BREAKING NEWS (Wednesday, October 29, 1933)--Yesterday, one of the Jefferson Davis County School buses broke down when it hit a colossal ditch on County Road 336. The bus was driven by the seasoned Mr. Allen Grimes and encountered the ditch, while bringing children home from school. The ditch is assumed to be a result of the ceaseless rain we have been experiencing in the area over the last several weeks; however, the event remains somewhat mysterious as this has been the first
incident of its kind. Observers claim that there must have been some preliminary erosion to cause such extensive damage to the road and consequently the school bus. The washout created a deep gully that brought Mr. Grimes' bus to a destructive halt, resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle. Fortunately, no students were hurt in this unexpected accident. According to onlookers, the the left front wheel became stuck in the rain-eroded ditch, while the right became stuck in the gully. As a result, the bus was unable to move from its lopsided position, leaving students to exit out the emergency door. The damage as reported by Mr. Grimes is "a broken axle here an' a water-logged engine no doubt and no tellin' what-all else" (Taylor 55).
Not only did the ditch cause problems for the school bus, but the innocent students who were riding it were forced to walk home in the pouring rain. Many students, attempting to cross the infamous ditch, fell into it, muddying their clothes and making their journey home all the more miserable. Student Miss Lillian Jean is reported saying, "I just cannot believe this happened to us! That the rain would be so bad that we would have to walk home in it. Not only that, but that hole was so deep I had mud all over my dress. My dad sure is going to be mad about this!" While she has a point, there is not much anybody can do about the situation. The men of Jefferson County, many fathers of the students, rallied together to get the bus out. They had a hard time of it, however, as the rain continued to make the problem worse. It is reported, though, that the bus will soon be on its way to Strawberry to be fixed.
Parents, you can expect no bus service for the next two weeks while the bus undergoes necessary repairs. If you cannot provide transportation for your own students, please make sure they do not walk to school unaccompanied. Students should be appropriately clothed to protect them from the rain or other elements. If possible, please make arrangements for your child to travel with someone else. We apologize for this unfortunate inconvenience and will keep you updated with the details.
Sources:
Taylor, Mildred. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry. New York: Puffin Books, 1991.
"School Bus History in Photos." School Bus Driver. 22 Mar. 2009. 18 Apr. 2009 .
