Almost all of us have them … a small collection of yearbooks from our school years that sparks nostalgia in our hearts every time we browse through them. For some Montgomery County students in the 1880s, they did not receive yearbooks but might have received an autograph book for their birthday or a holiday if they were lucky. Marguerite “Maggie” Cox was one such girl. Her mother Armina Daniel Cox gifted her with an autograph book possibly for Christmas in 1882 since the first dated entry is Jan. 10, 1883, and Maggie’s ninth birthday was not until August. The Local History staff at the Crawfordsville District Public Library were excited to recently acquire Maggie’s autograph book from heirloomsreunited.com. The book is small, approximately four inches by three inches, and black with a fancy cover of a gate, arch and flowers in gold, white, and orange. On the back of the first page, Armina wrote “Compliments of your best friend, your mother.” Not to be excluded, Maggie’s older sister Bettie left three entries, the most notable being “Way back here just out of sight, I write my name just for spite.” Additionally, yet another family member, Maggie’s aunt Lizzie Cox, wrote something for Maggie in her book. Lizzie was closer to Maggie in age than most aunts at just seven years older, and she seemed to have a robust sense of humor. She wrote to Maggie, “Remember me when far far off, where woodchucks die of whooping cough, from your friend and aunt, Lizzie.”
Maggie took her autograph book to school some days. She attended the Central School in Crawfordsville, an elegant three-story building with a few gothic spires and a main cupola that stood from 1872-1892. It replaced the original Central School that was housed in the two-story Canby house, which became too small for the student population by 1871. According to the October 1987 edition of the Montgomery County Magazine, the newer school building was built for $60,000 in 1872. Several teachers there signed Maggie’s autograph book. Her teacher Elsie A Stilwell Batchelder signed her book on Jan. 31, 1884. Elsie was the daughter of Waveland merchant John Stilwell. The next year, Elsie married her second husband Thomas Perry. Teacher Marie D. Larsh left Maggie the inspiration, “The way to make ourselves admired is to be what we are thought to be.” Teacher Ella Maxwell left her signature in the book on Feb. 1, 1884. On the same day, teacher Bettie T. Kennedy left her signature and fellow teacher Ella Constancer encouraged Maggie to always do her best.
Maggie’s school friends also signed her book. Friend Jennie Clements left a lovely tribute that said, “Remember me when this you see and keep it in your mind, and I will be a friend of yours, true, faithful and kind.” Another friend, Frank Yeagley, described his well wishes for her as, “May friendship and truth be with you in youth, and catnip and sage cheer up your old age.” Some of the other classmates that signed her book were Leno Britton, Minnie VanSandt, Katie Prewitt, Fred Jones, Katie Fullenwider, Hattie Lehr, Cordelia Battley, and Lillie McDurrell.
If you do not have your own small collection of yearbooks from your school years, access our database under services and local history on our CDPL website, and then click on yearbooks to see what Montgomery County yearbooks we have. They cannot be checked out but you may request copies of pages that interest you. Visit the local history department on the second floor at CDPL to see them, and for more information.
Amie Cox is a local history specialist at the Crawfordsville District Public Library and the district media specialist at the Crawfordsville Community Schools.
