Well, Amos, my grandmotehr was born in bloody Kansas, and would have been 10 years old at this time, but by then she was in Colorado.

Urban legend or no, my father has an 8th grade education and I would put him up against any college grad, today, and bet he'd come out ahead. Entertainment when he was growing up, was sitting at the table, with his parents, in the evenings, eating popcorn and apples, while reading the classics by oil lamps.

I have a book of my aunt's, the Encyclopedia of Business and Social Forms, from just about this time, also. I've quoted out of it in the Thought for the Day threads. Judging from the chapter subjects and breadth of knowledge displayed in it, I wouldn't doubt for a minute that the above could be a fair representation.

My own high school education was the equivalent or better than most colleges offer or expect of kids today.

My two cents,

kat