The school that almost wasn’t

The towns beloved Sharpsburg Graded and high school as it looked in 1962. Walking toward the school are Diane Fryman and Peggy Shields, coming down the steps are Brenda Stephens and Billy Fields and the student on the far left is Lana Rawlings. Standing on the porch are Linda Fryman and Elmore Rothwell.

In the early 1900s, the citizens of Sharpsburg wanted to build a free public school for the children of the town but met with some resistance from a few of the wealthiest farmers.

Local and surrounding newspapers printed articles that related the story of the school that almost wasn’t.

The following are a few of the news items that appeared in various publications as written by the original reporters.

Feb. 6, 1906—A bitter controversy is being waged at Sharpsburg over the question of the establishment of a new public graded school., which would be supported by the taxation of the people.

The farmer’s, whose taxes would be the bulk of the support, are bitterly opposed.

Fifteen of the wealthiest farmers have prepared a petition against the voting of the extra tax upon them and states if therein that if the school question carries they will withdraw their custom from the merchants of Sharpsburg.

As the custom of these men amounts to many thousands of dollars yearly, the merchants are alarmed at this threat.

Another wealthy farmer said if the question carries, he will dispose of his property holdings and remove from there.

Several life-time friends have ceased speaking to each other over the matter.

Interesting developments are expected. The attention of people all over the county and the state has been attracted to this unusual controversy.

Feb 10, 1906-—The citizens of Sharpsburg held a mass meeting at the Sharpsburg Academy to take action regarding the establishment of a free public graded school.

The towns people are strongly in favor while the farmers are just as strongly against the idea.

An election was called to vote.

Feb. 20—Several farmers objected, and the towns people made them a proposition that if they raised $10,000 for a new school they would call off the election.

At the meeting the men said they could raise fifteen-hundred dollars for a new school building, which they claimed was enough to spend for that purpose.

A poll of the rooms was taken, but only $675 was raised.Then the towns people announced the election would be held as called.

Judge J. Clyde Nelson, editor of the Sharpsburg World, telegraphed the Herald correspondent that the people favoring the graded school outnumbered the opposition 3 to 1.

Feb. 22, 1906-----—A school tax of fifty-cents on the 100.00 dollars was voted by a majority of 3 to 1, thus making the town beneficiary to a ten-months free public school.

It was a struggle of ballots between the rural and the urban populace of the precinct, resulting in the favor of the latter.

Upon news of the outcome, the sons of both classes; rural and urban, paraded the streets proclaiming their glee through aid of tin pans and kettle drums.

April 25, 1906--—Owens Ratliff was elected president, J. Clyde Nelson secretary and T.E. Adams treasurer for the Sharpsburg School board of Trustees.

Feb. 2, 1909--—The school case was appealed.

May 31, 1912-—The new $15,000 graded school building is now in course of construction, the old building having been torn down.

B.B. Whaley is the contractor and promises to have it complete by Sept. 1.

A.M. Cline of Mt. Sterling will do the brick work under the supervision of G.H. Strother. McCormick Lumber Company will furnish the lumber.

Dec. 1910--—From the Bourbon News-School case appeal reversed

The Court of Appeals last week reversed the school case from Sharpsburg of Ralls vs Sharp’s Administrator, because of the failure of the county clerk to enter on the order book noting as filed the petition requesting the county judge to order a graded school election.

The action was brought by Ralls and others against trustees of the Sharpsburg graded school and the Sheriff of Bath County to enjoin the collections of a school tax.

In reversing the case, however, upon the above grounds, the Court of Appeals holds the county judge may now enter an order correcting the former omission of the clerk. The opinion upon this point says, “Upon full consideration of this objection, we do not think the failure to enter the proper order sufficient to overthrow the election; but when the case goes back, the lower court should direct the county court of Bath County to make an order upon its order book, showing the filing of the petition on Dec. 11, 1905.”

It will therefore be seen, that while this case is reversed it amounts to a victory for the school in the end.

And a victory it was!

The old Sharpsburg Academy that sat in the public square was torn down in 1912 and some the bricks from that building were used to construct the inner walls of the new school.

From 1912 until 1963 the Sharpsburg School was the pride of the town and served its citizens well through the years.

Today all that remains of the beloved building is the gymnasium which has been renovated and now serves as a community center.

The Sharpsburg Library now graces the spot where the original school once stood.