Boone Newspaper Encourages Continuing Support of Schools, 1914

“The Local School Tax” from the Feb. 12, 1914 issue of the Watauga Democrat

We are going to say publically now what we have often said privately, and that is, Boone and our community is one of the best neighborhoods to be found. There is less friction here than any place we know. We, as a people, sometimes go wrong, but never when we know our bearings; when our people find themselves wrong.

Two years ago we voted a tax with which to build a school house. Not one spent a cent otherwise on this building. Now that the house is built, and a debt of $500 is on the district, can we afford to vote out the tax entirely and greatly injury our school? Can we afford to take a backward step along educational lines in this Athens of the mountains? Surely not.

It is safe to say that many thoughtful people, seeing the situation as it is, are changing their minds. There is no criticism upon those who signed a petition for an election, for the most of us did that. Having signed the petition is no reason for any one voting against the tax, when he sees now that the tax should be retained. My good friend, stop, think, before voting, as this is a question of the greatest moment to our people just now, and upon your decision rests largely the success or failure of the public school in Boone for possibly many years to come.