This page is a part of the Falls County, TXGenWeb project and all of the information here is FREE for you to use.
If you are being charged to view or use any of this information, please contact Lindsay Hale Boyd.
 
 

Submitted by
Kay Cunningham

SUPERINTENDENCY
OF
A. C. FERGUSON

     MARLIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CREATED. Immediately after Superintendent A. C. Ferguson was elected, August 18, 1913, the schools were off to another era of progress and material improvements.  He had already served Marlin and the schools, both as teacher and principal, having made notable records in both fields.

    

     One of the first acts under Superintendent Ferguson's leadership was installation of additional lights on the school grounds. In May 1913, the board of trustees voted unanimously in favor of bonds with which to make essential improvements and additions to the schools - new buildings, equipment and the purchase of additional grounds. A week later, the board purchased the C. J. Bartlett and T. A. Cheeves properties on Capps street, adjacent on the west to the school edifice property. Late in December, 1915; the board entered into a contract with Schimming and Eddins of Marlin for remodeling stairways and installing additional fire escapes.

    

     In September 1916, recognition was added to music in the schools-band and glee clubs-when one-quarter of a unit (credit) per year was allowed to students engaging in band or choral club work. The superintendent (and board) alert to academic advancement set in motion measures for promoting higher standards, both for the schools and students.

    

     In March 1921, the board adopted units required for graduation: 16 units for a graduate, fifteen of them to be accredited units; 3 units in English were prescribed and English 4 must be selected, but a grade of at least B must be obtained as an average for the year to get credits in the course and, if the credit is obtained, it shall be an Honor Credit; 5 units required in mathematics as prescribed; solid geometry must be selected, if no foreign language units are elected; if any foreign language is elected, no credits shall be given until at least 2 units are satisfactorily completed in that language; no more than one accredited unit may be counted among the 16 units required for graduation; 2 units are required in history as prescribed; 1 in science; 1 in glee club and 1 in band may be elected and counted accredited units.

    

     Added requirements were asked of teachers, too. In May, 1924, a rule was adopted that "teachers should keep them- selves physically fit by declining social engagements requiring late hours at nights and by refraining from spending frequent week-ends outside of the city."

    

     Later, under the superintendency of H. J. McIlhany, another rule was adopted that "teachers shall be allowed for personal illness ten days of pay and the absence: of a teacher, due to death of a relative of the first degree, shall not exceed three days on pay."

    

     Under Superintendent Ferguson's leadership, due to rising needs, the board of trustees and citizens eventually established in 1923 complete independence of Marlin's schools, that is, creation of Marlin Independent School District. Marlin's schools had in a sense been "independent" for some time, but limits of the school district coincided with the limits of the city and the City Council held responsibilities and the prerogative of financing the schools. Boundaries of the school rightfully needed extending to enable children out- side of Marlin to have the advantages of Marlin's schools.

    

     In an interview with Mr. Ferguson, whose home was in Commerce, Texas, in 1959, he recalled that establishment of the "independent school district" brought problems and vexations. Influential citizens of Marlin and surrounding areas were reluctant to vote for extensions, for it meant they would be compelled to pay additional taxes., They considered the schools obligations of the City of Marlin. Since extension of the boundaries and creating Marlin Independent School District was possible only through approval of the voters of the City and proposed districts, it became a problem to convince people of the wisdom, advantages, justice and patriotism of the approval.

    

     Mr. Ferguson recalled that the Parent Teacher Association (PT A) proved its value and importance in the movement. Previously, the organization, or similar one, was called the "Mothers' Club," but had lost much of its influence and usefulness because of its failure to sense its real duties. When the proposal to create Marlin Independent School District arose, the club was re-organized and called "Parent Teacher Association." Its members, especially, Mrs. Tom B. Bartlett, Sr., nee Bessie Harlan, rallied to support of the proposal and contributed immensely.

    

     HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AND OTHERS ERECTED. Meanwhile, because of crowding conditions, the board of trustees petitioned the City Council for a bond election for the purpose of purchasing additional school ground and building a new structure. A short time later, the board purchased the Bartlett and Cheeves properties, referred to heretofore, west of the building-250 feet on Capps street (to Oakes street) and northward nearly 300 feet. A committee of trustees, W. E. Hunnicutt, J. C. Fountain, Sr., and J. C. Holloway, consummated the deal for the board. 

     A community-wide spirit of cooperation prevailed under leadership of the school board, Superintendent Ferguson and the faculty and "every effort was tended toward making school attractive to the pupils in order to hold their interest and help them in attendance," Mr. Ferguson said at that time. "-we think it should be reinforced by stressing the efficiency of work in the class rooms." This policy was emphasized before and after building the high school building in 1917. Pupils, encouraged by their own organizations and participation in school affairs, became more education- minded, attended school with more enthusiasm and became less problems to the faculty than ever before.

    

     Mention is made here of a bequest of B. C. Clark, Marlin banker. Newspapers of February, 1916, recorded that Mr. Clark bequeathed to Marlin's schools for white children, $10,000, and to the schools for Negroes, $1,000, the money to be expended by "the board of trustees as it thinks best-." In expressing appreciation, the board resolved to spend the money for equipping the high school building when completed. It was spent for equipment of the Domestic Science and Manual Training departments, which were located in the basement of the new building. It was dedicated to Mr. Clark's memory and in both ends of the hallway tablets bore these words, "B. C. Clark Industrial Arts School." Mr. Ferguson said some people were so appreciative of the gift there was talk of naming the school the "B. C. Clark High School," but eventually it was named "Marlin High School," because, after all, people of Marlin had furnished most of the funds for its construction and equipment.

    

     Aside from a prank on Hallowe'en, or April Fool's Day, no untoward acts embarrassed teachers, principals and the superintendent in that era. However, on one day mentioned above, a prankish one, or ones, tied a bull to the front steps of the high school building-posing a temporary problem!

     Steps in the building of the structure are as follows. The board of trustees requested an election and it developed that the city needed vital improvements at the same time. By mutual agreement, an issue of $120,000 in bonds went before the people in April 1917, part of the money to go to the schools and part to the city. The election carried.

    

     In August 1916, the board accepted a bid for building a high school building for Negroes on Samuel and Aycock streets. It is not indicated when this school was first called "Booker T. Washington High School," but school board minutes of February, 1925, gave it that name-a name now applied to all schools for Negroes.

    

     Preliminary details of awarding a contract for the high school building on Capps street are not indicated. There are evidences plans and specifications were considered and accepted and bids found too high. Eventually, Fonzie Robertson of Dallas (at that time), now of Marlin, was selected architect and C. D. Hill and Company of Dallas, associate architects. In January, 1917, contracts were let to: J. C. Joplin & Brother of Houston; R. R. Finley & Company of Marlin for installing the heating system; A. T. Cheaney of Marlin for the plumbing work; and local light and power company for electrical work.

    

     Eight days later, newspapers commented, "Students of the High school under direction of Don S. Caldwell, manual training department, were given the task of making furnishings and fixtures of the industrial department-desks, tables, stools, drawing tables, stands for various machines and other woodwork. They will be constructed on a 'factory basis,' each student being assigned to one particular machine, the product to be turned out a finished piece of workmanship-, this giving students an idea of the efficiency of plans in use in such plants. Accurate accounts will be kept to demonstrate how much money will be saved under the purchasing prices of the fixtures-."

    

     Arthur Threadgill, Jr., of Marlin said there were only a few boys in the manual training department at that time and he and Mr. Caldwell worked through the summer of 1917 to complete the work for the opening of school that year. He recalled that hangers for some of the machines were suspended from concrete ceilings and the students, following plans and specifications, set bolts and hangers in the concrete pouring forms before hand. The boys also painted the wood- work they made. Newspapers of February of the same year recorded that facilities for supplying gas to the science department were also provided by manual training students and the value of the work performed by students under Mr. Caldwell's supervision amounted to about $1,900.00.

    

     Cornerstone of the high school building was laid with ceremonies in the afternoon of May 21, 1917, as part of commencement ceremonies of that year. The program was as follows.

  

            Master of Ceremonies                                 Superintendent A. C. Ferguson

            Music                                                              Marlin School Band

            Address                                                         Honorable George H. Carter

            Songs                                                             Marlin School Glee Club

            Address                                                         Mayor J. M. Kennedy

            Music                                                              Marlin School Band

            Dedicatory Address                                     Honorable W. F. Doughty      

     At the time, Mr. Doughty was State Superintendent of Public Education of Austin. He had formerly been superintendent of Marlin's schools. "

     The high school building (see frontispiece) was officially "accepted," August 20, 1.917. "Citizens are here from ptl1er places to view the local school building with much admiration and it naturally inspires them to want to have similar advantages for their children, newspapers commented on the opening of the 1917-18 school session. "To the question, the first answer is, 'Money.' But money must be wisely applied and carefully handled to obtain the best results. In Marlin; much care had been exercised in spending~ school funds, in witness thereof the following figures are submitted:

    

     "The total cost-aggregate, including the cost of the lot, $10,500; the building proper cost, $58,940.70; the fixtures cost $3,126.05-building ready for occupancy-people exalt in its triumph in architecture and convenience for comfort and protection of students-other buildings improved, bringing the total cost to $79,350.70.   "- $60,000 through a bond issue, $11,000 through a bequest from the late B. C. Clark and $8,350.70 from the maintenance fund.

    

     "School opened Monday, September 30, 1917, with 682 students, 183 of them in the high school building."

    

     Corner stone of the edifice at the southwest corner bears the inscription (on the south):

Erected 1917

Board of Education

W. E. Hunnicutt, Pres.

T. A. Cheeves, Vice-Pres.

W. T. Goode, Sec'y

Tom Connally

J. C. Holloway

R. E. L. Tomlinson

J. C. Fountain

A. C. Ferguson, Superintendent

     Inscription of the west side:

Fonzie E. Robertson

Architect

C. H. Hill & Co.

Associate Architect

J. C. Joplin & Co.

Contractor

     OTHER ACQUISITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. The Hag pole in front of the building, according to Miss Agnes Peyton, long-time teacher and principal, was a gift of T. A. Cheeves, vice-president of the board of education. Dr. A. C. Ferguson, superintendent when the pole was erected, said Charlie B. Monday, manager of the Marlin Lumber Company, took great pride and interest in the Hag and pole and ordered it for Mr. Cheeves, insisting that it "be the tallest in the country." Money for its erection was provided by contributions of pupils and from proceeds of a concert staged by them. Minutes of the board of education, August 5, 1918, show the pole was erected about that time, when an allowance was made for its delivery to the school grounds.

    

     In front of the high school building, east of the Hag pole and near the side walk on Capps street, stands an impressive granite monument, commemorating young former students of Marlin's schools who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in World War I. Date of its installation cannot be found. Mrs. C. F. Tankersley of Marlin, leader in its purchase and dedication, said it was dedicated in the spring of 1921. She accredited young men and citizens of Marlin with providing funds for its purchase and erection. Unveiling ceremonies were held in the school auditorium, because it rained on the day set for the ceremony.

    

     The monument was a compliment of citizens, requiring about a year for gathering funds for its establishment. Mrs. Tankersley recalled that Raymond Barnett, Luther E. Barrow, Cecil R. Glass, Nathan Levy, C. G. (Pete) McCoy, Robert Peterson, J. A. Phipps, Jr., Duke Segrest and others whose name she could not recall, worked persistently to raise funds. The cost was about $700 and would have been much higher, if Marlin Marble and Granite Company, G. E. Pauling, manager, had not given a special price on it and John W. Pauling and other workers at the plant had not contributed their labor.

    

     Albert Pringle, secretary of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce, was master of ceremonies at the unveiling. Mrs. Tankersley, on the program, said in part, "This memorial- small tribute-to memories and characters we honor. All at- tended school here-noble young men, just and upright-this school, this city and this nation-all glad to do them honor."

    

     Names of the young men, two to a line, and insignia of the Armed Forces in which they served, respectively, appear on the monument. On the opposite side is a comfortable seat for meditation and rest.

    

     The names on the monument are:

1st LIEUT. IRBY R. CURRY

Born at Marlin, Tex., Aug. 4, 1894

Killed near Chateau-Thierry, France, Aug. 10, 1918

2nd LIEUT. HAWTHORNE E. KYSER

Born at Marlin, Tex., Jan. 18, 1893

Died at Camp Travis, Tex., Oct. 18, 1918

1^st LIEUT. JAMES F. DEWBERRY

Born at Pleasant Grove, Tex., Oct. 17, 1890

Died At Denver, Colo., April 21, 1921

Pvt. KEITH CHAMBERS

Born at Riesel, Tex., May 28, 1896

Died at Angers, France, Jan. 9, 1918

Electrician 1^st Cl. EDWIN D. HORNE

Born at Marlin, Tex., Mar. 22, 1893

Died at Chelsea, Mass., Sept. 23, 1918

     Over the back of the seat are the words:

IN MEMORIAM

MHS

WORLD WAR HEROES

 

     A FEW ACTIVITIES OF STUDENTS. Items herewith show some of the activities of students in student life. Superintendent Ferguson - as did others - encouraged such participation. Lack of records accounts for other student activities not being recorded herein.

    

     STUDENTS VOICE. This publication by and for students originated probably in the 1911-12 school year when Mr. Ferguson was school principal. A leader in the movement was Floyd G. Betts, a student, who was a graduate of Marlin High School and lives (1959) in Dallas. At that time, he was a junior in the high school. Students and the faculty visualized the value of a student publication and a contest was engaged in for a suitable name for it. Mr. Betts submitted "THE STUDENTS VOICE," which was adopted by the student body.

    

     DRAMATIC CLUB. Early editions of THE STUDENTS VOICE contain valuable historical information. A 1913-14 edition in possession of Mrs. Mary Alice (Oakes) Pauling of Marlin contained this, "On November 16, 1914, the suggestion that Marlin High School needed a dramatic club offered itself to our esteemed superintendent, Mr. Ferguson. Accordingly, after school, a meeting of all those who had dramatic aspirations was called. Quite a number of students answered the call and made their way into the auditorium. The DRAMATIC CLUB was immediately organized, Pauline Cheeves, president, Lewin Carr, vice-president, and Chesley Snell, secretary-treasurer. By unanimous vote of the newly organized club, Mr. (Anton) Ernst, band leader and music teacher, was elected director, Miss (Pearl) Blow, musical director, and Mr. Sansom, literary advisor-."

     

     Elsewhere in THE STUDENTS VOICE were these words, "Four years ago, a department of household arts was opened for the girls of Marlin High School under supervision of Miss Pearl Blow-. The household arts department includes domestic science and domestic arts. The course of study in domestic science is based upon scientific principles-."A November, 1917, THE STUDENTS VOICE mentioned the Girls' Boosting Club; also various departments, including domestic economy, glee clubs, athletics. Feature stories in the publication were on many subjects, such as "The Lawyer's Revenge," "The Girl," "How Brer Rabbit Won His Wife" and so on. Early editions, too, were abounding in humor, jokes and quips. They contained social news, news about student organizations and school departments. Editorials expressed students' opinions, some (two or three years before Marlin got a high school building) told of why and how Marlin should and could have a high school building.

    

     The school board of July, 1920, voted unanimously "to extend its appreciation to the management of THE STUDENTS VOICE for its excellent work in the edition of this school publication and to allow Superintendent Ferguson to draw on school funds for a small deficit in getting out the publication."

    

     DEBATING TEAMS. According to available information, the first debating team was composed of. Floyd G. Betts and John Elliott in 1911, coached by Mr. Ferguson, principal. The same team won over McGregor. Next year's team, Mr. Betts and Cecil R. Glass, won the district championship by winning over Hillsboro, but lost in the State to Fort Worth by a 3-2 decision.