Most teachers at one-room schoolhouses were real friends. They treated their students as family. I know that the one I had was more than a teacher.
I attended Peninsula country school back in 1928-29. It was one of the best times of my life, especially the time Mrs. Kathryn took Helen and me home with her to spend the night. We were going to help her grade test papers that night. That’s what we were supposed to do. But, our teacher took us for a walk in the woods, along the shore of a creek. We did enjoy this. Our teacher was like a big sister to us. When we got back to the house, Helen and me decided to get rid of some wasp nests that were clinging to the eaves of the house. We started throwing clods of dirt at the wasps’ nests. Boyee, did we ever get those wasps riled!
You guessed it! I was the one the wasps ganged up on. I got several stings. Sure they hurt! But Mrs. Kathryn dabbed each sting with kerosene. So I went ahead and enjoyed my overnight stay with the teacher and Helen – and checking those test papers.
I learned a big lesson as well. I learned to leave those wasps alone!
Marjorie Burd McGowin
Jerico Springs, Missouri
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
