y o m i n q by Harry S. Douglass - Old Fulton History

April 1954 Page 73
CURRIERS THROUGH THE YEARS (cont.)
It was a proud moment when they hoisted the banner to the top of a
flag pole. In those days the building was heated by a stove which
consumed enormous quantities of fuel, up to three feet in lengths
Small boys wore their hair shingled, were clothed in homespun denim
and leather boots0 The girls wore heavy shoes, long black ribbed
stockings, calico dresses and aprons,the pockets of the latter being
reserved for tidbits, a "hanky" or slate pencil. The starched and
lacey edged petti coats of summer gave way to flannels in cold weather.
In 1899, the district, known as Java Noc 3* voted to acquire a
new site and building. That summer, the trustees contracted to
purchase an acre of land on the northeast corner from Calvin Rogers
for $300, The following January, voters approved the site and the
erection of a two-story building to cost $2^00,later raised to $3000.
The project had been delayed and was further impeded by opposition
from a minority of the taxpayers who objected, among other items, to
a second floor hall, -he State Superintendent of Public Instruction
was called in to rule on the proceedings and he upheld the action of
the majority. Accordingly, Cheney & Miller were awarded the contract
for the structure which was reared during 1900-01. Two teachers
were henceforth employed and the registration averaged around sixty
or more. As the population of the area declined and the trend toward
central schools gained in popularity, the voters approved consolidation
in I.938 with the newly created Arcade Central School. Since
1939 but one teacher has been employed for grades one to six. The
second floor hall has been used variously for school exhibitions,
entertainments, the Grange and as a playroom for the pupils.
District School No. 9, north of Curriers on Lot 20, was moved
to a nearby farm about forty years ago and the district divided
between Curriers and Java Village. A one-room structure, this ""North
Hoad w school dated from the early days, occupying a site about a
quarter of a mile north of the George farm on the west side of the
highway,, The best remembered event involving the school house was a
feud between the trustees and an adjacent farmer, Spencer Poote.
Sometime around Civil War days, Poote learned that the district had
no deed to its school site,and he convinced himself that the building
was sequatting on his property. Forthwith, he erected a fence around
the building, removed the windows, and defied all to enter the
premises. Meanwhile, a term of school was under way, the weather
was such that shawls had to be hung over the window apertures until
the case could be taken to court at Warsaw. Trustees Charles
Francis, John Friend and Alfred Shawl won a decision and Poote was
compelled to restore the property.
Poote®s irritation at the neighborhood began some years before
when strong suspicion developed that he had done away with his
brother-in-law, Peter Harder. Harder had purchased the neighboring
farm from Capt. Artemas Stevens in l81|2, and in due course, his
sister, Eliza Foote, and Spencer came to keep house for him. As
the story is told, Spencer harbored evil jealousy toward Harter and
schemed to acquire the farm for himself by foul means, if necessary.
In due course of time and while clearing the land, Foote accumulated
a large log heap in the lot back of the barn. One Sunday morning
the neighbors noted that it was burning fiercely under the watchful
(Continued on page 71+)