In the spring of 1927, a vote of the qualified electors and patrons of the Helton, Patrick and Harmony school district was taken on the issue of consolidation of the three schools, with previsions for other neighboring schools to come in later, if they so desired.
Land was acquired from the Ayer and Lord Tie Company who owned a large tract of land on Highway 25, four and one half miles north of Iuka, Mississppi.
Three trustees; one from each of the aforementioned school districts, were appointed. They were: M. E. Hudson, Charlie Grisham and E. F. Parnell. Much work and responsibility fell on these three men, as there was some stiff opposition to the idea of consolidation. However, negotiations were made and the Ross Bassett Construction Company of Alcorn County was hired to erect the building, which was ready for use by the latter part of October, 1927.
The name Central Consolidated School was chosen because of its central location among the three school districts.
George Bacon, a graduate of Mississippi Southern, was elected as principal, with Olen Tigner, Mary Harwell, Flora Bell Branson, and Birdie Mae (Gray) Cutshall as his helpers.
Grades one through ten were taught there the first two years by Mr. Bacon. Due to the Depression and short finances, only four or five month terms were held.
By the fall of 1929, high school students were allowed to attend Iuka High School, and were transported there by bus during the regular term at Central, but they had to furnish their own transportation and pay tuition the first and last two months of the nine month term at Iuka.
School buses were constructed locally. No factory made buses were in Tishomingo County at that time. Only three buses were used at first. Many students walked from one to two miles to school. Due to bad road conditions, some bus drivers used covered wagons to supplement their routes.
Mr. O. C. Miller was County Superintendent at this time, and through his efforts and urgent invitation from three trustees, our State Superintendent of Education attended the closing day of the first session of school in March, 1928. The day was one of dedication. Pictures were taken, and a bountiful lunch was spread at the noon hour. The afternoon program consisted of talks by patrons and teachers followed by an address by the State Superintendent of Education, W. F. Bond.
Later, some neighboring schools, Bethel, Hubbard Salem, and Walker Cut-off decided to consolidate with Central.
The school has furnished some renowned ball players, some politicians, preachers, teachers, and community leaders. Some have entered the business world, and distinguished themselves in their careers, because of their early training.
Following are names of those who served as principal of Central School: George Bacon, Arden Adams, Rev. J. C. Nelson, Olen Tigner, Dewey Locke, R. C. Grisham, Archie Clark, J. W. Mitchell, George W. Stricklen, O. C. Oaks, Zeb Yow, Hector Bishop, Perry White, Cleston Scruggs, and Benny Curtis.
Local boys and girls who taught here, other than those mentioned before, are: Kate Dean, Willie Mae (Embrey) Robinson, Annie (Glover) Gray, Delma (Parnell) Dean, Vada (Gray) Kay, Rayma Biggs, Mary Clyde Medley, Grace (Grisham) McBride, Mary (Wright) Carson, Dorothy (Davis) Hayes, Dorothy Morris, Irene (Hudson) Harris, Leo (Broughton) Nichols, Sam Dean, Elsie (Dean) Parks, Katie Mae (Ramsey) Grisham, Maida Grisham, Noel Kirk, Billy Dean, Alma Ruth (Biggs) Daugherty, Norma Jane (Grisham) Puckett, Joyce (Daniel) Robertson, Lillie Ruth (Ramsey) Johnson, Grace (Welch) Coker, Hershel Blackard, Louise (Carson) Honeycutt, Mae (Adams) Smith, Kirby Milligan, Ezra (Bilbo) Bullard, Ester (Welch) Adams, Maye (Welch) Robertson, Mattie Faye (Embrey) Barnes, Florence “Sis” (Carson) Johnson, Esther (Robinson) Smith, Sephia (Searcy) Chase, Alpha (Gober) Hall, Mary Burns, Jesse Biggs, Lena Harwell, Della Faye (South) Puckett, Alice (Bonds) Belue, Lessel (Strickland) Hudson, and Lum Barnes, Jr.
The last term of school at Central was the 1959-60 term; the building was then used as a meeting place for the R.C.D.C. and other community activities.
The old brick school house burned in later years.
(Correction on Charlotte’s Attic)
Last week I was proud to honor my uncle, L. D. Daugherty for his service to our country. In my writing I got confused on an old familiar name. My grandmother reported she had heard that P. Joe Pruitt was home. My uncle L.D. had met P. J. Kimberly, not P. Joe Pruitt, in Germany and missed their train.