Dickens County
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DUNCAN FLAT SCHOOL

After farms had been carved out of the Matador Land and Cattle Company and families were moving into the area, a school was needed.

In 1917 the first school was built. This was a one-room building with Mr. Mathue Sedgwick giving the first $100. The building was done by the men and boys of the area.

After the school house was built and the community was settled, a name for both was needed so a meeting was called. After some discussion and suggestions, Mr. W. H. Vaughan suggested the name be Duncan Flat after the Duncan family. All agreed and Duncan Flat soon became a prosperous and popular community.

Families grew and more families moved in so a second room was added to the one-room school house with a partition that could be raised to make a larger area. This was needed for the church, singing, school programs, candidate speakings, community christmas trees, and Monday mornings school chapel openings.

The first teachers wee Mrs. Mamie Hulsey Bachman and Ola Hulsey Whitaker, then later Law Sone, Fred Arrington and Tab Clark.

In April of 1922 just before close of school the building was destroyed by fire. All desks, books, report cards, and other supplies were saved. The younger students were guarded away, with sad hearts many cried. The two teachers were Mrs. Whitaker and Mrs. Robert (Delma) Meacham. Books were checked in, reports cards issued and the school term of 1921-22 ended that day. Education had to continue so after the farmers had laid their crops by a new building was built, adding two cloak rooms this time. Drinking water was carried from the Jackson's windmill in galvanized buckets and placed in a convenient place with tin cups near by. Teachers about this time were a Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Clark (Lula Goff) Forbis, Mrs. Ruth Lollar and Mr. G. W. Bennett.

As time passed a water well was dug. Water was pumped by hand and drunk from tin cups. The two-room building soon became overcrowded and another one-room building was built as the first grades department. This was an advancement for the school. More subjects were taught. The school was #1 in all sports and athletics except football which wasn't played at this time in smaller schools. It participated in all county track and literary events winning honors many times. The basketball and baseball opponents were Afton, McAdoo, Midway, and Prairie Chapel. Many spectators attended these games as they were all played in the afternoons. Teachers during these years were: Mrs. Ben (Ollie) Eldredge, Naomi Blakley, Oma Sue Buchanan, Faye Cooper, and Harvey Lovell.

In the early 1930's the tenth and eleventh grade students were bussed to Roaring Springs. Later teachers were Mr. Lee Glenn, Miss Ethel and Dorine Hulsey. Mrs. Joe (Lillie) Rose and was always the substitute.

Hardships entered the school during the depression so consolidation was being considered. In 1935 Duncan Flat School was no more, with students going by bus to the new Patton Springs School. Mr. Floyd Hill and Brother Carl Lamb were the first bus drivers. This was a new experience for parents and students but there was never a lost child or accident.

By Mamie Hughes Yeates

Source:p. 484 Dickens County History...its Land and People © Dickens Historical Commission; Printer: Craftsman Inc. Lubbock, Texas 1986