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if you got in trouble at school, your parents Barbara Meyers and siblings in front of Pleasant Valley School, a one-room
were sure to hear about it! schoolhouse in Wayne County, Illinois.

Children learned to work on their own An education system which, on All summer I was terrified that man
while the teacher worked with the other the surface, seemed humble, would come back after me but did not tell
grades, but they often were more interested for some of us culminated in anyone. That fall at the county fair I saw
in listening to older students recite their college degrees and rewarding him again. I ran to my aunt and asked,
lessons than in their own work. “Aunt Naomi, who is that man?”
careers. The quality of the
Light moments of mischief punctuated teachers turned out to be much She replied, “Why honey, don’t you know?
the daily grind of schoolwork. Jack Hall more important than the quality He’s the sheriff!”
(N11) recalls a story about a schoolhouse
clock. When the teacher was out of the of the building. Stormy weather was a major problem.
room, (probably just going to the outhouse), Barbara Meyers’ (N32) school was
some of the boys would quickly climb up – Arnold Hall, N18 nicknamed Frog Holler, because it was
and set the clock forward, so they could be in a low-lying area. One rainy spring
dismissed early. This extra time would walk three miles to another school, a long afternoon when she and her siblings
allow them to go fishing up on Conley Creek way for a little girl! My brother went to came to a bridge on their way home, the
and still be home in time to do chores! college in town, so he drove me early in stream had become a fast-flowing torrent
the morning. Then, I had to walk home, and covered the bridge with two feet of
Teachers took their responsibilities stopping to rest at my Aunt Naomi’s house water. They had no idea what to do, but
seriously and were vigilant that along the way. One afternoon, a car came their father came riding Daisy, the family’s
students learned the assigned materials. along, unusual on that lonely road. A man huge plough horse. Daisy waded across
Community programs like public spelling said, “Hop in, and I’ll give you a ride.” I the bridge. Dad pulled them aboard and
and math bees incentivized the students. did not know what to do, so I got in. As we all rode safely home.
There was much practice at home before rode along, his vest flopped open, and I saw
these events. A small child like me could he was wearing a pistol. I was terrified! Games were what could be played with
stand on a box turned upside down to Then I saw he had a pistol on the other homemade equipment and with all ages
reach the blackboard and compete with side as well! As we approached my Aunt playing together unsupervised while the
older students. What fun! Naomi’s house, I thought, “I’ll never see my teacher was busy inside. Delyce Ruyle
Aunt Naomi again,” but to my surprise, (N2) learned to snow ski in her school
The county exam at the end of eighth he stopped in front of her house. I was so on top of the Rocky Mountains in Grand
grade was taken very seriously, too. confused I stumbled and fell getting out of Lake, Colorado. They used wooden skis
Teachers wanted their students to do well the car and then ran to the house! with leather bindings and a rope tow.
on this test and emphasized that they We played various forms of tag like andy
were representing their school. I still have over, dodgeball and softball. My brother
the framed certificate my mother won for
scoring highest in the county when she Continued on the next page
graduated from eighth grade. Teachers were
much loved, and some of us still have contact SEPTEMBER 2017 SSUNRAYS | 49
with teachers who are now in their 90s.

TRANSPORTATION, RECESS

I have as many memories of getting to and
coming home from school as I do of the
school day itself. Walking to school, my
cousin came through fields from the north
and my sister and I from the east, crossing
‘ole Pumpkin Creek in different places and
watching for the bull at all times!

We met at a place that had a huge, flat
rock standing on edge against the fence.
This rock had two holes in it. We found a
cornstalk, and, if one of us got there first
we waited. But we would put the cornstalk
in the lower hole to let the person know
that we had gone on in order to not be late.
That worked fine until a cow ate the stalk!

In the middle of my first-grade year, they
closed our school, Blue Ribbon. I had to

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