WATER VALLEY SCHOOL EARLY DAYS

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WATER VALLEY SCHOOL EARLY DAYS Right: This picket house was first used as a dwelling, later served as a school and church meeting place. Sketch courtesy Nona Scroggins.

ready for classes in September 1894. J. L. PHELAN had given Lots #13 and #14 in Block #1 in Water Valley in January 1894 for the new wooden building.

In 18 the building was moved four miles down the North Concho river to Water Valley and served as a schoolhouse until the new 1894 construction.

1 WATER VALLEY SCHOOL EARLY DAYS Right: This picket house was first used as a dwelling, later served as a school and church meeting place. Sketch courtesy Nona Scroggins. Photo courtesy Tom Green County Historical Society/West Texas Collection/Angelo State University The little red schoolhouse with cupola containing the bell to ring in the students was constructed and ready for classes in September J. L. PHELAN had given Lots #13 and #14 in Block #1 in Water Valley in January 1894 for the new wooden building. In the background is the schoolhouse that had been constructed in 188 near DAVID WILLIAMS ranch home at Yandell. In 18 the building was moved four miles down the North Concho river to Water Valley and served as a schoolhouse until the new 1894 construction. About 1895 the small schoolhouse was purchased by HARRY HOWARD. He moved the building and opened the Water Valley store. HARRY HOWARD, seated on the right in this photo, and CHARLES HOWARD, playing the banjo, were talented musicians who provided much entertainment for local gatherings. Courtesy Hanson/Howard/Bannister families Left: Eventually the schoolhouse/store became the home of newly weds HARRY and NONA (HANSON) HOWARD. One of the first improvements they made to their home was the addition of a front porch. Courtesy Hanson/Howard/Bannister families 76 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

A wing was added onto the 1894 building and Water Valley had its first twoteacher school with a two-room schoolhouse in September 1903.

RUBY SALTER,,, DONNIE RITTER, MINNIE TAYLOR, KATE GILLESPIE,,,, MAE MCCRARY,, ANNIE DOLAN,,, MR. E. M. DAVIS, Principal and teacher.

2 A wing was added onto the 1894 building and Water Valley had its first twoteacher school with a two-room schoolhouse in September Courtesy Rufe Holland, Junction, TX 1903 school students and teachers: Top row, L/R:, REX, ALFORD TAYLOR, BEN HANSON. SECOND ROW: MISS MINNIE LOCK, TEACHER. RUBY SALTER,,, DONNIE RITTER, MINNIE TAYLOR, KATE GILLESPIE,,,, MAE MCCRARY,, ANNIE DOLAN,,, MR. E. M. DAVIS, Principal and teacher. Third row:, ADA HILER, VIVA RITTER,, MAGGIE DITMORE, AGNES RITTER,,,, SUSIE TAYLOR, LILLIE TROTTER, LORENE RITTER, FANNIE WINDHAM, OLLIE MCCRARY, WALTER GILLESPIE, CHARLIE WINDHAM, VENNEY CHAPMAN. Bottom row: JOE HAZELWOOD, HERSCHEL DITMORE, BEN RITTER,,, CLIFTON RITTER, EARL HANSON, JAKE ATKINSON,,,, EUGENE DOLAN,. Courtesy Armstrong/Green families 77

REVEREND WILLIAM P. WALKER also served as preacher at the Methodist Church.

KATE (HANSON) HOLLAND, teacher, standing on the right side of the photograph.

WALKER, standing third from right side in this 1906-1907 school year photograph, taught the older students.

3 REVEREND WILLIAM P. WALKER also served as preacher at the Methodist Church. Courtesy Hanson/Howard/Bannister families Circa 1905 photograph of school students with Mrs. KATE (HANSON) HOLLAND, teacher, standing on the right side of the photograph. Courtesy Hanson/Howard/Bannister families WILLIAM P. WALKER, standing third from right side in this school year photograph, taught the older students. Three of the students are identified: FANNIE WINDHAM, standing fifth from the left and wearing light colored clothing; two on the middle row are identified as AGNES RITTER, fourth from left and DELIA WYLIE is seated last on the row. Courtesy Hanson/Howard/Bannister families 78 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

ELLINGTON, teacher,, OLIN RITTER, OLLIE MCCRARY, LUTHER TATE,, JANIE STEELE, LIZ B.,, THOMAS,,.

4 MRS. KATE (HANSON) HOLLAND, teacher, standing far left on the second row from the top, is the only individual identified in this school year photograph. Courtesy Holland/McBride families Water Valley High School year Back row, L/R: L V. ELLINGTON, teacher,, OLIN RITTER, OLLIE MCCRARY, LUTHER TATE,, JANIE STEELE, LIZ B.,, THOMAS,,. Middle row, L/R:,, LUCY MAE SMITH,, LORENE RITTER, AGNES RITTER,, MATTIE HARDEN,,, VENNEY CHAPMAN. Four students in front row:, DESSIE TROTTER, VIVA RITTER,. Courtesy Armstrong/Green family 79

MISS ARIE NELSON (ROMINE), standing on the right, was a teacher in the 1909-1910 school year.

year. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families Below: From the left: MR.

MISS NELSON and MISS KILGORE were teachers in the 1909-1910 school year.

5 MISS ARIE NELSON (ROMINE), standing on the right, was a teacher in the school year. Her sister, MISS LUELLA NELSON (EARNEST), standing on the left, was employed at the Water Valley Telephone Exchange. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families Left: MISS ARIE NELSON (ROMINE) was a teacher in the school year. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families Below: From the left: MR. HARDEN, MISS ARIE NELSON, AND MISS KILGORE. MISS NELSON and MISS KILGORE were teachers in the school year. Courtesy Earnest/ McBride families MISS SUSIE SCHOOLER was a schoolteacher and roomed with the HARVE EARNEST family. Small child in this 1912 photograph is MARY LOU EARNEST. In the background is the hay barn with loft that belonged to LEE SPRING, later LABE and ANNIE HANSON. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families 80 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

Third row: OPAL CARTER, THELMA HANSON, CARRIE MARTIN, NORA DITMORE, LEVI RITTER, ELVIN HOISAGER, J. GARNER, JOHN HARRELL, ROY TATE.

6 Back row (fourth row) L/R: MRS. SETH RISINGER teacher, JULIA DITMORE, MAGGIE DITMORE, STELLA HANSON, BEATRICE HANSON, MYRTLE CARTER, KATY DITMORE, PEARL WILEY, HARVEY MATTHEWS, DENNIS TATE, PROFESSOR C.H. MILLER, HOUSTON BROWN, HENRY MATTHEWS, HERSCHEL DITMORE. Third row: OPAL CARTER, THELMA HANSON, CARRIE MARTIN, NORA DITMORE, LEVI RITTER, ELVIN HOISAGER, J. GARNER, JOHN HARRELL, ROY TATE. Second row: HENRY DITMORE, VALIANT CARTER, WILLIS DITMORE, JESSIE MATTHEWS, EFFIE HARRELL, ESSIE BROWN, DOYNEY (DONAH) BROWN, NOEL HANSON, DURWARD WHITMIRE, LONNIE DOC BROWN, ENNON HOISAGER, ODIE TATE. Front row: IRVIN HOISAGER, MARTIN, ALTON HARDEN, RAFORD HARDEN, CAMILLA HOISAGER, ANNIE HANSON, FLOY CARTER, ERNEST TATE, BERNARD MARTIN, JEROME WHITMIRE, COVERT PELLEY HANSON. Courtesy Mims family The brick building going up behind the wooden building that had served from 1894 through the 1914 school year. 81

Hanson, Mrs. Helen Loraine (Covert) Bekklund, George Rappleye, S.L. (Luther) Tate, Sr, Van Buren Ritter, Shorty Lewis, T. M. Eakin, unknown, unknown, and Smith S.

7 The top floor and roof of the building have been completed. Work stopped for a photograph of the occasion of dedication of (plaque or box)????. Those identified from the right are: J. O. Hanson, Mrs. Helen Loraine (Covert) Bekklund, George Rappleye, S.L. (Luther) Tate, Sr, Van Buren Ritter, Shorty Lewis, T. M. Eakin, unknown, unknown, and Smith S. McCrary. Courtesy Hanson/Harden families 1914 school building with part of the wooden fence to keep livestock off the school grounds. Courtesy Howard Bannister families 82 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

Five Ditmore children ready to go to school in the winter of 1915 Naomi, Willis, Nora, Julia and Maggie.

Courtesy Ditmore families School teachers Miss Mary Nelson (left) and Miss Suzie Milner (right).

We played the three-part court and challenged teams from the schools at Carlsbad, Sterling City and Grape Creek.

8 Five Ditmore children ready to go to school in the winter of 1915 Naomi, Willis, Nora, Julia and Maggie. The wagon had canvas panels on each side that were unrolled for bad weather travel. Courtesy Ditmore families School teachers Miss Mary Nelson (left) and Miss Suzie Milner (right). Courtesy Ditmore families Nora Ditmore stated: We wore skirts and Middy Blouses and we still wore the skirts to play in, didn t wear bloomers. We played the three-part court and challenged teams from the schools at Carlsbad, Sterling City and Grape Creek. My brother, Herschel, photographed our team in From the left: Superintendent and coach John Henry Armstrong, Floy Harrington, Queen Maloney, Lily Ogletree, Rachel Maloney, Julia Ditmore, Maggie Ditmore, Emma Maloney, Stella Hanson, Katie Ditmore, Nora Ditmore, Beatrice Hanson and Viva Ritter. Courtesy Ditmore families 83

Herschel Ditmore studying high school curriculum while seated at his crude desk.

and Mrs. William Couch were teachers during 1920-1921 school year. Courtesy Ditmore families Right: 1924.

Max Williams, teacher Miss Clara Austin, Covert Hanson, Alex Thacker, Henry Ditmore, L. B. Hanson, Raybourn Newton, Fuller Lewis, Loren Neal and Thomas Young.

Graston, Elnora Newton, Hazel Armstrong, Jewel Ditmore, Zollie Harper, Mona Ditmore, Lelia V.

9 Herschel Ditmore studying high school curriculum while seated at his crude desk. Courtesy Ditmore families Mary Lou Earnest is the little girl wearing the dark dress in the center of this photo. Other students are not identified. Courtesy Earnest McBride families Mr. and Mrs. William Couch were teachers during school year. Courtesy Ditmore families Right: Back row standing, L/R: Naomi Ditmore, Eleanor Rutledge, Robbie Lewis, Cecile Ditmore, Melba Williams, Annie Hanson, teacher Miss Susie Milner, Principal Mr. Max Williams, teacher Miss Clara Austin, Covert Hanson, Alex Thacker, Henry Ditmore, L. B. Hanson, Raybourn Newton, Fuller Lewis, Loren Neal and Thomas Young. Front row standing: Mary Lou Earnest, Lois O Neal, Bessie Helen Wade, Lula Bell Burk, Lucille O Neal, Roberta Fliint, Marjorie Young, Marieta Le DeBord, Mattie Lewis, Louise Trotter, Mary Nell Graston, Elnora Newton, Hazel Armstrong, Jewel Ditmore, Zollie Harper, Mona Ditmore, Lelia V. Newton, Pat Dolan, Tressie Holsenbeck, Mrytle Ritter, Mattie Newton, Rachel Newton, unknown and Thomas Young. Front row sitting: Knott Holsenbeck, Rollie Burk, Lloyd Ditmore, Claude McMichell, Clarence Walton Garner, Claude Ditmore, unknown, Fred O Neal, Frank Ditmore, Leon Young, Art Holsenbeck, J. W. Hanson, Dolan Atkinson, Howard Hanson, P. B. Turner, Julian Nelson Earnest, Elton Neal, Franklin DeBord, unknown, Ralph Vaden, Douglas Vaden, Bill Harper and Larry Vaden. Note: Melba Williams, Covert Hanson and Henry Ditmore finished school the year before and joined their former classmates for this photograph. Bill Harper was a threeyear old, lived across the street from the school and managed to get in the photo, also. 84 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

1919-1920 SCHOOL PICTURE: Back row (fourth row) L/R: Teacher Mr.

Third row: Aureolia (female), Cecile Ditmore, Mary Lou Earnest, Sylvia Phillips, Marjorie Young, Fay Wolff, Mattie Phillips, Chona (female), Louise Trotter, Lillian Brown, Shirley Brown (male),

10 SCHOOL PICTURE: Back row (fourth row) L/R: Teacher Mr. John Priddy, Preston Barker, Henry Ditmore, Willis Ditmore, Odie Tate, Earl Tate, Eleanor Rutledge, Lorine Tate, Naomi Ditmore, Annie Hanson, Arosia (female) and teacher Miss Mary Nelson. Third row: Aureolia (female), Cecile Ditmore, Mary Lou Earnest, Sylvia Phillips, Marjorie Young, Fay Wolff, Mattie Phillips, Chona (female), Louise Trotter, Lillian Brown, Shirley Brown (male), (male), (female) Phillips, Ramon (male), Ruby Hearn. Second row: Newton Wolff, Erton Tate, Loren Neel, Thomas Young, Dee Connor, Hunter Cherry, Ernest Tate, R.A. Atkinson, Hearn, (brother to Ruby Hearn, Archie Farmer, Leon Diddle Young and Connor (male). Front row: Raymond Phillips, Paskell Brown (brother to twins), Lloyd Ditmore, L. B. Hanson Jr, Ricardo (male), Lynn Jones, Sanders Tate, Alex Thacker, Claude Ditmore, Frank Ditmore and Clarence Garner. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families 85

1924 snapshot of Susie Milner, Annie Hanson, Clara Austin, unidentified, with Nora Ditmore in the

Clara Austin taught school 1920-1924. Nora Ditmore taught school 1924-1925.

back to teach in 1924-1925. Courtesy Hanson/Harden families Right: Mittye Ann Jackson taught in 1928.

Back row, L/R: Loran Neel, Claude McMichael, Mary Lent Cox, Westfall (female behind Cox), Mattie

Front row: Clarence Garner, Thomas Young, Mary Elizabeth Johnston, Marjorie Young and Mary Lou

11 1924 snapshot of Susie Milner, Annie Hanson, Clara Austin, unidentified, with Nora Ditmore in the back. Susie Milner taught school Annie Hanson graduated in Clara Austin taught school Nora Ditmore taught school Courtesy Pat (Dolan) Rampy Left: Miss Nora Ditmore graduated from Water Valley High School and came back to teach in Courtesy Hanson/Harden families Right: Mittye Ann Jackson taught in Courtesy Hanson/Harden families school year, but not a graduating class. Back row, L/R: Loran Neel, Claude McMichael, Mary Lent Cox, Westfall (female behind Cox), Mattie Lewis and Bessie Helen Wade. Front row: Clarence Garner, Thomas Young, Mary Elizabeth Johnston, Marjorie Young and Mary Lou Earnest. Principal M. Malvin Hare in front. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families teachers, from the left: Miss Robbie Mims, Miss Mary Dell Whatley, Miss Juanita Barger and Principal M. Malvin Hare. Courtesy Earnest/McBride families 86 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

12 S-64-First and Second Grade Class First and Second Grade Class Back row. L to r: Teacher, Miss Louise Smith. Third row, L to r: S. L. Tate, Betty Jo Phillips, Nell Bannister, Darlene Ditmore, and Barney Gene Bannister. Second row, L to r: Joy McCall, Alvin Mauldin, Len Ainsworth, Lorece Shaw, and Percy Bud Turner. First row, L to r: (seated) Teddy Cox, Darrell Renfro, C. W. Garner, and Hilliard Ditmore. S-65-6 TH and 7 TH Grade in 1940 Sixth and Seventh grade in 1940 Back row, L to r: Ina Butler, Jacqueline Brown, Louise Cunningham, Louise Kolb, Grace Kolb, Sarah Lou Sheppard (behind Grace), Ruth Lanham, Beth Rawlings, Raymond Renfro, Guy Allison, Loyd Counts, L. A. Flowler, Gene Cox, Orville Farmer, and Emil Ringhoffer Front row, L to r: Mary Watkins, Edith Keith, Emma Jo Boyd, Alice OR Carol Hendrix, Irene Farmer, Polly Barker, A. H. Ringhoffer, and John Fred Phillips Courtesy Ina (Butler) Dudley 87

13 WATER VALLEY SCHOOL WVSchool NOTE: WHERE IS THE ORIGINAL OF THIS PX? SCANNED A ZEROX COPY. REPLACE WHEN ORIGINAL IS LOCATED-JE S-64-First and Second Grade Class S Freshman Class (Grade 9) 1940 Freshman Class Back row, L to r: Mina Young, Johnnie Ruth Pope, Marian Jones, Thomas Merrell. Front row, L to r: (Sponsor) Miss Nettie Suggs, Margurite Henderson, Joseph Collyns, and R. B. Boyles Courtesy Mina Young S Roy Lee Blanton- snow in the winter at WV Roy Lee Blanton with his letter jacket on. In the background is the Home Demonstration club house to the left, coal house for the school to the right Courtesy Ethyl (Counts) Harmon S-68-Logan Counts-school bus Logan Counts stands in the snow in the winter of Four modes of transportation to the school: automobile, horse, walking, and school bus. In the background is the Carwile store and post office. The windmill furnished water for the school. Courtesy Ethyl (Counts) Harmon SCANNED THIS ZEROX PX. IT WILL BE REPLACED LATER WITH A BETTER PX-JE S-69-Gym, etc. snow The building to the right is the Home Demonstration club house, middle building in the distance is the old Swinney store that had been moved to the back of Carwile s store and post office. George Neill family lived in it for a while, then remodeled it into a nice home. The back of the gym is seen from the left to the center front of the photograph Courtesy Ethyl (Counts) Harmon 88 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

14 S-70-Tate,S.L.(Luther)Sr.-bus,busdriver 1940 S. L. (Luther) Tate, Sr., was the bus driver during the 1940 s time period Courtesy Ethyl (Counts) Harmon S-71-Parsons,C.G.,Elsie & Linda Kay 1940 The Parsons family: C. G., Elsie, and Lynda Kay 1940 Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yaden S-72-Hearne, Virginia-Kid Day-April 1, 1940 Virginia Hearne, Kid Day, April 1, Carwile Brothers store in the background Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yadon S-73-Kid Day-April 1, 1940(Group) Kid Day: April 1, 1940 Back row, L to r: (unknown), Aaron Key, Muzette Copeland, (unknown),(unknown), Mrs.Laurie (Barfoot) Haynes. Second row, L to r: Sammie Lee Jones, Beulah Jean Walpole, Virginia Hearne, Maurine Posey, Agatha Henderson, Novella Jones, (unknown). Seated: Ludwig Wuemling, Roy Lee Blanton, Wanda Lee Richardson Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yaden S-74-Young family-café-1940 Café at Water Valley, with Frankie, Buzz and Ruth Young, ca Frankie has on her uniform and worked at the cafe. Fred and Ruth Phillips built the café and Ruth ran it. Courtesy Frankie Edwards S-75a-Murrell,Dorothy(teacher) Dorothy Murrell was the 6 th and 7 th Grade teacher from to Courtesy Ina (Butler) Dudley S-75b- WV First Football Team-1939 WATER VALLEY SCHOOL 89

WATER VALLEY SCHOOL 1940-1941 Buster Peek-History teacher and coach in 1940-1941. Peek entered the military during WWII, became a pilot, and died when his plane was shot down.

The dignified seniors of Water Valley High cavorted around in childish garb, amusing themselves a great deal and their teachers almost as much. L to r: BEULAH WALPOLE, MRS. L. J.

JOHNNY JOHNSTON, RUDOLPH POWELL (ON SLIDE), J. C. PETE STAPP, UNIDENTIFIED BOY, ERVIN BLACKMON, NEAL BECKNELL, AARON KEY, HUBERT CARSON.

urtesy Eunice Martin Right: Graduating Seniors 1941 Back row, L to r: LEON MUCKLEROY, J. C.

15 WATER VALLEY SCHOOL Buster Peek-History teacher and coach in Peek entered the military during WWII, became a pilot, and died when his plane was shot down. Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yates Miss BERNICE ROSE was the girl s coach Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yadon Water Valley Seniors Slip The Slide. The dignified seniors of Water Valley High cavorted around in childish garb, amusing themselves a great deal and their teachers almost as much. L to r: BEULAH WALPOLE, MRS. L. J. HAYNES (SPONSOR), FRANCES BOUCHER (ON TRICYCLE), RUBY FRENZEL, MARION RAWLINGS, LORAINE DOLLY REED, EDNA EARLE HAYNES, FLORENE POWELL, VERNON NUB JONES, FERNE TATE, EUNICE MARTIN, JOHNNY JOHNSTON, RUDOLPH POWELL (ON SLIDE), J. C. PETE STAPP, UNIDENTIFIED BOY, ERVIN BLACKMON, NEAL BECKNELL, AARON KEY, HUBERT CARSON. TOP OF SLIDE: LEON MUCKLEROY, JEWELL ALLISON, and SADIE WEDDELL. Courtesy Eunice Martin Right: Graduating Seniors 1941 Back row, L to r: LEON MUCKLEROY, J. C. STAPP, AARON HARDY KEY, JOHN HOWARD JOHNSTON, HUBERT CARSON, EDNA EARLE HAYNES, MARIAN RAWLINGS, FLORENE POWELL, VERNON JONES. Front row, L to r: FRANCES BOUCHER, RUBY FRENZEL, FERNE TATE, SADIE WEDDELL, LORAINE DOLLY REED, JEWELL ALLISON, EUNICE MARTIN, MARY HELEN SEAL. Seniors not pictured: NEAL BECKNELL, JERRY THOMAS BRIGHT, AND JESSIE RUDOLPH POWELL. These three had been classmates for 11 years: JOHNNY JOHNSTON, FERNE TATE, and MARIAN RAWLINGS. Courtesy Eunice (Martin) Yaden 90 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

Water Valley School Choral Club 1940-1941, on the steps of the county courthouse in San Angelo.

Back row, L to r: JOHN FRED PHILLIPS, MEVE LEE FRANKLIN, GRACE KOLB, HAZEL STOVALL, RAYMOND RENFRO.

ANNA CAROLYN MCSHAN, DARLENE DITMORE. FRONT ROW, L TO R: KENNETH SHAW, S. L. TATE, JR.

16 Water Valley School Choral Club , on the steps of the county courthouse in San Angelo. This group sang in District Scholastic Meet. Water Valley was awarded first place in Class B. Back row, L to r: JOHN FRED PHILLIPS, MEVE LEE FRANKLIN, GRACE KOLB, HAZEL STOVALL, RAYMOND RENFRO. Second row: LORECE SHAW, INA BUTLER (student director), JUNIOR KOLB, ROBERT BANNISTER, NORMA JEAN WILLIAMS, BETTY JO PHILLIPS, ANNA CAROLYN MCSHAN, DARLENE DITMORE. FRONT ROW, L TO R: KENNETH SHAW, S. L. TATE, JR., JO ANNE MORELAND, JO ANN WILLIAMS, HAROLD SHAW, JOY MCCALL AND ANNE MCCALL. Water Valley Director, Miss NETTIE SUGGS (not shown), was also general director for the contest. Courtesy S.L. Tate, Jr. First & Second Grades Courtesy Nina Ainsworth WATER VALLEY SCHOOL 91

17 WATER VALLEY SCHOOL Unidentified Classmates Joseph Collyns Unidentified classmates-sadie Weddell px 92 WATER VALLEY HISTORY

THE FOLLOWING PAGES WITH MADE UP PAGE NUMBERS WERE ONCE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE BOOK.

THE FOLLOWING PAGES WITH MADE UP PAGE NUMBERS 299-309 WERE ONCE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE BOOK. 299 ARNOLD, M. A. 1897 Water Valley GID AINSWORTH Gid Ainsworth (1872-1970) lived in WV from 1934 until his death