The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-16
Interesting Story Of a Nights
Change of Sovereignty.
Became a Puzzle to Professors
of Education.

in which that region awoke one fine
morning to ind that it had been pres
toed over into Oklahoma from Texas
during the night in virtue OF decision
Of the supreme court OF the United
States and that without its knowledge
or consent, Red river, which one short
day before had meandered unsuspectngly
about its northern boundary had been
thrown by judicial decree an average of
some forty miles to the southwest why
and how it happened that the main
stream Of Red river was declared 10 be
the south branch which formed the
southern boundary Of Greer and not the
north fork. which marked the eastern
and northern limits. is another story.
and one Of thrilling interest. not TO men
tion stiu others in Greer's sti1 earlier
annals.
When President Boyd was in Guthrie
Thursday to consult with Hon. Henry
f. Asp of the board of university re-
gents. in perfecting the final details Of
the report onthe university which is soon
to be submitted to the governor. he found
himself at one time the center Of a hotel
Office group. interested IN a narrative he
had Glanced to enter upon regarding his
experience in assisting the inhabitants OF
Greer to accommodate themselves 20 ok
lahoma's ways as regarded the school
system. which was all strange to them
When the Iine OF Oklahoma was thrown
about Greer county the people found
themselves in an hour transported into
q realm many of wrose laws anr public
usages were very strange TO them. Per-
haps in no phase was the change more
fruitful of perplexiuy than ira relation TO
the school system. Two main points Of
variance existed not to mention others
more or less radical Instead of a rural
school district of moderate area and col-
tanning but one school house, with usI-
ally only one room and one teacher. and
wherein the expense Of erecting buildings
and paying salaries was borne by them
selves, these people had been accustomed
to districts Of indefinite area and uopu-
lation, but usually of great extent. and
in which there might be as many school
houses and teachers as the population
might require. located where the district
board might choose this location depend
in theoretically upon the distribution OF
population and the expense being met i'm
part from share in the distribution of
Texas immense school fund and I'm part
from voluntary contributions Of citizens.
The latter especially in the case or bGild-
ing school houses.
But there was now nothing for st but
to inaugurate the new system. This. Cor
two things, at least meant q re-district-
ing and d tax-levving. Although the
Texan became an Oklahoman reluctantly.
ne accepted the situation Loyalty and
took up the school matter bravely. for he
was an anxious for his children as they
were ambitious for themselves. Thence /
inquiries poured ia upon the county SUI
parintendent. who was a the time hold
ing down as q claim the quarter section
on which Granite is now growing boom 1
ingiy and taught school as a side lne
He has probably cult teaching now. since +
HIS claim chopped up into town lots ana
snapped UP 10y eager town builders. has
put him $4,000 to $4,000 to the good
though as President Boyd's campaign /
eteerer his daily wage Of $50 for services +
Of self and team and vehicle he did not
despise. Besides the county superinteu- .
dent the territorial board Of education. Of +
which President Boyd was also president
was deiuecd with inquiries from the
Greer county school boards Eventually. .
on the invitation OF the county superin- /
tendent. President Boyd decided To 20 to
Greer county and explain TO the people
face to face the Oklahoma educational F.
system. st a series 81 meetings 30 be ar .
ranged cor by ia ec0uuty superintendent .
Quanah. Texas. was rho nearest point by +
rail- Thither. accordingly, President Bov1
repaired in due course Of time Joined his
friend. the superintendent ana began Ais