I have in my possession a book, “Elements of Civil Government.” It was copyrighted by Alex W. Peterman in 1891, and again in 1903. It is a school book used by what I would guess to be a 12 or 13-year-old girl. I knew this person when she had reached old age, back in the 1950s, and soon passed away.

I cannot, for decency’s sake, use a name. She went to Long Bridge School, which was beside the present-day Primitive Baptist church on the Berrien County side of the Cook-Berrien county line (Nashville-Adel Road).

Let’s, for a minute, go back in time 100 years or so. Some handwritten notes:

“Mr. Charlie Green”! Written with deep obvious care. Could be an admired teacher. It’s written several times.

Now, my dear friends, please don’t laugh at this. And, too, forgive me for displaying something that was not meant to be read by others. As it is written...

“as sure as the grapes grow on the vine

I’ll be yoursif you’ll be mine.”

______________

Two deep pencil lines

______________

“This world is wide

and you cant help

it, I love you and

you cant help it-”