Elmer, Missouri - Early History
(And a little info about Mercyville)
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Bell School # 16 (circa 1910) when Ethel Shumaker (center of photo) was teacher.
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Bell School, 1955
Bell School
Little history is know (by the webmaster) about this school. If you can contribute any historical information regarding this school, please send a note to jem1204@sbcglobal.net and I'll add it to the website for all to share.
It is not known when this school first became operational, but The Macon Republican printed in 1896, that Miss. Maggie Shaffer, teacher at the Bell School, attended the annual Macon County Teacher's Institute in Bevier. In 1897, the same paper reported that the school was "progressing nicely with Mr. Woods as principal." The school was also used for church services on Sunday. The Macon Republican printed in 1897 that "Rev. Judd fulfilled his regular appointment at the Bell School Sunday and Sunday night to a large audience." The school was still in operation in 1914, as evidenced by the graduation program shown below. It closed in 1947 when there was only two pupils: Crystal Allen and Larry Helton. The building, while abandoned and overgrown with brush, still stands (but barely). The picture below was taken in 1955. The school was located on what is now Dairy Avenue, Elmer, Missouri.