HISTORY HOLLY SPRINGS SCHOOL As the years go by we like to look back and compare the past history of our school with that of the present and note the changes that have ben made in educational lines in our community.
In 1859, Amon Overton, L. A. McGlohon, Levi Davis, Jackson Hare and William Perry organized a school at Sallie Archer's Cross Roads, now Cofield and employed Joe Clark to teach the first term.
On cacount of the Civil War there was no school here from 1860 to 1869, when the school was reorganized by George Brown. He served as teacher until 1871, when he was succeeded by William Spruill, who was folowed by Selwin Harrell in 1873. J. A. Hare, son of Jackson Hare, taught 1874-75: he was succeeded by J. G. Joyner, who taught 1876-77-78. In 1879 Thomas Neill taught; his successor was J. B. Harrell.
In 1881 the school was moved from Sallie Archer's Cross Roads to the present site, when the first Holly Springs School House was erected. The building was 16 x 16 feet, and was built up and down of undressed lumber. The equipment consisted of home made benches, and one desk the whole length of the room. All the benches were the same height and we can picture to ourselves the little children who sat with their feet dangling in the air before a hot lightwood fire which burned in an old time iron stove. In that day all the wood was brought directly from the woods by the pupils.
J. B. Harrel remained one year after the building was erected and was no doubt very proud of this building and its equipment.
Miss Mollie Parker, the first wom[an] succeeded Mr. Harrell in 1872.
This school grew rapidly and in 1883, the building was found to be inadequate, thus it was lengthened six feet and ceiled over head, although there were still no inside wals.
R. J. Hoggard was then employed to teach the folowing term, and was no doubt inspired by having had what was then considered a well equipped school in that day. It has been said that his faithful work, patience, and good example are always worthy of mention in connection with this school. And the school was very creditable to the community in that day.
From 1884-1911, the following teachers served their terms:
J. G. Joyner, S. S. Hare, Miss Mamie Barkley, Miss Cora Hare, Miss Alice Owen, Miss Irma Brown, Miss Kate Hal, Miss Mary Tinkham, Mr. Bingham Copeland, Miss Rosa Baker, Miss Bettie McGlohon, Miss Harriette Vann, Miss Janie Banks.
Credit is due Miss Vann for having established the present school library.
During these twenty-seven years many changes took place in the community, and with only a four months school term, parents felt the need of better educational facilities for their children than they had been given. Thus many families moved from the community, others sent sent their children to better schools paying tuition.
Guided by the instruction of T. E. Brown, then County Superintendent, and supported by B. G. Williams, J. H. Askew, on one rainy day in 1910, visited the home of each patron in Holly Springs School District with a petition to the county commissioners that this be made a special tax district. Everyone became very much interested and every freeholder xcept two signed this petition. The election was carried in the spring of 1911.
Mrs. H. F. Brinson was employed to teach the first eight months term.
The community seemd to take on new life and went to work with renewed energy. Two and one half acres of ground, on the opposite side of the road, was purchased from the estate of the late J. W. Perry. In 1912 a modern two-room building was erected on this sit ein a thick woods. A graded school was established and two teachers were employed for the next term: Miss Mary Thomas, Principal, Miss Minnie Brinson, assistant.
During the first three years patent desks and teacher's chairs were put in each room, pictures were put upon the walls, an organ was purchased by the school and a supplementary library was added to the original one.
In 1915 the building was painted inside and out, blinds were put on and the house was bricked in between the undepinning. These improvements added much to the appearance of the building. Since then waste-paper baskets, new stoves new pictures, a large globe, a case of small maps and more blackboards have been added to the equipment.
Miss Brinson was compelled to give up her work in 1915 on account of ill health. Since that time this work has been continued by Miss Georgia Piland.
Miss Williams has remained principal during the whole history of the graded school. She has meant much to our community and it is to her that the patrons are greatly indebted for the present home-like school rooms and the splendid progress that has been made. It is to be remembered that a great deal of the equipment was puchased with money Miss Williams raised by giving entertainments.
While Miss Williams and her assistants have tried to do faithful work, it is not upon them alone that sucess has depended. The hearty co-operation of the committeemen, patrons and teachers has been the chief factor in the progress that has been made. The spirit they manifest is that, they are ever ready to support their teachers in the right and to take advantage of every opportunity for making their school and community better.
On many occasions, the committeeman and patrons have given not only their support but labor. When the Hertford County Commencement was held it seemed a pleasure to aid in contributing, and arranging for the exhibit given by our school. In 1916, there was no County Commencement, so a community commencement was given at theschool. The community took quite an active part in this and gave an exhibit o fantiques. The same spirit of interest and helpfulness was exhibited when Holly Springs took part in the County Fair. For several years a Community Service Day has been observed. On that day men and women come prepared to clean up the school grounds. Picnic dinners are served and speeches are some times made by our County Superintendent and speakers from other parts of the sate when the day's work has ended.
On the Community Service Day in 1917, the patrons gave 14 pecan trees to the school. Since then two acres of ground has been enclosed and these trees put out in this lot. It is the plan to clear and prepare the remainder of this lot for a school garden.
In 1918 the bell was given the school by the patrons.
While this school has not had an organized Betterment Asociation the mothers have especially been brought in close contact with the school thru othe rorganizations.
During the fall of 1917, a Red Cross Branch was organized with 45 members during the year, these meetings have been held at the school building. The amount raised by this branch is $181.03.
The children organized a War Savings Society. Through this organization $3,621 worth of War Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps have been purchased.
The children and teachers in 1918 picked the cotton from a patch near the school building. Roland Hill, to whom this cotton belonged, gave one-half of it to the school. H. C. Holoman paid 10 cents per pound for this when the market price for cotton was only nine cents on that day. With this mony five W. S. S. were purchased and the patrons donated another. Therefore $31 in the above mentioned sum belongs directly to the school.
Then came the United War Service caamgipn. To this cause $200 was given by the community. $25.45 was given directly by the school.
When Hertford County secured a Farm and Home Demonstrator our community at once became interested in their work.
There are four members of the Canning Club and a Home Economics Club with 34 members has been organized. Their meetings are often held at the school building. Through the efforts of Miss Swindell our Home Demonstration Agent, hot lunches have been out in our school. A large vessel for making soup has been given by the Home Economics Club.
There are ten pig, poultry, corn and cotton club members combined. Johnnie Askew, of the pig club members, won the prize given Hertford County by the State. Brantley Jeffreys, age 13, a member of the corn club won first prize on his corn and became the champion corn grower of Hertford County in 1918. He cleared $126 on one acre not including prize money.
These clubs have meant much to the community and one hears the farm and home demonstration work spoken of in the highest terms.
Recently a North Carolina Traveling Library has been gotten in the school, in which the children and their parents are very much interested.
But, with the present equipment, better educational advantages are needed. In the near future we hope the district may be enlarged, the present building may be added to, and an additional teacher secured. May this school ever prgress according to the needs of the times. "Hertford County Herald", J. Roy Parker, ed., Ahoskie, [Hertford County], N.C.
April 11, 1919 [Vol. IX, No. 52]
[Beneath this article were printed a banner which read "PATRIOTIC THRIFT" and a editor's comment "Owners of War Savings Stamps have a definite stake in the nation which make sfor practical, patriotic citizenship. Return to Miscellaneous Menu