1883-1887 Students

EARLY SCHOOL RECORDS

School District 59 was a place of learning for Saline County children for more than 80 years. Wheeler School, as it was called, was formed November 27, 1875, and teachers there educated the children living in the southeast corner of Liberty township until the district was disorganized in April of 1957.

The register containing these records is falling apart and some of the writing is rather faded. However, much of the script is readable and reveals not only the names of students and their ages, but also gives clues to the nature of the "good old school days" our ancestors enjoyed.

In 1883, the school year in Saline County began on October 1 and ended April 1. Of the 30 students who arrived off and on at Wheeler School, the oldest was 18 year old Charles Carlson; the youngest was Carl Wheeler, 6. All ages of students ranged between, and all levels were instructed by one teacher in reading, arithmetic, U.S. History, grammar, geography and spelling.

Typical of country schools that drew students from farm families, daily attendance appears to have been unpredictable. When everyone in the district came to school, the classroom was overflowing. But cold weather, illness and work schedules could cut class size by a third or more.

On a page at the back of the small school register, O.D. Hough, the teacher for the 1883-84 term, penned laconic impressions of a day here and there, and in doing so, gives us glimpse at one-room school experiences 100 years ago.

The log reads:

"2nd Term Com. Dec. 31st, 1883. Very cold windy day, only 20 present. One frozen finger.
Jan. 1st - Very cold and blustering. Only five present. Cold week. No school on Friday. Sickness.
Jan. 8th - Fine weather. School house running over, 31 in 14 seats.
Jan. 9th - Warm cloudy toward evening. Mrs. Wheeler was part of the forenoon and afternoon.
Jan. 10th - Windy day.
Feb. 4th - Turned cold and that with 1 or 2 cases of sickness cut down the school from 33 or 4 to about 2/3 of that size.
Feb. 11th - Cold blustery day all day. 22 present and they appear to be improving in most of their studies but not as fast as I could wish or as fast as they would if they gave an undivided mind to them.
Feb. 13th - Cleared off but still cold. School elected to debate Friday afternoon. Question resolved: that city life is preferable to country life.
Feb. 17th - Mumps keeping some of them out so that there is room enough now.
Feb. 28th - Mumps keeping some out. Some have hired out and commenced to work.
March 4th - School work and mumps to many.
March 12th - Spelling school. Mr. Wheaton favored us with a reading well rendered. Mr. P. Sargeant gave us a declaration in good style."

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE of Class A, B, C, D, Grade 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Study, Reading; Text Books used, Independent

Month commencing Oct. 1st, 1883, O.D. Hough, teacher.

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Vernon A. Mapes 14
Clinton Vermillion 15
Libbie Wheaton 13
Autie Sargent 17
Ida Wheeler 15
Grace Manning 11
Nellie Wheeler 13
Mark Wheeler 11
Walter Mapes 9

PUPILS

Floyd Manning
Grace Manning
Nellie Wheeler
Mark Wheeler
Charles Carlson
C.D. Vermillion

Study, Geography, grade, not given, Oct. 1st, 1883, textbooks used Montuk’s (?) com

PUPILS

Charles Carlson
V.A. Mapes
Mark Wheeler
C.C. Vermillion
Thomas Gallagher
Charles Carlson
Peter Gallagher
Floyd Manning
Ida Wheeler
Grace Manning
Nellie Wheeler
Jessie Wheeler
Mark Wheeler
Thomas Gallagher
Autie Sargent
Peter Gallagher
Libbie Wheaton

Study, Watson’s, textbooks used, Spelling, Dec. 31st, 1883

PUPILS

Ida Wheeler
Rosy Kiel
Nellie Wheeler
Freddie Kiel
Mark Wheeler
Thomas Gallagher
Autie Sargent
Peter Gallagher
Libbie Wheaton
Ida Kiel
Vernon A. Mapes
May Sargent
C.D. Vermillion
Charlie Johnson
Charles Carlson
Gustave E. Fagerberg
Grace Manning
Amanda O. Fagerberg
Jessie Wheeler
Eddie Carlson
Birdie Wheeler
Carl Wheeler
Freddie Vermillion
Nellie Vermillion
Ida M. Vermillion
Olof Linnfoss
Anna Daniels
Floyd Manning
Geo. Wheaton
Ernest Sargent
August Keil

Study Arithmetic, textbooks used, Davis and Pecks, Dec. 31st, 1883

PUPILS

Ida Wheeler
Mark Wheeler
Libbie Wheaton
Autie Sargent
V.A. Mapes
C.C. Vermillion
Floyd Manning
Charles Carlson
Nellie Wheeler
Grace Manning
Freddie Vermillion
Nella Vermillion
Jessie Wheeler
Oloff Linnfoss
Thomas Gallagher
Peter Gallagher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Freddie Vermillion 6
Jessie (?) Wheeler 9
Ida Vermillion 8
Ella Vermillion 10
Birdie Wheeler 7
George Wheaton 8
Ernest Sargent 9
May Sargent 7
Carl (?) Wheeler 6
Anna Daniels 12 (this entry in blue ink over an entry in brown ink)
Charles Carlson (?) 18
Peter Gallagher 13
Fritz Keil no age given
Thomas Gallagher 16
August Kiel 16
Ida Kiel 17 (?)
Olof Linnfoss (or Sinfoss) 14
Rosy Keil 14
John Carlson 16
Anna Daniels no age given

Spelling, Oct. 1st, 1883, textbooks used, Watsons
No student names written, but page turned back to reveal above names.
Study, Oct. 1st, 1883, textbooks used, Davis & Pecks
Students named repeat the above list and add Nellie Vermillion (may be Ella from first list), Freddie Keil (may be Fritz from first list.)
Study, Grammar, grade, mixed, Dec. 31st, textbooks used, Clarkes Norm.

PUPILS

Ida Wheeler
Nellie Wheeler
Mark Wheeler
V.A. Mapes
C.D. Vermillion
Charles Carlson
Floyd Manning
Grace Manning
Autie Sargent
Libbie Wheaton

Study, U.S. History, grade, mixed, Oct. 1st, 1883, textbooks used, Barnes, S.H.

PUPILS

Ida Wheeler
Charles Carlson
Mark Wheeler

Month com. Dec. 31st 1883

Ida Wheeler
Autie Sargent
Libbie Wheaton
V.A. Mapes

PUPILS

Birdie Wheeler
Ida M. Vermillion
May Sargent
Ernest Sargent
Geo. Wheaton
Anna Daniels
Charles Johnson
Eddie Carlson
A.E. Fagerberg
Amanda Fagerberg
Carl Wheeler
Charles Polehammer
John Carlson
August Keil

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE

PUPILS NAME & AGE

C.F. Polehammer 11
Ester Polehammer 8
John Polehammer 7
John Carlson no age given
Walter Mapes
Jessie Wheeler
May Sargent
Clara Vermillion
Birdie Wheeler
May Gallagher
Chas. Johnson
Frederic Ebinger
Lena Ebinger
Wm. Ebinger
Mary Ebinger

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Entire school, September 13, 1884
Emmett McCarty, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

May Sargent 8
Ida Vermillion 9
Clara Vermillion 11
Birdie Wheeler 8
Jessie Wheeler 10
Grace Manning 12
Clarence Vermillion 5
Carl Wheeler 6
Ernest Sargent 10
Walter Mapes 10
Edward Carlson 12
Clinton Vermillion 16
Floyd Manning 16
Mary Galagher 10
Winnie (?) Galagher 8
George Wheaton 9
Mark Wheeler 5
Delbert Wheaton 5
Eda Wheeler 16
Nellie Wheeler 14
Fred Vermillion 13
Peter Gallagher 14
Thomas Gallagher 17
Rosy Keil 15
Ida Keil 12
Anna (?) Keil 10
Anna Daniels 16
Fritz Keil 8

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Entire School, Dec. 8, 1884
Emmett McCarty, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Ida Vermillion no age given
Clara Vermillion "
Grace Manning "
Mary Gallagher "
Winnie Gallagher "
Clarence Vermillion "
Walter Mapes "
Clinton Vermillion "
Floyd Manning "
Fred Vermillion "
Peter Gallagher "
Willie Ebinger 14
Annie Daniels
Mary Ebinger 13
Lena Ebinger 12
Frederick Ebinger 15
Ida no age given
Annie Keil "
Rosy Keil "
Fritzy Keil "
Ernest Sargent "
May Sargent "
Chas. Johnson 12
Amanda Fagenberg 12

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Entire school, Mar 16, 1885
Emmett McCarty, teacher

PUPILS

Ida Vermillion
Clara Vermillion
Grace Manning
Mary Ebenger
Lena Ebenger
Frederic Ebenger
rosy Keil
Ida Keil
Annie Keil
Fritzy Keil
Chas. Johnson
Walter Mapes
Clinton Vermillion
Fred Vermillion
Clarence Vermillion
Wm. Ebenger

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, September 14th, 1885
Freeman Holm, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Charles Swenson 5
Thomas Swanson 10
Clalrence Vermillion 6
Clinton D. Vermillion 17
Fred Vermillion 14
Clara E. Vermillion 12
Ida Vermillion 10
Walter Mapes 11
Grace Maning 13
Hanna Olson 9
Annie Keil 10
Fred Keil 8
Charley Keil 6
George Wheaton 10
Delbert Wheaton 6
Libbie Wheaton 15
Winnie Gallagher 8
Annie Daniels 17
Tom Galagher 18
Floyd Manning 17
Emily Peterson (?) (very faded) 8
Helena (?) Ebinger (very faded) 12
Mary Ebinger 14
Frederike Ebinger 16
Willie Ebinger 15
Ida Keil 13
Charles Carlson (?) (very faded)20
John Carlson 16

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, December 13, 1885
Freeman Holm, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Charles Swanson 5
Thomas Swanson 11
Clinton Vermillion 17
Fred Vermillion 15
Clara Vermillion 12
Ida Vermillion 10
Clarence Vermillion 6
Walter Mapes 12
Grace Manning 13
Floyd Manning 17
Winnie Gallgher 8
Tom Gallagher 18
Charles Olson Carlson 20 (Olson was written in, scratched out, and Carls written in over)
John Carlson 16
Friederike Ebinger 16
Willie Ebinger 15
Mary Ebinger 14
Helena Ebinger 13
Idie Keil 14
Annie Keil 11
Fred Keil 8
Charles Keil 6
Emily Peterson 8
Rosie Keil 16
Charles Johnson (?) (very faded) 13
Hanna Olson 9

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Entire School, September 13, 1886
Eva Wells, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Ida Vermillion 11
Clara E. Vermillion 13
Grace Manning 14
Walter Mapes 12
Tommy Swanson 11
Charlie Swanson 6
Clarence Vermillion 7
Clyde Gomer (?) (very faded) 6
Mathilda Carlson 9
Charlie Keil 6
Fred Keil 9
Ed Carlson 14
Clara Johnson 9
Fred Vermillion 16
Mary Gallgher 9
Emma Peterson 9
Elof Peterson 7
Bessie Olson 8
Hannah Olson 11
Lena Ebinger 13
Annie Keil 12
Ida Keil 14
Peter Gallagher 17
Thomas Gallagher 19

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Entire School, December 6, 1886
Eva Wells, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Ida Vermillion 11
Clara Vermillion 13
Grace Manning 14
Walter Mapes 12
Tommy Swanson 11
Charlie Swanson 6
Clarence Vermillion 7
Clyde Gaumer 6
Mathilda Carlson 9
Charlie Keil 6
Freddy Keil 9
Ed Carlson (ink smudge) 14
Clara Johnson 9
Fred Vermillion 16
Mary Gallagher 9
Emily Peterson 7
Elof Peterson 7
Bessie Olson 8
Hanna Olson 11
Lena Ebinger 13
Annie Keil 12
Ida Keil 14
Peter Gallagher 17
Thomas Gallagher 19
Floyd Manning 18
Swan T. Olson (?) (very faded) 12 (?)
Charlie Johnson 14

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, Mar. 7, 1887
Eva Wells, teacher

PUPILS NAME & AGE

Ida Vermillion 11 penmanship styles changes this year
Ella Vermillion 13
Walter Mapes 14
Tommy Swanson 11
Charles Swanson 6
Clarence Vermillion 7
Clyde Gaumer 6
Mathida Carlson 9
Charlie Keil 6
Freddy Keil 9
Ed Carlson 14
Clara Johson 9
Fred Vermillion 16
Mary Gallagher 13
Winnie Gallagher 9
Emily Peterson 9
Elof Peterson 7
Bessie Olson 8
Hannah Olson 11
Lena Ebinger 14
Annie Keil 12
Ida Keil 15
Peter Gallagher 17
Thomas Gallagher 19
Swan T. Olson 12
Charley Johnson 14
Otto Keil 6
Oscar Keil 6

Following the above pages are several pages of "teacher’s term registers" listing the textbooks used for the various subjects. Six pages of examination records follow, containing six monthly exams.
ANNUAL RECORD OF SCHOOL NO. 59 X GRADE

PUPILS NAME & AGE & PARENT & RESIDENCE & DATE OF ENTRY

Ida Wheeler 15 R. Wheeler Liberty Oct. 8, 1883
Nellie Wheeler 13 Wheeler Liberty Oct. 8, 1883
Mark Wheeler 11 Wheeler Liberty Nov. 5
Autie Sargent 17 D. Sargent Liberty Oct. 1st
Libbie Wheaton 13 C.O. Wheaton Liberty
Grace Manning 11 M.M. Manning Liberty
Floyd Manning 15 M.M. Manning Liberty
C.D. Vermillion 15 C.W. Vermillion Liberty Oct. 1st
Freddie Vermillion 12 C.W. Vermillion Liberty Oct. 1st
Nellie Vermillion 10 C.W. Vermillion Liberty Oct. 1st
Ida M. Vermillion 8 C.W. Vermillion Liberty Oct. 1st
Jessie (?) Wheeler 9 R. Wheeler Liberty Oct. 1st
Birdie Wheeler 7 R. Wheeler Liberty Oct. 1st
Carl Wheeler 5 R. Wheeler Liberty Oct. 1st
V.A. Mapes 14 L. Mapes Liberty Oct. 1st
Walter Mapes 9 L. Mapes Liberty Oct. 1st
Geo. Wheaton 8 C.O. Wheaton Liberty Oct. 1st
Ernest Sargent 9 D. Sargent Liberty Oct. 1st
P. (?) May Sargent 7 D. Sargent Liberty Oct. 1st
Charles Carlson 18 D. Sargent Liberty Oct. 15th
Peter Gallagher 13 D. Sargent Liberty Oct. 22nd
Anna Daniels 14 D. Sargent Liberty Dec. 18th
Freddie Keil 8 Keil Liberty Nov. 12th
August Keil 16 Keil Liberty Dec. 11th
Rosa Keil 14 Keil Liberty Dec. 11th
Ida Keil 11 Keil Liberty Dec. 11th
Thomas Gallagher 18 T. Gallagher Liberty Nov. 19th
Olof Linnfoss 14 unknown Liberty Dec. 13th
John Carlson 16 J. Carlson Liberty Dec. 15th
G.E. Fagenberg 15 Fagenberg Liberty Jan. 7, 1884
A.E. Fagenberg 10 Fagenberg Liberty Jan. 7, 1884
E. Carlson 14 J. Carlson Liberty Jan. 8, 1884
C. Polehammer
Esther Polehammer
John Polehammer

VISITORS REGISTER

1885
Sep. 29 Ada Vondy Liberty Twp
Sep. 30 Libbie Wheaton Liberty Twp
Oct. 1 Maggie Johnston Liberty Twp
Nov. 11 Alida Mapes Liberty Twp

1886
Feb. 8 Mrs. L. Mapes Liberty Twp
Feb. 8 L. Mapes Liberty Twp
Feb. 9 A.J. Carruthers Saline County Superintendent
Feb. 22 Miss Stevens Saline County teacher
Feb. 22 Miss Julia Lerter Liberty Twp
Feb. 22 Miss Libbie Wheaton Liberty Twp
Feb. 22 Miss Lulu Moore Liberty Twp
Feb. 22 Miss Zulu Moor Liberty Twp
Feb. 22 Miss Gertie Moor Liberty Twp
Mar. 5 Mrs. L. Mapes Liberty Twp
Mar. 5 Jennie Swanson Liberty Twp
Mar. 5 Alida Mapes Liberty Twp
Mar. 5 Vernon A. Mapes Liberty Twp
Mar. 17 Alida Mapes Liberty Twp
Sept. 14 Miss Ada Vondy Liberty Twp Teacher
Sept. 28 Miss Libbie Wheaton
Sept. 29 Mrs. L. Mapes
Nov. 12 J.C. Dana
Dec. 20 Grace Manning
Dec. 24 M.M. Manning Liberty, Saline Co. Ks.
1887
Jan. 19 A.J. Carruthers Saline Co. Supt.
Feb. 28 Gertie Moor
March 7 Maggie Johnston Bonnavill McPherson Co.
March 7 Grace Manning Liberty
Mar. 4 Lizzie Vondy
Mar. 17 Emma Strohg Salina
Mar. 17 Jennie Swanson Liberty
Mar. 17 Alida Mapes Liberty
Mar. 17 Vernon A. Mapes Liberty
April 1 P. Sargeant Liberty Clerk
April 25 Zulu Moore

Source: From 17 Sep 1983, Salina Journal, "Smoky Valley Roots", by Judy Lilly

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