The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMITTEE
BESS H. HABEKOTTE, Chairman, 403 East Main Street, Brenham, Texas 77833
A yellowed Old document highly prized by its owner, Ernest
N. Reichardt of 1242 Kinley Lane, Houston, is the original of a
subscription list made up by Brenham citizens for the establish-
ment of the first Independent School District in Texas. It is
dated February 10, 1877 and says:
"We the undersigned subscribe the amounts set opposite our
names for the purpose of building a school house for the White
Public Free schools of the City of Brenham, payable to Messrs.
E. Reichardt and Julian McFarland, school committee of the Board
of Aldermen, in four installments."
The Giddings brothers, J.D. and D.C., topped the list with
a contribution of $1,000- "on condition." (The condition was not
set forth in the document.) Breedlove and Ewing followed with $500;
Bassett and Bassett, $400; Thomas Dwyer, $300; E. Reichardt, 300;
J.A. Engelke, $200; A.H. Rippetoe transferred a note and lien
for "245. Other subscriptions ranged from $100 down to $5. The
total which is not added up on the list, runs to about $7,000.
*****
The first teachers were Superintendent W.C. Rote, assistant
or principal, Mr. J. lessen, Mrs. A. Lockett, Miss Mary Rial and
Miss K. Saunders.
Ref: 1st MINUTES OF THE BRENHAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
** ***,I***