History of Hetland School

1922-1949

From Hetland “My Home Town”

 

The following history of the Hetland School, concentrating on the High School years, has been compiled as accurately as I can transcribe the records and authentic remarks from those that were there.  As these jottings are remembered I hope many more are recalled.

 

            On August 6, 1892, a regular meeting of the Denver School Board No. 43 met.  The motion was made and carried to have at least nine months of school to begin in the first week in September.  They decided to levy $400.00 for the general purposes for ensuing school year.  The first teacher was Lois Bates with a salary of $40.00 a month.

 

            The next year they decided $1200.00 needed to be raised for school purposes. 

 

            In October, 1893, they bonded the school district for $800.00 for paying indebtedness caused by building an addition for the school house.

 

            In February 1894, the board decided to have the teacher not allow any child to attend school while a contagious disease was in the family without a permit form the Doctor.  In July, a meeting with patrons decided to hold seven months of school, starting October 15 and teachers salaries to be $25.00 for primary and $30.00 for intermediate (Up to two teachers already).

 

            In January 1895, a special meeting was held and decided the school house should be closed for all purposes other than regular school purposes.

 

            In 1898, a Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis were hired as teachers with a salary of $67.50 a month for the two for a term of seven months – three months before Christmas and four months after.

 

            November 11, 1897, a special meeting was held because of certain persons had circulated stories concerning Mr. S.S. Murphy, an intermediate teacher, calculating or tending to effect his reputation as a teacher – rumors coming to his ears prompted him to voluntarily close his school until such rumors could be investigated by the board.

 

            All persons were notified to appear before the board and state their grievances.   Given ample opportunity and time to appear, they failed to appear to confirm such rumors.  Therefore, the believed such accusations to be without foundation.  They expressed their confidence in him and asked him to resume his duties without deducting anything from his salary for the days the school was voluntarily closed.  It was noted he was not rehired, however.       

 

In 1899, the board had to raise $600.00 for school purposes and planned to hold nine months of school in Primary grades and seven months in Intermediate grades.  Salaries were to be $40.00 and $30.00.

 

            In July 1902, Ruby Clark was hired for the Grammar Room at $40.00.  She taught several years and later married Morris Anderson and became the mother of Dale, Homer, Clayton and Eldon, all noted alumni living in the Hetland area.

 

            About this time a set of rules was printed for the school grounds:

                       

1.     No pupil was to leave the grounds during school hours without permission from the teacher.

2.     The pupils shall be held responsible for any damage they may do to furniture or buildings.

3.     Fighting and quarreling is not to be allowed at any time and any pupil who persists in the same shall be expelled.

4.     There shall be no profane language used on the grounds at any time.  The pupil breaking this rule shall be expelled.

 

A special meeting was held March 15, 1904 of the Independent No. 43 to issue bonds for $4,000.00 for a new school house.  C.A. Johnson of Brookings drew up sketches, plans and specifications for the new school and was paid $40.00 for the services.

 

On May 14, 1904, the old school house was auctioned for $400.00 to L.A. Crandall.  This building was later moved to the Crandall residence and used as a five car garage (He rented these out).

 

           On May 23, 1904, a bid of $4040.00 by J.M. Melstad was accepted for the new school.  On May 25, 1904, a deed for the land for the site of the new school was secured from L.J. Boyd.

 

            The excavation for the new school building and removal of the foundation from the old building cost $41.00.  The heating plant for the school was purchased from P.R. Crothers for $58.00.  Furniture for the new school was purchased from J.H. Quinn of Arlington for $195.75.  The tax levy that year was $1900.00.

           

           In August 1906, the records show the hiring of James Barber as janitor at $20.00 a month.  Janitor work paid out according to records but to many different people.

 

            In 1906, the first Principal hired was I.J. Bradley of Fairfax, SD with a salary of $70.00. 

 

            In May 1907, the Board rescinded the former policy and agreed to us the School for one month for Norwegian School.  The Board also decided another outhouse should be built.

 

            In 1912, the tax levy went up to $2,800.00.

 

            In 1913 the old wood sidewalk (this sidewalk was 4 feet wide and laid from the southeast corner of the school lot to the steps if the school house in 1893) was torn up and in the basement for kindling.  A new sidewalk of cement was laid for 12 cents a square foot.

 

            1913 was quite an eventful year as the first class then graduated.  The Commencement was held at the Opera House (Town Hall) on May 23, 1913 with admission of 15 and 25 cents charged to help defray expenses.  Rev. R.E. Tarleton of Arlington gave the class sermon and Mrs. W. Gagnon (an opera singer from Huron) sang.  The Orchestra also played several numbers.  The teachers were R.E. Jack and Lillian Jaehn (busy teachers).  Classical graduates of four years of high school were Helen Boyd, Elsie Wix and Ralph Johnson.  Sadie Starksen was an English graduate of four years.  Commercial graduates (they only had three years of high school) were Edith Stangland, Florentine Weidenkopf and Arthur Starksen.  The graduation test for commercial students consisted of adding fives sums of ten numbers each, each number of four figures in five minutes.  A speed of forty words per minute in typewriting and one hundred words per minute in shorthand.  The classes offered were commercial arithmetic, comm. Writing,comm.. spelling, rapid calculation, bookkeeping, shorthand, and typing for commercial course.  Also had science, algebra, geometry, latin, English, and others.  A young peoples society was held on Tuesday evening every two weeks at the Opera House.  The children were tehn given proper amusements so they wouldn’t go out and make their own.  They also had a very good basketball team consisting of Arthur Starksen, William Austin, Ralph Johnson, Gerhart Neilsen, Burt Wix and Amos Randall.  They only lost one game but don’t know who their coach was.  They also had considerable exercise with discus, hammer shot-put, pole vaulting, broad jump and high jump.  This material was given to me by Florentine Starksen and from the school annual, “The Crocus,” which was published every year.  The next class to graduate was in 1922.

 

In 1916, the levy was set at $3,500. (Costs starting to surge)

 

In 1917, the levy was set at $4,000.

 

“In October of 1918, the school closed for two weeks on account of influenza, but on November 19 conditions are very bad and there is no prospect of starting again for some time. After quite a bit of discussion it was moved and seconded to dispense with high school for the balance of the school year as still doubtful when we could again start school.”

 

After the holidays school started on January 2, 1919. About this time a County Nurse was hired, the share of expense for District #43 was $22.00 a year. They went to school every other Saturday for ten Saturdays and continued to make up school until June 6 to make up for the time lost for the flu.

 

In February 1919, the District decided to wire and light the school house. Also, “moved and seconded that those pupils who have been carving names, etc. on school buildings to be fined $2.00 for the first offense and $5.00 for the second offense.

 

In fall of 1920, city water was piped into the school house. In November the District bought a Model 25 Victrola of J.J. Peterson for $100.00 F.O.B., it was used in primary and intermediate rooms.

 

In March 1920, they decided to issue bonds for $10,000.00 for general purpose of building an addition to the present school building, 28 feet by 52 feet and to overhaul and remodel the heating plant for the entire building. Said bonds be in denominations of $500.00 each and maximum ratre of 6% per annum, payable annually, payable at the expiration of twenty years. In checking the poll list of that school vote noted that Mrs. Nels Nelson, Ruby Mauch, Mrs. Benji Neilsen, Mrs. H.O. Starksen and John Kvinge are still living (Don’t know how they voted). The contract to the building was given to M.A. Melstad for $6,900 and that included al carpenter work, painting, insurance, all material and excavating. J.L. Barber received the contract to install two type B boilers for $5,100.

 

In June 1920 a Corporate seal was procured to be used as the official seal for said district— Hetland Independent School District #43 for Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Later reverted back to Common District as it has been originally. Also at this time stated cost of tuition to be $3.50 a month. Later, went as high as $13.75 for high school and $5.00 for grade school.

 

On October 4, 1920 at a special meeting it was decided to insert a balcony and seats in the gymnasium (on each end and south side of the gym). In regard to seats it was later decided to defer that until a later date as the district likely was to be short of money before spring (don’t know just when the seats were inserted). The rods for the balcony support came from M. Andersen for $14.10. The moving and leveling of dirt for the school yard was completed in a first class job just a few days for only $100.00 (With just a shovel). A drinking fountain was put in the lower hall and connected with city water (Remember standing in line for a drink!).

 

The question of dancing in the gymnasium came up for discussion but it was unanimously decided that it could not be allowed under the current conditions.

 

Prof. Hall allowed a budget of $250.00 for the year 1921-22 for books, supplies, etc. with the understanding it be kept at that amount.

 

July 1921 “Moved and seconded that the janitor be authorized to put a sign on the school grounds forbidding the picketing of cows on the school grounds.

 

Grace Bundy was hired as the Librarian for the upcoming school year at $5.00 a month.

 

1922 tax levy was now $8,000.

 

This year also saw the successful formation of the first of many illustrious basketball teams. Merle and Orris Melstad, Herman and Harold Nelson, Alvin Gilbertson, Max Hartley and Wayne Mahoney compiling the roster. Bill Austin was the coach.

 

In 1924 a meeting was held to discuss the requirements and advantages of an accredited High School. The vote was in favor of being accredited (Apparently this arranged shortly after this but nothing definite appears later).

This year also saw the installation of a “shower-bath” in the school house (Locker room I presume). The board also agreed to calcimine the 7th and 8th grade room if the High School boys would put it on. They, along with some of the patrons also did some painting and varnishing.

 

Shortly after installing the shower they had a problem if warm water coming to the drinking fountain. Apparently this was remedied because I recall quite refreshingly cool water coming from the fountain.

 

In April 1925 a sewing machine was purchased for $41.13 – doesn’t say what they did with it but obviously someone taught sewing.

 

Remember the Superintendent’s office? In 1926 “a principal’s office was fixed up in the hall on the 2nd floor of the school building.

Mr. Eidsmoe was hired to teach high school, but “especially” to coach basketball. Mr. Eidsmoe was hired to teach music at 75 cents a period for four periods a week. He later taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.

 

In 1928 Earl Dutcher was given $10.00 as a token of appreciation for assisting Professor Wallis with band and orchestra training at the school.

 

M.A. Melstad rebuilt the chimney in June 1929, specifications were to be 16” on the inside and have verified fire lining and a new foundation for the chimney at least 4’x4’x2’ at the cost of $80.00.

 

In October 1929, a new maple floor was laid over the old floor gym. The Athletic Association agreed to pay half the cost, up to $100.00 (Couldn’t find any records of what it really cost).

 

In 1930, a “Rack of pigeon holes was built for use of Physical culture girls to hold shoes and clothing.

 

In December of 1930 the “High School Orchestra put on a concert for entertainment but in debt for instruments $32.78 and the hall rent $26.00. The Board voted to pay the $32.78 but the orchestra to settle the $26.00 the best they could.”

 

It was also decided that the town basketball team could use the gym for practice.

 

1933—Large increase in enrollment made it necessary to hire a 4th high school teacher. 1933 also saw the need to purchase seven new recitation chairs at $3.50 a piece and six new Remington typewriters of the latest pattern for $360.00 (taking in the old ones for $110.00).

 

1934--$1.60 allowed teachers to drive students to contests. Seven cars are to take students to music contest ( Brookings, SD) at $1.00 a car.

 

In 1935, the District proceeded to set up a dormitory project (Rent of houses used $15.00 for nine months and $10.00 for 3 months). The meals were served in the house used as the girl’s dormitory. The girl’s dorm was housed in the Jackson house at the north end of Main Street on the west side. The Chas. Barstow house, on the south end of Main Street on the west was the boy’s dorm. The dormitories began with Mrs. Nellie Bunday as the Girls Dean. There were 18 girls staying there during the winter months and 12 for the entire school year. Mrs. Sadie York and Mrs. Anna Oanes were later Deans of the Girls Dorm. The last years of operation the girl’s dorm was situated in the rooms above the café. Reverend Arthur Green was the first Dean of the Boys Dorm. Floyd Waby followed and later moved the boys dorm to a new location. In 1946 the girls and boys dormitories were discontinued but noon lunches were served by Mrs. York in the Intermediate Room at the school.

 

Mrs. York later went on to be the cook at the Lake Preston Hospital, so Mrs. Martin Wonsbeck assumed the responsibilities at the school until the end of 1948 school year when the lunch program was discontinued.

 

In 1937, as a WPA (Work Projects Administration) project, new outside toilets were built. This year also found Martin Melstad had raised the ceiling in the gym for $74.70 (Really improved that beautiful arch shot in basketball. The school board also purchased six new noiseless typewriters; these were unsatisfactory and in 1938 exchanged them for six standard machines.

 

Salaries fluctuated slightly in the past years, but now a superintendent was hired for $1575.00, plus an additional $10.00 to solicit tuition students. The high school teacher was earning about $975.00.

 

Improvements are constantly being made in the school. They now purchased a mimeograph machine and believe it is still there. This is the year they also had a telephone installed.

 

In April of 1939, a talking movie machine was purchased with the town of Hetland on a 50-50 basis. The board appropriated $80.00 to send pupils to Aberdeen, SD to the music contest (This had been done before, but just to show what such a trip would cost today).

 

In 1939, the PWA constructed a sewage system and installed inside toilets and also separate girls and boys dressing rooms and showers (What a luxury!).

 

About 1945 there was a discussion of discontinuing high school as there was a decline in students. In 1943 they had dropped back to three teachers. The fall of 1947 there were no seniors returning to school, consequently no class graduated in 1948.

 

A class of six seniors graduated in 1949, drawing to close of the Hetland High School.

 

Maybe a small school but it did achieve many fine accomplishments in music, athletics (which included basketball, track, diamond ball, and football) debate, dramatics, and of course scholastically. These graduates have become doctors, lawyers, merchants, chiefs (These include teachers, engineers, nurses, technicians, farmers and housewives). Being small in number, they developed close friendships that are not easily forgotten. There were many fine teachers and would like to recognize them all. Each one is fondly remembered for some special reason. One home town boy decided his father did alright marrying a teacher, so he did likewise. Eva C. Guptill and Dale Andersen were married June, 1937 and lived in Hetland. They became a great asset to the Hetland community.

 

Grade school was continued after 1949 and the lower hall was portioned off and two bathrooms were installed there. Space heaters were installed in the Hall in the two lower south rooms and they were used for the first eight grades. In 1965, it was decided to send 7th and 8th graders to Arlington, SD or Lake Preston, SD (depending on choice of the student) and then one teacher was retained for the six grades.

 

Because of the brief period of time spent on this history, the many fine grade teachers were not mentioned. Many of them still live in the area. Without their diligent instruction many of us would not have been the noted Hetland Alumni that we are today.

 

I hope you will overlook any deficiencies in this write-up. But lack of time has allowed for little or more than a quick look at the records, some of them quoted. And “thank you to all who contributed their on scene” collaboration.

 

---BettyKvinge Pankratz

 

 

 

Back to the Homepage