I first became aware of these old Hillsboro school records a few years ago. I had stopped in at a rummage sale that was being held in an old barn at Hillsboro and noticed the old Hillsboro Christian church records in some boxes that were off to the side. I inquired if the church records were for sale and told to check back the next day since the owner was at work. I called the next day and was told I could have all three boxes of church records for $20.00 I took him up on the offer. He mentioned that he also had some old school records from the old Hillsboro, Prairie Township schoolhouse but he would need to look for them.    Time went by and I eventually forgot about the records until a few weeks ago I happened in at the Henry County Historical Society museum and noticed the old records lying on a table. I was told the owner had found them and remembered that I had wanted to see them. There were three old ledgers. We numbered the books, starting at 1892, #1, 2, and 3, which ends with 1906. I went through them and decided to index every name in the books.    The books are a record from time past when school was held in the old one room, wood stove heated buildings, with outside restroom facilities (the outhouses). Classes only went to the eighth grade and then it was on to the academies or high schools of the bigger towns, namely New Castle and Mt. Summit for Prairie Township    At the end of each year the teacher would need to file a "General Report" which covered the condition of the School Building, Outhouses, Fences, School Apparatus, etc., including such other reports as are not otherwise provided for. The following are a few of those reports starting with Miss Nellie Rogers, the teacher in 1892-3:

   "The school house is not much worse for winter wear. However, some repairs are needed. There is danger off the plastering falling in a few places. This should be attended to ere another winter. Some window glasses are needed and the floor is dry for want of oil. I think it would be better to have some other arrangement in front instead of the awkward steps. The pump and or well or both need attention badly. There is no dictionary or bookcase. There is some very dangerous stubble in the west end of the yard caused by shrubs being mown off. The outhouses are in good condition."
   --Miss Nellie Rogers

   "Everything is in about as good condition as it was last year. A chair and dictionary is needed. There is danger of the plastering falling. Some of the outhouses are in very poor condition."
   --Mr. Charles E. Stewart

   "The school house is open and very cold. It is not fit for children to come in the coldest weather. Good wood was not provided therefore it has been impossible to keep comfortable. A new floor is needed very much.
   The out buildings are in a fair condition. There is no fence in the front of the schoolhouse. No dictionary or bookcase has been provided. The pump is in a very bad condition. Cannot get water at all without taking hold of the piston rod and pulling it up and down, which is too hard for anyone. This is something that should not be neglected."
   --Susan L. Benedict

   "The school building is in great need of repair. The plastering is loose in many places and the windows are drawn so that they do not fit at the top of their frame. A new stove is needed. However the room was comfortable nearly all winter. The pump and well are finally in good condition. The out houses are in very good condition. This school building is about as good of condition as can be expected for being as old as it is. To begin to enumerate needed repairs would simply say, "A new school house is needed." Some of the desks are so rough children cannot write well when they place paper on them. They have to use a book."
   --Mr. Felix Peckinpaugh