Faulk County, SD History .....Chapter XVI Educational 1909
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CHAPTER XVI.

EDUCATIONAL.



    It was not long that the sod shanty stood alone; for these early,

persevering pioneers were of that class who had enjoyed and highly prized

educational advantages. The sod school house came as an accompaniment to the

humble homes that in a day sprang up over the broad prairies, so lately the home

of wild beasts and wilder Indians, who roamed undisturbed over these beautiful

prairies. The education of their children was among the first duties of parental

life, and with food and clothing stood in equal rank, all absolutely necessary.



    There were sources of worry connected with, and a part of, school life. The

going to and coming from school along a dim and almost unmarked trail, the

occasional predatory bands of Indians passing in close proximity, and the storm

and blizzard, that left desolation and death in their train, were all to be

contended with, and added much to the burden of life that bore so heavy upon

these sturdy pioneers. Yet, in spite of all these, the good work went on. The

school was so highly prized and its importance so fully realized, that it kept

equal pace with the best efforts of pioneer life. Even those who had enjoyed few

educational advantages, became interested and were anxious for their children to

improve every opportunity to learn. The sod school house was soon succeeded by

good, substantial frame buildings, and as early as 1886, became landmarks even

in remote parts of the county, by which the location of various pioneer settlers

were described.



    Townships were organized for school purposes, taxes levied and good,

comfortable school houses erected wherever required. From the first, Faulkton

was prominent and active in the interest of education. Among the early teachers

were, Mrs. McCoy, Mrs. Bissell, Mrs. Putney, Mr. Pangburn, Mrs. G. S. Staples

and Mr. Coste. Rev. Mr. Curtis, Mr. George A. Morse, C. C. Moulton, J. H.

Bottum, C. C. Norton, Mr. Bissell and Mr. Bryden were active supporters in all

that advanced the interests of the common schools. It was not until 1900, that

the present school building, suitable to accommodate all the schools in Faulkton

was erected.



    In 1901 the High School was organized with Prof. J. F. Armstrong, principal,

and Rev. Mr. Curtis, Mrs. Frieze, Lula Pickler and Miss Coman, teachers.



    In 1908 the Faulkton High School is the equal of any high school in the

state, its graduates passing a creditable examination for taking a collegiate

course, and of as high intellectual, social and moral standard as those with

whom they associate.



    The present board of education is C. C. Norton, clerk; J. H. Wallace,

treasurer, and the following board of directors; F. M. Byrne, J. H. Bottum, C.

C. Norton, P. H. O'Neil and Frank Turner. Prof. H. B. Callin, superintendent,

with a most excellent corps of assistants, are advancing the high standard of

excellence the school has already attained.



    The county superintendent of schools, Mrs. I. M. Alden, makes the following

report as to the schools in the county for 1907:



    "There are one thousand six hundred and thirty-one pupils enrolled in the

county and there are eighty-two school houses, valued at $56,000. There were

seventy-eight teachers employed, to whom $21,694 were paid for monthly wages.

Each district contains a school library. The total expenditures for district

schools for the year A. D., 1907, was $53,976.82."



Additional Comments:
From:



HISTORY OF

FAULK COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

CAPTAIN C. H. ELLIS



TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS



ILLUSTRATED

19O9





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