History of Dewey District Number 33

Our school enjoys a distinction which few schools have. Usually school districts and school houses are named for some prominent and worthy person in the community, or have names in line with some particular characteristic of the people or the country. Not so with the Dewey School. It is apparent that it was named for one of the far-famed heroes of the Spanish-American War. This name thus applied indicates that the district was organized about a quarter of a century ago. The first building, a rude, one-room, frame structure, about twenty feet by thirty feet, with very poor equipment indeed, stood about one mile north of the present location. Mr. Cannon, still a resident of the district, was the leader in obtaining from private subscriptions, the funds necessary for the old building. In 1911 when the Lawn District was organized the size of the Dewey District was somewhat reduced to the east. At this time the tax was increased to twenty cents and the school house was moved to its present site, which was nearer the center the district; another room, about sixteen feet by thirty -two feet was added, giving the building the shape of the letter "T." Another teacher was employed, but a funds made it impossible for the district to continue two teachers long, and so Dewey became again one of the one-teacher schools of the county and so continued until 1921.

During the summer of this year $2500 bonds were voted and the tax increased to fifty cents. Two teachers - Mrs. R. H. Hearreal and Miss Robie T. Smith- were employed and the district received State Aid for the first time, although- because of the state of money matters affecting the bond market the: bonds are unsold and the old building, improved somewhat by a little new equipment, has had to be used again-the Dewey District shows many evidences of desire for more and more progress. Verily, Dewey is "coming to the light," as is symbolized by the decorations on the opposite page, and has the prospect of becoming one of the very best two-teacher schools of the county.

-CHARLIE GRIFFITH

Class Roll