Page 8 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Ninety-Two Years of CHS Principals

September 29,1992

Here are ninety-two years of Columbia High School principals, 1900-92.
Professor Fulks believed, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” The kids called A. B. Connor

“Heavy” because he was heavy. Cy Hollingsworth started the practice of “senior privileges.”
Professor Johnson was followed by D. C. Trexler.

W. B. Feagle got the nickname “Wild Bill.” Julius Markham was the first CHS graduate to
become CHS principal. Byron Hileman was strict and started “detention hall.” Dan Folsom was
known as “Dangerous Dan” but at class reunions he always got a standing ovation.

Dr. Gavilak was the first to hold a doctor’s degree. W. E. Bishop stayed principal the
shortest time; elected to the state Legislature, he resigned before school opened, to take office.

Supervising Principal Sydney Ellison like to fish and would sometimes leave things in the
hands of CHS Principal Burvin Pugh. Norman Johns was a one-armed man who had good rapport

with faculty and students - he was principal the final year CHS was located on Duval Street.
Sharron W. Raybum, a tall, soft-spoken Southern gentleman, was the first to preside over the

brand-new CHS on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Raybum had to deal with a major act of vandalism
when several night-time intruders - probably students - strewed animal “innards” throughout the new
school and ransacked rooms.

Fred Murray believed in strong curricular and extracurricular programs; band and football
prospered under him.

Working under Fred Murray, Jerry Sisk became the first assistant principal at CHS.
Frank Warriner had been a University of Miami football player. While traveling to a CHS

football game, he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. David Ellis was Warriner’s
assistant and became principal when Warriner left. Ellis held the title CHS principal 15 years, the

longest of anybody.
When the new CHS opened south of town, the school was divided into two campuses. Henry
Williams was named principal of CHS South, grades 11 and 12. David Ellis was principal of CHS

North, grades 9 and 10. Martin Ferguson, former Richardson High principal before integration, was

-3-

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: CD05D759-5273-4705-A6D7-381FCF749098