The Beginning and End
of
The Weesatche School (1888-1963)
(As I have been told, and as I have read - - - Genelle Urban)
In the beginning this community was first settled around 1850 and given the name of Middletown. Records can be found in the Goliad County Library giving the name of the first settlers and in 1860 a census was taken which showed a population of approximately 565 people.
The first known school house, recalled only by stories handed down through the years was a simple log cabin. It was located on a 2-acre tract of land being a part of a league of land originally granted to Thomas Hancock and situated in the northwest corner of a tract conveyed by Henry Shaper to the said Louis Shaper by deeds dated May 16, 1871. The two acres were in the form of a square with frontage on Dry Creek, in Goliad County, Texas. Lessons taught then, known to us as the Golden Rule, was Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic taught to the tune of a Hickory Stick, which I'm sure left it's mark on those who didn't follow through.
In 1888 the location of the school was moved closer to the townsite and a framed 2 room building was erected. The children who shared 2-seated desks, were taught grades 1 through 7 by two teachers.
On October 16th 1890, Otto Gottschald having bought land from Henry Shaper, sold to the Middletown School Community a 3 acre tract of land for the amount of $1.00, but should the school ever be discontinued or removed it would go back to the owner or his heirs.
During this period of time small schools were being united into districts and Middletown, Evergreen and Dobskyville were combined as District #6. The salary paid to the teachers was from $22.00 to $40.00 a month and the school term ran from 5 ½ to 6 months.
In the early 1900's this community found out that they were not the only town with the name of Middletown and due to the mixup in the mail service they changed its name to Weesatche.
Weesatche was now expanding and the community felt its need of a new re-districting. So on April 23, 1919 a delegation of Weesatche citizens, headed by Dr. Baron Haynes, appeared before the school board asking that Weesatche School be set aside and separated from Dobskyville and Evergreen. This request was made in order that a bond and maintenance tax could be voted upon for the purpose of building a more modern 2 room school house with necessary equipment. After due deliberation the school board agreed that re-establishing and arraignment of this district would be for the best interest of the community. So now the Weesatche School stood alone as District #12, consisting of 13,629.88 acres.
Although the transaction of the new districting was not completed until 1926, the community began its plans for their new school. The old school house was sold to Mr. H. Gondke, for $300.00 and the two-seated desks sold for $60.00. Cash on hand before the sale amounted to $800.00. A bond for $2,500.00 was voted upon and the bond indebtedness required a tax at the rate of 25¢ on $100.00 valuation for a period of 5 years. The new school house was completed in 1923, and in 1924 was classified as a high school with grades 1st through 10th and had a registration of approximately 119 students.
The Weesatche citizens were always eager for improvement, and on January 29, 1927, the Woodmen of the World, Camp #127, with further interest in promoting the cause of education, sold to the Weesatche Community a 2 ½ acre tract of land for a sum of $1.00. Now with 5 acres, more or less, and through good management the Board of Trustees was able to have a teacherage erected in 1929. It was a five-room building complete with a coat of white paint on the outside. The house cost about $1,000.00.
Education was expanding and since Weesatche School was classified as a high school, more young people were interested in a higher education. The 2-room school house was now overcrowded so in 1931, a third room was added and another teacher hired.
The school was highly regarded for the subjects that were taught and also for extra-curriculms. The county meet that was held every year was a highlight in the students' lives. Seldom did we not return with lots of blue ribbons and trophies, proving that the Weesatche School had shown the community and others that it was being given the best education that was offered and had the best faculty anywhere in the county.
Times were changing and more advanced education was being offered. The Goliad Independent School District was offering a way for those who wanted a chance to enter High School in Goliad. Transportation was the main problem but in 1938, car pools were used and students in the 9 and 10th grades were transferred to Goliad to graduate. In 1941 the first school bus was provided for students who wanted to transfer. This was a very new experience for everyone, but it was for the advancement of education.
The 3-room school house that had served the community for 34 years was beginning to show wear and tear. It was time again to make plans for a more modern convenient school. In 1958 a modern brick building was erected. The building contained 6667 sq. feet and cost $42,962.00. The grades remained 1st through 8th.
The world of education was advancing rapidly and it was brought to the attention of the community that the Weesatche School could no longer continue to give the children the necessary courses that were required. On May 1, 1961, the Weesatche Trustees met with the Board of the Goliad Independent School and at which time the said board entered an annexation of the entire Weesatche Common School District to Goliad Independent School. So in 1963 the Weesatche School that had served the community for some 75 years closed its doors to education. It was a sad moment for the community but it was for the best interest of the young people to get all the opportunities that were being offered.
Although the school itself is not used for education the building is still being used to fulfill the needs of the community as the Weesatche Community Center. In 1964, the Weesatche Fire Association was granted full use of the building and land, and in 1973 they bought the building for $526.00. The 5 acres (more or less) surrounding the building is still under the ownership of the Goliad Independent School District.
Yes, the classrooms are empty, the voices and laughter are heard no more on the playground, the old bell that still hangs in the hallway rings out no more. But all is not lost or forgotten, we as ex's of the Weesatche School are gathered here today to meet with our classmates, to relive old memories, the good times, the bad times, the sad times, the happy times, to laugh, maybe to cry a little, and last but not least we have not forgotten the most important of it all, our teachers, who gave to us the best they had that helped make us what we are today. Also to the trustees, parents, community and county who stood as one until the end, we want you to know we love and thanks to you for making out school something that we are proud to have been a part of.