School Photo

Teachers in Pocahontas schools "in the long ago" were identified by Vera Price Wyatt of Bono, and Mrs. Wyatt states that the photos represent "great days" and bring back many fond memories when teachers and pupils had lots of fun coasting down the big hill in front of the school. She believes the photos above and at right to have been made in 1918, the year the ground wasn't free of snow for 6 weeks and the hill in front of the school was closed to traffic so pupils could enjoy coasting. The school was closed only a few days during the 6-week period. At times snow became so deep that the town drayman, Mr. Thomas, would come to the school with his team and wagon and take pupils and teachers to their homes. Hoat was a pot-bellied stove which burned coal. Students sat around the stove in a circle to keep warm, but school was continued when it was possible to get there. Teachers identified in the top photo are, from left, E. E. Hulen, Gladys Ellis Foster, Ora Park, Moina Spikes, Ross Hooton, Stella Mae Lucas, Vera Price Wyatt, Nell Thaxton Price, Jennie Johnston Kernighan and Vida Throgmorton. The lower picture, seated on front of sled is E.E. Hulen, with Ross Hooten at his back. Standing are, from left, Jennie Johnston Kernighan, Nell Thaxton Price, Ora Park, Vida Throgmorton, Gladys Ellis Foster and Vera Price Wyatt.