Advent of the 1890's brought social and industrial changes that affected many phases of rural, as well as urban life. Replacement of antiquated business houses, hotels, theater-dancing pavillions, with new structures, cast an air of modernization over cities. In Slaterville division of the school district organized as early as 1861 was pending for some time after this revival commenced. Meetings were held, but after discussions and controversies over dividing lines and names to be applied to the respective districts ended in disagreement. Finally, the contending parties became reconciled on controversial matters and entered into an agreement with county authorities in 1893 to proceed with laying out the districts and erecting buildings. Lines designating the division were the road extending north to the south boundary line of Farr West from the home of William, and the partially winding road leading south from the home of Alex Bowns (presently the home of the Wardell family at 2100 W. 300 N.) to the north boundary line of Marriott settlement. The part of our settlement west of these streets resumed the name of Slaterville and the half on the east was designated Perry District, presumably out of respect for Steven W. Perry, a much respected, influential, and courageous leader in the early days of colonization of Slaterville. In the spring of 1894 contracts were made for erection of a building in each district of a specified design, to be completed in time for school in the fall of that year. Greenwell and Olmstead, contractors, were successful bidders to erect the building in the lower district, while the firm of Calvin and Leake was awarded the contract to construct one in the Perry District. The buildings were completed and ready for use according to agreements. The elaborate exterior and interior of each with comforts and conveniences, afforded teachers and pupils, contributed much in creating children's desire to attend school. (See Fig. 7- 4) After the two schools had been operating sucessfully for a number of weeks, an east wind commenced one morning in late November and soon developed proportions of a hurricane. In its mad rage it blew in the east wall and gable of the upper school and left in its wake, uprooted trees, overturned farm buildings, roofless dwellings, toppled telegraph poles, and an air of desolation covering a large area of the surrounding country. This disaster, un-fortunately, disrupted progress of school activities during most of the year. After school was closed for an extended time, while the building was being repaired, children more or less lost interest in their work. The first teacher employed in this district in 1894, the beginning of a new era in the field of education, was Joseph Sill, a young man from Layton, Utah. Outside of times lost during the process of repairing damage to the building caused by the wind, Mr. Sill concluded a successful remainder of the school season ending in April 1895. Teachers who followed him in line of duty were: Ella Wingrove, one yean, fall of 1895 to spring 1896; John Wheeler, twoo years, 1896 to the spring of 1898; Joseph Bidwell, one yean, fall of 1898 to spring 1899; A.E. Stanton, one year from 1899 to 1900; John Neal, one year, 1900 to 1901; W.H. Walton, one year, 1901 to 1902; John Wheeler two years from 1902 to 1904; Amelia -66- Perry School Children (Fig. 7-5) Back row: Earl Perry, Vere Ekins, Teacher, Amelia Manning, Keenie Perucca, Lettie Casey. Second row from back: Clarence Wheeler, Clem Casey, Deloss Holley, William J. Smout, Harold Slater, Ivy Hutchins, _, Cora Knight. Third row from back: Roland Wheeler, Reese Howell, Amos Holley, Delbert Knight, Maude Wheeler, Marie Hutchins, Stella Knight, Delbert Field, Blanche Perry, Dorcas Brown, Almira Bartholomew, Feenie Perucca, Myrtle Stanger, _, Evah Field Front row: Leland Slater, Victor Holley, _Cutler, Francis Wheeler, -Cutler Bert Mesick, Alfred Knight, Glen Wheeler, Charles Mesick, Ray Perry, Maude Howell, Etta Wheeler. Perry School House (1953) (Fig. 7-4) Teacher: Clara Reberg (Fig. 7-6) -67-