Landmarks - The School House

 

The site where now stands the Sonora Elementary School dates back long before my time. In the year 1882 I "started" school with Mrs. Adelaide A. Miller as my first teacher in the "little room" of the old red brick school. We learned our ABC's in little straight back seats, and were happy when we could quietly play outdoors under the watchful eyes of our motherly teacher.

Hanging from the ceiling inside the room was a rope which, under hand, rang a bell for recess and dismissal of the school. The little folk were dismissed at two o'clock; then Mrs. Miller taught a class in geography in the afternoon. 

In the "big room", connected to the "little room" by a door, we advanced to further study. In there, two students could sit  at a desk, though with no room to spare. 

This comprised the Sonora Grammar School in 1882. Later when it became necessary, a small wooden building, detached from the one of brick was added and two teachers installed. Still later, a lager, one was built on top of the grade in the same lot and we were allowed to play up there. When the "in recess" bell rang, we ran at top speed to line up for marching into school to the accompaniment of the principal, Miss Maggie Fahey. Who tapped on a hand bell. We could not talk or move out of line. When we had an organ, I played for marching and singing, while another girl, "pumped" to keep the music going. 

There were not "grades" in our school - just "classes". As we progressed our final years were in the "big room" with Miss Fahey, the one teacher of the "first class" the "first division" and the "advanced class".

To graduate, it was necessary to appear before the County Board of Education and take the same examination as those aspiring for teachers certificates, the only exception being a very few subjects in higher education. When I won my diploma, examinations were conducted at small tables in the Turn Verein Hall. We had no graduation honors.

Miss Maggie Fahey taught in this school a half century, from primary teacher to principal-ship, and was highly regarded for her keen mind, firm leadership and understanding nature. Pupils I remember, who later were co-workers of hers as teachers were Ora Moss Morgan, Rachel Shaw Watson, Maude May, Pearl Hoskin Murrow and Gussie Symons Splain.

We had no janitor in those days. Each teacher was responsible for the upkeep of her room. In cold weather, a boy assigned for that purpose would put wood in the stove for heat. Boys carried water from Divoll's well at the foot of the long hill. Monitors went along the rows in school. All dipped from the same long-handled dipper. 

A soft spoken voice was trained by Miss Fahey. She would stand at an open window until such time as the reader's voice would clearly carry from the yard below.

For whispering in school, we were fined points, which was deducted from our credit rating. For other violations, we sat on the boy's side of the room. For chewing gum, the offender had to "stand up front" holding the gum in his outstretched hand!

On Friday afternoon we "spoke pieces" and had literary programs. We also edited a school journal of essays and poetry.

We gave several creditable public performances at the Opera Hall. An outstanding musical cantata of flowers comes to mind; by request, it continued two nights.

School picnics were held at Kentucky Flat, a beautiful spot across from the home of Miss Fahey. There was always a king and queen crowned midst maids of honor and pages, lovely wild flowers and singing birds. A Maypole Dance was held with music by Eugene Goffinet play on a harmonica.

There were huge swings to "pump high" from the limbs of sturdy shade trees and games to pass the time away.

Mrs. Rebecca Lick made and served her famous ice cream and candy, and Tom Leonard provided us soda water from his factory.

Teachers and children in the early morning formed a long line and marched up the length of Washington Street and down and out the ditch trail. Whole families walked that distance. Their lunches were spread on cloths on the green grass and all sat around. That night a big dance was held in the Turn Verein Hall, with the king and queen leading the grand march.

"On Decoration Day" (we always called it that), we marched with band music to the cemeteries and placed flowers on the soldiers' graves.

Every national holiday, we paraded from the school up the length of the main street, counter marched through the Bauman Brewery, and returned to school.