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Copyright 1975 O'Fallon Historical Society, Baker, Montana. ALL RIGHTS RESEVED

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Copyright 1975 O'Fallon Historical Society, Baker, Montana. Printed by Western printing & Lithography

Schools

Swabble Creek School, 1913, George Cox and friends on roof, P. G. Cox and Oscar Knipfer canvased the country to get support for the school. In 1912, a sod school house with board floors and a board roof covered with sod, was built in the Knobs country. It was called the Swabble Creek School. The sod building lasted from 1912 to 1916 when a new school was built and the location changed, 1919 graduates were George Cox, Ruby Most and Edith Knipfer.

Much of the material on the schools was gathered by Mrs. Robert Stanhope.

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NOTES ON SOME EARLY SCHOOLS

By Mrs. Mike Kirschten

At the time our town of Baker sprouted, all this area here-abouts was a part of Custer County, so had, of necessity, to be administered from Miles City. We were part of District 12. Miss Mary Lee Wilson, a small, but energetic young woman, was Custer County's Superintendent of Schools.

She would come to Baker by train, hire livery rig and driver, and visit the scattered schools, which speedily sprang up following the building of the Milwaukee Railroad line. This crossed the Montana-Dakota line near Marmarth in 1907. Miss Wilson carried a camera and took pictures of the schools with teacher and pupils.

Some distance north of Baker was the Stewart ranch. They had a large ranch house and also three children, so they gave the use of a good sized room for a schoolroom. The teacher, as well as some of the pupils, stayed at the Stewart's for a time.

In 1907 a log school house was opened at a post office called Preston. This was at the C. G. Vincellette ranch, also a distance north of Baker, and children from the Vincellette families, the three Stewart Children, the Ed. Berry and also some Perry children attended there. Miss Stella Olson, later Mrs. Dr. Elmer Potterton was the teacher.

Then Charlie Clark, an old time rancher from north of Plevna, built a new frame ranch house for his family and gave his small log cabin to be used as a school house. Mrs. Pat Crow was one of the early teachers there.

Pugh School, 1915, loaned by Millie Stratton. Back row, left to right: a Foster girl, Mabel Damon, Ida Damon, Mrs. Foster [teacher], Art Pugh, Ada Pugh, Maggie Damon, middle row: Foster children, front row: 1,2,3,4 Clark children, Millie Damon and Maud Damon.

A bit later a school was opened at the Pugh ranch in the badlands northeast of Baker. Mr. Pugh was a trustee of District 12 for a time. School was carried on in the Pugh's bunkhouse and children from the Pugh, Wm. Damon and Wilfong families went there. The Wilfong place was the one now occupied by the Edward Koenig family, (1973). Sarah Maud Dean and Arthur Shear also went there. They were boarded there away from home for a time. Sarah (Sadie) Dean and the Damon children were nieces of the late Mrs. James Murphy. Later a school house was erected.

In 1908, Baker's first school was opened with Mrs. Olive Lucier as teacher and during the next two or three years, other schools were begun in this open range. Many of these were only of a temporary nature, but a start had been made.

The trustees of wide-ranging District 12 were harassed men with so great a territory to handle and so far from headquarters at Miles City. Before long, new districts were established with trustees of their own and things became less hectic.

Everyone was eager to get schools into operation and all were willing and ready to donate time, labor and talents to accomplish this. Basket socials, dances, some talent plays were means to secure funds, so much progress was made. Now, with our modern roads, bus service and other facilities available, the old order has changed and many of these small schools are now no longer in use and have been sold, and converted to other uses, often being moved from their original sites; some have been moved into town and converted to residences. The Fallon County Historical Museum is one of these which was moved to its present site and was, for many years, used as a Public Library.

District No. 1 Wills Creek School and Rife Schools

The first school was a 12 x 12 ft. log homestead shack belonging to Marshall Rife. It was taught by Dot Ennis who had a homestead right at the foot of Rocking Chair Butte.

Records show that in the school year 1913-14 Mrs. K. Seeley taught both the Wills Creek and Rife Schools - probably a summer term.

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Agreement Between School Trustees and Teachers

1919 Teaching Contract of GuInare Stark (Lutts), District 20, Fallon County, Montana.

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Log school house built in 1912 or 1913 on the Philips place near Rocking Chair Butte, teacher, Miss Eva Jacobson, the pupils from left to right: Rollie Kinsey, Elmer McManiga, Bob Kinsey, George Bell, Dan Bell plus the dog, picture loaned by Bob Kinsey.

This is an early day schoolhouse built in 1912 or 1913. It was in the Rocking Chair Butte country just in the corner of Wibaux county. This was the second school we attended. This girl teacher was our third, Eva Jacobson Rivers. Pictured left to right pupils are: Roland Kinsey, Elmer McManigal, Bob Kinsey, George and Dan Bell.

When Fallon County was separated from Custer County the following pupils were transferred to Dist. I Fallon County: Herbert, Robert and Ruby Havens; Otto, Anna, Adalphine, Walter, Jenny and Ena Ohlrich; Aletha Seeley; Clarence Pratt; Sara, Alton and Ray Fortney; Inez and Harold Bell; Wanda and Mona Holbrook; John and Lydia Ohlrich; Margaret Siefert; Harold Weithe; Hazel, Ruth and Marion Chrysler; Eva, Esther, George, Earl, and Gordon Jacobson; Frank and Neva Bellis, all of Wills Creek, Mont. and Eva Kinsey; Francis and Charles Bartell; George Hines; Ray and Ralph Harper; Flora Meeker; Carrol, Peter and Guy Grisinger; Tyler, Harriet and Mary Straley; Gertrude, Helen, John, Francis, and Victoria Watambach; Edward and John Petermann; Fred, Jessie, Frank, Blanch, Lucille and Florence Fessenden; and Gladys VanDorn all of Edgeville, Mont. and Clair Polen of Wibaux, Mont.

Ohlrich School north of Plevna, taught by Mrs. Madge Gregerson Wilson 1918-1919, picture loaned by Madge Wilson.

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Some of the earlier eighth grade graduates were: 1914; Sara and Alton Fortney and Ralph Nordlund. 1919; Ruby Havens. Besides the above mentioned teachers in this district were: Inez Cleveland, Alice Fallon, Margaret Shellabarger, C. W. Burke, Ozete Hatcher, Lydia Ohlrich, and Madge Gregerson.

There was no school held in the district from 1933-39 or 1952-59 but with the oil boom there was a need of school which ran until 1972.

District No. 3, Twin Buttes

On December 23, 1916, District 3 was created from a portion of District 57 and from a portion of the adjoining Custer County. Miss Marjorie McGuire was the first teacher. Five pupils attended this year (1916-1917) but the following year Mr. M. Chester O'Connor taught fifteen children. The school board at that time was: Clerk, C. R. Hoester, Ismay, Montana, and Harry Armstrong, Clyde Burrell and Marcus Bookmier. After a few years the school population dwindled and in 1924 that part of the district lying in Custer County was abandoned to District 38, Custer County. Mrs. Esther Glidewell taught seven pupils that year. The school continued to run up through the 1930's when times were hard and people were moving away. The 1936-37 school year was the last with Mrs. Betty Vinscel Shewey as teacher.

On February 21, 1948 it was declared abandoned by law and returned to District 57. The district was in existence only 31 years and had a total of fourteen teachers, but who knows how widely the influence of the children may have spread.

District No. 6, Slater and Eureka Schools

In the 1913-1914 school year the school board consisted of E. P. Wiley of Dennis, Montana, as clerk, and William Abrams, W. 0. Orton of Dennis, Montana, and C. E. Merritt of Carlyle, Montana, as trustee. Two schools were in session. The Slater School had 22 pupils with Mrs. Daisy Fulton as teacher. The Eureka School was taught by Eva N. Kidder, who had 24 pupils. In the spring of 1914 Euphia. Robinson and Jessie Slater passed the examinations for the eighth grade.

In 1914 a petition for the creating of a new school for the district was offered to the county superintendent by Mr. and Mrs. W. 0. Orton, Earl Fraught, H. M. Hopper, Charles Slater, A. Ellenbaum and Mrs. Emma Howard, as there were 17 children in the proposed district.

In August, 1916, the following petitioned to be transferred from District 6 to District 20 (Ollie); Claude Baker, Ira A. Morris, Oscar Wer, C. G. Rose and Mrs. Anna Sherva.

Two and sometimes three schools ran in the district to meet the needs of the children. People began leaving the community when hard times came, so the schools closed for years until the time came when a school was needed again. The Hilmont school was reopened.

Some of the early teachers were: Gina Sherva, Grace McVay, Blanch Slater, Olive M. Stark (Abrams), Florence Stark, Mrs. George Wagner, Verla Perrin and Viola Otter.

District 6J, Hillside School

The Hillside School has a short history, as it was moved to its present location on Highway 7 in 1950 after having been closed for many years. The school board members at that time were Harry Abrams, Murry Melcher and Eliott Plummer.

The first teacher was Mrs. Clarabell Banks from New Mexico. Following her were these teachers: Miss Maxine Lutts, Mrs. Betty Smeltzer, Mrs. Ellen Huisman, Mrs. Susan Hair, Mrs. Karl Wenz and Mrs. Elizabeth Puhr. In 1967-68, the last year the school was in session, the teachers were: Joan Griffith, Tommy J. Wall, Jackie Phillips, Mrs. Sadie Hayden, Stanton Rakes, Mrs. Jean Cameron, Mrs. Sarah Wyrick and Mrs. Sylvis Wigger. Since then the children have been bussed into Baker.

District No. 7, Wyrick School

The Wyrick School was built in 1906, nine miles north and two miles west of Baker. At that time, it was called the Vincelette School because it was close to the Vincelette ranch and these children attended the first year. The first pupils were: Garnette, Paul, Ray, Sybil and Jesse Vincelette; Kenneth, Durward, Lennice and Ruth Horton; Evelyn and Genevieve Gregerson and John Wilson.

The first board members were; A. G. Vincelette, Rushmore Hall, John Wilson and J. B. Carter. J. D. Thompson was the first clerk.

Some of the earlier teachers were: Laura Tift, Edna Baker (Mrs. K. 0. Lentz), Alice Billings, Margaret Drever, Emilyn Mohr and Violet Loveless. While Miss Tift was teaching, a piano was purchased for the school with money raised by school dances. Music for the dances consisted of piano and violin by Miss Tift and Miss Clark (Millicent Lee).

After being closed for several years, the school was re-opened in the hard winter of 1949-50 with Mrs. Gladys Moseley as the teacher. It was re-named the Wyrick School. Teachers succeeding Mrs. Moseley were: Mrs. Janette Cameron, Mrs. Cora Schell, Miss Kay Gappa, Mrs. Mavis Schopp, Mrs. Edna Anderson, Mrs. Magdalena O'Conner, Mrs. Mona Cornell, and Mr. Marvin Hamilton. The school closed at the end of the 1959-1960 year with Norma Jefferson as teacher.

The Snowy Basin School opened for the 1933-1934 term with Miss Mildred Votruba as teacher. It was in session all through those dry years, closing at the end of the 1948-1949 school year. Miss Ruth Mary Stark was the last teacher but others who taught the school were: Mrs. Helen North, Miss Edythe Steiber, Miss Patricia Crow, Miss Iva Pratt, Mr. Sam Pratt, Mrs. Ada Crow, Mr. Leslie West, Mrs. Evelyn Engstrom and Miss Genevieve Greenlee.

On April 16, 1963, District 7 was consolidated with District 17, the O'Donnell School.

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District No. 8, Prairie Rose School

The Prairie Rose school was built by "little" Frank Ondrasik in 1916. The first teacher was a sixteen year old Glen Westphal, who later became one of Montana's youngest County Superintendents (Carter County). The first school board members were: Oscar Knipfer, Lewis Parent and Frank Ondrasik with a Mr. Anderson as clerk. The first pupils were: Christine Bowers, Elsworth Hardy and a Bond boy. In a tragic accident the Bond boy was killed by his horse while going home from school.

With the shift of population the location of the school also was changed three times over the years in 1918, 1925 and 1953. Miss Rose Loger taught the last term in 1960-1961.

District 8 was abandoned to District 41 in February, 1964, as required by law.

Many teachers taught many children during these years. Some of them were: Mary C. Brownson, Minnie E. Nichols, Marie Van Hook, Ruth Baker, Elizabeth Probert, Oleo Gleora Strangeland, Mae Smith, Ethel Floren, Marion Price, Melvin Schneider, Maxine Hitch, Mildred Sutton, Roy McClain, Lucille Shreve, Gladys Sullivan Most, Louis Klauser, Ruth Kono, Florence Scoles, Alice Knipfer, Helen Askin and Edith Morton.

District No. 8, Swabble Creek or Hilmont School

Back in the early days, when this was Custer County, there were no schools in this community. The people became school conscious, and wanted their youngsters to have 'Book Learnin',' so they decided to try to get a school established. Mr. P. G. Cox and Oscar Knipfer canvassed the country and made a trip to Miles City (then county seat) to confer with the county commissioners and the county superintendent of schools on this matter.

The county commissioners finally consented to pay the teacher's wages but it was up to the patrons to build a school house and purchase the books and supplies.

In 1912 a school house of sod was built with a board floor and board roof covered with sod. Miss Hattie Heiner (later Mrs. Booker Kraft) was the first teacher hired with a salary of $45.00 a month.

The school had to have a name and due to the fact that it was built near Swabble Creek, it was called the Swabble Creek School.

The first pupils of Swabble Creek School were: John, Mary and Frank Zupanik; Mary, Alice and Annie Turchek; Edith Knipfer (Sipma), Louise Knipfer (Strangford), Oscar J. Knipfer; Annie, Allie and Dode Bachus and Harold Calhoun.

The members of the first board were: Ott Newberry, Oscar H. Knipfer, P. G. Cox and Mrs. Green, Clerk. The school term ranged between three and six months.

The sod school lasted from 1912 to 1916, when a new school was built a mile and a half west of a later location. The pupils decided to change the name to Hilmont school. On January 10, 1917, with the division and transfer of funds from joint district with Custer County to Fallon County, District 8, Fallon County, received $1,112.20 in General Fund and $10.13 in Library Fund and 26 census children. In 1918 the building was moved for the last time. During the 1916-1918 years thirty-four youngsters attended school at one time.

In 1919 eighth grade graduates were George Cox, Ruby Most and Edith Knipfer.

District No. 10, Sandstone or Lincoln School

Lincoln School, children

of the Chesmore, Zerbst, Allerding, Rogers and Eilek families, picture loaned by Mrs. Art Kuehn.

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Known as the Sandstone School for the year 1916-1917, then renamed the Lincoln School. It was located southwest of Baker and was part of District 66 until July, 1917, when that part of the district was divided to become District 10.

Mrs. K. Seeley of Baker was the clerk and the trustees were: William Eilek, Don J. Morrison and Julius Zerbst of Plevna.

The first teachers were: Minnie Cox and Mrs. Lou Brown. Some early eighth grade graduates were: 1918 -Lydia Zerbst, 1920 -Gertrude North and in 1921 - Julius Zerbst.

The school continued to serve the community until 1937. The last two teachers were Miss Ida Gunderson, 1935-36, and Miss Marian Helgeson, 1936-37.

In 1948 the district was abandoned to District 12.

District No. 11

The eastern part of Custer County became Fallon County on December 9, 1913. This county was again divided in 1917. The northern part was still to be Fallon County but the southern part became Carter County. Those schools within that county having had the distinction of being in three counties in only four years.

District 11 had as board members in 1913-14; M. Westland, Fred Grey and Al F. Grey. Mrs. Mary L. Kirk, Alzada, Montana, was the clerk.

The Twelve Mile School and the Horse Creek School had as teachers from 1913-16; Lily Fisher, Berdie Hults, Ruth Arnold and Mary B. Stower. George Arbuckle and Lola Westland were 1916 eighth grade graduates of the district.

District 12, Baker Schools

The Railroad crossed the Montana-Dakota line in 1907 and grade work continued on westward. Milwaukee engineers noted the value of the water resource and so a construction camp was set up and work on the dam began. Water tanks to service the engines were built near the west end of the depot (even before the Depot itself was constructed).

Railroad depot and watertank at Baker, Montana 1908. Card mailed on train 3, November 6, Aberdeen, Miles City Railroad Post Office to Mr. Chap Chilton, picture loaned by Emily Chilton Matthew.

There already existed a North-South trail connecting the South country with Wibaux and the valley here had been a campsite and watering place for trail herds bound for Wibaux. So, a camp became a town. Where there are people there are children and where there are children there must be schools.

Accordingly, the first small, one-room building was put up along the North shore of the Lake somewhere along about opposite the present Washington School, formerly known as the Eastside School, and school opened here in the fall of 1908 with Mrs. Olive Lucier as teacher. The first school program was held in the corrugated warehouse opposite the depot, then called the wool house. One day a small neighborhood boy escaped his mother's care and got into the schoolhouse. He emptied the inkwells on the desks! Later, these desks were sent out to the Dean-Young School when, the following year, larger room was built in Baker. Ha! Ha!

Yes, that building rapidly became too small and the following year, 1909, a bond issue was made without a dissenting vote, and a larger building was put up at a new location and Mrs. Perl Cornish was secured as teacher. The following year another, but smaller room was built to the east side of the school and Miss Stella Olson later, Mrs. Dr. Elmer J. Potterton, was hired to teach there. Also, that same year of 1910, the Congregational Church was erected and the basement was utilized as a school room for the primary grades under Miss Jessie McGillivray as teacher. In the fall of 1911, some High School subjects were offered. Professor George Warner had come from the New England States and filed on a homestead north of Plevna. He was engaged to teach the 7th and 8th grades and the few High School Students of those two years were: Lee Woodworth, Sadie Sanborn, Lorene Hibbard, Owen Wyman, Sumner Knox, Marguerite Scott, Clarence McConnehey, Eva Jacobson.

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In 1912, Miss Carrie Bachtle came from Minnesota and took over the upper grades and High School work in the large room. She remained in Baker some years and became Superintendent of Baker Schools. High School courses taught were: English Rhetoric and Composition, Classic Literature, Physiography, Zoology, Ancient History, Algebra and Latin. The second year, more classics, Medieval and Modern European History, 2nd year Algebra and German.

Old Baker High School, 1941, loaned by Dorothy Scoles Minard.

In 1913, a $14,000 bond issue was made and the east half of the old Baker High School was erected. This was often referred to as the " Southside School." By 1914, a full 4-year High School course was offered. The first graduation class was that of 1916 or 1917. It consisted of one boy, Harold Patton, and two girls, Beatrice Daugherty, now Mrs. E. M. Garnett of Salt Lake City and Bessie Millard, later Mrs. Paul Collette of Baker and Los Angeles.

Also, in 1913, Fallon County was created and the old school house became Fallon County's first Courthouse, serving as such until the building of the courthouse at its present site. Miss Annette Leonard was chosen as Fallon County's first Superintendent of Schools.

By 1916 an addition was made to the new building on the west side of it and after the courthouse was erected, the old school house, then known as the "Eastside School" was once more put into use as a grade school for the children of the first three grades on the north and east sides of town.

Then in the late 1920's, the modern building now known as the "Washington School" was built to house the first six grades of this area of town. The old Eastside School became the property of the Lutheran Congregation of Baker and was converted to chapel, dining room and kitchen and used by them until the construction of their present modern attractive structure. The old school house and yard are presently a most attractive residential site.

Washington School formerly, called The Eastside School, picture taken 1934.

In 1936, another extensive addition was built and equipped which provided needed classrooms, improved office facilities, band facilities, a Library, shower and locker rooms, improved Home Ec. facilities and auditorium.

A Music Hall had been put up on the southwest corner of the School grounds and this was now converted to a Manual Training Shop. A few years later a Vocational Agriculture Building was built and equipped on the school grounds also.

Several years ago, the old "Baker High School" or the "Southside School" was destroyed by fire and on the old site has now been established a fine modern grade school known as "Longfellow School."

Besides the Washington, Longfellow, we also have the Lincoln School on the south side of town. All of these for grades, while a modern, well equipped High School plant is also located in south Baker. Bus service and hot lunch program are also provided. A far cry indeed, from the one, lone, small frame room on the north shore of the lake in 1908. This building now stands opposite the Economy Grocery just to the rear of the Ford Garage, still in use as a residence.

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It Is Finished!! by Coleman Krokker

Saturday, February 18, 1967 by Stanley Bruce

 

With the loss of the old Baker High School the students and citizens of Baker no longer have an historic landmark: a school whose memories are cherished by countless students and teachers from 1913 to date. James Hoffman-Superintendent of Schools

 

 

There was many a tear evident in the eyes of alumni and former teachers and current students as they watched the old bell fall into the inferno. The bell was later retrieved and mounted in front of the new school. Although the fire was not in school hours, many personal belongings were lost in the locker rooms. Stanley Bruce gravely handed his eighth grade Math teacher a sack of ashes instead of his assignment. Pictures taken by Stanley Bruce, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Bruce and Coleman Krokker.

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Early Day Pictures of Classes in Baker Schools

1919 or 1920, Shirley Donovan and her first and second graders in front of the old high school, picture loaned by L. [Bud] Price.

Bill Chilton's class with Mel Schneider as teacher. *We don't know the grade, year or the school, picture loaned by Emily Chilton Matthew.

Junior-Senior Banquet, 1920-1921, some of the people in the picture are: Jeanette Price, Ward Grant,

Gene Consor, Violet Moline, Henry Zook, Louise Emerson, Margaret Moore, Hallet Trout, Marion Moore,

Frances Hiscock, Mr. Wood, Helen Owen, Arnold Crosby, Lester Trout, Mr. Minner, HaroldJockly, Miss

Klinkharnmer and Mr. Phylips, picture loaned by Frances Hiscock Stamm.

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Washington School, 1928-1929, teacher Miss Mae Flotz now Mrs. Bernard Martin of Marmarth, North Dakota, picture loaned by Hazel Hufford Bethel.

Eighth grade, 1933, top row, left to right: Virginia Baker, Betty Franklin, Betty Ann Watt, Mary Alice Van Hook, Margaret Van

Hook, Mildred Chapin, Alice Haagenson, Marie McDonald and Bennie Micka. Second row: Darwin Davis, Wallace Barstow, Eugene Russell, Robert O'Brian, Boyd Bush, Bud Mellor, Lester Seamen, Emery Chestmore. Third row: Betty Lou Owen, Silver Jensen, Genevieve Seaman, Hazel Hufford, Louise Jensen, Helen Hoag, Jack Lawler and Selmer Gunderson, the teacher was Miss Edwina Eichenberger. Picture loaned by Hazel Hufford Bethel.

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Prize winning float in parade, May 7, 1920, Baker Ukelele Club. Some of the people in the picture are: Mr. Jolley, Ward Grant, Jesse Greasy, Jeanette Price, Ethel Kenyon, Roger Silvernale, Marion Moore, Frances Hiscock, Margaret Moore, Hallet Trout, Violet Moline and Raymond Pratt, picture loaned by Frances Hiscock Stamm.

District No. 14, Upper Tie Creek School, Midland School, Dry Creek School, Plain View School, Sweeney School, Tie Creek School, Townsend School, Lower Tie Creek School, Bell Tower School, Rema School and Spring Creek School.

District 14 had several schools with: A. J. Carter, Midland, J. W. Brewer, Ekalaka; Riley E. Phelps, Camp Crook, North Dakota, as trustees, and F. R. Allen, Camp Crook, as clerk. In 1913-1914 the Upper Tie Creek School was taught by Viola Alice Barton. The Midland School was taught by Mona Sankey, and Ruth Lende taught the Dry Creek School. Two unnamed schools were taught by Ruth Meyer and Anita M. Ackley.

In 1914-15 the Plain View School was taught by Rachel Osheim, and Floyd Ellis was the teacher at the Sweeney School. The Midland School was taught that year by Laura Dowd, while the Tie Creek School was under the management of Elsie McKenelly. Mona Sankey had moved to the Townsend School. Lower Tie Creek School had M. Sutherland as the teacher and at The Spring Creek School we find Hattie E. Hiner.

The 1915-16 school year had Laura Dowd and Lena Crosby teaching at Bell Tower, and the Upper Tie Creek School also had Laura Dowd there. Mona Sankey was at the Rema School, Inna M. Grabill at the Midland School, Hattie E. Hiner at the Spring Creek School and Floyd Ellis was at the Sweeney School.

Eighth grade graduates of this district during these years were: Tom Patton, Stella Wash, Eva Jennings, Alice Townsend and Lawrence Sweeney.

District No. 15, Head of Beaver School, Griffin School, Gilman School, Big Hill School, Ekalaka School, Owens School, Sherwin School.

District 15 was in Carter County near the southwest comer of Fallon County. In 1913-14 the board members were: J. R. Lane, R. H. Ferguson, J. P. Hedges with J. W. Freeze of Ekalaka as the clerk. Annette Leonard taught at the Head of Beaver Creek School; Mabel Berg taught an unnamed school. The Griffin School was taught by Josie Barrere and the Gilman School was taught by Lottie Sacht.

In 1914-15 The Big Hill School was taught by Victoria Munroe and Ekalaka by Mabel Berg, Catherine Chiton and Oliver L. Buxton, while the Owens School was the responsibility of Ora M. Moles. Josie Barrere was at the Griffin School.

In 1915-16 Miss Minnie Mumedy taught the Griffin School, Ora M. Moles the Big Hill School, Agnes Moore the Owens School and Mabel Berg the Sherwin School.

There were many eighth grade graduates from this district, including Archie Thompson, Constance Sjoblom, Raymond Rolfson, Irene Owens, Opal Lane, Grace Harpster, Orville Spellman, Thomas Traweek and Gladys Speelman. There were Henry Meyer, Roy King, Arley Gunlach, Edith Malquist, Walter Malquist, Iva Lane, Fern Lane, Bruce Mefford, Dan Hedges, James Ovens, Beulah Talkington, Florence Oberlin, Elizabeth Taylor, Geneva Prichard and Aurora Parent.

District No. 16, Duck Creek, Trail Creek, Webster, Little Beaver, Kimball

District 16 was formed December, 1916, and was known as the Kimball District. Hillard Whitaker, Kimball, Montana, was clerk and Ed Cambell and C. 0. Brown were trustees.

Records show that by 1920-21 the school names were Duck Creek School, taught by Susie M. Thomas with 12 pupils, and the Trail Creek School, taught by Maude Idecker with 13 pupils. Then in 1921-22 the Webster School was taught by F. W. Tatting with 24 pupils.

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The Trail Creek and Little Beaver Schools were in session through the 1920's and 30's. Mrs. Minnie Wolenetz taught many years in the district. Other teachers were Miss Helen E. Norman, Mrs. Hazel Murray, Mary E. Seabt, Flossie Parks, Maude Wolentz, Ruth E. Peterson, Mr. Melvin Schneider, Mrs. Jane Kenna Clark, Mrs. Mildred Sutton and Mrs. Mercy Rose.

In 1948 the district was changed to District 14 and in 1948 District 14 was abandoned to District 6.

District No. 17, Morris School,

by Mrs. Mike Kirschten

About 1913 the original "Morris School" was built on the Berry Morris ranch in the badlands northeast of Baker, not far from the head of North Sandstone Creek. This is the creek that runs through north Baker. The building stood not far east of the high pointed butte a short distance north of Berry's buildings, and is still known as Morris Butte. No trace of this old sod school house now remains.

The original Morris [sod] School house, built in 1913. It was used for three or four years, picture loaned by Mrs. Mike Kirschten.

It was built with sod over a frame of local, native timbers, by the parents of the children who went there. The inner walls were smoothed, then stuccoed and then kalsomined. The first teacher was Jason Garriott, followed by Angeline Carey, Anne Andrews and others as years went by.

After a few years, this building was abandoned and a good, modern (at that time) frame schoolhouse, was constructed somewhat farther east; still known as the Morris School.

Attending the school were Alice, Eloise, John and George McGinnis, Margaret, Hugh, Helen and Edith Morris, Percy Hanratty, Cora, Victor, Ernest and Dan Helgeson; and later on, younger children of these families and of the Vatnedahl family.

In later years, after the local needs had been met, Gus Crawford purchased the building and moved it to his ranch a few miles north and converted it to an attractive home. His grandson, David Crawford and family now reside there.

Many programs, neighborhood picnics, and dances were enjoyed in this building.

District No. 17, Wilfong School [O'Donnell School],

by Mrs. Mike Kirschten

This school was built about 1911 on the William Wilfong ranch 7 or 8 miles northeast of Baker. The place is presently occupied by the Edward Koenig family.

It was just a small, one room building to start with and for a time had no interior window casings. It opened to the north and there was no storm-shed nor porch. A huge flat slab of sandstone served as porch. Lunch pails, overshoes, etc, went to the inside! Mrs. Perl Cornish, who lived on a claim farther north a ways, taught the school, bringing with her daughter Bonita. She was an aunt of Denzil Young, Sr. The next year a Miss Katharine Monroe was the teacher and the two following years Lorene Hibbard (Mrs. Mike Kirschten) served as teacher. It was part of the Baker District No. 12 at that time, and later became District 17.

During the first years children from the following families "got their book-learnin" here: H. 0. Helland, father of Mrs. Eph Kierle, who attended the school with a sister and two brothers; Sydney Finch, father of Murril Finch and his two sisters; Joseph Madler, father of Joe, Jr., and Charles and sister Helen and brothers John and Robert; T. E. McGinnis's two daughters and a son; William Wilfong's two sons and a daughter. For a time Clyde Pugh, and then George Duffield stayed at the Barry Morris home and drove the smaller children to school. For a time a son and daughter of Pete Flo went there and Audrey Moreau, later Mrs. Elmer Schneider, and Percy Hanratty also attended.

Later on the children of the Theodore Bruha, Mike O'Donnell, Harold Wolverton, Oliver Ames, Nick Madler and Gus Crawford families attended and, for a time, some of the Ray O'Donnell and Ed Koenig children went there.

During the 1950's and the 1960's the children of Joe Madler, Adolph Madler, John Madler, Edward Koenig, Art Koenig, Fred Schwendt and Clyde Crawford attended the school.

As population shifted, the school was moved a half mile to the west onto a piece of ground donated by its owner for the purpose of a school as long as it was needed. It has been much improved and has been in constant use as a school and community meeting place since 1911. After the school was moved the name was changed to The O'Donnell School. At present it serves the needs of the Herbert O'Donnell, Arthur Koenig, Clyde Crawford and Roger Losing families.

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District No. 18 and 51J, Fullerton, Heldt and Medicine Rocks Schools

In those early days when Fallon County was divided from Custer County, the people of the community worked hard to circulate petitions for schools and to get them acted upon and then to keep the schools running.

Records show that District 48 had two schools in session in 1914. Mrs. Walter Anderson was clerk and on the school board were: Al Thompson, Walter Anderson and A. C. Chase, all of Ekalaka. The Fullerton and Heldt Schools were in this district. In the same district but with a separate school board was the Morton School. Mrs. L. M. Morton was clerk and Arthur Kuehn, L. M. Morton and James Mulry were on the board of trustees. There were 24 pupils at the Morton School in 1913-14 with Jessie MacGullivary as the teacher.

The buildings were moved and schools were in session as needed by the community. Most of them were closed about 1940.

In 1950 the Medicine Rocks School was moved to the White place. In 1955 this school was struck by lightning and it burned. That fall school was held in Mrs. Gail Grant's trailer house until December by which time a building was bought from District 5 and made ready for use. The District was closed in 1961 due to the scarcity of children.

Some early day graduates from the district were: 1914, Clara Trandurn of Webster, Montana, Harry Schneider of Red Root, Montana, and Joseph M. Kaveny of Willard, Montana; 1917,Ermine Blake; in 1918, Tom Emerson and Violet Goodwin; in 1919, Fern Goodwin; 1920, William Morton, Clara Harris and Maud Wolentz.

District No. 19 and District No. 44, Preston, Morris, Berry, Carlyle, Seving, Thompson and Wagner Schools.

A report to the County Superintendent of Schools of Fallon County at Ekalaka by John Hartse, clerk of District No. 19 shows four schools in the district, namely: the Carlyle School, made of lumber valued at $1,200, the Seving School made of lumber valued at $1,500, the Thompson School with lumber valued at $1,200, and the Wagner School with the lumber valued at $1,200.

In September, 1917, part of District 6 became part of District 19, upon petition by Harold Douglas, Erick Seving, Charles Fulton, J. E. Martin, L. A. Grow and G. S. Lilly.

By 1919 the Berry, Preston and Morris schools were running. The Berry School was located about 1/2 mile south of the present home of Helen Stark.

Mrs. Dorothy Franklin Ashley was teaching the Preston School and boarding at the Henning Steens when she was badly burned by an explosion of the stove at the school.

At one time F. S. Robinsons was clerk, A. A. Vincellette, Carl Bondell and F. E. McFarland were the trustees of the district.

Some early eighth grade graduates were: 1915 -Ina Carter, Walter Bondell, Lloyd McFarland, Blanche Vincellette and Ardith Riggs. The Riggs place is now owned by Willard Malcolm.

In 1919 Edna McFarland and Beulah Vincellette finished the eighth grade.

The Beaver Valley School was built in 1911 and was the first real school in Ollie, Montana. Left to right: Jay Stark, Parker Greiner, Albert Wang, Melvin Sather, Earl Opperman, Elmer Wang, Allen Opperman, Carl Rost, Norman Rost, Arnold Rost, Arthur Wang, Howard Stark, Harold Opperman, Lola Opperman, Dessa Prouty, Laura Wang, GuInare Stark, Gertrude Stark, Miss Grace O'Conner, teacher, picture loaned by Dessa Prouty Shepherd.

District 20, Beaver Valley, Custer County, Montana, 1910

School register, 1910 Ethel Emerson teacher. Gulnare Stark, Gertrude Stark, Dessa Prouty, Alvin Rost, Allen Opperman, Albert Wang, Parker Griener, Lola Opperman, Mata Schrader, Walter Schrader, Arthur Wang, Laura Wang, Melvin Sather, Elmer Wang, Arnold Rost, Howard Stark, Earl Opperman, Mary Garity, J. Stark, Raymond Roppe, Florence Kellar and Leon Tuttle.

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Daily program for classes in the one room Beaver Valley School, 1910. Teacher, Ethel Emerson, taught 7 grades with 22

pupils. The term began May 9 and ended December 23.

FORENOON GRADE

9:00 - 9:15 Opening Exercises All

9:15 - 9:40 Primary Class 1&3

9:40 - 9:55 First Reader Class 1st

9:55 - 10:10 Second Reader Class 2nd

10:10 - 10:30 Third Reader Class 3rd

10:30 - 10:45 Recess All

10:45 - 11:00 Primary Number Class 1st

11:00 - 11:20 Fourth Reader 4th

11:20 - 11:40 Arithmetic 4th

11:40 - 12:00 Arithmetic 6th

12:00 - 1:00 Noon

AFTERNOON

1:00 - 1:20 General Exercise All

1:20 - 1:30 Primary Class 1st

1:30 - 1:45 Advanced History 7th

1:45 - 1:55 First Reader 1st

1:55 - 2:15 Language Class 2nd & 3rd

2:15 - 2:30 Primary History 4th - 6th

2:30 - 2:45 Grammar 7th

2:45 - 3:00 Recess All

3:00 - 3:15 Primary Class 1st

3:15 - 3:25 Primary Geog. alt. Phy 2nd & 3rd

3:25 - 3:35 Geography 4th

3:35 - 3:45 Geography 7th

3:45 - 3:55 Spelling 4th

3:55 - 4:00 Spelling 7th

The General Exercises given in the afternoon session were as follows: Monday - Music, Tuesday and Thursday Writing, Wednesday - Word Study and Friday - Drawing.

 

District 21, Chalk Buttes, Fallon County, Cline, Bradshaw, Laddie Buttes Schools.

In 1913-14 G. S. Bradshaw, Hans Boyd and A. A. Atwater were on the school board and Mrs. G. S. Bradshaw was clerk.

Annette G. Comfort and Marian Patterson were the teachers that year.

In 1914-15 Mary Alice Harris taught the Chalk Buttes School and Rena M. Peterson taught the Fallon School. The

Cline School was taught by Angeline Corey.

In 1915-16 the Bradshaw School was taught by Elizabeth Harris and Rena Peterson taught the Laddie Buttes School.

Lenora Bradshaw was an eighth grade graduate of this district when it was in Fallon County.

District 22, Ridge, Wilson, Spring Creek, Crosser Schools.

In 1913-14 District 22 had Fred Beltz, Ridge, Montana as clerk and William Wallace, J. D. Craft and J. C. Session as

trustees.

Ralph M. Neiman taught an unnamed school and Edna Gardner taught the Wilson School. William G. Miller was at the

Ridge School while Maud M. Courtney taught the Spring Creek School and Mrs. Lillian Riley also at the Ridge School.

1913-15 found Mrs. Richard J. Arnwine at the Ridge School and Edna Gardner at the Wilson School. Anna A.

Champney taught a third school.

1915-16 the Wilson School was taught by Gladys DeHaven, the Crosser school by Mrs. Morton D. Boden and the Ridge

School by Morton D. Boden.

Eight grade graduates at this time were Mabel Hayes and Reathel Craft.

District 23, Crow Creek, McCarey, Brownfield, Piniele Schools.

District 23 had as its clerk in 1913-14 a man by the name of Charles Elinsel of Piniele, Montana. A. N. Vaunet of Boyes,

Moody Harrington of Piniele and W. H. Turner of Boyes were the trustees. John M. Day taught the Crow Creek School and Henry Gosselin taught the McCarey School.

In 1914-15 Beatrice G. Howell taught the Brownfield School and Clara Wagner taught the Piniele School.

In 1915-16 we find Ruth Spannagel teaching the McCarey School and Beatrice G. Howell at the Brownfield School.

District 24, Tee Dee School.

District 24 had as a school board all of Tee Dee, Montana. These members were: S. P. LaBree, George Cook and W. E.

Rounds. A. W. Hardy was the clerk. Anna M. Otts taught the Tee Dee Ranch School in 1913-14 and in 1914-15, then Charles

A. Woodruff taught the 1915-16 term.

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District 26, Wills School.

The Wills School of District 26 came into existence in 1917, the year the United States joined with the Allies in World War 1. In September of that year the school opened with Miss Pauline Hall as teacher and 21 children in attendance.

Before this the children had to go long distances or to the Heldt School. The men of the district got together and soon solved that problem by organizing a new school district and building a new school. Warren White donated an acre of land and soon it was occupied by a nice white school, complete with windows on the east, a bell and belfry, basement, coal furnace and hardwood floors. It had seven large windows where a boy or girl could daydream or watch the teams and wagons freighting to Baker. Occasionally, a Model T truck would add interest or these new things called tractors away in the distance.

Truly, the school was a compliment to the men in the district and especially to the school board. On the board at that time were Ped Akers, Ed Blaser, Warren White and Ward Willis was clerk.

Going to school was not a simple matter. It meant going by horseback, team and sled or wagon or walking in spite of gumbo, blizzards and snowdrifts. The school was very centrally located in the district close to Grandma McClain's place, which later became known as the Martin place. Many of the teachers who came to teach the school boarded there. In fact, one of these teachers married one of the Martin brothers.

Mrs. Blaser became clerk of the district in 1919 and I believe holds a record in the county as she remained the clerk for 33 years. Both Ed and Bertha Blaser became an important part of district 26 and did much to improve the school conditions.

Mrs. Van Hook taught the school in 1918. She had three children and lived in the teacherage, which was built at the same time as the school. The school was filled to capacity with 32 students. Among these were the Wills Girls, Shreve boys, Chapmans, Kesslers, Gertie Smith, Martins, Whites, Frances Barbridge, Don Akers, Ed, Al and Sally Sikorski, Roy McClain and others. Not so many of these live in the district now, but there still are the Sikorskis. Miss Eichenberger was another early teacher, and she taught the first year of high school to keep her from loafing. The eighth grade pupils took written examinations for their final work, and most of these were written on Blaser's dining room table or sewing machine.

Wills School is not only remembered for the three R's learned so laboriously. Many of the people in the country and around remember the dances. Never a Saturday night went by, unless it was seeding time or harvest, but that there was a square dance. We sashayed our partner to the tunes of an accordion, Johnny Coldwell's violin, the Loutzenhizer music and many others. How many remember the one-man band, or the wedding dance on April Fool's Day, that surprised look on Doctor Barr's face when he ate or attempted to eat the bun nicely filled with rubber tube baloney? How many remember Dave Martin's Dancing and Percy Sawyer swinging his partner, Art McClain and Evelyn Emerson dancing the schottische.

Highways change in this country like women's clothes styles, so after a few years, the Wills School was off the road. Cars found it too hard to buck the gumbo, so the board decided and the people of the district voted to move the schoolhouse. Mart Cretsinger donated the land on which it now stands, and he and Ed Blaser did a lot of repair to ' the building after moving to the highway. Part of the old cloakroom and hall were made into a teacherage, and an oil stove replaced the coal furnace.

School was held here for several years before the bus route replaced the teacher and the children came to Baker for school.

District No. 27, Capitol, Ericson, DuMont Schools

When Fallon County was established, District 27, in what is now Carter County, had as clerk Mr. Thomas W. Clapp and the trustees for the district were 0. J. Bye, J. J. Teigen and Ed Burnett, all of Capitol, Montana.

In 1914-15 there were three schools in the district with the following descriptions and valuations: Capitol School, a frame building 18 ft. by 36 ft., valued at $500; Ericson School, a log building covered with corrugated iron, 18 ft. by 32 ft., valued at $5,000; and the DuMont School, a frame building, 18 ft. by 24 ft., valued at $400.

Eighth grade graduates during these years were: Arlene Adams, Marvel Linde, Oliver Teigen, Leo P. Teigen, Frances Adams and Tilmer Waterland.

District No. 28, Red Hill School

Picture loaned by Anastasia Corey, who taught the Redhill School in 1930.

Early matters acted upon by the Board of Trustees of School District 28, Fallon County, involved an election in April, 1915, authorizing free text books and sale of bonds to provide funds to build a school house. The bond issued carried by a vote of 9-8.

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Mary Bessert's offer of land on the southeast corner of Section 18, Twp. 5, Rge. 58, was accepted, and with lumber hauled from the Midland Lumber yard at Plevna, building proceeded.

The board procured the services of Miss Ruth Lyman at $60 a month to teach a spring and summer term. Names of pupils enrolled were: Carl Bessert, Minnie Bessert, Mae, Murril, Clarence, Theodore and Raymond Everson, Gladys and Mae James, Evert Cook, Ralph and Glenare Smith, Lavera and Claude See.

Their ages ranged from 7-20. Old records bear witness to the fact that the school was well equipped and was open for a fall and winter term in 1915 "if weather will permit," with Miss Lyman continuing on as teacher.

One of the early school elections resulted in a tie vote for Mrs. S. H. See and G. 0. Everson. At an appointed time the County Attorney and County Superintendent Anette Leonard, were to meet with the board and decide the election. They failed to appear. The matter was settled in a novel manner. After the parties had chosen heads or tails, Amos Greenlee tossed a coin high in the air. It came down with heads up and Everson was declared elected.

By mid-winter, 1920, after several dry years, a number of families had left the district, and because of failure of funds, the school was closed and the remaining children were sent to the Morton School.

In January, 1923, an election gave the school board the right to move the school to the present location.

The following are some of the pupils who attended this school: Raymond, Leonard and Olive Leischner; Hollis, Gerald, Leon and Trevor Mangold; Leroy and Glenn Kusler; Fred and Robert Hartman; Al MacKay; Patrick and Al Honstain; Harold and Vernon Greenlee; Evert Cook; Mae Gunderson; Genevive Greenlee and Ted Everson.

Among earlier teachers are: Anastasia Whalen (Corey), Helen Riley, Nettie L. Quencer, Mary Lyman, Patricia Crow, Carolyn Abbott.

The school closed at the end of the 1960-61 year with Mrs. Ethel Hanley as teacher. The district was abandoned July 1, 1964 to District 35.

District No. 29, Dunham-Tonquin School

In 1917 Charley Dunham, Pat Crow and John Karch, as trustees, and Mr. Rickbile as clerk, decided to ask for a second school in the district. This was built on the present Highway No. 12 where the last school was located -about one-half mile west of Walter Huether's residence. This school was called the Dunham school. Mrs. Rigleman was the first teacher and Mrs. Clocksene the second.

In 1919-1920, when Clara Trandurn taught, these pupils were enrolled: Vida, Arthur and Lyle Knesal, Bertha Good, Elizabeth, John and Charles Karch.

In 1924, a new building was built on a location on the Yellowstone Trail, the highway at that time. Ruth Baker was the teacher that year.

Some other early teachers were Edward C. Baldwin, Mrs. Reva Shuck, Carol Fitzsimmons, Mrs. Mildred Sutton, George Scheller, Margaret Warren, Ruth Peterson and Edythe Stieber.

In 1954 the Tonquin school was moved back to the original Dunham school site. For many years this group had one of the few very active PTA's in the county.

Some of the teachers in the later years were: Mrs. Caroline Abbott, Mrs. Wilma Livesy, Mrs. Gladys Mosley, Mrs. Magdalena O'Connor, Mrs. Edna Anderson, Mrs. Betty Stanhope and Mrs. Janette Cameron, who taught the last year, 1963-64. The busses now take some of the children to Plevna and some to Baker for school.

District No. 29, Crow School

In 1918 the Crow School, in the same district as Tonquin, had Thomas S. Crow as clerk and David Good, John Karch and C. A. Dunham on the school board. The school was moved from near the Milwaukee Railroad tracks to a location between the Sinclair and Crow homes. Mrs. Ada Crow taught for several years. In 1923 Vera Reese became the teacher. Helen Morris taught the 1925-26 term and Mrs. Mercy Rose taught from 1930 to 1933 and again in 1938-39.

The children grew up and many moved away, so at the close of the 1943-44 term, which was taught by Delores Lippert, the school was closed and in 1947 the district was abandoned to District 9 and 67.

District No. 31, Amundson, Rohner, Cabin Creek and McNaney Schools

The children along Cabin Creek were in need of a school within a reasonable distance from home, so District 31 was created from District 1 and District 33. This was in September of 1919 by the action of Miss Mildred Lamb, who was County Superintendent of Schools for Fallon County, Montana, at that time. George Amundson was the clerk, Jack L. Hogen, Paul Wren and Sophus Amundson were trustees of the new district.

Records show that the Amundson School served one end of the district and by 1920-21 the Rohner School served the other end of the district, with Almida E. Sheehan teaching six children. The next year there were 8 children at the Rohner School with Mrs.I. J. Wagner as the teacher.

In 1923-24 the Cabin Creek School was taught by Mrs. Jeanette Yaeger.

From 1924 to 1938 the McNaney School was in session with the following teachers: 1924-25, Helen C. Jarland,; 1925-26, Hazel M. Stevens; 1926-27, Miss Beatrice Yarnell; 1927-28, there was no school; 1928-29, Miss Betty Thomas; 1929-30, Miss June McGoey; 1930-31, Mrs. Betty Thomas Stanhope; 1931-32, Miss Alma Trytten; 1932-33, Miss Jannett Ayres; 1933-34, Miss Carola Sunell; 1934-35, Mrs. Jennie Ohlrich; 1935-36, Mrs. Elsie M. Boden; 1936-37, Miss Lorena Sweet; and the term of 1937-38 was taught by Miss Mae Pratt.

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District No. 33, Riley, Pennel Creek, Abelt, Young, Dry Forks Schools

Miss Mina Nofholz, first teacher of the Pennel Creek School. She rode a horse from her claim to the school, about five miles. She always had the school nice and warm by the time the pupils arrived, picture loaned by Charlotte Lieurance Jones.

District 33 in Fallon County was created August 31, 1913, with B. B. Jones of Ismay as the clerk and a board composed of A. Vandervort of Westmore, Paul Nobholtz of Ismay and T. J. Riley of Ismay. Records show that in 1915 the Riley School with 28 pupils was taught by Benita Barley and that Nellie Sanborn taught 7 children at another school in the district.

In 1916-17 Ida M. Ulsaker taught 22 pupils at the Riley School.

Cecil D. Ayotte taught 26 pupils at the Pennel Creek School in 1917-18, and Emilyn Mohr taught 6 pupils at the Abelt School.

In 1918-19 Mrs. Emelyn Mohr had 22 pupils at the Pennel Creek School, and the Abelt School, with 13 children, was taught by Mrs. Mercy Rose. Mrs. Joseph Maga taught the Abelt School in 1919-20 and Mrs. Rose taught another school.

In 1920-21 the Young School and the Riley School were both taught by Bernice Jones. One was probably a summer session.

The Dry Forks School was built during the summer of 1920, and in 1921-22 Charlotte Lieurance taught 15 pupils there and Bernice Jones taught 15 pupils at the Pennel Creek School.

Mrs. George Griffith was the teacher of 15 children at the Dry Forks School in 1922-23, and the next year Edna McFarland was the teacher of 13 boys and girls.

Some eighth grade graduates of this district were: 1914, German Zook; 1916, Arthur Cooper, Lloyd and Bernice Jones; 1917, Esther Huffman; 1919, Merel Cooper, Lola Lieurance and Bernice Wilson; 1920, Esther and Charles Burton and Elinor Moga.

District No. 33, Dry Fork School

Dry Fork School was built during the summer of 1920. Contractors for the building were Carl Busch and Otto Stockfish of Plevna. The school is located 15 miles northwest of Plevna near Dry Fork Creek after which it was named. The school was built at that location because it was centrally located.

The first teacher at Dry Fork was Miss Charlotte Lieurance. She had nine pupils.

In 1920 the trustees were: Park Householder, Jess Cooper, B. B. Jones, with A. J. Wilson as clerk.

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Dry Forks School, first teacher, Charlotte Lieurance, pupils, left to right, front row: Clarence Jinkerson, Laurence Munyon, Evelyn Munyon, Emma Young, Philip Fuchs, Virgil Jinkerson, back row: Harold Young, Charlotte Lieurance [teacher], Myrtle Munvon, Mary Fuchs, Florence Young, Daniel Fuchs, Alber Young and Richard Jinkerson, not in the picture Fred and John Fuchs, picture loaned by Charlotte Lieurance Jones.

District No. 34, Peabody, Lakeside, Elgin, Central, Sykes and Long Pine

District 34 in 1912-14 had L. A. Leigh of Sykes, Montana, as clerk and a board consisting of F. A. McCanley, Ekalaka, George Hobbs of Elgin, and 1. 0. Williams of Sykes.

Records show that the Peabody School, the Lakeside School, the Elgin School, the Central School, the Sykes School and the Long Pine School were all in session.

These students were eighth grade graduates in the district: Eliza Sweeney, John Sweeney, Clara Yates and Imogene Leigh. No record of the names of the teachers or the locations of the schools is available.

District No. 35, Lame Jones School

District 35 was established October 3, 1910, as a result of a petition signed by 21 residents of this community and presented to Mary Lee Wilson, the County Superintendent of Custer County (before there was a Fallon County). The district contained all of Township 5N and 6N, Range 57E. The taxable valuation was $35,898.00.

The first trustees were L. M. Morrison, M. G. Berry and R. E. Lambert. Mr. Morrison was appointed chairman and H. W. Lyman, clerk.

The first school term began September 12, 1910, in the Lambert building, for which a rental fee of $75.00 per year was paid. Ruth A. Lyman was the teacher and received $50.00 per month for her services. Since it was impossible to complete organization of the school district until October 3, 1910, R. E. Lambert guaranteed the necessary expenses of the first month of school.

Picture loaned by Ethel Berry Mitchell who attended the Lame Jones School.

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Names of the pupils attending the first school were as follows: R. E. Lambert's children, Lyle, Florence, George and May; John Hatton's children, Jess, Myrtle, Sakra, Ruth and Delmar; R. E. Morrison's children, Don, Pauline, Bill and May; Hazel Stout, daughter of Frank Stout; Lois Stout, daughter of Bill Stout; and the Moses G. Berry children, Sarah, Ethel and Emery.

Picture loaned by Ethel Berry Mitchell.

In the spring of 1912, plans were completed for the new school building. One acre of ground in the Northwest corner of Section 9 was acquired, and on this, the new school house was completed in the fall. This building was not only the educational center, but was also the social and recreational center of the community for many years. Here dances, card parties, and all the usual social activities of pioneer days were held.

We are told that the school got its name, 'Lame Jones' from one of the first settlers of this part of the country. A lame trapper and buffalo hunter had his home on the creek that bears his name. The first school house was located on this creek and still carries the name 'Lame Jones'.

Expenses for the school year 1910-11 were as follows: Teachers salary, $495.00; freight, expense and drayage, $29.90 Books and supplies, $54.24; repairs to building, $57.10; janitor, $86.25; rent, $75.00; fuel, $25.00; clerk, $40.00; expenses, selling bonds, $25.00; new desks, $43.28; total cost: $970.77. All this-and 23 pupils (compared to around $3,000.00 and four pupils now)!

Notice the 'Janitor's wages. From the clerk's record books, we find the janitor's duties, as prescribed by the trustees were, "school house to be swept once each day of school and scrubbed every two weeks. Fires were to be built every morning on school days not later than 8:30, bell to be rung at 8:30 and coal box filled every morning."

Lame Jones School, taken Thanksgiving Day Dinner, 1923 or 1924, when the school sat on Lame Jones Creek, picture loaned by Mrs. G. W. Sparks.

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In 1926 it was decided to build a new school house to better accommodate the children living in the south part of the district. This school was known as the Milk Creek School, and operated successfully until 1953, when it was closed for lack of pupils.

Lame Jones School at present location of Four Corners, moved in the 1950's, picture loaned by Mrs. G. W. Sparks.

District No. 36, Hidden Water, Myhre, Beaver, Wells, Rasmussen, Brownson, and 101

The first school in District 36, Hidden Water, was built in 1910 about 12 miles south of Baker on the 101 Road. The building material was donated by the people of the community. School board members were Homer Young, Hosia Cate and Charles Noftsker, Sr. Miss Nora Marks was the first teacher. Other teachers in the early years were Eva Jacobson, Harry Woodruff, and Floy Ellis.

Some years later the school closed and remained closed for about ten years and was eventually torn down. In 1931 a Hidden Water school was rebuilt on a site about a mile north of the first school.

Four schools were in operation at one time in District 36 but due to shifting of the population one or another would be closed for a term or two then reopened when needed. Usually a term of school was for only seven months or less.

First salaries for teachers were around sixty dollars a month. By 1924 salaries had increased to one hundred dollars a month.

Records show that in 1913-14 the Hidden Water School was taught by Harry Woodruff with an enrollment of 13 pupils, and that Florence Fleming taught at another school in the district with 6 pupils in attendance. Margaret E. Williams had 8 pupils at her school and Eva Jacobson had an enrollment of 17 pupils.

In 1914-15 Harry Woodruff taught 14 pupils at Hidden Water and Walter Stillabower taught 9 at the Myhre School. Margaret Williams taught 7 pupils and Ethel Summers taught 10 pupils at unnamed schools in the district.

In 1916-17, Mrs. Angela Branagan taught 7 pupils at Beaver School, Madge Gregerson taught 13 pupils at the Hidden Water School and E. M. Sweeny taught 11 pupils at another school.

In 1917-18, Lora Lee Tifft taught 6 pupils at the Myhre School, Hertha Conradi taught 3 pupils at Hidden Water No. 2,and Olga M. Commors taught 11 children at Hidden Water No. 1, Olive Russell taught 10 pupils at the Wells School and Lois M. Stewart taught 10 children at Beaver No. 2.

Other schools referred to in District 36 were the Rasmussen, Brownson and 101. The Rasmussen and the Brownsons schools may have once been the Wells and Beaver schools.

Some of the trustees serving in the early years were: James Couser, A. J. Miller, Sam Noftsker, Odin Myhre, Art Myhre, William Bruce, Mark Brownson and Homer Young. Mrs. Barbara Bruce, Mrs. Laura Kreager, and Alice Myhre were some of the clerks who served with the board.

Some early eighth grade graduates were Carrie Brakefield, 1915; Ethel Kenyon, 1916; Herbert Kenyon, 1917; Merle Surface, 1919; Maynard Bruce, 1920; and May Lee Couser in 1921.

In 1919 the census showed a population of 56 children in the district but by 1956 it had decreased to 30.

In 1926 it was decided to run only one school, the Myhre School, and it was to be a nine-month term. Miss Christine was the teacher. Then, in 1931 the Hidden Water School was rebuilt making these the only schools in operation in the district. In 1945 the Myhre School closed but the Hidden Water continued to run until 1966 when it was closed for the last time.

In 1966 the community saw the need of another school and by petition the 101 School was opened near the Mourice Myhre's. The building had been moved from the Ollie community where it had once been a church. This school also closed for the last time in 1966 when the Baker school bus began bringing the children in to the Baker schools.

Mrs. Louise Williams was the last teacher in the Hidden Water School and Mrs. Pauline Ottema at the 101 School.

Wells School District 36, by Mary Lee Couser Sinclair.

The first school was built by the patrons about 1911 and the first teacher was Mrs. Jesse Lucier. It was a tar-roofed building, anchored at all four corners because of the high winds. It was located on the eastern side of section 23 (E. T. Well's hay section).

Desks were fashioned by hand, benches and table like the desks with a shelf underneath to hold the books and slates. Each desk would seat two pupils.

Water was carried from a spring about one fourth of a mile from school.

There were five pupils at first. School was held only in the summer months. Later there were three more pupils. Eva Sanders,

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Ruby and Eva Foster, Rachel, Lummie and Arzella Foster and Mary Lee Couser were the pupils. Miss May Lee Wilson was the county superintendent at that time.

Later, the school building was moved one mile west to be more centrally located, since several new families had moved into the area.

Myrtle, Maynard and James Bruce, Hugh Wells, Marv Lee Couser, Geneva and Violet Haagenson, were among the pupils that first year in the new location. The teacher was Hugh Wells, Sr.

With the arrival of the Aarron Brownson family in the community, the school was no longer large enough, so a new school was built a short distance from the old one. Three pupils from that family, one from the Enoch Norris family (Lillian) and one more from the Couser family (Margaret) attended. The schoolhouse was a busy place.

In later years the population thinned, the older children went on to high school and the schoolhouse was closed. The younger children had to find other schools to attend. Some went to the Myhre School, others to the Rasmussen School as both were in the same district.

District No. 37, Gregerson School.

Lumber hauled by team and wagon from Baker became a school building on Section 10, District No. 28. Al Honstain, A. D. Smith and Lone Star worked to complete the carpentry before the school term in 1912. The first pupils were May and Ralph Smith, Ella Honstain and Harold and Art Lobdell.

The present school building was purchased by District No. 37 and became known as the Gregerson School. It was moved a couple of times to benefit the shift in population.

Officially organized in 1916, District 37 held the first session of school from April to August, and was taught by Mrs. Art Langhold. Hot weather in July and August were not conducive to learning. Desks and pupils occupied the shade outdoors to keep as cool as possible. The 21 pupils were accommodated by double desks and benches. The school furnished the books, tablets, pencils and other items needed. Those first attending Were: Harold, Arthur, Gordon, Alice and Donald Lobdll; Hattie, Lillian May and Hazel Freeman; Clifford, Virginia and Elinore Hogarity; Georginia, Gilbert and Emmett Gregerson; Keith, Wilbert and Roland Irvine; Norman Vaughn; Virginia Harrington and Russell Northrup.

The same school board, Gregor Gregerson, George Staff, Henry Foote and Dewy Shervin, as clerk, served for many years.

Mamie Cain Honstain taught in the early years of the schools and married a local man. Later she returned to teaching at the Gregerson School and remained there for five years.

There were three schools in the district in the early 1900's. They were Hidden Water, Shervin and Gregerson. The Sherwin School was closed and the Lunder School took its place. The Hidden Water or better known as the Bechtold School ran into the mid 30's when it closed. About the same time the Lunder School closed, leaving the Gregerson school that closed in the early 60's, and Willard in 68.

Arthur MacKay, a former pupil of the Gregerson School, was on the school board when the last school in the district closed.

Teachers through the years were Esther Bruce, Lucille Chase, Gladys Vincelette, Hazel Smith, Mrs. Gerry B. MacKenzie, Laura North, Nellie E. Rankin, Virginia B. Hardison, Walter E. Sherman, Mildred F. Sutton, Nellie MacKay, Mrs. Mamie Honstain, Joan Phebus, Jon L. Morris, Arlene Murdy, Dorothy Ashley, Mrs. Ethel Hanley, Bill Dansby, Mrs. Patricia Knight, and Mrs. Lena Linden.

 

Gregerson School, 1933, Mrs. Lena Linden, teacher, Nellie and Al MacKay, Pat, Dorothy and Joyce Honstain, picture loaned by Mrs. Lena Linden.

District 37, Bechtold School.

The Bechtold school ran for many years with many pupils including the children of H. J. Foote, Albert Cate, David Good, John Kessler, Frank Stanhope, Frank Kreager, Lewis Bechtold, Elmer Cate and Ben Huber.

In 1920 eighth grade graduates were: Rufus Cate, Robert Stanhope, Iva Staff, Marion Price and Martha Brownson.

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School programs in the late 20's included pupils from the other districts, or all the schools would go together and present a combined program and box social at the Willard Hall.

Some of the teachers were Margaret Warren, Irene Hall, June McCoy, Ruth Helgeson, Ruth Baker, Florence McCullem, Eleanor Helgeson, Mary Weinschrott, Mrs. Emma Trout, Mildred Miles, Pearl Stanhope, Mrs. Henry Stenerson and Mrs. Bertha Little.

District 37, Lunder School.

This school was just across the dam from the T. T. Lunder farm, three miles south of the Willard Post office.

Pupils through the years included: Henriette Van Hook; Howard and Newton Robbins; Wayne, Roy, Ralph and Edith Shreve; Betty, Alvah and Craig Race; Teddy Sleeth; Carol and Curtis Schulz; Florence and Kenneth Bailey; Dorothy, Eileen, Lowell, Marie and Myron Bergstrom; Evelyn Bowman; Ralph and Vivian Fost; Marvin Hanson; Donald and Virgil Kiser; Floyd, Boyd and Earl Lunder of the T. T. Lunders; and Emelyn and LuVerne Lunder of the Tom Lunders; Lorranine Mangold; Donald and Gerald Plummer.

A few of the teachers were Marguerite S. Cook, Marie Evelyn Van Hook, Marie Maywald, Mabel E. Schettler, Joe Weinschrott and Nellie Amock.

The depression came in the early 30's and many people left their farms and the school closed. The children then were taken to the Willard School. The school house was purchased by Jim Bruce and moved to Baker for a residence.

District No. 37, Willard School.

The land for a school in Section 18 was donated to District 37 by Elmer Anderson. The Willard School was built in 1919 by Elmer Anderson, Fred Anderson and George Staff. The first school board members were: Elmer Anderson, clerk, with George Staff, Ed. Burke and Gregor Gregerson as trustees. Taxable evaluation of all schools in the district was $224,917.00.

First class of Willard, Montana, Miss Lois Conners, teacher, pupils are: Pauline Anderson and Alden Anderson [cousins], Marion Price and Mary Zelstra, picture loaned by Mrs. Westrope.

The first teacher, Miss Lois Conners, held school in the Willard Hall until the present school was built. She taught until April, and Miss Beatrice L. Morse finished the term. Wages were $90. a month. Four pupils attended the first school. They were: Alden Anderson, son of Elmer Anderson; Pauline Anderson, daughter of Fred Anderson; Mary Zilestra and Marion Price. The next year Evelyn Anderson, sister of Alden; Warner and Hazel Anderson, children of Charles Anderson; Frank Zilstra and Leonard Bergstrom, son of Ted Bergstrom, attended.

The third teacher, Mrs. Henry Stenerson, taught 15 pupils for $100.00 a month. Helen Bergstrom, daughter of the Ted Bergstroms; Charlotte, daughter of Woods Westrope; Maynard and Gladys Olieson, the children of the Sig Bernsons and Frances and Alice Burke were pupils.

During the 1920's the top attendance was 26 and then in the World War II Boom of the mid fifties the top attendance was 18. The last year school was running, there again were only four pupils. They were Carol and Donald MacKay, Timothy Bechtold and Gary Naylor, son of the teacher, Mrs. Maxine Naylor. Carol went on to be the Valedictorian of her graduating class in Plevna in 1972.

The Willard School had the biggest attendance through the years of all four schools in the district. Ruth Helgeson, Leona Mulloy, Hazel Kenoyer, Mrs. E. Cate, Myrtle Mathieson, Laura North, Mabel Schettler, Mrs. Ada Crow, Esther Stieg, Leonard Koll, Mabel Musser, Kathleen Shreve, Mrs. Mercy Rose, Jean Cook, Mildred Grant, Gwendolyn Huber, Mrs. Ramona Shepherd, Jeanett Cameron, Agnes Jones, Mrs. Frances Sikorski, Mrs. Sadie Hayden, Shirley Jordan, Melvin Knight, Douglas Marston, Lena Linden, Sadie Fermoil, Mrs. Richard Maywald, Robert Maywald, Mrs. Leonard Shefter, Gretchen Harvey, Ruth King, Mamie Honstain and Laura Dahl. Marion Fost Hanson, a former pupil, filled in as teacher several months the year Mrs. Ada Crow taught.

 

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Many good times were held by the teachers and pupils on Friday afternoons. There were parties, plays and Christmas Parties and often there was an exchange with other schools such as Ollie and Hidden Water for ball games. The last day of school was quite often at Medicine Rocks, in one of the local draws, or at Wildwood Park, with homemade ice cream and other goodies coming from home.

Each year playdays were held in Baker where there was competition between the schools in reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling and history.

Ramond and Marion Fost Hanson, children of the Albert Fosts, were the only students who completed all eight grades at Willard. Their children, two in each family, also completed all eight grades there, and had there been school there in 1973, Raymond Fost's granddaughter, Brenda, daughter of Kenneth and Karen Griffith, would have completed her first grade there.

The district is now part of District 12 of Baker, and the school bus picks her up on Highway 7 near the old school building. The building was purchased by Evelyn Anderson Gaer but is unused at this time.

John Bergstrom, son of John Henry Bergstrom, was the only former student of the school who lost his life while serving his country. Mary Jane Anderson was the only girl student to enter the service. Many teachers, ranchers, business men, registered nurses, and artists from the Elmer Anderson and Ted Bergstrom families; and Marion Fost Hanson, post-mistress of Willard, attended the Willard School. Jack and Wootzie Westrope went on to win national fame as horse riders. Both were killed while riding horses. Their cousin, Jack Westrope, son of the Fred Westropes is now a State Highway Patrolman.

A 50th reunion of the whole district was held and over 150 persons came to Willard Hall for a noon dinner and to hear short talks by former teachers and two former Superintendents of School, Miss Edwina Eichenberger and Mel Schneider.

The last school board consisted of Delbert Schweigert, a former pupil, as clerk, Cleo Barkley, also a former pupil, Arthur MacKay and Wilford Lindstrom.

District No. 41, Varner-Scoles, Chimney Creek and Colbo.

The first board of the district consisted of Mr. Varner, Mr. Norman and Mr. Zink with Mrs. Norman as clerk.

In 1915 four schools were running in the district. The Clark School with 14 pupils was taught by Lora Lee Tifft. The Norman School had 10 pupils and was taught by Veronica Ryan. There were 17 students at the Duck Creek School who were taught by Anna Johnstone. The Scoles School had 12 pupils taught by Rhea Davis.

The records for 1916-17 are incomplete but show that the Clark School was taught by Miss Edwina Eichenberger who had 14 students.

In 1917-18 the children at the Chimney Creek School were taught by Beatrice G. Howell. The Duck Creek School had 12 children who had Ida Mae Maxwell for a teacher. Jessie C. McKinnon taught the 7 children at the Scoles School.

Ida Mae Maxwell taught 6 children at the Rambur School later in the year. Miss Edwina Eichenberger had 18 pupils at the Little Beaver School and Lora Lee Tifft taught 12 pupils at the Norman School.

In the school year 1918-19 Ida Mae Maxwell taught 6 students at the Rambur School, Edwina Eichenberger taught 18 pupils at the Little Beaver, Leona Brownson had 5 children at the Scoles School, Susie M. Thomas taught 14 pupils at the Duck Creek School and at the Cran Rost School 7 pupils were taught by Mrs. Cris Idecker.

Only three schools were running in 1919-20. They were the Springvale School with 6 pupils and Mrs. Chris Idecker was the teacher, Olga M. Conners taught 11 children at the Chimney Creek School and J. T. Bradshaw taught 22 children at another location.

In May 1920 patrons petitioned for a new school within the district which had 30 children of school age. The petition was signed by Lewis Williams, R. C. Fink, A. S. Schorsh, H. E. Molstad, E. H. Molstad, Charles A. Corey, Hans Tronstad, C. F. Emerson, E. A. Hamilton and Melvin Zink.

Some early eighth grade graduates of the district were: 1915 Nellie Scoles and Amanda Gunderson; 1916 Oliver Norman and Gertrude Varner; 1918 Ines Corey, Helen Norman and Olga Norman; 1920 Edna Varner and Stella Berry.

District No. 41, Scoles School.

School District No. 41 of Fallon County was originally organized in about 1911. It then covered four townships, including the Wolenetz School at its west end, and extending eastward to the Dakota border through townships 4 in ranges 59, 60,61 and 62. M. A. Shreve, Bob Norman and C. B. Scoles were the first board members. Minnie Wolenetz was the first clerk for the district.

Later the district was divided and its boundary was changed to include the Yokley School.

Originally, the Scoles School was erected on a site one mile southeast of the present A. M. Scoles farm home. Merle

Scoles hauled lumber from Baker with a four horse team. He delivered his grain to the elevator and returned with lumber for the school.

In 1917 the building was moved to a location one-half mile south of the present John Meccage (then Dan Gunderson) home site. It stood there, one of the three District 41 schools in the re-formed district, until 1956, when it burned to the ground. It was replaced by a new modern type structure.

Emma Greer (later Mrs. Hermanson) was the first teacher of the Scoles School. Among other early teachers were Miss Beatrice Howell, 1912, and Leona Brownson (Mrs. A. M. Scoles) in 1918.

The first group of pupils included John Rusley, Ernest Rusley, Harold Rusley, Dwight Mouton and sister, Louise, Amanda Gunderson, Nellie and Albert Scoles and Josephine, Ivan and Leonard Howell.

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Old Scoles School, 1934. Pictures loaned by Dorothy Scoles Minard.

Old Scoles School, 1934, left to right: Dorothy, Walter, Bonita, Lloyd and Dauie Scoles, Jasper and Chester Baily.

District No. 41, Chimney Creek School.

The Chimney Creek School was built in 1913. And is located south of Baker, about five miles east of Webster, Montana.

Mrs. Pearl Trandurn was the first teacher. The second teacher, in 1914, was Beatrice Hall. The next two years were taught by

Lora Tifft. Miss Eichenberger taught in 1917. The next teacher was Mrs. Cora Blaser.

Some of the first pupils were Bob, Bill, Mel, Mamie, Ella, Edna and Gertie Varner; and the Middaugh children.

The first school board members were Mr. Varner, Mr. Norman and Mr. Zink with Mrs. Norman as clerk.

The land for the school was donated by Abbie Clark Stuempges.

Chimney Creek School, Euphie Robinson, teacher, back row: Elmer Newell, Audrey Hansen, Frances Spriggs, front row: Ione Johnson [Coldwell], Monte Johnson Isipmal, Mildred Hansen, Irene Johnson [Wiman], Milford Hansen, Edward Varner, Earl /BusterlJohnson and Clark Stuempges, picture loaned by Audrey Hansen.

District No. 41, Yokley school.

In 1918 our community was a part of District 5. The only school in this district was the Fletcher Creek School, and it was too far for our patrons to take their children, so, school was held in the Axel Engstrom home, near Sten Wiman's home.

In the summer of 1920, a tract of land was divided from District 5 and numbered District 13. Daniel Korneychuk, Peter Shikowsky and Ole Peterson were elected to the school board with Charles Haftle as clerk.

That fall the Margret Williams' home west of Yokleys was used for school, while the school house was being built on the Gene Fullerton land. It was sometimes referred to as the Fullerton School.

Robert Yokley purchased the Fullerton property and the school has been called the Yokley school ever since.

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In 1928 there weren't enough pupils near the school, so school was held in a little house moved to the Trandurn Estate property. School was not held again in the school house until 1937.

An election was held to move the school house, which carried, and Sten Wiman donated an acre of land. The school was moved to where it now stands.

There were no pupils from 1948 to 50, so school was closed for two years. Since we didn't have sufficient funds to open again we joined with District 41.

Mrs. M. G. Sherin, was the first teacher of Yokley School. The following are the teachers in the order they taught: F. W. Fatting, Lillian Knapp, Sarah Lathom, Ione Salom, Mabel Kessler, Ruth Sahn, Leila Crow, Olive Norman, Melvina Sparks, Wilbert, Howell, Nellie Aumock, Eloise Hosman, Mery Rose, Astried Sipma, Peggy Morang, Mavis Tronstad, Nora Kasten, Gladys Sullivan, Anna Peck, Lolita Yokley, Fern Tronstad, Lena Linden, Bessie Faulk and Lola Blackburn.

District 45, Pleasant Prairie, MacKenzie, Hay Creek, and Spring Creek Schools.

School District No. 45, in what was then Custer County, was organized in 1911 by County Superintendent Mary Lee Wilson. The first trustees were Fred Riley, T. A. FitzSimmons and Frank Riley. Mrs. T. A. FitzSimmons was the clerk.

The first school house, known as the Pleasant Prairie School was built on the south east corner of Section 12 and the first teacher was Miss Ruth Lyman. She received $50 a month for a six month term. This school house was later moved to Section 36, but there were soon no pupils and it was vacant for years. Finally, in 1939, it was sold for $65. Among the pupils of this school were: Mildred Allen; Carol, Max, Helen and Merle FitzSimmons; Joseph, Michael and Nina Konan; Scott, Helen, Francie and Dwight Riley; Kenneth, Everett and Ruth Riley.

In 1915 a second school was built on Section 17 and was known as the Mackenzie School. The cost of this 18 by 24 foot building was $229.10 for lumber and $185 for carpenter work. This school was moved in 1938 to its present location on Section 21 and is still in good condition. There has been no school in it since 1953 because there have been no children of school age. The first teacher of this school was Miss Clara Berg. Among the early pupils were Rose Borken; Eugene Caton; Fernie and Connie Clellan; Dorothy, Richard, Celia and Minnie Gordon; Russell and Sammie Raskin; Minnie and Isadore Larkin and Abbie Ostroff.

Mackenzie School, 1932, back row, left to right: Daisy Collie, David Collie, Vivian Collie, Goldie Collie, front row: Sylvia LaBree, Alex Collie, Mrs. Edna Collie, Sybil LaBree, picture loaned by Mrs. Edna Collie.

A letter dated January 26,1915 says in part, "There is one family that will not send their children to school regular. One boy aged 11, has never been to school and doesn't talk English. Think a letter from you might scare him so he might send his boy to school as he pays no attention to us. All who are close to school send their children regular".

In 1948 the Hay Creek District Number 2 was consolidated with District 45. The earliest records we have of the Hay Creek District, originally District 39, are in 1912. The trustees were A. 0. Ingram, W. L. Pease and Winfield Redman, Sr. The clerk was G. G. Askin then Esther Parsons. Mrs. Emmett Glidewell taught this school. In 1917 a second school house was built on the southwest corner of Section 16 and was known as the Spring Creek District Number 38 and Hay Creek District Number 2. They operated separately for a number of years and then were consolidated again due to the lack of enough pupils to maintain a school in the Spring Creek District

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When this consolidated district failed to have school for three years it was put into, by law, the adjoining District 45.

Among the early pupils of the Spring Creek and Hay Creek Schools were: George, Henry, Bob and Edna Askin; Robert Hamilton; Francis and Margaret Lynch; Theodore and Gladys Redman; Edith, Ethel and Cecil Wright; Leslie and Lawrence Pease; Cyril Lynch; Bertha and Albert Sieler; Henry Koenig and Albert and Melvina Thompson.

In 1954 it, again, became necessary to open a school in the Spring Creek end of the district and school was held in the home of Mrs. Ethyl Meyers who taught the school. Since the Spring Creek school house had deteriorated so badly, the Hay Creek school house was not in a suitable location and it was not feasible to move such a large building, both school houses were sold. A trailer house was purchased and school for the pupils was held in it, which had a kitchen and a bedroom thus serving as a teacherage too.

The Spring Creek School ran until 1968 when Mrs. Clara Dahl was the last teacher.

Some of the other teachers were; Miss Melvina Sparks, Miss Leila Crow, Mrs. Dorothy Hanley, Mrs. Helen Askin and Mrs. Frances Sikorski.

Some of the Hay Creek teachers were: Viola Braun, Mrs. Esther Glidewell, Mrs. Lucille Riley, Mrs. Nellie Aumock, Mrs. Louise Fulton and Mrs. Mercy Rose.

DISTRICT No. 46, Pleasant Valley.

District 46, known as Pleasant Valley, had as clerk A. J. Rice of Ekalaka and as board members Edward Rockhold, R. F. Strain and M. P. Ryan all of Ekalaka. Mae Strain was an eighth grade graduate.

District 48, Coal Springs School.

Records show that in 1913 this district had a school with a school board composed of James Thompson, Ferdinand Rose and L. M. Crow. Miss Ethel Wheeler was the clerk.

In 1916 LaVerne Foust was an eighth grade graudate of this district.

In 1918 there was a Coal Springs School and the same year Mrs. (Bob) Mercy Rose taught a school in her home. The school was known as the Smith-Rose School. She taught her two daughters, Josephine and Carol, Earl Smith, a Hubbard girl and some Olsen children.

In 1920 several families, including Frank Nichols, Jennie McMorris, C. W. Robinson and Lewis Faust, petitioned to transfer from District 48 to District 44 so that the pupils would be closer to school. That same year Douglas, Gladys and Sybil Vincelette were eighth grade graduates of the district.

In 1929 the Coal Springs School was located at the southeast corner of Section 18, Township 9, Range 58 east.

In 1932 Ira Sandborn was chairman of the board and Nellie S. Denny was clerk. Carol Rose was the teacher. The district was abandoned in 1949.

Coal Springs School, 1932, back row: Peggy Sandborn, Carol Rose [teachell Phyllis Sandborn and Eldon Sandborn, front row: Johnny Schweigert, Elinar Schweigert, Lynn Denny, Dale Denny and Erwin Schweigert.

District 50, Fertile Prairie School, by Mrs. Mike Kirschten

The Fertile Prairie School was constructed during the late summer and fall of 1917 and Lorene Hibbard (Mrs. Mike Kirschten) was employed as the first teacher, spending two years there. School opened on schedule, in the kitchen of the Fertile Prairie Community Hall, directly across the road from the school, the said "road" being the old "Yellowstone Trail" of former days. "Still sits the schoolhouse by the road," but the road is now Highway 12, and the building has been moved from its original site to a point about two miles east and one mile north from the old site, where the old abandoned Yellowstone Trail and the old decrepit hall may still be seen. But it is still known as The Fertile Prairie School.

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Fertile Prairie School, old picture, picture loaned by Mrs. Allen Griffith.

One of the young men who helped to lay the floor in the new building was later reported lost at sea when a German submarine sank a troopship during W.W.I.

The yard was fenced, there was playground equipment installed, all necessary out buildings built, hot lunches were served, and a jacketed heater installed. An organ was provided and much patriotic music filled the air!

That kitchen hall was pretty crowded! The children were permitted to use the hall and its piano for marching and exercises. The school was awarded a "Standard School" plate the first year.

Fertile Prairie School, on Highway 12 east of Baker, 1950-1951, picture loaned by Anastasia Corey.

The school was completed by Thanksgiving and during vacation the move was made. The walls (plaster) were not quite dry and almost everyone caught cold! But all were joyful to be in the large new school room.

During those first years, students attending there were: Alice, Robert and Chester Brown, who left the country not long afterward; Francis and Clarence Hurst, whose family also left this area; Everard and Kermit Stumpf; Dorothy, Myrtle, Donald and Guy Stewart; Jason and Orval Brownlow (briefly); Kaiso, Sophie, Norman and Custer Jacobson; Amelia Kreager, later; Mrs. Theodore Braun and mother of Alfred Braun and Mrs. Merritt Duffield; and Amelia's sister Freda, and 2 brothers, Earl and Riley Kreager. The second year some of these moved away and Joe Votruba, Jr. and his sister Mildred, later Mrs. Victor Braun, and Vera Zella Garriott entered as pupils.

This school has been in constant use through the ensuing years and has been the scene of many programs, parties and school trustee meetings. It presently served the needs of the Merritt Duffield, the Robert Murphy, the Alfred Braun, and the Stanley Wagner families.

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District No. 50, Fairview School, by Forrest Duffield.

The people of the community felt the great need of a school for their children but no school funds were available so they raised funds to build their own school.

By the fall of 1911 enough money was available to begin and the lumber yard at Marmarth carried the balance so that the school could be built.

There were community dances, programs followed by socials and other activities to raise money.

The first school was held in the spring of 1912 when Miss Nora Marks taught a three month term. The first children were: Daisy, Dorothy and Myrtle Stewart; George Duffield; Ollie Evers; Irene Howard; Grace, Forrest, and Howard Duffield; Gertrude Chapin; Edna, Mabel and Bill Parson; Ridgeway Lawn and Violet and Fern Goodwin.

Fairuiew School, 1916-1917, Laura Lynn, teacher. She later became Mrs. Charles Duffield, picture loaned by Mrs. Allen Griffith.

The school ran until 1928. Later the building was bought by George Jenner and made into a nice house. After the Jenners retired and moved to Wisconsin, Einar Tronstad purchased the house and moved it into Baker on the lot where the "old Green Store" stood.

District 50, Dean-Young [Golden Valley] by Mrs. Mike Kirschten.

In 1909, the people in the area east of Baker, now known as Fertile Prairie, decided to build a school. Robert 0. Dean was a prime mover of the project and William H. Young, father of Attorney Denzil Young, Sr., donated the land. A committee of neighbors was selected to contact the proper authorities, and, permission having been readily granted, plans moved forward. A committee traveled to town to bargain with the lumber companies for the necessary lumber. Not being satisfied with the terms offered, they decided to go to Marmarth to see what could be done there. They met with better luck there, so the material, or most of it, was hauled over the old prairie roads to begin construction. Teams don't burn gasoline, so the wear and tear on the wagons was the only drawback! Time wasn't considered at such a premium at that time, neither! Ha!

On one of these trips after lumber, 3 teams strung out for Marmarth together. Two of the wagons carried boxes, the third had only the running gear, with boards laid on it to hold the lumber and ropes to secure it. On these boards, sat 2 girls of 12 and 14 years of age- Sadie Dean, and Lorene Hibbard. James O'Donnell, brother of the late Mike O'Donnel, drove the outfit. The second wagon carried 2 ladies and a 7 year old boy, while the third driver, Mr. Wm. H. Young, went it alone.

As they drove merrily along, the two girls were singing a popular nonsense ditty of those days.

"Forty-seven bottles ahangin' on the wall,

Forty-seven bottles ahangin' on the wall,Now, if one of those bottles should happen to fall,

There'd be forty-six bottles ahangin' on the wall." And so on and so on until no bottles were hanging on the wall.

Having arrived at the Tom Ridgway ranch over near the Dakota line, the women and children lighted down to spend a day visiting while the teams continued on to Marmarth.

When evening came all took off for home, a distance of several miles. A cloud had come up about dusk and it began to drizzle. Of course, it darkened and, of necessity, they had to make haste slowly. More fun! There they were, perched atop the lumber load! And to top it off, one of the other loads, the last one across, got hung up in waterhole creek! The old waterhole crossing was some distance south from the present crossing, west, a short distance from the Merritt Duffield location.

To resume; they then had to wait while the other two drivers unhooked a team and went to the rescue after which the (merry) journey continued, but they got the lumber home.

It was decided to name the school the Dean-Young School, and it was known by that name for many years until it was moved 2 1/2 miles eastward to meet the demands of the shifting population. It was then located on the land of Sydney Golden and became known as the Golden Valley School. Mr. Golden was the father of the late Mrs. Wm. Ferguson.

When the Dean-Young opened in 1909, Mrs. Olive Lucier, who had taught the first small school in Baker the previous year, was hired as teacher. She and her daughter, Jessie, boarded at the R. 0. Dean ranch along with 3 of the Deans' grandchildren.

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At the opening of school in the fall of 1909, they had, still, no desks nor books. Planks had been fashioned into long benches (backless). The small fry sat on the front one and so forth to the eldest at the back.

Teacher's desk was a "center" table, donated by a patron, having on it pencil, pen, ink bottle, a bell with a handle and an alarm clock. Some blackboards of some sort of composition material, which was green, were on the walls, but there was, at first, no chalk troughs and so a streak of chalk dust was along the floor. Later, troughs were made.

Many pupils had been required to furnish their own books from places where they had lived before coming west and each brought what books he had. Written work was done on the blackboards or at home. There were spell-downs which were always fun. Then, at Christmas time, they got their books and desks. The desks were old ones from the Baker School but they were desks!

Mrs. Lucier was a woman of boundless patience and good nature. She had to be! Pupils of every age from 2nd grade through 8th. Recesses were sometimes longer than ordinary, but they learned, which, on looking back, seems a marvel!

It wasn't long until sufficient supplies were available and things running well. One may be forgiven for suspecting that the long bench where the 4 or 5 older girls sat had received some outside assistance, when one of the end braces collapsed, sending the girls cascading down the slide to the floor! But it was fun!

The school was a center for community activities; neighborhood Christmas programs, parties, an occasional basket social, and a 4th of July celebration complete with recitations, singing, games, horse racing and beef barbecue. Now and then the minister would come out from Baker for services.

Original pupils of the Dean-Young School were: Oliver Ames (deceased), Lewis Ames (deceased), Francis Ames, author of "Callahan Spunk" and many short stories and articles; Beatrice Daugherty (Mrs. E. M. Garnett of Salt Lake City); Sadie Dean; Huldah Froebe; Mary Golden (Mrs. Wm. Ferguson, deceased); Alfred Golden (Bud, deceased); Viola Braun (Mrs. Stith); Victor Braun (deseased); Bernard Hanratty (deseased); Lorene Hibbard (Mrs. Mike Kirschten); Floyd and Myrtle Hythecker (deceased); Stella Jacobson (Mrs. Carl Jones); Bennie and Jonas Jacobson; Jessie Lucier; Edna, Mabel Parsons, Billie Parsons (deceased); Archur Shear (deceased); Lee Woodworth (deceased); Sumner Knox (deceased); Rosezella Young (Mrs. Robert Skiles); Blanche Young (deceased) and Floyd Young; Hannah, Cornelius and Marie Vatnedahl.

A shed was erected for those who had to use horses. Most of the children walked, some of them for a considerable distance.

Miss Marcia Knox taught the second year there. On October 27th, 1911, District 50 was officially made a district of Custer County under the signature of the then Superintendent, Mary Lee Wilson. Shortly after the Dean-Young School was built, two other schools followed, known as the "Fairview" and the "Yellowstone".

Came 1913, Fallon County was formed and Miss Annette Leonard was appointed as County Superintendent until a regular election could be held.

After the Dean-Young School was moved 2 1/2 miles to the east and was called Golden Valley, it served the needs of the Wm. Ferguson, Henry Jensen, Fred Junkert, Dexter Garriott and Nick Barrett families. Later the building was sold and is now owned by Russell Smith of Baker. It stands on the northside of the tracks and is presently under going re-construction.

One incident concerning this school was long remembered by the parents and pupils. One afternoon, one of those quick, fierce blizzards blew up. Mr. Wm. Young, whose home was close by, came with a long rope. All put on all of their outdoor clothing. Mr. Young grasped the front end, all the pupils lined up, grasped the rope; and when all were counted, with the teacher at the rear end, away they inched through wind and snow up to the Young home, where all were housed until the storm ended. Toward the end of the afternoon, it cleared and some parents came with sleds while others had their horses there. All took off for home through the fresh supply of snow. Luckily, it was getting toward spring and the weather was not particularly cold.

Dear Mrs. Jensen;

In reply to your request for any information I have on the early days of the Young School, I put down the following;

I started to attend this school, together with my brothers, Oliver and Lewis, in September of 1909. I was barely nine years old at the time. Out teacher was a husky red headed woman who was not with us long and who was replaced by Marcia Knox, whose mother had a 160 acre homestead on the flat a mile or more east of Baker. Marcia Knox, who died a few years ago in Washington state, was a good teacher in spite of her youth. I remember her with great respect. She rode her horse in the bouncy, English method, which was strange to Montana. The local sheepherder, Scotty, was so fascinated by this method of riding that he used to arrange to watch her pass, or so he told me.

When we first started attending this school we had long twelve-inch wide planks for seats, with short sections of the planks made into legs. By the proper, sly wriggling of our bottoms we could cause the plank seat to collapse, creating a diversion and merriment.

With my brothers, Lewis, age 12 and Oliver, age 15, I walked about three miles from our homestead to school. We were often joined by Sadie Dean, Bill Ridgeway and Lorene Hibbard. Other students were Alfred and Dolly Golden. Blanche and Floyd Young, Art Shears, Beatrice Daugherty, Viola Braun and her brother Victor, Benny and Jonas Jackobson and their sisters Kaisa and Sofia. Bernard Hanratty attended this school for a short time and I have a scar on my forehead where he hit me with the edge of his Karo Corn Syrup lunch bucket. The cut, so produced, bled badly until we arrived at the Hibbard homestead, where Mr. Hibbard stopped the bleeding with a chew of tobacco. I usually ran a trapline on the way to school for muskrat in the Sandstone Creek and for coyote and ermine on the ridges.

Going to the Young School in those days was dangerous business in winter. The route was largely open range, unfenced save for a bit of barbed wire strung down Sandstone Creek a way into Section Nine by the Dean ranch, the brand of which was Lazy D, Swinging Three. At times the visibility was cut down to a few yards by blizzards and the cold was intense. When such blizzards came up, which wasn't often during school hours, the teacher would keep the pupils until an arrangement was made to get them home safely.

But then there were the good days of spring and fall, when the Montana prairie country is a glorious place. In spring the grass greened and the meadow larks sang, as the ducks paired off on the creek to nest. In the fall the flocks flew south and the jackrabbits turned white in their daybeds, and the air was keen with the promise of winter. During these times walking to the Young School was an exhilarating experience. Later the Young school was moved over on Sid Golden's land and the name was changed to the Golden Valley School.

 

 

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In the earlier grades we took our examinations from Marcia Knox at the school, but when the time came for Lewis and me to graduate from the eighth grade, in 1913, we had to go two weeks to the Baker Grammar school and there take our tests under Carrie Bachtle, a wonderful teacher who was known to the pupils as "Old Battle Axe". I corresponded with her until she died in Minnesota. In order to attend the Baker School without driving too far, Beatrice Daugherty came to live these two weeks with us at our homestead. She drove us to Baker in a buggy which was drawn by her beloved mare, Dutch. Lewis and I had a couple of fights with Baker boys that first morning, which we won. I always had a soft spot for Carrie Bachtle after this, because of the way she handled this touchy situation. When school assembled she stood before the group, with me trembling in my boots for fear of being punished for fighting. Instead she said, "We have some country boys with us this morning. I'm very pleased to see that they are going to be able to take care of themselves".

Going to the Young School brought me something of value in addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, which has stood me in good stead down through the years of my rather hectic life. This was a sure feeling that if going to the Young School in a Montana winter didn't get me down, nothing could. This feeling has carried me through many a rough spot.

Cordially, Francis H. Ames

Editor's note: Francis Ames is the author of the book "Callahan Spunk".

Yellowstone School, 1926, left to right: Margaret Murphy, Clinton Ridgeway, Bruce Ridgeway, Pat Murphy and Laurie Kelly, picture loaned by Margaret Murphy Anderson.

Yellowstone School in Fertile Prairie Community, either 1930-1931 or 1931-1932, picture loaned by Mrs. Allen Griffith.

District No. 50, Yellowstone School, by Lorene Kirschten.

The people of District 50, Fallon County, Montana were summoned to a mass-meeting at the Fertile Prairie Hall by the trustees of the school district, on June 23, 1916. The board at this time consisted of: Chairman; Robert Dean, George Chapin, B. C. Jacobson, with William C. Breckon acting as clerk.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and decide on whether or not to construct a new school building and to select a location for it. On July 8 the people went to the Fertile Prairie Hall to vote on the new school. When the voting was over it was found that 49 of the 52 votes cast favored the project.

The site selected for the school was on the homestead of Ervin Dean in the southeast area of the district. The land was later acquired by the James Murphy family and is, as of now, 1974, occupied by the Patrick and Robert Murphy families.

A neighbor to the south of the site, Frank Goodwin, was awarded the contract for the school house and the out buildings, and plans having been drawn up the construction progressed. Since the district was now well established in its own rights, no special problems in securing labor or agreements on supplies were encountered. The new building was built near the recently constructed "Yellowstone Trail", the first highway through this area. So it seemed fitting to name the new building, "The Yellowstone School".

Arrangements were made for the hauling of coal, wood and the hauling of water to the school daily. A heating system was installed, a water cooler and other supplies were ordered and when September arrived, the school opened its doors. The teacher for the first year was Miss Dortha Stark and for the second year, Mrs. Verla Berrin, whose young son attended the school. The third year Miss Viola Braun, herself a resident of the district, taught the school.

During the first few years the attendance was not large, 5, 6 and 8 pupils, but later the number increased. The building, of course was the scene of community activities, as rural schools usually are. Ervin Dean was employed to build a fence enclosing the school and provide sanitary vaults.

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Families served by this school were the Ervin Deans, the James Murphys, the Tom Ridgeways, the Alexander Kellys, the Marion Greens, the Charlie Duffields and a few others who attended briefly.

As the years went by, the population centers shifted and the board found themselves paying board and room or for the transportation for some pupils, so a decision was reached to move the school to the students.

In 1953 the Fertile Prairie School was shifted a few miles east and a mile or so north, and the following year, 1954, the Yellowstone School was uprooted and moved several miles to the north west area where it served the needs of the Walter Hanratty, Louis Jensen, James Kirschten, Ernest Lang and Ray O'Donnell families. In the spring of 1973, it closed its doors, and the children of the area who have not already graduated from high school or established families of their own, are now transported to the Baker Schools.

The Yellowstone School House is presently being used as a meeting place for the Fertile Prairie 4 H Club.

The older citizens can now repeat

Still sits the school house by the road,

Silent, serenely sunning.

And round about, and in and out,

Our grandchildren go running.

P.S "The Yellowstone Trail" was advertised as running from Portland to Portland and it was marked by markers made of large stones or cement painted yellow. Presently Highway No. 12, as well as some sections of other highways, follows parts of this old trail. There is one marker left at the "ghost town" of Westmore and occasionally a metal marker can be seen on a fence post or telephone pole.

District 53, Climax [Sometimes called Hedrick], Johnstone, Ridgeway, Ewalt or Curry Schools.

In 1913 District 53 had as clerk W. F. Harrington of Sykes, Montana. The trustees were: Thomas Johnstone, Jr., J. C. Currey and Robert F. Ridgeway.

The Ewalt or Curry School was located on the east side of the Ekalaka-Baker mail and stage road.

District No. 55, Plevna School, by Irene Heldt.

Plevna's first school was started in 1910, in a one room building. It was located where the pump house now stands. The first teacher was Miss Lockwood. The next year the school was taught by C. C. Conser. The school building in later years was moved across the road from the school grounds. It is still there as part of the late Jacob Ehret's house. It is now owned by Henry Bohle.

Present grade school at Plevna, Montana, picture loaned by Irene Heldt.

The south part of the present grade school was built in 1912-1913. It was a two-teacher school. For a time, the upper floor was used as a community hall. About 1918 a two year high school was added. This became a four year high school in 1924. The first class graduated from this accredited course in 1928. Roy Retrie was the superintendent. Delilas Korth (Mrs. Ernest Herbst) was a member of this class. Mrs. Herbst is still in the vicinity.

In 1932 the north part of the building was added. Alois Hirnsl was the superintendent. W. L. Riddle was the grade school principal. Mr. Riddle taught in the school for a number of years. He later held the offices of County Superintendent in Fallon County and Clerk of Court.

Members of the school board from 1913-1919 were: Louis Larsen, A. Lund, A. C. Mikalson, M. F. Carrington and John Weinschrott.

Plevna won the District Basketball Championship in 1934. Al Himsl was the coach. After a 27 year interval, they again won the Championship in 1961. Brenden Murphy was the coach. In that year Doug Kern and Mike Klos were named on the star tournament team.

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Nick Wellenstein coached the basketball team in 1943-44. He still lives in Plevna, and has a grocery store there.

A Home Economics Department was added to the school in 1956-57.

The lunch program was started in the spring of 1957. Ann Quincer was the cook.

The gym and shop were built in 1957-58. Milton Molsberry was the superintendent when these three projects were done.

The new high school was built in 1959-60. The superintendent was S. C. Norem. Since the high school moved to the new building, the original school building has been used for the grade school only.

The school has three bus routes. The first (south) was started in 1956-57 with Lowell McGhie as driver. Mr. McGhie was the Commercial teacher. Gordon Heimbuck and Ray Deutscher followed him as drivers for the south route. Isadore Leischner took the route in April 1958 and has continued driving ever since.

The north route was started in 1958, with Morris Hoenke as the driver. Mr. Hoenke has continued driving ever since then. Ted Hepperle had been the substitute driver. Leon Rieger is the other substitute driver.

Henry Bohle started driving the west route in 1959. This was the first year for that route. He has driven a number of years since. Other drivers have been Earl Hoke, Bob Dietz, W. C. Geving and Rodney Griebel. The present driver is Herman Follmer.

Plevna is the only school open in District 55, for a number of years now.

The present school board members are: Harry Young, Art Buerkle, Melvin Rabe, Pete Thielen and Stanley Ketchum. The clerk is Helen Rieger.

Louis Karhi is the superintendent and Jerry Temenson is the grade school principal.

A recent improvement was the remodeling of the lunch room in December 1972. The lunch room has remained in the original building since the lunch program was started in 1957. The present cooks are: Mae Bohle, Marjorie Griebel and Betty Schaefer.

Elementary principals before the four year high school were: Herbert Ely, G. M. Warner, and C. C. Conser. Pauline Sather was principal after this.

High School superintendents were Lee Myers. Ray Bjork, A. V. Himsl, Herman Jaeger, Sidney Slack, T. A. Bruner (1944-47), Gwen Wallace (1947-49), Homer Stiles (1949-51), E. L. Moyer (1951-54), Milton Molsberry (1954-58), S. C. Norem (1958-65), Ralph Hecker (1965-70), Dennis Travis (1970-72), Louis Karhiy (1972-73). John Weihoff was grade principal from 1966-71.

School board members have been: Reinhold Straub, Ed Rieger, Charles Redman, Clarence Leischner, Art Hepperle, Andy Fried, Bud Rieger, Henry Walker, Glen Rugg, Fred Buerkle, Connie Geving, Wally Palm, Maurice Tunby, Wilmer Huber, Frank Sparks, Lawrence Steffes, Helen Askin, Harry Young, Melvin Rabe, Pete Thielen, Art Buerkle, Stanley Ketchum.

School clerks were Harold Leischner, Shiela Bickle, and Helen Rieger, who is the present clerk.

Cooks and assistant cooks: Ann Quincer, Mrs. G. T. Kern, Lillian Leischner, Millie Rieger, Virginia Ellingson, Louise Hoenke, Betty Neumann, Lola Straub, Mae Bohle, Marjorie Griebel, Betty Schaefer.

Custodians: John Ohlrich, John Brayton, Otto Stockfish, Mr. and Mrs. John Ludwig, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ludwig, Marvin Ringen, John Graf.

High school custodians in the new building: Harold Leischner, Clarence Leischner and Shirley Dietz, who is the present custodian.

Members of the 1961 Championship Basketball Team were: Mike Klos, Doug Kern, Don Hogue, Errol Ketterling, Milbert Allerdings, Jim Hogue, Ray Allerdings, Larry Klos, Floyd Ehret, Mike Coffee, Doug Schwindt. Darrell Losing was the manager. Brenden Murphy was the coach.

The 1934 Championship members were: Art Hepperle, Andy Fried, Gerald Leischner, Roland Leischner, Veedie Himsl, Martin Stockfish, Kermit Livengood, Marcus Kohl, and Howard Schimmel. Al Himsel was the coach.

Art and Kermit still live in Plevna. Andy moved to Billings a number of years ago.

District No. 56

District 56 had in 1913 Thomas Johnstone, Sr., of Alzada, Montana, as its clerk. H. H. Floyd of Alzada, E. C. Townsend of Alzada and Ed Bishoff of Alzada were the board members. The names of the schools and teachers are missing, but these pupils completed the eighth grade: Elizabeth Hale, Evelyn Whitney, Winnie Smith and Lennie Shea.

District No. 57, Westmore

In the year of 1909 the town of Westmore consisted of a post office, depot, two grocery stores, hotel, livery stable, bank, two saloons, cafe, implement house and a blacksmith shop.

The people of the town began to see the need of a school. One room of Mr. Salmon's home was made into a school room. The pupils were Blanche Salmon, John Willman, Lillian Chaffe, Effie Chaffe and another boy whose name is unknown.

In 1910 the first school was built with one large room and a basement. Two teachers were hired. Later the enrollment increased and the classroom was made into two rooms, and another teacher added. In another year the basement was made into another classroom and another teacher added to the staff.

In 1915 this building was sold for a church, and a larger school was built. This was an elementary and high school with two stories and a basement. Four teachers were employed. That year eighth grade graduates were: Blanche Salmon and Lillian and Elba Chaffe.

Besides the Westmore town school there were Korth-Carrington, Ludwig and Durheims schools in the district. In 1917 Clifford Howe, John Willman, Dora Bolton, and Margaret Mohr completed eighth grade state exams. The 1919 class was larger and made up of Esther Hoffman, Leo Clark, Gilbert Higbee, Earl and Forest Hoke and Theresa Huston. The 1920 class of graduates were these: Carl Mohr, Burnetta Bergman, Melvin Ludwig, Edward Campbell, Lola Drake and Ruth Huston and Mary Aydt.

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By 1933 the business establishments of Westmore were closed or closing, the buildings were being torn down, sold and moved away. With the population decrease the school building was re-constructed by tearing off the top story and making a one-classroom school. Even that has been closed for many years.

District No. 66, Prairie, Park and Ehret Schools

District 66 was established in Fallon County on July 31, 191-3, with Oscar W. Rogers as clerk, E. P. O'Brien, Jack Wenz and Julius Herbst as trustees.

As the youth grew up the schools shifted, but both the Prairie Park and the Ehret Schools were in use until the late 40's when the Prairie Park School was closed because of lack of students. The Ehret School was used until the late 50's when the district was abandoned to District 55, Plevna. The Plevna Schools still run a bus to bring the children in to school.

Picture belonged to Madge Wilson who taught the Wenz School in 1923 or 1924. The school was in District 66.

District No. 72, Ash Coulee and Sunny Ridge

On September 26, 1913, School District 72 was created from part of District I by order of the Custer County Superintendent of Schools, Emma L. Fritz, Miles City, Montana. That year (1913-14) seven pupils were taught by Mary E. Wagner. The clerk of the board was Gordon E. Shepherd, trustees were A. W. Moline, H. B. Fisk, and F. J. Joy. The school was near the Wibaux county line on or near old highway 7 as it was a joint district with Wibaux county.

When the 1916-17 term opened there were two schools in the district called Sunny Ridge and Ash Coulee.

In 1919 at a meeting at the Ash Coulee School between the County Superintendents of both Wibaux and Fallon County and these representatives of District 72, Mrs. Wm. Rear, clerk; Henry Perry, Elsworth Fowler and Mrs. 0. N. Peterson, division of the district was approved for these reasons: Distance to school, inconvenience of a joint district, and high school levy in District 72.

Sadie Henderson was the first eighth grade graduate of the district (1916), by written state examinations as required by law then.

Some of the teachers between 1913 and 1945, when the school closed were: Inez Cleveland, Anna Couser, Margaret Shellabarger, Arrabelle Shepherd, Miss Maude Wolenetz, Miss Gail Crow, Mrs. Helen Morris, Mrs. Ada Crow, Mrs. Nellie Aumock, Marie Setera, Mrs. Magdalene O'Connor and Miss Laura Stark, who taught the last term (1945-46).

The district was abandoned to District 6 on July 3, 1949.

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