The Annual Papinville Picnic date has been set for Saturday, September 27th. There will be more information and details about the day events as it gets closer, for now the Papinville Historic Association has again prepared a weekly historic press release for the public. The Papinville history information will be released every Friday at the end of the 9 and 5 pm local news. Stay tuned for this weekly historic information from the Papinville area through September 27th
STORY
ABOUT MISSION BRANCH SCHOOL
We are uncertain about the year the school
was built and established. The earliest we found was 1888 and the teacher was
William T. Moore. At that time he
received $40.00 a month with duties also being caretaker of the school
(janitors and some times they cooked a pan of soup or beans on the coal stove).
By 1943 the salaries got up to $75.00 a month. Most of the teachers lived in
one of the neighbor’s homes close to the school.
School terms were seven months until 1930”s
(October-Ending in April). The year had two terms. The year was made up into
two terms ( winter was five months and
spring two months ending in April). It was believed that this way the boys
could help with planting and harvesting. Many students did not go to high
school because of bus service or they would have to live in Rich Hill with a
relative or friend.
This was taken from the School Board Record
Books: (The District7 in Prairie Township was formed in1921.) The children were
divided into classes as follows:7th and 8th grade—Class
A, 5th and 6th—Class B, 3rd and 4th—Class C and 1st and
2nd—Class D.
The Mission Branch school set on the north
side of the road about one mile east of N Highway going north. The school was
closed in 1954 and the students were transported to Prairie School. Shortly
after the school closed Dwight Terry purchased the school and moved it
approximately one-quarter of a mile north. It still stands on the property that
is now owned by the Goosen family.
Next week the story will be about Seelinger
School. I am just putting highlights about the schools in the news paper and on
the radio. Our school history book is more detailed with information, pictures
and list of teachers, student’s and school board members. We spent many hours
going through old records at the Rich Hill School. We found that the students
not only received grades at school, but grades at home also were given. We have many interesting things in the
school history book.
If you haven’t been to Papinville to see
our town sign you need to make a trip out to see it. People who live in this
community are very proud of our little community. Things are being done to make
the school yard pretty for the picnic and a project for the cemetery is in the
plans. Come out to the picnic and hear about the future plans for the Historic
and Cemetery Association. A quilt has been made to raffle off and a painting of
the school will be auction off during the pie auction. Mark Sept. 27 on your
calendar starting at 1:30. Until next week.
Submitted by Phyllis
Stewart Activity Director
