Last year I wrote an article about George E. Burch, a long-time teacher in the Saguache Public School system. The response to that article was simply great!

Many of us oldsters well remember another dedicated teacher of that era, who also taught in Saguache for 41 years. As far as I can determine. Kate Newcomb taught here from 1916 through 1956. Kate taught first and second grade Spanish students (yes, we were segregated for the first two grades, back then). The reason being that Spanish was spoken in the homes then, and many of “Kate’s Kid’s” needed help in learning to speak better English.

All of Miss Newcomb’s 41 years of teaching were in the same classroom — (this room is presently being used for Senior Citizens’ recreation on Tuesday and Thursdays each week).

Kate was known to have a great sense of humor, and some of her stories have survived down through the years. One of these that many of us have heard innumerable times was when Kate asked her students if anyone knew who was considered to be “the father of our country”. One little boy’s hand shot up and he proudly replied - “the father of our country is Sleem Paul, (For any of you newcomers - Ed “Slim” Paul was Saguache County Sheriff for many years).

Kate was always involved in community affairs and took an active interest in politics. It went without saying that she was always the first one in line to cast her ballot in every election.

This lady walked with a very distinctive sort of sideways shuffle and she had very little use of one arm and hand. I had always supposed that these conditions were caused by polio during childhood.

From a recent conversation with Kate’s niece, Peggy Barr of Monte Vista, I learned that Kate’s crippled limbs were the result of a birth injury. At the time of birth, Kate’s mother and twin sister died, so the little girl had a difficult childhood. Perhaps these circumstances led to the fact that Miss Newcomb was one of the most determined people who ever lived.

Getting back to the beginning of this column, I am hoping to hear from some of you folks out there in “Crescentland” who started your school years with Miss Newcomb. I think it would be great to hear what your feelings were then, and also to what extent you feel her influence affected your life.