-Chapter V- GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Murray County High School
"The board discussed the question of building a county high school and means of financing same. Board voted to authorize County School Superintendent (Earl Foster) and Chairman (M.D. Jefferson) to receive grants and gifts and to make and execute all contracts necessary for the erection of a high school building." - Board of Education Minutes, April 16, 1934
Thus was the beginning of Murray County High School and a month later The Chatsworth Times noted that construction had started at the high school. Mr. Foster later gave this account of the early days:
"In 1934 the three small high schools in the county, Lucy Hill, Chatsworth and Eton were consolidated into Murray County High School. The original rock buildings were built with funds which included a $5000 gift from V.C. Pickering, $5000 surplus finds from the County Board of Education, and two highway refunding certificates which after discounting brought $10,500 for the two. These refunding certificates were given by the state to the County Commissioners to reimburse them for paving done before the State Highway System was set up. The county commissioners, Amos Keith, John White Harris and Luke Shields, turned these over to the County Board of Education, earmarked for the construction of the high school. At this time Mr. M.D. Jefferson, Mr. H. Middleton, Mr. Marion Gallman. Mr. G.H. Holmes and Mr. B.A. Gregory were the members of the County Board of Education.
"An interesting side light to the school's construction was how the rock for the outside walls was obtained. The blasting done for the construction of the Chatsworth-Ellij ay Highway had left tons of stones of a suitable size. These were donated to the project and local truckers hauled them in for fifty cents a load!"
The consolidation of the three high schools was a sensitive subject due to the emotional, social and commercial benefits derived from having a school, however small and ill-equipped, in the community. The obligation of leadership in this task carried with it the inherent probability of political suicide, although as one of the youngest County School Superintendents in the state, with a promising political future, Mr. Foster, never-the-less felt that the good that would accrue to Murray County's children for years to come would outweigh! the personal sacrifice.
As was expected, the building of the school led to Mr. Foster's defeat by Sam Jackson in the 1936 general election.
When the idea of a new school was first presented, most agreed that a new facility was needed, but the problem of the location created quite a stir. Citizens of Spring Place did not want Chatsworth to have the school, Chatsworth did not want Spring Place to be the building site, and neither of those towns wanted the school to be built at Eton. Thus, the new high school was built on the former Davis farm near the center of the county but not actually in either town. Situated in a cornfield, Murray High was once called "the stepchild of Murray County."
The Board of Education had purchased 36 acres of the Davis estate for the School site. Later Mr. Pickering gave 164 additional acres to the school board to supplement the school farm. (This gift has since provided space for the hospital, the junior high, a county library, the health center, the school's central office, the recreation center, and the training center.)
Workers who constructed the building were paid $I per day with the stone masons earning $2. The Board then increased the pay to 50˘ per hour for the stone masons and 30˘ per hour for carpenters. "Common laborers" earned 15˘ per hour. Mr. Watkins was the head stone mason.
The building was a one-story structure with a basement. Eight classrooms, a small library, and an office were located on the main floor while agriculture classes and science laboratories were in the basement. The Board purchased 400 auditorium seats for $1.85 each and then bought ten typewriters from Dalton High to furnish one of the dressing rooms as a typing classroom. W.M, Wiss and Company installed heating and plumbing in October, 1934. Until this time drinking water was furnished by two barrels placed on the building's south steps each morning. This was despite the fact the board had authorized construction of a pipeline 3 months earlier. The desks were made of rough slabs of lumber and the unfinished floors more or less worn smooth, while the first chalkboards were just glossy black paint on a wall which was merely plaster over the exterior walls. The building was insured with T.W. Brooks Agency for $I 5.000.
M.D. Collins, state school superintendent, was the guest speaker at Murray High's opening ceremonies. Mr. Foster's brother, L.N., was elected principal of the school—one of the first consolidated rural high schools in Georgia. Thirteen teachers greeted approximately 300 students, including 60 seniors, in the fall of 1934. The school's nickname, the Indians, came from the older Chatsworth High School while Miss Pauline Ogletree, an original faculty member and longtime counselor, selected the school colors-green and white. Besides Foster and Miss Ogletree, others on the first faculty included Lula Gladden, Julian Keith, Elswick Keith, G.I. Maddox, Ruby Henderson, Roland Carter, Herbert Rogers, Leona McDonald. Irene Chambers, Jack Greeson, Harold Ellis, and Edward Chapman (the first and only male librarian).
By the next year the Home Economics Building, south of the school, was ready for occupation. Doris Steed succeeded Irene Chambers as home ec. teacher who was in turn followed by Ruth Ann Loughridge (Pannell) in 1937. In 1945 Miss Edna Jo Butler began an almost 30-year tenure as head of the department.Also in 1935 the cannery was built by Mr, Pickering with WPA labor through the Board of Education. For 40 years the cannery, operated by vocational agriculture and home economics teachers, was a beehive of activity every summer. In 1976 the aging facility was replaced with a SO' x 60' brick structure on the high school campus.
The agriculture building, begun in 1935 was completed in 1936. Much of the work was done by agriculture students under the direction of long-lime teacher G.I. Maddox.
The first band at Murray was begun in 1935 and boasted 21 instruments. Signor Silvio LeLama, an Italian, was the director of this short-lived ensemble which included teachers as well as students. Also in 1935, "electric lights were installed."
For many years chapel was held regularly. Students marched into the auditorium as music teacher Alwayne Bowers Jones played the piano and directed the program.
Mr, Morgan Blake was invited to deliver the commencement "sermon" at Murray High's first graduation on May 18, 1935. Thirty-eight seniors received their diplomas. In 1940,43 students graduated.
Elswick Keith, who had left the faculty in 1935 to work with the CCC, returned in 1937 to succeed L.N. Foster as principal. In 1942 Mr. Keith was called into World War II but was given the promise of resuming his principal-ship at the war's end. During the interim, C.W. Bradley and Ray Bagley, both of whom joined the faculty in 1935, became principal and assistant principal, respectively. When Mr. Bradley took a position at Lincoln Memorial University in 1944, Mr. Bagley moved to the higher slot. However, in the fall of that year Bagley won the superintendent's race and so from January 1, 1945 until the term's end, he was both superintendent and principal.
Mr. Wallace Petty served as principal from 1945 until Mr. Keith returned in 1948. Called back into service during the Korean Conflict, Mr. Keith was succeeded by Howard C. Boston from 1952 until 1956, when Mr, Bradley once more became head of the school. Also in 1956 an extensive addition to the school facility was completed by Leonard and Ingle Construction. Later called "the old annex" this project included a new lunchroom, new home economics rooms, principal and counseling offices, a library, science laboratories, and several classrooms.
In 1964 Mr, Bradley ran against Mr. Bagley for the superintendent's position. When Mr. Bradley took office on January 1, 1965, Mr. Bagley returned to the high school as principal. Also, a new shop building opened during the 1964-65 term. Ten years later a new comprehensive wing nearly doubled the size of the school's physical plant. This annex housed new offices, seven classrooms, three shop classrooms, and a new library. M.D. Jackson became vocational director.
In 1975 Mr. Bagley retired after 40 years of service in Murray County education. James E. Davis was selected as the next principal and held that position until 1979, He was succeeded by France Adams who had been assistant principal since 1966. Larnar "Pete" Adams became assistant principal and served until 1983. In 1983 Bob Joye became principal. His assistants are Doug Ellis and France Adams.
Many teachers have come and gone during the five decades of Murray High's existence, but a surprising number of educators have devoted much or all of their careers to this institution. Countless students benefitted from !he advice and humor of G.I. Maddox, agriculture teacher from the school's opening until 1968, Likewise memorable are Alwayne Jones' rigorous English classes, Gladys Bradley's science classes, Edna Jo Butler's amazing cooking and sewing skills, C.W. Bradley's fact-filled history classes, Lucille Pack's stern lectures, Eulola Robinette's quiet library, Troy Richard's prowess in algebra, Ray Bagley's mathematical and administrative abilities, Pauline Ogletree's varied talents (Miss Ogletree was counselor and taught English, social studies, and even driver's ed, at various times), Elswick Keith's strictness, Annie Laurie Howard's gentleness, and Inez Kerr's Biblical quotations.
Today, senior faculty members are Hazel Langford. Marguerite Raber. M.D. Jackson, Kenneth Ross. France Adams, Frank Ross, and Robert Leonard, all of whom have devoted more than two decades to the school. Those who have taught there between 10 and 20 years include Margaret Adams, Ginger Baker, Troy Beasley, Suzanne Crow, Reba Daniel, Janice Durocher, George (Willie) Fowler, Charles Garner, Arnos Green, Gene Hannah, Danny Harkleroad, Carry Jones, Jerry Jordan, Nolen Lee, Margaret Longmire, Nell Ruth Loughridge, Linda Lunsford, Brenda Penland. Larry Sampson, Janice Smith, and Franklin Withrow.
Other teachers from past years include Miss Lula Gladden, an original faculty member who taught Latin, English, and mathematics. Former teacher Mrs. Lovadah Maynard provided this account of "Miss Lula's" life which appeared in the January 24, 1958 edition of The Indian, a school newspaper:
MCHS Funeral for the Author of Alma Mater - Miss Gladden, By Gene Ledfond
What? Do you mean to say that a funeral was actually held at Murray County High School! Yes, this is a fact which was carried out at the request of Miss Gladden, former teacher, considered great among Murray County teachers of ail times, and author of our beloved Alma Mater. Because Miss Gladen was loved so well and had contributed so much to the welfare of Murray High and our community several hundred people attended her funeral, which was held on September 28, 1944.
She was born in Gladden Springs, October 15, 1876. After completing her A.B. degree and after graduating from Peabody College, she taught school mostly in Murray County but also in Walker County, and Polk County. She taught for 51 years.
Not only did she spend much of her time teaching school but she was also a firm believer in the saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed."
If she knew of anyone in need she was quick to administer any help even if she had to borrow money or buy something on the credit. In asking several people about her, the first words from their lips were that she was a fine Christian lady sacrificing her own needs to help others. She was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church in Chatsworth, a great worker with young people, and held the love and respect of all her students.
The most beautiful and well written words to our Alma Mater were written by Miss Gladden and was given to us by Mrs. Lovada Maynard. In the first verse, she was thinking about the rock walls of the old academic building, which was the only building at that time. These walls came from the hills of the Cohutta Mountains. In the second verse, she was thinking about the young pines-at that time, north of the gym, was the lawn so lovely. She was also thinking about Murray High as really a green spot or watering pool on the desert of love to which we can look to with deep appreciation.
I think it would behoove us all to take time out of out busy schedules to go into the library and look at the beautiful portrait of the late Miss Gladden.
Many members of the student body know the Alma Mater, but do you? This is our school, and we have a song we can all be proud or and lake great pride in.
The teams learn their plays, the band learns its music, so let's learn our Alma Mater! Let's express to the opposing team that we are proud of Murray!
ALMA MATER
From the cliffs of old Cohutta,
Once against the sky
Came the walls of Alma Mater
So rugged and so high.
Chorus
Forward ever be our watchword
Conquer without fail;
For our hearts shall love thee ever,
Alma Mater, Hail!
Zephers blow among our pine trees,
Our hall, a harvest queen;
Diamonds sparkling on the dew drops,
Make our lawn a sheen.
Murray County High School -
Dear Murray County High School,
Always our hearts shall ne'er careen;
But loyal to our colors ever, Just pure white and green
For this Oasis on life's desert,
We shall breathe a sigh.
To the fountain of the purest,
We'll turn to Murray High.
The County Board of Education passed a resolution in "Miss Lula's" memory at their November 18, 1944 meeting and the MCHS Class of 1945 left $75 from the profits of their Senior Play to commission a painting of the venerable lady. Today her portrait hangs in the school library along with likenesses of L.N. Foster, Mr. Bagley, and Mr. Bradley.
Other high school teachers during the 1930's were Louise Chambers, Charlie Pannell, Claude Brown, Sadie Cline, Fied Driver. Sybil Ruth Richardson, Leona McDonald, Myrtle Sloan (librarian), Maude Young, and Wright Loughridge.Mr. Maddox served as assistant principal for a time. In the 1940's, Edna Waldroup (librarian), Ruby Brooks, Jeraldine Bowers, Cordelia Timmons, Bemice Groves, Harriet Hargrove, Milma Ernest, Johnnie Hartley (librarian), Lovadah Maynard, Lucy Cox McWhorter, Sara Frances Daves (librarian). Frances Townsend, H.J. Miller, Jr., Henrietta Green, Helen Pierce Taylor, Marjorie Pritchett, Mary Morrow, Blanche Ware, Virginia Anderson, & Margaret Wilson (music) were members of the faculty, while the 1950's brought John Milburn. Lynn Daniel. Frances Bradley, Flora Hix, PaulMosteller, W.A. Crump, Aurelia Ann McCamy, Marjorie Johnson, Henry P. Woods, Barbara Saxton, Betty Pierce, Mrs. E.H. Campbell. Miss Margaret Jackson (librarian). Patsy Miller, John Jolifee, Margaret Gregory,Mrs. Albert Bruce, C.A. Ross, Howell Brown, Virginia Arthur, Seward Hix, Larry Doak, Bobby Mosteller, Richard Raber, Vann Compton. Anna Jo Dunn, and Rossie Ann Henry to the school. New faces during the 1960's included Lawrence and Margaret Kresse, Clarence Brannon, Mildred Moore. Bain Johnson, Allen Terry, Lake Boyer, Ruth Roberts, James Alford, Calvin Robbins, Bruce Rogers, Charlotte T. Ross, William Taylor, Mrs. Lee Alforii, Keith and Carol Strevel, Robert Wilson. Sara Holt, Jerry Revels, Carolyn Jenkins, Pat Weathers, Virgil Crisp, James Couch, Kenneth Witherow, Marvin Shields, Gerald Coppack, Jean Ponders. Carolyn Widener, Carl Hickman, and Lester Surber. Other teachers during the 1970's were Roy Day. David Forrest, Hoke Isenhower (counselor), Mrs. Julian Peeples, Carol Gobies, Gary Smith, Jerry Davis, Morris McDonald, James Beal, Jeffrey Stewart, Judith Hanke, Rodney Bailey, Mary and Gary Stevenson, Ann Day, Jeff Scott, Ronald Willingham, Phyliis Bagley, Solomon Douhne, Sharon Slinson, Kenneth Bishop, Harold Tankersley, Walter Riley, Barbara Peets, Donna Haley. Louis Wild, Ralph Jennings, Penny Acord, Mike Grantham, Ray Ridley, Rodney Compton. Janet Rahamut, Camilla Springfield, Grace Cavnor, Mike Davis, Jesse Howard, Ruth Howard (librarian), Johnny Tucker, Sharon Bailey, James Campbell, David Meer, Becky Waters, Jim Morton, Ron Hunnings, Cheryl Davenport King, Peggy Quarles, Calvin Buttrarn, George Holland, Michael Ballew, Glenn Minibs, Kevin McHugh, Renee Whitfield, Dean Ratledge, and Tom Black. Among the arrivals in the 1980's are Joy Cox and Alice Adams (librarians), Eleese Shaddix, Doug Mosteller, Johnny Beason, Ran-dall Sales, James Toland, Roseta McCamy, Angie Parrott, Bill Napier, and Roy Sexton,
Longtime staff members include secretaries Helyn Bagley, Mary Davis, Pat Hines, Carolyn Boling, Henrietta Coffey; janitor Felton Quarles; and lunchroom workers Miriam Maddox (manager), Annie Jackson, Mrs. Felton Quarles, Eugenia Smith (manager), Estelle Hannah, Frances Phillips, Lucille Owens, Frances Swanson, Mae Davis, Blanche Springfield, Pearl Hensley (manager), and Virginia Harris. A new lunchroom was completed in 1977. The facility has "come a long way" since the lunchroom's first home—a former army barracks.
Extra-curricular activities have been an important part of the school since its opening. Among the oldest clubs are FFA, FHA, and Beta (founded by Miss Ogletree about 1937). Science, Library, Y, 4-H, Future Teachers, Future Business Leaders, Drafting, Vocational Industrial Clubs, ROTC, Scholar's Bowl, Vocational Office Training, Quill and Scroll, Journalism, Drama and Thespians, FCA, Student Council, Industrial Arts, Language, Letterman, Art, and Time-Out Clubs are also popular.
The first sport at Murray High was basketball, followed by baseball and track. Principal L.N. Foster was the first basketball coach, leading both the boys' and girls' teams. Games were played in the rock auditorium. In 1935 C.W. Bradley became head coach for both squads and remained boys headmaster until 1958, except for 194446 when he coached at Lincoln Memorial University and Troy Richards filled in at Murray County. During Mr. Bradley's tenure many teams won district championships. His successor as boys coach was a former P'ayer, Kenneth Ross, who continued the fine winning tradition. On his way to a 400 win mark, Coach Ross led three teams to the state championships in 1960, 1962, and 1969, Following his retirement as head coach in 1980, Ross continued to serve as athletic director. His successors have been two of his former players- Lamar "Pete" Adams and Gary Jones.
Many people have coached in the girls* basketball program. Mr. Bradley was the headmaster on several occasions. More recent girls' coaches have been Charles "Judy" Poag, Tom Clary, Doug Griffin whose 1966 squad was the state champion, Charles "Bubba" Faulkner, Jerry Davis, Margaret Adams, Bob Lawrence who led the 1977-78 team to the state tournament, Gary Mealer. and Roy Sexton.
In 1949 a new gymnasium was built and the next year four classrooms as well as dressing rooms were added. Also in 1950 Murray Field was built and football became the major fall sport. Head football coaches have been C.H. "Red" Bonner (1950-53), Paul Kennedy (1954-55), Tom Clary (1956-58), Doug Griffin (1959-68), Charles Faulkner (1969-70), John "Buzzy" McMillan (1971-72), Danny Harkleroad (1973-78), Buddy Windle (1979-80), Bob Joye (1981-82), and Tony Plavich (since 1983). The 1977 football team made history by defeating Dalton High for the first lime ever. The score was 9-0. This feat was repeated by the 1984 edition which advanced to the State Quarter finals to become the school's best ever football team.
Hornecornings began in 1956 and since then countless beautiful floats have highlighted the parades on Chatsworth's Third Avenue. Homecoming Queens have included: 1953 Emily Phillips Cogburn; 1956 Rachel Greeson Ridley; 1957 Ila Ann Maddox Elkins; 1958 Becky Harris Whaley; 1959 Carolyn Greeson Mas-sengale; 1960 Johanna Sanford Brown; 1961 Judy Hooker Leonard; 1962 Priscilla Keith McCree; 1963 Carol Dooley Bagley, 1964Peggy Headrick Kenemer; 1965 Deborah Hufstetler Hudson; and 1966 Laura Ridley Strickland.
Murray High athletics has been strongly supported by the Touchdown Club and, recently, the Tip-Off Club.
The Murray High baseball program has had an uneven history and a variety of coaches. Margaret Adams has led the tennis teams for some time. Danny Harkleroad built the wrestling program, while in recent years girls' soft ball, track, and cross country have become more popular and more successful.
Senior plays were a tradition for many years and the Class of 1968's Wizard of Oz was a huge success. Following the demise of the senior production, Murray was "drama-less" until 1975 when the students performed "Lil Abner." Since 1977 Troy Beasley, Linda Lunsford, Larry Sampson, Randy Richards and the Murray High Players have presented many fine musicals for the community. They began with "Bye, Bye Birdie" and have continued with "Oklahoma," "Oliver," "Camelot," "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls," "The Sound of Music," "Grease," and "Damn Yankees,"
The band program was re-established in the 1950's. As the years passed, the band, aided by a group of "Band Boosters," improved steadily and has won many awards. Directors have included Frank Carter, Stanley Lewis, James Bonner, James Couch, George Broom, Nita Bowman. Jim Gladson, Scott Moody, and Lewie Humphrey.
Murray High students have excelled academically in countless ways and many have gone on to successful careers. Most of Murray County's 25 STAR Teachers have been members of the high school faculty which has awarded diplomas to an untold number of future teachers, lawyers, doctors, judges, college professors, managers, supervisors, nurses, craftsmen, business people, elected officials, executives, and workers in the past 50 years. Murray High is no longer a "stepchild" but a vital part of the community and life in the county.
Murray County Heritage