Remember When: June 17, 2009

While researching information for the 100th year reunion for the building of Anderson Union High School on the hill, I ran across a couple of accounts on traveling to school by stage and bus. The earliest account I found was a story written by Clara Wilcox, Class of 1920. Clara's story was published in the 1920 Aurora, the school's yearbook.

Going to school by stage

"Good morning, Captain, old kid. How are you? Rang out Ted's voice, as he gave Captain a slap on the back.

The Balls ferry stage was on its way to school and had just picked up Ted, who had greeted Captain in his usual way. The stage bumped on until it reached Van Orsdel's ranch, where Fred, Florence, and Edna climbed in and sat down heavily. Then on it went and picked up John, Margaret, Mildred and lastly Velma and headed for school without any further stops.

As the stage wended its way much laughter and talking might have been heard by any one within a half-mile of it.

"There goes the Balls Ferry bus." I heard as we turned into Main Street.

"Good morning, Cally! Good morning, Mr. Girdner," a chorus of voices shouted as the stage passed through town.

School was reached. There was s great scramble for books and lunches, but finally, each one had his or her possessions and proceeded to the schoolhouse.

The day's work was over and all restraint was loosed. The stage was now on its way home. Everyone was yelling and talking at once. It sounded more like a band of wild animals than twelve well behaved High School students.

"Captain, I'll never sit beside you again. Get away from me or I'll slap your face, " threatened Velma angrily.

Fred, will you please be so kind as to leave my cap alone?" begged Margaret.

"Rosemary, get out of here. I am not going to give you your pictures. I want them".

"Ted, you let go of my arm, you are hurting me, interrupted Rosemary.

"Clara don't hit those bumps so hard, or you will break our heads." Pleaded Drew.

"John give me that note. No, don't read it. Give it here quick." Florence commanded and grasped Johns' hand. Finally the note was torn to pieces, and John did not read it.

"Kids, don't make so much noise and don't scuffle, or you will break something" I persuaded.

Edna, Drew and Mildred were the silent ones, but occasionally Captain received a slap from each of them or Drew became tickled over something and wouldn't stop laughing.

At last everyone was out but Rosemary and I and we were nearly home.

The stage life has been my fate for nearly four years now. At first we had come in a wagon. We left home about seven o'clock, the old ponies jogging along so that we reached school barley in time to get our hats off and be ready for school at nine. Then as I grew to be a sophomore, the stage was transformed into a five-passenger automobile. The next year I became stage driver and a junior. The stage had become a seven-passenger car, and we had moved into the new building. This year the stage is a truck that will accommodate about fourteen passengers. If the stage still grows I don't know what it will be when it stops growing.

Stage life gets tiresome, but by the time you reach school after a nice cool ride in the early morning, you are wide-awake and ready to begin work.