ROLL ONE ROOM SCHOOL

            When Hospital Administrator Jerry Davidson and Cheyenne Star Editor Casey Paxton met with the residents of Roll, Oklahoma in early 1990, it was recorded that “Jerry and Casey had heard that the Roll One Room School was available to be moved. Vera Caudle agreed to give the Roll One Room School to be placed in the Cheyenne City Park.” The Historic Roger Mills Board was formed and it took about six months to complete the 501c3 paperwork. The first Board was comprised of Casey Paxton, Lois Harmon, Nina Payne, Jeanne Lowery and Jesse Sanderford. By the fall of 1990, the school, coal house and what was left of the outhouse was moved to the Cheyenne City Park. The agreement made that first evening was that the school would always be known as the “Roll One Room School” and that a plaque would hang in the school, honoring Vera Caudle, who gave the school to be moved from her land.

            The Roll One Room School was dedicated on April ??, 1991 and classes began the next Tuesday, April ??, 1991. The Board was recognized at the dedication as well as Vera Caudle. The plaque was placed in the schoolroom on the south wall. Through the years more one room school pictures have been added and you couldn’t readily see the plaque honoring Vera Caudle. Many times the door would slam when the wind was blowing from the south and the plaque would fall on the floor. About seven years ago, it fell and the wood broke. The Roll School Teacher at that time replaced the plaque and decided to hang it over the organ. It seemed to be a safer place for the plaque, and is the only item hanging on the wall above the pump organ, which the Crane Family donated to the school. The present Roll One Room School Teacher is so very sorry that the family and friends of Vera Caudle’s were not able to find the plaque.  The teacher has requested a photo of Vera to place by the plaque so perhaps it will be more easily found. The Roll One Room School was one of the last ones in the county that could be moved and because of Vera’s generous gift, the more than 1500 students who attend each year have been able to experience a hands on history lesson of how it was in school and life in general in 1910.

            This walk down memory lane has been good for all of us. This week is the end of the sixteen years that the first Roll School Teaher has been privileged to act out a dream and I thank the Historic Roger Mills Preservation Board for the opportunity. Jean Eakins will assume the responsibility in September of 2007. There are two other ladies who would also like to be trained so that the program can continue.