a good Literary Society at the Tett school. Debating was enjoyed by Solly Guthrie, George Meade who used to teach in Richland Township, Willie Rasmussen, brothers Eddie and Jim and others.
Lois Nelson used to edit the Literary sheet and do the black cork stunts. Large crowds attended as they also did the spelling matches that were often held west of town. Mrs. Bert Baumgardner was conceded the champion speller.
The old school house stood where Ruth Menzel's house now stands. My brother writes as follows of the first teacher that he went to in town. Her name was Belle Macadaw. She was some relation of Harve Rogers or his wife. She did not begin the school term but took up where the other one quit as it was a hard school to manage. Harve Rogers got this tall and not so young woman to take over and to make matters worse, she came to school the first day with an armload of switches.
Some of the teachers in the old school house that I remember were Nettie Meade who made her home with the Bostons while here, and Edna Hixon from Marietta. My brother Eddie said that at that time, there were about 100 pupils. We were three in a seat and on the recitation benches. I think that the last person to teach in the one-room building and the first to teach in the two-room, was Fred Ballard of Pleasant Grove. He taught in 1898 and 1899 and made his home with the Reids. A room on the west was added to the old building at this time. While this was underway, some of the children went out west to my brother, James. Millard and I, Archie and Jimmie Rogers went east to Eddie. In 1899 George Phillips, the county superintendent came up from Nevada and gave the 8th grade examinations and at this time, Fay and probably others received their diplomas.
In 1899 and 1900 George Mueller was teacher. Later for many years he taught in the government Indian Schools in N. Dak. Miss Jessie Converse taught the primary grades. In 1900 and 1901 Maurice Pearl taught. He was a young Spanish-American War veteran. At this time, an additional grade was added to the school. The older pupils were Maude Frisbie, Lester Eyler, Carrie Hanson, Viola Thomas and Guy Mills. It was at this time that the pupils chose the present colors of purple and gold, to represent the school on all occasions. Our school motto was "Not how much but how well".
Solly Guthrie taught in 1901 and 1902. At this time, Claire Griffith taught the primary grades. Mr. Pearl, who had been at the school at Cedar Falls for a year, returned and again taught the school for another two years. During this time, the two room building was sold to P.C. Hanson and moved down by the Hanson garage. (The American Legion Hall in 1969) A new four room wooden building was erected across the street. A Mr. Comack of Radcliffe was the contractor. At first only three rooms were furnished and used. The other two teachers were Miss Bertha Epperson, primary, and Mrs. Dent, intermediate. Later on, all four rooms were used. Mr. Pearl was thought to be an unusually fine teacher. We learned many things that were not in books that helped to make up a well rounded education. By now, another grade had been added. Rev. Lotton, a Presbyterian preacher, taught the next two years and it was at the close of his first year that the first class graduated from the 10th grade in the spring of 1905. They were Viola Thomas, Ethel Babcock, Guy and I. Besides passing the 10th grade examinations, the school board also required us to be able to pass a 2nd grade teacher's examination.
Ira Welty was school superintendent at this time.
Mr. Snow then taught two years. He was the man who did so many wonderful things without the use of arms. Later he was, for many years, superintendent of schools in Webster County.
In 1909 Mr. Butler taught assisted by Winifred James and Eva Hattery. Later Miss Hattery married Mr. Butler.
During the Christmas vacation, fire broke out in the school house and it burned to the ground. The year was finished with classes in the garage, churches and elsewhere. A new brick building was built on the same location during 1909 by Mr. Reimer of Marshalltown.
The first girls' and boys' basketball teams were organized in 1912. Mr. Feroe was teacher. The school district was consolidated in 1920 after a township vote, and a new brick building was constructed. Mr. Peddicord was the architect. Mr. Stout was school superintendent at this time. The country school houses were moved into town and used for classes until the new building was completed. An eleventh grade was added and finally a 12th.
The alumni association was organized in 1912 and meets every year for a reunion and also acts as a reception for the graduating class."
An addition was built in 1952-1953. A large gymnasium, several classrooms and a modern lunch room were added. In 1960, the Northeast Story County school district was formed, uniting the McCallsburg and Zearing districts into one. The Junior High and grades, kindergarten through 8th grade are at the McCallsburg attendance center and the Senior High School and grades 1 through 4 are at the Zearing center.
Pupils, 1898 — 1899 — Fred S. Ballard, teacher D. B. Mills, director: Faye Peck, Charles and Adams, Frank Berry, Minnie Adams, Gertie Thomas, Henry Halverson, Bessie Adams, Minnie Hanson, Mabel Boston, Viola Thomas, Maude Frisbie, Lester Eyler, Walter Thomas, Bertha Snyder, Edgar Eyler, Bertha Egenes, Ethel Arrasmith, Chris Christopherson, Cora Halverson, Nora Christopherson, Archie Rogers, Earl Frisbie, Carrie Hanson, Mundius Solyst, Guy Mills, Dave Hanson, John Mills, Grace Boston, Olaf Olson, A. Renella Eyler, James Rogers, Henry Holland, Leila Peck.
Board of Education, 1900 1904: P.C. Hanson, John Peck, Thor O. Nelson, Jim E. Thomas, Ole H. Holland. F.D. Babcock.
Board 1916: - A. Hougen, Pres., Dr. E. Nordgren, Jonas Jorstad, Lewis Lura, A.C. Hanson, B.H. Knutson, Sec'y.