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| Vietta Montgomery, Cooksville School teacher 1890 |
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| Porter School room, c. 1920 |
William Stokes wrote about his
school days in Porter Township in the 1850s, including memorable disciplinary measures
by the teachers—some very stern—that took place in the school room. Here is
Part 2 of Stokes’ story:
“In our school, there were some
very unruly boys and girls, especially among those who were approaching manhood
and womanhood. Mr. Maine was a great stickler for order. He had various methods
of bringing this about…. Roland Cox the third was especially obstinate. I
remember very well the means that brought young Roland to time. Flogging would
not subdue him. Next to flogging came the bleeding of the nose. Mr. Maine had a
method of taking a pen knife and cutting a little vein in the nose. This would
make a boy bleed profusely, but this had little effect on Master Roland. The
teacher then resorted to the final test of throwing open the large stove door,
where there was a glowing fire, taking Roland by the seat of his trousers and
his coat collar, threatening to throw him into the big stove. This final test
was more than Roland was able to stand. He succumbed and ever after was prompt
in obeying the commands of his teacher. I have never seen the bleeding test or fire
test used in any school since.
