Braxton County, West Virginia - Braxton County Public Schools

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The records for this work have been submitted by Valerie F. Crook,
E-mail address:  <vfcrook@trellis.net>, May, 1999.
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History of Education in West Virginia
Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools
1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904
pgs. 195-196

Braxton County

BY E. B. DUFFIELD, SUPERINTENDENT

There seems to be no available data of the early educational work in
Braxton county. About all the information obtainable, is the recollections
of the oldest living citizens, which is very indefinite.

The county was formed in 1836. The first schools were what was known
as "Subscription Schools." The school term was short, usually eight to ten
weeks.

Instruction was given in spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic. The
first pupil at school in the morning was the first to recite. Often there
were as many classes as pupils.

The New Testament was often used as one of the reading books, and it
is probable that our present efficient system of schools is due, in a measure,
to having been built on this good foundation. The early teacher had no
special fitness or training for his work. (There were then no lady teach-
ers.) All the qualifications required were to be a "master," and to be able
to "read, write and cipher."

In government, the moral nature of the child was never appealed to;

the teacher relying alone on a stern visage, harsh voice and strong arm to
preserve order.

The school houses were built of round logs, with puncheon floor. The
seats were made of slabs or puncheon.

The fireplace often occupied more than half of one end of the house.
The fuel (wood) was procured from the surrounding forest by the larger
boys.

These schools were few in number, and many children had to go
several miles to reach them, or be without a school.

These schools were replaced by the State system of free schools, which
have been gradually growing better each year, so that now the schools of
Braxton county will probably average with the schools of the State in effi-
ciency.

The old log houses are replaced by good frame ones, fairly well sup-
plied with furniture and apparatus.

Instead of the old time teacher, we have teachers that realize that they
are dealing with human souls, and so are trying to bring about a symmet-
rical development of the physical, mental and moral nature of the child.
There were in 1902, 156 schools in Braxton county, with 6602 children
of school age. The length of school term is five months, except in the 
Sutton independent district, which has seven months. All the country dis-
tricts pay teachers the minimum salary, ($18.00, $25.00, $30.00) except
Salt Lick, which pays second grade, $28.00, and first grade, $35.00. In
1902 there were 4938 pupils enrolled, with an average daily attendance of
3194.

The cost of education per capita per term 1901, based on enumeration
was $4.01; based on enrollment, $5.53; based on average daily attendance,
$8.35.

There seems at this time to be an educational awakening in Braxton
county. Patrons are more interested than ever before, and are desirous of
paying teachers better salaries. Teachers realize that if they continue the
work they must fit themselves better for it.

Schools are showing great interest in library work this year, as well as
in the work in general. So there seems at this time to be a spirit of im-
provement along all lines of school work in this county.