice Cloy and sister; Jeffie and Kate Sample. REF: Howard Sample, Bude, MS ********************************** Ebenezer School There was a school taught at Ebenezer Church from 1880 to 1882 in District 4. This school was taught by Madeira Sample. Classes were held in the church. The building was a one room frame structure. The benches were used for desks. This school was taught in the summer months. Some of the pupils were: Howard, Jeffie and Kate Samples; Willie and Callie Hughes and Alice Cloy, Hyson Magee and Mrs. Walter Beam. REF: Howard Sample, Bude, MS ********************************* Hughes Tom McGehee taught a school on the Hughes place in District 4 in 1873. A small one room cabin was used. Desks were made by the pupils and teachers. The room was a small one and poorly ventilated. This school was taught during the summer months. Reading, arithmetic, spelling and writing were taught and there were few textbooks and no library. The pupils were Howard Sample, Alice Cloy, Mrs. Walter Beam, Hyson Magee, Georgia Hughes, Callie and Willie Hughes, and Jeffie and Kate Sample. REF: Howard Sample, Bude, MS ********************************* Godbold In 1872 a school was taught on the Godbold plantation in District 4 by Miss India Brown. The building was a vacant cabin made of logs. There was only one room and the desks were made of hewn boards fastened to the walls. Pupils were taught to read, write and spell and taught arithmetic. Some of the pupils were Howard Sample, Alice Cloy, Mrs. Walter Beam, Hyson, Magee, Georgia, Callie and Willie Hughes, and Jeffie and Kate Sample. REF: Howard Sample, Bude, MS ********************************* Morgan’s Fork School This school was located two miles north of the present town of Kirby on the Meadville-Hamburg road. The building was a frame one room building sixteen by thirty feet. The desks and seats were arranged on the two sides of the building. The drinking water was brought from a spring. This school was taught from 1883 to 1885 by Mrs. Susie Robinson. Some of the pupils were A. S. Whitehead, Elizabeth, Luther, Will, Thad, Alma, Soule and Milton Seale; Tim, John, Ephraim, Brown, Agnes and Roxie, McLemore. G. W. Farmer taught the same school from 1886 to 1887 with the same pupils, also five of his own who were Will, Lena, Ruth and Jessie Farmer. Moody Ellerby taught a private school here in 1888. Same pupils as above, also John and Thomas Higgins, Jack Ingram, and Paul and Dolly Prichard. Monroe Curry taught in 1889 with same pupils as above with Nick, Hester, Manly and Maggie, Gordie, Herman Porter (he rode horseback six miles to school every day) Ollie, Minnie Crab and Etta Hill. John P. Jones taught in 1890 with the same pupils, along with Horace and Leslie Gates. A. J. Everett taught from about 1891 to 1895. One year during this time he taught school and served as county superintendent of education. His pupils were about the same as above with Mary and Tommy Hunt, and Marshall, Mason and Elbert Seale. REF: L. D. Seale, Bude, MS ********************************** From the Franklin Advocate – June 27, 1901 The patrons of Berry School, realizing the importance of educating their children and considering the value of time, even in youth, agreed last fall on an eight month term and selected Professor Halford as their teacher. Having completed the private term he began the public term on the first Monday in June. Mr. Mose Jones has been elected as assistant teacher. Mr. Edgar Godbold is teaching Homochitto School with an enrollment of thirty pupils, and a new schoolhouse. The patrons of Magnolia school, feeling the great need of a high school in our county, met at their school room on the 11th, inst. And passed resolutions to enlarge their school and subscribed an amount sufficient to build and pay their teacher’s salary for a nine month term. This seems to be the right step in the right direction. Miss Ida Blue teaches a Ramahline. Oak Grove School has as its principal Miss Lillie Pate. Union School, taught by Miss Eunice Carraway, is now completing the last two months of an eight month term, four months private and four months public. Jennie W. Carney teaches at Rosedale; Mary Hunt, assistant. ******************************** From the Franklin Advocate – July 11, 1901 Union School is being taught by Luther Whittington. Whiteapple is taught by Professor John Brueck. Knoxville is taught by Miss Lillian Weathersby with Nellie Jones as assistant. Coldwater is taught by E. B. Byrd. McMillian School is taught by Miss Anna Jackson. ******************************* Mount Carmel School Mount Carmel was located between Hamburg and Oldenburg, where Mount Carmel Cemetery now is. It was a rough one room structure and rudely equipped with barely enough furnishings to accommodate the pupils. Mr. Monroe Bedford was among the first teachers of this school and Mrs. Neva Herring of Hamburg received part of her education there. The usual course of study was taught, the school having begun before the use of graded school books. This school remained there until its consolidation with Central School several years ago. It meant much to the enlightenment and development of the community and many pupils have received a good foundation there. ******************************* Independence School Independence was one of the old schools of the county and was located near where Central School now is. It was a one room building and did the usual type of work done in these schools. Sue Guice was one of the teachers and probably taught there longer than any other teacher. She was an excellent instructor and her work meant much to the advancement of the community. The school was consolidated with Central several years ago. REF: Mrs. Neva Herring, Roxie, MS ******************************* Berry School The first school building at Berry School was a log house very small and rudely built and equipped. One of the first teachers was Miss Millenia Whittington. After a few years this building was replaced by a frame building larger and better equipped. It is situated on the Meadville Summit road about five miles from Meadville. The higher grades of this school were consolidated with Meadville, but a school is still maintained for the lower grades. Some students who attended this school are Tom Mullins and Mrs. Ludie Cole of Meadville. This school at first went from the primer through the eighth grade and then after a few years carried the work to the higher grades. It has meant a great deal toward the advancement of the community in every way. REF: Tom Mullins, Meadville, MS Mrs. Ludie Cole, Meadville, MS ******************************* Rosedale School Rosedale was located about three miles east of Roxie near the home of J. M. Seab. It was a small one room structure of pine lumber. One of the first teachers was William Garrison, who taught there for several years. J. M. Seab and his brothers and sisters received their early education here. The school was later moved to another location in the same community. C. H. Seab and Mrs. J. A. Neal of Roxie attended the school at the new location. Many children of this community were given an opportunity for education that they would never have had otherwise. All of the children were given a foundation for higher learning. It was consolidated with Roxie School several years ago. The building was torn down last year and moved away. ******************************* Antioch Antioch was one of the old one teacher schools of the county and was located about halfway between Hamburg and Meadville. The building still stands and is directly in front of the home of Dock Prather, Sr. It is a one room frame building covered with pine shingles. One of the first teachers was Mrs. Julia Havers. V. H. Torrey received part of his education here. The work was the usual routine of the one teacher school. It meant a great deal to the life of the community, giving the children the advantage of a common school education, which they had not theretofore had, and also causing the parents to take an interest in the educational development of the community. Several years ago this school was consolidated with Central. The building is used as a voting precinct to hold elections. ******************************* Roxie School The first school at Roxie was located directly in front of Scott Worley’s present home. Before the beginning of this school, private schools had been taught and were available only to those children whose parents were able to pay for a teacher. The building first used was a vacant store building, which was used until the schoolhouse could be built. The schoolhouse was built near the old store that was first used. It was a one room building large enough to accommodate the children. Among the first teachers of Roxie were Mr. Letterman, Mrs. Higdon and Mrs. Lula Wright. Some of the present citizens of Roxie who received their education there are D. C. Wilkinson, Miss Nannie Wilkinson and R. D. Bolin. In 1891 it was made a high school and was chartered the following year. It is now a large consolidated school. ****************************** Hamburg School For several years after its beginning, Hamburg was a one teacher school. It was located on top of a hill in the southern edge of town. It was organized by the citizens of Hamburg who felt that they had a sufficient number of children to maintain a school. The first building was the usual one room frame house and Miss Fannie Longmire was one of the first teachers. As long as it remained a one teacher school the work went only to the eighth grade. In 1891 the building was enlarged and it was made into a high school under the supervision of Alex Yates. It was finally consolidated with Central School near Hamburg. The building is now being used as a dwelling house. This school meant a great deal to the Hamburg Community. The instructions were thorough and efficient and their work did much to further the progress of the community. Students having completed this work here were well prepared to enter a higher institution. ****************************** Guice School The Guice School was located on the Moss Point road about six miles from Hamburg near the present home of Lee Guice. It was a community school founded because of the number of children living there who needed an education. Some of the teachers of this school were Ollie O’Quinn, Eunice Lee, Dolly Aldridge, Lucy Corban and Ollie Bedford. The children of Mrs. John D. French and the Guice family were among the students who attended this school. It was the usual type of one teacher school, being a o small one room building. It was discontinued years ago when some of the families moved away. It was a great advantage to the children of the community who were too far from another school to attend. REF: Mrs. John D. French, Hamburg, MS ****************************** Amsterdam School On the old Bedford road about two miles from the Oldenburg-Meadville road is the site of the old Amsterdam School. It was a community school and was established because the distance to another school was too great and there was no means of transportation. The building consisted of one room in which was the necessary equipment for carrying on the work. It was begin before the graded school system came into use and continued until a few years ago we=hen it was consolidated with Central School. One of the first teachers of the school was Monroe Bedford; V. H. Torrey and Miss Edna Sullivan taught there later. Mrs. W. T. Hickingbotham and Mrs. Lula McKinney attended this school. The life of the community was improved through the work of this school. REF: Mrs. Neva Herring, Roxie, MS Mrs. W. T. Hickingbotham ****************************** Old Whiteapple School Several miles from Whiteapple near the W. F. Middleton place was an old one teacher school known as the old Whiteapple School. It is a different school from the Whiteapple Separate School District. It was the usual type of one room schoolhouse, rather barely equipped. The work ran from primer through the eighth grade and the usual subjects were taught. Miss Gruda Hickingbotham was one of the teachers. Monroe Herring of Hamburg was one of her pupils. The school was a great benefit to the educational life of the community. Several years ago it was consolidated with Roxie School. REF: Mrs. Neva Herring, Roxie, MS ****************************** Pine Ridge School Pine Ridge was several miles from Meadville on the old McDaniel place. It was a small one room schoolhouse with primitive equipment. Among the first teachers of the school were Mr. Tom Tucker and Miss Lou Cameron. W. W. Scott attended this school. The school was moved to several different spots in the same community and was finally consolidated with Meadville. REF: W. W. Scott, Meadville, MS ****************************** From the Franklin Advocate – August 30, 1900; September 20, 1900 Educational Column – Mrs. Belle Byrd Editor; Misses Nora Seab and Bama Noble, associate editors. The teachers Association met on Saturday the 15th inst. and a temporary organization made permanent by electing Miss Neva Newman, president; Miss Nora Seab, vice-president; Miss Ethel Roach, Secretary; and Supt. W. M. Dunn, Treasurer. Professor Edgar Godbold taught at Berry as principal and Mattie McGehee was his assistant. Miss Emma Cameron finished the unexpired term of the Cold Springs School and Mr. R. E. Bennett that of the Homochitto School. Miss Mamie Herring taught at New Hope. Middleton’s Creek, a new school, was taught the first semester by Miss Olive Sullivan. Woodlawn was taught by Mr. J. I. Brueck. Mt Olive was taught by Miss Ella Price. Knoxville was taught by A. O. Dunn, principal, and T. H. Shell assistant. McMillian School was taught by Miss Lena Wheatstone. ****************************** Little Springs School The Little Springs Male and Female High School was located at Little Springs, Mississippi, a country village situated in a prosperous farming community, eighteen miles west of Summit. A daily mail and the Cumberland Telephone system gave the community connection with the world at large, without the many disadvantages with which a school in a large town or city has to contend. This institution was chartered in the summer of 1901, being the first chartered school in Franklin County. W. H. Weathersby, A. M., a graduate of Mississippi College and formerly principal of Tylertown Normal Institute, was elected principal. Under his efficient management the institution grew. A large dormitory capable of accommodating thirty boarders was erected. Pupils entered from various parts of this and adjoining counties, from Amite, Lincoln and Pike. The course of study was designed to prepare for college, as well as to give to those who were unable to go to college a better preparation for life than they could obtain in the common schools. As education means the symmetrical development of body, mind and soul, so it was the aim not simply to impart a knowledge of the textbooks, but also to inspire to nobler living by holding up to view higher ideals and pointing to the achievements of those who have blessed humanity by their living. Little Springs Faculty – Session, 1907-1908: Peyton Jacobs, A. B., Mississippi College, 1905; Miss Ada Jackson, M.E.L., Teacher Intermediate Department, M. E. L., McComb City Female College, 1904 Miss Carrie Allen, M. E. L., Graduate in Expression, graduation Art, Port Gibson Female College, 1903 Miss Emma Toler, Director Music Department, graduate in Music, Hillman College, 1906. Mr. & Mrs. Perry R. Jones, managers Boarding Department Board of Control Dr. D. P. Butler, president; W. H. Cain, secretary, Hon. J. Hiram McGehee, treasurer; T. M. Pickett, W. J. Hester, B. E. Bowlin, G. A. Godbold, C. P. McMorris, M.C. McGehee, T. A. Lard, A. N. Westbrook and J. Bryant McGehee. Diplomas and Medals offered at Little Springs School To those who complete the work in the High School Department to the satisfaction of the faculty, a diploma will be granted. Our course is higher and fuller than some schools that confer degrees. This power, however, should be confined to colleges and universities, and we prefer to give only a high school diploma. The graduation fee is $2.50. To encourage pupils of the school in their work, the following medals have been established: Dr. D. P. Butler has established a gold medal to be given the winner in the oratorical contest, which will be held during each commencement. This contest is open to all boys of the High School Department who take elocution. Mr. M. T. Gracey of Summit, Mississippi, has established a permanent gold medal for scholarship. This medal is to be contested for by the High School, and is awarded each commencement to the student who makes the highest average grade for the season. A medal for scholarship is offered to the Intermediate Department also. The conditions are the same as for the Gracey Medal. An elocution medal is given to the winner of the elocution contest held during the commencement. This medal is open only to girls of the elocution class. A medal in music is given for the highest excellence in that art. The terms of the award will be announced by the music teacher at the beginning of the session. Mr. R. W. Evans, the popular young jeweler of Summit, Mississippi, offers a gold medal in penmanship. This contest is open to all students who have penmanship as one of their studies. 1906-1907 Awards Butler Medal for Oratory Charles Reynolds Gracey Medal for Scholarship Homer Jones Intermediate Medal for Scholarship Troy McGehee Music Medal Laura Seab Elocution Medal Fannie McGehee Primary Elocution Medal Frank Reagan Evans Medal for Penmanship George Willis Graduates of Little Springs High School 1901-1902 None 1902-1903 Eunice Vivian Lee Abner, MS 1903-1904 Julius J. Cruise Little Springs, MS William Hugh Godbold Little Springs, MS James Carey Jones Little Springs, MS Philip Eugene McGehee Little Springs, MS 1904-1905 Elizabeth Gertrude Butler Smithdale, MS Zetta Cotton Little Springs, MS Eunice Jane Jones Little Springs, MS Laura Pearl Jones Little Springs, MS Henry Quitman Jones Esias, MS Emma Eugenia McGehee Little Springs, MS Elijah Harvey McGehee Little Springs, MS Frank Lafayette Walker Smithdale, MS Carey E. Young Trent, MS Thomas John Young Suffolk, MS 1905-1906 Lois Cain Little Springs, MS Hollis Cruise Little Springs, MS Clyde Godbold Little Springs, MS 1906-1907 Henry Grady Butler Smithdale, MS Lola Edna Cain Little Springs, MS Ella Lea Jones Little Springs, MS Frederic Homer Jones Little Springs, MS Fannie Lenora McGehee Little Springs, MS Pat Henry McGehee Leaton, MS Laura Virginia Seab Oldenburg, MS 1907-1908 Tom McGehee Little Springs, MS 1908-1909 Edythe McGehee Little Springs, MS Enrollment of Students, 1906-1907 Literary Department Aaron, Thomas Bowlin, Halie Bowlin, Hollis Bowlin, Azalle Bowlin, Lillie Bowlin, Horney Bowlin, Georgia Bowlin, Minnie Lee Bowlin, Polie Bowlin, Lee Bowlin, Pearlie Butler, Grady Butler, Stewart Cain, Lola Cain, Edna Cain, Charlie Caraway, Carey Cain, Roy Caraway, Lillie Caraway, Grisholm Dunn, Lem Dunn, Pearl Dunn, Maggie Dunn, Tom Everett, Cage Fleming, Enoch Fowler, Alva Freeman, Grady Freeman, Claude Fowler, Elmer Freeman, Joshua Freeman, Ray Freeman, Lillie Godbold, Carrie Godbold, Ivy Hester, Annie Hester, Ida Hogans, Arie Hester, Flowers Hester, Otis Hogans, Eula Hogans, Donnis Hogans, Hollis Hurst, Idelle Hogans, Johnnie Hogans, Howard Jones, August Jones, Cammie Jones, Ann Eliza Jones, Claudia Mae Jones, Corinne Jones, Forrest Jones, Earnest E. Jones, Ella Lea Jones, Jarvis Jones, Ellis Jones, Fletcher Jones, Jesse Jones, Ernest M. Jones, Homer Jones, Lee Jones, Mary Jones, Perry Jones, Oliver Jones, Ray Lard, Annie Lou Lard, Ada Lard, Ras Lard, Curtis Lard, Robert May, Jessie May, Horace May, Bessie McGehee, Tom McGehee, Genia McGehee, Pat McGehee, Dewey McGehee, May McGehee, Annie McGehee, Oscar McGehee, Fannie McGehee, Edith McGehee, Troy McGehee, Ruth McGehee, Cain McGehee, Gladys McGehee, Belle McGehee, Retha McGehee, Weathersby McGehee, Hugh Jackson McGehee, Ella McGehee, Herbert McGehee, Everett McGehee, Bessie McGehee, Kate McGehee, Bryant McGehee, Arie McGehee, Rus McGehee, Lewis McGehee, Anabel McGehee, Emmett McGehee, Hubert McGehee, Ora Lee McGehee, Vera McMorris, Watson McMorris, Agnes McMorris, Frank McMorris, Rubie McMorris, Winnie Moore, Willie Murray, Velma Murray, Fannie Murray, Lois Oglesby, Emma Pickett, Bonnie Pickett, Tempie Pickett, Bennett Pickett, Linton Prather, Irma Prather, Quitman Reeves, Minnie Reynolds, Charles Reynolds, Ernest Reeves, Bessie Seab, Laura Terry, Calvin Walker, John Walker, Julia Walker, Jim Westbrook, Albert Westbrook, Mannie Westbrook, Howard Westbrook, Thad Westbrook, Ellis Whittington, May Whittington, Frank Whittington, Florence Whittington, Bernice Whittington, Tom Willis, George Music Department - Piano Cain, Lola Godbold, Carrie Cain, Edna Jones, Claudia May Jones, Ella Lea Lard, Ada McGehee, Genia McGehee, Annie Bell McMorris, Ruby McMorris, Agnes McMorris, Winnie Prather, Irma Seab, Laura Reeves, Minnie Music Department – Voice Allen, Carrie Cain, Lola Cain, Edna Jones, Ella Lea Jones, Jarvis Jones, Claudia Mae McGehee, Genia Willis, George Seab, Laura Elocution Department Private Class Aaron, Thomas Butler, Grady Cain, Charles Everett, Cage Butler, Jessie Cain, Edna Fleming, Enoch Hester, Annie Jones, Homer Jones, Ray Lard, Curtis McGehee, Herbert McGehee, Pat McGehee, Fannie McGehee, Tom McMorris, Watson Reagan, Frank Reynolds, Charles Willis, George Elocution Department Primary Class Butler, Stewart Godbold, Carrie Hester, Flowers Hurst, Idelle Jones, Corinne McGehee, Ella McGehee, Emmett McGehee, Gladys Pickett, Bonnie Godbold, Ivy Hester, Ida McGehee, Belle McGehee, Kate McGehee, Vera Pickett, Tempie Art Department May, Horace McGehee, Troy REF: Little Springs High School Catalog, 1906-1907 Charter of Little Springs High School, 1901 The Charter of Incorporation of the Little Springs Male and Female High School, located at Little Springs, Franklin County, Mississippi. Section I. Be it known that J. H. McGehee, P. E. McGehee, Dr. D. P. Butler, G.A. Godbold, T. M. Pickett, W. F. Jones, F. E. McGehee, Nat May, T. A. Lavel, W. A. Everett, their associates and successors and assignees be and they are hereby created a body politic and corporate under the name and style of the Little Springs Male and Female High School and by that name may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, may have a common seal, shall have the power to hold by purchase, grant, gift or lease, any property, real, personal or otherwise not exceeding the limit prescribed by law, and to dispose of the same at pleasure, shall have power to prescribe terms of admission to college classes, to confer degrees, grant certificates of proficiency and award diplomas, to provide for the sale of scholarship to establish a graded school to do and perform all other acts for the encouragement of higher education and necessary to the being and prosperity of said school and not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi, and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, franchises, and powers and privileges invested by law in any other educational institution of this state which may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this charter. Section II. The Domicile of this corporation shall be at Little Springs, County of Franklin, State of Mississippi, and this charter shall continue in force and the corporation shall have a succession for a period of fifty years. ****************************** From the Franklin Advocate – January 14, 1915 Franklin County School Children Number 5832 Franklin County has 5832 children between the ages of six and twenty years and 3429 or 58% of them attend school. The date contained in the report relates to the year 1910 and has only recently been made public. The distribution by age groups and the number attending school is as follows: Age Total Number Number Attending School 6 to 9 1863 1259 10 to 14 2100 2512 15 to 17 1030 510 18 to 20 829 148 (Transcriber’s note: I am aware none of these figures add up but this is an actual transcription of the original WPA document. AAG ) ****************************** From the Franklin Advocate – November 2, 1922 On Monday, October, 16, 1922, Independence Consolidated School began for the first time, with two hundred eighteen boys and girls, six teachers and several; patrons present. The members of the Faculty are, E. E. Jones, principal, H. H. Porter, Misses Ruby Terry, Ella Day, Inez Adams and Annie Jones, assistants. Our school began late on account of extra time needed to complete the five thousand dollar building. The people of the Independent School District have labored faithfully and succeeded in consolidating the following schools: Cain, Coward, Union, Grange Hall and Oak Grove. We have one of the best and most up-to-date school buildings in Franklin County and the outlook for a successful term is great. The people of this community are very energetic and anxious to see the school a success, this proves that the people are beginning to realize the necessity of consolidation and they deserve all kinds of praise for what they have done here. ****************************** From the Franklin Advocate – September 30, 1926 Franklin County Teachers The public schools at Franklin County will open Monday morning for the session of 1926-27. Through the courtesy of County Superintendent E. E. Jones, we secured the names of every teacher in the county and the school in which they will teach as follows:   BAD BAYOU--Florence Moak, Mabel Laird. Smithdale. Route 3. BERRY--Prof. B. Y. Alford, Bonnie Mae Jones. Meadvl11e. Route 3. BEECH GROVE--Pearline Prather, Roxie, Route ?. BUDE—Prof. Moore, Misses Bland, Dale, Ruth Jones, Gladys McGehee Dola Neal, Ethel Allen, Myrtis Allen, Thelma Conerly, Bude. CENTRAL--J. W. Hollingsworth, Sadie Martin, Ludie Lambuth, Lula Evans, Mattie Evans, Bernice Day, Mrs. J. W. Hollings­worth, Roxie. CAMPBELL--Miss Marie Hill. Roxie. COMPROMISE--Mrs. M. E. Saxon, Meadville, Route ?. DRY BRANCH--Ethel Terry, Smithdale, Route 3. DAMASCUS--E. N. Godbold, Mrs. E. N. Godbold, McCall, Miss. DRY FORK--Thyra Cloy, Meadville. EDDICETON--H. B. Perritte, Lola Lea Prichard, Lessie Sullivan, Rita Hughes, Eddiceton. FLAT ROCK--Asilea Lewis, Roxie, Miss. HAMBURG--Lida Herring, Hamburg. HOMOCHITTO--Mrs. Blanche Gammill, Meadville, Route 3. HOMOCHITTO CAMP--Nina Brown, Zelda Mae Brown, Maggie Mae Peavy, Francis Youngblood. INDEPENDENCE—Stanley L. Moak, R. C. Walker, Ruth McGehee, Ruby Tynes, Ruby Huff, McCall, Route 1. KING'S CREEK--Mary Smylie, O'Neill. KIRBY--Vivian Carlisle, Roxie. KNOXVILLE--Mrs. Etta Bass, Knoxville. LAMAR--Kat1e Vollum, Mrs. Annie Knight, Meadville, Route 3. LITTLE SPRINGS--Mrs. W. M. Daniel. Mildred Paxton, Little Springs. MEADVILLE--J. W. Lewis, Mrs. J. W. Lewis. Maude Middleton. MIDDLETON'S CREEK--Leota Lehmann, Meadville. MT. PLEASANT--Lela Smith, Meadville. Route 1. MT. OLIVE--Mrs. D. F. Guice, O’Neil. McCALLS—E. I. Farr, Edna Mae Byrd, Stella Cain, Dampier Godbold, Mrs. Etta Magee, McCall, Miss. NEW HOPE--Mrs. J. L. Coleman, Mildred Coleman, Meadville, Route 1. OAK GROVE—C. E. Mathews, Meadville, Route 1. LUCIEN--Cecil Linton, Myria May, Ethel Lambright, Mamie Buie, Maude May, Lucien, Miss. PROVIDENCE-Minnie Temple, Roxie, Route ?. PINE RIDGE--Bessie Herring, McCall Creek. PINE RIDGE SPECIAL--Katherine Gilbert, Meadville, Route ?. PROSPECT—Ruby Temple, Meadville, Route 4. QUENTIN--Prof. Bethea, Mrs. Bethea, Aileen Barlow, Quentin ROXIE-Clara whitehead, Ruth Seab, Emma McMillan, Roxie. SILOAM--Lavinna Lewis, Mrs. J. A. Pittman, Meadville, Route 3. SMITHDALE--Mrs. Rovella Saxon, Meadyille. SAND HILL—Maude Lofton, Eddiceton. SMITH SCHOOL--Lola Hutto, Meadville. WOODLAND--Gladys Cobb, Meadville. Route 3. WHITEAPPLE--Mrs. Knight, Nettie Porter, Roxie. Route ?. *******************************