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Show January, 1946 (Ed. Note: This is a continu- ation of the story that started in the October issue.) In 1857 word came to the settlers that an army under General Johnson was en route to Utah to take possession of their homes and drive the settlers out. So the people packed their food and clothing, loaded their wagons and moved south, some as far south as Spanish Fork, others at Provo, the central gathering place. Guards were left to set fire to their homes in case the soldiers tried to take possession. The soldiers came and made friends with the people. So, in the late summer the people returned to their homes and then resumed their labors, building a great commonwealth. Early in the sixtys the settlers suffered an epidemic of black small pox from which there were several deaths. Some of the emigrants coming from England contacted it on the ship and the contagion was carried to Centerville. A pest house was established in a log cabin up on the foot hills above the old rock mill, and Richard Prophet was doctor and nurse for the smallpox patients as he had had the disease and so was immune. One of the first public duties of the people of every community THE CENTERVILLE NEWSETTE Page Three Written for The Sagamore Camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, by the late Mabel S. Randall during her last illness. of early day Utah was the estabslate pencils to write or work lishment of district schools. their arithmetic with. Some of Books and paper were scarce the early teachers were Joseph when the schools were first starWoolman, who was en route to Montana but stopped and taught ted, but Brigham Young urged all those who were emigrating school one winter in the early to the new settlement to bring sixtys, Judge Kesler, James books and paper. The children Chandler, Samuel Madden, Anwere taught to read from the drew Dalrymple, Emma Nobles, Bible and there were a few old Mrs. Abigail Kesler, Elliot Hartreaders and Noah Webster spellwell, Cap. Witerell, Nettie Evans ing books brought by the early Decker, Alice Decker, Priestly, Prof. Jos. Phelps (who was a pioneers from their eastern hemes. They also were taught professional penman and conducarithmetic and writing. One of ted a school in penmanship), h the most important parts of their Mary Ellen Smith, Shipley, school was the spelling matches Hall, Emily Randall, Kate M. Chase and N. T. Porter, Jr. in which sides were lined up on each side of the room and words These early schoolhouses were to side. each given alternately used for all public gatherings. William II. Streeper Those misspelling a word sat In the year 1851, they had their was it decided and thus down, first church organization with who was the best speller by the of Sanford Porter presiding Elder. of 1847, taught the one who was able to stand the firstpioneers In 1852 the settlement was given day school during the winter Geo. the had Kettleman longest. of 1851-5Later teachers were a ward organization with Sandistinction of being the best Rhoda Stoddard and ford Porter as bishop, and in OcKes-leJudge speller in the first school in Centober 1853, Centerville ward was Then a school house of adobe terville. was built just east of where the comprised of 194 members. BishMemorial hall now stands. This op Porter was succeeded in 1855 The first school house in Centerville was built in 1851 on building faced the south, and was by William R. Smith, who, being Parrish creek about a half mile filled with long benches for seats, called in 1877 to preside over the north of the present Centerville with boards of leaves hung Davis stake, was succeeded by in turn was meeting house on the west side around the walls on hinges so Nathan Cheny. He that they could be let down to succeeded by Aaron B. Porter, of the county road, a short distance south of the home built by make more room. These were who was succeeded in 1899 by used as desks to write or draw Melvin H. Randall. Joseph N. Wesley France. In that pioneer school house, built of logs, John on. Paper and pencils were Ford, then acted from 1911 until S. Gleason, one of the company scarce, so they used slates and Turn to pJge four Mo-sia- 2. r. Old Centerville Coop store destroyed by fire about 38 years ago, John Peal, Burt Reading, Carl Smith and Merlin Rockwood. |