THE HISTORY OF GILBERT HIGH SCHOOL

Written

To Commemorate Gilbert High School's 105 years

of Academic Excellence

___________________

Compiled by several historians throughout the school's

105 year history including

The Senior Class of 1935,

Elizabeth Carroll; Sr. '71,

Lou Bufkin; Sr. '71,

Sue Williams; '73,

Kevin Williams; '96

History of Gilbert High School

Somewhat like the famous French village, Gilbert today is a small farming town, inhabited by some five hundred progressive landowners and merchants and situated on what was once a branch line of the Missouri Pacific Railway in North Louisiana. Probably the most notable event of her history thus far is the visit of that active President, Theodore Roosevelt. While in office, Roosevelt came to Gilbert to hunt deer in the Tensas Swamp and to rest.

The sport-loving town has grown considerably in the years since its founding by a man of true pioneer spirit, Mr. John Calhoun, in the year 1870. With his family, Mr. Calhoun "trekked" across the Mississippi River from Mississippi into this marshy, uninhabited land of Louisiana and settled near the present site of the town. Soon, other adventuresome men from Mississippi and nearby Louisiana communities moved in. Mr. Yancey, whose daughters still resided there until their deaths here, built the first store on Deer Creek. However, the store was moved westward in 1890, with the coming of the first railway, a branch of the New Orleans and Northwestern line which operated between Collinston and Vidalia, Louisiana. Following that Mr. Claude Cochran erected another store to meet the increasing demands of the growing population. Thereupon in 1892, the earlier store became the post office with Mr. Sam Richardson serving as the first postmaster. However when these ambitious farmers petitioned Washington for a post office for their own town of "Calhoun," they were forced to change the name to "Gilbert" because there was already a Calhoun, Louisiana. Those signing the above petition were Messrs. Yancey, Norwood, and Dayton -- all farmers whose descendants are still large landowners in this community. And so with the post-office, a few country stores, and a railway station as a nucleus, the town of Gilbert began.

...On this 4th day of April A. D. 1894...

T.B. Gilbert, Jr... donated unto the Board of

School directors, W.E. King is president, lots

9, 10, & 11 of the plot of the Town of Gilbert

and being in the Block No. 7 of said plot...

for the purpose of being used for school

purposes and not to be sold or disposed of by

said Board and further that when

the said property is not used for the

purpose for which it was intended, that

the title to the same shall at once revert

back to the original owner as though the

deed had not been made...

Desiring to "eddicate" their children, the first public school was established in Gilbert. These settlers ingeniously changed an old blacksmith shop into the first school, which boasted a dirt floor and desks that were really benches made of long narrow, hand-hewn boards supported by tree stumps of blocks of equal height. This school was located behind the T.B. Gilbert store building on what is now the Smith's Super Sak store lot. This school of about twelve pupils began in 1892 and was taught for two years by Miss Emma Carr from Indiana. This teacher, who later became Mrs. M. E. Gilbert of Gilbert, was equipped with a certificate for having successfully passed a Franklin Parish examination, a high school education, and a grim determination to perform her duties well. She taught the proverbial three R's -- Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmatic. During the writing period, the pupils were marshaled to the wall where a wide plank was suspended. They propped this "U" on the ends to make a desk, as it was; when the writing lesson was finished, the props were removed, and the plank fell back against the wall so that the primitive writing board would not occupy any floor space. All three subjects were taught in classes according to the work accomplished. Since religion always accompanied education, back then, this blacksmith school was used for prayer-meetings also, there being no church or preacher at the time. As the community grew, more interest was taken in school and more pupils attended. A puncheon floor was laid and a dinner bell was donated for the use in dismissing classes. Miss Carr was paid twenty-five dollars per month for her three-months' work and given free board at her scholars' homes for a week or two at a time. This same salary was paid to her immediate successors, Rev. J. White Davis, who taught part of the 1894 term, and Miss Louise Gilbert, who completed it. Then came Miss Lyda Aust, whose session was finished by Miss Louis Lee (later Mrs. L. T. McClendon) in 1895. Since the interest in school was becoming more marked, a five-month period was taught in 1896 by Miss Kate Lanius (April, May, June) and Miss Virginia Rapp (August and September).

As early as 1896 the Gilbert public school was represented at the Franklin Parish School Board in Winnsboro by Dr. W.W. Lee. He is the earliest recorded school board member from Ward II.

For the next year, 1897, these ambitious farmers constructed a frame building of three rooms on Deer Creek, on the edge of Gilbert. They wanted a "real school-house" to match the new, modest Baptist Church. T.B. Gilbert, Jr., donated this area. The land he had previously donated in 1894 reverted back to him. This deed exchange was recorded April 1, 1898, at the Winnsboro Clerk of Court Office in Notarial Book O. Miss Virginia Rapp was the first teacher. She was in charge of an eight month school term that was interrupted each spring with the overflow of the creek. The annual enrollment averaged from sixty to eighty pupils offering from eight to nine years of work. Accordingly, it was erected by means of private donations, each resident contributing a proportion of his income. Some of the high school subjects taught were reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, algebra, and Latin. Some of the books used were Noah Webster's Blue Black Speller, the McGuffey Reader, and Ray's Arithmetic. These books were not well suited to beginners as one of the earliest readers began with the alphabet, a few nonsense sentences, and ended with notations from the Bible and Shakespeare. There were no graduating classes, since no one ever wished to study subjects higher that those of the ninth grade at any time during its history. This failure to graduate was probably due to the fact that a high school diploma was not a prerequisite to college entrance at the time. This school lasted for eight months with Miss Rapp in charge.

Just as the executive officers form the backbone of any organization, so the teachers form the backbone of a school. Naturally, then, one would mention in writing a history those teachers who contributed to the early development of the school. Miss Virginia Rapp began the 1898-99 session of the Gilbert school, but died in October. The School Board then elected Mr. John T. Moseley to finish the term; he was assisted for the last two months by his sister, Miss Wortley Moseley. Together they taught the next session (1899-1900). But with the turn of the century, new requirements were made of the teachers. Accordingly, a man with a two-year record at Louisiana State Normal, Mr. John L. McDuff, began teaching here. He was sided by Miss Maud Yancey (later Mrs. E. F. Kelly), who was still attending Normal. In 1902 Mr. E. F. Kelly succeeded Mr. McDuff, who gradually rose to the rank of parish superintendent, a position he held successfully for thirty-one years. E.F. Kelly left his teaching job but returned in 1912, a college graduate, and held the office of principal. The former was assisted by Miss Lottie Barns (afterwards Mrs. J. S. Chennault). Another improvement was made in 1905 -- the teaching staff was increased to three: Mr. Victor Lewis, Principal; Miss Amy Butler (later Mrs. Amy Griffin), Miss Pearl Scott (later Mrs. Pearl Butler). Yet the principalship was given in 1907 to Mr. G. C. Thompson (who was then married to a Gilbert girl and practicing law in Lexington, Kentucky). Then all three of these teachers were replaced in 1909 by Mr. Bert Warren, Miss Eva Pace, and Miss Irene Sibley. In 1910, the ladies were succeeded by Misses Harrington (nicknamed "Old Maid") and Grayson. Then E. F. Kelly, a college graduate returned in 1912 and held the office of principal until the fall of 1916. Mr. Kelly was also parish tax-assessor at that time. He and almost all the other teachers of the first "real school-house" came from neighboring communities and held certificates, representing from one to four years of college work. They were paid from fifty to seventy-five dollars a month "without" board.

So much progress had been made in farming by this time, 1914, and so many families had come into the community that this creek school was inadequate. Consequently, in 1914 a five mill tax for a ten year period was unanimously passed by the people of Ward II. In 1915, a bond issue of $20,000.00 was voted by the people of Ward II of Franklin Parish for the erection of a modern school building. The land for the new school site, which included blocks 14 & 15 in the Village of Gilbert, was donated to the Board of Directors of Public Schools of Franklin Parish by T.B. Gilbert, Jr., in 1915 in exchange for the acre tract on Deer Creek. The deed was signed T.B. Gilbert, Sr., who was the aforementioned T.B. Gilbert, Jr. He used this signature after his father's death in 1911.

The new two-story school building was ready for the 1915-1916 school session, but was not totally completed until after September; therefore, the Deer Creek Baptist Church was used.

Deer Creek Baptist in Gilbert, La.

Met in con. Wednesday night after 2nd Sun

in September 1915.

It was moved and seconded that the

people be granted the use of the Baptist

Church building for the purpose of teaching

school in until the school house could be

finished. Motion carried; Bretherens J.L.

Thomas C.H. Lee and C.B. Townsend

volunteered as messengers to the association.

The first full term in the high school was under the continued principalship of E.F. Kelly, assisted by a five teacher faculty. Ellis Huggins was appointed the first custodian with an eighteen dollar a month salary. S.N. Chennault held the principalship beginning with the 1916-1917 term for twelve years, then resigned to accept a position with the Federal Land Bank.

Under Chennault's direction, the first graduation class held its exercises in the brick building in 1917. There were only two graduates, brothers -- John and Noah Ward, both of whom later became active businessmen in Monroe and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, respectively. But most of the time of the first five-year period (1915-1920) of the Gilbert High School was spent in generally establishing it. The most important event was its being put on the list of approved schools in 1918. The same year Dr. H.B. Womble, President of the Franklin Parish School Board, was authorized to purchase twenty-five acres of land for the school to be used as an Agricultural Vocational Department. The property was purchased from T.B. Gilbert, Sr., for $1,875.

Naturally the second period, (1920-1925) witnessed many important events. The Agricultural Department was instituted in 1920 under the direction of J.C. Floyd, but an agricultural building was not constructed until 1928, and the school was incorporated under the Smith-Hughes plan. In this same year the Home Economics Department was moved from the Academic Building to a pretty, white cottage, which had been built on the campus; moreover, one new instructor was added for the 1923-24 session, increasing the faculty to ten. A new subject, French, was substituted for Latin.

Extra-curricular activities have interested Gilbert High School since the beginning. At first (1897) baseball was the only game that the students actively engaged in, but they sought the most daring of all kinds on the playground or elsewhere. One spring the most daring ones ventured to float on a raft down Deer Creek, which was overflowing its own banks, but also the school-yard. As a result, eight boys had to leave school at noon to go home for dry clothes. Soon basketball became known; then tennis. Yet there was not much inter-school competition until 1920, when football was introduced. Under the guidance of the first coach and agriculturalist, Mr. Floyd, a squad of strong boys became a powerful football team.

But the third period, (1925-1930), records the greatest improvements since the school moved to its new site, west of town. In 1925 Gilbert High School observed various improvements in the teaching staff and curriculum. For in 1927, a contract of $40,000.00 was let to Mr. N. M. Meriweather for the construction of a gymnasium and auditorium, separate buildings with one on each side of the academic house. The money for this was obtained by a bond issue. These two buildings were indicative of the citizens' active interest in education and deep appreciation of school advantages. The new gymnasium provided for those indoor sports and exercises that should always be associated with scholasticism; the large auditorium furnished a place for presenting plays, holding town meetings, and the like. To add to these opportunities, free textbooks were issued to all Louisiana Schools in 1928. Also a brick building for the agricultural department was added, paid for by the Franklin Parish School Board funds. In this same year, Mr. Chennault resigned, and Mr. B. R. Gunn was elected the third principal of Gilbert High School, a position he held for thirty-five years. Also two teachers were added in '27, one in '28 and another in '29, making a total of fourteen: moreover, Latin replaced French in 1926, and was offered as an elective course open to juniors and seniors.

The year 1935 completes the fourth five-year period (1930-1935), of the history of the school. During that time, many changes occurred, such as the laying of sidewalks among buildings, the improving of the Home Economics Department (so that it was then up to the standard set by the Louisiana State Board of Education) and the adding of one new teacher to the staff, thus making a total of fifteen faculty members at that time. Though only six of these faculty members taught in the secondary school, all were college graduates.

Even though the pupils at Gilbert during this period were never required to pay tuition and buses brought students to school "free of charge," the school never boasted a very large attendance. In fact, the total registration for the full nineteen years of the secondary school's existence was 1480 -- out of this number there were one hundred and fifty graduates, or a little more than eleven and three tenths (11.3%) percent.

Only a very small percent of the pupils during this period graduated. This is partly due to the fact that Gilbert was a Smith-Hughes School and that its citizens lived in an area of tenant farmers and sharecroppers. The children of these people, composing the larger part of the Gilbert student body, were continually being transferred from one planter's farm to another. As a result the students lost credits and interest in school. No matter how many methods were used to generate school spirit, these students gradually stopped attending the school. Indeed one man, Mr. Sam Frisbee, for about ten years, offered a gold medal to the best senior as an incentive to graduate; but this and other medals, did not seem to solve the school's problems.

The fifth and final period (1935-1997) marked many changes for the school's graduation, requirements, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and enrollment.

By 1950, the number of academic years required for a high school diploma had increased to twelve. Another addition to the school during that time was the erection of a larger gymnasium and the conversion of the old gymnasium into a cafeteria.

Gilbert High School also made some valuable contributions to the community during this period. A major one was the training of boys to be better farmers through scientific rather than haphazard methods and the training of girls to be better housewives by teaching skills in dietetics and sewing. The school also sponsored various projects for the betterment of the community such as clean-up days and health programs. By cooperation with the Red Cross and the Franklin Parish Health Unit, the health programs offered at GHS helped prevent the spread of disease and awakened the people of Gilbert to the value of good health.

Sports, particularly football, became an important extracurricular activity in the 1950's. The rivalry between Gilbert and Wisner, a town five miles south on Highway 15, became quite intense. Indeed, one night after a hard-fought Thanksgiving game in which Wisner had won, the foes brought to Gilbert a coffin on which there was a Gilbert football effigy and attempted to bury it. In defense, the Gilbert boys engaged the Wisner boys in a fight and the coffin was burned, not buried. This mischievous prank contributed to the loss of the football program at Gilbert for the next sixteen years. Enthusiasm was not lessened by this unfortunate incident, but Gilbert boys gradually directed their energy to basketball. The game became such a favorite sport that Gilbert was often referred to at that time as a "basketball town." Both the boys and girls teams won many honors in this field, such as the 1932 trophy of Franklin Parish.

All the zeal of the students at that time was not directed to athletics, however. Students also participated in literary rallies, as well as games and track meets, and won recognition there. An example of the school's literary success --- Misses Helen Belcher and Dorothy Mae Sherrouse won first and second place, respectively, in a tuberculosis essay contest, open to all the high school students of the Parish. Also a paper of Miss Sherrouse won first place in the state. Besides the rallies and contests, students gladly participated in clubs, such as the Future Farmers of America, the Home Economics Club, and the Literary Glee Club Society (Petimus Noscere).

By 1961 space had become inadequate; therefore, appropriations were made to build another modern building. At that time, the Ward II school board member was Rufus Ezell, and Bailey Martin served as president of the Franklin Parish School Board. The building was erected in front of the old building, allowing school to continue without interruption. The new school was occupied in January, 1962, but the old building was not demolished until the summer months. At the end of the 1963 session, Principal B.R. Gunn retired after 35 years of service to the school and was succeeded by Mr. James H. Word. Mr. James Monroe served as assistant principal.

In 1966 the school building was air-conditioned, it being the first in Franklin Parish. Basketball became an important extra-curricular activity during this period since the football program had been eliminated. The most successful season of the girls' team came during the 1965-66 session.

Music also played an important role during this period. Under the direction of Mrs. Edleen Marczak, Gilbert boasted a number of vocal ensembles, including Boys Chorus, Girls Chorus, Junior Chorus, and Mixed Chorus. These groups performed in festivals, presented numerous programs, and even performed on School Highlights, a local television program that featured schools in the area.

The enrollment of the 1970-71 session of Gilbert High School shows 652 students, although by the end of the first month, the figure had increased to 656, the highest in its history. This large enrollment can be accounted for by the integration of Franklin Parish Schools due to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Federal Court issued an injunction against the Franklin Parish School Board in 1970 ordering the immediate desegregation of schools within the parish. Ward II previously had two black schools and one white school, but as a result of the order, every student living in Ward II was forced to enroll in Gilbert High School. Four additional classrooms were needed to accomodate the elementary students following integration; therefore, rooms were petitioned off in the cafeteria and auditorium to create additional classroom space.

The 1971 faculty consisted of thirty-nine teachers. B.J. Franklin, originally the principal of Wisner-Gilbert High School, was assigned as assistant principal to James H. Word, but was later designated co-principal that same year. Along with integration came many changes in the administration, faculty, classes, and extracurricular activities.

Gilbert continued to excel in its outstanding athletic department during the 1960-70's. Students during that time could participate in such sports as basketball, football, baseball, softball and track. The most successful season of the girls basketball team came during the 1965-66 season. Under Coach Wyman Collie, the team won forty-three games and lost their fourth game at the Louisiana "Sweet Sixteen" State Tournament. The following year, the boys basketball team took honors as runner-up in the bi-district and district playoffs. This entitled them to play in the regional tournament at Ruston.

One important change involved the rebirth of the Gilbert High School football program. In 1970 a new football stadium was erected on the site of land purchased in 1918 by the school. After seventeen years of absence from the sport, the first regular scheduled season was played in 1970, with a successful record of six wins and only one loss.

In 1970-71 girls' spirit groups were formed under the direction of Mrs. Kay Scott, and Mrs. Dannie Sue Barton to support the new football program. Six cheerleaders made up the first cheerleading squad. Other spirit groups formed at that time were the Demonettes (pep squad) and the Purplettes (jr. Varsity pep squad). Several years later the Golden Flames Dancing Drill Team was formed under the direction of Miss Laura Batey (Laura McFarland).

The greatest success in football occurred in 1975, when the team, led by Coach Wyman Lee Collie, won the state championship. The team continued its success under Collie's leadership until his retirement in 1986. At that time, the GHS football field was named W.L. Collie Field in his honor.

Several new academic programs were introduced in 1971. The first Reading and Math Labs were established with Mrs. Addie Bolton serving as the first lab instructor for remedial reading and math. Also, a kindergarten class was initiated in the summer of 1971 and progressed into the school session. A formal graduation honoring the first kindergarten class was held in that year.

Many new academic organizations were formed in Gilbert High School during the next twenty year period. Junior and Senior Beta Club, Spanish Club, French Club, Russian Club, and Future Business Leaders of America joined the already formed Future Homemakers of America and Future Farmers of America. The Trident staff was organized by Mrs. Margaret Dosher for the purpose of publishing a school yearbook; and Mrs. Virginia Collie began publication of The Demon Pride, the school newspaper.

In 1975 the old cafeteria and frame buildings on campus were demolished to make room for the new elementary building that was constructed perpendicular to the high school building. The library was also centralized for grades K-12 by Mrs. Lou Bufkin, librarian (1975-79). Elementary classes began coming to visit the library for the first time to check out books. Mrs. Earnestine Doyle, Mrs. Kay Scott, and Mrs. Tina Harvey followed Mrs. Bufkin as librarians. Library services were eventually upgraded to include audio visual materials, distant learning equipment, and a computer.

In 1979, GHS underwent a change in administration. Mr. James Word retired, and Mr. Gary Don Barton was selected to succeed him as fifth principal of the school Mr. James Monroe retired as assistant principal in 1975 and was succeeded by Mr. Wyman Collie and later Mr. Dewayne Day, and Mr. George Johnson.

The 1980's brought changes to the school's graduation requirements. The Senior Class of 1982 had 32 members, eight of whom graduated at mid-term. This class was the last class to graduate with 20 credits. The total number of credits required for graduation was increased to 23. These seniors performed in a play and graduated for the first time in years in the auditorium which was condemned in 1990. Although it has not been in use since 1989 it remains standing.

The old cafeteria has been torn down and a modern one has been built adjoined to the elementary building. Picnic tables occupy the concrete slab where the old cafeteria stood and a concession booth has been built between the gymnasium and picnic tables.

The 1990's prompted even more changes. An aging population and a decline in jobs in the area caused a decrease in the school's student population. The total enrollment for Gilbert High School in 1990 was 462, and it decreased to 389 by 1996.

Amidst the changes of the 80's and 90's Gilbert teachers and staff seemed to "shine" and. was recognized on numerous occasions for their dedication and service to the school and its students. Mrs. Jan Tolliver was named Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year in 1987, and Mrs. Sandy McClary was named Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1993. Also winning a state award was Mrs. Dannie Sue Barton, who was named Louisiana DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Outstanding Teacher of American History in 1994. Several teachers were also recognized on the regional and parish levels...Mrs. Kay Scott was named Regional High School Teacher of the Year in 1995. Mrs. Lou Bufkin was named Franklin Parish High School Teacher of the Year in 1996 and was awarded the Guice Award for Outstanding Teacher in Franklin Parish; and Mrs. Phyllis Ezell was named Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1993. Mrs. Dottie Rogers, Gilbert High School secretary for 29 years was awarded the Louisiana Outstanding Support Employee Award 1996.

Rumors of "consolidation" began circulating during the early 1990's and by 1995 the threat had become a reality. The United States Justice Department ordered the consolidation of Franklin Parish high schools into three high schools located in the northern, central, and southern parts of the parish. Gilbert, Wisner, and Fort Necessity high school students were ordered to combine in the 1997-98 school session into one school that would be located in Wisner, Louisiana.

Gilbert High School's student body shall always remember the 1996 graduating classes motto: "I have seen yesterday, I love today, and I am not afraid of tomorrow" (William Allen White).

In the summer of 1996, Mr. Don Barton, principal of Gilbert High School for sixteen years, accepted the position of Supervisor of transportation and maintenance for the parish, and Mr. George Johnson succeeded him as principal of the school, with Mrs. Delayne Donnell named as assistant principal.

The class of 1997, consisting of twenty-two members, represented the schools final graduating class.

Gilbert High School, during its 105 year history, contributed some true scholars to various colleges and molded many young minds into outstanding, productive citizens. Consequently, the schools purple and gold colors will never fade in the hearts of its alumni, faculty, and friends.