FEBRUARY 2021 Ghost Towns and History of Montana Newsletter M o n t a n a ’ s F i r s t T e a c h e r Remember that one teacher that really made a difference in your life? The one that genuinely cared, went above and beyond the call of duty and, because of those qualities, is fondly thought upon in many children’s minds, far into adulthood? Lucia Darling was one of those teachers. A tall woman, with fair skin and her auburn hair tucked neatly up into a bun helped her Uncle Sidney and some cousins finish packing their belongings for the upcoming trip to the territory of Idaho. Sidney Edgerton was to assume his position as Chief of Justice there. Lucia had been sent to live with the Edgertons in Tallmadge, Ohio at just ten years old after her mother passed away. Now in her mid-twenties, she was eager for a new adventure. She had done well teaching in both Ohio and Kentucky, where she taught at the first integrated college in that state. Indeed, she was an enigma in a time where it was unusual for women to be educated or work outside the home. Lucia had visions of opening a frontier school in the west as she had heard that educators were woefully lacking there. This could be her opportunity to help those children in need. The Madisonian– Jan. 26, 1895 www.montananewspapers.org The journey would prove to be treacherous and would test their endurance daily. Despite the hardships, Lucia’s spirit was captured in the journal entries she kept along the way. The family would start their trip by railroad, then catch a riverboat to Omaha. From Omaha, they would travel by covered wagon. Over the three-and-a-half-month trip, Lucia expressed gratitude for the joy she found in discovering new creatures, experiencing glorious sunsets and picking beautifully fragrant flowers. She also reported on
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