SCHOOLS IN THE LONG AGO
RANDOLPH COUNTY, ARKANSAS

Welcome to Schools In The Long Ago, photos in Randolph County, Arkansas. It appears that these photos were originally published in the Pocahontas Star Herald around 1968-70, but are much, much older than that. Remember that you can use your special "find" or "search" button on your toolbar to look for surnames - and be sure that you check different spelling variations. So ... sit back ... scroll down ... and enjoy ...

Mrs. Mamie Hagood of Reyno furnishes this photo of one of the first schools taught at Reyno, taken about 1909.  In the photo are, front row, from left, Ralph Brewer, Nellie Adams, Harry West, Mable Rice, Ruth Reed, Max Seymour, Gladys Cazey, Myrtle Jones, Clara Brewer, Irene Lamb, ----Wells, Priscilla Rhodes, last is unknown.  Second row, 6 girls in middle, first is unknown, Lois Adams, Lorren Robinson, ---- West, Manila Bellah and Christine Lamb.  Third row, from left, Willie Robinson, Roy Glasco, Edna Totty, Pearl Hannaford, Loren Sparkman, Jay Sparkman, Dewey Bellah, Mayme Chorice, Iva Glasco, Eula Adams, Bessie Rudd, Melzina Brown, Alma Glasco and Harold Abbott.  Fourth row, from left, Viza Fry, Maud Totty, Victory Maynard, George Reed, Gilbert Hannaford, Ray Abbott, Horton Navy, unknown, Harry Sparkman, Lexie Underwood, Bill Nance, and George Wells.  Back row, from left, Harry Blount, Loyd Butler, Vona Underwood, Nota Abbott, Alva Jones, Myrtle Jackson (teacher), Ben Hannaford, Eli Abbott, John Hannaford, Clifton Wells and John ----.

CLEARVIEW SCHOOL, TOP PHOTO - Robert M. Lewis of Corpus Christi, Texas furnishes this photo of the Clearview School of 1913.  Seated at front are, from left, Ula Broadwey, next is unknown, Jake Hart, Daley Mondy, teacher, Robert Lewis and Harry Pratt.  On the Second row, are, from left, Dixie Holdcroft, Della Hurn, Josh Stephens, Jess Hart (girl between Stephens and Hart unknown), --- Thompson, Oreo Loar, Linna Stephens, next unknown, Thelma Broadway, Ouida Stephens and Stella Broadway.  Last row, from left, Butch Warner, Tive Hurn, Irvin Thompson, Tom Warner, Martin Mondy, Marvin Thompson.   Thelma Loar is in front of Marvin, and to Thelma's left (on the same level beside her) are Harry Witcher, next unknown, Della Hart, Edd Hart and Delmont Loar.   Returning to Marvin Thompson (in the window, those following him on back row are Burley Stephens, Marie Hurn, Grace Haynes and Suzie Poe.

BRAKEBILL SCHOOL, BOTTOM PHOTO - Mrs. Earl Johnson of Maynard furnishes this photo of the Brakebill School, taken Feb. 16, 1911, with Elvis Abbott, right, teacher.  The three boys seated in front are, from left, Nevin Seawel, Willie Spray and Virgil Haley.  Seated behind them are, from left, John Pence, Dovie Seawel Long, Gussie Murdock, Etta Waldron King, Jewel Tucker Bridges, D. L. Tucker, Theodore Galemore, Gene Galemore, Irene Galemore, Clyde Mock, Goldie Harris, Ottis Kidd, Marvin Waldron and Lecil Mock.  Seated on the third row are, from left, Joe Wilson, Waldo Seawel, Martin Shaver, Jess Seawel, Roy Seawel, Lela Haley Pence, Dock Condict, and Will Russell.   Standing at rear are, from left, unknown, Arnold Wilson Beaver, Blanche Harris, Hite Mock, Mary Seawel Blythe, Oscar Galemore, Alice Starling Brooks, Oscar Shaver, Grace Mock Johnson and Valldia Kidd Templeton.

These photos were taken on the last day of school at Oconee, near Dalton, on March 27, 1908.  A "dinner on the ground" was given with all pupils, their teacher, Jake Previtt, former students and a few parents attending.   The entire group, with the women in their long skirts and middy blouses, the men in their suits, with white shirts featuring high, stiff, rounded collars, are shown below as they prepare to partake of the food, which is on cloths on the ground.  In the photo above, the six boys in front, left, are from left, Robert (Buster) Rogers, Roy Casey, Pete Rice, Homer Rice, Henry Previtt and Homer Higgins.  On the second row are, from left, Bertha Weaver, Cassie Casey, Ethel Crawford, Dena McCallister, Blanch Marshall, Mabel Higgins, Winnie Toney (behind Mabel), Willie Previtt, Stella Marshall, Lula Weaver, Connie Weaver, Audrey Casey, Virgil Stanfill (behind Audrey), Mae Rice, Eddie Casey, Rector Johnson, Gus Foster, Jake Johnson, Ray Foster, Leonard Casey,Homer Crawford, Gus Roach and James Marshall.  Third row, fromm left, Lillie Crawford, Minnie Crawford, Janey Roach, Leslie Rice, Fannie McCallister, Ray Downey, Bertha Crawford, Taylor Stanfill (holding slate), Effie Toney, Marlin Stanfill, Amburs Marshall, Earl Casey, Lee Casey, Seph Crawford.  Back row, from left, Willie Roach, Walter Crawford, Donald McCallister, Charlie Stanfill, Zesker White, John Roach, Hamp Roach, Lydia Casey, Ora Toney, Jake Previtt, the teacher (holding flag), Lillie White, Sallie Rice, Hattie Rice, Lennie Rice, Martha Stanfill, Dona Broom, Lee Crawford, Myrtle Crawford, Mollie Crawford and Lerona Crawford.  The three men at back are Madison White, Tom White and John Jackson.   Corbet Decker and Earnest Johnson are also in the photo.   Several unidentified visitors are also in the far rear.  The photo was furnished by Mrs. Effie Toney Nuckles of Modena, Mo.

Pictured is the O'Kean School during the 1921-22 school year.  In the photo are, front row, seated, from left, Walter Ball, W.H. (Bud) Austin, unknown, unknown, Dave Spicer, unknown, Ted York, Ralph Hunt, Elmo French, Ad Higgins, Eugene Storey, Dorsey Brandon, Bunk (Coot) Ball, Lavelle Spicer, Nolen Brown, unknown.  Second row, kneeling, from left, Leo Bode, Cloyde Sanders, Lester Austin, Tee Dailey, Fred Haney, Henry Brandon and Ralph Brandon.  Third roy, standing, from left, Ethel Haney, Zilphia Haney, Martha Ellen Hunt, Marguerite Sanders, Marie English, Nina Shelton, Hazel Martin, Hope Blansett, Inez York, Ethel Austin, Juanita Getson, Paul Barham, Cordelia Rowen and Virginia Barham.  Fourth row, from left, unknown, Herman Shelton, Eugene Byrd, Claude York, Jessie Shelton, Homer Shelton, John Getson, Clyde Witcher, Josephine Rummel, Jewel Stone, Notra Dean, Lawrence Storey, Dolaphis French, Grace Haney, Lawrence Shelton, Beulah Stone, Beatrice French, Ruby Brandon and Ida McCarthy.  Back row, from left, Samantha Getson, Notra Bramlett, Mavis Byrd, Vanus Higgins, teacher, Hazel Austin, Thelma Sanders and Busche Gregory.  The photo was furnished by Elmo French.

Ed Mondy of Springfield, Mo., has furnished us this week with this photo of the Shiloh School, near Five Mile Spring, taken around 1905.  Teacher of the school was Drew Bowers, who appears in the doorway of the school.,  Pupils were, front row, left to right, Bill Stanford, Dan Smelser, Ottis Baker*, Jim Smelser*, Mager Harden*, Gordie Myers*, Marvin Poe, Mary Haynes, Asie Baker, Gladys Baker, Myrtle Brown, Sadie Smelser*, Nell Stanford.  Middle row, left to right, Jim Stanford*, Ed Smelser*, Harsh Poe*, Edgar Mondy, Loyd Mondy*, Drew Poe*, Carrie Brown, Lottie Carter, Nellie Seay*, Lizzie Brown, Mary Ellen Carter, Thurce Carter*, Annie Bell Owens*, Shot Stanford, Carrie Smelser*.  Top row, left to right, Harry Moore*, Neal Morrow*, Joe Smelser*, DeWitt Poe*, Elbert Owens*, Herman Haynes, Teacher, Drew Bowers, Grace Poe*, Eddie Poe*, Charlsie Haynes, Lorene Stanford, Fanny Poe*.  *Mr. Mondy believes these to be deceased.

Pictured is the String Band of St. Paul's School in 1917, which was directed by the well-remembered Sister Rose, music instructor at St. Paul's into the 1930's.  Making up the band were, front row, seated, from left, Bernard Franken Spinnenweber, John V. Baltz, Janice Goff, Catherine Carter, Hubertine Peters and Agnes Barre.  Second row, from left, M. A. Baltz, Eleanor Wyllie, Mazie Schratz, Anna Mae Wyllie and Anna Peters.   Third row, from left, Al Peters, Nora Martin (with large hair rittons), Elizabeth Jansen, Mark Keifer, Anna Nuce, Mary Gschwend and Ollie DeClerk.  Fourth row, from left, Rosie Schratz, Anna Baltz, Anna DeClerk, Cecilia Jansen, Kathleen Wyllie, Frankie DeClerk and Bill Barthel.  Three boys at back, from left, Sam Downing, Charles Jansen and Joe Meier.

LOGGING BARBE, TOP PHOTO - George Lemmons took this picture of a large load of logs in the long ago on Black River in Pocahontas.  As two bridges can be seen in the background (obviously the Frisco Railroad Bridge and the highway bridge), the barge must have been tied up just below Sallee's Mill.  Among those standing by the logs on the boat are Oscar Wood, Alvin Skimahorn, Clarence Gaddy, Henry Radcliff and "Heiney" Barre.   Mr. Wood, who will be remembered as a longtime employee of the Sallee Mill, was captain of the boat.  Mrs. Rosa Skimahorn of Pocahontas, owner of the photo, said the photo was made about 1920.  At right of the barge can be seen loose, floating logs which have run aground, and one group of the logs has been nailed together with a board to keep them from going astray as they were floated down from above on the river.  Many loggers in those days floated their logs down instead of shipping them by boat, and by nailing the logs together, the logger kept track of his property.

JOHNSON SCHOOL, BOTTOM PHOTO - Pictured is Johnson School in 1908-09.  Attending the school at that time were, front row, from left, Joe Abanathy, Thurman McNabb, Earl Johnson, Trula Johnson, Edna Bass, Samantha Hall, Flora Cagle, Hite McNabb, Sina Cable, and Andy Holdcroft.  Second row, from left, Glenn Cagle, next unknown, Lilburn McNabb, Dora Abanathy, Notra Ford, Myrtle Chastain (behind Trula Johnson), Nora Cagle, Isam Hall, Willie Abanathy, last person is unknown.  Back row, from left, Teacher, Oscar Wyatt, Joe Hall, Virgie Ford, Maud Abanathy, Clara Ford (Myrtle Chastain in front), Nellie Chastain, Eursha Hall, and last person is unknown.  W. Howard Ford furnished the photo.

Pictured are the fourth and fifth grades of Pocahontas Public School during the 1910-11 school year.  Miss Eunice Blankenship (later editor of the Star Herald), pictured at back, was teacher of the two grades.  Students were, front row, from left, Jakie Schoonover (notice bare feet), Robert Alphin, Agnes Dilport (?), Della Cook, Gladys Shannon, Jessie Campbell, Minnie Mays, Lega Coats, Louise Johnston, Viola Armstrong and Zola Keith.  Second row, from left, Lester Turner (?), Kent Argo, Clyde Turner (?), Burr Sallee, Zenna Lemmons, Clara Bellah, Jessie Roberts, Nettie Williams and Harmon Marshall.  Back row, from lef, Clarence Bellah, Lee Haynes, Glenburn Throgmorton, Faith Meyers.  The photo was furnished by Mrs. Zenna Lemmons Henley, who was a member of the class, and her father, the late G. F. Lemmons made the photo.

Pictured is a "Literary Society" which met at Pocahontas High School during 1913. Members of the society were, front row, from left, Della Bowers, Charity Craven, Ross Hooton, Anna vermilye, Pearl Dunn, Notra Mock and Claud Mock. Second row, from left, Lonzo Bailey, Brance Raglin, Burna Pace Finley, Elsie Payne, Nell Kenner, Mary Pettyjohn, Mrs. E. N. Ellis (teacher) and Gene Thompson. Third row, from left, Bart Campbell, Herbert Price, Ivan Payne, Pearl Knotts, Miss Jennie Johnston (a teacher), Burlie Chesser, E. E. Hulen (teacher) and Tom Wallace. Fourth row, from left, Grace Danford James, unknown, Pearl Stubblefield, Fannie McCallister, Della McCallister, Jala Presley, Holt girl, unknown. Back row, against door, from left, John Dean, Eric Craven and last man is unknown. The photo was furnished by Mrs. Denzil Gates of Midwest City, Okla.

Pictured is Duff School in 1919. The school was located 3 miles southeast of Supply and 1/4 mile south of Elmont School in Clay County. The photo was furnished by Ethel Price of Rt. 1, Maynard. In the photo are, front row, from left, Opal McConniehat, visitor, Marie Greer, visitor, Laura Greer, Littie Dillbeck, deceased, Vera Garrison, deceased, Lois Garrison, Cletus Johnson, Bob Morris, Tommie Pierce (on crutches), deceased, Lossie Pierce, Francis Whitworth, Monroe Legate, Buel Morris, Sterling Legate, deceased, Loren Whitworth, deceased. Second row, from left, Alice Greer, Ida Mae Johnson, Girtie (Pride) Francis, Vada Stackhouse, Bessie Johnson, Everett Johnson, Henry Stackhouse, Ellis Greer, Ernie Cavitt, Arvil Greer, Troy Miller, Henry McKee, Lowell Morris, deceased, Bill Legate and Mrs. Captolia Pierce, deceased. Baby in Mrs. Pierce's arms is Basil Pride (a grandson). He is also deceased. Back row, from left, Tom Pride, teacher, deceased, Lucy Legate, Girtie Whitworth, Mae Stackhouse, Essie (Pride) Taylor, Zella (Pierce) Johnson, Vernon Whitworth, Ethel (Sanders) Pride, Floyd Reed, Elsie (Sanders) Brown, Odella (Whitworth) Watts, Walter Pierce, Gracie Dillbeck, deceased, Horace Pride, Flossie Reed, Myrtle (Pierce) Pride, visitor, Leona Stackhouse.

Amon Buxton of Stokes furnishes us this week with this picture of the Stokes School of 1908. Effie Parks was teacher ofthe school. The students were, seated in front, from left, Monroe Morgan, Carl Ballard, Amon Buxton, Arvel Evans, Boyd Robinson, Talmage Robinson, Joe Frazier, Ezra, Pickerel, Lucy Phillips, Minnie Phillips, Mary Purdy and Ella Mack. Second row, from left, Clyde Ulmer, Granvel Thomas, Henry Phillips, Bunk Mack, George Morgan, clifford Sago, Morris Sago, John Mack, Ruth Ryburn, Iris Ulmer, Bill Ulmer, Sherman Davis, Frank Barker, Willis Barker, and Gracie Davis. The fourth row, a short row, begins over behind Clifford Sago; they are, from left, Clifton Harris, Buster Mack, Naman Harris, Raymond Daniels, Eliza Buxton, Mary Cahoon, Darsena Morgan (face hidden), Velma Cahoon, Sadie Harris, Ethel Mack, Elsie Purdy, Imar Ballard, Essie Ulmer. Back row, from left, Sally Robinson, Ethel Johnson, Ada Roberts, Rodie Barker, Eiel Phillips, Annie Milam, Annie Mack, Sadie Harris, Mandy Nearns, Ed Buxton, Bill Purdy, Effie Parks, teacher and Luther Smith.

Pictured is the 8th Grade of Biggers School, in 1920, of which Mrs. Vesta Wyatt Purdy was teacher. In the photo are, front row, from left, Ruth Whittington, Tressie Seagraves Gazaway, Sylvia Johnson Cramblett, Crystal Hatley Brooks, Etalka Hite Tyler, next boy is unknown, Jim Autry, Lovell Dunn, Durell Hufstedler, Wendell Luter (in back), and Lorine Reynonds Ulmer. Second row, from left, Myrtle Donahue Pulliam, Addie Finney, Matilda Parrish, and Loree Johnson. Back row, from left, Mrs. Purdy, the teacher, Vivian Johnson Lloyd, Gussie Hambrick Evans, Rufus A. Mock, principal, Marie McCauley, Pearl McIlroy Mariott, Velma Cox and last girl is unknown. The photo was furnished by Mrs. Pearl Mariott of Ravenden Springs.

Mrs. Edgar Poe of Pocahontas furnishes this very fine photo of the New Home School of 1900. Pictured are, front row, from left, Mayme Bly Haynes, Mazie Camp, Myrtle Coleman, Ella Camp, Elsie Dunn, Pearl Dunn and Kennan Dunn. Second row, from left, Raleigh Dunn, Elbert Bly. Maud Camp Poe, Ethel Dunn, Minnie Dunn, Bonnie Dunn, Thurman Bly, Sular Camp, Allie Coleman. Back row, from left, Charley Dixon, teacher, Gid Thompson, DeWitt Moore, Elam Coleman, John Dunn, Daly Thompson, George Dunn.

The Jarrett School was located west of Maynard in the "Jarrett and Foster settlements," near Fourche River. The site of the school was on ancient ground, located on the Old Military Road and near the site of the first Baptist Church in Arkansas. The school building now serves as a church and community meeting place since the school was consolidated with Maynard. Those in the photo, left to right, are: Grace Brooks, Mildred Carroll, Alene Carroll, Glen Brooks, Bessie Roster, Arvil Foster, Hassel Carroll, Susie Foster, Iva Jarrett, Williams girl, Elmer Carroll, Uland Foster, Daly Brooks and Earl Roberts. Second row, l to r, Clyde Foster, George Bridges, Delbert Carroll, Dewey Foster, Sanford Williams, Murray Pease, Pete Foster, Sam Foster, Rufe Foster, Dock Brooks, and Richard Foster. Back row, l to r, John Osborne, Hosford Brooks, Charlie Thoma, Joe Fraizer, Oscar Jarrett, Claud Foster, Myrtle Williams, Idell Bridges, Irvin Jarrett, Roy Foster and the teacher, Herbert H. Price. Photo furnished by Elmer Carroll.