Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-01-06
a Brief Historical Account OF District
No. Is.
by one the first pupils Of the school

BY one the first pupils OF the school
In the early days of this district, and
previous TO its organiz ltion, Dr. Cyrus
Buttertield, who then lived where Warren
Hescock now lives, Dea Oliver Carpenter.
who lived on the present Oliver Carpenter
place, and Ezra Barrett, who lived on the
place known as the Barnabas Fitch farm,
united in thinking the distance too great
for their children to attend school in the
districts TO which they belonged and decided
10 hire teacher, each one to pay their
proportionate part OF the expense They
secured room in the house on the corner
known now as the Warren Hescock house.
so recently taken down, then owned by
the widow, Sally Butterfeld, mother TO
the late Alanson Butterfeld The term of
three months school was taught by Miss
Ruth Dunklee, then a young lady of -
years. She proved a very successful
teacher. Later she married Nelson Bar
bour,a Congregational minister, and al
though her work here closed long since.
her memory is cherished by her pupils
who survive her.
In short time the district had applica-
tions from others to join them in school
affairs, and by paying such a part of the
expense as was required they were allowed
to do so. In 1888 Alfred Harris, who
lived where Chas. Harris now lives; Mr..
Orvis, who lived where Henry Timson now
lives; Alanson Butterfield, where Oscar
Leonard now lives; DR.. Cyrus Butter.
field, Dea. Oliver Carpenter and Ezra
Barrett built a schoolhouse at their
own expense. Dea. Carpenter gave the
land and in the fall it was com.
pleted, ready for the winter term 1t
was not modern style building, yet many
there gained all the book knowledge they
had, and going out into the world have
been successful in business and useful in
the society in which they moved.
In 1884 there were so many applications
for attendance TO this school that applica-
ton was made to the selectmen of Brattle-
boro and Dummerston that the school be
organized as a joint district. This petit
ton was granted, and in the fall of 1884
district No. Is was organized. The winter
following there was a school of % scholars
and 80 children in the district.
For some time the expenses of the
school were paid by tax and tuition
fee. Later as the farms changed hands
others came into Office and no tuition
charged. For many years a tax of 20
cents on dollar was raised TO defray the
expenses of eight months school-four in
the summer and four in the winter.
The winter of 1864 brought some adver-
sity to this district, the old schoolhouse
being destroyed by fire. 1t was in di-
lapidated condition at the time 1t was
burned, but it was needed, as the winter
term of school was not completed. Oliver
Carpenter then furnished rooms at his
home so that the term might be finished.
Before it was finished, however, his house
was also destroyed by fire. The following
fall, that of 1865, the present schoolhouse
was built.
About this time the place now occupied
by George Atkinson, formerly known as
the John Alexander farm, aud the E. c.
Dunklee and A. w. Gage farms were an
nexed to the district by vote of the town.
The united efforts of the district made the
school success for years.
Now another system has presented it.
self, taking the burdens of Office and re-
sponsibility from the members of the dis
trict and placing them upon the town and
its officers. Still there is the same liberal
feeling of respect for teachers and schol-
ars as when the district was in full re-
sponsibllity. The scholars who now have
the privilege of Miss McVeigh's instrue-
ton are bright and active, being much
credit to all who are trying to fit them for
lives of usefulness.