Eaton School Pictures

By Nita Wilson (1984)

For 95 years the Eaton schoolhouse served alternately as a school, church, community hall, and until 1984, the Sheridan Township voting precinct. The I02 year-old building located three-fourths of a mile south of U.S. 160, 12 miles east of Winfield, was the last nonresidential building in Eaton. It was the last remaining landmark, visible from the highway, of the thriving community that Eaton was 60 or 70 years ago.

Now, four walls and a portion of the upper floor and ceiling are all that remain of the native stone schoolhouse.

On March 26 a tornado ripped the roof off the building, and Carroll Sandborn, who now owns the schoolhouse, said he may demolish it rather than rebuild.

If the school is dismantled, two dwellings and a vacant house, which was a boarding house, are all that will be left in the immediate town area.

It would be difficult to estimate the number of students who attended the eight grade school until its closing in 1958. Former Students or family members have occasionally stopped if they were in the area just to see the school and reminisce about bygone days.

Many of the people who went to school there during the earlier part of the century have died, but others still here were sad to hear of the recent storm damage. lrena (Evans) Griffith, 93, a former Eaton resident now living in Winfield, has fond memories of her school years.

"I sure hated to hear the building is gone (ruined). I went to school when it had two rooms and two teachers," she recalled.

The school had two rooms from 1889 to 1907. The upper grades were taught upstairs by a male teacher, and a female teacher taught the lower grades downstairs, Griffith said.

"There were a lot of kids in the community then because more families lived on farms," she explained.

Early residents have said attendance in the two-room school was from 50 to 60 students; others say 30 to 40.

Because of needed repairs from wind damage, the top story was lowered in 1909 to make it a one room school.

Mildred Westbrook, a retired elementary teacher living in Winfield, attended the school as a child, and taught there in 1946. Her salary was $150 a month.

"Why does nature have to do such a thing?" Westbrook asked, in reference to the recent damage.

According to courthouse records, the school was built two years after the plot of Eatonville was recorded May 3, 1887. Thirteen years later the town was platted in lots, blocks and streets. The name Eatonville was eventually shortened to Eaton. At one time there was a general, store with a post office. a blacksmith shop, a creamery, two churches, a parsonage, a boarding house, a depot, a stockyard and the native stone schoolhouse.

The railroad contributed to the survival of the community during the early days, The Denver, Memphis and Atlantic Railroad Co, purchased the right of way in 1887, then sold it in 1910 to the Missouri Pacific. The railroad has since been discontinued.

The businesses have been gone for years, and modem education forced the school to close in 1958. District 47, the Eaton school district. consolidated with C-3 School, now known as Country View School, and later with USD 465.

Sheridan Township took over responsibility for the building after the school closed. It was used for board meetings and served as the township's voting precinct. Because of upkeep expense, the submersible pump and bathroom facilities were sold and utilities discontinued.

After several years, the roof needed shingling and township board members said they didn't think they could afford to repair it. So they sold the building to Sandborn, who lives nearby, for $1.00.

Sandborn then paid more than $I,200 to have a new roof put on. During the early years, Sandborn's mother boarded several of the teachers. Although Sandborn said he has sentimental memories, he is considering removing the rest of the structure for safety reasons.

Josie Sandborn

Living near a school can have its rewards as well as its heartaches. This was brought out in a recent interview with Mrs. Josie Sandborn, who boarded several teachers of the Eaton School over a period of 19 years, and also let school children keep their horses in her barn during the day. She watched many children come and go during the years that the Eaton School was active. It is located 12 miles east and three-quarters of a mile south of Winfield.

Josie was born March 26, 1891, south of Burden to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Shorter. She had five brothers and one sister. Mr. and Mrs. Shorter moved to Eaton when Josie was six years old. She attended eight years school at Eaton.

She later met Harold Sandborn of Scandia, who visited his brother, Rob, here at times, and they were married in 1912 in the house where she now lives, but at that time was the United Brethren parsonage. They lived in Arkansas City for a few years, where he worked as a railroad agent. They later moved to Turon, then to Lamed to make their home.

The sandborns had three children; Carroll, Kathryn and Kenneth. Their father was actively involved in baseball, and while the children were very young, he received fatal Injuries in a baseball accident. Josie spent the winter In, Scandia with Harold's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Sandborn, later moving to Eaton to make her home.

Raising three small children alone had its problems, and boarding school teachers was one way to. alleviate some of the financial difficulties as well as to accommodate the teachers . Nell Cullumber of Winfield was one of the teachers who stayed with Josie for four school years. She did not take a sack lunch or go home for her noon meal, and she can remember when Josie would quietly leave a tray with a hot lunch for her in the outside hall at school just before noon each day.

At recess time, when the weather permitted ball playing outside, one might have found Josie observing the activities, as she was also a baseball fan.

Miss Cullumber said that once during a bi-monthly exam day, she found two of her pupils were absent without good reason. She had Josie come over to keep things under control for an hour while she went to get the two children who were trying to skip school. To many of the children Jose was a second mother, providing needle, thread or whatever was needed in emergencies. She assisted the youngsters many times in getting their horses ready for the trip home after school. Some horses were so anxious to get home that she worried about the youngsters safety.

Her family consists of Carroll at home Mrs. Kathryn Miller of Winfield; Kenneth of Highland, Ind.; ten grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. Josie observed her 84th birthday recently. Her interest in her family, her friends and neighbors has always been her main concern and has helped keep her young in heart and mind.

By MRS. PERCY WILSON

1991

TEACHERS OF THE EATON SCHOOL


Josephine Barry	1902--1903
Walter G. Lee	1903--1904
L. A. Dungey	1904--1905
L. A. Dungey	1905--1906
L. A. Dungey	1906--1907
Mollie Sandstrum	1907--1908
Emma Randall	1908--1909
(no name listed)	1909--1910
Vernon Brothers	1910--1911
	1911--1912
	1912--1913
Miss May Cairns	1913--1914
E. L. Tabor & Harry Hart

Eaton School Reunions

Picnic Sunday July,15th.1962 Date of paper Tuesday July 17th 1962

Winfield (Kan.) Daily Courier, Tues., July 17, 1962

Over Hundred Attend Eaton School Picnic Here

The 12th annual Eaton school picnic was held Sunday at Island Park. One hundred thirty one former pupils at the Eaton school, their descendants, and families gathered for a basket dinner with coffee, iced tea, and pop furnished by the planning committee. Paul Lawrence gave the invocation.

The old Eaton school was located 12 miles east and 1 mile south of Winfield; and old memories are relived and old friendships renewed at this picnic.

Reelected to direct the Eaton school picnic affairs for next year were Clarence Higginbottom, president; Frank Williams; treasurer; Mrs. Percy Wilson, secretary; and Mrs. William Fox, program chairman. Charles Hoyt of Topeka presented a hand carved gavel to Higginbottom for use at future Eaton picnics.

Special tribute Was paid by the group to EatonviIlers who had passed away during the past year. The memories of Frank Moyer, Minnie Bruffett Huck, Floyd Cockran and Jack Hoyt were honored.

Percy wilson, Herb Hanna, Joe Ridings and Clarence Higginbottom entertained the group by relating stories of school day incidents.

Instrumental music was furnished by Charlie Havens and his son John. Mrs. Paul Lawrence led group singing.

Superlative awards were also presented. Coming the farthest distance to attend the picnic were Mrs. C. J. Ledford (Martha Bolack) and children of Newhall, California. Vernon Brothers was honored as the oldest teacher present. Fifty-seven years of marriage earned Mr. and Mrs. Claud Bolack the prize as the longest married couple.

Tallest lady at the Picnic was designated as Mrs. Paul Parsons Sr., and qualifying as the shortest man was Roy Sutton.

Those attending from outside this area were Mr. and Mrs. Harleign B. Knox, Mr., and Mrs. Byron Crowley, Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parsons Sr., Carol and Diamne Lawrence, New Salem; Mr, and Mrs. Harold Shorter and Junior, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Crow and family, Dexter; Mr. and Mrs. Harman Priest, Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Lawrence and sons, Ponca City; Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Hoyt, Kevin and Laurie Harris, Topeka.

Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Davis. Mrs. G. F. Hawley and Joe, Cambridge; Mr. and Mrs. Herb Hanna and sons, Derby; Frank Strickland of Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Harding, Lubbock, Tex.; A/3c and. Mrs. Larry Kelley, Fort. Worth, Tex.; Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Moreland, Augusta; Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Wesbrook. Moline; Mrs. C. J. Ledford and children, Newhall, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Rex C. Bolack and daughter. Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. George Branson, cambrIdge; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ridings, Latham; Bobby Don Richardson, Arkansas, City; Dr. George WiIson, Enid; Paula and Pam Agler, Walters; Oklahoma.

Attending from Burden were Steve and Mayne Werner, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd. Barkman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Bolack, Mrs. William Fox and Iliene, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wood, Carroll Sandborn, Mrs. Rose Barger, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graham; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parsons and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bolack, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Wilson and Robert.

Winfield residents at the picnic were Charlie Havens, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Dulaney, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sutton. Mrs. Gladys Orr, Mrs. Maysie B. Hanna, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Ott, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Priest, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Snow and Virginia, Mrs. Jerry Hoover and family, Debra King, Florence Ridings, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Alfred, Velma Gane, John Havens, Leonard Hoel, Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Brothers, Virgie Young, Mrs. Bessie Mays and family, Mrs. Bessie Neal and daughters, Mrs. Dick Flottman and Becky, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Higginbottom.

July 21, 1963

Eaton School Reunion Is Attended by 133 Here

Approximately 133 persons attended the 13th annual Eaton school picnic, held Sunday at Island park. Bill Yadon gave the blessing. A business meeting and program followed the meal.

Several school group pictures were on display.

It was voted to keep the same officers for another year. They are: Clarence Higginbottom, president; Frank Williams, treasurer; Mrs. Percy Wilson, secretary; and Mrs. William Fox, program chairman.

A special tribute was paid those who had died during the past year. Names read in memoriam were Mrs. Closs Fielder, Henry Priest, Leslie Fielder, Dixon Smith, Mrs. Ike Hoyt, Ed Shorter, Mrs. Ellen Waterhouse, Ernest Cochran, Blaine Adams and Robert Sumner Wilson.

The following program was given: accordian trio, Ivy Ann Bolack, Ronald Bolack and Christie Sheeks; accordian duet, Ivy Ann Bolack and Christie Sheeks; accordian solo, Byron Lawrence; a monologue, "Did You Ever Hear About," Mrs. Percy Wilson; and instrumental music. Charlie Havens and son John Havens.

Prizes were awarded during the afternoon to the family coming the farthest, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Dulaney, Rock Springs, Wyo; family with most girls present, Bessie Mays with 3; family with most boys present, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lawrence with 4; booby hands, Mrs. Paul Parsons; and prize to woman with largest the most bald-headed man, Ike Hoyt.

Attending from out-of-town were Mrs. Fern Agler, Pam and Paula, Walters, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. Herb Hanna, Robbie and Mark, Randy Green, Gaylan Wright of Derby; Mr. and Mrs. Rex Dulaney and family, Rock Springs, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Harleigh Knox, Mrs. Ethel Jahrous, Mrs. Ollie Kochheiser, of Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shorter; and Junior, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Crow and family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Duncan, Ike Hoyt, Mr, and Mrs. Harry Taylor of Dexter; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Keely and girls, Udall; Mr. and Mrs. Harman Priest, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lawrence and boys, Ponca city; Grover Adams, Altamont; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Adams of parsons; Mr. and Mrs. paul Parsons Sr., New Salem; Mr. and Mrs. Harley R. Sutton, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Moreland, Augusta.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Griffith, Charlie Havens, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams, Mr and Mrs. Clarence Higginbottom, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Snow and Virginia Ann Muret, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Dulaney, Florence Ridings, Mrs. Marvin Keasling and family, Mrs. Maysie B. Hanna Mr. and Mrs. Austin Young, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Priest, Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Brothers, Mr. and Mrs, Frank Higginbottom, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Griffith and family, Irma Frazier, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Yadon, Christie Sheeks, Mrs. Mildred Wesbrook, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Allred, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Davis, John Havens, Mr. and Mrs. James E Young, Bessie Mays and family, Bessie Neals and girls, Jan Krusor, Mrs. Edith Morrell and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hoover and family, of Winfield and vicinity; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barkman and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Barkman, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Bolack and family, Steve Werner, Mayme Werner, Mr. and Mrs. William Fox, Mrs. Rose Barger, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Wilson and Carroll Sandborn, of Burden; and Eaton community.

July 19th 1964

Eaton School Picnic Held For 14th Year

The 14th annual Eaton School picnic was held Sunday, July 19, at the Island park pavilion, with 125 former teachers, neighbors and friends attending. A program and a business meeting were held after a covered dish dinner. Pop, ice tea and coffee were served.

Paul Lawrence of Ponca City gave the invocation. The present officers were elected for another year. They are Clarence Higginbottom, chairman; Frank Williams, treasurer Mrs. Percy Wilson, secretary; and Mrs. William Fox, program chairman.

Former teachers were recognized and each gave comments of past school days. A special tribute was given for friends who passed away last year. They were Merle Mulaney, Jess Head, Herb Hanna, Alta Costin, Fred Ridings, Ralph Yadon and Charles Hoyt.

Prizes were awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shorter of Ulysses for coming the farthest, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parsons of New Salem for having the most. grandchildren present (6), and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Griffith, Winfield, for being the most recently married couple.

The program was accordian selections by Ronald and Ivy Ann Bolack and Christie Sheeks; memories of past school days, by Mrs. Percy Wilson; and instrumentaI music by Charles Havens and son John.

Attending from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Harleigh Knox, Mrs. Ollie Kochheiser, Mr. and Mrs. Noble Merry, and Joe McDaniel, Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tholen and family, Emporia; Edna Leftwich and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parsons, New Salem; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Havens, Rock; Pam and Paula Agler, WaIters, Okla.; Mrs Wilma Ankrom, Milan; Florence Ridings, Udall; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shorter, Ulysses; Mrs. Velva Hanna, Robbie and Mark, and Mrs. Ailene Wilkes and Robert, Derby; Clyde Parsons, Salina; Mrs. Gertrude Merry Mahannah, Mrs. Clyde Moreland, Ray Moreland Jr., and Bob Moreland, Augusta; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lawrence and boys Ponca City; Mrs. Mabel Riggs, Denver, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ridings and Arthur Brewer, Latham; and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Duncan, Ike Hoyt, Thelma Laycock and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shorter and Junior, Dexter.

From the Winfield area: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Keasling and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leland Cranston and Janine, Mrs. Maysie Hanna, Mrs. Gladys Orr, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Higginbottom, Charlis Havens, Mrs. Merle Dulaney, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Priest, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Yadon, Linda Thomson, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Griffith and family, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Young, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Allred, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Ott, Flarence Buffum, Mrs. Sidney Shields, David Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Brothers, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Snow, Edna Shields, Christine Sheeks and Doc Yadon.

From the Burden and Eaton community were Steve Werner, Mayme Werner, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barkman and Donald, Mrs. Josie Sandborn, Carroll Sandborn, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Barkman, Mr. and Mrs. William Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Parsons and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Bolack and family and Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Wilson.

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P. S. A little 1882 Kansas School news from "The Oskaloosa Independent".

There are over 312,231 children of school age in Kansas, and 308,434 enrolled in the public schools. The average daily attendance for 1879 was 123,716. Number of school districts 5,625; log school houses 338; men teaching in public schools 3,161; women 3,861. Average monthly pay for men $31.65; for women $25.30. The whole receipts for public schools $1,868,563; whole expenditures $1,590,794.