Dickens County
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NETA BERRY'S EXPERIENCE IN EARLY DAYS AT THE LIBERTY SCHOOL
My parents, R. F. and Sally Williamson came to Dickens County about 1895 and settled at cottonwood on what later became the Rev. Stokes' place. They later moved four miles west of Cottonwood on a 160 acre farm which they purchased for five dollars and a yellow horse.Seven children were born to this couple of which Neta was the baby. The others were Lemuel Loyd, Glenn, Jessie, Roberta, Clint, and Boone.
We all went to school at the Liberty Hill School, a one room school house that was built about 1899 by the people of the community, hauling the lumber from Paducah by wagons. The school house was located in a shinnery thicket. The first teacher was a Baptist preacher by the name of Steve Cobb. (Have heard also the first teacher was Minor Wilson and that he helped build the school house. Which is right, I simply do not know).
My mother taught me until I was in the 2nd grade because it was so far to walk. This I know to be the fact. Other teachers of this school were Rassie Reece, Lydia McCormick, Blain Speer, Joe Hilton, Mr. Walker, Miss Ella Worswick, Loyd Hopkins, and Miss Gracie Clark, whom every one loved.
Miss Gracie was at Blanco Canyon with her friends and relatives on a fishing trip. She stepped into one of those treacherous holes and was dead before anyone could rescue her.
Then there was the tragic accident that happened to Loyd Hopkins who was drowned in Duck Creek three miles west from Dickens while he was trying to cross the creek in a buggy. A big rain had fallen and made it impossible for him to stay on the concrete slab across the creek. He was found by J. L. Karr. His horse was also drowned probably being held down by the buggy.
Some of the names of the families were: Blakely, Harvey, Holly, J. P. Goen, Peters, R. L. Overstreet, John Nolan, Mrs. Birdie Dennington, who was a student bringing her son Ross with her, Frank Smith, Uncle Dick Holly, (from whose home we carried water all using the same dipper). Then there were the Williamson, Hales, Stegalls, and Uncle George Davis family.
Some of the most enjoyable times were the April fool picnics. I can see it now - Mrs. Goen with her big dishpan full of popcorn and popcorn balls. Other nice times were the Christmas trees, the spelling bees, the debates with other schools.
After all is said and done I guess it was a pretty good school in spite of the brutal beatings the teachers gave in those days (which I have only hear about!) I can name 6 teachers who had this humble beginning.
Other teachers I recall were Ollie Flowers, Lena Davis, Mr. Mildton, Mr. Spikes and Mr. Cobb.
Source: Dickens County History...its Land and People © Dickens Historical Commission; Printer: Craftsman Inc. Lubbock, Texas 1986
Only pupil identified is Lillie Smith, last girl on right.
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