I. SOME EARLY HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS

        When the county was established and began to function as a county, September 9, 1867, the Fiscal Court, under the law, was to elect a Commissioner (afterwards called County Superintendent). The Fiscal Court thereupon gave notice that it would receive bids for the office Of Commissioner. There were two candidates for the office, William North and N. B. Campbell. N B. Campbell put in a bid for $24.00 for the year. Campbell got the office. Nothing is said about what North's bid was, but evidently he bid more than this since he did not get the office. Thus the first salary of a Commissioner was $24.00 a year. But Campbell has the distinction of being the first Commissioner, and something of that idea might have run through his mind at that time. N. B. Campbell served from September 9, 1867, to November 9, 1868, when he was ordered to turn over the books to his successor, William North. "Ordered that N. B. Campbell (Order Book No. 1, page 38), former Commissioner of Common Schools for Josh Bell County, turn over all books and papers in his hands, belonging to said office, to his successor in office,

William North, upon presentation of this order." From this order, it would appear that N. B. Campbell was not willing to turn over the books and papers, and it took a court order to get him to do so.

        In 1869 William North, the then Commissioner, made a report to the Fiscal Court of the funds he had received and the amounts paid out. This follows in detail: The amount received from the state $985.91, and the following amounts were paid to the districts: No. 1, $42.12; No. 2, $34.32; No. 3, $60.06; No. 4, $63.18; No. 5, $54.60; No. 6, $23.40; No. 7, $43.68; No. 8, $38.22; No. 9, $51.48; No. 10, $24.96; No. 11, $27.30; No. 12, $18.12; No. 13, $38.22; No. 14, $21.84; No. 15, $27.30; No. 16, $36.66; No. 17, $74.88; No. 18, $33.54; No. 19, $56.16; No. 20, $28.86; No. 21, $78.00; No. 22, $54.60; No. 23, $46.00; Total 23 districts, $977.54. From this it will be seen that, in the second year of the establishment of the school system of Bell County, there were only twenty-three schools. (Order Book 1, page 56).

        The order in regard to the salary of William North for the year 1869 is interesting. "Ordered by the court that William North be allowed $49.75 for his services as Commissioner of Common Schools for the year 1869, he having sworn

that the same is just and correct." I don't think anyone, in this day and time, would question the justice of his oath; but, what comes to my mind, in this connection, is the generous way in which he gave his time for such a worthy cause. The day of big politics had not begun at that time.

        In August, 1872, John Goodin, Commissioner of the Common Schools of Bell County, made his report for the year ending June 30, 1872, in which the number of school districts have increased to 31, and the names of the teachers are given for the first time: "No. 1, Mack Howard $100.00; No. 2, B. F. Main $87.70; No. 3, J. A. Fuson $131.10; No. 4, William L. Davis $133.40; No. 5, William Tinsley $78.20; No. 6, John F. Marsee $115.00; No. 7, S. C. Noe $69.00; No. 8, Robert Chambers $75.90; No. 9, R. W. Faulkner $144.90; No. 10, G. B. Green $119.60; No. 11, L.

F. Payne $94.30; No. 12, T.J. Hoskins $133.40; No. 13, John W. Slusher $76.20; No. 14, J. M. Pursifull $92.00; No. 15, John Hurst $131.10; No. 16, John L. Saylor $96.90; No. 17, J. M. Unthank $89.70; No.18, E. F. Green $6.90; No. 19, Caleb Slusher $124.20; No. 20, G. D. Hendrickson $115.20; No. 21, E. G. Wilson $124.20; No. 22, Millard North $112.70; No. 23, R. Tuggle $135.70; No. 24, E. Goodin & Jacob Partin $62.20; No. 25, John Green $26.80; No. 26, G. W. Wilson $64.70; No. 27, John W. Culton $85.40; No. 28, E. S. Arnett $154.40; No. 29, Garrard Hurst $101.50; No. 30, Richard Wilson $115.30; No. 31, John B. Cox $78.50; Total $3078. (Order Book No. 1, page 273)

        It appears from the record here (Order Book No. 1, page 266) that John Good got $117.88 for the first six months of 1872 as a salary, and for the last six months of 1871 he received $100.00 (Order Book No. 1, page 249). But (in Order Book No. 1, page 206) it is shown that John Goodin got a salary of $100.00 for the year 1870-1871 (June 30).

        The County Superintendents of Schools (at first entitled Commissioner) of Bell County were--

        1. N. B. Campbell. He served from September 9, 1867, to November 9, 1868, and received a salary of $24.00 per year.

        2. William North. He served from November 9, 1868, to November, 1870, and received a salary for 1868-69 of $29.50, and for 1869-70, $49.75; and for 1870, $80.00.

        3. John Goodin (son of John (Jack) Goodin and Mahala Fuson Goodin). He served from November, 1870, to October 14, 1872. His order of appointment and making bond reads as follows: "Ordered by the court that John Goodin be and is hereby appointed School Commissioner for Josh Bell County, who, after being duly sworn, entered into bond in the sum of ($3000.00) Three Thousand Dollars, together with Pete Hinkle, Hiley Hurst, and James R. Fuson as sureties." In 1870 to 1871 he was allowed a salary of $100.00; 1871 to 1872, $217.88.

        4. W. M. Bingham. He served from October 14, 1872, to November 8, 1874, and received a salary, 1872 to 1873, of about $200.00, and from 1873 to 1874 of $240.32.

        5. Pete Hinkle. He served from November 9, 1874, to November 11, 1876, and received a salary for part of one year of $118.21. His yearly salary was around $250.00.

        6. W. M. Bingham. He served a second term from November, 1876, to November, 1878, and a third term from November, 1878, to November, 1880. He received a salary of around $250.00 per year.

        7. W. G. Colson. He served from November 8, 1880, to August 19, 1890. In 1886 he was elected by the people at a general election, and was reelected in 1888. In 1886 was the first election of County Superintendents by popular vote and W. G. Colson has the distinction of being the first one elected. Prior to this the Fiscal Court elected the County Superintendents. He was paid salaries as follows: 1884, $150.00; 1885, $250.00; 1886, $275.00; 1887, $250.00; 1888, $400.00; 1889, $550.00; 1890, $864.55.

        8. Grant North, son of William North, a former County     Superintendent. He served from 1890 to 1894. The term of tenure in     office for County Superintendents was increased from two years to four years in 1890, and North was the first to be elected for a full four year term. In 1892 he received a salary of $637.80; in 1893, $924.80.

        9. J L. McCoy. He served from August 13, 1894, to September 12,    1897, when he resigned. He received around $800.00 per year as salary.

        10. P.W. Woolum. He was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. L. McCoy, September 12, 1897, and served the unexpired term to December, 1898. Following this service he was elected for a four year term and served from 1898 to 1902. His salary was around $800.00 per year.

        11. Henry Harvey Fuson. He served from 1902 to 1906, after election in 1901 for a four year term. He was reelected in 1905 and served from 1906 to 1910. Salary the first four years $800.00 per year, and for the second four year term $1200.00 per year,

        12. Simon Delph, He served from 1910 to 1914, after election in 1909 for a four year term. He was reelected in 1913 for a four year term and served from 1914 to 1918. His salary was $1200.00 per year for the eight years.        

        13. John Hays. He served from 1918 to 1922, and received a salary of $1500.00 per year. Hays died toward the latter part of his term and was

succeeded by Mary Helton who served the remainder of his term out.

        14. Mary Helton. She served part of a year in 1922, serving out the remainder of the term of John Hays. Salary $1500.00 per year.

        15. Cammie Wilson served from 1922 to 1928 and received a salary of $2700.00 per year.

        16. Jakie Howard served from 1928 to 1932, and received a salary of $3000.00 per year.

        17. James Knuckles served from 1932 to 1936 and received a salary of $2400.00 per year.

        18. Sawyer Mills served from 1936 to 1938 and received a salary of $2700.00 per year.

        19. Maurice Tribbell served from 1938 to 1942 and received a salary of $2400.00 per year.

II. PRESENT STATUS OF THE

BELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

        Maurice Tribell, present Superintendent of the Bell County schools gave the author the following facts about the present status of the schools: The census of school children, for the year 1939-1940, is 9,744. The per capita is $12.19 per census child. The High Schools of the county, with number of teachers, enrollment, and value of buildings areas follows:

HIGH SCHOOL     TEACHERS     ENROLLMENT       VALUE

                                       H.S. EL.               EL.  H.S.

    Bell County                 13  3                  106  325              $60,000.00

    Prudent                         6   4                  160  185                15,000.00

    Red Bird                        5   3                    97  125                20,000.00

    Cubage                          3   2                    68  45                    5,000.00

    Henderson

     Settlement                    5   3                    87  84                   12,000.00

    Balkan Junior                3   4                  160  67                   18,000.00

                                           _______      ________       ___________

        Total                         35  19                 678  831              $130,000.00

        There are three colored schools in Bell County. These are one teacher schools. Their total enrollment is approximately 76. The colored population is decreasing in rural Bell County. Besides these schools there are good colored schools in Middlesborough and Pineville.

        The elementary schools for Bell County for white children, with the number of teachers in each school, are as follows:

 NO. OF SCHOOLS      NO. OF TEACHERS

                 44                                 1

                 17                                 2

                 12                                 3

                  2                                  4

                  1                                  6

                  1                                  8

                ____                          ____

        Total    77                           136

          Each high school teacher is a college graduate. Eight elementary teachers are teaching with less than two years college training. Five elementary teachers are graduates of standard four year colleges. The County School Superintendent is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He lacks only his thesis of having his M. A. degree from the University of Kentucky.

        Salaries in the office of the Superintendent are as follows: Superintendent $2400.00 per year, Secretary $1200.00 per year, Attendance

Officer $1500.00, Assistant Attendance Officer $1200.00. The minimum teachers salary in Bell County is $75.00 per month, and the    maximum is $98.10, not including principals. The elementary school term is seven months. The high school term is nine months. The county has free text books for all grades up to, and including, the eighth grade. The value of all school property in Bell County, outside of Middlesborough and Pineville, is $185,000.00. The office of the Superintendent and his staff is in the Court House at Pineville. The County Superintendent is elected by the County Board of Education for a four year term, which, in the case of the present Superintendent, began in 1938 and ends in 1942.

        Middlesborough and Pineville are independent city school systems and do not come under control of the County Superintendent.

A. SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR BELL COUNTY

                          1939-1940

        The Bell County Board of Education consists of Bradley Mills, Chairman; Dr. R. J. Alford, Vice-Chairman; Andrew Jackson; Henry Taylor; W. L. Richardson.

        In the office of the County Superintendent, at Pineville, are the following officers: Maurice Tribell, County Superintendent; Lois Flynn Collett, Secretary; J. F. Knuckles, Attendance Officer; Charley Taylor, Assistant Attendance Officer.

        The following are the names of the High School teachers for Bell County: Matt Asher, Pruden, Pruden, Tenn.; Foister Asher, Bell High, Kettle Island; Mrs. Foister Asher, Kettle Island; Margie Bowlin, Henderson Settlement School, Franks; Roy E. Bergstresser, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; W. E. Cisna, Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; T. R. Cotton, Bell High, Pineville; Hubert Collett, Bell High, Pineville; Bonnie Dixon, Pruden, Pruden, Tenn.; Lorayne Doverspike, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; Anna Lee Greene, Balkan, Pineville; Geraldine Gilbert, Bell High, Pineville; Mabel Henderson, Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; Ferne Holland, Balkan, Pineville; Wayland Jones,

Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; W. L. Knuckles, Prudent, Pruden, Tenn.; Bill Knuckles, Cubage, Pineville; Alice Kruse, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; Lela Marsee, Prudent, Pruden, Tenn.; Walter Miracle, Cubage School, Cubage; Elbert McDonald, Balkan, Pineville; S. A. Mills, Bell High, Pineville; James Pursifull, Bell High, Pineville; James Reeves, Pruden, Pruden, Tenn.; Ruth Richardson, Bell High, Pineville; Benjamin Risner, Pineville; Albert Slusher, Cubage, Cubage; Richard Slusher, Kettle Island School, Kettle Island; J. Moody

Taylor, Bell High, Pineville.

        The following named persons were teacher fro 1939-1940, together with the name of the school each taught and the post office: Juanita Anderson, Wasioto, Wasioto, Ky.; Mittie Asher, Lower Symms Fork, Rella; Edna Asher, Cowfork, Beverly; Lucy Adkins, Bosworth, Middlesborough, Ky.; Sadie Baker, Slusher, Slusher, Ky.; Robert Barnett, Dark Ridge, Middlesborough; Madalene Bennett, Jensen, Jensen, Ky.; Dora Bingham, Bell High, Tinsley; Sara Bingham, Cardinal, Pineville; Blanche Boatright, Blacksnake, Cubage; Mitzie Bosworth, Edgewood, Middlesborough; Minnie Bowman, Arjay, Pineville; Ona Bright, Fonde, Fonde, Ky.; Glades Brittain, Kettle Island, Tinsley; TwilaBrittain, Dean, Tinsley; Clarence Brown, Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; Ethel Brown, Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; Ethel Brown, Henderson

Settlement School, Frakes; Agnes Brogan, Balkan, Balkan, Ky.; John Browning, Laurel Hill, Pineville; Betty Brooks, Cold Springs, Pineville; Martha Brock, Mill Creek, Kettle Island; Otto Brock, Mill Creek, Kettle Island; Daisy Broughton, Straight Creek, Straight Creek, Ky.; Iola Byr1ey, Wallsend, Pineville; Brown Campbell, Lower Clear Fork, Middlesborough; John Cole, Ferndale, Pineville; Roy Collett, Lower Stony Fork, Kettle Island; Mary Coyler, Straight Creek, Straight Creek, Ky.; Grace Cooper, Centennial, Tinsley; Francis Costanza, Yellow Hill, Middlesborough; Hazel Creech, Straight Creek, Straight Creek, Ky.; Oscoe Davidson, Buckeye, Ingram; Mrs. Oscoe Davidson, Buckeye, Ingram; Willa Dean, Dean, Tinsley; Simon Delph, Ferndale, Pineville; Agnes Douglas, Balkan, Balkan, Ky.; Ethel Evans, Pine Grove, Pineville; Ruth Faulkner,

Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; Edna Fanner, Ferndale, Middlesborough; Zella Fuson, Harmony, Pineville; Mossie Gabbard, Blanche, Blanche, Ky.; Birdie Gatman, Colmar, Colmar, Ky.; Theodore Gibson, Davisburg, Pineville; Maude Goodman, Centennial, Ingram; Laurea Greene, Fonde, Pineville; Pearl Harding, Blackmont, Hulen; Jean Hash, Marsee, Pineville; Clarence Hensley, Happy Valley, Pineville; Alma Hoskins, Kettle Island, Pineville; Thelma Hoskins, Moss Chapel, Pineville; Pascal Hurst, Williams Branch, Pineville; Carrie Jackson, Hutch, Middlesborough; Jeanette Jeffries, Mathel, Pineville; Bessie Johnson, Insull, Insull, Ky.; Albert Jones, Wheeler Creek, Frakes; Gladys Kern, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; Grant Knuckles, Beverly; George Matt Knuckles, Beverly; Lou Anna Knuckles, Monarch, Middlesborough; Oscar Knuckles, Upper Four Mile, Four Mile; Thomas Knuckles, Buffalo, Pineville; Kinningham. Reed, Mudlick, Beverly; M. F. Knuckles, Dorton Branch, Pineville; Ruth Lamdin, Henderson Settlement School, Frakes; Flora Lankford, Fonde, Fonde, Ky.; Dillard Lawson, Red Oak, Kettle Island; Elmer Lee, Edgewood, Four Mile; John Lee, Varilla, Oaks; Mrs. Fred Lock, Mill Creek, Kettle Island; Reed Lock, Dean, Tinsley; Lester Lock, Kettle Island, Kettle Island, Ky.; John McDonald, Arjay, Arjay, Ky.; Austin Madin, Moss Chapel, Pineville; E. G. Martin, Arjay, Arjay, Ky.; Ruby Miller, Roth, Four Mile; James Meredith, Slusher, Slusher, Ky.; Ethel Murray, Insull, Insull, Ky.; Elsie Miracle, Cross Lane, Cubage; Rossevelt Miracle, Mathel, Balkan; Ester Merkle, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; Gracie Miracle, Dry Branch, Balkan; Frankie Moore, Cardinal, Cardinal, Ky.; Jesse Miracle, Harmony, Pineville; Louise Miracle, Cardinal, Calvin; Robert Mason, Martin, Pineville; Estill McGaffee, White Church, Tinsley; Sarah Mason, Bosworth, Pineville; Betty Lee Mullins, Bosworth, Middlesborough; Genevieve Martin, Fonde, Fonde, Ky.; Roberta McDonald, Fonde, Pineville; Hobart Mink, Balkan, Oaks; Ellen Napier, Dorton Branch, Field; Ray Neal, Straight Creek, Straight Creek, Ky.; Effie Partin, Davisburg, Middlesborough; Marvin Robbins, Bird Branch, Wasioto; Mabel Ridings, Blanche, Pineville; Walten Robbins, Hutch, Middlesborough; Howard Ridings, Logmont, Middlesborough; Luphemia Redman, Fork Ridge, Jensen; Jesse Rice, Meldrum, Middlesborough; Ralph Richardson, Bell High, Pineville; W. T. Robbins, Kettle Island, Pineville; Anna Speicher, Red Bird Settlement School, Beverly; Lee Slusher, Lower Symms Fork, Beverly; Roy Slusher, Red Bird C., Beverly; Mason Slusher, Wilderness, Beverly; Nell W. Smith, long Branch, Rella; Carolyn Saylor, Calloway, Beverly; Lillian Sewell, Broadtree, Balkan; Walter Slusher, Page, Calvin; Charles Slusher, Beans Fork, Middlesborough; Della Sturgill, Edgewood, Middlesborough; Dewy Slusher, Capito, Middlesborough; Lucy Slusher, Capito, Middlesborough; Nell Jack Stewart, Dorton Branch, Pineville; Katherine Smith, Fonde, Fonde, Ky.; Hester Taylor, Cary, Cary, Ky.; ErnestTaylor, Cary, Cary, Ky.; Henry Taylor, Page, Pineville; Clyde Taylor, Ferndale, Pineville; Oma Thompson, Pittman Creek, Calvin; Foley Thompson, Williams Branch, Calvin; Herbert Thompson, Yellow Hill, Ingram; Millard Thompson, Fuson Chapel, Ingram; Rose Turner, Blackmont, Hulen; Julia Tye, Cardinal, Cardinal, Ky.; Tom Tribell, Upper Cannon, Middlesborough; Fannie Tinsley, White Church, Tinsley; Chester Watson, Ponde, Ponde, Ky.; John A. Watson, Fonde, Fonde, Ky.; Katherine Warfield, Upper Four Mile, Tinsley; Pauline Warfield, Balkan, Tinsley; Fred Webb, Laurel fork, Chenoa; Mayola Waddell, Beans Fork, Middlesborough; Eva Wilder, Bailey Hill, Hulen; Jonathan Wilder, Long Ridge, Miracle; Mayo Wilder, Flat Shoals, Calvin; Lloyd Wilder, Cross Lane, Miracle; Camie Wilson, Bell High, Pineville, Sophia Wilson, Insull, Cubage; David Wilson, Black Snake, Cubage; H. C. Wilson, Brush Mountain, Cubage; Sarah Wilson, Hances Creek, Calvin; Virgill Woods, Turkey Creek, Pineville; Leo K. Woolum, Baker, Jensen; Pauline Woolum, Jensen, Jensen, Ky.; Geneva Winchester, Pruden, Prudent, Tenn.; Nebraska Valentine, Slusher, Slusher, Ky.; Zelm Vanbever, Meldrum, Middlesborough.

III. THE PINEVILLE SCHOOLS

1. EARLY BEGINNINGS

        I was Superintendent of the Pineville Schools from January 1, 1910, to May, 1912. While acting as said Superintendent I made a report each year of the condition of the schools to the State Superintendent. In one of my reports (1911) 1 gave something of the history of the Pineville Schools. I repeat that history here as it appeared in that report.

        "J. G. Reynolds, now of Flat Lick, Kentucky (1910) is authority for the statement that he had charge of the first school ever taught within the present limits of what is now Pineville. The school had only one teacher with fifteen or twenty pupils, and was one of these small ungraded schools of those times. This was in 1871. Only a few houses had been built in the 'Narrows,' a gorge in Cumberland River a short distance above where the town is now located.

        "But from that school, poor in quality as it was, came one of the most prominent men of this section of the state, a man who was elected Circuit Judge of this district twice and who is one of the wealthy business men of this section, Judge M. J. Moss. And from the first Board of Trustees, came later two County Superintendents, Pete Hinkle and Capt. W. M. Bingham, men who fashioned in their own way, feeble though their efforts may have been, the educational system of the county.

        "I relate this, not because it contains anything new or surprising in our educational growth (for this is only typical of the schools of our country), but because it gives the reader a glimpse of the beginnings of our school system.

        "Later the school was moved to larger quarters and two teachers were employed. This was further down in the Narrows in what is now called Old Town. Prof. Pierce was in charge of the school at this time. It continued in these same quarters, in the same way, till 1889 when what is known as the 'boom' came. During this 'boom' the town changed its location and grew from a mere village to a fourth class city in two years.

        "A modern 8-room school building was put up, a good teaching force was employed and for years the school flourished. But a change came as all human institutions change. The 'boom' went down with a crash, taking the school business with it. Years went on, most any teachers were employed and the school dragged out a mere existence.

        "But a few years ago the town waked up to the situation and realized that her system of schools was far behind the other development of the town and so started a crusade for better schools. Mr. H. Clay Rice, and an enterprising young man, born and reared in the town, was chosen Superintendent. For four or five years, with a patient and enterprising Board back of him, he labored faithfully and well for the up building of the schools. The results were these: Building repaired, and put in better condition, better grade work, better teachers, and more interest in things educational.

        "I came in as Superintendent of the schools of Pineville, January 2, 1910, while this revival of education was in progress. Things were made somewhat easier on account of this.

        "In 1909-1910 the school was running with an average of 290 to 300 pupils, with six teachers. Some of the rooms were crowded and some had but few pupils. But, at the beginning of the session in 1910, the Board realizing that something must be done to better attendance, employed an active truant officer for full time during the school year and paid him a regular salary accordingly. Under this arrangement the average attendance was increased to nearly 400, while the per cent of enrollment based on the lack of sufficient teachers, which the Board, at that time, could not well grant relief in. The school, on account of the crowded condition, had to fall upon the policy of getting regular attendance from those who had enrolled rather than forcing others into an already crowded building, who had not already enrolled.

        "It is my opinion, after two years trial, that the truant officer, under proper regulations, will finally solve the question of attendance. It will take many years of patient hard work to work a truant system of any kind into an efficient one effective for every child organization. But I believe we are tending in that direction.

        "As to the teaching force, Jan. 2, 1910, we had six teachers, only part of whom had attended the normal schools. Of the teachers for

1910-1911, most of them had attended normal schools, or preparatory schools of some kind, in training for teachers. A goodly number of them had state certificates. The force was increased over the previous year by two. For the year 1911-1912, twelve teachers were employed, an increase of four over the previous year. All of them have had some special training and most of them had diplomas from our very best schools. Four of them are attending the summer term of one of our leading normal schools.

        "The growth of educational sentiment is probably the best thing I have to report to you. A crusade was started two years ago, for a new and up-to-date school building for Pineville. The people scouted the idea at first and pointed to the present building, an 8-room brick, saying it was large enough for all practical purposes; but the fight went on. The Truant Officer worked too well and the old building was filled to overflowing; teachers desks were moved out to give room for tables, chairs and anything that could give room by its removal for a pupil. The people were invited to see this crowded condition of the school, programs were arranged for their benefit, and everything was done that could be done to stir up public sentiment for the school.

        "At the close of the last term, the school children gave two large entertainments and a display of their work for the year was put up at the school building. These things showed the people what the children had accomplished for the year, or something of it.

        "Now, what has been the result of all this agitation and work? These: The people have taken right hold of the school problem, two extra school rooms are being built on the school grounds and two are being rented out in town to accommodate the pupils and the increased number of teachers. The proposition of a $30,000 bond issue for a new building is being discussed and will be put to a vote of the people sometime this fall. The people generally favor the proposition, and it is thought by many that the bonds will be voted. If the bonds are voted, the Board proposes to put up a 16-room building with all modern conveniences. In conclusion, let me say: That the average attendance of the school is on the increase; that we are constantly improving our teaching force by getting better trained normal teachers and that public sentiment in favor of

our schools is stronger than ever."

        Not long after this report was written, the bonds for $30,000.00 were voted by the people, with only 12 votes against the proposition. On the day the election was held at the Court House, all of the school children and teachers, headed by Superintendent H. H. Fuson, were marched several times around the Court House, with large banners flying, on which, in large letters, the votes were called upon to vote for the children and the bond issue. I saw strong men weep on that day and rush to the voters and say: "In God's name, don't forget the children; vote for the bond issue." Such was the sentiment that carried the bond issue on that day. Capt. W. M. Bingham, then an old man, and a former County Superintendent, was there rallying the voters in favor of the bond issue. He had much to do with its passage.                  

2. PRESENT STATUS OF THE PINEVILLE SCHOOLS

        Prof. J. L. Lair, Superintendent of the Pineville Schools, gave me the following in regard to the status, at present, of these schools, which statement follows:

        "The Pineville City Schools at the close of the year 1938-1939, consists of an Elementary School of six years, under the direction of J. C. Carty, Principal; a six year High School, under the direction of J. C. Eddleman, Principal; and a colored school made up of grades from one to twelve, under the direction of Alvantus Gibson, Principal. The white elementary school has thirteen teachers and 510 boys and girls; the white high school has thirteen teachers, with an enrollment of 337 boys and girls; the colored school has four teachers with an enrollment of 110 boys and girls.

        "The Pineville High School is a member of the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, which is the highest rating that can be given a secondary school in the south. In addition to the regular instruction offered by the high school, the Pineville High School emphasized instruction in band, vocal music and public speaking. The Pineville band and chorus are recognized in Southeastern Kentucky and in the state as the best and have received the highest ratings consistently at the State Contests for the past four or five years."

        The athletic program of the Pineville high School is made up of football, basket ball and track. During the past year the Pineville Mountain

Lions won the championship in football and track.

        The Pineville City Schools in the past have been housed in two buildings, known as the white school building and the colored school building. At present, two buildings are being constructed, a modern white high school building and gymnasium which will house grades ten, eleven and twelve, and a modern school building and gymnasium for the colored boys and girls. This will give the city schools three well equipped school buildings. In addition to the school buildings, the city schools own an athletic field, upon which will seat approximately 1500 people and a modern swimming pool which will accommodate approximately 200 people at one tine.

        The following teachers have been employed for the year 1939-1940: Miss Effie Arnett, Mrs. May E. Birch, J. C. Carty, Miss Mary Fox Clardy, Miss Cora Ellison, J. C. Eddlemen, Miss Molly Greene, Miss Dorothy Galloway, Coach W. H. Grabruck, Miss Eva Gragg, Miss Ethel Hoskins, Miss Mabel Ingram, Supt. J. L. Lair, Miss Vivian Lee, Herman Moore, Miss Nannie Murray, Miss Flossie Minter, Mrs. Katherine Rollins, L. H. Shivley, Miss Mae Smith, Miss Alva E. Tandy, Miss Elizabeth Van Bever, Miss Eula. Vicars, W. F. Weddle, Miss Esta Webb, Miss

Elizabeth Whittaker, Miss Josephine Wilson.

        The Pineville Board of Education is composed of the following members: R. B. Baird, Chairman, G. D. Tinley, H. J. Lee, W. F. Durham, Foley Partin.

IV. HENDERSON SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

        In 1925, Henderson Settlement School opened its doors as a school, under the leadership of that indomitable preacher, Rev. H. M. Frakes. He had been sent to Benham, Kentucky, by the Methodist Church as pastor, and, later, as pastor at Pineville. All the time he was at Benham and Pineville he was revolving the idea in his mind of establishing a school in some needy portions of the mountains. He was looking for a section cut off from the industrial development going on in the mountains. Finally, his eye fell upon South America and the die was cast. With Rev. Frakes, to find the field was to act. So, in 1925, the school was opened with thirteen pupils.

        At the opening of the school, citizens had donated 120 acres of land. Those donating the land were: (1) General Scott Partin, his sons, (a) Sherd, (b) Floyd, his daughter, (c) Rosa Murray, his grandson, (d) L. L. Partin, and his brother, (e) Evan Partin; (2) Bill Henderson; (3) Scott Partin; and (4) Frank Jones. These are the men who joined the leader Rev. H. M. Frakes in the establishment of the school; but many others since that time have joined the ranks to make this school what it is.

        Today the future of the school is assured. The school owns five hundred acres of land, extending from the top of the ridge on one side to the top of the Pine Mountain on the other side. The school has its own water system, the water piped from a reservoir in the Pine Mountain for six thousand feet to a tank on the grounds of the school. The school has its own light system with power from a Diesel engine. It has its carpenter shop, agricultural grounds, dining room and kitchen well equipped. It has today two hundred pupils in the grades and the high school.

        One old-time cottage building is still preserved on the grounds. This shows the type of building before the school came. The following buildings are on the grounds today: Administration Building, Dairy Barn, Partin Hall, Store Building, Henderson Memorial Tabernacle, a new tabernacle building which is now being erected, residence of H. M. Frakes, some open recreation halls, and other buildings. A lake in Pine Creek in the foreground adds to the beauty of this scenic school plant, located on this rounded hill-top, with the Pine Mountain looming up as a background and a ridge in the foreground.

        Rev. H. M. Frakes is the son of William Frakes and Sarah Victoria (Carr) Frakes. His grandfather was Grayson Frakes, of Grayson County, Kentucky, and his grandmother was Mary Ann (Essery) Frakes. The Frakes family is of Kentucky origin. Grayson Frakes and three brothers came across the Ohio River into Indiana, where Rev. Frakes was born. Grayson Frakes was in the Civil War on the Union side and fought around Cumberland Gap and at Lookout Mountain.

        Rev. Hiram M. Frakes grew to manhood in the hills of southern Indiana, where, because of the bad roads and few schools, he suffered the lack of a chance for an education. His loss has made him feel very keenly the needs of these mountain people. He received no degrees from colleges, but his years of hard work, indomitable courage, unselfish service, and persistent faith, have all won for him a greater title, "The Sky Pilot of the Cumberlands," and he has endeared himself to the mountain people as no other "furiner" has ever done. He has traveled no less than one thousand miles a year by foot, walking back and forth to Chenoa, and over these mountains. Besides he traveled over ten thousand miles a year speaking in churches and attending conferences and institutes. To know something of the inside of the work he has done, reveals the heroic effort that he has put forth, in spite of all obstacles, and classes him with the pioneer circuit riders and the ancient prophets.

        The Henderson Settlement School is owned by the Kentucky Mountain Mission of the Methodist Church, and Rev. H. M. Frakes is Superintendent of the school and Manager of the school plant and school farm.

        Former Governor F. D. Sampson said of Rev.Frakes, at the tenth anniversary of the founding of the school: "To my mind your work, patience and perseverance make you a man of destiny. There are just a few human beings big enough and strong enough to do the character of work you are doing without ceasing. There is no use of suggesting to you to keep your enthusiasm high -- you will do that."

        One old woman said: "For years I have prayed for better teachers and preachers." This school is the answer to her prayers. The list of teachers for this school for the year 1939-1940 follows: Rev. Hiram M. Frakes, Superintendent; Rev. W. E. Cissna, Principal of school and settlement pastor; Wayland Jones, teacher in the high school; Miss Margie Bowlin, teacher in the high school; Mrs. Ruth W. Lambdin, teacher in the high school; Mrs. Ethel Bowlin Brown, teacher in the grades; Clarence Brown, teacher in the grades; Miss Roxie Hunt, teacher in the grades; Earnest Partin, carpenter; C. B. Burton, general engineer; Andy Lambdin, transportation; W. T. Murray, director of Agricultural Program; Mrs. Ruby Jones, Matron Girls' Dormitory; Mrs. Dora Rose, Martron Boys' Dormitory; Mrs. W. E. Cissna, Community Nurse; J. Horn, manager of store.

        Henderson Settlement School is under the control of Board of Home Missions and Church Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The location of the school is at Frakes, South America, Bell County, Kentucky.

V. HISTORY OF RED BIRD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

        Red Bird Settlement School is located at Beverly, a mountain community in the northern triangular section of Bell County which is

cut off from the rest of Bell County by the Kentucky Ridge. It lies on the head waters of Red Bird River, a tributary of the Kentucky River from which it receives its name. Red Bird River received its name from an Indian Chief, Red Bird, who was dominant in this region when white men first visited this section.

        The region in which Red Bird Settlemant School is located is very much isolated and communication with the outside world has always been very difficult. Prior to 1920, very little of the trend of advanced modern life had penetrated to this section. Schools were widely separated and of a low standard because trained teachers were unwilling to come to these isolated sections. There were no modernly trained doctors and the religious and social life of the people was not much different from the pioneer days. The forces of law and order also had very little influence in this as well as in other such isolated mountain sections. A citizen of Beverly described the situation in those days in these words:"Lawlessness was prevalent. Many of the people were engaged in 'moon shining' law was not enforced and any one was in danger who attempted to prosecute law violators. Women and children were afraid to travel the roads for fear of being insulted by some drunken man. No one cared to go to a public gathering for fear of trouble. Consequently, when there was church the people did not attend. The schools were sometimes disturbed and threatened by the croak of a 1451. On Sundays the roads were in possession of drunken men who cared little for anything or anybody and uttered profane sentences punctuated by the thundering sound of the pistol."

        Some of the more progressive families tried to stem the tide of lawlessness and to bring about a better condition. They keenly felt the need of better schools for the training of their children. Among these families was the Knuckles family. When they learned that the Evangelical Church was desirous of establishing work in some section of the southern mountains, they contacted the leaders of the church and invited them to send representatives to visit this region. When they arrived the Knuckles brothers gave them a hearty welcome and offered them the choice of their land upon which to build their buildings and establish a school. These representative accepted the offer and steps were taken

to begin operations.

        In September 1921, Rev. John J. DeWall, who had been appointed as the superintendent of the work, arrived on the field and began to lay plans to erect buildings. The name of Rev. DeWall will always be associated with the Red Bird Settlement School for he was not only the first superintendent, he was also the founder of the school and the inspiration of everything that has taken place since that time. He was a man of great enthusiasm and activity. Before he was on the field very long he had won the confidence and the cooperation of all of the better element of the people. They saw that he was deeply interested in the welfare of the people and willing to help them in many ways. The lawless element, however, soon saw that Mr. DeWall and his work were incompatible with their interests. They saw that both could not remain in the same community. They tried to frighten him and coerce him as they had been accustomed to do with the better people in other days. They challenged his right to remain and he accepted their challenge. The fight was bitter but brief. It ended with the ring leaders in prison and the others cowed into submission. As a result the forces of law and order got the upper hand and in a comparatively short time the entire region became transformed. It is now one of the most peaceful and law abiding communities to be found anywhere.

        Rev. DeWall was a man of great energy and within a short time he had erected a dwelling for himself and then started building a two story school building which was also used for church services. By 1923 a three story dormitory was built. In this building boys and girls from regions were enabled to live while attending the school. In a few years the school building became too small and a new, commodious, and modernly equipped school was erected. The old school building was remodeled into a boys' dormitory and the old dormitory was used for girls alone.

        Mr. DeWall had not been in the work very long until he felt the need of medical work. A nurse, Miss Lydia B. Rice, arrived in 1923. Two years later Dr. Harlan S. Heim as the first doctor. In 1928, a hospital was erected. Since that time the medical work has been greatlY enlarged. There are now four nurses and two doctors, who often in one year give as high as five thousand treatments over an area of upwards of one thousand square miles. There are no other modernly trained medical workers in this entire area and this staff cannot adequately care for the medical needs of the area because travel over the steep mountains is so difficult.

        In September 1928, the school received a great shock when Rev. DeWall after a brief illness died. He was in the prime of life and apparently in robust health. The community was prostrated. Sorrow and despair filled the hearts of the people for miles about. It is seldom that one sees such genuine grief manifested by the people over such a large area as was manifested when Mr. DeWall died. It was felt by many that the work had received such a hard blow that it would not survive the shock or at least be permanently crippled. However, it is a fine testimonial to the character of the work Mr. DeWall did that though retarded for a short time, it has since that time grown in its influence and in its contribution to the life of the community. The school has made a great contribution to the educational life of the community. A man of the community said a short time ago, "Before the School was built we could hardly keep our children in school long enough to learn to read and write. Now they all

want to go to high school and many to college. There are more of our young people in college now than there were in the seventh and eighth grade before the school was built." When the high school was organized in 1922, it was with difficulty that six high school students were found. Now over a hundred are enrolled in the four year high school. Since the school was organized about 375 different boys and girls have received training in the high school. Of these, more than 150 have been graduated from the high school course. While the graduates are all poor, yet the initiative and ambition of these mountain young people is such that about 90 per cent of them have taken some work in college. Many of them are now college graduates and some of them have taken postgraduate work. A few have earned their Master's degree. Most of these have in one way or another managed to secure enough credits to teach school. They have then taught school and earned enough to continue their education. At one time a few years ago 43 of the teachers of Bell County had received some of their training at Red Bird Settlement School.

        The standard of the school has always been kept high so that graduates of the school have had no difficulty in doing college work and many of them have won honors and special merit awards. The extracurricular activities, such as public speaking, oratory, debate, music, home economics, wood work, etc., have also been stressed. In oratory and public speaking the school has won an enviable record. In the Annual District Speech Tournament in 1939 Red Bird, though one of the smallest schools in the district was a very close second to the school that won first place. In the last ten years, Red Bird has won first place in oratory in the District Tournament, eight times. Three times, the orators of Red Bird have been able to win first place in the State Oratorical Contest.

        The teaching staff of the Red Bird Settlement School, for the year 1939, is as follows: A. E. Lehman, Superintendent; R. E. Bergstresser, Principal of the High School; Alice M. Kruse, English Teacher; Lelia Bower, Science Teacher and Practice Cabin Matron; Lorayne Doverspike, Music Teacher; Mary E. Leininger, Social Science; Gladys Kern, Seventh and Eighth Grades; Ester Merkle, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades; Anna M. Speciher, First, Second and Third Grades; Gordon S. Burchett, Boys' Work Director; Amy Hauvermale, Matron and Home Economics;

Pauline Hough, Piana and Assistant Matron; R. E. Nelson, M. D., Director of Medical Work; Lydia B. Rice, R. N. Nurse; Leta V. King, R. N. Nurse; Bernita. Coddington, R. N. Nurse; Caroline Cusic, R. N. Nurse; Sarah J. Schwingle, Hospital House Keeper; Mrs. Virginia Gambrel, Dormitory Cook.

VI. LONE JACK HIGH SCHOOL

        The information in regard to this school was furnished by W. M. Slusher, Superintendent. This school lies on the opposite side of the river from Four Mile and has been greatly aided in its development by the finances coming from the Kentucky Utilities plant, which is located in this school district.

        The present Lone Jack District was voted independent in 1923 and was nly a graded school employing two teachers. In 1927 bonds were voted for thirty thousand dollars, the money from which was used to erect part of the present buildings. A high school and grades are carried on in this building, under the control and direction of four grade teachers and two high school teachers.

        In 1932 four new high school rooms were added under the Principal ship of W. M. (Bill) Slusher and another high school teacher was added. In 1934 Mr. J. W. Hughes succeeded Mr. Slusher, who resigned to accept another position. In 1937 a new Gym was added to the plant, and at the same time the Upper Four Mile Independent Graded School was merged with the Lone Jack School. In 1938 W. M. (Bill) Slusher became Superintendent of the Lone Jack School when Mr. Hughes resigned.

        The present Lone Jack School has 810 census children in the district,

with 460 as a daily attendance.

        The thirty thousand dollar bonded indebtedness has been reduced to less than six thousand dollars, which amount will be paid off long before due in 1947. A fifteen cent tax is set aside to retire the bonds. The Lone Jack School has no current indebtedness.

        The community has grown with the school. A modern Baptist Church is under construction in the district, more than four hundred attend Sunday School at either of the two churches, and the community is generally quiet and orderly.                                                                                         The school has modern equipment; it is an "A" rated school; and this year the Board is installing a modern course in Commerce. The school boasts one of the best Basket Ball Teams in Southeastern Kentucky, for the past two years they have won the 52nd District Tournament Championship. No better school spirit exists anywhere in the mountains than at this civic spirited school.

        At the present time the salaries are higher in this school for teachers than in any other school in the county. The school now employes Superintendent W. M. Slusher, a Principal, Coach, full time Music Teacher, Comrercial Teacher, Librarian, one Elementary Principal, five High School Teachers, and ten Elementary Teachers, two Janitors. The district contains about nine square miles and has a population of thirty-five hundred.

        The school boasts of being one of the most active schools in the mountains. It participates in basket ball, music, debating, vocal contests,

scholastic tests, etc. The names of the teachers, Principals, Superintendent, of the Lone Jack School follow: W. M. Slusher, Superintendent, Pineville, Ky.; Frank Creech, Principal, Pineville, Ky.; Edgar Wilson, Principal of Upper Fourmile, Division consisting of first six grades; Teachers, High School: Hershel Roberts, Coach, Pineville, Ky.; Frank Creech, Pineville, Ky.; W. M. Slusher, Pineville, Ky.; John Knuckles, Beverly, Ky.; Grade teachers: Nell Roach, Pineville, Ky.; Effie Miller, Fourmile, Ky.; Bessie Lovell, Fourmile, Ky.; Theda Campbell, Fourmile, Ky.;

Ethel Hendrickson, Fourmile, Ky.; Mary Dean, Fourmile, Ky.; Phoeba Jane Hendrickson, Fourmile, Ky.; Carrie Wilson, Fourmile, Ky.; Clara Sizemore, Fourmile, Ky.

        The Board of Education for the Lone Jack High School is composed of the following members: Lee Woods, Chairman, Joe Lewis, Lon Lewis, Bryant Keith, and Wade Drummonds. W. M. Slusher, is Secretary of the Board. George H. Reese, of the First State Bank, Pineville, is the Treasurer. Jeff A. Fuson, Fourmile, is the custodian of the building, and has been for the past four years. Mrs. Pat Catron, of Pineville, is music teacher for the school. She is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

VII. THE MIDDLESBOROUGH SCHOOLS

        The growth of Middlesborough's public schools system in recent years has been indicative of the progressive spirit of the community. Today the system is recognized as one of the finest in the state, providing ample facilities and quipment, a well-rounded program of scholastic work and extra-curricular activities, a faculty meeting high requirements and a well organized administration setup.

        In 1922 the high school was placed on the list of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. It was in that year that J. W. Bradner, then of Ashland, came to Middlesborough as Superintendent of the city schools. He still serves in that capacity.

        The preceding year, in 1921, first steps were taken on an expansion program, through the voting of a school bond issue of $150,000.00, and, with Mr. Bradner's arrival, a program of reorganization, which included the addition of the high school and four ward school buildings. The school plant is now comprised of eight schools: the High School, Junior High, Central, four ward schools, a school for negroes, and a football park and stadium. Its total valuation is placed at $625,262.00.

        The first school in Middlesborough was a private school taught by Ezra L. Grubb, a graduate of Centre College. It was opened December 9, 1889, over Charles Whitaker's store on East Cumberland Avenue. Mr. Grubb was assisted by Mrs. Maggie Chumley and Miss Cora Morris, who taught music and painting.

        On October 17, 1890, the city council passed an ordinance to establish a public school. Mr. Grubb became the first principal, being succeeded by Prof. T. C. Westfall. Following Westfall as principal was C. W. Gordinier from Valparaiso Normal School, who was appointed by the first city board of education. The members of the board were F. D. Hart, W. H. Rhorer, William Acuff, E. K. Pattee, M. Park and Mr. Price. Mr. Hart was elected secretary and manager of the school at fifteen dollars per month.

        Later a high school was organized, and the first class was graduated in 1894, the members being: John Miller, Jennie Dickinson, Julia Moore, Kate Colgan, Louise Park, Mary Campbell, Denta Campbell, Nell Van Gorder, Jess Rhorer, Dora Green, W. A. Purnell and Hattie Broshear.

        When the expansion program was started in 1921, the school plant consisted of the central school building for the white children and a colored school for the colored children.

        Through the interest of Dr. C. K. Broshear, president, and the members of the board of education, plans were made for the bond issue, and, with the active support of the newly organized Kiwanis Club and other organizations of the city, the issue was voted in November of that year, with eight unfavorable votes. With the assistance of Judge T. G. Anderson, it was carried through the courts and finally approved by the Court of Appeals.

        The board of education serving in 1922, when the reorganization was started, was composed of Dr. C. K. Broshear, Sam Anderson, P. T. Colgan, J. M. Rogan, H. A. McCamy, J. H. McGiboney, Robert Lyon, F. D. Hart, and J. H. Chesney, Secretary.

        Mr. Bradner was elected for a term of four years in April and the reorganization began. Property was bought at once for four ward schools and the high school. Plans and specifications for the five buildings were drafted and contracts let. The ward schools were ready for use in January 1923 and the high school was occupied in September of that year.

        In the reorganization, a secretary to the Superintendent was employed, a full time attendance officer, music supervisor, a coach added to the staff, and plans were made for a manual training department, an extended course in home economics, a four year business department and a science laboratory, and a start was made toward a junior high school organization.

        The enlarged school program resulted in great impetus to the interest in the schools, as shown by the attendance figures. During the year of 1922-1923 the enrollment in the white schools was 1904, compared with 2640 in the year 1939-1940. The increase in the entire school system was 745, or 34 per cent. In the high school, the comparison of two years show an increase of 169 per cent and in the junior high school an increase of 141 per cent.

        Eighty teachers are employed, twenty of them in the white high school. That they bring a wide experience is indicated in the fact that they represent fifty different colleges in their preparations for teaching. High requirements of education must be met by the faculty members and many of the teachers hold Masters' degrees.

        A varied program of extra-curricular activities is carried out, particularly in the high school. These include: band, orchestra, chorus, and glee club work, public speaking, dramatics, public discussion and debating, 4-H club work, Hi-Y girl reserves, Latin club, and athletic activities, including football, basket ball, gymnastic work, boxing and track.

        The school band, which has been among the outstanding organizations connected with the schools in recent years, was organized in November, 1929. It has rated high in state festivals held yearly at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, and is now composed of about sixty members, directed by R. A. Emberger.

        The high school offers an up-to-date library of 2970 volumes, and well equipped business, home economics, and manual training departments. An efficient health program is carried out under the direction of the county health department. Organizations maintaining interests between the parents and the schools, and assisting in various phases of the school program, are active. These include, Parent-teacher units in each of the grade schools, and a band Mothers' organization. during the past several years one of the projects of the PTA at the central school has been supervision of a lunch room, which provides meals for over one hundred children daily through the school year.

        A survey of the financial setup in the Middlesborough schools reveals that the system is operated on a per capita sum of $40.17, compared with the average for the nation of $104.48. Eighty-seven per cent of the school fund for maintenance is comprised of salaries. The receipts are produced from a city tax levy of $1.29 and a per capita sum of $12.17 from the state.

Chapter XV

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS CONTINUED

        SCHOOLS NOW RANK WITH THE BEST IN THE ENTIRE STATE THE BELL COUNTY LEADER, Pineville, Kentucky, in 1909, carried an

editorial on the work of H. H. Fuson, and this editorial is the basis for this chapter. In 1902, when the now retiring County Superintendent, H. H. Fuson, first took office, the great industrial movement, which has grown to very large proportions in the past eight years, was then sweeping over this mountain section of Kentucky, and railroads were pushing their way into unknown parts, coal mines were developing and mining camps were springing up where only old thrown-out fields were observed before. Southeastern Kentucky, as a result, almost as by magic, became known as one of the leading coal producing sections of the Union. The eyes of the country were fixed on this section, and capital

flowed into the country and bought up thousands of acres of land in large boundaries for development purposes. This work still progresses, gaining added momentum as the tide of development goes on.

        Mr. Fuson, on entering office, realized the great importance of the great strides forward in business and wished to have the schools of Bell County keep pace with the movement. He could not see why the schools should lag behind, if they were, when all kinds of business and professions were moving at such a pace. So he, at once, inaugurated a forward movement and pushed school work of all kinds to the front. As a result a long list of improvements have been made. Some of the more important ones will be enumerated below.

        One of the first things done was the looking into the work of the schools with reference to primary work. The Superintendent found, by taking a record of the work done while visiting schools, that only 12 per cent of the work was being done that ought to be done. The work was being done at haphazard and with no uniformity whatever. The Superintendent issued a circular calling upon the teachers to introduce a more systematic work, an outline for same being sent them at the same time, in language, composition, drawing, reading, and writing. The teachers rallied to the work and in one or two years marked progress had resulted, till at this time the work in the lower grades might be considered to be in a fair condition.

        District libraries have been established in many of the best districts of the county. These libraries contain from 50 volumes in some of the larger and better ones. These volumes have seen selected with reference to the needs of the various grades of school children in the

country schools and with the good of the children in view. By this method of establishing libraries a revival of interest has been created in general reading. Many boys and girls have been given food for their growing minds and many of the older people have been enlightened and blessed. Out of the 60 districts at present in the county 25 of them have libraries. The first district library was established at Wasioto in 1901 by Mr. H. Clay Rice; others followed close on to this one and the work has continued a steady growth through eight years. There are now 4,000 books and magazines in these libraries. The county teachers' library has grown from 78 volumes in 1902 to 500 or more in 1909. Professional books for teachers, novels of the better sort, histories, scientific books, essays, poetry, orations, and many other classes of books have

been added. Two new sectional book clases were purchased by the county for this library, and withal the whole presents a neat appearance.

        The establishment of a number of long-term schools is probably one of the best things Supt. Fuson has done. Many of them have more than one teacher and the work is divided into grades. Straight Creek School is the best example of this work. There, four teachers are regularly employed, all graduate teachers, for a term of ten months. The principal is paid, $1,000 per year, and the other teachers $750, $600, and $500. They have good grounds and a four room house valued at $35,000, and water pipped into the building from a mountain spring, 400 pupils in the district. This school has also, a high school department with a course of study three years in length. Last year four were graduated from this department. This school has been built up in seven years from practically nothing to begin with. Four Mile consolidated school has good

buildings, 229 pupils, three teachers, an eight month term, and another year proposes to have a nine months term, a larger and better building, work well graded and a two year high school course. A number of others are pushing along in the same lines, but these will suffice to show what the movement means and what is being done.

        All the schools of the county have been graded and systematized. The state course of study has been in the hands of all the teachers since it was issued, and has been adhered to strictly, with some slight modifications to meet local needs. This course is divided into eight grades and the amount of work to be done each year prescribed. The teachers have found the work very helpful. To add to efficiency of this course Supt. Fuson in his visits to the schools each year made speeches to the schools on some one part of this course and demonstrated to the teachers and students the applicability of the work. This has tended to make the work more and more uniform.

        New houses have been built and many others repaired. In all, since 1902 twenty-three new houses have been built, ranging in value from $400 for the smaller ones to $3,000 for the larger and better ones. Most of the other houses have been repaired in some way; some with extensive repairs, others with slight repairs. Some ten or fifteen houses have been equipped with modern furniture and supplies. This work has gone on constantly for eight years.

        The County High School has been established in Pineville. By contract with the County Board of Education of Pineville, the County Board of Education appropriates $1,000 yearly and the City Board of Education $750 yearly for the maintenance of the school. The school is for the joint use of the county and the city of Pineville, but is under the control of the County Board of Education. The people of Pineville have donated to the County Board of Education over 5 1/2 acres of ground for the site of the new high school and the County Board of Education proposes to erect a building on the site at the earliest opportunity. Two teachers have been employed and the work is now being conducted in two rooms of the public school of Pineville. This is probably, the most important work, and the most far-reaching work, of all Supt. Fuson has done.

        The raising of the efficiency of the teaching force of the county. Teachers have applied themselves more assiduously to their work, have attended good schools and prepared themselves, have studied methods and means of doing

their work, have had better salaries paid them, examinations have been held strictly according to law and certificates granted only on merit, and in every way the efficiency of the teachers has been raised. Now an efficient, wide-awake, up-to-date body of teachers has charge of the schools and the future of the county is safe in their hands.

        Last year Oratorical and Essay associations were formed; the Orataorical for the men teachers, the Essay for the lady teachers. Contests were had at the Teachers' Institute this year, and first and second prizes in each contest, were awarded. The effort was a decided success. The teachers passed a resolution making the association a permanent part of the Institute each year, and a committee was appointed to draw up rules and regulations.

        These are some of the things Supt. Fuson has been able to accomplish in eight years of work and they form an interesting catalogue of triumphs for the cause of popular education. He now goes back to work in the school room, and, as we hope, to wider fields of usefulness. He has been elected Supt. of the Public Schools of Pineville to take charge of the work January 3rd, 1910. He succeeds Mr. H. Clay Rice, who has resigned to take up work, in the Circuit Clerk's office, with his brother, R. B. Rice.