Matilda Manning was one of Caddo's great benfactors and donated the land for Manning School.
From Elaine Braly:
That same year, 1904, school board members kept their promise and work started on a fine new building. G. W. Phillips, P.W. Arnold, and H. M. Dunlap were members of that first school board. Douglas B. Williams, owner of a furniture and hardware store, and father of Cowboy Pink Williams, was another serving on the school board in those early years.
Mrs. Matilda LeFlore Manning, widow of Dr. Manning, and member of the prominent Choctaw family, LeFlore, gave five acres on the north edge of town for the building site. John Steger of Bonham, Texas, whose family later moved to Durant, was awarded the contract. The cost was $17,000. The building accommodated all 11 grades until 1912 when a separate high school was built.
The Manning School was considered a very fine edifice when it was completed in 1905. The three-storied red brick building was distinctive for its belfry cupola and its white Grecian columns. Stairway spokes were tooled in a classic pattern which was repeated in the heavy newels at the base and landings. In keeping with the ornate architectural style of the times, entrances had a border decoration of the sculptured egg and dart design with another edging of fleur-de-lis effectively completing the classic motif. The woodwork was solid cherry, the walls were robin’s egg blue.
Members of the Woman’s Music and Literary Club provided classic pictures for the school rooms and planted shrubbery and trees. The Czerny Music Club, a group of young women sponsored by Mrs. Ella Bilbo, donated a piano, which was in use when the school closed its doors for the last time.
Manning School was torn down in 1958.
The Caddo Herald
April 22, 1927
Easter Services Here had Interest of Many
Last Sunday community Easter services were held in Caddo. The morning sunrise service was well attended at the Presbyterian Church. At 11 o’clock services were held at the Methodist Church. The rain prevented the evening services at the Baptist Church. Rev. E. Hotchkin preached at the morning service, Rev. H. T. Wiles at the mid-day service. The large crowds enjoyed both services.
Easter Egg Hunt
It looked like there were five hundred little fellows on the high school hill Sunday afternoon to hunt Easter eggs placed by the Lions Club. Every child who participated found some eggs, some more than others of course. The approaching rain cut short the festivities but it was enjoyable.
Blue River Was Up
Blue River was on a rampage Monday and Tuesday. One rise after another made the river impassable for hours. No busses ran either day. Transfers were made at the bridge.
Boy Hurt by Truck
Orville Van Heusen, little son of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Van Heusen of Durant, fell from the fender of his father’s truck on the highway near Caddo last Sunday and received painful injuries. Gashes and bruises on the boy’s feet were his only injuries, no bones being broken.
Matilda Manning’s Birthday
Last Sunday at the home of Mrs. S. J. Elliott, Mrs. Elliottt and Miss Cora Elliott served a birthday dinner to Mrs. Matilda Manning. Mrs. Manning’s birthday was the fourteenth of April, at which time she was 88 years of age.
Mrs. Manning is one of the old- timers of the Choctaw tribe and had lived in this country practically all of her life. She is the mother of Forbes Manning of Caddo, A. F. Manning and Mrs. Amelia Harris of Oklahoma City and one or two children who are dead. She has a large number of grandchildren.
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