Country Schools. . . Antelope County

Neligh News, October 23, 1952

Teacher and pupils of 56 years ago met Sunday when they held a homecoming at the school house in District 77 seven miles northeast of Royal. 

 Mrs. James Swan, who was Miss Jane Lichty prior to December 4, 1895, stood in the schoolhouse door and rang the same bell that she used during the winter term in ’95 and ’96. The “children” formed in a linen marched in from “play” each carrying an old text book, the same that had been use more than half a century ago.  

 There was Ray’s arithmetic, a yellow-bound Barnes history, a drab grammar, thumb-worn geographies and other texts. 

 Former pupils who heeded the call of the bell were the three Lichty boys, John, Alex and Duel of the vicinity; the three Barton boys, Ed of Orchard, Alfred of Creighton, Leonard of Royal; and the two Coon children, Chauncey of Royal and his sister, Hattie Smith, of Clearwater. 

 Mrs. Duel Lichty produced the first records kept in the district and from these it was learned that a meeting of the voters of the district had been called for August 25, 1888, 64 years ago, and at this meeting it was voted to bond the district for $400 to build a schoolhouse 18x24. Six persons voted for and two against. 

 There were present those recalled that a local carpenter by the name of Robeson did the work. The building today is the same as when erected except for an addition on the front used as an entrance. The building is lighted with electricity now but kerosene lamps were used a half a century and more ago. There is an electric clock on the wall and a modern oil-burning heater instead of the wood and coal stove of by-gone days. 

 When Mrs. Swan prepared to teach, all that was required was to “finish the sixth reader” and pass the examination required by law. When Jane Lichty went to Neligh to take the test, she was accompanied by Emma Brachman, a neighbor girl who attended school with her. (Emma is Mrs. Alex Browning, of Orchard and she was present.) 

 The present teacher is Belva Rae Hixon of Clearwater. To prepare for teaching Belva was required to take a normal training course, to pass examinations and also to do practice teaching. 

 Among the folks who attended the reunion were those from seven towns: Mrs. Matt Williams and Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Bear of Bloomfield, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Elsberry of Clearwater, Mrs. Carl Voss of Bloomfield who accompanied her parents-Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Barton of Creighton, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Conger of Pender, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Christianson of Plainview, Mrs. Lloyd Hixon of Clearwater. A number of the patrons were also present. 

 There were several three generation groups in the Lichty families who have attended District 77. John Lichty and daughter, Mrs. Everett Johnston and Larue Johnston; Duel Lichty and Mrs. Wayne Anderson, Anita Anderson; Robert Lichty and son, Arlow Lichty and daughter, Shirley; John Lichty and daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Eyer and Janice. Two generations of the Filkins family include Myrl and his son, Mylon. 

 Mrs. Swan and her husband have lived on the same farm ever since they were married, December 4, 1895. They have two sons, Floyd and Ivan, and there are six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

~News item shared for posting by Antelope researcher, Sarah Hubel.