, 1923-12-20
First School
House Used For Jail
Editor Rawlins Republican,
Rawlins, Wyoming.

Editor Rawlins Republican,
Rawlins, Wyoming.
Dear SIR
In looking over The Republican
thia evening my mind goes back to
orr first school in Rawlins Cor
rather to the building where VI
attended school). It was Q long
building, constructed with logs and
stood on the south side OF the Union
Pacific tracks about 200 feet west
of the r. C. Mayor stone store build
ing, We always called this building
the Old Court House for the reason
that It was used for Court purposes,
and in fact was used FER all pur-
poses for it was the only building
in Rawlins at that time which was
large enough for any public gather
ing.
This building was also used at
times for a jail and when we were
little kids we would oftimes give
the place q wide birth.
The first teacher whom I remem-
Der was H. A. Kirk the father Of
Mrs. I. c. Miller, and also OF Boyd
and Joe Kirk. In those days we
had more men teachers than they
do at the present time. I believe
this was necessary as many times .
teacher had to show some rare pugi-
listic ability. / know that MI. Kirk
made the pupils like and respect
him, or else he would know the rea-
son why.
Some of the boys who attended
school in those days would try out
every new teacher to see who was
going to be boss. II the teacher
gave in an inch the boys would take
a mile. Several present Rawlins
residents could be numbered among
this bunch.
This old Court House was also
used as the first store of ]. w. Hug
us & Co., and vas also the first To-
cation Of that old friend Of ours. H.
Rasmussen.
One evening there was pulled off
in this Old Court House and School
House al entertainment which I
will never forget and I often wonder
how many residents Of Rawlins will
remember the same entertainment.
Two men were travelling through
the west with one Of the first talk
ing machines invented by Edison.
They were billed for an entertain
ment at Rawlins. When the night
arrived for the entertainment there
was a small number resent. prac-
tically all of whom were very skep-
tical of the new machine. Several
Of the small kids. including myself.
we're occupying front seats at this
demonstration of the talking MAJ
chine.
The machine was unpacked and
set up on a table, resembling very
-.. 49, ia n-
machines. The machine seemed to
consist wholly Of a tin horn. a crank
and a small cylinder. The cylinder
four inches in diameter. After the
machine vas put together the dem
constructors wrapped the cylinder
with a piece OF tin foil. The horn
was then placed in position at n
end Of the cylinder and a small
needle was placed to Just touch the
tin foil.
The machine was then explained
by one OF the demonstrators and
1t was stated that a person could
talk into the horn and the machine
would reproduce the WORDS spoken.
Volunteers were asked to come for
ward and talk into the machine.
Al no n volunteered Perry
Smith was finally drafted to make
the speech. Perry at first declined
to talk but finally stated that no
had Just reached town with a bunch
Of beef cattle and that as he had
had a hell OF q time on the trip he
would tell the machine all about
It II the ladies present would not OBJ
ject. As no objections were raised
Mr.. Smith started In and from his
speech all present were convinced
that he had had an awful time get