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Western Carolina University (20) View all

Jackson County Public Schools 1853-1954

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  • wcu_highlights-1393.jp2
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  • when a log cabin was built on the banks of the Tuckas- siegee River, which was used for both church and school services. After the counties were changed and Jackson County established, Jackson County owned the schools that had belonged to Macon and Haywood. Later another school was established in a log cabin which had previously been used for a store house, but the business had been a failure. Many of the Cullowhee residents went to school here. The teachers were: David Dillard, R. L. Watson, Horace Brown, and Tom Frizell. Still later schools were conducted in the old log church house which stood near the cemetery, Mrs. Shuler Bryson, Miss Manda Edwards and Mr. J. M. Watson teaching short terms, from one to three months. After this for a few years the school was moved near where Mrs. Lena Wallace's residence now is. The next change was to where the present location now is at Cullowhee in 1888 a one room frame building, near where the heating plant now is located. In 1899 when Governor Jarvis was inaugurated the lamp of learning began to burn more brightly. Appropriations for the schools doubled during this term. The terms were lengthened from two to four months. Salaries of teachers were increased, and new districts established. This enabled more children to be in reach of school. By 1880 grading on a small basis was begun. New subjects were introduced. Rev. William Hicks taught both at Qualla and Webster. He had the reputation of being one of the most successful teachers. When the citizens recovered from the shock of the Civil War, they began to plan better schools for their children. Another building was constructed about this time. The coming of Prof. Dawson from Murphy, N. C, meant a lot to the county. He had a reputation for scholarship and ability. School opened in 1876 and the attendance increased from the first day. The second year many more were enrolled from different counties and even from different states. As school progress increased, some of the most advanced students aided in the teaching of lower grades. Prof. Hughes also aided Prof. Dawson. Arithmetic, Latin, Greek, philosophy, and English grammar were the principal subjects taught. Geography and reading were also taught. Prof. Dawson taught the advanced students and Prof. Hughes the younger ones. There were two Literary Societies. They were the (1) Olympiam which meant "Lovers of games" and (2) the Phylomathin which meant "Lovers of learning." These societies met on Friday evening at 7:00 o'clock. Dawson was the first to introduce baseball. Prof. Dawson labored 4 years at East La Porte. Through all these years he trained many young men and women from this community and the adjoining ones. He went from East La Porte, N. C, to Transylvania County. His departure left the school completely demoralized, and it never recovered. After the attempt of Prof. Dawson there were many similar ones. The school at Speedwell was started by W. H. H. Hughes and he also taught at Webster. Prof. R. L. Madison taught three successive years at Qualla, striving to build in that community such a one that was later developed at Cullowhee. All of this led to the establishment of better schools in Jackson County. After Prof. Dawson had been away several years he came back, and tried to renew his efforts to establish schools, but didn't make as much success as before. The first County Commencement of Jackson County was held in the High School Auditorium at Webster on April 5, 1913. It was a success in every sense of the word. An address was given by C. A. Smith of Dillsboro Graded School. The boys had a Corn Club Contest on the stage. Fred Bryson of Beta made 173.3 bushels on one acre and won the contest. The recitation contest was won by Miss Jesse Leather- wood. "Naughty Nell" was the recitation. A gold medal worth $5.00 was awarded to each of the winners. Besides Miss Leatherwood, there were Hugh Monteith, Declamation, and Pearl Long, Spelling. ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES, Asheville, N. C. July 10, 1938 "EXPERIENCES OF A PEDAGOGUE IN THE CAROLINA HIGHLANDS" By Robert L. Madison The Rev. A. E. Pinkard of Alabama taught in Sylva during the session 1886-1887. The following fall he went to Glenville, N. C, as principal of the Hamburg High School, a Baptist institution that had been founded in 1886 by the Rev. A. E. Brown. THE TUSKASE1GE DEMOCRAT, Wed., April 17, 1889 R. L. Madison, Editor HAMBURG ITEMS by A. E. Pinckard "The third session of the Hamburg High School closed on last Friday. There were many people present, more than could get in the room, and from what the writer has heard, everyone was well pleased. Many said that the closing exercises were better than they were last year. Rev. G. H. Church of Charleston, N. C, delivered a splendid literary address. All were well pleased with it. He generally "does things up right" anyway. At the last the writer delivered a book, which was offered as a prize, by Mr. Zeb Watson to Miss Mattie Bryson. Afterward I said a few things to the patrons of the school, then to the students. Many tears were shed, and the benediction was pronounced. Many persons have decided to attend the next session of this institution, and arrangements are being made. Five or six different applications were made to one man on last Friday for rooms. Some one said that all eyes now turned toward Hamburg. Our fine bell continues to give satisfaction. "Some of the boys and girls will go to the spring and summer school, which will begin on April 15. I have 11
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