The Caddo Herald
May 23, 1902
Caddo Public Schools Closed
The Caddo public schools closed Friday evening. This was our first year of free schools and the expenses were necessarily greater than those of any following year should be in proportion to the number of pupils. New supplies had to be purchased: books, desks, blackboards, and many minor things, besides the building of a room to the Methodist Church. At present we cannot ascertain the exact amount expended, nor how much the town is in debt from the school. One thing is certain; the benefits accrued have far exceeded the expenses. Many children were given an opportunity to learn something and our town has a better reputation for progress.
September 5, 1902
Our public school starts Monday. Every child in town of school age should be on the ground Monday morning when “Books” are called. We have every promise of a successful year, and it is necessary that every aid be given the teachers to make this promise good.
September 12, 1902
The public school opened last Monday with about 150 in attendance. The higher grades are taught in the Methodist Church building and the others are taught in the Choctaw courthouse. Prof. Abbott is principal and is assisted by Mesdames Abbott and Underwood and Miss Ita Wallace. They are a most excellent corps of teachers and the success of the public school is assured. Prof. Abbot was appointed by Supt’s. Ballard and Mitchell as teacher for the Choctaw children this term, as before, so the two schools are united. Public school opened up with more pupils than at the same time last year. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades are taught at the Choctaw Court House by Mrs. Underwood and Miss Wallace. The other grades are taught at M. E. Church north*, by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Abbott. All pupils are at work and seem interested.
*The paper refers in other articles to a South Methodist Episcopal Church and a North Methodist Episcopal Church.
September 19, 1902
There has developed in our school a deplorable muddle. At present the blame cannot be correctly placed. Heretofore there has been an arrangement between the school board and the Choctaw authorities by which the two schools are united. From the Choctaw school fund a certain sum per pupil was given to the public school fund. Nearly all the Choctaw citizens this year were dissatisfied with the arrangement, claiming it was too crowded, and every pupil could not receive the attention needed; therefore they petitioned Supt. Ballard to alter the plan. He was down a day or two last week and the result is now that Choctaws will soon have a separate school, which will be held in the Presbyterian Church and for which the superintendent will appoint a teacher as soon as possible. The other school is running along with a full attendance. It is very much regretted that this should occur. Blame is laid on several local men because they petitioned Supt. Ballard to come here and make other arrangements other than which prevailed before. It is regretted that this should occur; it is deplorable; but it cannot be remedied otherwise than a separation, the change must be made the best of. It would have been much better could the old arrangement have been held and more teachers employed.
The school board met Tuesday evening and accepted the resignations of W. W. Hunter and A. B. McCoy. Mr. Hunter resigned because he could not give the required time to it, he being a member of the townsite commission. Mr. McCoy resigned because of the difficulty about the Choctaw children; he being a Choctaw and their children withdrawing placed him in a delicate position. The board elected Messrs. B. F. Maddox and W. P. Wood as members in their places. Mr. Maddox was chosen secretary of the board. It is sincerely hoped and believed that the public school will continue with success. The board will lend all their aid toward making a good school.
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