THE HISTORY OF MAURY HIGH SCHOOL
Jefferson County lies mainly between the French Broad and Holston Rivers. About one-fourth of the entire area is south of the former stream. It at first extended far beyond its present limit, covering the territory now embraced by Cocke, Sevier, and a part of Hamblen counties. It now has an area of about 350 square miles, Bay's Mountains transverse it from ease to west, but the greater part of the county is either rolling or level. The soil along the French Broad River and the smaller streams is exceedingly fertile and yields large crops. No county in Tennessee has a more honorable record or a more interesting history. Her early settlers were, many of them, men of intelligence and education, patriotic and worthy citizens, the impress of whose character is still visible upon the third and fourth generations.
In this county is the little town of Dandridge, which is the county seat. The corporation extends to the French Broad River. Among the buildings first erected were a court house very near the spot or in the same lot of the present one. The jail was only temporary at first. The first church building that is now remembered was a very large hewed log house, weather-boarded, which stood not far from the back of Mrs. Hynd's residence.
In this town the high school is situated on the northern hill side facing the town and the French Broad River. When you leave the steps of the 1884 building, you cross "the old meeting street" or the new highway as it is today.
How we came in possession of our school grounds may be of interest.
The State of Tennessee before it was a state belonged to the State of North Carolina. A large territory of land situated in what is now Tennessee was set apart by the State of North Carolina to be sold 12 l-2c per acre and was to be used for school purposes. Later the Legislature of Tennessee set apart a certain sum thus derived, the amount to be sold, to each county that would build an academy out of their own funds, to pay the upkeep of buildings. Jefferson county accepted this proposition and built an academy. This is how we came in possession of the Maury Academy funds. Most of the other counties lost their funds during the Civil War. Jefferson County being one which did not lose hers.
The first schools are said to have been taught on the corner where R. D. Hill lived or now where Dr. Brad Rainwater lives. In 1806 the following trustees were appointed for Maury Academy. George Doherty, Adam Peck, Thomas Gailbraith, Thomas Snoddy, and Parmenas Taylor, to whom were added the following year William Mills, Joseph Hamilton.
The name "Maury Academy" was no doubt suggested by the popularity of General Maury and the school named in his honor. General Doheny Herndan Maury 1822-1900 was an American soldier and author, born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He graduated at the University of Virginia in 1841, studied law, and afterward went to West Point, where he graduated in 1846. He served in the Mexican war and was made first lieutenant for gallantry at Cero Gordo. From 1847 to 1850 he was assistant professor of geography and ethics, and from 1850 to 1852 of infantry tactics at West Point. He then served in the intendent of cavalry instruction at Carlisle Barracks in 1858. While serving as assistant adjutant general in New Mexico, in 1861, he was discharged from the army and entered confederate service as colonel. After the battle of Pea Ridge, he was promoted brigadier general and opposed Grant during the Van Dorn raid. He also met Sherman successfully in the latter's attack on Vicksburg in 1862. Later he was promoted general in command of the Department of Tennessee. At the end of the war he was in command of the Department of the Gulf and surrendered on May 24, 1865. In 1868 he organized the Southern Historical Society. From 1886 to 1889 he served as United States minister to Columbia. You can see why such a progressive school would want a name like this.
The male branch of Maury Academy was taught in a building on the lot where the present “1884" building stands, now known as the "old school house." The first building was erected in 1806, as a board of trustees was then created by the county court, designated as "Trustees of the male Academy." The first building was a wooden structure, but this was replaced by a brick one in 1819. This building was a large three-story brick. The third floor was occupied by the Sons of Temperance, the second by the Masons, and the first by the school. It seems that this building faced east rather than south as the present building does.
It appears that the "Female Academy" or as then known "the Female Branch of Maury Academy" did not begin operations as such until the year 1852. The trustees of the "Female Academy" were Caswell Lee, Verd Thompson, John Roper. Joseph Hamilton, Shadrick Inman, and John Fain.
The "Female Academy” is situated on the hill southeast of the court house, and between the court house, and the river. This is their consideration for the school, “in consideration of the education of children of the community, the furtherance of the cause of temperance, and the improvement of the morals of the community." The building erected on this lot is now owned by the Masonic fraternity, was used by the "Female Academy." The Female Academy had these ladies as some of their teachers. Misses Amy Lutridge, Jane Lucey, Fannie Blake, Julia Comstock, Aurelia Jarnagan, Rosalee McAdoo, and Ann B. Hynds, first pupil of Mount Holyoke Seminary to teach in the south.
Mrs. Hynds, mother of Alexander Hynds, was graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary, Massachusetts, probably the best school for women at the time. She was one of the most scholarly and refined women of whom Jefferson County may toast. She kept a very select boarding house in her later days. The influence of Mrs. Hynds has spread like a benediction over this region, over this county, this end of the State, and over the whole south.
In the Male Academy some of the teachers were Mr. Cameron, a preacher Harrison, Andrew Lemming, G. W. Laymon, George Cogsdill, Alonzo Blizzard, Mr. Hoss, Rev. William Akin, Henry Pomeroy, W. F. Park, Capt. G. W. Holtsinger, R. T. Zirkle, seven years; Billy Pryor a short time; W. R. Maynard several years. In 1876 Dean J. D. Hoskins of University of Tennessee here attended his first school. Mr. Maynard was a very strong disciplinarian and many are the stories we hear of his time.
Mr. Samuel P. Johnson taught many years. He lived where Dr. Cowan now lives, very near the school. He is said to have been a fine teacher—excelled especially as a Latin teacher. In those days almost everyone studied Latin. He had a stern disposition, but he was a man of the highest principles, of broad and genuine scholarship, an inspiring teacher, and a wise counselor of young men. His picture, also that of Mrs. Hynds, now hangs in the library 1931.
Following Mr. Johnson, Mr. McDaniel taught two years. He was said to be very easy in discipline and was followed for two years by Mr. George Zirkle, who picked up the reins with a very firm hand and ruled quite rigidly.
A boarding house was established on Esquire Benjamin Franklin's farm about four miles from Dandridge, where pupils might stay and go to school, walking the distance over unimproved roads. A dormitory of two rooms for boys was located where the manual training building now stands.About this time it appeared that the school building was unsafe. Mr. Park says, "The Legislature passed an act that the girls should share in this money." The old house was torn down. While Mr. George Fain was secretary of the Maury fund, a new building was erected which is now a part of the "1884" Maury Academy. In order to erect this building about $4,500.00 of the principal of the funds were used.
The administration building contained one library room with 500 volumes of good books, one laboratory, one sewing room, two music rooms, three study halls, a chapel capable of comfortably seating 450 persons. It was well-lighted, ventilated, and heated by steam. The raised floor and folding seats gave the audience room an attractive appearance. The girls home cared for eighteen girls and a matron. The Domestic Science building was 16x30 feet and was used exclusively by the cooking classes. The Ladies Improvement Association of Dandridge are due the credit for the two latter buildings. This association put several hundred dollars in the school each year.
The new "1884" building had one large school room on the first floor, a small room to the right, on entering, for an assistant, the stairway on the left, and beyond this a small cloak room. Immediately at the head of the stairs was a small square music room and the rest constituted the auditorium. This was so used until 1910 when some changes and additions were made. The terms were eight months and the principal was paid from the interest on the Maury fund, which at the beginning of this, period 1884-1910 was $60 per month. At first one teacher did it: After Christmas the county court placed Miss Cynthia 'Swann for half day. Later she became full term teacher for several. years. She was one of the most scholarly women Dandridge can boast.
From 1884 to 1909 the teachers were about as follows: G. W. Fox, two years; E. W, Doran, one year; John T. Henderson, two years (Philadelphia, Tennessee;) Mr. Aston, two years; Samuel Newman, one year; Mr. Sharp, one year, Jones M. Hicks, three or four years; S. D. McMurray, one year; A. W. Baker, one year; W. B. Wickham, two years; W. W. Woodward, one year.
Some other assistants between 1884 and 1909 were Misses Ann Franklin. Georgie Cate, Ida Vaught, Gertrude Rankin, Anne Simpson.
The schools were consolidated in the 1884 building on a strictly academic basis. Previously all the girls had been in one and the. boys in the other. At this time all the elementary children were put in the old Female Academy and it became simply county school, except when the town sometimes extended the term by special funds from corporation sources. Then Maury Academy proceeded on an academic curriculum.
In 1910 Maury Academy was changed to Maury High School. Prof. J F. Poteat is due the honor for this change and beginning the work of one of the best high schools of the state. He had charge of the school for three years and-under his influence new rooms were added across the back of the building and the auditorium was accordingly enlarged. In the meantime for a few years preceding his time, the schools were again thrown together, but now they are again separated. At first the school was a three year high school; the seventh and eighth grades remained in the high school building. The four year high school was not established till 1916. By this time the library had grown to a few hundred books, a laboratory, sewing room, two music rooms; three study halls} and a chapel. The ladies did much to. arouse interest in the school. They made the first cement wall with the steps and planted Bermuda grass to cover clay washes on the steep front. They bought the house for dormitory and the one mentioned above for Domestic Science. Miss Alice Witt, the first domestic science teacher, was a very competent organizer of this work which she had for two years. She was followed by Miss McGuire, Miss Bittinger, Miss Calloway, Miss Mary Rowe Ruble, Miss Laura Barber, Miss Zelma Burke, Miss- Margaret McKinne, Miss Ruth Reagan, Miss Beulah Rankin, and Miss Kate Kincheloe.
1931:
Maury Academy: since by act of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, the control of the high schools of the county passed to the county Board of Education, Maury Academy classed as an independent and separate institution about 1910. The county court no longer elects a board of trustees, but elects only a trustee who is the treasurer to control the fund. Mr. Zirkle collects the interest from the principal which is how $8,200 semi-annually and turns it over to the trustee of Jefferson County. This is one of the two schools of the State that has kept the principal of the money received from the sale of school lands. Ten thousand dollars was realized from this source, and has been kept Intact except for a los* of fifteen hundred dollars during the civil war. Many times prior to the war the enrollment reached 1H0 pupils, and rarely fell below 100. When the nearby counties established academies to care for the pupils in them, the academy kept up its usual enrollment by increasing that of the county.
For several years during the early days of the academy, it enrolled students from Blount, Knox, Sevier, Cocke, and Greene counties.
Some of those who have attained prominence are Dr. John Casper Branner, who became an authority in some phases of science; who was president Hoover's inspiration; and who was president of Leland and Stanford University. Dr. Banner's picture hangs on the Library wall, Hon. Parmenas Taylor Turnley, a West Point Graduate, who did efficient service in the Mexican war was proud of his early touch with Maury Academy.
In 1916 when Maury Academy celebrated her centennial, an address was read by Mr. Hynds, written by Dr. Branner. He failed to come on account of the San Francisco earthquake; also a long letter was read from Mr. Turnley written for the occasion.
Theodore Swann, Birmingham, Alabama was born in Dandridge on September 5, 1886. He lived in the house where Mr. G. W. Rimmer now lives. He attended the old Maury Academy in his early years. He left here about the age of twelve. Mr. Swann is the richest living person that has gone from Dandridge. He started just as a salesman of "Details and Supplies" for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company at Bluefield, West Virginia. His most remarkable characteristic is "sticking to a job until the work is accomplished." He has a large chemical manufacturing plant.
Mr. Swann is not only interested in building up his own fortune and establishing a successful chemical manufacturing organization,, but he is deeply interested in developing Mr. Swann is not only interested in building up his own fortune and establishing a successful chemical manufacturing organization,, but he is deeply interested in developing the resources of the south, its minerals, its water power, its transportation facilities, and its people. To this end, he is constantly working with the industrial leaders of the South, the executives of the States and communities in which his plants are located, the Bureau of Standards at Washington, and. Other agencies that can assist in southern progress. He is more than a money maker, therefore. He is a builder, and he is building on very broad foundations.
Theodore Swann is a man you will hear more and more about during the next decade, for the chemical industry promises to measure up with the electric industry in furthering America's progress.
In the fall of 1912 Mr. Carver was principal one year, his assistants being Misses Lurana Franklin and Anne Simpson, E. F. Goddard was principal for seven years. Miss Esther Ellis, Laurana Franklin, Kate Sheddon, Mary Hickey, Ruth Jewel, and v Mr. Rowlings were assistants. In Mr. Goddard's first year home economics was introduced.
Mr. Goddard was quite a builder, so he improved the building by adding new walks, rising the auditorium floor, taking out, several columns, which obscured parts of the stage, also by enlarging the little music room at the head of the stairs into a very good recitation room. He organized a manual training department and did some splendid work for about two years, and then by the aid of the Ladies Improvement Association, he built the manual training building and during the rest of his term of service carried on an excellent work along this line.
Mr. Mooney taught one year. Mr. Goddard continued manual training and the usual helpers continued. Mr. Mooney died before the opening of his second year. He was scholarly but not adapted to getting responses from the pupils.
Following Mr. Mooney came Mr. P. C. Williams who held the place for nine years. He was a very genteel trustworthy, and honorable gentleman. Mrs. Williams taught the eighth grade and had a marvelous influence of good over her pupils.
Some of his teachers were Misses Ruby Jones, Fay Rimmer, Lurana Franklin, Helen Rankin, and Mr. T. W. Whaley.
During Mr. Williams' time the high school building was erected. Owing to controversy over the site, the building was delayed a year. It was completed in time for 1927 commencement to be held in it. This was largest class to date numbering thirty-two.
The Board members of the New Maury High School were: Arthur Holtsinger, J. B. Hill, A. C. Parrott, E. E. Wooten, Mrs. C. E. Harris, Alfred R, Swann Jr., and E. F. Goddard Superintendent of county Schools.
In 1882 Jefferson County sold its stock in East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia railroads and after paying all debts and, leaving a nice balance in the treasury, fifty thousand dollars set aside as a permanent school fund, the interest of which was to be applied to the maintainance of the public schools. This money was loaned from time to time until 1904, at which time the county court decided to build roads and therefore ordered sad funds collected and appropriated on the following roads: Dandridge to Jefferson City. Dandridge to White Pine and Oak Grove, Dandridge to Piedmont, Dandridge to Nichols Ferry, and Indian Creek Road. An order was passed agreeing to pay interest on this fund, but the court never levied any taxes for same. E. F. Goddard became Superintendent of public schools January 1923 and in the latter part of this year raised the question of the validity of the court’s action on the school fund in 1904 and asked return of same with annual interest. Upon first vote only four magistrates supported the contention of the superintendent while eighteen opposed on the ground that the present court did not divert the fund and same was too large to pay back at the present time 1924. However a committee composed of three members of the court and Board of Education was appointed and instructed to report at later date, the vote then was seven for and nine against the return of the funds. In August 1924, several new members of the court were elected and in October of this year the vote was sixteen for issuing bonds to pay back to the school fund this money and four opposed the measure.
In 1925 the legislature passed an enabling act authorizing the Jefferson County court to issue bonds in the sum of $165,000.00 which bonds were sold June 25, 1925 for face value and a premium of $7,889.00, these funds with accrued interest were apportioned in the ratio of $55,000.00 Dandridge; $40,000.00 to Jefferson City; $35,000.00 to New Market; and $35,000.00 to White Pine.
Barber and McMurry were architects for these buildings. Bids, were taken from eleven contractors on Maury High School on November 30, 1925 but these were all $15,000.00 in excess of the money and the court members had requested the board not to ask for more money. The Board then asked Superintendent Goddard and James Townsend to take quantities price of same, to ascertain whether the building could be completed with the funds available. The committee reported favorable and Mr. Townsend was employed as foreman and the work was begun in the spring of 1926 and completed in 1927. The following changes or additions were not included in contractors bids November 30, 1925; hard wood floor in chapel instead of concrete, Pump station and lot, grading of grounds, concrete walks, building of road. The entire cost of this project was $60,105.63 This was more than $250 in excess of the fund and the Superintendent used the manual training shop to work lumber to meet deficit.
In none of the four buildings did the Board of Education ask for additional funds to complete same.
Mr. Theodore Swann, and Mr. Charles Watkins of Texas paid for the light fixtures. The Improvement-Association paid for the Home Economic equipment near $1000. Laboratory $200.00 Seating Auditorium $187.00.
The $60,105.63 did not include grounds. The Fain and Bradford lot cost $2250.00 and was paid for by Town of Dandridge.
First year in the new high school Mr. Edwards, principal of elementary school taught seventh grade in this building. It was not a very satisfactory arrangement, therefore he went back to the old building next year.
In the meantime during the summer the Maury High 1884 was reconstructed into a satisfactory building for the grammar school. The auditorium was arranged into classrooms to correspond to the lower floor. A water system was put in and all was made very comfortable.
Five teachers do the work in this school. At present they are C. O. Edwards, Miss Ella HalL Mrs. Ola Tomlinson; Miss Elsie Wiggins, and Miss Katherine Reese.
The brick for both buildings were burnt on the baseball diamond. Most of the other material came from Knoxville. Mr. E. P. Goddard was a very important factor in erecting this building. In his service of principal, teacher, and county Superintendent in succession for about seventeen years, he has left some very worthy monuments to his name especially along educational lines.
Miss Esther Ellis who taught English for about seven years in Maury she exerted such a splendid influence that she deserves mention. She is a graduate of the Illinois High School, and the University of Tennessee. In addition to her general good tone and qualifications, she aided pupils in music and was a good asset to the community. One outstanding thing was the character of the plays she put on various ones from Shakespeare, Moliere, and other classes.
Maury has had a good basketball team. In 1930 the boys won the championship of the different countie's high schools. Among the star players were Kenneth Henry, Earl Manis, Herbert Layman, Lee Denton, Taft White, Deveres Taft, and Paul Parker.
The girls team has been very enthusiastic. They have had many good players, always trying to obey the rules and regulations of their coach. The girl's best players were Kathleen Rimmer, Mary Ruth Denton, Martha Ray Reese, Ella V. Hickman, Rhae Cline, and Ruth Batson.
In the latter years it has been popular to give a Senior play which has always been well attended. So some classes have been not only permitted but encouraged to choose out of this a gift for the school. The class of 1924 gave a set of reference books. Class of 1925 gave an unabridged Dictionary to the Library together with a medium sized one to each classroom, also a large Bible for the chapel; Class of '26 gave a set of stage furniture consisting of a table and fine upholstered chairs; 1927 gave the stage curtains.
Opening from rear of auditorium is the gymnasium which has proved a source of pride and pleasure. In addition to its primary use, it has been a wonderful place for banquets, and basketball games.
In the fall of 1929 the cafeteria was installed under the direction of Miss Beulah Rankin, the home economics teacher. The Ladies Improvement Association loaned money, but the success was sufficient to meet the debt by Christmas and by end of the year some money was in the treasury.
Miss Mattie Bettis has for two years been the manager. Bertha Bettis assisted first year and a half, her sister Mary Kate has taken her place; also Mary Emily Franklin, assisted her two years.
In 1930 instead of a manual training teacher, an agriculture department was introduced with a Smith Hughes man directing it. Some shop work is carried on in this connection. Mr. Joseph Greer is the first teacher in this department. He has evening class for the farmers and for the F. F. T. club for agriculture boys.
Also this year of 1930-31 the school has published a paper, the Maury Messenger. The Senior class has had charge of it. Mary Richards, editor-in-chief; Frank Thornhill, associate editor; Gordon Denton, sport editor; J. W. Hart, business manager; Glen Hance, art editor; and Thomas Davis, circulation manager. This is the first class to publish a paper. This paper has interesting things about each class, the honor rolls, advertisements, poetry and editorials.
The yard has been something of a project to Miss Franklin who has succeeded in getting a great many things done and has a vision of this being a most attractive spot. The front wall was built of the stone from the foundation of the old dormitory. Various friends and pupils and teachers have contributed some money and many plants and shrubs which, already, at times are very beautiful.
It was a wonderful improvement to have the new street opened up by the grounds so as to have a through passage.
The little maple tree to the right as you go out from the old building was planted with much ceremony and named Lurana Zenilee Franklin; at the same time Miss Franklin's picture was presented to the school by the senior class of 1924, sponsored by Miss Fay Rimmer. This picture hangs in the Library now.
Most of the pictures in the hall and library were bought under the direction of Miss Alice Witt, the first Home Economic teacher.
During the world war the county Demonstrator, Miss Margaret Robinson, (Now Mrs. Carl Lyle) directed a play, the proceeds of which were used to buy books for the beginning of a Dandridge Library. These books were kept in the building across from the Revolutionary Cemetery which for many years had been the post Office Building which had been vacated. In the fall of 1919 the library committee decided to dissolve the library by giving the books to the two town schools. Mr. W. M. Bull, chairman of the library committee asked Miss Esther Ellis, Fnglish teacher in the high school to help him choose the books suitable for each school.
Miss Ellis was unwilling that work already begun in this line should so soon be discontinued. She, therefore, formed plan® to add to the support of the library. She presented her plans to Miss Margaret Fain and asked her to help her in the execution of the same.
These two ladies made a canvass for one year subscriptions of $1.00 per family but many people gave more than $1.00. A number contributed $5.00. Borrowers who did not have subscriptions paid five cents for the use of each book and all paid ten cents per week for books kept out over time. The books were placed in bookcases, which were purchased from the manual training department of the high school, and put in the back room of the bank building.
The Dandridge Library was first opened in February 1920. The bank did not charge the library any rent and Misses Ellis and Fain gave their time, opening the library one afternoon each week.
About two years, after this arrangement was made Miss Ellis accepted a position in Knoxville. Mrs. Paul Hill then helped Miss Fain with the selection of books and all other matters relative to operating the library. Every bit of the money was used to buy books, cases and other small supplies.
About four years later, when the bank wished to use the room occupied by the library, the books were moved to the high school building. The income was small and by this time the high school students were the principal patrons so the move was ,very satisfactory.
Later when the new high school building was completed the library was again moved. This time to its permanent location.
In the spring of 1930 Mr. Carl Ahernathy principal of Maury High, School, asked Miss Fain if she would consider accepting a position as part time librarian with a small salary. She had never received a cent fox the work done through the ten proceeding years. Miss Fain agreed to take the work and combine the Dandridge and high school Libraries as the public was being served entirely through the students.
Through the interest and efforts of Miss Fain, Miss Fay Rimmer and Miss Mary U. Rothrock of the Lawson McGhee Library, Knoxville, Miss Elizabeth Moreland of the University Extension Department was secured to catalogue the books. This work 'required three weeks time with an average of three persons at work all the time. None of. this labor was paid for by the library or the high school. Miss Moreland’s regular salary was paid by the University and her extra expenses, such as board and room, were contributed by Mrs. Fain. The others gave their services. Mr. Abernathy spent many days typing the catalogue cards. Miss Moreland said, of
the many small libraries she had catalogued, no other had undertaken to type the cards.
The name was changed from Dandridge Library to Maury High School Library and is the only high school library in the county catalogued according to the Dewey Decimal System.
In November, 1930 Mr. W. R. Turner, formerly a lawyer of Dandridge, later of Knoxville, and now of Washington, D. C. gave the library seventeen and half years publications of the National Geographic Magazines in bound volumes. These included the numbers from January 1913 to June 1930. He also gave a set of The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia which includes an atlas. His gift contained a number of other useful books.
Other friends of the library have made donations.
There are 1140 volumes in the library and during the first four months of school after it was catalogued over 2500 loans were made.
All who have worked for the library since 1920 feel very grateful to Miss Mary U. Rothrock of Lawson McGhee Library for furnishing it with many supplies at cost to the Lawson McGee Library. This has been a great financial help.
The first music was started in 1884. Miss Sue Crouche taught at Fain Home. Miss Blanche St. John of Bristol (now living in Knoxville) followed. There was no piano but she secured one 1885.
Mrs. Doran wife of one of the teachers, Miss Ollie Fain (now Mrs. Franklin of Maryville), Miss Gertrude Harris, Miss Lizzie Hill, Mrs. Nina Harris, Miss Ruth Meek, Miss Mae Bettis, Miss Alma Criswell (Mrs. Holtsinger), Miss McKee, Mrs. Harry Gass, who bought the star piano with the assistance of Miss Lurana Franklin and the help of the Lyceum course, Miss Leo Justice, Miss Margaret Harris, Miss Mary Kate Rankin, through whose efforts another piano was bought. Miss Mary Emma Armerntrout, Mrs. Charles Blackburn. (Mrs. Harry Gass) Miss Porter Lyle and Mrs. Hal E. Harris. Mrs. Harris has improved the music department very much. she has organized the Maury String band. She gives two recitals every year.
Mr. T. W. Whaley teacher of manual training was at Maury High School from 1923-1930.
Mr. Petree taught 1929-30 then became county Superintendent by popular vote 1930-31.
Mr. Carl Abernathy the principal at the present, received most of his education in North Carolina. He came to Tennessee in 1904. Attended high school at Hiawassee College Preparatory, Madisonville High, and Bogart High School at Philadelphia, Tennessee. Began teaching at the age of eighteen, taught and went to school until United States entered the World War. He served in the medical Department of the army in France for two years. He finished college after the war at East Tennessee State Teacher's College. Principal in Junior High School in Campbell county for three years. He worked two years at Knoxville with his father, but entered University of Tennessee, January 1927, and finished June 1929. He became our principal in August 1929-30 and he is still here, faithful and loyal teacher, working toward the best always.
Miss Lurana Franklin who has taught here nineteen years received her most valuable schooling during five years at the little county school Anable taught by Ernest M. Gallion, just previous to her entering Maury High in 1884. After one year at the Academy, she was asked to take" the elementary school in Dandridge. She was not yet sixteen and had an enrollment of ninety students. She says “of course that school was a failure". She returned to Maury in the spring. In due time the course was practically finished, but owing to sickness. In her family she left school a few weeks before the year closed. She taught five years at Anable, the school usually closing at Christmas.
In 1891, for the Spring and Summer she attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio.
She was next asked to attend Holbrook Normal College, at Fountain City, a branch of the National Normal, both as teacher and pupil. She continued here five years, taking B. S. and B. A. degrees; in the meantime she taught some Latin, rhetoric, and mathematics through analytical geometry.
At this point she took a half a year's rest then went to Jasper, Florida and taught there two years in the Normal.
She next took a school for one term in Ft. Myers, Fla., for the sake of becoming acquainted with tropical part of the state, but she did not like the school there and returned to Jasper Normal. From there she went to Pike College, Missouri where she taught Latin, Greek, and mathematics for two years. The next year she had a private school near Richmond, Kentucky and finding this unprofitable she went to Eustis, Florida, to the Presbyterian college of Florida. She remained five years teaching principally mathematics. During this period she attended the University of Virginia taking mathematical courses under Dean Page and Dr. Echols.
After Eustis she had one year in the large, new Daytona High School Daytona Florida.
Then due to her father's poor health, she remained at home a year and was asked the following fall 1912, to take a place in Maury High School. After five years she remained at home a year, and under war pressure took a place in White Pine High School. Then she returned in 1919 to Maury High and is still here 1931.
During her work in Dandridge, she has spent one season in Columbia University. New York, specializing in Zoology. Later she had a term in University of Tennessee, specializing in Botany, and Psychology.
These are the high points in her teaching life, though there are several minor episodes. Miss Franklin said, "I think without exception, I was asked to take each of these schools without any application or effort on my part". Miss Franklin has been like a mother to us children.
Miss Mary Kate Rankin our teacher has taught in different schools in Johnson City, in Mississippi, and in Dandridge. She is an excellent music and expression teacher.
Miss Bales our youngest teacher is our French and Latin teacher. She has not taught very long, but is a good teacher.
Miss Kate Kincheloe, the economic teacher, has been here at Maury only this term, but everybody here thinks she is a very good cook as well as teacher. She received her education in public schools of Hawkins County, University of Tennessee, East. Tennessee State College, Carson and Newman College. She has taught in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Miss, Fay Rimmer, English teacher is a native of Jefferson County, Tennessee. She was educated at Dandridge Grammar School, Ward-Belmont School, East Tennessee Normal, University of Washington, and George Peabody College. She has taught in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in Tennessee and in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mrs. Petree is the eighth grade teacher. Her boys brought and laid the sod at the main entrance walk. Eugene Holtsinger, Chester Rainwater, Jr. and their class did the work.
In the spring of 1930, the Junior Order had a program in the auditorium and presented the school with a Bible, flag and a flag pole.
Beginning with 1912 and for most of the following years to 1928 a Lyceum course was carried on in the town, the school acting as sponsor and Miss Franklin acting as secretary and treasurer. The Alkahest Company first served, then the Radcliff, the Redpath, and the Piedmont.
Since 1927 the "Hi-Y" and Girl Reserve organizations have been carried on among the students. The "Hi-Y" now has a membership of twenty boys. The girls have about fifteen members, is year. Rubye Slover is president. Mildred Saffle is treasurer, and Martha Ray Reese is secretary. We have a committee to get up programs every two weeks. Our club’s motto is to try to do our best at all times.
Some of the members of the Senior class interested in a literary society organized and call themselves Virgilites. There are only eleven members in our club now. But we hope it will continue to grow. Frank Thornhill is president, Luke Bettis vice president, and Nancy Newman secretary. The other members are Byrl Cline, Luther Woods, Gordon Denton, Turner Maynard, Glenn Hance, Thomas David, Everette Shrader, and Eunice Jones. I asked Frank Thornhill to write a little poem.
OUR CLUB
Our club, The Virgilites was organized
For a very good reason. You would be surprised
To learn it. It has always been our aim
To climb to height of literary fame,
And make our English teacher pray for aid
To find mistake in themes where none were made.
With the advent of the new building, the old dormitory was sold to a colored woman who took it away and built of it a very nice home near the Baptist church. A year or two before this bus transportation had begun and now more than eighty per cent are so conveyed by eight busses; while almost no pupils depend upon boarding or light house keeping.
The graduation class in 1913 was one, John Clark, it now ranges from twenty to forty.
The class Rossiter for each year of the high school is as follows:
1912 F. C. Hedrick and William Henry.
1913 John Clark
1914 Blanche Gallion, Amy Glenn, Mary Rogers Lyle, Anna Cox, Ethel Burchfield, Artie Burchfield, Roy Moore, Paul Licklyter, Carl Lyle.
1915 Lela Carpenter, Katherine Hynds, Addie Fine, Ruby Wagner, Margaret Fain, Frank Gallion, Hurst Paul, Thomas Blackburn, and Hugh Blackburn.
1918 George Zirkle, Lyle Swann
1919 Ella M. Hall, Charlie Starnes, Cora Burchfield, Belle Moore, Nelle Reneau, Bessie Templin, Josie Wacaster, Pauline Shields, and Eugene Harris.
1920 Cora Bull, Bonnie Carmichael, Ada Carmichael, Fay Carpenter, Clark
Fain, Raymond Gass, Sallie Hudson, Lucile Sherrod, Thula Slover, Reba Shrader, Amanda Thomas, Lettie Thomas, Mary Lichlyter, Paul Lyle, and Love Rimmer.
1921 Elmer B. Zirkle, Elsie Mae Wiggins, Thelma Wiggins, Elizabeth T. Thomas, Sam Seahorn, Clara Rimmer, Reba S, Newman, Wallace Carmichael, Ted Carpenter, James Ponder Anderson, and Fay Anderson.
1922 Alphia Winstead, Mayse Underwood, Love Thomas, Pauline Smith, Florence Saffle, Henry F Swann, James Nichols, Harley Moree, Madelle Moore, Frank Lyle, Frank C. Jones, Ollie Kate Hudson, John R. Hill, Fannie Hinchey, Janie Swann Huggins, Leona Burchfield, and Ben A. Blackburn.
1923 Elise Margaret Zirkle, Gertrude Wagner, Rubye Anne Vesser. Ethel Vesser, Effie Taylor, Bertha Thornton, Leona Bell Stepp, Nina Stepp, Ivan Sherrod, Mary Kate Starnes, Vera Snodgrass, Maxie Rimmer, Edith Newman, James Samuel Moore, Don Haynes, Lucile Douglass, Alma Curry, Martha Cline, Inez Carmichael, Gypsie Carter, Dexter Chambers, Geneva Betts, and Bonnie N. Bull.
1924 Nancy Ruth Williams, Helen Irene Thomas, Miriam Swann, Inez Satterfield, Hattie Moore, Mary Moore, Troy R. Moore, Naomi Hickman, Jessie Holbert, Carroll Coile, Mabel E. Blackburn, Roy Lichlyter, Dorman Huggins, Frank B. Fain, and John Gannon.
1925 Lottie Pearl Wilkerson, Blanche Wacaster, Anna Rowe Templin, Mary Lou Thomas, Naomi A. Solomon, Virginia Starnes, Bonnie Kate Rainwater, Rozella Riley, Vivian Moore, Annie Huggins, Ruth Hickman, Lydia Glenn, Flo French, Louise Allen, Eugene Swann, Hal M. Newman, D. F. Manley, Richard Hill, Paul D. Goddard, and Walter G. Bettis.
1926 Lillie Thomas. Marjorie Sherrod, Mary Emma Shepard, Roberta Mort, Frances Mort, Rosa Martin, Bessie May, Jessie Hart, Lena Hudson, Edna Franklin, Gladys French, Evelyn Felknor, Isabell M. Fain, Josie Bull, Elsie Bettis, Bart Williams, Allen Satterfield, Hugh Seahorn, Orval Moore, Jake Harrison, Vance Gentry, Elmer French, Conrad French, and Roy Blackburn.
1927 Maude Romines, Alberta Moore, Iris Moore, Edith Manley, Gertrude Huggins, Shirley Horner, Louise Hill, Bernice Hill, Trula Franklin, Josie Douglas, Vella Dennis, Sara Ruth Bryan, Anna Ray Bettis, Elizabeth Best, Rubye Atchley Aileen Allen, Ida Ailey, Hugh Williams, Greer Thornton, Sanford Swann, Ray Sherrod, Edgar Shepard, John Frank Seahorn, Lynn Rankin, Sanford North, Ray Moore, George H. McKay, and Paul Carter.
1928 Lillie White, Ina Thomas, Fannie Sharder, Stella Maude Sherrod, Sallie L. Moreland, Gertrude Jones, Celeste Holtsinger, Virgie Hill, Eva Hickman, Ruth Gass, Nita Gass, Vira Corbett, Pauline Bolden, Ruth Blazer, Fyrn Blazer, Georgia Blackburn, Delia Bales, Clifford Wiggins, Taft White, Deveres Taft, Clyde S. Scarlett, Ray Roberts, Hal C. Manley, David McGuire, Roy Hinchey, Kennith Henry, Fred G. Franklin, Alex Dukes, Lee D. Denton, and James Bewley.
1929 Eunice Wiggins, Callonia Wagner, Lillian Thornton, Margaret Seaborn, Jennie Ruth Rainwater, Racine Manis, Mildred McMurray, Joyce Horton, Ray Hill, Helen Goddard, Pauline Gaddis, Jessie May Franklin, Rhea Fox, Arline Fagela, Hal Nicholson, Bert Nicholson, Leon Manning, Herman Goddard, and Emert Dobbs.
1930 Artie Mae Davis, Frances W. Swann, Gladys Ruth Sherrod, Daisy Roberts, Reba Mort, Sally Lyon, Ella V. Hickman, Edith Hall, Lorena Fagala, Angie Fagala, Mary Ruth Denton, Kathleen Cowan, Rhea Cline, Alma Bettis, James Thomas, Chase Sheddon, Ira Davis Rankin, Paul Parker, George Hill, Fred Bryon and Bonderette Martin.
1931 The class of 1931 is a large one with about thirty-eight members. I think our class is one of the best Maury has ever had. We may have among our members writers, preachers, teachers, speakers, and musicians.
Our number when we started to climb the hill was eighty seven. We selected Mr. T. W. Whaley for our class teacher the first year. We decided we liked him very much so we kept him until we ended our third year. Then he left us in care of Miss Mary Kate Rankin. We have lost many a good number of our class, but the saddest was the president of our class, George Holtsinger who was drowned. The names of the officers are now, Earl Manis—President, Pauline Manis—vice President Elizabeth Ailey—Secretary.
The names of the others in our class now are—Luke Bettis, John K. Blackburn, Byrl Cline, Thomas Davis, Milton Fry, J. W. Hart, Glenn Hance, Herbert Layman, Turner Maynard, Gomer Pritchett, Boyd Skeen, Oliver Skeen, Everett Shrader, Ray Swann, Allen Thomas, Frank Thornhill, Luther Woods, Rita Atwood, Carrie Lou Dongas, Hazel Cox, Mary Emily Franklin, Reba Gaddis, Pixie Lee Gaddis, Grace Holbert, Enla Kate Hance, Eunice Jones, Kathleen Martin, Gladys Moreland, Louise Martin, Nancy Newman, Ruth Patterson, Martha Ray Reese, Mary Richards, Rubye Slover, and Wilma Swann.
Gordon Denton.
