Jones County Texas Archives - Plainview School - 1927 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 19 January 2020 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford American Thursday, June 30, 1927 Plainview has good rural school Plainview School District (Jones county) has $1,200.00 outstanding bonded indebtedness. Its valuation $143,404.70; local tax rate is 70c, the bond tax 15c on the $100,000 valuation of taxable property. Its area is 16 square miles. The building is located 11 miles northwest of Anson. In 1883 G.H. Brocket settled one and a half miles northwest of where Plainview now stands, this was the first house built in the present Plainview district. The lumber for this house was hauled from Abilene. Two years later James Johnson and R.S. Harris took up claims one mile north of the Brocket Ranch. The lumber for these homes was also brought from Abilene as well as all the supplies these early settlers had. During the next few years several other families moved to this neighborhood and most of them stayed in spite of the hardships of pioneer life and the drouth. In the spring of 1886, the farmers planted their crops, but there was not enough moisture to bring them up until the following spring. In spite of the hardships the people began to want schools and churches. In 1887 the first school in the district and probably the first rural school in Jones County was built just across the road from where Fairview Church now stands. It was called Fairview School. Part of the money to finance this school was secured by G.H. Brocket form his old home in New Haven, Conn. It was a rude one-room building built from lumber from Abilene. Part of its less than a dozen pupils went eight miles to school. The first two teachers were Miss Edith Ward and Miss Johnnie Colbert. In about two years later the Methodist people, under the leadership of Rev. Raymond, built a church where the present Fairview church now stands. This church was named Fairview by the popular vote of the people. It had seven charter members but was attended by all denominations for many years. A lot was bought for a cemetery and many of the pioneers of Jones County are buried there. It has been the custom of the people since about 1900 to meet on the first Saturday in May, clean the cemetery and decorate the graves. This is a much looked forward to event, for all the old settlers for miles around. In 1902 after the Fairview school had been moved to Tuxedo a new building was built one mile south of where the present building now stands. It was named Plainview by the people of the neighborhood at this time, this house was 20 x 30 feet and the seats were homemade. It was all built by donated labor and building, and equipment cost about $300.00. The first teacher was Miss Eunice Reed; there were about 18 pupils the first year and the tax rate was 35c. In 1905 Plainview School was organized from a north part of Hanna District and a south part of Tuxedo District. In 1906 the house was moved to where it now stands, another room was added and the first patented desked used in1908, at this time there were about 20 pupils and two teachers. The first trustees were Mose Jones, Sr. and Daye and Lem Treadwell. In 1907 bonds were voted and the present school house was built. The tax was then 50c, the building cost $2,100.00 and the equipment $1,000.00. The tax was then raised to 85c, where it is at present; a school term was then five months long. McQuary, Wash Jones and G.W. Weathers. More equipment has been added during the last few years. This year there are 85 pupils in regular attendance, all subjects through the first nine grades are taught by Principal Miss Willie Steel and Miss Dawn Johnson, assistant and domestic science teacher. The trustees are Wash Jones and John Jenkins. The school is growing rapidly. this year more desks were bought to take care of the increase. Much enthusiasm is shown in the school work and in athletics. The farmers are very prosperous in this part of the county, most of them own their homes, several modern bungalows have been built during the last year, among these are the homes of T.J. Treadwell and one on the land worked by M.R. Shanan. The soil is rich, and much cotton and grain is grown. John Jenkins, G.A. Hester and M.G. Stamford each have an acre of land that produced a bale of cotton during 1926. Although it is a fine cotton country the farmers are learning to make a living by raising their own food and food for the market. E.C. Hewitt has 24 hives of bees that bring him a good income each year. Mrs. Potts and son, Olen, also get a good income from their bees. J.J. Donaghey and G.A. Hester which have a fine flock of Rhode Island Red chickens. John Jenkins has 200 White Leghorns, L.V. Goodwin has a flock of Cornish game, E.H. Hewett has Light Brahmas. Although most of the farmers own good Jersey milk cows, more of them own registered cattle. E.C. Hewett raises hogs for the market.