That's a bunch of Bull.

Donna Faye McMichael-Ayres and her sister Pat and brother-in-law John Cox stopped by yesterday to visit the Nickellton School renovation project. Donna attended Nickellton School from 1929-30, her first grade year,  to 1934-35, her 6th grade year. After the 6th grade her family moved to the Atlanta, Missouri area so she and her siblings could attend the Atlanta High School. While attending Nickellton School her teachers were Miss Eunice Marsh, Miss Mary Laughery, and Miss Genevieve Henry.

During the first grade Donna road Chubby her pony to school. By the 4th grade Donna had moved up to riding the big horse. Arthur Hale "Jack" her younger brother took over riding Chubby the pony. Ronald "Cookie" road the big horse with Donna as there was only one pony; and Jack and Ronald were to young to ride the big horses.

Donna recalled passing a bull while riding to school one day.  Most of the families in the Nickellton Community raised live stock, so it was not uncommon for cattle to get out of the fences or be roaming the grounds along her trail to school. She recognized the bull as belonging to her family, but figured her pa knew the bull was out.  When she arrived at school the kids were sitting on the porch and playing on the school grounds waiting for the bell to ring. The day started like any normal day at school. When the bell rang the students filed into the school, hung up their coats in the front hall, sat their lunches on the floor below their coats, and then stood by their assigned desk.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said and the Star Spangled banner was sang. The lessons began as usual.

Some students were busy working on lessons at their desk while Miss Henry was instructing a small group on the stage. The older students were helping the younger students with math. As usual it was calm and quiet. Suddenly there was a loud rumbling roar coming from the front of the school. It was the sound of clanging chains and pounding sledge hammers. All the students stopped their lessons to listen. The teacher went to the window to look then walked onto the porch. The students, unable to contain their curiosity quickly went to the hallway windows to look. Some of the older students rushed onto the porch. All stood in awe watching three bulls butt, kick, bite, and push. The bulls were thrashing around and stirring up dust. One bull had a ring in it's nose with a long chain hooked to the ring. It's head was rearing up and down, the chain hitting the other two bulls. Then the chain became hooked within the hove of one of the other bulls and as the ring nosed bull pulled up the ring ripped from his nose. Blood and snot flung everywhere.

The teacher, Miss Henry, realized the bulls were on a rampage and would not stop fighting until the pecking order of the community bulls was determined. Alarmed for the safety of her students she quickly hurried them back to their seats.  A couple times the bulls kicked the outside of the school's east wall shaking up the chalk dust and moving the pictures. You would have thought it was an earthquake. The bulls continued to push, shove, and ram one another for hours. It was time for the children to go home, but the bulls were still fighting.  Miss Henry did not want to let the children walk home, but two older boys convinced her to let them leave to get help. The two boys left taking Ivan and Iris Allred home. Then the two went to get Oliver Belt and Donna's Dad, Hale McMichael. Oliver, Hale, and Willie Borron road in on horses carrying pitchforks. Using the pitchforks and maneuvering the horses, the men were able to separate the bulls and get them headed back to their respective cow lot.  Once the men confirmed the bulls were contained, Miss Henry dismissed school. Donna noted, "It was a very scary day at school."

Cyber-bullying is the craze among our youth today.

The first picture is of Nickellton School, class of 1930-31. Left to Right: Donna is the 4th student in the bottom row. Wayne, Donna's brother, is 4th in the top row.  The second picture is Miss Genevieve Henry.