Jim Ned High School - Warrior Yearbook (Tuscola, TX)

Page 17 text:

with space also for additional class rooms if needed. In 1957 , when Harold Dobbs was superintendent, Lawn and South Taylor schools consolidated and became Jim Ned . The name Jim Ned was chosen by the first graduating class: The Class of '58. Some of the graduates of that class were: Nancy Cary , now Mrs. Farris Handley, John Aimsworth, Dearld Hud- son, and Sid Saverence. Teresia Hudson 1 l Bradshaw Created by Railroad Many towns owe their existance to the expansion of the railroad. The community of Bradshaw is no exception. During the early 1900's, plans were being formulated by Percy Jones of Abilene to connect that city with the agricultural center of Ballinger. During the late 1800's in the extreme southern part of Taylor County, a small community named Audra had developed around a stage-coach relay station and supply center. In 1909, realizing that the new Abilene Southern Railroad would pass them by, the community relocated some two miles east. The new townsite was situated in the center of Ranchland owned by C.M. and D.H. Bradshaw: therefore, when a name was selected for the post office , it was called Bradshaw. Several businesses relocated in the new town but only one continues until today. In Audra, there had been a general mercantile owned by F.G. Sheppard, F.J. Robinson and C.M. Hunt. After relocation in Bradshaw, Hunt bought out his partners but retained the original name-Audra Mercantile . In 1910, the John Bailey family put in a telephone exchange. The town began to grow until eventually there was a hotel, a blacksmith, four grocery stores, two cafes, an ice house , a drug store, a barber shop, three gins, two garages, a variety store, a meat market, a picture show, a weekly paper, a bank, and three churches . The Methodist Church building made the move with Audra and the first preacher for the new com- munity of Bradshaw was a Methodist Circuit rider remembered only as Brother Sisk. In 1912, after the construction of a new school house, the Baptist congregation bought the old Iliff school building and moved it into town. The Church of Christ organized much later and built a new meeting place. As mentioned, in September, 1912 , a new three- room brick schoolhouse was built. The first princi- pal was Arthur J. Jones with Miss Kate Booker fMrs. Ray Casseauxb and Miss Nell Irving qMrs. Ocie Huntj as teachers. As other West Texas towns, Bradshaw suffered through good times and bad. The year 1917-18 is especially remembered because of the severe drought and flu epidemic . By 1925 the population had grown to 300 and by 1929 there were 450 . Just twenty years late , 1950 , the population had dropped to less than 100 people. Why? Many events culminated during those twenty years which spelled decline for many rural centers. World War I and II took away many young people who had no desire to return to the farms. Also dur- ing those years farming operations underwent a drastic change which eliminated the need for many workers. As the people moved away in search by new jobs the school population declined until 1947 when the Bradshaw School District was abolished and consoli- dated with the Tuscola-Ovalo School District. By 1969 , Bradshaw lost its own post-office and was no longer even a dot on state highway map. Now, in 1975, there is a move to take away the railroad which brought about the birth of so many small communities. David Ledbetter T K. 1 'i ,' xi A' I L' Audra Mercantile at Bradshaw

Page 16 text:

' 1-pl' ' Lf 'r .L.g. .1 4 'il ie- Downtown on a Saturday afternoon. People always gathered around for the weekly drawing, hopeing that their number would come up. .L fr-1,1 ff--,,.,:w , y amen' - f The bank and old Lawn Hotel The hotel has since burned and the bank is now City Hall I 1 P1 Hi fffE5fgQitU'a:.1 1 . V 'll -. 1- 2 '- . r gf -.1 I. - fc' .7 I gif ' ' ' -'P.f5W,y ni I 4-if . ,115 d. b.'1.g,A,,--tisg . -' -1' ' ,- -- wait . Z. - , - . 1 ' . ,v I 5 E- 'ur- . . -..'-H ' - .5 5-3 -'U' l . , . ., .. t. ., . . g ' W -I ,I t' . I..-V , nd, ij, I I - 1 -.g - , , . , - 1 , ,, .... . -- I . 4 ,- ,, u, I v J..-. I , -4 ,H -gg H' , I' viz. - ' ' ' -.. . 2 1, f t . . 7 ' ' Oil sprang up in the district and helped the financial situation of the school. The school can be seen in the background . VIH 'I I 1-FI The old Griffin Drug Store, owned and operated by A.E. Griffin. It was a place to go for refreshments on a hot day. Prices were reasona- ble, too. City Hall is now in the old building. The original vault is still used for city documents. In 1946 , Herbert Poor opened two picture shows for the entertainment of the citizens. The walk-in was downtown and was operated during the winter months. The drive-in was only used during the warmer part of the year. Admission was only 85gt for adults and 1595 for children. However, to sit in the small, three row bal- cony would cost a little extra . Mostly westerns were shown, with stars such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. The drive-in brought more of a variety with musicals, starring Gary Cooper and Alan Lad. For added enter- tainment, during the Fall, a skating rink moved into Lawn. The charge was 1598 if you had your own skates, but if you used their skates, it would cost you 25gt. Every Saturday afternoon, a drawing was held down- town. Each merchant donated one dollar and tickets were sold. Stubs were drawn and if the person wasn't there, ten dollars was added until somebody won. Today, many of the original buildings still stand . Now Lawn has one grocery store , one cafe, two beauty shops, four gas stations, a laundry, and other busi- nesses. Dean Riley Mrs. Lee Wilson Mr. Bartis Knight Lawn: Originally One Room The Lawn School was established in 1910 from the Oak Lawn, Ovalo , and Dewey Districts. Though the original building was only one room, a four room build ing was built in 1912 . This was made possible by an increase in taxes and bonds in the amount of S6000 . It was a red brick structure with four good classrooms downstairs and a large auditorium upstairs,

Page 18 text:

'- 1913 Tuscola. Bank, Polson Store. Santa Fe Depot Tuscola's First School Met 3 Months a Year In 1889 the first school in Tuscola was built thanks to funds from Mr. Graham, Fisher, B.C. Gaither, Knause, Booker, and Cash. It stood about two miles west of where Tuscola is today on the O. G . Brown place . The furniture in the one room school house was the teacher's desk and a long writ- ing table and a long bench for the children. School only took place three to four months out of the year and went to the tenth grade. It numbered from thirty to forty pupils. Since Tuscola was growing more in the Eastern part of the valley, Mr. I .L. Graham donated land for a church and school at what was old Tuscola. The first three teachers here were Ms. Allison, Ms. Luther Fuller and Miss Ollie Crofton. About 1912 the Sante Fe and Southern Railroads were built: and, of course, the people moved to the two railroad crossings, thus moving the town of Tuscola. The Santa Fe donated 23500 and gave two blocks of land for the site of the new school. The first teachers were Mr. W.A. Franklin, Miss Mamie Nabours, Lilly Edins, and Belle Jones. Bas- ketball was the thriving sport at school. Soon after the players and game became so good they had to move it from outside to inside . This called for a gymnasium to be built. Later a girls' volleyball team was established and matches were held . Miss Vada Kidd was quoted saying, The highlight of school days was the coming of the 'Demonstration Train' on the Santa Fe Railroad sent out from Col- lege Station in the years 1913-1914. It was a 'Fair on Wheels, ' there were at least two cars, the first with many things of interest and one of livestock. The school would dismiss and all go down to see the displays. The entire community would also be there to see . Another great interest was the 'County Meets. All the schools of the county would meet to com- pete in interscholastic meets. The big thrill was to see all the people. There was also another Tuscola school called Mt. View District. but it wore another name Pos- sum Trot. ' ' The first store that moved was the old Lapowski store owned by J .L. Polson. The post office was with the general store. There were no mail boxesg so Mr. Polson called out those who had received mail that day, if they were present they got their mail that day. Now livestock, grain and cotton could be shipped by railroad-there would be no more hau1ing' ' to Abilene. On July 4, 1911 , town lots were sold. There was a picnic, with lemonade in tubs and big tents to gather under. There was no water or wood. But Tuscola was just beginning, it was now on its way to a thriving town. Soon a brick Bank and a brick two-story hotel were erected . - ....,-..... ,4 4 ark 1-63 .42 This is the two-story school building located in old Tuscola, Miss Maggie Shackelford and Miss Lillian Berryhill. about 1908. The principal was Mr. Porvell. The teachers were