STUDENTS RECALL CITY'S ALL-BLACK SCHOOL

Unlike most students today, Geraldine Lee never had a new textbook during her years in school.

Lee attended a segregated elementary school in Jackson and later, in 1941, transferred to the John S. Cobb School in Cape Girardeau for high-school classes.

The Cobb School, which was at 731 Merriwether, was devoted to teaching the community's black students. It was built in 1890 as the Lincoln School and was named in 1925 after John S. Cobb, an early, black educator. But the school often educated its students with limited resources.

"There were never sufficient books," Lee said of her classes at Cobb. "We had used books that we got from Central. I never remember having a new book."

New books weren't the only problem facing the black students. Many had to bypass several all-white public schools near their homes before they could reach Cobb School.

"We had to pass by at least five schools before we could get to ours," said Louise Duncan, a 1949 graduate of Cobb School. "I remember having to stay with an aunt in town during the week so that I could go to grade school."

Many of the students who lived outside the city didn't have daily transportation. Duncan's family lived on a farm about three miles west of Cape Girardeau near Dutchtown. Her younger brother was able to attend high school in Jackson after the desegregation ruling.

Even before the landmark desegregation decision in 1955, Cape Girardeau integrated its schools, but more out of need than desire.

After the Cobb School burned in 1953, students like Clara Daniels were allowed to attend classes with white students at Cape Central High School. Daniels was the first black graduate from Central High School.

"I was sad and scared," she said. "We were sad that the building burned, but scared because we'd never been to school with whites. I didn't get to meet friends like you should."

Daniels attended classes for a half year at Central before graduating. "They had more to offer, but I didn't know about it," she said of the classes. "We had really good classes, at least that's what I thought. But we didn't have up-to-date things like typewriters."

Many of the black students didn't realize they were lacking in supplies and equipment until they attended Central High School. Despite those racial disparities, former Cobb School students say they received a strong education and were well prepared for college.

"Even though we lived in a time of segregation, we still had a good education and good teachers," Duncan said. "We were all able to make it far enough to go to college."

Most black children knew they had to attend different schools, but didn't question the policies. "It was difficult, but we didn't pay attention," Duncan said. "We knew what was going on and we just did it. We managed to survive."

Many of the Cobb School alumni gather every three or four years for a reunion. An all-school gathering likely will be planned next year.