129. Washington Township, District 13 School At Kennedy's Corner, 1880's Carlos Area Schools

Union City Times-Gazette, Aug. 27, 1955.
By Elza Stevenson.


Kennedy's Crossroads @ 1880.

  Some twenty years or more before the beginning of the present century if we could have ridden horseback, walked or by some other mode of transportation of that day to a point in the central part of Randolph county we would have found a crossroads known as Kennedy's crossroads or Kennedy's corners. The east and west road was soon afterwards known as the Bloomingsport and Economy turnpike. It was the first road of its kind in the southern part of the county. Either side of the roads leading up to this crossing was bordered by the old style stake and rider fence.
  In the northwest corner of the crossroads was the farm of Hester Jackson. In the southwest corner was land once owned by the Mullen family and finally by J.B. Engle. His heirs still possess it. The southeast corner was originally owned by the Cranor family, later by Dr. W.R. Coggeshall. Many of the descendants of these families still reside in this community. In the northeast section of this crossing lived at one time, a family by the name of Kennedy and from them the crossroads was named.
  In the immediate northeast corner of these roads was a square plot of near an acre in area in the center of which was located the first school building in the community and it might have been called Kennedy's Corner school, but this writers first knowledge was of district 13, Washington township. J.B. Engle was known to have taught one term there a few years prior to 1880 which was near the time he purchased the farm at the crossroads,
  This building was not large, being near twenty by thirty feet. The first teacher I recall was a Miss Ella Teas from near Greensfork, or Washington, as the little town was called. Then came one Wayne Brewer from the Losantville community.
  True to the custom of that time he walked over to school on Monday and back on Friday evening. Another early teacher was Cyrus Robbins who resided in Lynn. He also rode "shanks mares horses," frequently walking back and forth. The railroad was built then and made a good footpath for him.
  Angie Nichols was another teacher of this period. The following were reported as not tardy or absent during the term: Alta Hutchens, Elza Stephen, Mary Hodson, Carlie Stevenson, Lorne Bachelor, Mary Stevenson, Evert Cogshall, Mary Cox, Carrie Davis, Tish Mumbower. Number enrolled 40, average attendance.
 It might be interesting to know the whereabouts of those former pupils who have survived. Carlie and Earnie Stevenson are at South Haven, Michigan, Everett Cogshall is at Saratoga, Leota near Greensfork, and Alta Hutchens and Elza still reside in the Carlos community.
  When the railroad was built the town of Carlos City came into being. Due to postal regulations the name was later shortened to Carlos and after this the school was known as the Carlos school. This was about the time of the building of the two roomed school on the hill just east of the town. These rooms were always known as the "Big Room" and the "Little Room." It was always an event comparable to a college promotion when the children had the credentials that entitled him to enter the precincts of the "Big Room."
  This building was erected near the year 1886. Robert Engle was the trustee and Nathan Morris the contractor. Alice Nichols was the principal and the first teacher in the big room. Mary Smith taught the little room.
  Teachers who followed were Lon and Tom Hutchens, Pendleton Lasley, Austin Morris as principals and Mattie Botkin, Clara Gaines, Charles Gordon, Angie Nichols Norman and Georgia Ladd in the little room.
  Near the year 1920 the new brick building was erected. It was a three room modern building. The old two room school was moved back and for a time was used as a recreation building. This brick building was used only a short while when patrons wanted thei children to attend a larger school and the school was laid down and the pupils sent to larger schools by bus. A few of the teachers of this school were Clarence Washler, Fred Baxter, Grace Cox, Emma Riley and Irene Chamness.
  It is impossible to give much data concerning this school as the older pupils have passed on. It was sometimes called the Catey school because of the family name in the community.
  Among the early teachers was Lon Hutchens, Allie Hunnicutt, Alonzo Farquar, Alonzo Bales, Angie Norman, Tom Hutchens. From the group came a judge, county clerk and county prosecutor. Others who followed were William Haynes, Pendleton Lesley, Wilson Hardwick,Elza Stevenson, Walter Jessup, Homer Hernley, Hazel Gordon, May Houck, Mollie Hunt, Raymond Thornburg, Jennie Lee and Margory Brown.
  Many will recall the close of school at old number 11. It was the custom to have a big dinner and an entertainment given by the pupils. It was anticipated with a lot of pleasure during the term.
  As the community just west of Carlos, known as the number 11 district, is so closely related to the Carlos school a committee has been appointed to take steps to hold a joint reunion of the two schools on Labor Day, September 5. An invitation is extended to all former pupils, their families and friends, to meet in the basement of the Carlos church.

A poor picture is with this article. It shows a group of students standing and seated in front of a large American flag. Named are C.A. Stevenson, visitor, Warnie Thomas, Enos Thornburg, George F. Stevenson, visitor, Oscar Catey, Andy Sharp, Clyde Catey, Ed. Conyers, music teacher, Orison Morrison, Charley Bales, Jessie Peacock, Frank Catey, holding slate, Charley Wadman, Maud Catey, Lizzie Stevenson, India Fennimore, Olive Sharp, Sally Morain, Elza Stevenson, teacher, Raymond Morrison, Grace Morrison, Clell Morrison Olive Wadman, Harry Catey, Clarence Sheppard, Ozro Durbin, Essie Morrison, Zella Wadman, Lillie Thomas.

















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