Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-12-26
EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY.
How Harry Flotee Got the School at
Cranberry Gulch.
San Franciscn Chronicle


San Francisco Chronicle
"Mister, no doubt you have all the
learnin' that's required in a school
teacher, but it wants more than learnin'
to make a man able to teach school in
Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find
that out if you try. We've had three
who tried it on. One lays there in the
graveyard; another lost his eye and
left: the last one opened school and
left before noontime for the benefit of
his health. He hasn't been back since
Now you're a slender build, and all
your learnin' will only make it worse,
for all our young folks are roughs and
and don't stand no nonsensei"
This was what one Of the trustees of
the district said to my friend Harry
Flotee. when he made application for
the vacant position of teacher.
Let me try. I know am slender,
but [ am tough, and [ have a strong
WILL" said Harry.
"Just as you like. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given if you
want it DONE" said the trustee.
q do" said Harry; and I'll open
next Monday at 9 A. NJ"
The notice was given, and there was
a good deal of excitement in the gulch
and along the Yuba Flats. More than
fifty young people, of both sexes,
made an excuse to drop into the tavern
to get a sight at the fellow who thought
he could keep school in that district
and many a contemptuous glance fell
on the slender form and youthful face
of the would be teacher.
Eight o'clock on Mondeay morning
came and Harry Flotee went down to
the school house with a key in one
hand ID valise in the other.
Ready to slope if he finds we're too
much for him." said a cross-eyed,
broad-shouldered youth of eighteen.
The school house was unlocked, and
the new teacher went to the desk.
Some Of the younger folks went to see
what he was going to do, though school
was not called.
Harry opened his valise and took out
q large belt. Then, after buckling it
around his waist, he put three Colts
navy revolvers there, each of six bar
rels and bowie knife eighteen inches,
in the blade.
"Thunder! He means business!''
muttered the s-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out card
about four inches each way, walked tO
I the other end of the school house and
tackled it up against the wall. Return
ing to his desk, he drew revolver from
his belt, and quick as thought sent bal
after ball into the card, till there were
six balls in a spot not much larger thar
a silver dollar.
By this time the school house wal
half full of large boys and girls. The
little ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room, with bowie knife in hi:
hand and threw it with so true hanC
that it stuck quivering in the very cen
tire of the card.
He left it there and put two more
knives Of the same kind in his belt anC
quietly reloaded his yet smoking pistol
"Ring the bell; [ am about to oper
school,"
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully of the school, and the boy rang
the bell without word.
"The scholars will take their seats;
open school with prayer" he said stern
ly, five minutes later.
The scholars sat down silent, almOs
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked
a revolver and walked down on The
floor.
eve will arrange the classes" he
said: call who can read, write and spell
will arise. OF them we will form the
first class"
Only six got up. He escorted then
to upper seats, and then he began tt
examine the rest. A whisper wa:
heard behind him. In a second ne
wheeled, revolver in hand
"No whispering allowed here!" he
Numbered, and for an instant his re
volver lay on a level With the cross-eyec
boys head.
an not do so any MORE" gasped
the bully.
"See you do not. [ never give a sec
ond warming" said the teacher, and the
revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize, the
classes, but when done they were wei
organized. Then came recess. The
teacher went out too, for the room was
hot and crowded. A hawk was circling
overhead high in the air. The teacher
drew revolver, and the next SECOND
the hawk came tumbling down among
the wondering scholars.
From that day on Harry kept school,
for Cranberry Gulch, his salary was
doubled after the first quarter, and Lis
pupils learned to love as we'll as respect
him, and the revovers went out d
sight within month.
They had found d man at last who
could keep school. This is fact.