History of Bradshaw District Number 24

District Number 24, under the name "Audra," was organized in 1894. Some years later when the inland town Bradshaw, named for a pioneer in that section, sprang up, the school was moved and the name of the district changed.

With the coming of the Abilene and Southern Railroad in September 1910, the town began to grow rapidly. That year James O. Roark was principal of the school. As there were too many pupils and too much work for the two teachers then employed, the plan was started of having some of the senior pupils teach some of the fourth grade subjects. The following year S. E. Pollock was principal; during this year school spirit ran high; the school coIors -blue and white- were chosen and foot-ball was introduced, but as there were not enough boys for two teams, the game was shortlived. The next year the school had still another principal B. Dobbs. This year, through the earnest efforts of Co. Supt. E. V. White, the district was enlarged and voted a $3500 bond and an increased tax of twenty-five cents. The good plans for this improvement were carried on by Co. Supt. J. S. Smith, who succeeded Supt. White. The former was assisted by Messrs. C. P. Bennett, M. L. Morris, Wylie Walden, C. M. Hunt, and M.C. McBride -the Building Committee. The present site was selected and a splendid three-room brick building, well equipped, was ready for occupancy the following September. A.J. Jones was the first principal in the new building and remained with the district for three years. In 1912 basketball was introduced; the first match game was played with the Winters "Giants," Bradshaw winning by a score of ten to eight. At the County Interscholastic League Meet in 1914, the boys basketball team won the championship. In 1915 Guy Irvin won the county championship in senior boys' declamation. George H. Templin followed Mr. Jones as principal and served during 1915-1916 and 1916-1917. During his administration music was first introduced into the school. Miss Winnie Cooper followed Mr. Templin as principal; she, in turn was followed by Miss Marie Nicholson. Under the latter administration domestic science and expression were also offered. Miss Gertie Horn (now Mrs. M. L. Fuller) -was head of the school for 1919-1920 and 1920-1921. During the first of these years Clifford Taylor won the county championship in junior girls' declamation and Naldie Hale carried off the prize in the mile race and later went to Austin where he also won first place. The next year Thelma Bradshaw won first place in the senior girls' declamation.

During the present year the school has made much progress in many lines. The interest in the Interscholastic Leagne work has continued. In the county contest Dunman Howse, Naldie Hale, Ed Brown, and Clarence Ledbetter came off victors; the two first named won other honors in the district meet and Naldie Hale went to Austin, where he won second place in the mile relay. It was the hope of the district this year to make additions and improvements to the building; to this end a $5,000 bond - was voted and taxes increased to the limit of one dollar. However, as the matter could not be perfected in time for this additional room, thanks, to the good citizens of the town, a temporary frame structure was erected and a fourth teacher added. Valuable playground equipment was installed during the year, a piano bought, and a lyceum course secured for the district. Much of the progress made may be attributed, in part, to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. S. Ira Jones, who have been most ably assisted in the work by Misses Una Johnston and Jessie Camp.

Class Roll