By Helen Boertje
Highland school was about six miles west of Knoxville. It stood on the south west corner of the intersection of Maverick St. and 70th Ave. On the edge of Franklin township, the district served students in both Franklin and Knoxville townships. The earliest school for which I have found a record was a log cabin built in the 1870’s.
When it burned down in 1917, it was replaced by a building of tile blocks covered with stucco. Former student Daryl Jordan told me because there was once a tile factory nearby there are several tile block buildings in that area. He said the only wood inside the school building was the framings for doors and windows and the oak floor of the classroom. Daryl described the building with its ample basement and raised platform for school programs as the Cadillac of schools. He regrets that it was torn down rather than being preserved.
For many years there was a column about the Highland neighborhood in the Knoxville Journal. The writers often made comments about the school. Here are some typical examples:
On June 13, 1877 the columnist writes that the school has been closed because of diphtheria.
In May 1885, the Journal reports that 55 are enrolled in the school with 14 never having been to school before.
In Jan. 1886 the writer says a literary and debating club have been organized at the Highland School House.
In the winter term of 1891 there were 58 students enrolled. Hoppy Shivers, age 10, “quit for work” while 21 year old Stephan Cleveland left by request of the board. Later records show Shivers was back in school at age 13. That spring students observed Arbor day naming trees and flowers in the morning. In the afternoon there were songs and recitations.
Pie suppers were a way to raise money for school supplies but the Journal of March 30, 1901 reports that the pie supper was not well attended because of bad roads and threatening weather. (without modern technology to tell them what to do the neighbors used common sense and stayed home)
Jeanne Hudson Bellish who attended Highland in the 1930’s sent me a letter about her experiences at the school which was also attended by her three siblings, her father, and her Grandfather Hudson. Her grandfather attended school for only three years before going to work pulling trams in the mines south of the school. She doesn’t believe he ever returned to school although he became a very successful man. Later her Grandmother Hudson served as Sunday School Superintendent at the school house. Sunday School classes were just one of the community functions held at the school.
Jeanne who lives in Indianapolis, Ind. writes, “I started 1st grade before I was five years old in 1932. My birthday was Oct. 17 and since Benny Brooks (whose birthday was in June) was starting the first grade, Pauline Henning asked my mother if she would be willing to let me start at the same time--I’ve always said she was probably glad to have me occupied at school--versus having me at home always wanting something to do.”
There was some asparagus growing on the school yard which Pauline prepared as creamed asparagus for the students’ lunch. “In my mind it was the best asparagus I have ever eaten.” Margaret Harrington was her 7th and 8th grade teacher whom she says always made sure students had tools for learning and brought many books from the library.
Daryl Jordan and Loretta Harkness Whitlatch met with me to discuss their experiences at Highland bringing with them several pictures of the school which will be placed in the school house in the Marion County Historical Village. (We had none previously) Daryl graduated in the spring of 1952 and Loretta graduated in 1956, the next year being the last for the Highland school.
Daryl placed great value on his country school education even though he got off to a shaky start in primary because he colored a picture of a sheep purple. His teacher was so concerned that she called on his mother to discuss the matter. That teacher may have thwarted a great artistic career, but she didn’t curb his curiosity. Later that curiosity nearly cost him a finger. There was a heavy cement slab on the school yard which had been used as a dry spot to step down from a horse drawn buggy. He and his buddies attempted to lift the slab to check out the underside when it slipped nearly curring off one of his fingers. There was a lot of blood and a lot of excitement. His father immediately took him to Dr. Dwight Mater who suggested the damaged part of the finger should be cut off. “No,” said his father . The finger was stitched together and eventually healed but the scars are still visible.
Daryl’s sister Jolene Harrington told him the story about the teacher who went down to the coal room one morning and surprised a hobo. “
I’m sorry,” the man said, “I thought this was Saturday.” The teacher told him he was correct about it being Saturday but it was also a school day for a make up “snow day”. The man was very apologetic and left immediately. (Makes me wonder how many others have taken shelter in those isolated school houses)
Loretta Whitlatch also feels she received an excellent education at this school. She recalls that both she and her brother Phil were such good hitters, they were never allowed to play on the same ball team. She mentioned that she and some of the other students helped teacher Mary Truman with routine chores in exchange for rides home after school. Mary Truman also took the 7th and 8th grade students on a train trip to Chicago. The conversation turned to all the shorter field trips they took to various factories and the state capitol. What great educational experiences these Highland students had both inside and outside the classroom.
Teachers included Miss South, Mr. Rolland Wines 1878, Mr. Hase 1879, Miss Wilson 1880, Miss Welcher 1881, Nora Immel, Mr. Lee Curtis 1885, Helen Lanhow, Lorie Dowley 1886, J. K . Butterfield 1887, Mr. Amsberry, R. A. Hardin 1888, Fannie Smith, Lizzie Leonard, Mr. Steel 1889, Claudia Marsh, Mr. J. B. Stanley, Kate Derry, Mr. Metcalf 1891, J. W. Elder 1892, M. G. Metcalf, L. H. McKinney, J. W. Elder, Maggie Watkins, Dow Marsh 1895, Miss Media Watkins, Miss Maggie Watkins, Dow Marsh M. C. Watson 1896, Gertrude Pritchett, J. H. Woodyard, Thurman Ward, T. L. Vernon, Ollie Gelderbloom 1900, Mary Roller, Grace Morris,Ollie Gelderbloom1901, Lizzie McKinney, Berneice Stickle 1903, Nellie Rogers 1904, Martha Conway, Blaine Stillwell, Katherine Sturgeon 1905, Mrs. Nellie Mclrea, Grace Orcutt, Katherine Sturgeon 1906, Grace Orcutt 1907, Grace shivvers 1908, Maude Shook, Jennie McConoughey 1909, Ira Houser, Ruby Reese, Ruby Miler, Iva E. Stower 1910, Georgia Reichard, Birdie Fast 1911, Cora Rankin, Ina Cummings 1912, Laura Buckley, Birdie Fast, Mary Caffrey 1913, Gertrude Haigh 1914, Nellie Gardener, Merl Witt 1915, Merl Witt 1916-17, Howard Mercer 1918, Sadie Billingsley, Mary Shivvers, Mrs. J. M. Davis 1919, Margaret Curtis 1920, Francis Reiter 1921, Rhoda Culbertson 1922, Ruth Kading 1924, Forest D. Banifield 1925, Georgia Applegate 1926, Fern Welch 1927-28, Pauline Ward 1929, Icel. L. Miller 1931, Mrs. Pauline Henning 1932-37, Mildred Harrington 1938-40, Evalyn A. Stevenson 1942, Jessie Hunter 1943, Lucille Hedrick, Mildred Dennison 1944, Mildred Ann Dennison 1945, Elizabeth Ritchie 1947-49, Elretta Burnett 1950-51, Mrs. Dorothy Schell 1952, Mary L. Truman 1953-57.
The next school will be Vigilance. Contact me at 641-628-4716 or helenboertje@iowa telecom.net with information about this school or any other country school in Marion County.
