The Olde School House- Clue #11
Not so many years ago
Schools were black and white
Find the Dobbin landmark
Moved to this new site.
Answer: The
Old School House
“On the topic of education in
Montgomery, where else was there a school in Montgomery?” Peter suddenly asked,
“If Markus ever attended school in Montgomery, maybe there are records!”
The duo stand in front of an ‘L’
shaped building decorated with many adornments. What if we were wrong all along? This journal may be a complete fake!
Have we taken all this time just to find nothing? There must be an answer; we
just need to uncover it, just like how I revealed the book from the Earth,
beginning our quest for the truth, Peter reflected with worry, mingled in
with a warm gratitude for his luck in finding the journal, I guess perhaps, this was the fate that was laid out all in the
beginning; for me to hope that I will uncover a grand discover, only to be
crushed in failure and be mocked for my childish wishes and stupidity.
Peter heard a faint voice calling him, “Peter,
Peter! Hey!”
“Peter, stop drifting off in your
thoughts! I’m trying to tell you the history of this place!” The voice was
Matthew’s. “Now I have to restart again!” he complained, “Okay, for the third
time, this is the story of this school house.”
“This schoolhouse was once in
Dobbin, a town North West of Montgomery,” Matthew started, “The schoolhouse
was…”
“Dobbin?” Peter smirked, forcing
down a laugh, “That’s a very unusual name!
“That doesn’t matter!” Matthew snapped,
“Let me continue.” Matthew slopped down on a bench laid beside the schoolhouse,
“The schoolhouse was for African American students during an era of segregation
while the school lasted until 1965 when it was shut down due to government
regulations. The exact year of construction for this building is vague, but it
was built in the 1920’s.” Peter spots another bench to the right of Matthew and
sits down quickly.
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“When was this building moved to
Montgomery?” Peter questioned, glancing over his shoulder to the schoolhouse.
“Well,” Matthew looked behind him to
see what Peter was observing and replies, “30 years later, this schoolhouse was
acquired by Bill and Candace Witzig who restored and relocated this school in
1995, just two decades ago.” After noticing that there is nothing to look at,
Matthew returns his gaze to the journal that sits in his hands. “Oh! Also, a
concrete plaque in Dobbin on Highway 105 in front of Mock’s Grocery represents
the original location of this school.”
Now turning his entire torso around
towards the silver roofed, Peter takes note of a problem. “I have an
interesting question,” Peter calls to Matthew, “How was the Olde School House
even relocated? I mean, due to the unfriendly ‘L’ shaped nature of this
building, it wouldn’t have been able it fit on a truck or train!”
Matthew nodded and scratched his
head for a moment before replying, “That is true, and that is why the
schoolhouse was dismantled into two while over half of the large glass windows
needed to be disassembled and rebuilt subsequently.”
“Fascinating!” Peter commented, “Who
owns the place currently then? Are they the Witzigs?”
“You would think; however, the Olde
School House was purchased by John “Cotton” and Bea Rouse in August 9 years ago
in 2006.” Matthew corrected, “The foremost feature of this school since being
acquired by the Witzigs is that the building has been operating as an antique
and gift shop and still is, as you can see from these benches we are sitting
upon and the numerous décor.”
As a car speeds past on the parallel
roadway, Matthew and Peter continue to chat about the history of the Olde
School House. “Also, there is a tale that says that initially, the town of
Dobbin was not known as Dobbin.”
Matthew began, “Instead, the name Dobbin
was formed when the railroad misspelled Bobbin,
the original name of the town, into Dobbin.
In response, the citizens just renamed their city to Dobbin to cope with the
railroad’s inaccuracy.”
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“How unfortunate!” Peter replied,
“What other tales are there enveloped around this Dobbin landmark?”
“Good question, there is actually an
interesting legend that goes with this schoolhouse,” Matthew pointed his index
finger upwards in front of his chest, slightly forward, as if he thought of a
matter and is just about to begin, “The schoolhouse is rumored to be haunted by
the spirit of a former principle, but Bea tells otherwise.”
“Is this a historical site like the
other locations we’ve visited?” Peter reflected curiously, “Also, since this
was a schoolhouse in Dobbin, I suppose Marcus Sebastian did not attend this
school.”
“No, this isn’t a historical
location, but the school has been approved as a Texas Historical site, but a
marker has not been filed for.” Matthew replied, “On the other hand, you are
correct; Marcus did not attend this school.”
Peter sighed and closed his eyes
slowly, “Is there anywhere in Montgomery that we haven’t visited that may be a
clue to who Marcus is?”
Matthew subsequently steps towards
the door of the school, and gasps, “Peter! Look at this!”
Peter immediately ran beside
Matthew, and also gasps. “A note!” exclaimed Peter in astonishment, “This look
just like the one at the First State Bank! This must be our next location.”
“I bet the elderly man at the
Addison-Gandy House is the one leaving the notes!” Matthew concluded, “It must
be, since this explanation solves everything, the journal, the hints, and the
coin!
“Err,” Peter contradicted with
worry, “That doesn’t explain whether Marcus or Kirk were real!” The duo stood
motionless, not even speaking as Peter concluded their conversation.
