In a recent issue of the Breeze-Courier there was a story telling of the founding of the first grade school in Locust township At least one reader found some of the portions of the story familiar reading and accordingly has given the paper  additional information on the subject.

 The reader, Mrs. Lunetta Danford, of Owaneco, former county coroner was a pupil in the school and she writes of- some of the things which look place in connection with it Her letter follows;

"In Saturdays Breeze-Courier  you had a column telling of the first school organized in Locust  Township. I rather think I know where it was located. If I am  right and I believe I am, it was a log school house located about a  half mile (in the thick woods) south of the Myers school near Velma. It was called the Madison school because it was built on Mr. William Madison's farm. His, three children now live on the same farm further south. Frank, Nettie and Ella Madison still live on the same farm not too from the Andy Johnson school, two miles south of  where the Myers school stands. l am nearly sure it was the Madison school you spoke of. I went to school there in 66 or 67, I won't be sure which, and Mary McCune was the teacher. She later became the wife of A B Leeper and the mother of Miss Cora Leeper of Owaneco

The teacher was my own cousin.  It was my first school of course. I believe  too, that Uncle Henry  was one of the early teachers He was the father of Sammy Mull of Taylorville Mr. Sam Mull might remember whether his Father taught there but I do know that  Henry Mull did teach down somewhere in that vicinity. My brother and sister, older than I, went to school to him. I may be wrong but I don t believe I am.

Our post office was located not far from the school and Mrs. Beckie Baker was the postmistress. The stage carried the mail from Pana to Taylorville and on to Springfield The road zig-zagged through the timber for it was timber all through there from south of where Owsaneco now is clear beyond Taylorville.

Our first postaster was a Joe Dublin. Our church was organized in that school house and we were supplied with a minister from Taylorville until a school house and masonic hall was built in 1869 here, at Owaneco then we had church in this school house till our church was built in 1871 or 72.

Perhaps I might be able to tell you more when I see you in a few days

MRS LUNETTA DANFORD