1930s (Part 2 of 10),
The following history of 1930 is the continuation of the column created by Mike Pitko in a chronological order.
Plans for this new athletic field have been drawn by the County Engineer and include a cinder track, a baseball field on the north side of the track ( Marshall Elementary school sits where the baseball field was located), a football field, all to be beautifully landscaped. (The old concrete bleachers with dressing rooms under them were added later on the west side of the track and football field) This tract of ground was sufficient size to accommodate the school activities. It will also be used for intra-mural games. The construction of this field has started a movement in the city to start a well-formed city baseball league which will have this attractive field available for its games.
Much interest in the venture was created through the outstanding football team which the Eureka High School boosted this last season. This football team, which was recognized as the most efficient bunch of “huskies” ever trained in the Eureka schools established for the city a reputation. The team was chosen by The Wichita Eagle as the outstanding high school team in the territory and was picked to meet the Guthrie, Okla. team, the outstanding high school team of that state. Although the Eureka boys went down in a score of 7 to 13, the more than 200 Eureka spectators who went to see the game in Oklahoma, were unanimous in their announcement that they were proud of the showing that was made by Eureka.
(More on this team and game in a separate article).
Football games, all played in the afternoon as there were no lights until 1934 were played at the fairgrounds in Eureka until 1925 when they were played at Thrall Field, which was land owned by a man named Thrall and was located on the northwest corner of Poplar and Fourth Streets. Games were played at Thrall Field until 1930 when they were moved to McGinnis Field. At one time after school practice for the football team was held on the northwest corner of Fifth Street and Maple Street. This would have been east of the Santa Fe depot. (As a side note, track meets were also held at the fairgrounds).
Census figures showed the number of persons living in Greenwood County and usually working and now without a job, able to work and looking for a job was 150. One hundred lived in Eureka, one in Climax, four in Fall River, nine in Hamilton, 11 in Virgil, nine in Madison, and 16 living in the rural areas of the county.
In June 1930, Eureka had two dwarf links (miniature golf courses) open. The first was south of the Hotel Lyndon (now the site of the public library on North Main Street) and a few days later another opened on the corner of Third and School Streets. Both were 18-hole courses.
School notes: Classification of Greenwood schools in the 1929-30 term year were: Fall River B, Hamilton A, Madison A, Neal D, Piedmont B, Quincy C, Reece B, Severy B, Tonovay D, Virgil B, Lamont 2-year approval.
Originally the length of school terms was three months: later in 1903, it was five, then six, then seven and finally, in 1923 at eight months, as the minimum term length. Now the (1930) term required is nine months.
The growth and development of the one-room rural school has been slow. From the three R’s as commonly considered the proper number has increased to twelve branches that are required at present.
In many cases, school buildings and equipment have greatly improved. It is a long way from the dugout, or sod house with little equipment, bare walls and unimproved grounds, to modern school buildings found in many parts of the rural state. Old cross-light systems (windows on both sides of the room) have been abandoned. Single desks, slate blackboards, international dictionaries, maps, charts and globes, well-chosen libraries, a well-fitted with a pump and concrete cover, walks, sufficient playgrounds and appropriate play equipment are not uncommon. Yet, in some instances, the buildings and equipment are far below the present requirements.
The legal requirements for the teachers have been raised somewhat. The old thirdgrade certificate (good for three months) was abolished, but the second-grade certificate (these terms meant “rank” not a reference to the school grade you taught) is still issued to all applicants 18 years of age who pass the required exam with an average of 80% and no score of less than 70% in any subject listed, regardless of academic training. The exam fee was $1 and administered by the County Superintendent of Schools which covered the subjects of spelling, reading, writing, English grammar and composition, geography, arithmetic, U.S. History, Kansas history, civil government, physiology and hygiene, elements of agriculture, elementary general science, English classics, principles and methods of teaching and elements of music.
The recipient of a “firstgrade” certificate had to be at least 20 years of age, of good moral character, and submit proof of having successfully taught at least 16 school months. They had to take the test described above with two additional subjects, English history and algebra and score 90% on the test with no score lower than 75% in any subject. The certificate was valid in the county of issuance and could be renewed at threeyear intervals.
In 1900, normal training was introduced into the fouryear high schools, which gave the beginning teacher a better preparation for teaching. The term “normal training” originated from a 16th century French model school where teaching practices were developed and taught. Applicants for normal training certificates were tested at the county level using a test that was prepared by the state board of education and it would be returned to the state board for grading. The certificate was good in any elementary school in the state and could be renewed on twoyear intervals with proof of successful teaching.
Life Certificates might be issued at the state level to those who had completed a four-year high school course as well as a four-year course of study at an accredited normal school, college or university. They were valid for three-year intervals with proof of at least two years of teaching during that interval. In 1930 there were 731 high schools in Kansas.
On Nov. 19, 1930, about 2:30 p.m. a tornado hit Neal, injuring one man and demolishing businesses and homes. Only five out of a possible dozen were left standing in the business section of town and those had serious damage. Of the business buildings left on their foundations, the bank had its plate glass windows blown out, a restaurant had a roof torn, a hardware store was minus the front and the Odd Fellows Hall, which housed a cream station, was torn from its moorings, its side caved in and a large hole in the roof.
The heavy rain that accompanied the tornado did serious damage to almost every building left standing. A 76-year-old man suffered injuries as he attempted to run from the Ward Grocery store as the wind demolished it. One woman stood in her kitchen and saw her home lifted and wrecked. She was uninjured with the exception of a slight burn caused by a falling stove pipe.
The tornado gathered with suddenness from the south, swept up the main street for about two blocks and then veered east. Only the slight change in direction saved the school house in which approximately 250 children were in classes.
This tornado, as others was not without its freak pranks. Not a window pane in the church was broken yet two homes on either side were totally destroyed. The home on the north was fifty feet away and the one on the south was seventy-five away. Among the business buildings demolished were the post office, two grocery stores, a hardware store, a blacksmith shop, the lumber buildings, and the Odd Fellows Hall which is seriously damaged. A half dozen homes were destroyed and many others unroofed. Not a shed or an outbuilding was left standing.
Work was started immediately; merchandise being salvaged and debris cleared away in search of personal belongings. A small amount of loss was covered by insurance.
The 1930-31 Greenwood County High School Basketball League was divided into north and south sections. The schools in the north played all the other schools in the north at least one time, and the schools in the south followed the same rules. The Eureka second team is in the league and must play three schools in both sections of the county to entitle them league standings. All schools had a boys team and the following schools also had a girl’s team: Lamont, Madison, Virgil, Hamilton, Quincy, Toronto, Piedmont and Severy. There was also a league tournament held in Eureka at Memorial Hall.
December 1930: The Hamilton girl’s basketball team played the Indian girl’s basketball team from Chilocco, Okla. at Hamilton and won by a score of 26 to 17. The Hamilton girls were last year’s champions of Greenwood County. The Indians showed fast floor work and made several spectacular shots, but were unable to check the accurate shooting of the Hamilton forwards. ( The girls played 6 on 6, with three “forwards” on one end who could shoot the ball and only take two dribbles, then shoot or pass the ball and you could not go over half court. On the other end were three “guards” who played defense against the other team’s “forwards”).
The Indian team stopped in Eureka Sunday morning on its return trip to Oklahoma and were guests of the Methodist Sunday School. The girls entertained with a number of songs and the coach gave a short talk on the Indian School at Chilocco. Each girl introduced herself, telling her name and to what tribe she belonged.
The Hamilton boys were defeated in a pre-season game by the freshmen team from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia by a score of 32 to 25. The Hamilton boys were close contenders for the county championship last year, and their showing indicates they will be among the leaders in the 1931 annual tournament.
