THERE were no schools maintained by public funds in Sabine Parish in 1843. In three or four communities private schools were conducted for terms not exceeding three months, the patrons paying a fixed tuition for each scholar. Instruction was rarely afforded in any branches except reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic, and it frequently happened that the teachers were hardly competent to teach these essentials of a primary education. Those who desired a common or academic education were compelled to attend the various private institutions of learning in Louisiana and the South. Many of the pioneer youths of Sabine never attended any school. If they were fortunate enough to be able to read and write, they received their instruction at home and pursued their studies by a pine-knot fire. Some of the men who began their education by the light of the fire in an old mud chimney became prominent in the public affairs of the parish and state. If the young citizens of Sabine in the 40s had been afforded the advantages given by the schools of today, how different might the story of the parish be written. Until recent years the schoolhouses were rudely constructed of pine logs, covered with clapboards. No glass adorned these primitive structures, the light being admitted through openings over which swung board shutters. The floor, if any except Mother Earth, was of split logs, and the seats were of slabs with wooden pegs for legs, and frequently no desks of any kind were supplied. Later the box schoolhouse supplanted the log structure, but not until recent years did the model building with proper furniture and equipment supply the young a place for study and instruction. Today the demand for education is so enthusiastic and insistent that elegant brick buildings are being erected.
In 1850 a movement to provide public education in the parish was inaugurated. William D. Stephens was chosen superintendent. He was succeeded the following year by E. A. Campbell. There were no taxes to amount to anything for education, and the public school fund, until several years after the war, consisted only of small appropriations from the state which were used by the private schools. On one or two occasions the Police Jury supplemented this fund by small appropriations for the benefit of those who were unable to pay tuition. In the antebellum days schools were maintained at Bayou Scie, Toro, Fort Jesup and Many; also at Sampson Whatley’s on Middle Creek. The most popular school in Sabine in the ’50s was known as Bellwood Academy, located at old Sulphur Spring about one and one-half miles from Many. This institution was established by Prof. C. C. Preston, who came from Ohio. Neat and comfortable buildings were erected for the accommodation of boarding and day pupils. Besides the regular branches which provide a common school education, Prof. Preston gave instruction in Latin and the modern languages. Some of his old pupils are still living and refer to him as an educator of rare ability. In 1861 the school was moved to New Bellwood in the Kisatchie community. Two years later he moved to Harris County, Texas, and established a school about halfway between Houston and Galveston. Mr. E. C. Dillon of Many, who was a pupil of Prof. Preston, attended his school in Texas, and recalls that among the students at Bayland, as the school was known, was C. Anson Jones, a son of the first governor of Texas, and who after the war was a prominent lawyer and judge of Houston. Among those who attended Bellwood school near Many were: Ex-Governor Newton C. Blanchard, Hugh Walmsley, Clarence Pierson, M. H. Carver, Louis Bordelon, T. P. Chaplin, George Hubley, John Parrott, John and Valmore Byles, Joe Edmunson, J. Fisher Smith, Dr. Elliott Smith, John B. Dillon, Cobb Kachal, E. C. Dillon, Mrs. Caroline Hawkins, Mrs. Mary McNeely, Martha Self, Martha Stone, Emile Sompayrac, Emile Cloutier and several from Natchitoches and other parishes. Prof. Preston abandoned his Texas school, owing to poor health, and returned to his old home in Ohio.
Among the schools established since the war, the Masonic Institute at Fort Jesup occupied a prominent place. It was organized in 1887 with T. R. Hardin, president of the faculty. Rev. J. M. Franklin was the prime mover in the establishment of this school. The first board of directors were: J. Fisher Smith, president; J. M. Franklin, vice president; Leslie Barbee, treasurer; T. J. Smith, W. D. Broughton and J. P. Vidler. Many young people of Sabine and other parishes received instruction in this school which did so much to revive the spirit of education in Sabine Parish. The Masonic Institute finally became the Sabine Central High School, references to which are made on the following pages in connection with the history of the Parish School Board, which reflects the progress of public education in the parish during the past forty years.
The first record of a Parish School Board is dated August 1, 1871, at which the following members were present: John B. Vandegaer, William W. McNeely, J. Fisher Smith, Richard T. Walters and William S. Summers. The board organized by electing John B. Vandegaer, president, and J. Fisher Smith, secretary and treasurer. The board tendered their thanks to Hon. Thomas W. Conway, state superintendent, for their appointment. In November following, the board authorized the employment of teachers for the Many white and colored schools. At the April meeting (1872) the secretary was instructed to purchase a sufficient supply of books for the schools of the parish. In July, 1873, a new board was organized, A. Harris became a member in place of McNeely. The meetings of the board during these years do not indicate the transaction of much business. In 1873 there were 29 primary and intermediate schools in the parish. The enrollment for the year was 1,321; value of schoolhouses, $2,325. There were three private schools with an average attendance of 108 pupils. The textbooks used were McGuffey’s Reader, Webster’s Speller, Mitchell’s Geography, Greenleaf’s Arithmetic, Smith’s Grammar, Wilson’s History, Comstock’s Philosophy and Robinson’s Algebra. School land of the parish was valued at 50 cents per acre. No doubt the appraisers placed what they believed to be an honest value on the land, but it is man’s constant regret that he cannot see into the future. In October, 1874, Miss Emma Pierson was allowed $25 per month for teaching a school at Pugh’s Mill. The members of the board in July, 1875, were: J. B. Vandegaer, president; J. Fisher Smith, secretary; Robert B. Stille, Abraham Harris, James H. Caldwell and William S. Summers. S. T. Sibley declined to qualify as a member and Dan Vandegaer was recommended in his place. No record of meetings of the board appears for 1876.
In June, 1877, the following members qualified: Robert B. Stille, E. F. Presley, L. J. Nash, A. S. Neal, P. P. Bridges, Charles Darnell, Valmore Biles, David Shelby, Elias Sibley. Robert B. Stille was elected president and E. F. Presley, secretary. At the July meeting the following ward trustees were appointed: Ward 1—William S. Ellzey, J. S. Corley and J. H. Tynes. Ward 2—William M. Antony, John H. McNeely and M. K. Speight. Ward 3—J. J. Horton, William Salter and A. K. Addison. Ward 4—Edmund Duggan, Leslie Barbee and James M. Franklin. Ward 7—John Fike, Henry Barron and J. C. Skinner. Ward 8—James Tyler, Joseph Woods and John R. Parrott. The board was involved in a financial muddle extending over a year, and although the minutes do not so state, the matter was satisfactorily adjusted. In July, 1878, J. H. Caldwell was secretary of the board and E. F. Presley treasurer. Previous to 1879 the school funds of the parish did not amount to over $2,000 a year. In July of that year J. H. Caldwell was elected president and R. P. Hunter secretary. In April, 1880, W. W. McNeely, parish treasurer, was treasurer for the school board, and the following July E. F. Presley was elected president and J. H. Caldwell secretary, the other members being W. M. Antony, D. W. Self, W. H. Carter, W. C. Mains, W. J. Salter and Alfred Litton. Sub-directors for the various wards were appointed as follows: J. B. Ricks, J. S. Corley, W. S. Ellzey, E. M. Miles, Asa Curtis, W. S. Brown, D. P. Gandy, A. J. Montgomery, W. F. Sandel, Edmund Duggan, P. F. Rachal, C. Brown, C. B. Darnell, Henry Ferguson, Jack Procello, W. H. Sherwood, H. H. Cassell, T. W. Abington, J. B. Skinner, John J. Pike, R. B. Middleton, John R. Parrott, B. W. Barr and W. L. Shull.
The next record of the Parish School Board is dated April 18, 1881. The members were appointed by the governor and seven members constituted the body. The wards not having a representative were invited to send citizens to the stated meetings to look after the interests of their sections. The members of the board were as follows: E. F. Presley, president; W. A. Carter, secretary; J. H. Caldwell, William C. Mains, W. J. Salter, D. W. Self and William M. Antony. The treasurer was instructed to apportion the funds and a resolution was passed declaring the schools of the parish open and the secretary authorized to contract with teachers. The president’s suggestion that the office of parish superintendent be abolished for the reason that “it was an unnecessary expense,” was rejected.
At the meeting in July Treasurer W. W. McNeely made his report to the board, the school fund balance on hand being $2,145.61. Each ward was provided with sub-directors appointed by the board. The maximum salary for teachers was fixed at $35 per month. At this meeting Leo Vandegaer was employed as teacher of school No. 1 (Many) for two months at a salary of $25 per month, the balance of his stipend being supplied by the patrons of the school. This method of contracting with teachers prevailed throughout the parish and the school term was consequently very short. The board adjourned until the regular meeting in October, but a special session was called for August 15th, at which Mr. Presley resigned both as president and member of the board. Messrs. Carter and Antony also tendered their resignations. John B. Vandegaer, Alfred Litton and M. K. Speight were recommended for appointment to fill the vacancies. The salary of the secretary was fixed at $50 a year. At the regular meeting in October, John B. Vandegaer was elected president and J. H. Caldwell secretary. J. Fisher Smith was appointed a member of the board of examiners. The next meeting of the board was held April 1, 1882, five members being present, viz: John B. Vandegaer, Alfred Litton, W. J. Salter, L. B. Gay and J. H. Caldwell. The president and secretary were authorized to contract with teachers for not less than a three months’ term of school, and, in case there was not sufficient public money to pay the teachers for that period, patrons of the school were required to supply the deficit. Miss Lizzie Rachal was allowed the balance on her salary as teacher of school No. 5 (Ward 4). At the July meeting, on motion of Mr. Salter, a school was granted to the citizens living in the vicinity of the old Block House, near Sabine River. In April, 1883, on motion of D. W. Self, Pleasant Hill school was established, with twenty-nine pupils. It being found that for two years certain schools had not made use of the money allotted to them, it was ordered that if said money be not used by the following July it would revert to the general fund. The construction of a school building for the Many district was authorized. At this session Messrs. Caldwell, Gay and Antony resigned as members of the board and Elijah Cox, R. B. Middleton and W. S. Brown were recommended as their successors. Leo Vandegaer was elected secretary pro tem at the October meeting. William Bunting, as teacher of school No. 3 (Ward 3), was allowed his salary. The report of the sub-directors of the various wards submitted to the board (April 26, 1884), gives the schools in the parish as follows:
Ward 1 — Toro, Mt. Carmel, Tynes, Middle Creek, Corley, Prospect, Ricks, Mt. Carmel (colored).
Ward 2 did not report.
Ward 3 — East Pendleton, Zion Hill, William Marshall (colored), Antioch, Neal, Bolton, Four Forks.
Ward 4 — Many, New Hope, Rocky Mount, Friendship, Armstrong, Speycher (col.), Union, Cator, Lewing, Many (colored), Fort Jesup (col.).
Ward 5 — Sepulveda, Darnell, Ferguson, Blue Lake, Mrs. Young’s, Catholic Church, Parea, Smithart.
Ward 6 — Hicks Camp, Graham, Jacobs, Byles, Hatcher, Latham, Freedman’s, Oak Grove, Sardis.
Ward 7 — Union, Spring Ridge, Friendship, Clark, Arbor Spring, Pleasant Hill, Elizabeth (col.).
Ward 8 — Hardee, Parrott, Litton, Tyler.
The pupils of school age, exclusive of Ward 2, numbered 2,152.
On September 20, 1884, the membership of the board was as follows: J. D. Stille, president; John Blake, secretary; John R. Parrott, W. T. Alford, Harry T. Cassell, D. W. Self, Henry Ferguson, J. H. Williams. J. Fisher Smith, J. D. Stille and John Blake were designated as the board of examiners. In January, 1885, A. W. Estes signs as school treasurer. His report gives the amount on hand as $2,060. In October, Peter S. Gibson was elected secretary and T. C. Armstrong is named as a member of the board. W. R. Rutland was employed as attorney to collect the interest funds. H. H. Cassell qualified as a member of the board, January, 1886, and at the following meeting W. M. Webb was a member and J. W. Smithart was recommended for appointment for Ward 5, and Peter S. Gibson to supersede T. C. Armstrong. At a special meeting in May, Amos L. Ponder was elected parish superintendent and ex-officio secretary. The sub-directors were instructed to visit the various schools and report at each quarterly meeting the condition of school affairs in their respective wards. In April, 1887, the board asked the Police Jury to levy a reasonable tax for support of the public schools.
The members of the board in September, 1888, were W. S. Brown, A. C. Lamberth, Joseph D. Stille, J. W. Smithart, W. H. Sherwood, John Graham, John R. Parrott, S. E. Self and Amos L. Ponder. The salary of the superintendent was fixed at $150 per annum, and the sub-directors for the various wards were appointed, as follows:
Ward 1 — J. S. Corley, H. J. Lester, R. D. Sibley.
Ward 2 — M. K. Speight, Dr. J. M. Seever, Jonathan Curtis.
Ward 3 — George Leach, B. K. Ford, Isaac N. Carter.
Ward 4 — Daniel Duggan, M. B. Petty, J. B. Brumley.
Ward 5 — J. M. Hardy, J. E. Sepulveda, Steve Martinez.
Ward 6 — S. S. Tatum, John Cates, Granville Pugh.
Ward 7 — J. E. Bullard, W. T. Hopkins, W. M. Cobb.
Ward 8 — S. M. Wiley, John Leone, B. W. Barr.
In October, John Speycher and W. R. Outright were tendered the thanks of the board for the donation of two acres of land upon which to erect a public schoolhouse. In January, 1889, new schools were authorized as follows: Lanana, Pine Flat (col.), Williams Spring, Bay Spring, Ebarbo, Patterson and Bayou Scie, and at the following meeting Evergreen, Beech Spring and Pisgah schools were established. In July a resolution by Mr. Ponder, abolishing the sub-directors and entrusting their duties to local boards in each district, was adopted. In April, 1890, the board granted the petition to have a public school established at Fort Jesup. In July the school funds on hand amounted to $5,615. Superintendent Ponder, in view of the short school funds, voluntarily reduced his salary one-half for the year 1891, at the January meeting. The Sabine Southron and Sabine Banner presented their bids for publishing the proceedings of the board. The Banner’s bid was $12, while the Southron offered to do the printing free. The board accepted the bids of both papers and both were instructed to do the printing accordingly. In July, 1891, W. R. Alford, T. J. Franklin and T. J. Smith were appointed trustees of the Fort Jesup school and authorized to make arrangements with the Masonic Institute of that place to run a public school in connection with the college. A new school, Sandy Ridge, was created with W. T. Mitchell, H. Knippers and L. W. Knippers as trustees. In response to a demand for a more rigid examination for teachers, all certificates were ordered annulled on January 1, 1892, and at this meeting the following new schools were created: Holly Spring, Little Flock, Red Lick (col.), Short Creek (col.), Michel and Smithfield. Don E. SoRelle, Profs. A. D. Garden and J. J. McFarland were named as the examining board. The salary of third grade teachers was increased from $15 to $20 per month.
October 1, 1892, the new school board, appointed by Governor Foster, was composed of W. S. Brown, John S. Carroll, J. D. Stille, J. A. Cates, W. T. Hopkins, W. M. Webb, John R. Parrott and Amos L. Ponder. Mr. Stille was elected president and Amos L. Ponder secretary. A. D. Carden, J. J. McFarland, C. G. O’Connor and Leo Vandegaer were appointed to examine teachers. In January, 1893, Kansas Springs, Elm, Barr Lake (col.), Cart Bayou and Bascus schools were created. J. W. Phares qualified as a member of the board. John S. Carroll was acting president, and resolutions were adopted in memory of Hon. Joseph D. Stille, the president, who had died since the former meeting. At a special meeting in May, J. M. Franklin became a member and was elected president. The McCormic school was created in October, 1893, and in January, 1894, the Robinson, Victoria, Clearwater and Bolivar schools were established. At a call meeting the same month several schools were abolished and consolidated and the textbooks of the State Board were adopted. Many of the schools were re-established at the next regular meeting. In April, 1895, J. A. Cates tendered his resignation, but the board declined to accept same and he remained a member. Mr. Ponder resigned his position as secretary in October and Prof. W. J. Davis was named as his successor. Mr. Ponder was tendered a vote of thanks for the efficient manner in which he had discharged the duties of the position. Dr. J. M. Middleton, W. J. Davis and E. C. Dillon composed the examining committee at this time. The board, at its meeting January, 1896, instructed the teachers of the parish to attend a summer normal. J. A. Tramel and A. J. Franklin, representing a committee from the Sabine High School and the Fort Jesup Masonic Institute, presented a proposition to donate the unencumbered buildings and property of that institution to the board for the purpose of establishing a public Central High School, title to be held by the board so long as the public high school should be maintained. The president appointed a committee to confer with the directors of the Masonic Institute and arrange for acceptance of the proposition. In July, Amos L. Ponder, chairman of the committee for the parish board, reported that everything had been arranged for the legal transfer of the property to the board, and a motion to accept the same prevailed. Amos L. Ponder, John S. Carroll and W. T. Hopkins were appointed as a committee to draw up an ordinance creating the Central High School, rules governing same and to submit a list of names for a board of directors. The following directors were appointed, to serve one year: T. J. Franklin, J. A. Tramel, C. C. Forbis, J. A. Bond, W. H. Barbee, George R. Pattison, E. C. Dillon, J. J. Brown, J. J. McCollister, A. C. Stoker, W. R. Alford, T. J. Smith and George W. Lucius. The local board reported its organization, at the October meeting, with J. F. Lucius, chairman, and W. H. Barbee, secretary, and that the following faculty had been employed for the ensuing school year: Prof. E. H. Smith of Missouri, principal; Miss Louvina Holliday, assistant; Mrs. F. V. Jackson, primary. The enrollment at the opening of the school was 153 pupils. Prof. Smith was again employed as principal for the year 1897.
On May 1, 1897, the board met in adjourned session for the purpose of arranging for summer schools, and the following teachers were selected to conduct the schools named: Miss Emma Clower, Toro; Miss Mary McCollister, Mt. Carmel; J. P. Clower, Tynes; Miss Lavonia McCollister, Corley; J. P. Edmundson, Ebenezer; J. D. Wilson, Union; Miss Maude Self, Holly Spring; J. H. McCollister, Whatley; J. D. Earle, Pisgah; J. B. Fox, Toro; C. E. Rainwater, Clearwater; E. Brown, Elm; D. J. Holmes, Evergreen; J. W. Smith, Marshall; Wiley Miller, Antioch; W. C. Middleton, Williams Spring; L. D. McCollister, Arthur; R. K. Nabours, Alliance; Miss Olla Tetts, Rocky Mount; Miss Judia Heard, Speycher; Miss Celeste Byles, Union; D. S. Strickland, Lewing; Miss Margaret McCollister, Miller Creek; Edmond Smith, Bay Spring; Miss Ola Smith, McCormic; Miss Ada Smith, New Castle; Miss Bertie Pullen, Cutright; T. J. Rains, Cherry Spring; J. P. Youngblood, Darnell; W. E. Tatum, Mitchell; W. R. Middleton, Vines; T. H. Latham, Hicks Camp; E. T. Fuller, Hatcher; L. E. Litton, Sardis; Mrs. Jennie Jackson, Patterson; R. B. Matthews, Union, Ward 7; M. L. Carter, Spring Ridge; Miss Nellie Berry, Bluff Spring; Mrs. L. M. Slay, Arbor Spring; W. H. Wagley, Pisgah; Miss May Seever, Bayou Scie; J. H. Bonnett, Allen Spring; Mrs. E. T. Tyler, Tyler; Miss Florence Tanner, Smithfield; Mattie Branch, Elizabeth (col.); Lugenia Fox, Red Lick (col.); A. R. Lewis, Negreet (col.). Dr. J. M. Seever was placed on the local board of the Central High School in place of T. J. Franklin.
In August, 1897, Prof. W. J. Davis resigned as secretary and superintendent and E. H. Smith was elected to that position, but at the October meeting he was succeeded by Don E. SoRelle. The board abolished the local board of the Many public school and appointed the following trustees: M. F. Buvens, A. L. Ponder, A. Dover, Don E. SoRelle, J. D. Stille, R. H. Buvens and E. C. Dillon.
The years 1896–97 marked a new era in all lines of enterprise in Sabine Parish. The Kansas City Southern railroad had been constructed through the center of the parish which added to taxable value of property and brought numerous sawmills to convert the immense pine forests into wealth. The time was favorable for educational as well as industrial progress and henceforth every meeting of the board was characterized by splendid and rapid forward strides. The new superintendent at once recommended many changes in the system of conducting the public schools, urged more taxes for their maintenance, providing better houses and more conveniences in the way of furniture and apparatus. He later saw his suggestions bear the desired fruit. It would require a volume to note the great progress made in public schools from that period to the present in detail.
The faculty of the Central High School for 1898 was as follows: C. C. Lewis, principal; George F. Middleton, Mrs. Alice B. Morris and Miss Maggie Clark. The names of John Ritter, P. E. Peters, J. D. Wilson and W. S. Middleton were added on the local board.
In January, 1899, J. M. Franklin resigned as president and member of the Parish Board and John W. Taylor was recommended as his successor. Mr. Taylor qualified as member of the board at the subsequent meeting and was unanimously elected president. In June a resolution was adopted recommending that a five mills tax be voted in aid of the public schools of the parish. John L. Latham was recommended as a member for Ward 6 at the meeting in January, 1900, that ward having been divided by the Police Jury in order to create Ward 10. In July, W. M. Cobb, William Jackson and K. E. Holliday were appointed members of the Central High School board, and at the next meeting the following pupils from the various wards of the parish were granted free scholarships in that school: Misses Rena Whatley, Texie Bolton, Lela Boswell, Eva McGee, Estelle Tatum, Arthur Henderson, Louis B. Gray, Jr., and James Andrews.
On October 6, 1900, a new Parish Board qualified, as follows: Thomas G. Coburn, John W. Taylor, W. M. Webb, J. B. Fuller, Dan Phillips, John R. Parrott, John M. Ritter, J. H. Williams, George W. Heard. Mr. Taylor was elected president, and Don E. SoRelle, secretary and superintendent. In January, 1901, Misses Bertha Addison, Maude Shull and Pearl Litton and Robert Shull were granted scholarships in the Central High School, and at the June meeting J. E. Bullard was appointed a trustee of that school. The faculty for the year was as follows: M. H. Leeper, principal; S. I. Foster, assistant; Miss Clara Wood, primary; Miss Lucile Rogers, music. A vote of thanks was tendered to Prof. C. C. Lewis, the retiring principal, for his splendid services to the school. Prof. Leeper later declined to take charge of the school and Prof. S. R. Cummins was elected principal.
In September, 1901, a special tax for ten years was voted in aid of the schools of Ward 1. In January, 1902, John H. Williams tendered his resignation as member of the board and at the following meeting E. P. Curtis qualified as his successor. The superintendent was authorized to correspond with various school supply houses for prices on desks and furniture. On July 5, 1902, Prof. S. I. Foster was chosen principal of the Central High School and G. T. Rossen, assistant. During this year a special tax of five mills in aid of the public schools for ten years was voted throughout the parish, and at a special meeting in August a resolution prevailed favoring the reduction in the number of schools and patrons urged to get together and effect consolidation of districts. It was also decided to set aside a certain sum for providing better houses in the various districts. In 1903, C. L. Hawkins, C. J. Law and J. J. McCollister were members of the High School board. An increased number of summer schools was awarded. (The names of the schools and teachers follow: Enterprise, Miss Ida Phares; Warren, Edward Elzey; Mt. Carmel, J. K. Phares; Whatley, Miss Lula Peters; Pine Grove, W. D. M. Dowden; Lewing, J. H. Bonnett; Corley, Lovy Holliday; Union, Miss Viola Holliday; Christie, Miss Nora Nash; Toro, Miss Kate Stoker; Middle Creek, Elliott Smith; Toro (col.), Belle Garner; Pleasant Hill, Lud Nash; Carroll Miller, Albert Miller; Williams Spring, Miss Maude Antony; Cedar Grove, Miss Bertha Addison; Alliance, Dona Terry; Antioch, M. F. Hall; Arthur, Dan Strickland; Spring Grove, Louis Vines; Miller Creek, George D. Cobbs; Speycher, Walter Wilson; Alford, Miss Mollie Wilson; Aimwell, Miss Belle Heard; Ferguson, Joseph H. Ezernae; Brown, Miss Alice Pugh; Hicks Camp, Mrs. A. E. Read; Piney Woods, E. A. Wagley; Greening Springs, Miss Emily Fike; Clark, Miss Alice Winn; Arbor Springs, Miss Martha Strother; Bayou Scie, Miss Maggie Franks; Sand Hill, Miss Meda Franks; Pisgah, T. A. Rains; Sardis, Miss Bertha McCollister.)
In October the directors of the Central High School donated the new building to the board.
In September, 1904, a new board qualified. Superintendent SoRelle submitted his report reviewing educational progress in the parish under the administration of the retiring board. Better houses had been constructed and equipped with good furniture; a special tax had been voted, which had been supplemented by the voting of special district taxes in several districts in aid of their schools. The new board was composed of T. G. Coburn, A. J. Manhein, W. S. Brown, Dr. W. P. Addison, J. F. Lucius, J. W. Taylor, C. L. Hawkins, T. Laroux, G. W. Pugh, John R. Parrott, C. B. Skinner, Alfred Litton and W. B. Adkins. Mr. Lucius was elected president, but declined the position, and the board then re-elected Hon. J. W. Taylor by acclamation. John H. Williams, Jr., was elected superintendent for one year at a salary of $600. Prof. Jenkins was elected principal of the Central High School, Miss E. L. Cochran, assistant; Miss Louvina Holliday, primary; Miss Pitts, music.
In June, 1905, W. M. McFerren qualified as a member of the board in place of C. B. Skinner, whose death had occurred since the last meeting, and the board evinced their respect of the esteemed member by the adoption of fitting resolutions. The board, in a formal resolution, expressed its disapproval of an attempt to vote saloons in the town of Many, and pledged their moral support against the proposition.
A committee from the Many High School, composed of J. H. Boone, Frank Hunter, S. S. Moore, S. D. Ponder and F. W. Davis, was authorized to proceed with the work of financing and erecting a school building.
In April, 1906, the board, by order of the state superintendent, was ordered to elect a new parish superintendent. The names of J. H. Williams, Jr.; T. E. Wright of Boyce, La., and W. C. Courtney of Jennings, La., were presented as candidates. T. E. Wright was elected. The Parish Board at this time was appointive and was obliged to serve the will of the governor and the State Board of Education. Wright’s election was probably not desired by any of the members of the parish board, although that gentleman was reputed to possess splendid qualifications for the position. The people of the parish were prompt to thunder their disapproval of the election of a man to the position who was not a citizen of Sabine, and Mr. Wright finally declined to serve. On the 26th of the following month the board met in special session and elected J. H. Williams, Jr. The other candidates were Profs. S. J. Davis and Crit Petty. The board, in an appropriate resolution, extended praise to Mr. Williams for the able manner in which he administered the school affairs of the parish. Later the board members were elected by the people, a move that has gone far towards removing the schools from the domination of the state politicians.
The school fund of the parish had grown to be the largest in its history and substantial educational advancement was now manifest on every hand. Better schoolhouses, better salaries, better teachers and more earnest efforts were put into general school work.
In July, 1907, C. L. Hawkins reported to the board that the High School dormitory and Masonic hall had been destroyed by fire.
In August, 1908, the board met in special session and selected teachers for the school year. (The names of the teachers and their schools follow: Toro, Ivy Miller; Mt. Carmel, Mrs. Addie Read, Miss Pearl Brittain; Corley, Miss Emily Curtis; Warren, Nolan Dees; Fisher, D. L. Sharp; Pine Grove, Dennis Sirmon; Florien, D. F. Turner; Gum Springs, S. G. Keadle; Carroll Miller, Miss May Patrick; Victoria, Miss Julia Miller; Gravel Hill, Miss Lola Hughes; Evergreen, W. R. Pilcher; Zion Hill, Miss Nell Pierce; Antioch, Miss Marion Hess; Many, W. C. Boaten, Miss Jennie Ford; Spring Grove, Miss Lou Self; New Hope, M. V. Petty; Rocky Mount, Miss Aurrie Sibley; Rocky Springs, Miss Amanda Duggan; Fort Jesup, C. R. Trotter, Miss Kate Stoker, Miss Carrah Beauchamp; New Castle, John I. Carter; Shawneetown, Miss Carrah Edmondson; Many (col.), T. J. Simpson; Camp Creek (col.), S. R. Stephens; Sepulveda, R. C. Nesom; Ferguson, Miss Pearl Nabours; Catholic Church (Zwolle), Miss Evelina Hubley; Ebarbo, Miss Mattie Langford; Vines, Miss Alice Pugh; Hicks Camp, Miss Jennie Fuller; Jacobs, Miss Anna Edwards; Byles, W. L. Patrick; Hatcher, A. S. Rains; Converse, Miss Mamie Furness; Brown, Miss Bertha Boyd; San Patricio (col.), R. E. Jacobs; Pleasant Hill, P. C. Fair, Mrs. P. C. Fair, Miss Inez Furness; Spring Ridge, W. M. Dowell, Miss Lealma Ferguson; Bayou Sole, Miss Birdie Clark; Hanalin, Miss Mayo Linder; Smithfield, Miss Meda Franks; Zwolle, S. J. Davis, Miss Garrett, Miss Elizabeth Wilson; Sand Hill, Miss Evvie Skinner; Oak Grove, Earnest Dees, Miss Gannie Partrick; Sardis, Miss S. L. Roach, Miss Helen Tatum; Mitchell, Miss Adele Nash, Miss Delia Edwards.)
The school term was increased to six months, and in districts which had special taxes an eight months’ session was authorized for the ensuing year.
In January, 1909, the following citizens qualified as members of the board: J. W. Phares, J. W. Byrd, G. L. Nabours, John H. Boone, S. P. Thomas, G. W. Pugh, James McFerrin, John K. Parrott, W. F. Skinner and S. S. Tatum. Mr. Boone was unanimously elected president.
The superintendent’s report at this time showed that there were 79 white and 26 negro schools in the parish. Thirty of the white schools were to run for a term of eight months. All white schools, except three, had been supplied with patent desks, blackboards, maps and 1121 volumes. The enrollment was 4,095 white and 1,218 colored, and the total school funds amounted to $59,357.30.
In April, 1910, J. H. Williams, Jr., tendered his resignation as superintendent. The following day the board elected Prof. Walter S. Mitchell to that position. Provision was also made for an office assistant, and Miss Lizzie Armstrong filled the place until it was discontinued the following year. Special taxes in aid of schools were voted in many districts in succeeding years. In 1911 special levies were made in thirty-seven districts and in 1912 other districts followed.
In April, 1911, Hon. J. H. Boone resigned as president and member of the board and Hon. G. W. Pugh was chosen president, and Joe Smith qualified as member from Ward 4.
At a special session in May, the Oak Grove school was made a high school.
In November, the following were elected members of the board: A. B. Jordan, J. W. Byrd, J. S. Salter, Joe Smith, Pat Leone, H. Harper, A. D. Ashby, S. H. Porter, W. F. Skinner and S. S. Tatum. Mr. Tatum was elected president for a term of six years, and S. H. Porter, vice president. The board members were divided into three groups in order that their terms of office may expire on different years. The terms of the first group expire in two years, the second group in four years and the third group in six years. The board created the office of chaplain, and Rev. A. D. Ashby, member from Ward 7, was selected for that position.
The school funds of the parish for the fiscal year 1912–13 amounted to $89,847.66, including $27,260.25 in bonds of the Zwolle and Pleasant Hill districts.
The teaching force of the parish has improved as the finances have increased. At present the instructors in Sabine’s schools will compare most favorably with those of any parish in the state, and the people are manifesting real progressive ideas in public education by providing modern buildings and facilities and conforming to the principles of systematic instruction. The present Parish Board is also composed of some of the parish’s most energetic and public-spirited citizens and education will continue to make progress under their administration.
The day has vanished into the obscure past when the people of Sabine Parish have reason to deplore their educational facilities. The failure of the youth to secure an adequate education to carry him or her along the ordinary highway of life is no longer the misfortune of the parish, but is the fault of the individual.
The teachers of the parish and the schools taught by them in 1912–13 are as follows:
Aimwell: Miss Myrtis Ford
Alliance: Miss Nettie Parrott
Antioch: Henry Leach
Bayou Scie: Miss Pearl Nabours
Brown: Miss Mattie Vines
Byles: Miss Alice Stringer
Byrd: J. H. Arnold
Caldwell: Dennis Sirman
Carroll Miller: Mrs. Pearl McCormic
Central Springs: Leon Law
Christie: R. A. Bezeman
Clark: Mrs. Sadie Butler, Miss Ranie Bozeman
Clyde: Mrs. Ima Russell
Converse: Mrs. A. E. Read, Miss Frances Morris, Miss Texie Bolton
Corley: J. G. Palmer, Miss Catherine Byrd
Cutright: Miss Lillie Gibbs
Ebarbo: O. J. Roberts
Enterprise: P. O. Cox
Evans: Miss Clara Carnahan, Miss Irma Broadwell, Miss Pauline Armstrong, Miss Carrie Billingaley, Miss Hope Haupt, Miss Willie Ponder
Fisher: R. B. Fargerson, Miss Willie SoRelle, Miss Kate LaCour
Florien: Geo. A. Odom, Miss Bertha Gandy, Miss Lebla Rodgers, Miss Sea Willow Carroll
Ford: Miss Beulah McLeroy
Fort Jesup: Grady Holloway, Miss Ruth Whitlow, Miss Erma Etheredge
Gravel Hill: Miss Lola Sellers
Gum Springs: S. G. Keadle, Mrs. S. G. Keadle, J. C. Corley
Hamlin: Miss Maude Shull
Hatcher: O. M. Corley, Miss Hattie Skinner
Hope-Castle: J. E. Harper, Miss Nettie Antony
Klondike: J. W. Miller, Miss Maude Duggan
Lanana: T. A. Armstrong, Miss Lizzie Armstrong
Lewing: Mrs. Iva Dees
Liberty: Miss Alice Brewster
Loring: Mrs. A. E. Hendrickson
Many: W. C. Roaten, R. V.
Martinez: Leon Burnes
Middle Creek: B. B. Dees, Miss Jennie Buggan
Miller Creek: Miss Beulah Jones
Mitchell: Miss Kattirene Moore, Miss Mary Sloane, Miss Ionia Tanner, Mrs. Esther Williamson
Mount Carmel: Miss Jewel Fincher, Miss Mary Lou Carroll
Noble: J. P. Clark, Miss Susie Ellis, Miss Winona Gillham, Miss Mayme Cowan, Miss Belle Nabours
Oak Grove: O. L. Sanders, E. A. Wagley, Miss Ozie Allen, Miss Margaret Crakford, Miss Pimmie Patrick
Palmetto: W. M. Dowell, C. L. Carter, Mrs. Ada Middleton
Pilgrim Rest: Miss Ivy Jordan
Pine Grove: W. A. Johnson, Miss Nora Stringer
Pisgah: J. Leon Palmer, Miss Ethel Palmer, W. B. Hunter
Pleasant Hill: J. C. Whitescarver, Miss Alice Petty, Miss Margaret McGee, Miss Hattie Champion, Miss Vinnie Boss, Miss Gertrude Waller, Miss Kathleen Moore
Pleasant Hill: Miss Georgie Willhite
Progress: Miss Effie Wright
Red Oak: Miss Ethel Bumgardner
Roberson: Leroy Miller
Rocky Mount: Miss Aurie Sibley
Rocky Springs: Miss Ollie Jacobs
Sand Hill: Miss Victoria Bezeman
Sardis: Miss Mamie Best, Miss Mary Cates
Sepulveda: Mrs. H. H. Ferguson
Siloam: P. J. Spears, T. W. McKinnis
Smithfield: E. E. Skinner
Speycher: R. C. Nesom
Spring Creek: Miss Rose A. Miller
Spring Grove: Miss Blanche Self
Spring Ridge: T. C. Aubrey, E. L. Skinner, Miss Katie Abington
Sulphur Springs: Miss Rena Skinner
Toro: A. C. Palmer, Miss Gene Stringer, Miss Nellie Cranford
Union: Charles H. Trotter, Mrs. Charles R. Trotter, Miss Jennie Fuller, Miss Arline Ponder
Victoria: Miss Pearl Peace
Vines: Louis Vines, Miss Maggie McFerren
Warren: G. W. Byrd
Zion Hill: Miss Emma Salter
Zwolle: W. R. Middleton, Miss Louvina Holliday, Miss Nelle Palmer, Miss Cordelia Hart, Miss Teene Graves
Back to: Sabine Parish – Louisiana History & Genealogy Project
Back to: Louisiana History & Genealogy Project
Source
Belisle, John G., History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, Many, La. : The Sabine banner press, 1912.