The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-12-22
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL.
A Few Historical Facts Concerning
that Institution.

lion OF Mrs. Jaqulth to have an
elaborate programme to dedicate
the new school building, but that
magnificent structure not being
completed the ceremonies were un-
ayoidably postponed. Following
is a rough epitome of our school
life from the log cabin on the north
side to the commodious building
on the south side:
President Elliot in recent mag
azine article says: at is always
through the children that the best
work is to be done for the uplifting
of any community" This seems to
have been the underlying truth on
whichthe pioneers of Bonner's Ferry
proceeded. Before the present Bon
ner's Ferry was dreamed of and
when but few scattering houses
along the banks of the Kootenai
marked the presence of the white
man there was a common school
and a fair enrolment of pupils.
Long before the establishment of. a
religious organization Mrs. Martin
Fry had organized school and
brought together all the children of
the community of school age for
primary instruction. That was in
1888 when the country was truly a
wild and bowling wilderness. One
of the rooms in the old log building
on the north side built by DIR. Bon
ner many years ago WAS the then
temple of learning. There was an
average attendance of from six to
eight pupils the first term, and an
increase of four or five the second
term. There was no school district
1T this time and Mrs Fry was h r
own superintendent. There were
few books to be had and scarcely
two alike. But in spite of all that
Mrs. Fry laid the very firm founda-
ton upon which our local school
now rests.
Following Mrs. Fry's administra-
ton of the ferule came a Mr.. Tall
yard, who taught three months
term in another log cabin adjoining
the Bonner cabin. Mr.. Tallyard
was prospector and after fashion
"a man of letters"
From the latter part Of 1884 till
the fall of 1888 there is a hiatus in
this educational progress Of the com
munity but Mrs. Fry again organ
lied school during the latter date
and continued it for three months.
These schools were supported en-
tirely by private subscriptions.
In the fall of 1888 there seems to
have been strong educational re-
vival, which resulted in a move
ment led by Messrs. Martin Fry,
Owens and Long to build a school
house. The citizens all turned out
and the old log school building on
the Depuy ranch was the result.
This building is now slowly going
to decay but good Photograph Of
the historic structure has been
made.
A Mr.. Dunn, clerk for Mr.. Fry,
was the first master in the new
school house. The district was or
ganized about that time and a lady
was acting as school superinten-
dent. Mr.. Dunn taught four
months.
Commencing October, 1890, Miss
Belle Jones, now Mrs. L. A. Bishop
taught four months term of school
on the north side. This was the
second term Of school taught in dis
trict number IL. There were no
records Kept by Mr.. Dunn. Miss
Jones had an enrolment Of fifteen
pupils.
Miss ShoefHer, who became the
wife Of b. G. Hemminger, took
the school after Miss Jones. She
taught a six months term. She
went through all the vicissi-
tudes Of a teacher of pioneer
school. Some of her pupils were
her seniors in years and she relates
many extremely interesting contro-
versies with pupils, parents and
trustees.
In October 1891 Miss Belle Jones
commenced three months term
of school in the little log house in
the rear Of Eaton's store. This was