| |
19th CENTURY
WHITE EDUCATION AT OCEAN SPRINGS
With our highly respected public school system of today in place, it
is appropriate to reflect into the past and observe how education
evolved at Ocean Springs from its conception in the 19th
Century. This article investigates the white educational system
only, as the public schools were segregated in Mississippi, until
the late 1960s. Several articles, “Early Black Education in Ocean
Springs”, were presented in this column on November 16 and November
23, 1995. It also will not relate about the parochial school system
developed in the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Alphonsus de Liguori.
Ever since
Mississippi became a State of the Union in December 1817, public
education has been an important part of legislative matters. During
the term of Governor Albert Gallatin Brown from 1844-1848, whose
personal platform advocated the “establishment of schools in which
every poor white child in the country may secure, free of charge,
the advantages of a liberal education”, the first effective common
school law was enacted.(Dabney, 1936, p. 344)
It was
educator Frederick A.P. Barnard (1809-1889), a native of
Massachusetts, who was a professor, president and chancellor of the
University of Mississippi from 1854 to 1861, that evoked the
doctrine that in order to have adequate common schools, an
educational system must first develop good colleges.
The Civil
War disrupted Barnard’s promising career in improving Mississippi’s
educational attitude, but he went on to become president of Columbia
College at New York City. Barnard College, the woman’s
undergraduate division of Columbia College, was named for him in
1890.(Ibid., p. 350 and The Columbia Encyclopedia, 1963, p. 167)
During
Reconstruction, the Mississippi legislature passed a comprehensive
school law on July 4, 1870, which established a state superintendent
of education, local
school boards, and county superintendents of education. This statue
also stated : “All the children of this state, between the ages of
five and twenty-one years, shall have, in all respects, equal
advantages in the public schools.” Thus Black children were granted
the right to a common education which they had been denied prior to
the Civil War.(Ibid., p. 353) By 1875, there were 89,800 black and
78,400 white students attending public schools in the Magnolia
State.(McKee, 1995, p. 119)
The public education system in place today was established by James
Rhea Preston (b. 1853), an educator from Virginia. He came to
Mississippi in 1875, and taught in north Mississippi schools until
his election as State Superintendent of Education in 1885. Under
Superintendent Preston, the State school system was vastly improved,
especially as regards to white teacher education and examination. (Dabney,
1936, pp. 354-355)
1850
The 1850 Federal Census at Ocean Springs indicates that there were
two teachers residing in the vicinity of Ocean Springs. They were
Herman Bailey (1822-1850+) of New Hampshire and Samuel Thompson
(1805-1850+), a native of New York. It appears that they were
living between Gautier and Ocean Springs and one of them may have
been associated with common school held at the Tidewater Baptist
Church near Davis Bayou, which had been organized circa 1832, by
Elder George Davis and Thomas C. Hunt. (Schmidt, 1972, p. 82)
1855
The Ocean Springs Gazette, a local journal of which one issue
from March 1855 survives in the public library, related that there
were two boarding schools here at this time. They were the Ocean
Springs Academy for males and the LaFontaine Hill Seminary for
girls. E.K. Washington, the editor of The Gazette, was also
the principal of the Ocean Springs Academy.(Schmidt, 1972, p. 36)
1860
The 1860 Federal Census at Ocean Springs indicates that Hortense
Tiffin (1841-1870+), a Louisiana born teenager, was a teacher here.
Miss Tiffin was the daughter of Belle Miller Conklin Tiffin
(1824-1900) and Dr. Clayton Tiffin (ca 1784-1859) of New Orleans.
The Tiffins were the proprietors of the present day Shearwater
Pottery parcel, and they made their summer residence in the Ashley
home fronting Biloxi Bay. Later, Hortense Tiffin married Jean M.
Delavallade of Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, Louisiana.(The Ocean
Springs Record, January 19, 1995, p. 18)
Another
1860 educator, L.A. Ward, was probably at the Tidewater Baptist
Church educational facility as he resided with Samuel Davis
(1804-1879) near the Stark family. Samuel Davis was the husband of
Elvira Ward (1821-1901).
1870-1880
Information concerning the public school system at Ocean Springs,
during this decade is scarce. The 1936-1937 WPA survey of Jackson
County relates that initial efforts to educate the youth of Ocean
Springs were given to Harry Herrin (1842-1880+), a native of
Georgia. He was married to a Mississippi lady, Mary Herring
(1847-1880+), who was the mother of their infant son, Edwin Lee
Herring (1869-1870+). Mr. Herrin conducted a three-month school on
Washington Avenue in a small wooden structure. His pupils sat on
back-less benches and worked from crude desks, which were long pine
planks fastened to the walls.(1870 Federal Census-JXCO, Ms. and WPA
For Ms. Historical Data-JXCO, Ms.: 1936-1937, p. 277)
Professor Jones educated classes here for three months in 1872. No
school session was held at Ocean Springs in 1873 or 1875. Judge
Harry H. Minor (1837-1884) taught in 1874 and 1876 under the same
primitive conditions. Some of the students during this pioneer era
were: Charlotte Franco Cochran (1864-1939), Marie Soden von
Rosambeau (1857-1939), A.J. Catchot (1864-1954), and John J. Franco.
(1859-1935). (WPA For Ms. Historical Data-JXCO, Ms.:
1936-1937, p. 277)
1874
In October
1874, the local citizenry became incensed with Jackson County
elected officials, primarily the County School Superintendent, Tax
Collector, and Treasurer. At a large public meeting held in late
October, it was alleged that these officials were misappropriating
and not providing Ocean Springs with its equitable share from the
County School Fund. An organization to take control and manage
local school funds was formed. John Egan (1827-1875) was elected
permanent chairman, M.S. Park (1846-1880+), secretary, and Joseph
Simmons (1824-1886) and Alfred Ryan (1827-1880+), vice presidents.
Chairman Egan appointed a two-man committee, H.H. Minor and William
Ames (1848-1922), to draft resolutions expressing the sentiments of
the people, which demanded of the County, its portion of the School
Fund and the accountability of those County officials in charge of
the school money.(The Star of Pascagoula, November 7, 1874, ,p.2)
The Tidewater Public School
It is known
with a high degree of certitude that the Tidewater Public School
existed in the vicinity of Davis Bayou in the 1870s. It was
situated three miles east of Ocean Springs and was held in the
Tidewater Baptist Church. In 1871 and 1872, a four-month school
session was taught here by Miss Martha Bradford (1842-1887) and
Sherwood Bradford (1838-1922) respectively. They were the children
of Lyman Bradford (1803-1858) and Cynthia Davis (1813-1887). E.S.
Davis (1859-1925), the proprietor of E.S. Davis & Sons, the
successor to The Davis Brothers’ mercantile store on Washington
Avenue, was a student here at this time.(WPA For Ms. Historical
Data-JXCO, Ms.: 1936-1937, pp. 277-278)
In the
spring of 1875, classes were held here under the auspices of Captain
A. C. Burton (d. 1875), a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Burton was
a new arrival
here, but
unfortunately passed on in November 1875. His wife was in Bolivar
County, Mississippi, at the time of his demise.(The Star of
Pascagoula, November 20, 1875, p. 4)
Closing
ceremonies were held at the Tidewater Public School in early May
1875. Jenny Clark was honored as May Queen. Her royal court
consisted of: Mary Watson, Evie Clark, Nancy Moore, Isabella
Armstrong, Addie Clark, and Josephine Morris. Other students
participating in the final school year program were: Edward Ward,
Olivia Clark, Frank Ayres, and William Bilbo. Colonel Redmond, M.S.
Park, and J.E. Clark assisted Captain Burton with the program which
included a picnic and baseball game.(The Star of Pascagoula, May
8, 1875, p. 2)
1880-1890
It appears that during this decade, education at
Ocean Springs became more consistent. The modus operandi of
the public school system was to have at least a winter term of four
months. Teachers could operate private schools at their
discretion.
1880
The 1880 Federal Census taken at Ocean Springs indicates that there
were forty-seven students in school here. Their family
names were: Brassert, Catchot, Cessor, Dunlap, Eglin, Franco, Galle,
Huke, Illing, Mathieu, Poitevent, Rickey, Ryan, Seidenstricker,
Sheldon, Staples, Taylor, VanCleave, Webb, and White. The teacher
could not be ascertained.
1881
In 1881, a Mrs. Emma P. Young came
to Ocean Springs from Edwards, Mississippi, to operate a private
learning facility.She was a graduate of the Central Female
Institute at Clinton, Mississippi. Mrs. Young planned to open her
school on September 25th, 1881. Her credentials related
that she was well qualified to teach all branches of English, music,
Latin, French, and higher grades.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
September 23, 1881, p. 3)
Mrs. Young advertised
in The Pascagoula Democrat-Star on September 30th,
1881, as follows:
OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
The undersigned, a regular graduate, and a
successful teacher of several years experience in some of the best
schools of the State, would respectfully announce to the general
public that she has opened a school at Ocean Springs, Miss., where
instruction will be given in all the branches usually taught in our
schools, together with music. Students may also receive special
instruction in penmanship. It will be the aim to make it a
first-class school in every respect. Ocean Springs is a healthy
place, and board as reasonable as at other schools.
1882
No information.
1883
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star
announced in late
February that Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Forstall are in charge of the
four months public school for white children. Last year the Negroes
had access to this educational opportunity.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, February 23, 1883, p. 3) In September 1879, Mr.
W.H. Foster is the Sunday School superintendent at Seashore Camp
Ground.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, September 25, 1879)
Emily Foster McCall
lost her husband, educator C.R. McCall, Professor of Languages at
the State Normal in Troy, Alabama, in August 1898.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, may 19, 1899, p. 3)
1884
Leon Dieschbourg (1842-1880+), a native of Holland, was
the teacher at Ocean Springs in the spring of 1884.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 16, 1884, p. 3) He had previously
been a school master in Harrison County, where he taught at the Oak
Ridge School (1878), Howard Creek (1879), and Back Bay-Big Ridge
(1879-1880).
(HARCO
School Register 1874-1885, pp. 18-35)
1885
No information.
1886
In the winter term of 1885-1886,
D.D. Cowan, principal and Mrs. L.Y. Westerfeldt, assistant taught
classes in the free white school at Ocean Springs. Average
attendance for these daily sessions was sixty-five pupils.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 19, 1886, p. 2)
1888-1889
In the winter term of 1888-1889, Decatur D. Cowan
(1850-1929) taught 65 students at Ocean Springs: forty-one male and
twenty-four female. There were 200 educable children here at this
time.(Ocean Springs School Register, Winter 1888-1889, JXCO, Ms.
Archives, Pascagoula, Ms.) In 1892, Mr. Cowan would become the
first Mayor of Ocean Springs. He also served as School
Superintendent of Jackson County from 1896-1905.
1890-1900
The last decade of the 19th Century saw much
progress in education at Ocean Springs. The student population
increased rapidly during this period. A schoolhouse erected in
1891, had to be replaced by a larger structure in 1900. Some of
this growth was the result of students from outlying areas who
boarded in the community to acquire an education. Private schools
and summer school sessions were common.
The Ocean Springs School District was known as No. 43 in
the County nomenclature. Its geographic area encompassed Sections
19, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, and 37 of T7S-R8W.
School registers maintained by teachers during this period, indicate
that some of the families who sent their children to the public
school during this decade were: Ames, Armstrong, Baird, Beaugez,
Bellman, Benezue, Beyer, Bird, Bishop, Bland, Boes, Bradford,
Breakfield, Buehler, Burton, Byrd, Carco, Carver, Carter, Casey,
Catchot, Chusman, Clark, Cochran, Colligan, Collins, Colvin, Cooley,
Covington, Cowan, Cox, Cubbage, Culver, Davis, Delcuze, Dick,
Dolbear, Domning, Dunden, Eagan, Eglin, Ellis, Evans, Fayard,
Franco, Freeman, Friar, Garic, Gilly, Goodier, Gwartney, Haviland,
Heitzman, Hellmer, Hopkins, Hopper, Hultzman, Illing, Jenkins,
Joachim, Johnson, Joiner, Ladnier, Lowd, Madison, Maxwell, McClure,
McDaniels, McKie, Miller, Moore, Mons, Morris, Motor, Myer, Newcomb,
Nill, Orrell, Pabst, Partridge, Phelps, Phillip, Putter, Ramsay,
Raymond, Redmon, Reed, Reus, Richards, Rippy, Rooney, Rosambeau,
Roquevelt, Russell, Ruta, Ryan, Seaman, Seymour, Siegerson, Smith,
Soden, Soule, Starks, Thomas, Tillman, Toche, Turner, VanCleave,
VanCourt, VanHoven, Vaughan, Walker, West, Westbrook, White, Wickay,
Wilson, Wiggington, Witt, Woodcock, and Young.
A 19th Century Classroom at Ocean Springs
(courtesy of Jack Gottsche from the Gottsche family archives)
1890-1891
Miss Fernanda Wolff, was the principal and teacher.
When her tenure here was completed, she left Ocean Springs and went
to live at Boston, Massachusetts, with her sister, Miss Minna
Wolff. Minna Wolff studied medicine at Boston in the mid-1890s.
When Minna returned to Boston in September 1895, to resume her
medical education, she sailed to New York from New Orleans on the
S.S. Louisiana.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
September 13, 1895, p. 3)
In November 1894, John F. Muller, Miss Fernanda’s nephew, visited
with her, her mother, Mrs. C. Wolff, and the other Wolff siblings at
Ocean Springs. Young Muller had just returned from the goldfields
of Nicarauga and was in transit to his home at San Antonio, Texas.(The
Pascagoula Democrat Star, November 23, 1894, p. 3)
In October 1898, after Fernanda Wolff had left for Boston, she and
Minna Wollf were joined by their mother and sister, Miss Lou Wolff,
reuniting the family once again.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
September 30, 1898, p.3)
In 1925, Fernanda E. Wolff, a resident of Newton,
Massachusetts, donated two items to the St. John’s Episcopal
Church. They were: a sterling silver alms box and a sterling silver
bread box. These memorial to her mother, a founder of the 1892
church, were to be dedicated on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 1925.(The
Daily Herald, October 27, 1925, p. 1)
The winter term of 1890-1891 commenced in November 1890 and ended in
February 1891. There were fifty-three students in attendance-26
male and 27 female. At this time, Ocean Springs had 213 children
eligible for an education, indicating that only 24% of the educable
children were in the classroom.(1890-1891 School Register, JXCO, Ms.
Archives, Pascagoula, Ms.)
1891-1892
Professor D.D. Cowan returned to Ocean Springs for the
winter term of 1891-1892. Among the subjects he taught his ninety
students were: arithmetic, composition, geography, grammar, history,
reading, physics, and spelling. The educable student population
here this school year was 198 children. Mr. D.D. Cowan closed the
term of the public school on March 4, 1892, with a successful
entertainment.(1891-1892 School Register, JXCO, Ms. Archives,
Pascagoula, Ms. and The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, March 11, 1892,
p. 2)
THE 1891 PUBLIC SCHOOL
In mid-March 1891, The Biloxi Herald in its “Ocean Springs”
news column related that civic leadership was needed to organize the
citizenry and erect a schoolhouse for the coming school year at
Ocean Springs. It admonished the town to get an immediate start and
utilize the resources and assistance of the summer residents.(The
Biloxi Herald, March 21, 1891, p.5)
Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1 Land Donation
In late April 1891, the membership of the Ocean Springs Fire Company
No. 1 was persuaded by George W. Davis (1842-1914) to donate a lot
in the rear of their firehouse for the construction of a
schoolhouse. Their firehouse was situated in Block 3-Lot 18 of the
Clay Strip on the eastside of Washington Avenue. Lot 18 had a
100-foot front on Washington Avenue and ran east for about 225
feet. The Senior Citizens building is situated here today. The
firehouse of Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1 and several
residences, including the Vahle House, a small hostel on the
northwest corner of Washington and Calhoun, were destroyed in the
Great Fire of November 1916, when it swept down Washington Avenue
from Porter Street to the southwest corner of Calhoun.(The
Jackson County Times, November 18, 1916, p. 1)
On May 9, 1891, Joseph Kotzum (1842-1915), president of Fire Company
No. 1, conveyed to George W. Davis, David W. Halstead (1842-1918),
and Newcomb Clark (1836-1913), Trustees of the Ocean Springs Public
School, a lot of land from the eastern end of their property to
erect a public school building for white children. The donation
parcel was 100 feet wide and 70 feet in length.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed
Bk. 12, pp. 397-398)
In addition to Joseph Kotzum, other officers of Fire Company No.1
were: James Colligan (1855-1905), vice pres.; F.M. Dick (1857-1922),
sec.; William Lorenzen (1844-1910+), treas.; George H. Tardy
(1839-1902), foreman; I.W. Simmons (1867-1919), 1st asst.
foreman; Frank Franco (1871-1935), 2nd asst. foreman; and
Daniel J. Richards (1857-1892), steward. Active members of the
company were: George Birdrow (1865-1923), Richard White II, E.S.
Davis (1859-1925), Joseph A. Catchot (1861-1927), Eugene Davis,
Beauregard Ryan (1860-1928), J. Trosclair, Jacob Martin (1844-1926),
A.P. Kotzum (1871-1916), E.M. Westbrook (1858-1913), John Beaugez
(1857-1913), Jules Rupple, Andrew Buehler (1859-1939), Louis
Westbrook, Frank De Bourgh (1876-1954+), and Antonio J. Catchot
(1864-1954). Exempt members were: Leonard Fayard (1847-1923), Louis
Dolbear (1855-1919), Augustin von Rosambeau (1849-1912), L.C.
Cooley, John D. Minor (1863-1920), D. Seymour, Narcisse Seymour
(1849-1931), Antoine Ryan, Louis Ryan (1837-1909), Joseph De Bourgh
(1841-1940), and Edmond Mon (1843-1920). Honorary members were:
George W. Davis (1842-1914), W.B. Schmidt (1823-1901), F.M. Weed
(1850-1926), Jules Galle (1843-1922), and R.L. Phelps.(The Biloxi
Herald, April 25, 1891, p. 1)
The Public New School
With the land donation in hand, aspirations for a public
school building at Ocean Springs were high. Miss Fernanda Wolff who
had taught the public school at Ocean Springs in the winter of 1891,
in a highly accomplished and efficient manner, raised funds for the
school house, by giving “entertainments” to augment private
donations for the building. The “Reporter” for The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star related that “Miss Wolff deserves
great credit and has thanks of our community for her untiring
efforts to make her entertainments financially successful for the
benefit of the school house fund”.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, May 15, 1891, p. 2)
In early September 1891, patrons of the public school
elected Joseph Bourgh (pronounced Bush) (1845-1940), H.F. Russell
(1858-1940), and George H. Tardy (1839-1902) as trustees for the new
scholastic year. There was a large turn out at the polls, and the
ballots cast for school trustees was the largest ever, which
demonstrated an awakening of interest in education at Ocean
Springs. L.N. Bradford (1851-1894) was awarded the contract for the
construction of the new school and planned to have it ready for the
winter academic session.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September
11, 1891, p. 2)
Work on the new schoolhouse progressed intermittently in the fall of
1891. By mid-November, it appeared that construction would be
completed before Christmas 1891.( The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
November 13, 1891, p. 2)
The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star announced in early January 1892, that, “The
new school house has been occupied by a full school, and Ocean
Springs is proud of it”.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
January 8, 1892, p. 2)
The 1893 Sanborn Insurance Map of Ocean Springs
indicates that the completed 1891 school building was a rather
simple, two-story frame structure with an area of approximately 2000
square-feet.(Sanborn Insurance Map, 1898-Sheet 2)
1892-1893
At their Special Meeting of May 16, 1893, the Board of
Mayor and Aldermen decided to use the Public School building as the
Town Hall of Ocean Springs. The Mayor’s court and board meetings
were also scheduled to be held here. In September1893, the Public
School house was rented by the Town Board to Professor D.D. Cowan
for $2.50 per month for private school instruction.(TOS Minute Book
Sept. 19, 1892 to Dec. 11, 1899, p. 39 and p. 47)
Professor Decatur D. Cowan (1850-1929) taught the winter
school term at Ocean Springs. He was assisted by Florence Morrow
(1868-1936) and Celeste Delmas of Scranton. The local school system
had one hundred-twenty eight pupils-66 male and 62 female. There
were 245 students eligible for a public education here at this
time. Mr. Cowan lectured primarily on these subjects: arithmetic,
composition, geography, grammar, history, physics, reading, and
spelling.(Ocean Springs School Register 1892-1893, JXCO, Ms.
Archives, Pascagoula, Ms. and Ellison, 1991, p. 46)
Teacher Spotlight
Dwight Decatur Cowan
Decatur Douglas Cowan (1850-1929) was born July 2, 1850, at
Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi. He was the son of Irish
immigrant, Robert Clifton Cowan, and M.A. Greaves, a South
Carolinian. At Handsboro, Robert Cowan owned a mercantile store.
Before the Civil War, he donated land to Harrison County where Cowan
Road was built.(Ellison, 1991, p. 43)
Young Decatur D. Cowan was educated at Handsboro High School,
and received a teaching certificate from Mississippi College also at
Handsboro. His first teaching post was in a one-room public school
in the Woolmarket community. According to his daughter, Elizabeth
Cowan Grishman (b. 1914), Mr. Cowan would run from Biloxi to
Woolmarket each day. While an instructor in the Harrison County
public school system, Cowan was elected to the state legislature.
He served during the 1884-1888 term. (Grishman, April 26, 1994 and
The History of JXCO, Ms., 1989, p. 174))
At Woolmarket, D.D. Cowan met Lillian Louise Grayson
(1862-1892). She was the daughter of Thomas William Grayson
(1825-1904) and Anne Hyde (1832-1906). Grayson was a merchant and
had named the Biloxi River community in which he resided, "Woolmarket",
because of its activity in the raising of sheep and the shipping of
wool. Thomas Grayson would become the fourth Mayor of Ocean Springs
in 1897. D.D. Cowan married Lilly Grayson on August 31, 1879.(Ibid.
p. 174)
Circa 1891, the Cowans moved to Ocean Springs where Mr.
Cowan taught school and was elected the first Mayor of the recently
incorporated town in December 1892. He became known as "Professor
D.D." At this time there were five Cowan children: Robert C. Cowan
(d. 1945), Mary Ella C. Holman, Desiree C. Shepherd, Carrie Thorne
C. Lang (1890-1978), and Decatur D. Cowan II (1891-1965). Sadly,
Mrs. Lilly Cowan died here in July 1892. Her remains were interred
in the Thomas W. Grayson family plot in the Evergreen Cemetery.(Ibid.,
p. 174)
The
1895 Election
In the July 6, 1895 Democratic primary, Dwight D. Cowan
faced Samuel H. Shannon of Cross Roads and R.L. Bullard for the
position of Jackson County Superintendent of Education. He garnered
770 votes out of the 1719 cast, but did not gain a majority, which
forced a run-off election with Mr. Shannon in late July 1865.
Professor Cowan defeated his opponent in the second Democratic
primary and had no opposition for the office in the general election
held on November 5, 1895.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, July 12,
1895, p. 2 and November 15, 1895, p. 2)
Before taking office in January 1896, Mr. Cowan managed
the mercantile store of M.D. Russell, a land speculator from Iowa.
His father was Doctor D.P. Russell, a veterinarian, who resided at
Belle Fontaine. They were involved with Colonel W.R. Snyder
(1864-1918) of the Fruitland farm on Old Fort Bayou in local land
speculation. The three men were alleged partners in the sale of the
A.E. Lewis Estate, a small portion, which had been the St. Cyr
Seymour homestead, to the John B. Lyon (1829-1904) family of
Chicago. A portion of the A.E. Lewis tract became known as the R.W.
Hamill Farm in the Fontainebleau area.(JXCO, Miss. Chancery Court
Cause No. 413, "Snyder v. Russell", June 1890)
A New
Family
In
1902, at Scranton, D.D. Cowan married Mary Hermina Jonte, the
daughter of Joseph H. Jonte and Mary Harriett Delmas. Five children
were born of this union: William M. Cowan, Morris J. Cowan, Walter
G. Cowan, Mary Elizabeth C. Grishman (1914-2002), and Isabella Cowan
who died as an infant.(The History of JXCO, Ms., 1989, p. 174)
A New
Career
Professor Cowan resigned his position as Jackson County School
Superintendent on May 5, 1905. He returned to his childhood haunts
of Mississippi City-Handsboro and became employed with the Equitable
Life Insurance Company. Cowan's work took him to many small South
Mississippi communities such as, Bond, Caesar, and Sumrall. He once
was an employee of the Dantzler Lumber Company. In 1916, D.D.
Cowan returned to the field of Education. He served as the
principal of the Advance Consolidated and Fernwood Schools, and
taught at Mississippi City and Handsboro.(Ellison, 1991, pp. 58-59)
Our first elected Mayor, Decatur Douglas Cowan, throughout
his long life continued to show an interest in good government and
politics. He passed on at Mississippi City on January 23, 1929.
Mrs. Cowan died in January 1930. Both were interred at Gulfport,
Mississippi.
1893-1894
The school term at Ocean Springs in 1893-1894 was held from November
until late February. D.D. Cowan was in charge and was to be
assisted by Miss Florence Morrow and Cleo Witt. Unfortunately, Miss
Witt was tardy for her board examinations and did not qualify to
teach. Miss May Skehan (1863-1922) was appointed to replace her.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 3, 1893, p. 3, November 10, 1893,
p. 3, and November 17, 1893, p. 3)
Initial attendance at the public school was seventy-two regular
pupils, which would increase to one hundred twenty-one by the end of
the school term. Of the final enrollment, there were 79 male and 42
female.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 10, 1893, p. 2 and
Ocean Springs School Register 1893-1894, JXCO Archives,
Pascagoula, Ms.)
Professor Cowan completed his enumeration of eligible
white students in the Ocean Springs School District in late
November. His survey indicated just over three hundred children who
should be in the public school.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
December 1, 1893, p. 3)
When the school term was completed, D.D. Cowan opened
his private school in early March 1894.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, March 9, 1894, p. 3)
1894-1895
Of the 298 educable children at Ocean Springs in the
winter term of 1894-1895, which ran from November until February,
one hundred and thirty-three pupils were enrolled. Of this student
population, seventy-four were male and fifty-nine were of the female
gender. Mr. D.D. Cowan and Miss May Skehan were their teachers.
The public school commenced in mid-November with seventy-five
scholars in attendance.(Ocean Springs School Register 1894-1895,
JXCO, Ms. Archives, Pascagoula, Ms. and The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, November 16, 1894, p. 3)
In mid-March 1895, when the public school session
recessed for the year, the teachers and students rejoiced and
enjoyed a pleasant picnic at “Spanish Camp”. The Coronet Band
played for the festive occasion.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
March 22, 1895, p. 3)
At the cessation of his private school activities in late April
1895, Professor Cowan and his pupils celebrated the occasion with a
picnic on the Tchoutica Bouffe (sic) River.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, May 10, 1895, p. 3)
Miss Fernanda Wolff had also taught a graded school which closed on
May 31, 1895. The scholarship medal was presented to Lillie Cochran
(1881-1961); Jessie L. Carter was awarded the deportment medal; and
honor roll recognition was obtained by: Abie Seymour, Florence
Catchot (b. 1884), and Florence Richards.(The Pascagoula Democrat
Star, June 7, 1895, p. 3)
1895-1896
On September 16, 1895, Miss Fernanda Wolff opened
her graded school, which must have been a private entity. During
the Yule Tide, she entertained them at her home. The Christmas tree
was the highlight of the festive gathering.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, September 13, 1895, p. 3 and January 3, 1896, p. 3)
The Ocean Springs public school opened on November 3, 1895 with
Miss May Skehan (1863-1922) in charge. She was assisted by
Florence Canty. The school population at this time was one hundred
forty-80 male and 60 female. This large enrollment necessitated the
search for a second teaching assistant for Miss Skehan. The
curriculum consisted of: arithmetic, geography, grammar, history,
language, Mississippi History, reading, and spelling.(Ocean Springs
School Register 1895-1896, JXCO, Ms Archives, Pascagoula, Ms. and
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 29, 1895, p. 3)
Additional school news for 1895, found that Miss Susie Vaughan had
returned to her home at Ocean Springs from the Ebenezer School at
Vancleave where she had been teaching the summer session. She
returned to take charge of a public school at Vancleave for the
winter term of 1895-1896.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September
13, 1895, p. 3 and November 8, 1895, p. 3)
The School Trustees in Ocean Springs at this time were:
J.L. Clark, F.M. Dick, and E.M. Westbrook.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, September 13, 1895, p. 3)
The 1895-1896 public
school year ended on May 26, 1896. The citizens of Ocean Springs
were pleased with the progress of their children in the public
school. Professor Beeman was the principal and Miss Susan Vaughan
his able assistant.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 1, 1896, p.
3 and June 5, 1896, p. 3)
1895-1896 Teacher
Focus
Mary Agnes May Skehan
Mary Agnes Skehan (1863-1922) was known as May to her
family and friends. She was born at Anamosa, Iowa, one of the five
daughters of William Skehan (d. 1877) and Esther Hunt Fisher
(1833-1918). May Skehan was the sister-in-law of Franklin Sumner
Earle (1856-1929), the son of Parker Earle (1831-1917) and Melanie
Tracy (1837-1889). Frank Earle ran the agricultural experimental
station for Mississippi A&M College (now Mississippi State
University) on the north bank of Old Fort Bayou. He also worked
with his entrepreneurial father, and brother, Charles T. Earle
(1861–1901), on the large Earle Farm, which became later the
Rose-Money Farm.
When Miss Skehan’s widowed mother, Esther, left the
agrarian landscape of southern Illinois in 1889, to reside with her
daughter, Susan Bedford Skehan Earle (1864-1891), at Ocean Springs,
May Skehan came with her. The F.S. Earle family lived in Gulf Hills
in close proximity to the present day clubhouse.(The JXCOT, April
27, 1918, p. 5)
In an Earle family history titled, “The Ingredients To A Brave New
Life Entering A Confused World”, by Melanie Earle Keiser
(1889-1970), the following was related concerning her aunt, Miss May
Skehan:
Auntie May Skehan never married. She was considered
a fine primary teacher. Many of the Back Bay Creoles of Ruth’s and
my generation learned English from Auntie May. The gentlest of
women-but her eyes could turn to steel if her principles were
concerned. She had a most unyielding conscience. She was merry,
loved a joke, and lived her somewhat sterile life gaily. A born
reporter, she never made a trip to town that she did not see and
hear remarkable things, which she dressed up on dramatic, spicy
style and completely without malice. She was so innocent a woman
that she saw no evil.(Keiser, p. 4)
Prior to Ocean Springs, Miss Skehan taught at the
Big Ridge School situated in the SE/4 of the SW/4 of the NE/4 of
Section 11, T7S-R9W. Parker Earle had donated one acre of his real
estate for this educational facility, in November 1890.(JXCO, Ms.
Land Deed Bk. 13, p. 378) The present day site of this former
school is situated on Big Ridge Road about .78 miles west of its
intersection with North Washington Avenue.
After her mother passed in 1918, Miss Skehan resided
with Lillian Staples Ryan (1850-1928+), a widowed teacher. May
Agnes Skehan left this world at Meridian, Mississippi on April 11,
1922. Her funeral service was conducted at St. John’s Episcopal
Church with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery on Old Fort Bayou.(The
Daily Herald, April 15, 1922, p. 8)
1896-1897
The 1896-1897 school year saw 186
potential scholars enroll in the Ocean Springs Public School, which
ran from October 1896 until April 1897. Of these pupils, 104 were
male and 82 female. They occupied three classrooms designated A, B,
and C. Principal John C. Leger was in charge and ably assisted by
Cassandra “Caddie” Ramsay Lowd (1867-1937), Florence Morrow, and
Susie Vaughan. Subjects taught were: Arithmetic, civics,
composition, geography, government, grammar, history, Mississippi
History, physics, reading, and spelling.(Ocean Springs School
Register 1896-1897, JXCO, Ms. Archives, Pascagoula, Ms and The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 25, 1896, p. 3)
Olive
Keith (1866-1896), a widow, who came to Ocean Springs from Illinois,
joined the faculty after the term had commenced expired on November
20th. Her spouse had passed at Biloxi circa 1891. Mrs.
Keith left two sons. Her corporal remains were interred at Biloxi.
A school holiday was declared in respect to her memory.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 27, 1896, p. 3)
1896-1897 Teacher Highlight
Cassandra Ramsay Lowd
Cassandra “Caddie” Ramsay Lowd (1867-1937) was the daughter and
eldest child of Enoch N. Ramsay (1832-1916) and Nancy Holder. She
was born at Georgetown, Alabama on August 13, 1867. Miss Ramsay
married Benjamin Franklin Lowd. They had three children: Ethel Lowd
(1889- 1978), Charles Ramsay Lowd (1891-1967), and Joseph Lowd.
Circa 1900, the Lowd family relocated from the Bayou Puerto area to
Biloxi settling on Main Street.(The Daily Herald, August 18,
1937, p. 2)
Miss
Caddie Ramsay also taught at the Bayou Puerto School, which was
located on a small lot (24 feet by 96 feet) in the northwest corner
of Governmental Lot 3 of Section 13, T7S-R9W. The present day site
of this former school is on the south side of Le Moyne Boulevard
about 350 feet east of Bayou Pines Drive. William A. Seymour
(1863-1939) donated the land for the Bayou Puerto school to the
Jackson County School Board in March 1907.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk.
32, p. 280)
19th Century
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
THE W. G. KENDALL SCHOOL
William Gray Kendall (1812-1872)
came to Carroll County, in north central Mississippi circa 1835,
from Gallatin County, Kentucky where he was born on January 12,
1812. After a basic frontier education, he matriculated to
Transylvania University where he received a law degree in 1834. At
Carroll County, Mississippi, Kendall soon became active in law,
politics, and community. He was elected County attorney and colonel
of the local militia.(NOLA City Directory, 1854, p. )
In 1835, W.G. Kendall married Mary Philomela Irwin (1817-1878), the
daughter of John Lawson Irwin and Martha Mitchell (1793-1831). Mr.
Irwin was at one time Speaker of the House of the Mississippi State
legislature. Mary P. Kendall was born on February 5, 1817 at the
Puck-shonubbee Plantation, her father’s home, in Carroll County,
Mississippi. She died at Ocean Springs on January 17, 1878.(The
Louisiana Historical Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 4, April 1946, pp.
292-293)
William Gray Kendall and his
wife were the parents of nine children: John I. Kendall (1841-1898)
married Mary E. Smith; Anola Philomela Kendall (1843-1899); William
Gray Kendall II (1847-1885); Kate Emma Kendall (1849-1897); Mary
Lusk Kendall (1851-1902); Robert David Kendall (1853-1877); Sigur
Lusk Kendall (1857-1877); and Benjamin G. Kendall and Catherine Anne
Kendall who died in childhood. Little is known of their lives
except that they resided at New Orleans after reaching maturity and
never married with the exception of John I. Kendall, who married
Mary E. Smith.(The Louisiana Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, No. 2,
April 1946, p. 293)
In January 1846, W.G. Kendall,
while a resident of New Orleans, purchased a fifty-acre tract of
land at Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi in Section 30,
T7S-R8W with 800 feet fronting on the Bay of Biloxi from A.H.
Donaldson. On this beautiful, high ground facing Deer Island to the
south, he built a residence, icehouse, small cemetery, and school.
In 2006, this property is divided and owned primarily by G. Dickey
Arndt, William Mitchell, John White, and Donald Scharr. It is
bounded on the north by Shearwater Drive on the west by the
Shearwater Pottery, and the south by the Bay of Biloxi and on the
east by the Blossman Estate.
In order to educate
his children and probably those of his neighbors, Kendall built a
schoolhouse just northeast of his residence. According to George
.E. Arndt Jr. (1909-1994), who resided on the former schoolhouse
lot, the octagonal shaped building had a hewn log base with each
side about eight feet in length. The structure was twenty feet
across the middle. In 1938, Arndt added a bedroom and kitchen, and
lived in it until he built his present edifice in 1950. Hurricane
Camille destroyed the Kendall "schoolhouse" in 1969. The
George E. Arndt Jr. place was destroyed in late August 2005 by
Hurricane Katrina when possessed by G. Dickey Arndt, the son and
heir of George E. Arndt Jr.
THE SHANNONDALE SCHOOL
In the springs of 1886, S.L. Boyers Jr. taught a private
school at Shannondale, the large stock and fruit farm of Dr. A.H.
Shannon, which was situated east of Ocean Springs, in Sections 21
and 22, T7S-R8W. Mr. Boyers received a salary of about $20 per month..
The Shannondale school was attended by the four children of Dr.
A.H. Shannon (1831-1906) and
Lucy
Irwin Shannon (1838-1909+);
lucy
Irwin Shannon was the daughter of John Larson Irwin II (d. October
22, 1867) and Lucy W. Irwin (1803-1884). Her paternal grandparents
were John Larson Irwin and Martha (Patsy) Mitchell (1793-1831) who
wedded in May 1819. John Larson Irwin was Speaker of the
Mississippi Legislature and is remembered for his acrimonious
encounter with Seargent S. Prentiss.(JXCO, Ms. School
Records-1886, JXCO, Ms. Archives-Pascagoula, Ms.
and The Louisiana Historical Quarterly, 1946, pp. 292-293)
Fountain E.P. Shannon (1836-1883),
Dr. Shannon's brother, and
L. A.
Matthews Shannon (d. 1883), his spouse, also resided at Shannondale.
They had come to Ocean Springs
from
their family homestead five and one-half miles north of Nashville,
Tennessee several days prior to Thanksgiving Day of 1882.(Shannon,
1953, p. 1)
Mrs.
L.A. Shannon was the daughter of the Reverend H. Matthews of the
Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church. It was only natural
that they become ardent members of the local Methodist community.
Mr. Shannon was the steward trustee and Sunday school
superintendent, and was proactive in the erection of a public hall
use by a Lodge of the Knights of Honor and Temperance.
Unfortunately, he and his wife died within twenty-four hours of each
other on August 2nd and 3rd, 1883, following a
brief illness.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, August 17, 1883, p.
1)
Fountain E.P. Shannon’s six children were: Lizzie M. Shannon
(1872-1899+), Ida L. Shannon (1874-1899), Harry L. Shannon
(1878-1899+), Lucy I. Shannon (1879-1899+), Mary K. Shannon, and
Louis F. Shannon ?(see JXCO, Ms. Chancery Court Cause No. 693-March
1897).
THE LYNCH ACADEMY
 
Lynch Academy and sign
Lynch Academy and marker-The Lynch Academy, a private school, was
located on the northwest corner of Jackson Avenue and Porter
Street. James Lynch
(1852-1935), an Irish schoolmaster, lived here, taught school, and
also managed a dry goods and grocery store. Mr. Lynch served as an
Alderman and later Town Clerk from 1917-1929. In the image, note
the US Highway 90 sign. In September 2006, workmen in the
employ of Brad Lemon, a resident of 509 Ward Avenue discovered a
small concrete marker with the designation: LYNCH ACADEMY 1890-1916
inscribed into its surface. The Lemon house was built circa 1928 by
P.J. Wieder (1887-1985). It is not known who made the Lynch Academy
marker or how it got to the Wieder home on Ward Avenue.
Courtesy of
Ray L.
Bellande Historic Ocean Springs Archives (HOSA).
Wieder House and the Lynch Academy marker
In September, I received a telephone call from Brad
Lemon, retired businessman and former City alderman. Brad and
spouse, Terri Ginn Wyser Lemon, reside at 509 Ward Avenue in the
1928 Philip Jacob Wieder House.
Brad was excited to relate to me that after McClain Tree Service had
removed a four-foot diameter, pin oak felled during Katrina of late
August 2005, that Johnny Harris and Billy Ray Dunning, while
refurbishing his shed damaged by the fallen oak tree, had discovered
a small, concrete marker buried within its shallow root system.
Upon washing the soil from the marker, clearly visible was: LYNCH
ACADEMY 1890-1916. The Lynch Academy marker is 21 ¼ inches in
length and 15 inches wide.(Brad Lemon, September 20, 2006)
Brad Lemon
acquired the P.J. Wieder House in
October 1996, from H. Michael Stockman Jr. The home had been in the
Wieder family until August 1959, when P.J. Wieder (1887-1985)
conveyed it to Frances Fried.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 1099, p. 209
and JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 191, pp. 43-47)
Philip J. Wieder was the son of
Gregoire Wieder (1849-1899) and Dora Armbruster (1848-1924). His
parents were both born in the Alsace-Lorraine region of
France-Germany and arrived at Ocean Springs circa 1875. The Wieder
children were: Joseph A. Wieder (1877- 1960), Adolph Wieder
(1879-1931), Frank Wieder (1881-1954), Philip J. Wieder (1887-1985),
Mrs. Henry (Mary) Hovelmeier (1890-1986), and Mrs. I.P. (Lena)
Carver (1875-1931).
Circa 1925, Philip J. Wieder married
Mary Choyce Groves Rouse (1895-1952) of Vancleave. Their children
were: Philip J. "Jackie" Wieder Jr. (1926-1993) and Dixie Ann W.
Gautier (b. 1929). P.J. Wieder came from an industrious family of
carpenters and tradesmen. In addition to his building skills, he
was one of our pioneer auto mechanics. He and Claude M. Engbarth
(1893-1967) built and opened a Ford sales and motorcar repair
garage, known in recent times as Mohler’s Tidy Car, on Government
and Cash Alley in 1920. In April 1922, Wieder and Engbarth
dissolved their partnership, but P.J. Wieder continued his garage
and repair business on Government Street and Cash, until September
1926, when he built a small gas station and associated garage
building just west of his original garage. The new operation was
called the Weider Service Station. Mr. Wieder sold Texaco
products. Phil Wieder also had a coal yard on the property. The
Jackson County Times of September 18, 1926, announced that:
Phil Wieder has opened his new auto
repair and oil station near his former business place. He carries a
line of auto accessories and tires. Phil is a good mechanic and
should do well in his new place.
The old Wieder Art-Deco garage is
extant at 1019 Government Street and owned by Silvergirl LLC, a Jeff
and Sibyl G. Sauls enterprise. They acquired the property from
Sam Cvitanovich in March 2006. During the summer of 2006
refurbishment began, but has since been halted.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed
Bk. 1406, p. 763)
It is not known, if Philip J. Wieder
attended the Lynch Academy, but he was the appropriate age to have
been a student there. Did Mr. Wieder make the Lynch Academy marker
or rescue it from the property after it was demolished? It with
other local artifacts should be kept for the future City Museum,
which will be created someday from a designated space on the second
floor of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
The Lynch Academy
Old timers still remember when Irish immigrant, James Lynch
(1852-1935), had a small mercantile business and private school on
the northwest corner of Porter and Jackson Avenue. To the south, on
the opposite corner, was the charming 1890s Artesian House, which
was erected by Alfred E. Lewis (1862-1933), who earned the moniker,
“The Artesian Prince”, for his generosity in providing free water
for fighting fires and public drinking fountains, from his private
water system, the first at Ocean Springs. (Bellande, 1994, p. 76)
James Lynch
In early December 1896, James Lynch advertised his
private school in The Ocean Wave follows:
Preparatory School
To the general school
instructions already offered, I will add a course of elementary
classics and French, Algebra and Geometry, Stenography and
Typewriting, as a preparatory for college or commercial studies.
For particulars apply to
James Lynch,
Jackson Avenue
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
James Lynch (1852-1935), the schoolmaster, was
himself Irish, probably a native of County Cavan, Eire. He and his
mother, Mary Murphy (1807-1897), lived on the northwest
corner of Porter and Jackson in close proximity to another family of
Hibernian origin, eastern neighbors, the Jerimiah J. O’ Keefe
(1859-1911) family. Mrs. Murphy, a native of County Cavan, Ireland,
expired during a yellow fever breakout during the summer and fall of
1897. Her death was recorded as August 21, 1897.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, August 27, 1897)
Mr. J.J. O’Keefe’s daughter, Mary Cahill O’Keefe (1893-1980),
who would establish herself as an excellent educator of the French
and English languages in the school systems of Shreveport and
Monroe, Louisiana, and at Biloxi, and Ocean Springs, Mississippi,
was an attendee of the Lynch Academy. Miss O’ Keefe became
Superintendent of public schools at Ocean Springs in 1929, and held
this position until 1945. She was also the first woman appointed to
the Board of Trustees of Perkinston Junior College.(The Daily
Herald, April 6, 1945, p. 3, c. 6 and Charles L. Sullivan, October
28, 2006)
In the 1890s, Mr. Lynch, in conjunction with The Lynch Academy, was
also vending “Dry Goods, Notions, Fancy Groceries, Etc.” from this
location. James Lynch was described as thin and with a long, white
beard. He lived a frugal life and took powdered snuff as one of his
few corporal pleasures.(Schmidt, 1972, p. 69)
Former Mayor and local historian, C.E. Schmidt
(1904-1988), paints a vivid image in his description of Master
Lynch’s teaching methods, which follows:
His curriculum was grounded in the fundamentals of language
and ciphering, that is, reading, writing, parsing, and constant
drilling tables; addition, multiplication and division, up to the 19th.
Informality was the order. When a lesson was learned, it was
“heard”. If satisfactory, the pupil was advanced; if not he was set
down to study it again.
Discipline carried over from a past age; a slap on
the head with a closed book restored order. The old man’s explosive
expletives were something to be avoided. A wrong answer as to the
product of 13 times 16 would draw a thunderous “balderdash”, or if
the pupil failed completely, he would likely be assessed as a
“confounded mope”.(Schmidt, 1972, p. 69)
Before Mr. Lynch came into possession of this property,
it belonged to an Irish lady, Margaret Foy, who may have been
his aunt. Mrs. Foy had acquired it from George A. Cox (1811-1887)
in February 1855. It was described as Lot 10 of Block 26-Culmseig
Map of 1854.( Jackson County, Miss. Land Deed Book 1, pp. 184-185)
The 1900 Federal Census of Jackson County, Mississippi,
indicates that Lynch had an Irish immigrant, Maria J.
Galligan (1854-1900+), residing with him. She was a
housekeeper. It also relates that his birthplace was Louisiana of
Irish parentage. This conflicts with his obituary and other sources
which tell of an Irish origin for Mr. Lynch.(The Jackson County
Times, July 6, 1935, p. 1)
Geiger-Friar House
In 1901, James Lynch was elected alderman from Ward II. Ironically,
his 1903 replacement in this municipal position was Peter Geiger
(1858-1923), a German immigrant. Mr. Geiger was the builder of the
Geiger-Friar house, which was originally located on north Washington
Avenue, and now rests very near the site of Lynch’s former
schoolhouse and store at present day 611 Jackson Avenue. Mr. Lynch
returned to political office in 1917 as city clerk. He served
consecutive terms until replaced by Oscar Joachim (1904-1955)
in 1929.(Schmidt, 1979, pp. 133-135)
After James Lynch passed intestate in June 1935, local undertaker,
Jeremiah J. “Ben” O’Keefe (1894-1954), who would bury the old school
master in the Evergreen Cemetery on Old Fort Bayou, was appointed
executor of his estate. Ben O’Keefe was the father of Jeremiah
J. O’Keefe III (b. 1923), who with the guidance of HOSA, saved
the Geiger-Friar house from demolition in the late 1980s and had it
removed it to Jackson Avenue where Bruce Tolar, local architect,
restored the graceful Queen Anne structure to its present glory on
the northwest corner of Jackson and Porter.(Jackson County, Miss.
Chancery Court Cause No. 5706 and The History of Jackson County,
Mississippi, 1989, p. 302)
In September 1936, Mr. Ben O’ Keefe sold the old Lynch
property to Lulie Mae Lockard (1894-1960) and Annie
Kate Lockard (1902-1960) for $525. They were the daughters of
James E. Lockard (1862-1951) and Catherine Thompson
Lockard (1868-1954), early 20th Century settlers of
Vancleave. Mr. Lockard had come to Vancleave with his family in
1901, to work in the L.N. Dantzler Lumber Company commissary.
Intelligence, hard work, and good fortune rewarded young Lockard,
and he soon became a very prominent citizen of the Bluff Creek
region and Jackson County. He was active in local commerce and had
extensive timber land and turpentine holdings. Lockard, once owned
several coastal schooners active in the New Orleans-Vancleave
charcoal trade.(Lockard, August 1998 and JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 69,
p. 364)
Lulie May Lockard was born at Meridian, Mississippi.
She taught school at Birmingham, Alabama for over thirty years.
Miss Lockard expired here in November 1960. Her remains were
returned to Vancleave for internment.(The Daily Herald, November
26, 1960, p. 2)
By 1947, Miss Annie K. Lockard had married a Mr. T.P. Lord and
resided in Spring Hill, Alabama. She sold her one-half interest to
her sister, Lulie Mae Lockard, in June 1947. A week later, Lulie
Mae Lockard conveyed the northwest corner of Porter and Jackson, a
lot with 200 feet fronting on Porter and 144 feet on Jackson to
Neville Byrd (1892-1971).(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 97, p. 157 and
Bk. 98. p. 102)
Conversations with several senior citizens reveal that
the two-story Lynch residence cum store and school were demolished
shortly after his demise in the late 1930s. It is very probable
that during the final years of the Great Depression, the lumber was
sold for a profit and property taxes reduced with the absence of a
structure.(J.K. Lemon and Magaret Seymour Norman, August 1998)
Susie Vaughan
In
June 1897, Miss Susie Vaughan requested the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen to rent her the upper floor of the public school, for the
purpose of teaching a private school. Her request was declined, but
a counter proposal was made Miss Vaughan by the Board to let the
first floor of the school for $2.00 per month.(TOS, Minute Bk. Sept.
19, 1892 to Dec. 11, 1899, p. 162)
1897-1898
Trustees of the Ocean Springs Public School met in early June 1897,
to establish a permanent high school. The trustees declared that
Q.D. Sauls of Purvis, the principal of the school will be graded, a
charter obtained, and the school made ready for opening in
September.( The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs
Locals", June 4, 1897).
The
1897-1898 school session faculty was composed of: Q.D. Sauls, principal;
Lulu Haviland Clark (1880-1972), Florence E. Morrow (1868-1936), and
Susie Willis Vaughan (1869-1962).
The
Ocean Springs High School under the management of Professor Q.D.
Sauls was lauded as
“one
of the most through and efficient schools in this section. The
best method of teaching are observed and the course of study
embraces a teacher’s course and a business college department.
The
school opened on September 6th and closed May 22, 1898.(The
Biloxi Herald, July 31, 1898, p. 8)
The
1897-1898 public school year at Ocean Springs began in crisis.
Ocean Springs and the immediate area were under quarantine due to an
outbreak of fever.
The
infectivity had started at Ocean Springs in August 1897. It was
initially believed that the more than five hundred cases at Ocean
Springs were dengue fever and that it had originated at Ship
Island. Dr. Olliphant, president of the Louisiana Board of Health,
in his official report declared the contagion as a mild type of
dengue fever. His declaration was later reinforced by Colonel R.A.
VanCleave (1840-1908), who was quoted by The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star on September 17, 1897, as follows:
I have been through the yellow fever epidemics of 1875 and
1878 and according to my experience and observation, no yellow fever
exists or has exited in Ocean Springs.
In
Jackson County, two facilities were established for quarantine
purposes. A detention camp, called "Camp Fountainbleau", was built
nine miles east of Ocean Springs, and the Round Island Quarantine
Station off Pascagoula was designated a place to receive refugees
arriving from infected places.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 27,
1996, p. 16)
Naturally, the Yellow Fever paranoia delayed the commencement of the
school year at Ocean Springs. In mid-October 1897, the Ocean
Springs High School management announced that the facility would
open soon. A month later the public school remained closed,
although the private schools of the town were operating
efficiently. By late November, preparations to open the public
school had commenced and on November 26th at 9:00 a.m.
with 119 pupils in attendance. Professor Q.D. Sauls (1870-1909+)
was established as principal with Miss Florence Morrow (1868-1936)
and Miss Susie Vaughan (1869-1962) as assistants. R.A. VanCleave
(1840-1908) was president of the School Board and was ably assisted
by trustees: F.M. Dick (1857-1922), B.F. Joachim (1853-1925), F.J.
Lundy (1863-1912), and E.M. Westbrook (1858-1913).(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, October 15, 1897, p. 3, November 12, 1897, p. 3,
November 26, 1897, p. 3, December 3, 1897, p. 3)
By the Christmas Holiday of 1897, the Ocean Springs High School
faculty had made a favorable impression on the community with their
efforts to improve academic standards in the classroom. Almost 150
students were at school for the Yule Tide recess.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, December 24, 1897, p. 3)
Enrollment in the Ocean Springs High School reached 160 pupils in
mid-January 1898. Mr. Sauls was active in recruiting scholars from
areas outside of Ocean Springs. L.R. Bond, a resident of Bond
Station on the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad, was one of these
students. Professor Sauls also acquired a janitor for the school
buildings at this time.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 14,
1898, p. 3 and January 28, 1898, p. 3)
With the rapidly increasing school population, Professor Sauls hired
Miss Lulu Haviland (1880-1972). She joined the faculty in January
1898.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 28, 1898, p. 3)
By the end of January 1898, school enrollment had reached 180. Miss
Florence Morrow had to relocate her class to one of the Westbrook
cottages across the lawn from the schoolhouse. The student
population was approaching two hundred by early February and reached
two hundred in March 1898.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January
28, 1898, p. 3, February 11, 1898, p. 3, and March 18, 1898, p. 3)
The closing exercises for the 1897-1898 Ocean Springs High School
were held mid-June 1898. There were seven grades in the school
from which representative scholars gave recitations and essays.
Both the morning and evening functions were very well attended
indicating that a larger meeting hall was necessary for public
assembly. Attorney W.H. Maybin, Biloxi’s noted poet and public
speaker, addressed the audience after his introduction by R.A.
VanCleave (1840-1908), School Board president. Mrs. Minor was in
charge of all music programs at the affair.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, June 17, 1898, p. 3)
Professor Sauls held a summer session at Ocean Springs, in July
1898. He was highly solicited by the town to teach summer classes.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, June 24, 1898, p. 3)
1896-1897 Teacher showcase
Florence E. Morrow
Florence E. Morrow (1868-1936) was born at
Enterprise, Clarke County, Mississippi on May 24, 1868, one of four
children of William Morrow and Sarah Bull (1844-1916). Mrs. Sarah
B. Morrow was a native of Millidgeville, Georgia. Some of Miss
Morrow’s siblings were: Maud Ozell Morrow (1874-1952) and Percy
Morrow, an employee of the L&N Railroad.(The JXCOT, August 5,
1916 and Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Records Bk. 22, p. 260)
Miss Morrow and Alice Bull (d. 1895), probably a cousin, came to the
Mississippi coast as schoolteachers from Grand Bay, Alabama. The
young educators may have taught at Pascagoula in 1887-1888, as they
interviewed for positions here in early September 1887. Miss Bull
was the schoolmistress at the Mt. Pleasant School in 1894.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 9, 1887, p. 3 and The Biloxi
Herald, May 26, 1894, p. 1))
Florence E. Morrow began her teaching career at Ocean
Springs in the early 1890s. She taught primarily the kindergarten
and first grade classes. Miss Morrow was living in the cottage next
to the Fire Hall in December 1893.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
December 8, 1893, p. 3) By April 1915, she was a resident of
Jackson Avenue where she raised delicate, lovely roses of various
colors in her front yard.(The Ocean Springs News, April 29, 1915,
p. 3) One of the highlights of the school year for her young
pupils was the promenade to the local drugstore for an ice cream
treat shortly before summer recess began.(The JXCOT, May 28,
1921, p. 3)
Miss Florence Morrow retired from the classroom circa
1933. She expired on July 20, 1936, the result of a cerebral
hemorrhage. Her corporal remains lie in the Bull-Morrow family plot
at the Evergreen Cemetery on Old Fort Bayou.(The JXCOT, July 25,
1936, p. 1)
1898-1899
Opening exercises for the Ocean Springs High School were
held in early September 1898. The children sang and Jackson County
School Superintendent D.D. Cowan, School Board president, R.A.
VanCleave, and Principal Sauls addressed the pupils and audience.
Professor Quilla D. Sauls was endowed with a school staff composed
of: Florence Morrow, primary; Clara Robbins, asst. in the grammar
school; Leila May Smith, asst. in primary and special elocution;
Daisy Allen, librarian; Mrs. E.I. Switzer, special art courses,
drawing, oil painting, crayon work, and photography; Mrs. H.H.
Minor, music instructor in piano, mandolin, and guitar; and James
Clark, janitor. School trustees in attendance were F.M. Dick
(1857-1922) and F.J. Lundy (1863-1912). Miss Clara Robins and Miss
Leila May Smith were boarding with Mrs. E. Bradford on Porter
Avenue.(The Pascagoula Democrat Star, August 12, 1898, and
September 9, 1898, p. 3)
One of the salient features of Professor Sauls school
system was the daily morning assembly held in the Firemen’s Hall
adjacent to the schoolhouse. “America”, the national song, was
usually sung. The opening assembly of the 1898-1899 school session
was very special to Mr. Sauls as the student body represented by
Josephine Joachim (1884-1927) presented him with a silver water
pitcher.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 16, 1898, p. 3)
By mid-October 1898, one hundred ninety-five students
were in attendance at the Ocean Springs High School, which caused
Quiila D. Sauls to find additional classroom space in the Knights of
Pythias Hall on Washington Avenue. Professor Saul was lauded for
his determined efforts to continuously increase enrollment.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 7, 1898, p. 3 and October 14,
1898, p. 3)
Several students from the area north of Fort Bayou boarded in town
for the fall term. Lyman Bradford (1884-1906), son of Sherwood
Bradford (1838-1922) of VanCleave, resided with Mrs. Carter on
DeSoto Avenue. Minnie Richardson of the Fort Bayou community stayed
at Mrs. Wilcox’s place on Porter. In mid-October 1898, Miss
Richardson was selected to replace Miss Daisy Allen as librarian,
when Miss Allen relocated to Scranton.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, September 16, 1898, p. 3, October 7, 1898, p. 3 and
October 14, 1898, p. 3)
Professor Quilla D. Sauls
Quilla
D. Sauls (1870-1909+), former Superintendent of the Purvis High
School, came to Ocean Springs in 1897, the same year that he
married his spouse, Belle Caraway, the daughter of W.A. Caraway
(1834-1909) and Rosanna M. Caraway (1838-1903) of Purvis, Lamar
County, Mississippi. The Caraways were married in April 1856, and
had parented eleven children. Mrs. Saul’s brother was Dr. C.H.
Caraway, also of Purvis.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 1,
1898, p. 3 and April 6, 1900, p. 3, and June 4, 1897, p. 3)
In
July 1897, Professor Sauls was lauded as one who
“combines energy and business capacity with high qualifications as a
teacher, and success is a natural result of his efforts”.(The
Biloxi Herald, July 31, 1897, p. 8)
In
December 1897, the Sauls family rented the Arndt Cottage, on Jackson
Avenue. Here their daughter, Lucille Sauls, came into the world in
March 1898.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, December 3, 1897, p. 3)
C.E.
Schmidt in
Ocean
Springs French
Beachhead,
wrote that
"Q.D.
Sauls was a man of vision, possibly far ahead of his time. He had a
broad concept of a city high school and looked beyond horizons for
the student body.(Schmidt, 1972, p.
65)
At the
time of Professor Sauls advent here, the public school consisted of
a two-story red frame building located at the rear of the firehouse
operated by the Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1, on the east side
of Washington Avenue between Porter and Joseph Street. He was
industrious and aggressive in his campaign to educate the children
of this region. From an enrollment of 114 in 1897, Sauls saw the
local school population explode to 384 students by the 1900-1901
school session.(ibid., p. 65)
In
November 1898, hosted the Ocean Springs High School literary
society. Walter Clark, president, Mamie Davis, vice president, and
Sadie Davis, secretary.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November
14, 1898, p. 3)
During
the summer recess, Professor Sauls was involved with teacher
education. In July 1899, he taught at the State Normal held in
Biloxi where he delivered lectures in history and geography. Miss
Florence E. Morrow (1868-1936) attended the session and was the
house guest of Dr. E.R. Bragg and spouse, former residents of Ocean
Springs.
(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, June 30, 1899, p. 3)
In the
summer of 1900, Quilla D. Sauls planned a similar training session
at the Ocean Springs High School after the cessation of the Winter
Term. He advertised his intentions as follows:
TEACHERS’ TRAINING COURSE OF
OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
Opens
annually with the close of the winter term of the county public
schools, prepares teachers for the Spring examinations, gives to
those who have a certificate a review in the higher branches and
commercial classes, and aids teachers, generally, in obtaining
licenses for teaching and securing better schools and higher
salaries.
We are
prepared to duplicate prices of board and tuition offered by other
institutions, and we offer special advantages in library and
laboratory facilities and commercial courses.
For further information, full particulars and large
catalogues, address to Q.D. Sauls, Ocean Springs, Miss.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 19, 1900, p. 3)
Professor Sauls and his family moved from their cottage on Porter to
reside with some o |
