The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1921-11-24

a radius of i " miles, to accommodate
pupils. As matter of fact it was
moved seven times altogether before 1t
was merged into the present Ivan
school. 1t was moved four times while
I was pupil. but was moved three
times after my school days were over.
Miss Mona Griffin, Of Bellevue, who
became Mrs. Luther McDade, now de
ceased; Miss Florence Tooke, Of
Homer, now deceased; Miss Carrie
Rabb, Of Plain Dealing, who became
Mrs. Sam Boggs, long since deceased;
Miss Corrie Cornell. now Mrs. Eugene
Hamiter, of Shreveport; Mr.. John
Scanland, now DIR. j. NJ. Scanland, of
Warm Springs, Mont; Mr.. Lucian
Wallace, DR.. Edgar Martin, Mr. Lee
Swor, Miss Lula Hollis, my youngest
sister, Ethel, now Mrs. K. Il. Ball, of
Vienna, each taught the school, in suc-
cession. The later teachers / am not
prepared to name, as in the meantime
we had moved our place of residence,
and I have lost track Of the school,
until the article in the Banner Of two
weeks ago brought back memories Of
the past. 8
| 1t may be Of some interest while
am writing Of my impressions Of school
days to speak of the social and relig-
ious advantages of that day, which
were on a. par with the school. I do
not remember of there being any place
of worship nearer than a Baptist
Church (Pilgrims Rest, situated five
miles from our home, near Ivan-ex-
cept that on one occasion Rev. Willie
Young, brother Of Mr.. John E. Young,
of Ivan, preached one Sunday in our
school house. In those days, though,
| believe children really enjoyed the
privilege of attending such services
better than they do now, for after a
family goes FIVE miles in a wagon to
church 1--WE had not then gotten ac-
customed to the uses of automobiles
you may be sure that meant you were
to be invited somewhere for dinner
! after services, and even at that early
age. doubtless, inherited one Of my
fathers chief characteristics, that of
being very fond Of the culinary delica-
cies of this world, and inyaribly I
would persuade the family to accept
the hospitality OF either Mr.; j. B..
Wilmington. Aunt Martha and :. IN
Gle" Wiley Keeth or Aunt" Matilda
Michigan, mother Of Mrs. j. f. Adair,
who was then q small girl herself
Either OF those places were perfectly
agreeable to me. for the best home
cured hams largest chicken pies and
the sweetest" cakes were to be found
upon their tables. So it is small won
der that these occasions were as red
letter. days to me.
We did not have the privilege Of
getting anywhere very often, and the
first trained animal remember Of
seeing was la bear which was taken
around by.a Turk, who was travelling
through the country exhibiting it. The
bear was evidently well trained and
was put through all Of his antics,
much to our amusement. Finally the
man said something. to me, but you see
we spoke different languages and
did not understand him, but to, be
polite just answered Yes, SIR and,
much to my surprise, found myself sit
ting ON bruins back. He had asked
me II wanted to sit on the bears
back, but, not understanding him, my
establishment was equal to the bears
and did not keep my seat very long,
you may rest assured. That night We
staked the bear In clump Of trees
right near the path where a lot of
negroes would pass on their way to
/ church at Longview. where a pro-
tracted meeting was in progress. The
bear waited until the first ones reached
him, when he arose on his hind legs
and began marching toward them.
the Turk holding to long chain at
tached to the bear. Well, suchia stam-
pede never have witnessed since
The negroes just parted right and left,
jumped over each other, and such yells
never expect to hear again. Many
OF them did not wait to find out what
It was that frightened them, but ran
all the way to church. y
Well, to get back to the subject Of
schools, we were beginning to have bet
ter equipment each year, but the same
trouble was experienced each session
that Of making the average Of 10.
During one session the young lady
teacher. who boarded with us, hor-
rowed my younger sister, now Mrs.
j. p. Newton, Of this place, to attend
school part of the session, to help
make an average, and what time we
all had to amuse that child and keep
her satisfied during each day I call
to mind that some Of the teachers
would have to lose several days out OF
each month, having to wait until
enough pupils would come to make ont
the required number. The first public
schools were not aided by the parish,
but about thirty years ago, while Sem
ator WI Johnston was President Of
the Parish School Board and my father
was serving his first term as Police
Juror. the Parish donated its first
assistance to the public schools, which
resulted in longer terms. r do not
know the first amount donated but 1t