Wichita Falls High School - Coyote Yearbook (Wichita Falls, TX)

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WE DELIGHT TO HONOR MRS. E, B. RINGLAND CKate O'Don- nelly, who by her efforts as a teacher aided in establishing a sys- tem of education. MRS, GEO. T. KNOTT fNellie O'Don- nellj, who was a loved teacher of the little log school house in 1882. MR. W. R. CHERRY, who was a teacher, Principal and Superintend- ent in 1883. MR. W. A. KNOTT, because of his wonderful work as a member of the School Board of the first grade school, MR. HICKEY, because of his good work as a Superintendent, in securing the interest of the trustees and patrons. MR. W. W. BROWN, Whose picture appears with that of the Board, for his long, efhcient, loving service as Secretary. MR. JOHN VJ. FIELD, who was a member of the first Examining Board. MISS KATE HAYNES, because she has served for years, and is still serving, the youth of the City that Faith Built,'y a part of which faith is hers. JUDGE BARWISE, who has been Won- derfully interested in the upbuilding of education in Wichita Falls, and who has served eight years as a County Judge, which included scrv- ice as County Superintendent. MISS JESSIE AGNEW, Supervisor of Music, who gave many operettas and musical entertainments. advancing public school music. JUDGE A, H. CARRIGAN, for his many years of service as a member of the Board, of which he was President for some time. Page IZ

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HISTORY Of WICHITA FALLS PUBLIC SCHGOLS

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x lt is a far cry from the old dugout school, taught by Miss Carrie Craig, later Mrs. Barwise, before 1879, to the handsome modern structure we now use, the Wichita Falls Junior College building. The progress, slow at times, has been marked by the patient, untiring efforts of those who have been definitely interested in the upbuilding of our educational system. What happened to the old dugout cannot be learned, for when Judge Barwisc. that remarkable character who settled here in 1879, wanted to send his children to school, Miss Hattie Seeley, here with her father, taught them in her bedroom. The first public school was established in 1880, at which time a one-room log house was built, and Mr, James Humphries, who had come with Judge Bai' wise, was installed as teacher. It was about this time that Wichita County was separated from Clay, so the educational development began with the political growth. ln 1881 Mr. McNeese taught fifteen pupils in this same log building. which now had been equipped with twelve split log benches, a black-board. and a stove. The school was indeed a social center then, for it was used for Sunday School as well as for all public meetings. The number of students rapidly increased, for in 1882 three teachers were employed, Miss Nellie O'Donnell being one, and a new two-room building for the other children erected. It was the following year that Miss l,ulu Barwise, now Mrs. A. H. Carrigan, assisted Mr. Cherry as a teacher. The year 1884 needs especial mention for the work of Mr. Hickey. one of the most brilliant men who has helped to make Wichita Falls what it is. lt was he who held night exhibitions to interest the patrons, and interested they became. He also invited, through the papers, members of the board and certain patrons to visit the school on stated days. This stirred the interest of the board, whose interest was not what it might have been. Miss Kate Haynes, that invaluable teacher who is continuing to give such effi- cient service in the schools, first entered the system as a substitute teacher in 1886 under the superintendence of Mr. Burks. In 1891 under Mr. Gladden she began to teach regularly. The year 1888-89 is to be noted for the fact that Judge Yeager was superin- tendent, and Miss Lulu Barwise, now Mrs. A. H. Carrigan. one of his teachers. These splendid people are still in the city and have never lost interest in its education. Central School at Tenth and Scott Streets Page 13