-Chapter IV- TOWNS, COMMUNITIES, AND MILITIA DISTRICTS (1880-1980)
Chatsworth High School, 1922-1934
Teachers at Chatsworth during this era included W.H. Padgett (superintendent in the 1920's). Bernard Neal, Ernest Neal (who was later poet laureate of Georgia), L.N. Foster (1923-25) and 1929-33, principal, Earl Foster (1923-27), Mary Timmons and Lola Emberson (1927), J.W. Cole (principal 1928), Mattie Musselwhite, Doris Steed, John Emberson, and Tommie McCollum (all 1928-29), S.C. Hobbs (1929-31), Louise Loughridge, Evelyn Swan McGinty (1928-29, 1932-35), Raney Goswick (1928-30, 1932-35), lone Hemphill (1925-30), Mildred Merrell, Kate Smithwick, Evelyn Langston, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Jen-evelyn West (all 1929-30), Margaret Partee, Will Dee Shope, Hazel McArthur, and Emily Swan (all 1930-31), Julian Keith (1932-33), Inez Kerr (1932-35), Martha Holbrook (1932-33). Wilmon West (1932-33), and Lucille Langston (Pack) (1932-35).
In July, 1934 tragedy once again touched Chatsworth when lightning struck the building, destroying the fine facility. The Chatsworth Times gave the following account of the disaster:
All Chatsworth turned out, and people came from neighboring towns as news of the fire spread. Fire hose was stretched and buckets brought out, but they were empty and useless. The city water supply had failed and there was no water to be had.
A hurried call was made to Dalton to borrow their chemical fire righting equipment, but this request was refused. Another call Inter on was more successful, but the equipment arrived too late to be of any use.
The lightning had hit the school building on one comer near the roof and had run through to the opposite side of the building, knocking a hole In the brick wall. The lire had started between the third floor ceiling and the roof.
The fire came as Chatsworth High School consolidated with Lucy Hill and Eton to form Murray High. In 1934 a new Chatsworth Elementary facility was erected on the old site. This building now comprises part of the south wing of the school. While the building was under construction, classes were once again held in the churches.
Chatsworth High had been noted for its basketball teams. In the 1923-24 era Florence Barksdale. Mamie Lee Ovby, Connie Stanford, Mary Kelly, Jenevelyn West, and Evelyn Swan comprised the girls' team while Jack Greeson Lawrence Swanson, Clyde Barksdale, Walter Swanson, Roy Gordon, Starling Heart sell, Malcomb Barksdale. Roy McGinty, Max Greeson, and Willie Harris were the boys' team. L.N. Foster was coach. In the late 1920's The Chatsworth Times had a regular column called "C.H.S. Dots" which featured school news. A January, 1928 article told of a "hard-fought" win for the Chatsworth girls over Reinhardt College's team. The score was 4-2! Chambers. Kelly, White, Baggett, Tucker, and Jones comprised the Chatsworth squad. At the other end of the double-header, the Chatsworth boys-Terry. Bradley, P. Rogers, Jenkins. Greeson. and H. Rogers—won 42-24. That same season the Chats-worth "Indians" won the Seventh District Championship. They defeated Fair-mount 25-19. Rome 22-14, and Marietta 33-15 in the tournament. The Times said that the Rome game "opened with much self-confidence on the part of the Rome players, for they thought they could easily defeat the 'Mountain team.1 But their ease soon turned into difficulty when the Chatsworth team began 'hitting on five.' " Also in March 1928 the Chatsworth girls defeated their county rivals from Lucy Hill (Ross, Kemp, Evett, Smith, Colvard, and Vaughn) 16-4!
Several artifacts from the Class of 1927 have survived including a graduation program and invitation as well as the class song. Class member Gwendolyn Brooks could have authored the songs since they are preserved on T.W. Brooks Agency stationery.
Chorus:
Beneafh the shadow ofCohutta
Where the mountain breezes blow
We, (he class of twenty-seven
Have labored long you know
Ties of friendship we have woven
That never can be broken
So here's to Chatsworth high school
We will ere to her be true.
We have found much Jun and pleasure
Here at dear old C.H.S.
More than anyone can measure
We love this dear old class.
Like our flower, the white carnation
May our lives be always pure.
And our Motto ere remember
"Labor conquers everything."
When the high schools consolidated Mr. L.N. Foster carried the Indians nickname with him to Murray High where he continued his career as principal and coach.
Since 1934 Chatsworth Elementary has grown tremendously. For some time it was the largest school in the county and is now second only to Spring Place in elementary school enrollment. Several additions have been made to the original building and other structures erected. During the past 50 years many educators have worked at Chatsworth. Some, like Easter Anderson Elrod who grew up in Chatsworth and attended the early schools, returned to their alma mater to teach-for 47 years in Mrs. Elrod's case! Among those who have taught at Chatsworth for a number of years are; Gretel Cochran. Raney Goswick, Edna Waldrop (who even served as principal at times), Lucy Cox McWhorter, lone Hemphill. Zona Ensley, Pauline Davis, Sue Tanksley, Marie Kelly, Aileen Clayton, Minnie Calhoun, Mrs. J.R. Middleton, Irene Greeson, Zona Cochran, Milma Earnest, Frances Townsend, Carolyn Anderson, Hoke Jackson, Lucille Langston Pack, and Ruby Goodman. In more recent years Ruby Sanders, Elaine Edwards, Fayna Nunley, Virginia Long, Richard Raber, Linda Loyd, Bobby June Thomason, Velrece Lifsey, Jo Glenn Meyer, Gayle Callahan Bean. Barbara Grider, Vivian Brannock, Bob Porch, Maxine Porch, and Peggy Green have taught at Chatsworth for some time.
Principals of the school have included Seward Hix (1934-35), Archer Morgan (1935-38), Ronald Richardson (1942-43). Edna Waldrop (194448), W.A. Johnson (1949-50), L.N. Foster (1952-53), Harris Middleton, B.V. Ozment, Donald Porch, and Doug Meyer.
In times past each school district had its on trustees and in Chatsworth's case the board of trustees were sometimes considered to be a board of education. J. Roy McGinty (secretary-treasurer 1921-27), R.M. Gudger (1921), T.N. Gordon (1929), W.A. West (chairman 1927-32), R.H. Bradley (1930), Joe Barks-dale (1931). T.P. Anderson (1932), Dr. E.H. Dickie (1933), V.C. Pickering and G.W. Swanson (1934). Wally Meier (1944), Oscar Jenkins (1944-52), Olen Butler John Hemphill, W.C. Bradley (all 1947-52), Jim Springfield (1947-50, Jack Greeson (1951-53, Arnold HuffsteUer, Floyd Wilbanks, Wayne Westmorland, Harve Long, and M.D. Terry (all 1954-56), and Harold Springfield and Bill Fincher (both 1956-57).
The P.T.A. has provided support for over half a century. Past-president Melvin Welch compiled this history of the group:
On Nov. 7,1930, parents and friends of Chatsworth Elementary School met at the school to organize a Parent-Teacher Association. After a short program was presented by the high school (elem. and high school were in the same building) the groups selected Miss Lula Gladden as chairman to preside over the meeting.
Officers elected were: president. Mrs. George T. McDonald; vice-president, Lucille Pack; treasurer, lone Hemphill; secretary. Mrs. Jesse M. Sellers. No dues were paid the first year. Charter members included Mesdames AJ. Whitener, Carl Groves, A.L. Greenwood, ____ Kendrick, A.M. Gudger, R.P. Campbell, R.H. Bradley, G.T. McDonald, T,W. Brooks. H.P. Kitchens, V.C. Pickering, E.G. Sullivan, J.H. Richards, Kirkman Willis. J.H. Barksdale, Jack Waters, T.L. Gregory, L.N. Foster. Alvin Jones, J.T. Charles, Lon Ogletree, J.T. Tucker, J.M. Sellers. J.H, Hemphill; and Misses Ruth Redmond, Mary Heartsell, and Nettie Gladden.
The PTA regularly sent representatives to area, district, state and national PTA meetings and worked closely with the stale and national level. Early dues, started in Jan. 1932, were 15? per member per year. Early projects were shrubs for the school grounds, school supplies, things for needy children, playground equipment, free health clinics, furnishings for the auditorium.
Music and refreshments were given on "Daddy's Night," February 26, 1932 with a large crowd attending. Expenses were $2.96. Plays were major fund raisers. "Here Comes Arabella" raised $66.25 while "A Womanless Wedding" was also successful.
Some of the PTA presidents over the years have been Ione Hemphill (1932-34). Ruth Redmond (1934). Mrs. A.J. Waters (1935), Mrs. L.P. Huff (1935-36), Mrs. L.N. Foster. Marie Kelly (who helped organize the school's lunchroom), Kate Vining, Mrs. Carl Jackson, Ronald Atkinson, Sam Burchfield, Winston Massengale. and Melvin Welch (1977-81).
Recent projects of the Chatsworth PTA have been air conditioning of the old buildings in the school complex, playground fencing, steel covered walkways, new gym, time clock for gym, and new playground equipment. From 1973-1981 Chatsworth Elementary School and PTA raised and Spent $90.000 on school improvements, building and campus.
For some 30 years a school for blacks existed in Chatsworth. The school was established in 1934-35. Nina Moore (Hill) was one of the first teachers. In 1947 Carters School was consolidated with Chatsworth and in 1953 a new school facility was constructed on Chestnut Street in Chatsworth. The Chats-worth school served elementary students primarily. High School students were bused to Emery Street School in Dalton. However enrollment declined as Murray's black population shrank. In 1961-62 eight pupils were enrolled. Teachers at the school included Aileen Brooker {1934-37. 194243, 1949-50). Eula Bran-ham (1934-35. 1952-57), Essie Mae Branham (1942-45). Lillie Rivers (1946-47). Aileen Bonds (1944-45. 194748. 1950-51. 1953-54). Mary E. Johnson (1958), Rosetta Upton Wilkerson (1958-62), and Betty Jo Aiken (1962-65). In 1966 all Murray schools were integrated. The former school for blacks soon became the central office for the county schools.
Murray County Heritage