Holden, Mary W M 1987-06-02

Mary Holden reviews her experiences as a rural school teacher in Haskell County and Garza County, Texas.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Mary Wells Mansel Holden

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: June 2, 1987

Location: Haskell County, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 35 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: [Tape begins mid-interview], The lean years for teachers in Haskell County, Nine month salary was $90/month, The next year less money so teachers were given vouchers, Grocer and drug store gave credit, In January credit was canceled, Her family and other teacher had $1.75 for 2 weeks, Bread, lunch meat, gifts of eggs and cream, Not the "good old days" but "the lean years", She was fired after 2 years, School picnic- she rode home on back of horse of student, She went to Tanner Paint school, She married in mid-year 1934, To Post Texas the next year, Miss Nannie’s example, Tanner Paint Community (again), Tenants were less respectable than land owners, She was born at O’Brien 1st grade there, Second grade at Mitchell School 3rd year at O’Brien, Her mother rented a house Frank drove them in a buggy, Her brother left home she and sister walked to school, Teaching (again), She taught at Post 2 years then Midway between Rule and Haskell, She had divorced when at Post needed summer work, She swept floors and carried coal, The lst year she boarded with a couple, Very cold winter 2 degrees, Midway school was the best in the county good principal good parents, Post School (again), The principal was fired 2nd year Mary was there, New principal from A&M leaky building, Sheet iron stove and stove pipe, Any little incident could turn town against teachers, Teacher expected to attend church and teach Sunday school, Small schools had 3 trustees, County Superintendents, Summer meeting for all teachers, Mary had no money to attend so ?Baytown friend gave $5, Miss Minnie Ellis was Haskell County superintendent, In 3rd grade at O’Brien Mary drew pictures on board for visitors, Miss Ellis was stern and exacting, Delta Kappa Gamma teaching sorority founded before 1950, Miss Ellis helped found her family from Haskell County, She died many years ago, Typical school days, Start at 8:30 AM make the fire in rural schools, At Post and Tanner Paint she taught 1 2 and 3 grade, At Midway she taught 1 and 2 grade, Well water no lunches served, At Rule 20 minutes to eat then playground work, After 2 years at Midway it consolidated, Principal had built a gym lst in rural schools, Students sanded the hardwood floor, The principal now lives in Tennessee, The school closed, ½ to Haskell, ½ to Rule, Principal and wife to Haskell, Town schools versus rural schools, No married women due to few jobs in area, Rule school fired all teachers except 2 old ladies, Miss Foster and Mrs. Eaton retained, The new teachers boarded together, The community dictated what to teach, She later did practice teaching at Alpine, Her daughter has taught in ????? for 10-12 years, More strict training now.

Tape 1, Side 2: Smart children will learn in spite of the teacher, Kappa Delta Gamma (again), She started teaching at age 21, Two years of college at Mary Hardin Baylor, Later training at Sul Ross State, As a child, girls had nurse secretary or teacher as career goals, Her older brother was a teacher, They lived on a farm teaching was only way to earn a living, Nurse training too difficult to apply for, Her sister went one year each Mary Hardin Baylor and Hardin Simmons, She taught 3 years and quit, She taught 12 years, but friends have taught 30-40 years, She will be married 45 years on June 17, Her husband had good income plus no one to watch the children, She substituted- "worst job in the world", [Tape ends after 5 minutes].

Range Dates:1910-1987

Bulk Dates: 1930-1950

Access Information

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