The school districts would sometimes get badly in debt, so the patrons would hire a teacher and pay the salary out of

their pockets. Lewellen. for instance, had to do that in 1902. Mrs. Chris McCormick was the teacher hired.

On the south table the old sod school buildings are of the past. They now havi g

frame buildings well equipped for work, good salaries are paid for good teachers. In the north the sod building still holds sway. The country being not fully developed, they are

Old Stone Schoolhouse, Oshkosh

sometimes as far as eight miles apart. Through the central part of the county we still find some sod buildings, but more often the well built frame building is taking its place.

The first county superintendent was T. C. McKee, elected in 1910. His health failed and he was obliged to resign in October, 1913. when Nellie Olson (now Mrs. Ed. Stroud) was appointed to fill the vacancy. Then having been elected and reelected, she remained in that office until March 1, 1918, when she resigned. Miss Esther Johnson was appointed to fill the vacancy and has since been elected to the office.

Lewellen had the first village school in 1890. A frame building was put up and used until 1908, when it was sold. They had expected to have a new building ready for the next year, but there was some trouble about the bonds, leaving the community without a school building for three vears. During this time school was held in the Hall, 1.. II. Warner and Lyle Mewhirter were two of the teachers who taught in the Hall. In 1911 a good frame building was completed. In 1918 the 11th and 12th grades were added, making a high school course complete. A large brick building is being erected this year for its accommodation.