Peterson - A.R.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal May 16, 1916
AR Peterson of New Ross, while in a reminiscent mood contributed the following item about a New Ross class which graduated 40 years ago. I've wandered to the village, Tom, I've sat beneath the tree, Upon the school house playground that sheltered you and me, but none were left to greet me, Tom and few were left to know, that played with us upon the green just 40 years ago. In early youth these lines seemed to foretell an event that us young people would never see. But now it seems but a span as we the class of 1876 look backward. In the autumn of 1875, ME Clodfelter, former county superintendent was employed to take charge of the New Ross schools. The advanced class was composed of Misses Ida and Sallie Sperry; Eva Imel and Emma Miller; JM Walkup; Bion Adkins; Philip Bruch; JL Davis and AR Peterson. Prof. Clodfelter had a message for us and we were all of an age to receive it as in all probability it would be our last public school opportunity. The professor at that time wore thin vicious side whiskers and to the rebellious student he was a terror but the really industrious student never had a kinder preceptor. At the end of the regular term, there was a 10-weeks' normal and the work was of a broader nature and at the close of this term several took teachers' examiniations and all received a license and taught in the township schools.
In 1887 Miss Emma Miller, the youngest member died May 13, 1903 on the 27th anniversary of the class the 8 members of the class with our old principal met at the Hotel Ramsey and held an all day reunion and banquet. The class was photographed at Nicholson's May 13, 1916 is the 40th anniversary and it had been planned to hold the reunion with JM Walkup at Bainbridge but it was impossible to gather the enitre class together. Mrs. Sallie Sperry Williamson lives in Indianapolis; Mrs. Ida Sperry, Crawfordsville, lives in Linnsburg, JL Davis and JM Walkup at Bainbridge, Bion Adkins, Anadoska, OK; Philip Bruch, Miss Eva Imel and AR Peterson at New Ross. Three of the class have never followed the trail that is no one knows how old but there are romances in their lives that are too sacred to be disbelieved. Our venerable preceptor still lives and for many years it has been a custom to exchange cards of greeting at Christmas time. After two score years have passed by there is as yet but one vacant chair that of our blessed classmate Emma Miller. All were past the meridian of life but our memory of the happy days of 76 never fade away. The above picture shows the school house then in use. Quite a contrast to the structure now used but at that time it was far ahead of any schoolhouse outside of the larger towns. -- typed by kbz
Note: Sure wish I had that picture mentioned at the end but alas, I do not :(