 Contact Marcella Stockton
Created on ... October 15, 2008 |
Marcella Stockton a retired Twin Rivers school teacher, preserving history of the small schools in south Butler county has completed her new book "Fagus School Dist. 81, 1924 - 1956 and Community." Marcella (Rodewald) Stockton a social studies teacher in the middle school at Qulin for three years and in the high school at Broseley for 24 years before retiring in 1999, states she has always liked history. She compiled the "Osburn School" book in 2005 and the "Upper and Lower Davis" book in 2006. The Osburn School was southeast of Qulin and the Davis schools were south of Qulin. Also she has located 36 country schools in the Twin Rivers District; many of which have been closed for years. Marcella compiles her books by researching the available school records stored at Twin Rivers High School and conducting interviews with many former students and residents who also supply old photos. The books are sold by and for the benefit of the historical society for a price of $30.00 and books are always available at the Qulin Alumni meetings and Qulin homecoming days. Marcella, works with the Melville-Qulin Historical Society, and has many request for her books. Melville-Qulin Historical Society dedicated the Fagus School book in memory of Mary Piatt, who along with Marilyn Vancil and Pat Bradley helped organize the society in 1988. Mary worked tirelessly for the society until her death in 2005. The Fagus settlement school was named the Potter School from 1912 - 1924 when the new brick school opened in 1924, it was named Fagus School. The last eight grade graduating class was in 1956. At this time the Fagus school became a part of Qulin School District. Her book contains many school group photos along with church and community pictures from the early 1900s through the 1950s. There are stories about the last wolf chase, the 1936 tornado, bootlegging, revenuers, cotton picking, the first TV in town, playing on the old sawdust pile and watching the old Moose Train make the daily run. People shopped and socialized at the local stores where credit was always available. A school census and list of teachers, school board members, district clerks and county superintendents are included in the Fagus book along with a section of Memories contributed by former students. Larry Potter, son of 'Boy' and Wilma Potter, president of First Missouri State Bank in Poplar Bluff, was a member of the last graduating class. Larry's family lived on the west side of Fagus across the railroad tracks. The home was a two-room saloon on his grandfather Potter's farm. In the middle of the field was a sawdust pile that all the kids in Fagus played on. They also played "King of the Hill' on a large cypress log in the front yard. Often a family pet Billy goat was king of the hill. Larry also recalls two shows (theaters) in Fagus where a soda and popcorn only cost 'five' cents each. Sometimes the theaters would get into a bidding war until they would finally just let you in free. Regular price was 10 cents for ages 12 and under and 25 cents for over 12. Everyone knew when you were born, so you did not get past the ticket seller for 10 cents after you were 12. Charles Ray Moffitt, a Poplar Bluff insurance agent who is two years younger than Potter, also attended Fagus School for six years. Charles recalls reading was the most important subject, followed by arithmetic, spelling, writing and best of all recess. Each student was required to read out loud each day and the teacher knew which child required some additional attention or tutoring, Moffitt said. He also recalls the local men coming to school to help the teams practice for Play Day. Fagus took Play Day seriously and usually did well in all events at Qulin. Several times the Fagus team represented the Qulin consolidated District at the County Play Day. He also gives credit to the school and settlement of Fagus for the valuable lessons absorbed as a child and has applied these lessons to his daily life. Wilma (Short) Janes a student of Fagus School recalls the 1936 tornado as it passed through Fagus. The school children escaped with just cuts and bruises. Wilma saw the Fagus General Baptist Church blow away and at the same time windows of the school started flying out of the school house. The children watched as the roof blew off the coal shed. The two room brick school was closed for a month for repairs. Wilma also recalls the train "The Moose," stopping in Fagus. Parents taught their children to stand away from The Moose so as not to be burned by the steam. Families used this train to make trips to Piggott, Arkansas in the morning and return in the afternoon. Marcella wrote a summary of comments from the former students of Fagus School in this book; a part of which follows. Learning the 3Rs, walking to school barefoot in the summer and wearing old Sears "brogans' (high top sturdy shoes) in the winter to wade the mud and skate on the ice are all a part of the "good old school days" at the former Fagus Elementary School. Friday was a favorite day at school as ciphering and spelling matches were often held on this day, and school was out for two days. Former students fondly recalled the simple days of out door toilets, drinking from the old pitcher pump and playing ball in the 'air-conditioned' out side gym with childhood friends that have lasted a lifetime. Many spoke of the love and respect for their wonderful teachers back when paddling was not against the rules, and applied when needed. Local farmers loaded kids in the back of their trucks to transport them to other schools for sport events. Back then a vehicle seldom traveled more than 30 miles per hour, and it was not uncommon to see a truck load of kids being hauled into town by a neighbor, and home again by and different neighbor. |