Auburn Snow and School Days

Last week I wrote about Antioch school and a couple of people asked some questions, so I'll continue a bit more with elementary school.

Snow Days and School Routines

Record Snowfall of 32 inches in Auburn, January 1948.  Fun Snow Day!

Snow Days, what fun for children!   The above photos are from the 32 inch Auburn snowfall in January 1948 with Margene, Karen, a neighbor boy, and Grandpa Gene using  his farm scoop.   They also show the Little House at 1406 I Street and the neighborhood. 

When we were in elementary school in Auburn, we did get a day off now and then. We'd listen to the radio carefully to hear about our school, we'd cheer, and then listen again, just in case there was an error!   It's the same today only with TV and other kinds of messaging.


The normal daily schedule at Antioch School was very strict.   Classes began at 9:00 AM with the ringing of the brass bell by hand.  When the weather was really bad (and most kids walked to school) they did let us in to wait in the large center foyer.  We wore rubber galoshes over our shoes as boots.  Sometimes they were very hard to put on!  When "shoe/boots" first came out, all the mothers thought it was ridiculous.  Why would you ever want another pair of shoes for a child?  Just doesn't make sense!! Girls wore a wool bandanna (that came untied easily) because knit hats were only for boys then. Although girls always wore dresses or skirts to school, we did wear corduroy pants or lined snowpants under our dresses to cover our legs in the winter. How stylish!

Margene and I walked home for lunch for 12 years.  Grandma Marge  always had everything ready for us so, in our younger years, we'd have plenty of time to squeeze in some piano practice before heading back to school at 1:00 PM.  She made seer-sucker bib aprons for Marge and me with a rick-rack initial on the front. Just couldn't let us drip tomato soup on our clothes! What I remember most about lunch was that we always had dessert!  Usually it was a fresh homemade pudding such as cornstarch, chocolate, cup custard, tapioca, or raisin bread.  Delicious! 

If, for some reason, Mother wasn't home, I went to the Glen's or a friend's house for lunch.  In order to take a sack lunch to elementary school, you needed a REALLY good reason and a note from your parent, of course!  Kids whose mothers worked went to a grandparent's house (and I'll bet they didn't practice the piano).  A few children were allowed to bring their lunch regularly, but not many.  The teachers needed a break!!

In Junior High and High School, we still walked home for lunch but things were much different.  Joe and Anne were eager to see us.  After Margene left home, I spent lunch time working with Anne and her guitar!  click to enlarge

Anne and Joe November 1957, ages 1 and 4.

In 1960 Auburn had a monster snow and ice storm.  And this time we took at least one photo of the giant icicles on the house at 1011 15th Street.  You can also see the back of the J.W. Kerns house (Grandpa Gene's grandparents).  More about them in a later post.  KEE

Icicles on the house at 1011 15th Street in January 1960

Here are some more recent snow photos with the little kids in Indiana, and Ohio, 2009.

Elementary School in Auburn

Here are some of my reflections of what we called "Grade School" in Auburn from 1948-1954.  Margene, Joe and Anne can add their thoughts when time permits. Photos are from "Auburn, Now and Then" by Kevin Casey, on-line searches,  and the family archives. KEE

Elementary School in Auburn


 

Antioch School, Central Ave, Auburn NE built in 1897.

 Throughout the 20th Century, Auburn had two public elementary schools.   All children who lived north of 16th Street (that's us) attended Antioch school while those who lived south of 16th attended Athens School.  These two schools were built in 1897/1898 for a cost of about $8000 each.  Grandpa Gene and siblings attended the country school near the farm and then St. Joseph's School in town until it burned. All this is subject for other posts.   Uncle Dick went to Athens for a few years.  The younger McPherren girls started in Antioch (Aunt Donna, Maxine, and Helen) but Grandma Marge was at the high school when they moved to Auburn (8th or 9th Grade, I think!)

By the time Margene, Karen, and Joe were ready for school,  the building had interior toilets in the basements and drinking fountains!

Typical type of classroom with desks and slate boards

The girls entered Antioch through the door on the left and the boys on the right.  We lined up outside until the custodian rang the antique brass bell (by hand) when we walked in an orderly fashion (?) up the half-flight of stairs to the first floor for Kindergarten, First, and Second and then up a huge flight of stairs for Grades  3, 4 and 5.  There were four classrooms on each floor so the extra room on the first floor was for activities and on the 2nd floor for music.  Between the classrooms were long hallways where the children hung their coats and took off their galoshes.    Inside the classrooms,  we sat in wooden desks that were mounted on boards.  And of course, we had slate blackboards similar to the on-line photo.

Typical school supplies

In my second grade class, Mrs. Mildred Humphrey taught 33 children who wrote on Big Chief tablets, drew with crayons, and ate the school paste! Some, like me, licked their fingers discretely but often those silly boys would gulp a whole mouthful!

Karen and 2nd Grade Class 1950

Miss Grace Corners

One of the iconic elementary school teachers who taught Margene, Karen, and Joe was Miss Grace Corners.  She was in the school system for decades teaching 3rd Grade and serving as principal.  If you have any stereotyped images of an old maid school teacher, she embodied them all!  Many students (and their parents) shuddered when 3rd Grade began because she was known as a very strict disciplinarian.   In addition, since her handwriting was distinctive and perfect, she expected the same of her students.

Deep in the boxes of Ely archives, I found my report cards along with a note from Mother who said she sent each of us all our report cards. (Who will post one?)  Looks like I had a tough time at the first of the year.  Wonder if it is too late to appeal those marks?   In the academic areas I was fine.  Perhaps she changed the seating arrangement!  Wow, look at the wording of items they evaluated!  (click to enlarge)

Karen's 3rd Grade Report Card (partial)

Here is Joe as he started kindergarten with little sister alongside wishing him well.  The building was much the same as it was 60 years earlier.

Joe on his first day of school, Sept 1958, Antioch School

In the late 1950s, the city voted for a bond issue to finance two new buildings.   The new names, Sheridan and Calvert, were based on the tiny villages that were merged to form the county seat and new town, Auburn, in 1882.  Joe will probably remember the construction site overtaking the playground and the actual move mid-year I think.   Here is little Anne ready to begin Kindergarten.  I was off to college that year.  Joe was in 3rd Grade with the one and only Miss Grace Corners! 

Anne on her first day of school, Sept 1961, age 5, new Sheridan School

Mr. Hutton Teaches the Four Elys

The four of us, Margene, Karen, Joe, and Anne were in the Auburn School System for a total of 31 years.  We had only a few common teachers in all those years.  The most notable one was the iconic high school mathematician, Mr. Kenneth Hutton.  His recent death has allowed us to reflect on his influence on each of us. 

You've all heard the stories, imitations, and Kenny-ism's that are such a part of each of us. But since we all respect him as an outstanding teacher, he has earned a spot on the EFB.

Mr. Hutton was very strict in class, expecting the full attention of all students, all the time. Thus, this photo from May 1970 is particularly noteworthy since Joe just couldn't focus on the graph with a photographer in the room!  (click to enlarge)

The article appeared in the Omaha World Herald "Magazine of the Midlands." The purpose was to showcase the Math-Science Club from AHS and their trips and activities. In reading through it, I see that membership was dependent on a student having a 3.0 GPA and if his/her grades dipped at any point, membership ceased! Wonder who wrote the by-laws for the club? Joe and Anne participated in the MSC and its many fund raisers and trips. I believe Grandma was a driver for one trip to Colorado and one trip to Washington DC with the students. (After the Washington DC trip, Grandma, Anne and a carload of girls stopped in Martinsville VA to visit the Eichstadts, probably 1972.)

Margene and I were at AHS before the days of the Math-Science club. Our standard curriculum was Algebra 9th Grade and Plane Geometry 10th Grade. In my day many students continued with Algebra II as juniors, and Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry as seniors. These were my favorite classes and all taught by Mr. Hutton. Years later when teaching college students, it was clear that my foundation in math was much better than many others. Principles that I initially learned from Kenny Hutton just popped into my head throughout my teaching career.

When I entered 9th Grade, I was eager but apprehensive about having Mr. Hutton for Algebra. At that time he was the only math teacher in the school. Things had to be done his way...because "that's our policy." It was unimaginable to walk into class without all of the homework completed, even if you had had to consult with friends during band class. He expected more than you thought you could deliver. Then when you did it, you were amazed, happy, and inspired.

To be truthful, Mr. Hutton really wasn't the most popular teacher in the school as many students just couldn't take it. But, he certainly was the most imitated teacher. His nicknames changed over the years from Porky, to Chops/Chopper, to many more.

Beyond all this, though, Mr. Hutton was very dedicated to his profession and the students of Auburn High School. He had a major positive effect on the lives of those he taught.

Here are a couple of clips from Facebook:

From Anne: I was so sad to learn last night that one of the greatest teachers ever, Mr. Kenny Hutton, is very ill. Though we gave him a hard time back in the day, he truly was a passionate educator and mathematician. He accepted nothing less than top effort from every student. Here's to you, Mr. Hutton (and all the axioms you insisted that we memorize.) You had a profound, remarkable effect on the world, and we are grateful.

From Joe:  The recent death of my famous HS Math teacher, Kenny Hutton, has prompted many memories of him and appreciation of his rigor on my career and life.  He was an amazing teacher and quite a man.

 OBITUARY 

  Kenneth R Hutton - January 06, 2011

1925-2011

Kenneth Robert Hutton was born in Nemaha County, Nebraska, south of Auburn on August 22, 1925, to Bert F. Hutton and Jeanne Marie (Migot) Hutton. The Hutton family farmed southwest of Howe. Kenneth attended Champion School and graduated from Nemaha High School in 1942. Following graduation, he was appointed Clerk of the County Court for five years.

He enrolled at Peru State College and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in education with honors in 1950. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he earned his Master of Education degree in 1956. He also attended Cornell and Stanford Universities working toward his Doctorate in Science and Mathematics. However, he was unable to complete his doctoral dissertation due the illness of his parents.

Kenneth was baptized December 19, 1926, and confirmed April 2, 1939, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn where he was an active member his entire life. He enjoyed teaching confirmation classes and Sunday school, sponsoring the Luther League, serving on the church council, and singing in the church choir.

On July 16, 1977, Kenneth was married to Joyce L. (Kennedy) Hall at the Congregational Church in Sabetha, Kansas. Kenneth welcomed Joyce’s two children, Randall and Susan Hall, making the family complete.

Mr. Hutton’s teaching career began in 1950 at Missouri Valley High School in Iowa. In 1951 he began his long tenure teaching mathematics in Auburn High School where he helped to organize the Math-Science Club. Numerous trips to Colorado and Washington D.C. with the Math-Science Club and receiving Teacher of the Year at the state level were highlights of his teaching career. Mr Hutton retired in 1991 after teaching high school for 42 years. Being reluctant to retire and moved by his passion for teaching, he taught math classes at Peru State College and later supervised student teachers for 16 more years until 2007. Ever the teacher, Kenneth mentored a middle school student the past three years. His delight was in helping any student he could, and he enjoyed visiting with all his former students.

Kenneth was a willing faithful volunteer as an active member of Kiwanis Club for 56 years, a member of the Auburn Community Builders, and chairman of Sheridan Cemetery Association.

Having been raised on a farm, he looked forward to spending time working outdoors. He was fond of gardening and yard work and enjoyed purchasing and refinishing antique walnut furniture.

On the late afternoon of January 6, 2011, Kenneth passed away at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln after an illness of nearly three weeks. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Chet, Floyd, and Frank; sisters Ottis and husband Julius Bergmann, Ilma and husband Walter Schlange, Lucille and husband Floyd Bohlken, and Ruth Ima and husband Clyde Baade. Surviving is one brother, Raymond, of Auburn. In this last years, Kenneth especially enjoyed being with Raymond working on the farm and taking trips to Nemaha.

Also surviving are his wife Joyce; step-son Randall and wife Denise Hall of Sabetha, Kan.; step-daughter Susan and husband Mike Knox of Omaha; step-grandchildren Micah, Matthew, and Meggie Hall, and Daniel and Elizabeth Nelson, and Brandon, Taylor, and Tanner Knox.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn officiated by Rev. Bud Christianson assisted by Rev. Greg Berger and Rev. Delvin Hutton. Special music was performed by Edith Schlange and Donna Caspers on the piano and organ, and John Lauber sang a solo accompanied by Mary Lauber.

Pallbearers were Ron Bergmann, Lynn Pyeatt, Allan Hutton, Glen Baade, Jake Hutton, Ron Spry, and Jeremy Allen.

Burial followed in Prairie Union Cemetery near Shubert, Nebr.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.