"Hoop drills" and pantomine maneuvers were a popular form of entertainment in the early schools of Harlan County. Entertainment programs were held at the close of the school.

Large wire hoop circles were covered with garlands of flowers and students circled in and out, weaving the hoops skillfully as they formed designs.

The pantomine in song was effectively displayed at the "programs." A voice in the background sang "Rock of Ages" as the girl with the long flowing hair clung to a cross.

The teachers and girls spent many hours preparing the last dayof school program. Everybody looked forward to it. The mischievious boys spent hours planning tricks for the teachers.

"Treat" Customary

Many years ago it was customary to prepare a "treat" for the children on the last day od school.Some of the large boys arrived at school earlier than usual and locked the teacher out until he consented to buy the "treat".

Usually it was a bushel of apples or chestnuts. Chestnuts were a dollar a bushel and "went farther than anyting else."

At the close of one school, Baildy Snodgrass decided to rebell against the tactics of the older students. His school was at Beech Grove. On the last day of school the teacher was prepared for the conscquences.

The older boys led him to the creek for a "ducking." The teacher seriously removed this personal papers from his pocket and made ready.

"Put me in," he said to the group.

A younger boy nearby shouted, "No don't do it, I'll get the treat." He did.

Most of the early teachers awarded some sort of prize to the good students at the end of the year. "Aunt Louise" Jones gave one of her students a Barlow knige for his "good marks" and he kept the prized possession many years.

On some occasions the teachers had to be very stern. Only a few of the girls were punished. One of the pioneer teachers discovered that a "good shaking" was good medicine.

His favorite expression was "come up here Aunt Jerusha." All the girls were called Aunt Jerusha by him. Then he proceeded to shake them back and forth from left to right for a few minutes and then up and down for a few seconds until they were dizzy. The treatment worked well.

picture...SCHOOL DAYS---Groups like the one shown here held program practice sessions often at the Presbyterian Academy school years ago. Waiting for the teacher to arrive are left to right, front row, Abner jones, Georgia Howard Jones, Mattie Eager Howard, top row, Henry Farmer, Murph Howard, Lizzie Skidmore Farmer and Miss Harris

Sunday March 7, 1954

Volume 53 Number 53

Page 1

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