Many of the children rode cayuse ponies to school, staking or hobbling them in the open, that they might feast on the tall bunch grass that was so abundant. School was held only during the spring and summer months. On rainy days the riding equipment was of necessity brought into the schoolhouse. The odor emanating from them and the huddled groups of wet children and the lunch pails made a peculiar combination of odors, but in those days we knew nothing of germs. Children were taught to value the privilege of attending school as almost sacred. A year's work was frequently done in a term of three or four months, much stress being placed upon the three R's.
These pioneer children represented many nationalities. One family in the locality were direct descendants of the Wadsworth family of New England to which the poet Longfellow belongs. There were many of Indian blood. One of these young Indian women of distinguished lineage (half breed) grew to womanhood with us. Later losing her father, her mother having died in the girl's infancy, upon opening of the reservation of the Nez Percés, secured her allotment and was persuaded by the teachers of the Indians to attend Carlisle, which she did. But in recent years we happened to be at the interstate fair, and walking into the main pavilion where an Indian baby show was being held, there we saw our schoolmate, a proud and happy mother wrapped in the regulation blanket with the "blue ribbon" pinned on her dusky babe which she held in her arms. Recognition was mutual, but owing to the natural reserve of her race we secured no explanation of conditions.
Fortunately in those early days requirements for securing a teacher's certificate were not rigid, so teachers were plentiful but none qualified to teach beyond the grammar school work, necessitating a removal for high school work which could be ill afforded at that time. At Lewiston, Idaho, about twenty miles distant the Methodist Church established a so-called college which flourished for a time. Many of the young men and women of Asotin County availed themselves of the educational advantages offered by it.
As soon as the normal school at Cheney opened its doors Asotin County was represented, but in order to go there the student was compelled to leave Anatone at 7 A. M., reaching Asotin four hours later and from there another stage was taken which connected with the Uniontown stage in Lewiston, Idaho. About 2 P. M. the Uniontown stage, now designated as a wild-west stage coach, being drawn by six to eight horses, carrying often fourteen to sixteen passengers, took the timid student in charge and transported him as far as Uniontown. It being dark and the train not leaving until morning a stop was made over night. The train was boarded the next morning for Spokane, a stop of a few hours in that thriving little village, and then off to Cheney which was reached later in the afternoon, thus making two days for the trip. But the influence of the splendid men and women in charge of the normal and the excellent opportunities offered the student over his environment in his home county was a splendid recompense for the sacrifice he had to make in leaving Asotin County home folks and friends. But the return of the student and his entry into the teaching profession where he was given a royal welcome by all neighbors and old friends made him feel once more that the effort was more than worth while.
The association of the teachers with the parents in these communities was close indeed. It was the good fortune of the teacher to be entertained over night in every home, although humble, thus acquiring first-hand knowledge of the environment of every child under his or her supervision. It was also the teacher who set the example for the young people in the community thus almost invariably improving the moral status. The teacher was often the Sunday school superintendent or called upon to direct the community choir or was instrumental in organizing debating societies or spelling schools, thus again coming in close contact with the entire neighborhood. Out of this association many friendships were formed that counted for much in the later development of the county. The remuneration received by these teachers rarely exceeded forty dollars per month, many receiving less, but these faithful teachers who still remain in the county in various walks of life have the satisfaction of thinking that their work was appreciated when they observe the places these pioneer children occupy in the county.
The county school superintendent was also an efficient factor in those early days. He might be justly compared to a missionary. Every school board and likewise patrons of the district looked to him for close supervision of the work, as also did every teacher expect in him a high tribunal for the settlement of difficulties that occasionally arose through some misunderstanding.
Since the organization of the county the office of county superintendent has been held by both men and women, as to service about equally divided. Speaking from a woman's standpoint, school visitation in early days in the county was not an easy matter. The roads were extremely poor, schoolhouses far apart, many of which were not accessible by vehicle. One was compelled to drive until the road ceased to be fit for travel or terminated abruptly, at which time the team was converted into saddle horses when the journey was continued. Arduous indeed! was the trip but one was fully repaid when some homesick teacher brightened under the encouragement given and the children put forth an extra effort to make their school the best in the county in attendance or improvement along some line designated by the superintendent, the result to be passed upon by that officer upon the next official visit. Some of the children in these isolated districts were twelve and fourteen years old and never had the privilege of being inside of any public building except their own little schoolhouse, had never had the pleasure of spending a dime. These hardy pioneers always shared their best with the superintendent. We recall one of the young women superintendents having gone out for a survey of the rural schools being entertained in a home over night where the only bed in the home was a bunk nailed up to the side of the wall and filled with straw. This the hostess and her three months' old baby shared with the visitor, while the husband went to the barn loft to sleep. This young woman so hospitably entertained was made to feel in this humble home that those people struggling against poverty knew she was interested in the development of the various districts and always had the loyal support of every one in those communities. All worked for the common aim—the betterment of local conditions.
In early days it was not out of the ordinary for Indians to appear at the farm houses demanding a meal. One incident has been brought to our knowledge where two blanket Indians went into a house asking for a meal in almost unintelligible English, but during the progress of the meal one of the girls of the family was murmuring a few German phrases which she had learned from a neighbor, whereupon the younger of the two Indians asked in splendid English why she had not learned the languages when young. It developed that he was able to converse in five languages, being a college graduate, while at this time Asotin County's children had no advantages above the grammar grades. But let it be said to the credit of these pioneer children who are the fathers and mothers of the present younger generation that they made good and are seeing that their children are getting the best the great state offers educationally.
Thirty years have brought vast changes educationally—classical, industrial and literary courses having been added to our systems, the schools having been inspected and placed upon the accredited lists of the state. Children are provided free transportation to and from schools; hot lunches are provided; buildings equipped with splendid heating systems and sanitary conditions are generally observed. Teachers are paid excellent wages and are well prepared for their work. The county superintendent is provided with an automobile for visitation of schools which are practically all reached by an excellent system of highways.
As an outcome of this superior development many of our young men are holding positions of trust in the present crisis, in the service of Uncle Sam both at home and abroad.