GENTRY -- The school district in Gentry is looking for the rightful owner of a Bible found inside the walls of the old intermediate school building (formerly the high school), which was demolished in the summer of 2017 to make room for the new classroom facility now located on the school campus.
The Bible -- a self-pronouncing (meaning proper names were divided by syllable and included vowel symbols and accent marks to show how they should be pronounced) Authorized King James Version -- was presented to Ana Blake from Miss Gibson on Christmas 1946.
Who are or were Ana Blake and Miss Gibson? Could it be that Ana Blake was a student? Miss Gibson? Was she a teacher, Sunday school teacher, family member, or friend?
One must remember that before the 1963 Supreme Court decision, Abington School District v. Schempp, reading and instruction from the Bible in public schools was common. The Bible was used as a reading or history textbook in some classrooms.
How did this Bible end up inside a wall? Was it accidentally left behind? Was it intentionally hidden in the wall and later closed inside? Was it placed there as a prank? Is this some boyish activity to which a now senior citizen might need to 'fess up?
If anyone knows Ana Blake, her family members or descendants, or can explain how this Bible ended up in the wall of the old intermediate school building, the Eagle Observer and the school district would love to know. The goal, of course, is to have the Bible returned to its rightful owners.
Any information to that end may be emailed to [email protected].
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
This old Bible was found inside the wall of the old intermediate school, which was demolished in 2017. According to its presentation page, it was given to Ana Blake on Christmas 1946 by Miss Gibson. If anyone knows the rightful owner or how it ended up inside the wall, the Eagle Observer and the Gentry School District would like to know.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
This old Bible was found inside the wall of the old intermediate school, which was demolished in 2017. It is a self-pronouncing edition of the King James Version of the Bible.