ANOTHER SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOL?

Some of the oldest people now in Norway Township, say there was a dugout school on the farm now owned by Amos Dulen east of Norway.  A depression in a bank there indicates a dugout but no one now seems to know anything about this school.

In 1872, in Fairview Dist. 93, forty-five dollars was raised among the settlers for a three months school, but no teacher was available.  Mrs. Dan Hanson wrote to her sixteen year old sister in Illinois saying she could teach the school if she would come to Kansas.  She was Lucy Dickerhoof and she arrived by train and stage on Oct. 10, 1872, in the evening at Scandia, at Mrs. Henry Hanson's Hotel with no money left after paying her fare.  She had chicken, cake, and sandwiches for the journey.  There was no one to meet her since her letter had not arrived.  Mrs. Hanson took care of her and the next morning Lucy went with the mail carrier in his buckboard to find her brother, Owen Dickerhoof and her sister, Mrs. Dan Hanson.  She taught the first six weeks in Dan Hanson's kitchen and in the fall the second six weeks in Ole Tiller's sod house with frame top on the N. W. ¼ of Section 21, a mile and a half southeast of Norway.  The older boys went to school when there was no work needing to be done at home.  The seats were blocks of wood with planks for seats.  There were no windows and her father sent her $14.00 to buy a stove.

The first school board in Fairview Dist. 93 was Mrs. Mary Dutton Arnott, Mr. Brynjulf Stensaas, and Mr. Ole Tiller.  Some later teachers were Mrs. Ella Rockhold-1885; Mr. Osmond-1881; Anna Rimol-1905; Mr. Smart for several years, Owen F. Brewer, Very Houghton Anderson, and a Miss Williams.  Mrs. Rockhold taught in 93 for a number of years.

The pupils in 1873 were: Charles Pearson, ???? Larsen, Walter and Willie Meade, Selma Larson, Oscar Hanson, Frank Poore, Andrew Mellon, Ellen and Rachael Merica, Pete Pherson, a Rodgers boy, Lars Hammer, Betty Pherson, Lide moore, and Alfa Scott.

The school districts were platted in 1871 and the next step was making plans for school houses.  Subscription schools continued until school houses were built and sometimes longer.

On March 18, 1871, an organization meeting was held and these officers were elected for Norway District #23: Amos Austin, director; James Raymond, clerk; Joe Merica, treasurer.  Then ten days later, on March 28, these officers were duly elected and qualified: John McCathron, Director; Ezra Harding, clerk; and Ole Hugos, Treasurer.  The earliest teachers were Julia McCathron, Annette Burge, Charles Dutton, Ida Carey, George Page, E. Sheldon, and Laura Stanton, who was only fifteen years old.

The first schoolhouse was native stone built on the corner a half mile east and a mile north of Norway, N.E.4 of Section 16.  It was later replaced with a good frame building, very comfortable and well equipped for that time.  School was held whenever finances permitted and teachers were available.

In the fall of 1873 eight youngsters, including Lucy Dickerhoof, went to Clyde, in a lumber wagon, to take a teachers' examination given by Sam Doran of Clyde and Mr. Robinson, principal of Concordia Schools.  In the Illinois Geographies, Kansas was spoken of as the "Great American Desert".  One of the questions was "Bound Kansas" and missed by all but a boy by name of Shrader.  They stayed a week with Mrs. Langworthy and she didn't charge them any board or lodging.  They all received the necessary certificates for teaching.  Those taking the tests besides Lucy were Josephine Taggart, Rose Patrick, Nancy Shrader and her brother, Emma Patrick, Ferd Kunkle and one other boy.

Both teachers and funds were scarce in the 70's.  Schools were in session whenever finances were available.  The terms ran from twelve to twenty weeks and usually the twelve week term was decided upon at twenty-five per month.  Then later the settlers could manage a twenty-four week term at twenty-five dollars a month.  By 1900 many schools had from six to eight months terms and twenty-five to thirty dollars per month.  In 1889 in district 23, J. F. Dickerhoof was Director and Osul Thompson was Clerk and Tena Dickerhoof was teacher.  Before 1890 some of the teachers in 23 were-- Dr. Way, Harry Heaten, Tena Dickerhoof, Charles Houghton, and Vera Crossen.

In 1893 David E. Dickerhoof, Anna Throbeck Nelson, and Selma Anderson Frankforter were eight grades graduates in 23 and in 1895 May Dickerhoof Carney, Miss Nellie Tosslin, Karen Hammer Ross, and Thressa Nelson Mancill were the eight grade graduates.

The first eight grade graduate from 93 was Julius Olsen.  He then attended Bethany in Lindsborg, Kansas and later graduated from Harvard.

In 1908 Norway became one of the few consolidated districts in Republic County.  District 95, two miles west of Norway, and Norway District 23 were united and became Consolidated District Number 3.  Hungry Hollow, as district No. 95 was called, was organized July 19, 1873.  In 1889 P. O. Larson was director, Nelson was clerk, and Miss Jennie Workman was the teacher.  One of the earliest graduates was Andy Moore.  The district presented him with a gift.  Other early teachers in District 95 were Margie Stanton, Grace Carney, and May Dickerhoof Carney.  The Hungry Hollow schoolhouse was moved to the Alex Scott farm and used in the construction of his farm home.

In 1908 the last board to serve in 95 was: W. J. Dunlap, Director; Alex Scott, clerk; and F. W. HolgersonBlosser, director; A. D. Norris treasurer and C. L. Ross, clerk; Teacher T. L. C. Hall.

The old frame building, northeast of Norway was moved to town and remodeled into a two-room school building and in 1914 the two room building was moved over on the main street remodeled and enlarged and has been the township hall since that time.  It has been useful in many ways.  Also in 1914 a brick building replaced the two room school.  In 1916 a four year high school was established.  The high school was discontinued nearly thirty years later because of decreased attendance and increased expenses.

Norway now has an excellent grade school with an attendance of sixty.  Three regular teachers and a music teacher.  A fine auditorium and gymnasium was built two years ago.  They now have a lighted ball park, playground equipment, and hot lunch program.  Mr. Dart, Mrs. Ahrends, Mrs. D. Sheets, and Mrs. Nystrom make up the teaching staff.  There is an excellent grade school band.  The members of the Board are Mr. Milton Stensaas, Mr. Bob Raney, and Mr. Burt.  Consolidated No. 3 is made up of six districts.  1961.