7 comments

  1. Myra N Edwards

    Interesting, thanks for sharing.

  2. Charles Moore

    Minor correction, the story states “I began my teaching with a certificate in 1888” so Olena Harper was teaching after 1888, not in the 1870s.

  3. Lee Gentry

    Wonderful. My father was from that area and his stories about school ring so true with this account. Mrs. McCleskey was still alive when I was in high school; how I wish I had spent time visiting and listening to folks of her generation. Thanks so much for this excerpt.

  4. Robert Prince

    a very good read

  5. Karla Calhoun

    Loved this article. I didn’t realize it was so difficult even up till the late 1800’s in this area.

  6. Kevin Davis

    Enjoyed it very much..

  7. Bea Strong

    A very interesting read. My mother taught in rural Mississippi during the late 1910s through early 1920s. She had similar stories.

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