Volume 27, Number 3

January 2003

RULETON SCHOOL 1928-1941

Ruleton School, District No. 81 was organized 27 March 1890 according to a list titled “Formation of Sherman County School Districts” on file at the Sherman County Court House, although no form for “Officers elected at the first district meeting, Certificiate of Election” is on file.

Ruleton’s first school, a frame building built in 1888, served as both church and school for many years. In 1926 the school district became the Ruleton Union Consolidated School District R-3, and a new large brick school building was built during 1928 due to increasing student enrollment following consolidation.

On March 1, 1928 Mr. E. O. Thompson was reported taking the census of the voters of the school district before calling an election for a bond issue to build a new school house. A Mr. O. R. Eaton wrote a news item on March 15, 1928, questioning the feasibility of consolidating his rural district #34 with Ruleton and the issuing of $30,000 in bonds to build a new building. The following week Mr. Otis E. Doane, principal of the Ruleton School, wrote a reply stating the Ruleton district was not running in debt as had been implied by Mr. Eaton, and that an auditing committee had filed a report on March 12 which showed a balance of approximately $1,171.67 would be on hand at the end of the 1927-1928 school term. A. L. Parsons, C. A. Beal, and R. J. Hayden were the members of this audit committee, two members being from outside the district.

Mr. Doane also stated that Ruleton was voting on a $22,500 bond, not $30,000 and the rate of interest was 5 per cent, not 6 per cent as had been previously reported. He concluded his article saying “If people want their children to have nine months of grade school work each year and their children who go to high school at home at night, they will consolidate, if not they will not. The only question is: ‘Are these things worth the cost?’”

Evidently Mr. Doane was successfully persuasive in his writing as the Ruleton Route 2 items reporter, Mr. C. L. Harper, reported on March 22, 1928 “The bond issue of $22,500 for a new school house in Ruleton was carried by a vote of 44 for and 26 against. The election was held March 17 [1928].”

The following news items chronicle the erection of the new brick building as reported in Ruleton Route 2 items in the Goodland News-Republic during the summer and early fall of 1928:

May 3, 1928
SCHOOL CALLS FOR BIDS Ruleton Consolidated District Will open Bids May 11. The consolidated school district at Ruleton, District No. 3, has called for sealed bids for the erection of the new school building recently voted in that district. The bids do not include heating, plumbing and lighting, for which bids will be asked later. Plans and specifications are on file with and can be secured from the board, of which E. O. Thompson is clerk.

May 17, 1928
The contract for the new school house in Ruleton was not let Friday as advertised. The board decided to hire a foreman and give the work to home men.

May 24, 1928
School closed Friday in Ruleton and it probably is the last school that will be held in the old frame school house. Gravel hauling will begin this week for the foundation of the new school house at Ruleton. Jens Jensen, of Goodland, has charge of the erection of the new building.

May 31, 1928
Work started on the new school house in Ruleton Monday.

June 7, 1928
Work will start Wednesday to run in the concrete foundation for the new school house. About two more days work will complete the basement.

June 14, 1928
There has been received so far two car loads of brick, one of tile, one of cement, and eighty barrels of lime for the new school house. The work is being pushed as fast as the weather will permit.

June 28, 1928
Work was resumed Monday morning on the new school house after a week’s delay on account of the continued wet weather. Two brick masons also started the brick work on the same morning.

July 5, 1928
The foundation for the new school house is about completed and the brick work is being pushed as rapidly as possible.

July 12, 1928
The brick will be about completed this week on the new school house. They are unloading a carload of steel to be used in the construction of the building.

August 9, 1928
About three more days and the brick work will be finished on the new school house. They think they will have the class rooms done by the time schools begin.

August 23, 1928 (front page item)
COMPLETE BUILDING SOON The new school building, which is under construction at Ruleton in Union district Number 3, is nearing completion and will be ready for school to open September 3. Plastering of the class rooms was finished this week and work on the auditorium is being rushed. With the completion of this building the Ruleton districts will have a fine, brick school house consisting of six class rooms and auditorium, with modern lighting and plumbing fixtures throughout. The grounds will be graded and improved in the spring. Jens Jensen, of this place, has charge of the construction.

September 6, 1928
Oscar Dalhberg and Howard Cotter are the bus drivers for the Ruleton school this winter.

September 20, 1928
Miss Agnes Hanson, from South Dakota, is the high school teacher at Ruleton.

October 11, 1928
The church organization moved its equipment into the new school house last week and held its first services Sunday.

Tragedy struck the school building and town of Ruleton on June 9, 1941 when a tornado ripped through the north half of the town. This storm also destroyed four homes, however the school was the greatest casualty—with the central auditorium caved in and the entire roof gone. The old frame school which had been used as a teachers residence and school lunch site was just a pile of boards, and the school bus garage was completely gone. The brick school had not yet been completely paid for, as about $6,000 of bonded indebtedness remained.

The community of Ruleton rallied around and soon again proved true to the adage “They Came To Stay”, by deciding to immediately rebuild their school. While the school was being rebuilt, classes and church were held in the new home of Seth and Martha (Gattshall) Duell. Following a consultation with the Duells and the school board, the Duells offered their basement and men of the community helped divide it into three classrooms; high school on one side and grade school on the other side. Music was held in the living room upstairs as the piano was there. Their old house was arranged for commercial and other classrooms, and school work continued until the reconstructed building was ready for occupation in late November of 1941.

Goodland News-Republic, Wednesday, November 19, 1941.
“IN NEW BUILDING Ruleton Celebrated Completion of School House Damaged by Tornado. The Ruleton community held a celebration Sunday as it moved into the new school building, rebuilt finer and better after being almost completely destroyed by the tornado last summer.

The festivities opened with the regular Sunday school in the morning and a basket dinner at noon, followed by a program during the afternoon.”

“The program was:

  • Musical prelude.

  • Congregation singing, “All Hail The Power of Jesus Name.”

  • Prayer by Rev. Hall. (Albert Hall, Ruleton pastor)

  • Sermon by Dist. Supt. Freeman. (Rev. Everett Freeman)

  • Congregation singing, “He is Able to Deliver.”

  • Duet by Rachel and Elaine. (Duells, daughters of Seth, and Carl)

  • Scripture by Lila Mary Parish. (daughter of Oren & Pearl Parish)

  • Exercise by intermediates.

  • Song by Norman and Norma. (Duell, Seth’s son, Carl’s daughter)

  • Reading by Donna Lockard.

  • Baritone solo by Ruth Duell. (daughter of Seth & Martha Duell)

  • Reading by Nelson Woolverton. (son of George & Mary Woolverton)

  • Song, “Sunrise” by Marie Middleton.(daughter of Ed & Alma Middleton)

  • Address by John Rule. (Founder of Ruleton)

  • Song by Mrs. Daniels.

  • Address by Rev. Basil Johnson. (Goodland Methodist pastor)

  • Congregation singing, “I Am Thine, Oh Lord.”

  • Benediction by Rev. Hall.

November 19, 1941
The students of R. C. S. moved into the school house Monday morning. They have been going to school in the basement of Seth Duell’s home since school started.

Rebuilding of the school in 1941 was under the supervision of Jens Jensen, the original builder, and his son Mark Jensen. The last High School graduating class at Ruleton in 1943 had seven members, however Grade School was held until in the late 1960’s.

References: Goodland News-Republic newspapers; Ruleton Church History by Mrs. Martha Duell; Oral History of Seth Duell, October 19, 1975.

Compiled by Lloyd Holbrook.

Thank You
To the following supporters of the Sherman County Historical
Society from 6/29/02 – 12/27/02

Monetary Donations of
$500.00 - $999.99
Walmart

Monetary Donations of
$250.00 – $499.99
David Branda

Monetary Donations of
$1.00 - $249.00
In Memory of Marion Parker
     Randy Johnson

In Memory of Virginia Chatfield
     Andrew & Gennifer House

In Memory of Eugene P. Zuspann
     Marie Moore
     Laurie Nelson
     Rod & Michelle Cooper
     Andrew & Gennifer House
     Rasure Lumber Inc
     Bill & Millie Wright
     L. Nadine Kammer
     Brenda Ross

In Memory of Doris Ellen Dimmitt Williams
     Mary Collins

Joseph & Christine Blackwell
Russ & Janet Sammons

Monetary Donations of
$1.00 - $249.00
John & Ellen Magee
Robert & Lucille Smith
Kim R. Monson
Twylah Faye Olson
Marie T. Moore
Eula Babcock
Emogene & Lindsay Yates
Floriene Whisnant
Velma Holste
Marilyn Cooper
Marguerite Dupsky
Richard & Sarah Short
Wayne & Barbara Aten
First National Bank
Faith Stebbins
Sharon Lasley
Frank & Virginia Blain
Betty Lee Harding
Elaine (Handy) Whitaker
Marilyn Zeigner
Emmalou Doyle Huston
Fiechter Farms Inc
Lindsay Wells
Geo & Cynthia Logan
Curtis Hurd
Steven & Andrea LaMotte

MEMBERSHIP ALERT

Please check your address label to make sure your dues are current. We depend on revenue from memberships to fund our projects and meet our operating expenses. We are not raising dues, even though our ongoing expenses continue to increase. We feel your modest dues are an excellent investment in the documentation and preservation of our Sherman County heritage. We thank you for your past support and look forward to your continued association with the Sherman County Historical Society.

If you would like to renew your Historical Society Membership please send your check ($10 for Individual or $15 for a family membership) to:

Sherman County Historical Society
PO Box 684
Goodland, KS 67735

MARGE ROGERS HONORED WITH LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

Each year it is the pleasure of the Board of Directors to announce the selection of the recipient awarded a Lifetime Membership in the Sherman County Historical Society. This year it is with great pleasure we present a Lifetime Membership to Marge Rogers.

Marge is a former employee of the Society. She spent many warm summer hours as hostess and tour guide at the country school making tourists feel welcome. Marge has volunteered well over one hundred hours at the Ennis-Handy House. She got in on getting the house ready to open by pulling up carpet and tack strip, stripping wallpaper, painting, and general cleaning and grunt work. Her ever-present smile and sense of humor made the experience a joy. Marge has helped decorate the house for Christmas these past two seasons. There is a good chance the newsletter you are reading was either folded, taped, or addressed by Marge. Marge fills in at the house when we get in a bind and never expects anything in return. For this, on behalf of all members, we award this Lifetime Membership to Marge Rogers.

FURNISHINGS LOANED TO THE ENNIS-HANDY
HOUSE SINCE THE LAST NEWSLETTER:

  • 1940 satin wedding gown of Dorothy (Wilcox), bride of Lloyd R. Taylor, Goodland High School music instructor 1938-1942. This gown was hand made by Mrs. Dorothy Taylor for her wedding. (Lloyd R. Taylor, Escondida, CA/ to Melva Stephan, Goodland)

  • 1905 silk wedding gown and veil of Goldie Esther (Medsger), bride of Merrill Lynn Taylor, parents of Lloyd R. Taylor. (Lloyd R. Taylor, Escondida, CA/ to Melva Stephan, Goodland)

  • Pink checked cotton childs’ dress with lace trim; and 4 pieces of 1920’s baby clothing of Dorothy Taylor. (Lloyd R. Taylor/ to Melva Stephan, Goodland)

  • Two white wicker picture frames. (Marge Rogers, Goodland)

  • Crystal lamp with prisms. (Lloyd Holbrook, Goodland)

  • Gifted to the historical society: Quilt made by the students of Union School 1946-47. (Karen Vandiver, Goodland)

  • Four early plat maps of Goodland. (Jim Hodgkinson family)

Many thanks to all of the many people who have loaned or gifted furnishings to the society, and provided in-kind donations for the operation of the Ennis-Handy House since the opening on July 4, 2001. Your support is very much appreciated.

THANK YOU!

ANNUAL MEETING
January 25, 2003, 1:30 p.m.
Goodland Public Library

2002 Annual Report
Update of Bylaws
Election of Directors
Award Life Membership
Program: Story of the remodeling of the B. E. Bridges building into The Antique Warehouse Mall, by Kim Acuff.

All members are encouraged to attend this annual
meeting. Refreshments will be served.

“THEY CAME TO STAY” MINIATURE REPRODUCTION

Sherman County Historical Society is very pleased to announce that Gregg Todd, sculptor of the “They Came To Stay” statue located on the Sherman County Court House lawn, will make acrylic resin faux bronze reproductions of the statue, book shelf size, about 8” or 9” tall. Presales will be done, with the miniatures ready for Christmas 2003. See the enclosed insert for more details.

Congratulations to Gennifer G. House, past president of Sherman County Historical Society, who has been elected to the board of directors of the Kansas State Historical Society!

TEMPORARY DISPLAY

The Sherman County Historical Society is pleased to have a temporary display of Hull Pottery displayed on the fireplace mantle at the Ennis-Handy House. The pottery is on loan by Mrs. Jeanne Harding.

Make plans to come see the vases!

JEWELRY BOX WINNER

Mildred Tippery of Salina, Kansas won the hand crafted jewelry box made by county commission Kevin Rasure. The Historical Society wishes to thank Kevin for his most generous support of the society, and thanks also to the many members who gave support by purchasing tickets. Thank You!

CHRISTMAS 2002 DECOR

The antique sleigh which was given to the Historical Society by the children and grandchildren of C. T. Handy, has been lighted and displayed on the back porch of the house during the 2002 Christmas season. Many people of our community have expressed grateful pleasure about the beauty of this added decoration to the holiday décor of the house. Also, we wish to express our thanks to the City of Goodland for the placement of the huge lighted Christmas tree on the lawn. This tree is once again a very much appreciated holiday attraction at the corner of 13th & Center.

HISTORICAL COOKBOOK

Copies of the Sherman County Historical Society Historical Cookbook are now ready for sale. The cookbook includes many old time recipes of some of the early Sherman County pioneer families; recipes of our current society members; and also some recipes just for fun. This will be interesting reading, whether you are a cook or not.

Copies are $10.00; postage & handling $3.00, if mailed. They are also available at the Ennis-Handy House, High Plains Museum, and Knott Just Books at 1102 Main St., Goodland, KS.