I had 12 children when I started there in the Fall of 1917 and all eight grades. Charlie Wright was trustee and William Bosson whom I had met riding the train back and forth to Indianapolis and who lived in big white frame house west of Allisonville took special notice of me and I'm sure was influential in recommending me to Mr. Wright. He sent me geographic for several years and was interested in helping me in any way he could. We finally had 22 children enrolled before the year was over, among them Mildred and Harold Brunson. Lafe Dronebarger lived across the road. He was mentally retarded, not dangerous at all. He would come over to the school after water or appear in the door during school time to ask what time it was. I was always afraid of him (for no reason) and didn't like to be there alone when he came. I had several memorable experiences that year. After shaking a Shaw boy so hard the buttons came off his shirt he refused to come back to school + finally he + his parents and a very frightened school teacher had to go to court. Dad was too sick that morning to go with me so Nitha + I went. Everything turned out in my favor to my great relief. Then Mildred + Harold Brunson played hooky on Saturday when we had to make up a day + had a picnic under the bridge on 75th and Allisonville Road. Mildred's dad came by and broke that up. I still tease Mildred about that. We had lots of good times and I really made a good grade on a teacher's examination after going through the work of all 8 grades. That was the last year for school at Allisonville as the children were sent to Nora the next year and I went too, taking Helen Eusey's mother's (Wilma Steele's) place when she married Neal Bowen. The Allisonville children would come around to see me now + then + wish we were back in the little one room school.

[margin note] Edith subbed for me at Allisonville and got by pretty good - the children hardly knowing the difference. [Editor: remember Edith and Edna were twins!].

          end of part nineteen

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