Brimfield High School - Spectator Yearbook (Brimfield, IL)

Page 30 text:

Grammar Room GO Walter Mulvankv, Teacher

Page 29 text:

n r i m •’ •; l d HIGH SC H O () L So the Seniors of the Brimfield High School Young Ladies and Gentlemen: You can hardly imagine what a queer sensation I experienced when I received a letter from you suggesting that I write something with reference to the old Brimfield High School, its students, work, etc. The sensation referred to was caused by the fact that it brought before my mind’s eye a vivid picture of the past, on whose canvas appeared a painting, touched bv the winter’s blast, and the summer sunshine of more than half a century. And gazing at that picture 1 was forcibly impressed with the fact that the rising generation of Brimfield had a perfect right to think of me as one of its old residents; in fact, as an old settler, for I settled in Brimfield on July 2nd, 1860. When six years of age, I began my school life in the old frame high school building which stood just south of where the present brick structure is located. In those days, possibly more than now, the young ladies and gentlemen came from the farms, for a distance of several miles, to attend our High School. The old frame building had two rooms on the first floor for the Primary and Intermediate grades, and one very large room above, for the High School students, adjoining which was a small recitation room, which was occupied by the assistant to the principal. One day when the assistant was hearing our grammar class, she asked me to give a sentence showing a certain grammatical error. I did so, and she said, “That is correct.” I immediately asked her if it were possible to make a “correct mistake.” She hesitated for a moment, and then did what I afterward did many times during the seven years I taught school; she said, “That is a good question; we will all think that over until to-morrow.” The large room was so crowded that students sat in chairs along the side of the room. In the High School room there were two large stoves, and one in each of the others. When I w'as twelve years old I was the janitor of this old building. The floors were of ordinary pine and badly worn. Each evening when I swept, I would get a great pile of splinters, which had been scraped from the floor, by the gentle tread and unintentional scuff of the students. I carried the coal from the shed in the yard and dumped it in coal boxes by

Page 31 text:

11 R 1 M F I E L I) III O H SC II OO L each stove. And all this for the magnificent salary of $8.00 per month. If any of you desire a similar position, please wire me at mv expense. Among those who attended the High School were the Coolidge girls, one of whom is now the matron of the Proctor Home. The Frazers, who lived just west of town. Laura Frazer will be remembered as a most beautiful singer. Also the daughters of W. W. Cowles. Mr. Cowles was the originator of the scheme to issue bonds and erect the present building. Also the Plummer boys. Frank was one of the most beautiful penTv '‘n ever produced by any school, and who is now a wealthy resident of Washington, 1). C. Like every High School, we would have debates and dialogues on Friday afternoon. During one of these dialogues, some one gave Frank Plummer a cathartic out of an ink bottle. In about two minutes the person wanted to give Frank another dose. Frank was supposed to say, “no thanks, I have had enough cathartic.” But at the critical moment he forgot that big word, and he said, “I have had enough of—of—of physic.” A smile broadened into a great laugh, in which even Professor Caldwell and those upon the platform, took part. Lu Dungan, your banker, and the Cady boys, who are now merchants of your city. The Chichester boys, two or three of whom went west and whom I am informed are prosperous farmers. I will never forget a little incident which occurred when Professor Caldwell was our principal. He was endeavoring to tell our class the difference between guessing and knowing. George Chichester was satisfied that if you guessed and guessed right, that you knew. The Professor broke some pieces of chalk and held them in his closed hand. He then said. “George, you guess how many pieces I have in my hand, and I will then illustrate to you the difference between guessing and knowing.” George guessed, the Professor counted, and lo, and behold ! George had guessed the exact number. You can imagine how we laughed, at the Professor, and how George was fortified in his position. Then there was Everett Fisher. He was an artist. We sat in the same seat, by the window. One day E. Rvnearson was driving his dray along the road south of the school grounds. There used to be a high plank crossing in this road. Mr. Rynearson was standing in the back end of his dray, and when the hind wheels struck that crossing, he landed on his back in one of the muddiest roads you ever saw. Everett immediately drew a pen picture of the accident which was true to life. Mr. Rvnear-son’s daughter. Anna, is now secretary of the Peoria School Board. Everett and his brother went west and Everett returned long enough to marry one of the Bryson sisters who also attended the school. 29