Smyrna times., 1933-07-12

| IEOUuCeu. JuuSe LdLIOInuS gave
an interesting resume of the early
history of the locality. He traced
it from the time that the grants Of
land were given by Charles II to
William Penn and to George Cal
vert. He described the terrible
struggles Of the early settlers and
their keen desire for education
which resulted in the rough log
hewn Garman School and later the
Oak Hill School. Mr.. Lattomus
spoke of the success of the log
schools and of its far reaching eff
feet. He mentioned several local
people who had succeeded, among
them the late Ralph D. Cole, whose
fore-fathers were well known in
this locality. Mr. Cole was a prom
inent member of Congress and lat
er became stiff opponent of War
rem D. Harding in the Presidential
race. Judge Lattomus then intro
duced State Representative Will
liam A. Scott of Townsend, who
began his teaching career at Gar
man. Mr.. Scott gave a very
amusing and interesting talk. He
said, In the spring of 1872, I, a
boy of Is years, was thinning corn.
! looked ahead at the long row of
corn. The sun was beating un-
mercifully down and my back ach-
ed l made a mental resolution
that if l ever reached the end of
that row lid never thin another hill
Of corn. And I've kept that re-
solution. I decided to become
school teacher and prepared my
self. That fall I was offered two
schools, one at Mt. Pleasant and
the other at the Garman School.
chose the Garman School and
thank God for my choice. The
contacts with the people of this
community have helped me great
ly and the words Of wisdom spok-
en- to me have always followed
me-" Mr.. Scott compared the old
school with the new school He
continued, Some people think
there are too many fads and frills
in modern education. The older
get the more am convinced that
the school is the nursery Of this
nation. Our forefathers overcame
great obstacles to give us a smat-
tering of an education. Surely we,
who to-day find it possible to give
our children a better education,
should not fall behind in our duty
to our children and our nation"
Miss Emma Sylvester" now Mrs
Chris Martin, of Goldsborough,
Md, former teacher at Oak Hill,
spoke next. She expressed her
happiness at again being able to
meet with her pupils. She said
the song You May Look For Me,
For I'll Be There" would express
her feelings whenever the reunion
was held. She called the roll and
quite number of pupils answered
present" Over period Of six
years. the length of time Miss
''Em" taught at Oak Hill, she had
a roll call of one-hundred and forty
one pupils Mrs Lenore Clements
Harding Of Philadelphia, and Mrs.
r. NJ. Hannum Of LansdoWne Pa,
former teachers, both expressed
their happines at being able to at
tend the reunion. The meeting
closed with the reading Of the
following poem, composed and
read by Mrs. Mayme Cannon (Mrs
Mayme Webb, of Wilmington:
Webster, Garman, and Oak Hill
In the year Of seventeen-hundred-one
when Penn made grants Of land.
To all who came to this fair coast who
would work hand-in-hand.
To make this neighborhoOd a place for
honest men to dwell
They called the early settlers. and
people named them well.
They labored hard to clear the lands of
forests thick and dense.
And separated each ones claim by heavy
worm rail fence,
And with little quaint log-cabins builded
here and there
These happy people who had come
from lands afar.
Year after year the children came and
added many joys.
As they rocked the wooden cradles Of tiny
girls and boys.
Day after day the people toiled as children
older grew,
And then they built the Wesbster school.
but only few could go;
Because it was pay school and cash was
rather low.
Very few we're privileged to 90 to It We
know:
1t stood at Dexter's Corner. and when
Sabbath days would come.
They gathered there to worship God and
thank Him for their homes.
So these honest. earnest toilers in the year
eighteen-thirty-four
I Decided on another school when they'd met
1 and talked it Ger.
/ VIM. Roberts sold them the piece of land
1 and they built the Garman school.
\ OF just rough logs and morter, but it was
free to all
4 For many years old Garman stood light
along the shore.
Where children learned to read. write and
spell but very little more
4 But Garman was the pride and joy of
girls and boys those days,
/ And the Pioneers watched their children
advance in many ways.
The teachers met with hardships but were
loyal to their tasks.