Schools and churches
Organized education existed before municipal government. A June 1899 report named F. B. Bregdon, also printed elsewhere as Brogdon, as a teacher at Barney. The October town profile described a school about two miles east and praised its standing in Brooks County. On October 16, a newspaper said Minnie McKinnon of Hahira was going to Barney to take charge of the school. The sources do not establish that this was the building later remembered as Barney's first public school or explain its relationship to the earlier Gornto schoolhouse tradition.[20][24]
Huxford says W. R. Smith taught in the Methodist church until the first public school building was completed in May 1901, so late in the term that the session was nearly over. Contemporary Adel notices name Smith as a Barney teacher in January and February 1901 and speak well of the school. Those notices confirm that Smith was teaching at Barney; the church location and May completion date come from Huxford's later account.[1][24]
In September 1901, a report said B. H. Culbreth had been elected principal and might move his family to Barney during the term. An October item said Culbreth and his daughter Minnie had opened the school, with the rest of the family joining them until the term ended. The move appears to have been for the school term rather than permanent.[24]
An April 1902 report placed enrollment at 126 pupils. At a public program conducted by Culbreth and Minnie, older boys who were leaving school for farm work were recognized, and E. P. S. Denmark spoke on practical education. Visitors from nearby communities came by straw ride for exercises, lunch, and music.[24]
In July 1902, a newspaper used the name Barney High School and reported Culbreth's plan to bring pupils from nearby districts by wagon or other transport. The aim was to combine students, reduce the number of teachers needed across small schools, and strengthen instruction. The term "High School" is contemporary, but the notice alone does not establish the school's legal classification, complete grade structure, or curriculum.[24]
Advertising for the May 1903 closing program described the school as one of the county's more progressive institutions. Professor Woodward of Sparks was scheduled to speak on education, followed by a basket dinner and evening entertainment.[24]
Huxford also named two private schools taught by Mrs. Frank Hall and Mrs. J. B. Hall, whom he specifically said were not related. No contemporary notices have been found to establish their dates, locations, or enrollment.[1]
Contemporary newspapers record preaching connections in 1897, a tent meeting in August 1899, an African Methodist circuit appointment in December 1899, a quarterly meeting in 1901, and Methodist circuit appointments in 1902. A July 1899 notice placed Rev. A. J. Quattlebaum at Barney after revival work in Hahira and Pavo.[25]
Huxford dated the Methodist congregation's organization to 1899 and the Baptist congregation's constitution to 1900. He named John Berryhill, T. A. Rozier, R. L. Hodges, C. W. Ryall, and E. C. Bridges as Methodist trustees and Sallie Rozier as secretary-treasurer. No original minutes have been located, so the organization dates, offices, and trustee list remain attributed to the 1948 county history.[1][25]
By June 1903, protecting the school was cited as one reason for seeking a municipal charter.[28]
Sources used on this page
- [1] Mrs. D. H. Purvis, "Barney," in Folks Huxford, The History of Brooks County, Georgia, 1858-1948 (1948), pp. 388-390; Huxford's related county-history passages on Foster, Barney, local physicians, schools, and churches.
- [20] Valdosta Times, October 14, 1899, Barney town profile, Newspapers.com image 889671340.
- [24] Adel News, June 23, 1899, F. B. Bregdon teacher notice; Atlanta Constitution, October 16, 1899, Minnie McKinnon notice, Newspapers.com image 26860159; Valdosta Times, September 3 and October 29, 1901, Culbreth notices, Newspapers.com images 889668939 and 889687085; April 1902 school-program reports; July 26, 1902, Barney High School report, Newspapers.com image 889690735; May 12, 1903, school closing, Newspapers.com image 889675531.
- [25] Valdosta Times, August 14, 1897, Rev. W. H. Smith preaching near Cecil, Newspapers.com image 889776963; Moultrie Observer, August 26, 1897, Elder Smith of Barney at a protracted meeting in Hempstead; Valdosta Times, July 4, 1899, Rev. A. J. Quattlebaum scheduled at Barney on July 20; Tifton Gazette, August 4, 1899, tent-meeting report, Georgia Historic Newspapers; Morning News, December 20, 1899, African Methodist appointment, Georgia Historic Newspapers; Adel News, May 17, 1901, quarterly meeting; Morning News, December 17, 1901, Methodist appointment; Atlanta Constitution, February 4, 1902, Rev. J. W. Folsom notary letter.
- [28] Macon Telegraph, June 1, 1903, p. 4, Georgia Historic Newspapers; Valdosta Times, June 2, 1903, Newspapers.com image 889675813.