Grayson County TXGenWeb

School's Bell to Ring Again

.... She will tell of the state historical marking program.

Then the old bell will ring, followed by the roll-call of those attending, read by Jim Dickson, class of 1910. One of the highlights of the roll-call will be the opportunity for each ex-student to speak of the old school. One of those scheduled for remarks is Norman Dorchester of Denison, who graduated in 1894. He will deliver the same speech he made upon receiving his diploma from the school.

Then the group will go to West Hill Cemetery in Sherman to unveil the marker at the grave of founder and principal of the school, Capt. John Henry LeTellier.

The group, following short graveside ceremonies, will return to the site of the school where that marker will be unveiled. Following the unveiling refreshments will be served and a school reunion held.

Mrs. Otto Vehle has collected over 300 names of ex-students, many of whom area dead. All known living students have been invited.

Capt. LeTellier was a colorful man, often entering into games with his students, or drilling them with his first-hand accounts of Civil War battles. He eared the rank of captain.

His school, established in 1871, was primarily to educate boys, but a few girls were occasionally admitted. Classes met in the large frame building on South Travis Street with Miss Clifford LeTellier teaching some of the classes.

Tuition was $3 per month when the school opened, with out of town students usually renting rooms in the neighborhood. The school operated until the death of Capt. LeTellier July 21, 1913.

The public is invited to all three dedications which mark the end of Grayson County History Appreciation Week. Last Wednesday the Grayson County Courthouse was named an official historic site.

17 Answer Old Bell's Call
by Alan Bailey

The old school bell, which Capt. H. H. LeTellier called students to class at Sherman Private School nearly 60 years ago, rang again Sunday. Seventeen former students answered.

The bell this time was rung by Meril May, a member of the National Board of Fellows of Bethany College in West Virginia.

May, a retired vice-president of Dun and Bradstreet, represented Dr. Perry E. Gresham, president of Capt. LeTellier's alma mater, at the dedication ceremonies of two official Texas historical markers honoring Capt. LeTellier and his Sherman Private School.

Jim Dickson, class of 1910, called the roll of the 17 ex-students at the ceremonies.

Attending were Lindsay Bowen of McKinney, H. B. Hull of Tyler, Norman Dorchester of Denison, Top Mackey of Dorchester, Frank Wendt of Vernon, E. H. Denton of Denison, Will Locke of San Antonio, Eli Minton of Dallas, Truett Davenport of Howe.

Also Joe Becker, Lewis Dingle, J. H. Mitchell, Pete Hudgins, V. P. Mitchell, Jim Dickson, A. P. Kumler and Moore Robertson, all of Sherman.

Opening the Sunday ceremonies was the invocation by Will Locke of San Antonio, class of 1909. Following a welcome by Sherman Mayor Ed Gillespie, County Judge Les Tribble introduced Mrs. Rosalie Gregg of Decatur, chairman of the Wise County Historical Committee. She told of the state historical marking program.

Judge R. C. Vaughan, of the 15th District Court, traced the history of Sherman Private School. Then May rang the old school bell and brought greetings from Bethany College.

Norman Dorchester, class of 1900, delivered the same speech he made upon receiving his diploma from the school.

The historical marker was unveiled by Mrs. Otto Vehle, daughter of Howard Moffett, class of 1911, at the grave of Capt. LeTellier in West Hill cemetery.

Following short graveside ceremonies, the ex-students and friends returned to the site of the school at 723 S. Travis where Harry (Pete) Hudgins, class of 1908, unveiled the historical marker. Mr. Hudgins donated the marker to the Grayson County Historical Committee.

After the unveiling, refreshments were served and a school reunion was held.