Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-08-16
The SCHOOLS
WILL Be OPEN
next MONTH
WHICH RECALLS SOME OLD.
TIME TEACHERS AND THE
WAY THEY RAN SCHOOLS
STORIES ABOUT JAMES X.
BUFF.


STORIES ABOUT JAMES X.
BUFF.
School viii open again next month,
and the small boy Is "sleeprg fast
these nights, and playing fast in an
endeayGr 10 get In as much pleasure
as possible before the old school bel.
again calls him to his studies, Those
OF the teachers who have moi Joined
the ranks Of the welded during Yaca-
tlcu period, and who will teach school
this year. are dusting their examin-
alton papers, brushing up a little
on various subjects and looking for
ward 20 the time when they will once
more draw salary.
New rules are being studied and
the gossip Of the teachers Is natural
ly leading those who are participat-
ing IN tho discussion Of school mat
tors 10 recall the names OF teachers
who have answered their final roll
call during the last year. Among
the Oldest teachers, in point Of SER
vice and best known in Salem and
vicinity who have died within the
last year, are MISS Maria +. Darcy,
former teacher in the Central
school, and James X. Buff, TO whom
many Of the present day business
men Of Salem went to school at How
ell Prairie, Macleay, SilYerton and
other settlements in this vicinity.
Miss darcy will be missed in the
school room this year. She has cor
rected the lessons Of more than one
Salem boy and girl whose children,
In later years, she also taught,
II is a well-known fact that one Of
the greatest ambitions OF childhood
is a desire on the part Of boy and
girl alike to be 'just like my teach
err" and, in view Of this fact, the
actions, personal habits, whether
hereditary or cultivated, and charnc-
terlstics OF most school teachers are
yiyldly impressed upon the minds Of
scores OF students. Many Of the ways
OF a teacher are copied by those in
her room.
That IL was necessary in the old
days, however, to pursue methods
which wonld not prove popular II
adopted by the student of today is
aptly Illustrated in story told in
connection with Mr.. Bluffs teaching
period.
Although possessed of a brilliant
mind, James X Buff was an eccen-
trio character. That he had peculiar
ideas regarding religious matters,
and that many of his characteristics
and ways were unusual" is admit
ted by all who were intimately ac-
qualnted with the old teacher
Incidents In connection with the
mans life have been related recently
by several prominent Salem citizens,
and these occurrences are repeated
here, with all due respect to the aged
teacher, who has now passed to
where no criticisms are recorded, and
where all are Judged alike.
Considerably over 20 years ago
present day methods OF discipline in
the school room had not yet been
adopted, and often the teachers were
roughly handled by the older stu
dents. At this time considerable diff
ficulty had been experienced by sew
eral teachers at little school ON
Howell Prairie, near Salem II is
said that one male teacher had been
thrown bodily from the school room,
Finally James X. Buff was sent to
take charge of the school at that
place He had heard OF the treat
ment accorded other teachers, and In
his own peculiar way he went we'll
prepared.
According TO Salem man, who
was student at Howell Prairie, Mr.
Bun walked into the room ON the
first morning, removed his hat and
coat and advanced to the teachers
desk.
Turning suddenly, II ls said he
drew a Bowie knife from It's sheath,
and, with clever twist of the wrist
drove the shining blade into the wall
directly back OF the desk he was to
occupy Then drawing a big revolv-
er from belt at his waist laid the
weapon on the table.
1--WE will have peace In this room
today, boys" he cody remarked, as
he drew his chair from under the
desk.
And the dove OF peace settled down
over the little school room ON the
prairie.
Discussing the peculiar habits
which are some times found coupled
with an exceptionally brilliant mind
County Clerk Allen this morning re-
lated an incident in connection with
Mr.. Buns teaching period at school
near sllyert0n, Mr.. Alleus old home
town
The school house was eight miles
distant said Mr., Allen and Mr.. Buft
walked to and fro from his residence
oach day, Being precise and sys-
tomotic in disposition, MIR. Bun at
oLce proceeded to mark out bee
line over which he was determined
70 travel TO aud from the school
house.
So precise wac he in drawing the
Imaginary guide HE that he went to
considerable pains 70 have the route
mapped out, lust as he had planned,
regardless " distractions Il is said
no even removed trees two feet In al.
ameter which obs cucted the path he
had chosen 10 serve Gs his "way TO
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