Several pupils went on to further their education and returned to teach in Helmsburg. In 1911, George R. Fleener started his high school career as the part of the first graduation class of Helmsburg High School. On the nice autumn days, George was able to take a farm horse and buggy for the four and a half miles to school, but walked during the winter months. In April 1915, he was part of the first class to graduate from Helmsburg High School. The rest of the class included: Enos Barnes, Claude Robertson, Leo P. Richards, Ina Conard, and Chattie Wade. The entire class became teachers themselves, a testament to the education they all received and valued.
Fleener went to Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana and took a 12- week course, giving him a 12 month license to teach. His first teaching job was in northwestern Jackson Township, at High Knob, District No. 18. It had three grades and thirty pupils. He received a salary of $ 240 that first year. During his second year teaching at Howard Ridge School, District No. 6, he learned the United States had declared war on Germany. He was drafted into the army while teaching the following year at Brock School, District No. 8. He spent a year in France and following the Armistice he returned to Trevlac, arriving by train in June 1918. FLeener then went to Central Normal College and finished a required two year course for state teaching license. His teaching salary increased to $ 1040 a year.
Well known and loved superintendent of Brown County Schools, Grover G. Brown, had the task of visiting all the schools in Brown County, helping and grading the teachers. During his tenure, he gave only Sylvester Barnes and Fred Fleener a grade of 100 %. Fleener retired in May 1960 after teaching 46 years in Brown County. He considered it a high point in his life when he received a plaque from Superintendent Carol Walker and Assistant Superintendent Clark naming him Brown County Teacher of the Century. He received a standing ovation from 120 of his teacher peers at the meeting.
Lois Marie Chitwood, the only child of Clarence and Goldie Chitwood, owners of the Helmsburg Hardware, grew up in Helmsburg and graduated from Helmsburg High School, where she was a cheerleader for all four years. She attended Indiana University, where she was a cheerleader all four years as well. During the summer months, she was the Mistress of Ceremonies at the Brown County Jamboree in Bean Blossom. Lois was chosen as Miss Indiana during her senior year in college. After graduation, she taught for six years in Helmsburg till her marriage to Milton B. Learner in May 1954.
It is often said that good citizenship and other virtues are caught, and not taught. Pupils and teachers alike illustrate this in life. •
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July / August 2017 • Our Brown County 63