Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-04
RURAL SCHOOLS
by W. CLYDE JOHNSON.


Fair at Fox. The three rural schools,
Gatewood ,Naylor aud Fox, Misses Mil
dred Cook, Julia Hanley and Sudie
Winn, respectively, teachers, were
fully represented But unfortunately
the patrons were all in Mexico giving
the boys "a patriotic send-off just
as true patriotism required. 1t is
unfortunate. that the fair was not
held a day later. Still, Mrs. Penning-
ton got into the community, and the
people learned of her and her work,
and it was very much worth while.
The following day, the program
was repeated at Harrison. Here Skull
Lick, Miss Beulah Patrick, teacher,
joined with Harrison, Miss Ora Palm
er, teacher. AS at Fox, the exhibits
were splendid, showing plainly what
boys and girls can do when they are
properly interested. 1t also showed,
l think, how valuable it is to give the
hands something to do, as means or
getting interest in school work. So,
to interest them in the study of ag-
riculture, il is necessary to study it
by doing it as far as possible instead
of reading and talking about it. The
exhibit consisted of bread cakes,
canned fruits and vegetables by the
girls and their mothers, also plain
and fancy sewing and needlework.
The boys exhibited cor, wheat, oats,
vegetables and other farm products.
The prizes were ribbons. and were
very much priced by the recipients.
Afternoon, Mrs. Pennington, to the
pleasure and profit of the ladies pres
ct, and they were of a goodly number,
demonstrated the practicability of
making one pound of butter and a
pint of milk into two good pounds of
butter. Besides this she talked Of
the advantages of. club work, and
ways to conserve foods.
That night, with a good attend
ance and interest, | gave a talk on
the dangers of the housefly, illustrat-
ing it by slide furnished by the In
ternational Harvester Company.
Friday we had a real big day at
Benton City Six schools took part:
Chapel Grove, Miss Anna Reed,
teacher Liberty, Miss Blanche
White; Stauffer Mrs. E. C. Nieman;
Prairie Chapel, Miss Maude Hearn;
Erishan, Mrs. Florence Begeman;
and Benton City, E. E. Shay, princi-
pal,and Miss Florence Kirkpatrick
Miss Alma Brown of Eureka was
prevented by the weather from TAX
ing part. The exhibits were so large
we could hardly find room for them
They were excelled in size only by
their quality. A great sight showing
the value Of club work done by Mrs.
Nieman and Miss White and their
girls. Miss Lena Smith had 60 varie-
ties. Permelia Owings, age 12, with.
out mother or big sister to advise,
showed so. The clubs showed severa'
hundreds jars-a beautiful display
beat any exhibit at our county fairs
Mrs. Pennington gave herSbutter
demonstration and talked of clubs
and conservation. The pupils of Ben
Mrs. Pennington gave her butter
demonstration in the afternoon anC
in the evening she talked of club work
and conservation. The pupils of Ben
ton sang several entertaining songs
Permelia Owings sang a song OF
merit. She also told in an off-hand
way the story of the organization and
work of her club. She did exceedingly
we'll There were other pupils whose
names I do not now recall, who also
helped to entertain the audiences.
At each place, it was good to notice
the pride the pupils had taken 10 have
everything clean and pleasant for
their visitors.
This week l visited a few schools
for a short time only. At Friendship,
Miss Anna Irwin, an experienced
teacher is doing good work. She has
20 pupils. She should be able to get
the school approved this year, Miss
Dottie Angel is at sames, her home
district. She had II present. A small
platform has been built before the
door ,and a new stove has been or.
dered. The board is interested in Q
heater and may yet get one. JOSEPH
Barnes is at Macedonia. He has had
two years experience and holds a GER
tificate from Kirksville. He is work
ing to get the school approved ant
lacks but little. The board wants tc
put in new seats, and may yet do so
They have new house. At night, 2
good audience appreciated the tall
and pictures on "The Dangers of the