The possibility of a new or at least remodeled school building for the City of Lincoln has brought up the question of the first school in Lincoln county. There are few who have heard the story of this county�s first education institution and still fewer who can remember its existence. It is with pleasure the Sentinel-Republican presents facts as they have been supplied by C.C. Hendrickson, one of the pupils in that first school. It was 70 years ago, in 1869, the county�s first school was opened. Located in Elkhorn township on what is known as "Uncle Mart" Hendrickson�s farm, the school was taught in a dugout. It was of the tuition type called in those days a "Subscription School," parents paying three dollars each month for each child enrolled. A term was limited to three months, making the year�s educational cost to the parents nine dollars per child.
The teacher, Marion Ivey, received $63 for the school season, as there was seven students the first year.
Not long ago, Mr. Hendrickson wandered to the spot where the first school was taught but there was nothing to indicate its former location and he realized that there was not one of his old companions there to greet him around the old dugout where they played 70 years ago. But the names of the seven who studied there together came back to him and it was a great satisfaction to know that five are still living: John and David Hendrickson, both of Lincoln; George Strange of California; Sarah Hall of Fort Hays; C.C. Hendrickson, cousin of John and David. The other two have passed away, one, Harrison Strange, lying in Lincoln cemetery, killed by an Indian foe.
School, back in �69, was conducted along simple lines and pupils didn�t need so many books as the kiddies have today. All they had was a speller, an arithmetic, a reader and "copy" book," but from those they learned the essentials, all the education required in those pioneer days.
There was little need of "fancy" learning and the children likewise had no need for fine clothes. Their lunch baskets were not filled with pie, cake and and sandwiches as they are today, such foods being classed as luxuries. Instead, the lunch baskets were filled with such substantial foods as corn bread and buffalo meat.
We have come far in 70 years. Those still living, who were pupils of Marion Ivey in the first school, are now growing feeble, worn with the weight of their years. Addressing his cousin John Riley Hendrickson, C.C. Hendrickson concludes, "Dear John, when we are called to go, I hope we will meet with school mates of 70 years ago."
First White Child
Born in County?
Matter Settled (For Now)
Lincoln Republican, 29 August 1912
Historical Statement Corrected
In our issue of August 8 we mentioned the claim of V.E. Schermerhorn, of Manhattan, of the honor of being the first male white child born in this county, and at the same time referred to the claim of Miss Hall of being the first white child born in the county. We have since received the following communication from Rev. T.M. Strange, giving the facts in the case. Friend Menoher: I noticed in a recent Republican that Mr. V.E. Schermerhorn claims to be the first white male child born in Lincoln county, and you say you think Miss Charlotte Hall was the first white child born in the county. Miss Hall gave 1868 as the year of her birth. Lizzie Green, daughter of George Green, and wife of David Parker of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., was born Oct. 18, 1866. So you see that Miss Hall is entirely out of the ring. I know Miss Hall’s parents did not settle in Lincoln county until after Lizzie’s birth. In regard to Mrs. Schermerhorn’s birth must have been about 1869. The county had been settled over three years by a good many families at this time, and births had become common affairs. David M. Reed and Nancy E. Hendrickson were the first people married in the county, ceremony by Rev. John Hendrickson, date Aug 25, 1867. T.M. Strange, Aug. 21, 1912, Barnard, Kan. Lincoln Republican, 12 September 1912
Historical Correction Corrected
In the Lincoln Republican of April 3, 1902 (now before me) appears the following: “It will be noted that the Chronicle gives Miss Hall the credit of being the first white child born in Lincoln county, and in response to a letter of inquiry from the Republican, asking for information on this subject, Miss Hall writes:
Orchard Ranch, Dewey, Ariz.
March 25, 1902 “Gentlemen: I was born Oct. 27, 1870, on Prosser Creek which I believe is six or eight miles east of Lincoln.” Sharlott Hall’s name appears on the roll of pupils of the Lincoln county normal institute of 1880, and she was in the classes taught by myself that year. She was a remarkably precious [precocious?] little girl and her parents were ambitious to give her every advantage within reach. I was very fond of her and regretted their removal to Arizona, which I think occurred the following year. A few years later a little western magazine came to me containing a little poem written by her entitled “The Forgotten Man,” said individual being “The Father-in-Law.” Some time later she wrote me inquiring where she could obtain Woman Suffrage literature, which indicated that she was measuring up to the early promise of her mental capacity for she was still a young girl and equal suffrage was not in the air then as it is now. Her poems, “Out West,” Arizona and “The greater Flag” are very strong and fine. They are all I have seen except “The Forgotten Man.” Miss Hall is a first cousin of Mrs. Elma Bradbury. Lizzie Green Parker is four years older than Sharlott M. Hall. Lizzie Green attended the first term of school that I taught in Lincoln Center and was six years old the 18 of October of that year (1872). Sharlott M. Hall was two years old, the 27 of the same month according to her own statement. Oct. 27, 1870 is the date of her birth. Anna C. Wait