Journal of Unknown Teacher, 1902 - Troup Women's Club Program
By Deborah Burkett
The Troup Women's Civic Organization (TWCO) met recently. Incoming President Susan Martin welcomed everyone with expectations of an exciting year on the horizon. Program chairman, Betty Oden introduced me as the guest speaker and said members were eager to hear stories found in my new book, Spunky Women 1830s - 1950s East Texas Piney Woods Spirited Individuals Who Made a Difference.
Given that many in the audience had devoted their careers to education and collectively have taught just about everyone in this area, I chose to highlight a journal written by a beginning teacher in 1902.
In the 1980's a journal was found in a deer shack in Hudson, Texas (Angelina County) and given to Faye Acker Martin of the Cherokee County Historical Commission. The journal written in 1902 does not contain the author's name but it's clear she's a teacher starting her first year in Bulah, Texas, near Rusk. She writes about the difficulties of being a boarder and navigating through the throngs of bachelors looking for a wife. At one point she begins to hide her correspondence with a suitor because someone is going through her things! Only a portion of my presentation is printed here.
First journal entry: "October 30, 1902 found me on my way to Rusk where I expect to spend the night and from there I expect to go to Bulah school house to teach my first school. I did not expect to leave home until Friday but got a letter to be in Rusk Friday so of course I had to go one day earlier. How sad it was to leave home and when I was not near ready to go. Mama was making me a skirt but I packed everything else in my trunk. My skirt she sewed on it as long as she could. Then I put it on and wore it. I hurried all I could when Lo and Behold the train had to stay in Jacksonville about three hours."
"November 3, 1902 "I got along alright today for my first day, had thirteen pupils an unlucky number but I hope I will get along alright, I have gotten my program made out, I tell you that was a job. It certainly is a job to teach school. I tell you it will make anybody white headed in a little while. Well good bye for tonight."
"Sunday morning November 9 "What a time I had Sunday I was so lonely this is a lonesome place. Have not heard from home yet and they have not heard from me. I must try and send them a letter tomorrow. There was a candy breaking at Mr. Gardiner's Friday night I had a special invitation but did not go. I hear they had a big time."
"Saturday the 22nd, "I did go to a candy breaking. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb wanted to go and I hated to be the cause of them not going so I went. Mr. Lee Holcomb was the first to draw with me. He drew with me two or three times. Then Mr. King and Mr. Gardiner drew two or three times…When Mr. King and I drew together I did not get any candy he wanted me to take his piece but I would not do it."
"Sunday November 23, 1902 "I got a letter from Papa last night it made me feel a lot better but I wish I could see him. I'm doing very well in school have twenty-two students."
Listed here are a few topics the teacher writes about in the remainder of her journal.
a) Arguments and discussions about dancing-she being in favor of it.
b) Sending for a switch and by the time it arrived she was so nervous she could hardly do a thing-wishing all children were good children, noting several students were as large as she was--J.D. Stevens and I are going to mix some of these days if he doesn't watch, he is as large as I am, don't know which will get the best.
c) December 15 went to town and had my voucher cashed
d) Saturday, I have washed ironed and patched
e) It is snowing this morning and we haven't any wood at the school house.
The last recorded entry in her journal was December 30, 1902 "I will be truly glad when my school is out."
At the conclusion of the program, TWCO members shared some of their experiences as beginning teachers-but not for publication of course!
Bulah School