The photo to the left, circulating on the internet, is supposed to be
a 1923 teacher’s contract describing what a teacher can and cannot
do. This “contract” has been debunked by many sources. It did,
however, remind the Joiner History Room staff of a letter written
to the DeKalb County Superintendent of Schools on January 3,
1891, from F. McRae Byers about his sister, Myrtie Byers, a
young teacher at the time. (Copy in our archives.)
“Dear Sir:
You are not aware that any of your teachers are in the habit of attending public dances,
and particularly the kind that are given in Kirkland.
The influence of seeing a teacher there is bad in its effect on my pupils, and has begun to
take a tangible hold of some of them and in addition to this the influence of such an example is
pernicious in its effect on the minds of the pupils under her charge.
The dance given here on Christmas eve. Was a disgraceful affair where drunkenness
prevailed; and in addition to this the characters of the persons under whose auspices these dances
are given and of the persons who resort to them should be enough to guide any one in charge of
other people’s children.
I refer to my sister Miss Myrtie Byers. Her family, and myself among the number have
given this misguided lady their views on the matter, without effect however. A letter from you
saying what you expect of your teachers and what the consequences of violating your expectations
may be, will undoubtedly bring her to her senses. She is not hard to win or to guide, but it is now
influenced by a certain class –and you see the result of it.
You are at liberty to mention my name in this matter if you think best. Many of my
pupils expect soon to become teachers, and I shall not rest while any such exsample as that is
furnished, and particularly in my own family.
What I say here is in the strictest confidence, and only to be used in your communication
with her. I shall feel that I owe you a debt of gratitude if you can adjust matters in this most
unmentionable affair.
Please let me hear from you.”
We don’t know if Myrtie continued to teach. We do know that as a married woman, she would
have had to quit teaching. On July 7, 1892, Myrtie married Frank Allison in Boone County. She
lived until age 85 when on December 19, 1955, she died of burns while trying to start a fire in
her Parkin, Arkansas home. Myrtie is buried in the Flora cemetery.