Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 12 can be read here.

Prairie Schools (continued)

During the years until Elizabeth was old enough to go to school, the community of homesteaders got together and established a school just east of the homestead and one half mile south of the O’Conner place in a school section.  Therefore, when Elizabeth followed Rod to school a year later, she had only to walk the mile and one half.  Her first teacher was Miss May Trump.  She led the 17 pupils through their prescribed courses.  Elizabeth loved her Sweet Pea reader.  By the end of the year she had read the book about a jillion times.  There were so few books, the teacher tried to keep first graders away from the second year books or any book they might need to read to keep them busy the next year.

The second grade was very easy for Elizabeth because her mother kept the active young children busy with learning Bible verses before school attendance.  The 23^rd Psalm was the prescribed Bible verse for second grade.  Elizabeth had already memorized it at home.  It was Mary Elizabeth Blake that took special interest in Elizabeth for she was the only girl in school.  Her five brothers, two O’Conner boys and the Moberly’s were in attendance that year.  The third year was much more exciting as there were two eighth grade girls who entered.

The O’Conner school burned down one night after the children had left to go home.  The stove was in the center of the school room with the chimney supported with wire along the ceiling to the flu on the north side of the building.  The blame was placed by some on the carelessness of the teacher when she banked the school’s potbellied stove for the night.  Others blamed it on the chimney flue which was not properly installed for windy nights.

A three week vacation was given for the district to solve the problem.  It was a consensus that if Mr. Gately had offered his newly built brooder house for his chickens, and it was adopted that with a bit of lumber they could put a board at the walls for books and writing space with a bench for children to sit.  With their backs to the teacher, each child was fitted to the bench and shelf above and in front of him to see if it made a good comfortable work place.  So that year was finished with only about a half mile walk up and over the small grassy path which became worn into a crooked path before school ended in the spring.

The next year the teacher was a newly graduated high school pupil, never very country wise.  Miss Florence Slaughter was a pretty girl of 18.  She had a musical voice; her hair was a mass of haphazard home-style curls. 

Franceville mine closed.  Franceville renters of homesteads in that vicinity moved because most would no longer work.  Therefore, the O’Conner school was reopened.  It was good for Gertrude because she had a hard time walking the three and a half miles to Franceville.  

Elizabeth, then in eighth grade was given over to Charles and Jesse Turner in the Drennan area to be a companion for Emily, their daughter, and to go to high school.  But the Turners moved back to manage their ART store and later moved to Denver.  Then Elizabeth was sent to Fountain to live with three school teachers doing the chores; cleaning stoves mostly and bringing wood and coal for her room and board until a family wanted a boy to mow the lawn and also the Clopton’s needed a babysitter for three children.  So Elizabeth became a babysitter for 4 years.

Next week – The Sisters

Summarized by Janet Frederick

The Kiowa County Press invites those who live in or have ties to Colorado - especially the southeast, however all contributions are welcome - to share their story with our readers. Family history, current life, unique sites and adventures, and other aspects of living in Colorado are welcome. Contact us at editor@KiowaCountyPress.net.