Runningbird District No. 18
by Miss Barbara Harris
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
On September 13, 1926, Edna Keever rang the school bell for the first time in Runningbird School. Between 10 and 15 . students attended daily sessions in a log cabin until a new school could be built.
Mr. Charles Dana, Mrs. C. A. Berry, and Mr. Joe Fuerst, members of the first school board, decided to have a building with double floor, walls plastered on two sides, and a basement foundation. The new school was finished the latter part of October and to celebrate the students had a program and pie social. Miss Keever received ninety dollars a month for the term.
Mrs. Nathalie Burke, now of White River, taught the scheol the following year. She was one of the few teachers who held a State Certificate at that time. Originally from Bonesteel, she had come further west to teach for excitement and a better salary.
In 1928 a small hall was built on the school and a piano, which is still in use, was purchased. From 1929 through 1931 the children were brought to school by bus.
"Those were the best years of my life," Mrs. Laura Patnoe Kirsch said when asked about the time she had spent at Runningbird School. This as from 1932 through 1939. She taught as many as twenty-seven students including seven first graders and received all the way from fifty-four to seventy-five dollars a month in cash as salary.
An original play about slavery was presented at the old Cedarbutte Hall. The school's entry in the American Legion's Americanization Pageant won first prize and was presented at both Chamberlain and White River. A school newspaper harmonic band, and three-part chorus were also a part of school activities during these years.
In the fall of 1943 the school closed, the children boarded in town and attended White River School. School resumed in the fall of 1950 with nine students in attendance.
On January 21, 1952 the Rosebud blizzard struck after the children were in school. With it came fifty to sixty mile an hour winds and the sub-zero temperature dropped to thirty-seven degrees below zero. The children were forced to stay in the schoolhouse for two nights and three days. They were faced with little food, crowded sleeping conditions, and a very ill teacher. Finally, on the third day, help arrived and the children were taken home by team and sled. A ski plane took the teacher to the hospital.
Thirty-four years have elapsed since the school first opened in 1926. This year Miss Barbara Harris is the teacher, with eight students. The present school board members are Gene Hutchinson, chairman; Helen Ham, clerk; and Emma Jarl, treasurer.
A modern oil burner has replaced the old coal heater, there is electricity and a telephone, but the little white schoolhouse remains much the same as it was in those early years.
by Miss Barbara Harris
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
On September 13, 1926, Edna Keever rang the school bell for the first time in Runningbird School. Between 10 and 15 . students attended daily sessions in a log cabin until a new school could be built.
Mr. Charles Dana, Mrs. C. A. Berry, and Mr. Joe Fuerst, members of the first school board, decided to have a building with double floor, walls plastered on two sides, and a basement foundation. The new school was finished the latter part of October and to celebrate the students had a program and pie social. Miss Keever received ninety dollars a month for the term.
Mrs. Nathalie Burke, now of White River, taught the scheol the following year. She was one of the few teachers who held a State Certificate at that time. Originally from Bonesteel, she had come further west to teach for excitement and a better salary.
In 1928 a small hall was built on the school and a piano, which is still in use, was purchased. From 1929 through 1931 the children were brought to school by bus.
"Those were the best years of my life," Mrs. Laura Patnoe Kirsch said when asked about the time she had spent at Runningbird School. This as from 1932 through 1939. She taught as many as twenty-seven students including seven first graders and received all the way from fifty-four to seventy-five dollars a month in cash as salary.
An original play about slavery was presented at the old Cedarbutte Hall. The school's entry in the American Legion's Americanization Pageant won first prize and was presented at both Chamberlain and White River. A school newspaper harmonic band, and three-part chorus were also a part of school activities during these years.
In the fall of 1943 the school closed, the children boarded in town and attended White River School. School resumed in the fall of 1950 with nine students in attendance.
On January 21, 1952 the Rosebud blizzard struck after the children were in school. With it came fifty to sixty mile an hour winds and the sub-zero temperature dropped to thirty-seven degrees below zero. The children were forced to stay in the schoolhouse for two nights and three days. They were faced with little food, crowded sleeping conditions, and a very ill teacher. Finally, on the third day, help arrived and the children were taken home by team and sled. A ski plane took the teacher to the hospital.
Thirty-four years have elapsed since the school first opened in 1926. This year Miss Barbara Harris is the teacher, with eight students. The present school board members are Gene Hutchinson, chairman; Helen Ham, clerk; and Emma Jarl, treasurer.
A modern oil burner has replaced the old coal heater, there is electricity and a telephone, but the little white schoolhouse remains much the same as it was in those early years.
Mellette County, South Dakota
County & Town Histories -
Runningbird School District No. 18
Runningbird School District No. 18
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Do you have a class picture you can contribute?
Students of Runningbird School in 1939-40 posed on the steps for this picture. Standing in the back row left to right, Erna Fuerst, Dorothy Starkjohann, Richard Chamberlain, Raymond Chamberlain, Lyle Ohrmund, Bert Dano and Charles Chamberlain. Second row: Lois Starkjohann, Marvin Starkjohann, Jimmy Dano Emery Chamberlain, Jessie Chamberlain. Front row: Joy Glespie, Harry Dano, Theresa Chamberlain and Edward Chamberlain.
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