by Lillian Boils Melton

Several years ago, on a Saturday morning, I received a phone call from a former school teacher, Ms. Mildred Gibson Denney. She said, “Lillian, I have something to give you, and when you see it you will know why I want you to have it”.

On the following Sunday morning after church, she presented to me a big green book simply titled SCRAP BOOK. As I quickly glanced through the book, I was overwhelmed with emotions as my eyes fell on an eight by 10 enlarged picture of my sister with these words written above it- IN MEMORY OF MARY E. BOILS- NOV. 1938- JUNE 17 1954.

Now I knew why she wanted me to be the recipient of this very special SCRAPBOOK that she had kept during her years of teaching school at the two-room Five Springs School during the early 1950’s.

As I continued to slowly turn the pages of this very valuable collection of recorded events and school pictures, I was reminded of that tragic day on June 17, 1954 when my fifteen year-old sister was killed in an accident when she fell from the back of a flatbed truck on which she was riding on the way to a revival meeting at the Hogback church.

The devastation from my sister’s death was heartbreaking and was felt throughout our family, school, church and community.

Various other articles in the scrapbook brought back fond memories of two wonderful teachers, Ms. Lucille Gibson and her sister Ms. Mildred G. Denney.

These ladies, during their tenure at our little country school, instilled into the hearts of their students many valuable lessons, both educational and moral.

With 65-70 students ranging from first grade through eighth grade, they taught not only READING, WRITING and ARITHMETIC, but they also integrated the teaching of many lifelong learning skills. 4-H programs were held each month with Mr. D.E. Salibury Sr. as our leader. At the first meeting of the school year, students elected officers for the coming year.

The reporter was responsible for submitting an article to the Clinton County NEWS on a monthly basis. 4-H members had the opportunity to participate in county-wide demonstration projects. I was encouraged by my teacher to present a demonstration. I choose for my topic- PACKAGING MEAT FOR THE DEEP FREEZER.

I knew absolutely nothing about public speaking and was a bit concerned about my ability to compete with others who had experience. However, my teachers were actively involved in helping students prepare for this project competition, and were more than happy to assist. I was invited to their home and was instructed on how to prepare and rehearse for the day of the contest.

To my surprise I won first place in my category and was awarded a free two day trip to Louisville. During the trip, we attended the Kentucky State Fair, the Phillip Morris Tobacco Plant, and a stockyard (don’t remember the name of the company). This was my first trip to a big city and also my first time to spend a night in a hotel – lots of life lesson opportunities for a little country girl.

Oh yes, there were even fundraisers back then to raise money for important things – like soft balls and bats for our one and only sports activity.

The highlight of our school week was the Friday afternoon softball games. Teams were comprised of both boys and girls, and we even had cheerleaders and a team name -The Flying Bats.

Our competition was other teams from neighboring country schools in the county – no out of town games. One fundraiser that I well remember was a Box Supper. Lessons in creativity and competition came alive as we cut and pasted beautifully colored bright pieces of crepe paper onto our boxes in aneffort to achieve the prettiest box, in which our supper for two would be packed.

Teachers, students, parents and the community leaders came together to support a common cause, raising needed money for our school. The boxes filled with fried chicken, biscuits and bananas for two (the only items that I remember) were auctioned off to the highest bidder. The owner and the buyer of the box enjoyed the meal together.

Spelling Bees were also held at the country schools. The winners from each local school would participate in a county wide competition, which was held at the old high school gymnasium.

And can you believe it? We even had Drama in those good old days. The most exciting time of the year was Christmas time. We memorized our lines and rehearsed for the Christmas Program in anticipation of the big night when our family, friends, and community came together to enjoy our performance.

Even the pastor of the Five Springs Methodist Church attended the play and gave the benediction following the presentation of the nativity scene. Of course this was back in the days before the ACLU decided that someone might be offended by these activities. School staff still had the freedom to begin the day with prayer, to read scripture from the Holy Bible, and students recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

As teachers who were required to perform many tasks without all of today’s modern conveniences, they endured the hardships and challenges of teaching all subjects to all students in grade 1-8, with an enrollment of 65-70 students. In the winter, they arrived early at the school house to start a fire in the old coal stove to assure that the rooms were warm when the students arrived, as they no doubt would be very cold from the long walk to school. There was no school bus transportation for country schools. However, there was always one thing they could depend on… the support of the parents. If a child got a whipping at school, they were likely to get another one at home.

Many other school activities, too numerous to mention in this limited amount of space, were recorded in this scrapbook beginning in 1952. I will forever be grateful to these two precious ladies who certainly made an impact on my life, and also the lives of many other children in the Five Springs Community. I’m thankful that they cared enough to spend hours documenting memorable events that otherwise may have been forgotten.

In honor, and appreciation of my two beloved teachers, Ms. Mildred G. Denney and Ms. Lucille Gibson, I respectfully submit this article on the Scrapbook.

Lillian Boils Melton