Trafford Publishing: Pictorial History of Eagle Lake High School Volume I and Volume II

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Pictorial History of Eagle Lake High School Volume I and Volume II

by Sidney E. Struss

970 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); illustrated; 2 volumes; catalogue #05-1973; ISBN 1-4120-7062-7; US$87.00, C$99.55, EUR71.50, £50.00

The Eagle Lake High School in Eagle Lake, Texas closed its doors in May 1970. In order to keep the memories alive, a comprehensive pictorial history was published.

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About the Book About the Author Excerpts Catalogue Information

About the Book

In compiling the history of Eagle Lake High School, it would be impossible to list the number of classmates that have contributed writings, pictures, publications, newspaper clippings, etc and not leave someone out.
This history could have never been produced without numerous alumni of Eagle Lake High School sending in treasured photographs and news articles for addition into this book.
A special thanks goes to the Eula and David Wintermann Library for their remarkably maintained archives whereby many of the photographs and articles of ELHS history have been preserved. Further appreciation is extended for their allowing the material to be removed and professionally scanned for addition to this history. Their cooperation added greatly in the overall research and contents within.
Research and Contents from an Article in the Eagle Lake Headlight Written by Mrs. Chas. W. Causey 1962, The Book Entitled A History of Eagle Lake, A Book Entitled Colorado County Chronicles, and Various Articles Found in Older Eagle Lake Headlights all assisted the author in tracking certain dates and happenings in history. The history reflected in this book has been added throughout the text from stories and events that alumni sent to Sidney Struss via the World Wide Web, in person, and via email.
It would have been impossible to highlight all classmates of each individual year, but those that responded to the author via email and letters were chosen as the classmates that would be highlighted for each class year.

Eagle Lake Had First Full-Time Public School Building in 1891
Eagle Lake's first school building was a one-room wooden building not too far from the Lake that had been given the name of "Eagle Lake" by the Karankua Indians 1823 (See separate article in website on how the Lake got its name).
The location of the building was on the spot where R.H. Reese's office stood in 1962. The school was private and the first school teacher was Mrs. Emma Tracy Rhine. She married after beginning her teaching career and became Mrs. Duke. The opening date of the school was 1872. Mrs. Duke was a Great Aunt to Mrs. Justin Smith and Mrs. Maurice Goodson. Her niece, Nellie Good, later became the wife of John Waddell, was too young at the time to attend the school. Nellie's mother died giving birth to her and Nellie accompanied her Aunt to the school and helped her with various duties around the school. Nellie and her brother were the 2nd and 4th white children to be born in Eagle Lake. Leonard and Gardner Seaholm are relatives of Mrs. Duke. Their mother was Johnnie Waddell, sister of Loie Smith and Florence Evelyn Goodson.
The first public Christmas Tree and program was held in this school building in 1873. However, the Christmas Tree was not of the type normally standing in today's homes. It was a large Oak Tree.
In later years, Bruce McCarty, later the Editor of the Eagle Lake Headlight, and his brother Mason McCarty were pupils.

Mrs. Rhine, along with her daily teaching duties, organized the first Sunday School of Eagle Lake in this one-room school building. She also wrote one of the Legends of Eagle Lake which was later published in the Eagle Lake Headlight on October 5, 1903.
In about 1889 another one-room private school was begun. The teacher was Mrs. Murray. It was located on the other end of town where, in 1962, Mrs. Payne had her home. Cora Short, who later became Mrs. John Thatcher, and the mother of Mrs. Annie Margaret White, attended the school at the same time. John Chumney started there in 1888 along with about 20 other pupils. Later in life, after John Chumney grew up, he married Mrs. Lula Hart, who along with her twin sister, Lucy, were teachers in our local school. In 1962 the Chumneys still lived in Eagle Lake. In the photograph seen below, Lucy Hart can be seen standing in the upper left of the photo as her students of the First Grade can be seen in class. The photograph was taken in 1915. The photograph is with compliments of Mrs. Ruth Burger Boethel.
There was considerable rivalry between this school and another one-room school which was located on the site of where ELHS was built in 1926 that most of us attended. This rival school was taught by Mrs. Sherrod. This school was the first Free Public School in its later years. However, it was free for only a few months during the year, and those who wished to continue for a full school term had to pay for the remaining term.
THE FIRST FULL TIME PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT WAS FREE was built in 1891 when the building that Mrs. Sherrod had her school was demolished and a two-story, four room frame school building was built. In addition to the four rooms, two up and two down, there were two small cut offs by the stairs where pupils could go to recite. The first principal of this school was Professor Smiley. The second principal was Professor Elmer Reed who had four assistant teachers.
The First Public School Built in 1891

It was in this year, 1892, that Eagle Lake High School had its first two graduates. One of them, Miss Mary Gilmer, who died less than a year later, and Miss Mollie Davidson. Mollie had been brought to Texas from Alabama when less than a year old by her father, Dr. J. K. Davidson in 1875. They had first settled at Alleyton, Texas and then moved to Eagle Lake. Our school at the time she graduated, had only ten grades and was not yet fully accredited, but these two graduates had attended private schools elsewhere in order to acquire the proper credits for graduation.
Mollie attended Baylor University. Following her college work, she returned to teach mathematics in our school for many years, and was still living in Eagle Lake in 1962 at the age of 87 years, and attended the Baptist Church where she was teaching Sunday school. At the time this article was written in 1962, Nancy Davidson, was in high school, Helen Davidson was in the 8th grade, and Vicki Davidson was attending the lower elementary school. They are all great nieces of Mollie Davidson.
With her schooling at Baylor University, Mollie also assisted Bruce McCarty at the Eagle Lake Headlight by her editing the first issues of the paper when it was started in November of 1894.
Mrs. HelmerSeaholm, formerly Miss Frank Nail, reported that Billy Joe Westmoreland built a private school in back of his home on Westmoreland street for his children, and she and others attended the school. Mollie taught briefly in this school, also.
125 students were enrolled in 1895 when Professor George W. Wright of Corsican was principal. In 1897, Professor W.T. Lee was Superintendent and an enrollment of 150 was seen. In 1901 Professor Nunn was Superintendent. He was also the Methodist Minister at the time. In 1902 Professor Hunter was superintendent. He wasn't too good at controlling the boys in the school and quit. The School Board asked Mrs. H.W. Carothers to take over for one month while they located someone to replace Professor Hunter. A Professor from Florida did come to the school to take over for Professor Hunter, but his credentials were falsified and Mrs. H.W. Carothers continued until the end of the school year.
Mrs. Carothers also wrote the Legend of Eagle Lake in poetry form. It was published in the Eagle Lake Headlight in 1922. Mrs. Carothers was Roy Towell's sister.
It was in 1907 that the town folks were complaining of the overcrowded conditions of the high school. Professor J.E. Brigg was made principal. There was an article in the October 5, 1907 edition of the Headlight that said that "a new and modern building was needed."
Eagle Lake High School was fully accredited in 1907. Two of the first fully accredited high school were Bessie Lena Yates and Mary Williamson.
In 1916 a photograph of the Second Grade was taken just outside the building where a new slide was installed. A photo can be seen next:
In was in 1910-1911 that the four room, two storied high school was bought by Mrs. Schleicher, and moved to the site of the 1962 home of Ben McDlhinney home, and construction began on the first brick school building. In June of 1911, Professor J.H. Morgan of Falfurrias came to be the Superintendent. He severed for many years until 1925. His wife was also an assistant teacher.
Professor J.H. Morgan of Falfurrias Came to be the Superintendent
The new school cured the problem of over crowding. I guess you had to be there to really feel the difference. Imagine having not only sufficient room after being so overcrowded, but to also have a wonderful Domestic Economics room, a Science Department, a high school auditorium, and all sorts of other modern conveniences.
In 1911, S.O. McCarty, President of the School Board, received a check of $2,000 from the State Department of Education for the purpose of equipping the school for manual training purposes. In 1918, ELHS received additional credits in Spanish and Biology. This brought the total credits for ELHS to 19 college entrance credits, whereas only 12 and 1/2 were required to enter college.
The Eagle Lake High School Building of which many of us that are returning to ELHS 2000 Reunion attended was build in the years 1924 and 1925. It was in late 1925 that the first students moved into the building. This was the fourth school building on the same block. In 1926 Professor Morgan resigned, after being at ELHS for 15 years, to become the superintendent of the Cisco schools.
It was in 1926 that W.C. Reed (also known as "Bear" Reed because of his 'firm hand' discipline) became the Superintendent of Eagle Lake High School and remained in that position for 25 years.
During his first years at ELHS, W.C. "Bear" Reed hired Janie Westmoreland as a special teacher for the Mexican children, most of whom could not speak English when they entered the first grade. The Mexican enrollment increased to such an extent that in 1928, lots were purchased from Mrs. Valda Westmoreland adjacent to the school and a two room building was erected especial for them. Mr. Autro Agrieve and his wife were the teachers. The first enrollment of these special students was 52. In 1929 a third room was added. By 1941 the Mexican enrollment had increased to 90 and a fourth room and another teacher had to be added.
This separate "special" school was held until the year 1948. The Texas Supreme Court ruled against segregation of Mexican children. This building many students attending the reunion will remember as it was moved in 1948 just behind the High School, remodeled, and became the Band Hall.
It is interesting to note that in the year 1935, the first Latin-American, Philip Soto, was graduated from Eagle Lake High School. Mrs. Victor Valdez (Lola Soto), sister of Philip, graduated in 1939.
Eagle Lake High School always carried on an intensive athletic program. It was in the year 1938 a gymnasium was built in back of the high school.
The author's father, Elmer A. Struss, vividly remembers the time as he was in the 10th grade when it was built. It was so large and considered as good as any college or university had, that schools from all around would marvel at its construction. He remembers before the gym was built that spectators would just stand around on the "sideline" to watch the games.
Elmer also spoke of the great Bands that ELHS had during the early days. In 1935-36, the Band would play on the Eagle Lake square downtown on Saturday evenings. The above photo is the Band in 1935-36.
In 1928, our football team were regional champions under the coaching of W.B. Hinton, Jr. In 1938 Martha Grace Killough and Evelyn Mae Frnka won the regional championship in girl's tennis doubles. Football was played different in the 30's and the 40's. A player, once entered in a quarter of football, could not leave the game or he could not come back in. This was true in college football, as well. In other words, if a team were to take out their starters at the beginning of the 4th quarter because they were ahead 20 points, the other team might start scoring and the team that was ahead could not send their starters back in the game. Another interesting note is when a substitute came into the game, the ref would enter the huddle and make sure the substitute did not tell the quarterback what play to run. He could discuss with him on the next play after the initial play any information the coach was sending in.
This matter of rules kept many athletically inclined ball players from wanting to join the football team because the coach did not want to take a chance and take out certain starting players. So, the teams were very small in number and most every player had to play both defense and offense.
It was in 1930 that William Wallace graduated from Eagle Lake High School and went on to play football at Rice University, known then as Rice Institute and was proclaimed All-American in 1934.
In 1947, Professor Bear Reed stated that an enrollment of nearly 1,000 was expected - 550 Anglo and Latin-Americans, and over 400 Negroes.
W.C. "Bear" Reed retired from Eagle Lake High School in 1950. Deanne Fletcher came to be our Superintendent. In 1951, because of the overcrowded conditions again, the Elementary School was built over by the ELHS football stadium. This school was built for grades 1 thru 4, and students began classes in 1951. An additional four rooms were added to the elementary school in 1957 and an additional six rooms were added in 1962 for the fifth and sixth grades to attend.
In 1952 ELHS won the following honors: 1st and 2nd in Spelling; 1st and 2nd in Debating; 1st and 2nd in Reading and Writing; and, 1st and 2nd in Speech.
ELHS started its first school lunch program in February 1945
In 1958, Superintendent Fletcher resigned and Superintendent E.B. Gibson came to be the new Supt. Supt. Gibson served for less than a year and a half and was accidentally shot on a hunting trip in November 1959. Willard Ethridge, who was high school principal at the time, was elected to fill the Superintendent's position for the remainder of the year.
In 1962 many changes were taking place. It was in 1962 that an expansion program for which the citizens voted a $350,000 bond issue. This expansion program included an eleven room elementary building for the E.H. Henry Colored School, a four room addition to the white elementary school and the construction of a new gymnasium (the one behind the football stadium).
1965 - Freedom of Choice Integration. In 1965 the School Board, under the guidance of Supt. Eddie Krivacka, voted for freedom-of-choice integration in the District. Approximately 17 students from the E.H. Henry school chose to attend Eagle Lake's elementary, junior high, and high school. It was in the next school year, 1966-67 that we all saw total integration. That year's first graders were the first class to attend grades 1 thru 12 in the integrated district, graduating from Rice High School in 1978.

About the Author

Sidney Elmer Struss, author of two previous history books, ELHS Reunion 2000 and The Struss Family Heritage, really set his goals high in his newest release, Pictorial History of Eagle Lake High School, with over 1600 photographs and approximately 1000 pages. Mr. Struss, a former graduate of Eagle Lake High School in 1968, stopped all work on his third book, a novel entitled In the Face of Adversity, to rewrite and expand on ELHS Reunion 2000 to make it more comprehensive. His novel,Adversity, is expected to hit the shelves in the Spring of 2006.
Sidney E. Struss, after graduation from Texas A&M University, married Barbara Jean O'Dell, an Austin High School and St. Edward's University graduate. They have two girls and three grandchildren. After the passing of Sidney's father, Elmer A. Struss, a 1939 graduate of Eagle Lake High School, they resumed the operations of the family business in Eagle Lake which was started in 1921 by Sidney's grandfather, A. J. Struss. They are third-generation owned and operated, and are the oldest continuous retail business establishment in the county.
Within just a year of moving back to Eagle Lake, Texas, the author was elected Mayor of the City of Eagle Lake. He and his father, Elmer A. Struss, are the only father-son mayors elected in the history of Eagle Lake, Texas.

Excerpts

Volume 1

Volume 2

Catalogue Information