Information on County Schools - Summers Co. WV BY GEO. W. LILLY, SUPERINATENDENT Summers county lies in the Southern part of West Virginia, in Longi- tude 81° West and Latitude 37° North. It was established by an act of the West Virginia legislature in February, 1871, and organized in the fol- lowing March. It was formed from territory then belonging to the coun- ties of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe. The close of the war found the territory now embraced in the county, practically without both schools and churches and it was not until about the year 1868 that any Interest was manifested in either schools or churches. That portion of the county taken from Fayette had not a single school. >From Greenbrier county's territory we received, as nearly as I can learn, not more than four schools; from Mercer county six, and from Monroe county six, making a total of sixteen in the county at its formation; and immediately after the adoption of the Constitution of 1872, which pre- scribed that the legislature should provide for a "thorough and efficient system of Free Schools," our people awoke from their lethargy and made rapid strides until our system today is as good as can possibly be made under the existing circumstances. The primitive school buildings (a few of which are still standing) were very rude structures, being built by the public spirited citizens with- out cost to the county or district. These houses were only sixteen feet square, without any chimney (one end of the house being left uncovered for the space of five feet to afford a passage for the smoke), the whole end being used as a place in which to build fires. The furniture consisted of small logs split into halves and "pegs" used as legs. These houses were all "cabined" off, covered with boards held down by "weight poles," and only a very few floored with "puncheons," the others having the "bare earth" tor floors. Windows were unknown, and a rough board was used as a "writing desk." The teachers were scarce, none trained in colleges, nor- mals, or high schools, and teachers that were proficient in the three R's, Reading, "Riting" and "Rithmetic," were in constant demand at salaries ranging from fourteen to twenty dollars per month and when such teach- ers could be secured they were considered quite a luxury. During the ten years extending from 1890 to 1900, there was the great- est possible activity among the friends of education. Boards of Education throughout the county were then discarding the old log buildings and erecting new frame cottages, supplying them with ample light, black- boards and the best of modern school furniture, and many of them, apparatus. In 1890, the schools of Summers county had increased from 16 at its organization to 120 primary schools, two graded and one High School. But at no time in the history of Summers county has the zeal for edu- cation been greater than at the present. January 1, 1904, all the old school buildings are being replaced by modern ones with ample room, light and modern furniture, cloak room and everything for the convenience and health of both teacher and pupils. These new buildings are 24x36 feet, 14 feet from floor to ceiling, well equipped and cost ready furnished $850.00 each. Such has been the zeal of Summers county's citizenship, that every obstacle has been gallantly met and overcome, and school property is guarded as a treasure, the value of which cannot be computed. Summers county, at its organization, could not boast property worth one cent and now at the opening of 1904, she has to her credit property worth $125,000. Summers county now has 140 schools in which are employed 175 well equipped teachers, at an average salary of $31.00 per month, has enrolled 4,800 pupils from a total enumeration of 6,500, and has an average daily attendance of 3,850 at an annual cost per capita of $8.80, based on at- tendance, $6.20 based on enrollment and $3.50 based on the enumeration. At its organization and tor several years thereafter, Summers county had only one lady teacher, Miss Mollie Jordan, daughter of Gordon L. Jordan, Summers county's first representative in the West Virginia legis- lature. But the gentle zephyrs which pass through its beautiful valleys and waft the sweet-scented smell of delicious fruits and ever blossoming flowers and the glad song of ever singing birds up the mountain sides towering from 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the sea have awakened in the bosom of the Summers county maidens an enthusiasm for education which will not abate, and is the wonder and admiration of our stalwart sons, who have been giving place to the ladies, until now 75 per cent. of our noble and true-hearted teachers are ladies. The upbuilding of the present system in the county has been mater- ially aided by her efficient county superintendents, viz: John Pack, the formation of the county to 1873. C. L. Elllson, Forest Hill district, 1873 to 1877, 2 terms. D. G. Lilly, Jumping Branch district, 1877 to 1881, 2 terms. Jas. H. Miller, Green Sulphur district, 1881 to 1883, 1 term. H. F. Kesler, Talcott district, 1883 to 1885, 1 term. C. A. Clark, Pipestem district, 1885 to 1887, 1 term. V. V. Austin, Pipestem district, 1887 to 1889, 1 term. J. F. Lilly, Jumping Branch district, 1889 to 1891, 1 term. Geo. W. Lilly, Jumping Branch district, 1891 to 1893, 1 term. J. M. Parker, Jumping Branch district, 1893 to 1895, 1 term. Geo. W. Leftwich, Forest Hill district, 1895 to 1899, 1 term. H. F. Kesler, Talcott district, 1899 to 1903, 1 term. Geo. W. Lilly, Jumping Branch district, 1903. In 1887 our people determined that their children should have better educational facilities, and tiring of sending them away to other schools, they filed a petition with the School Board, then consisting of J. C. James, President; S. W. Willey and James Briers, Commissioners, and J. M. Car- den Secretary. The High School was established with three teachers, viz: J. H. Jordan, principal; V. V. Austin and Miss Mary Ewart as teachers. I may say here that the grounds cover eight full size city build- ing lots, four of which were donated to the Board of Education by the Central Land Co. of West Virginia, and the remaining four were pur- chased. These grounds alone are now worth about $30,000. The first building was a brick structure containing four rooms, but soon after the Board found it necessary to add two rooms, which with this addition was sufficient to accommodate the pupils until 1895, and in which year it was determined to build a more spacious building and equip it with all modern appliances for the continually growing enrollment. The building was supposed to cost about $20,000, and the Board was forced to borrow $12,000, and with this amount the Board could raise a sufficient fund to build the house. Accordingly an election was ordered to be held December 31, 1895, which resulted in a majority of 301 to 16 in its favor. Work was immediately commenced on the structure and the fall of 1896 marks its completion in time for the opening of the school. New branches have been added from time to time and additional teachers employed until now the opening of 1904 finds it second to no school in Southern West Vir- ginia. J. T. Hoffman, President; S. W. Willey and James Sims, Commis- sioners, and J. B. Lavender, Secretary, comprised the Board of Education under which the new building was erected. The present Board, Wm. H. Sawyers, President; R. E. Noel and J. D. Roles, Commissioners, and W. E. Price, Secretary, have been untiring in their efforts to make this the best school in the State. Especial care has been taken to make the sanitary condition good; much new furniture and apparatus have been recently added, until now the building with its grounds and appointments is valued at $75,000. The enrollment is now 600 with an average daily attendance of 497. The school consists of the primary grade and the High School department. After graduating from the High School a pupil is prepared to enter the West Virginia University. This school is now in charge of Prof. H. F. Fleshman, superintendent of the city schools, with a corps of fourteen well equipped teachers — a majority of whom are graduates from well known colleges or seminaries. Prof. Fleshman is a ripe scholar, a very genial gentleman and has had 16 years experience as a teacher, and has shown his qualifications for this important position which he has held for four years, during which time this school has become one of the leading schools in the State. GRADED SCHOOLS have been established as follows: In the town of Avis in 1891, with two teachers which has since been enlarged until now there are four well equipped teachers. J. M. Parker, a teacher of recognized ability and many years experience, is the principal. This school has eight grades and pupils upon graduation are admitted into the High School. AT TALCOTT with Miss Belle Alderson, a graduate of the Lewisburg Female Academy as principal, with, at the present, only one associate teacher, but the grow- ing interest will in the near future make necessary the employment of two more. AT JUMPING BBANCH with J. W. Cales, a teacher of several years experience as principal, with one assistant. This school has been, since its establishment, doing good work, and the citizens are very proud, and ere long the increasing en- rollment will make necessary additional teachers. THE HINTON COLORED SCHOOL established as a graded school in 1897, employing four teachers. This school is well appointed and affords a means by which the colored youths are acquiring a splendid education. Graduates from this school are ad- mitted in the leading colored schools of the country. The school building grounds, furniture and apparatus are valued at $8,000. 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. 226-227 Source: 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. 235-239 Submitted by Valerie F. Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************