Column appeared in the Clovis NM newspaper by local columnist Don McAlavy, date unknown. Bracketed { }content added by granddaughter, Joyce Louise McCallister
'Skoogie' Headed West Despite Parents' Fears
A young lady nicknamed "Skoogie," just out of the Columbia School of Music in Chicago, caused her parents a great deal of consternation when she announced she was coming to Clovis to teach music in the public schools. This was August 1917.
"Why Clovis?" asked her parents, who had a home in Chicago. Because, she said, "It is a chance to travel and I'd like to see the mountains, the cowboys, and the Indians."
The Columbia School of Music recommended Skoogie for a position as a public elementary and high school music teacher when she graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Skoog had only one daughter, and four sons. Her parents were not really surprised at their daughter's wanderlust. They themselves had come from Sweden at an early age and settled in Chicago. They met later and married.
Mr. Skoog was a jeweler. He knew E. P. Ripley, then president of the Santa Fe Railroad. Mr. Ripley and his son-in-law had ridden their private car on official business to Clovis and recommended Clovis as a town in which Skoogie might teach. After an exchange of letters with Clovis Superintendent Bowyer. Skoogie's mother still had qualms. When the time came for her daughter to depart on the Santa Fe train, she placed money in two small chamois bags and pinned one to Elsie's undergarments (her real name Elsie Louise) and put the other one in her suitcase – ready for an emergency if needed.
When she arrived in Clovis, Bowyer met her at the Harvey House near the depot. He had arranged for room and board for her with three other teachers at the home of Judge and Mrs. R. E. Rowells. It was so wonderful, she thought, to be nicely situated.
The school buildings in Clovis were scattered all over town. Several grades were in church buildings. To reach the south-side school (near present West Brady and what later became the Center School Road) a fence had to be crossed – a new experience for a city girl. Skoogie walked to each school observing a regular schedule. When the wind blew, the sand would sting her face as she dodged cardboard boxes and tumbleweeds.
Her teaching experiences were most rewarding. A progressive music program was set up in the elementary schools. High school choruses and glee clubs (girls and boys) were organized. Music history was taught. Operettas were performed at the high school and the Lyceum Theater.
Byrle Johnson, once a star football player who also played clarinet in the Johnson Brother Band, met Skoogie at a football game. They fell in love and were married in May of 1918.
They had three children: Dale, Doris and Joyce.
In 1948, Byrle Johnson sold his mortuary business. After a short stay in West Plains, MO , and in Pampa, TX, he and Skoogie returned to Clovis. He died of a heart attack in June of 1951. {Bryle died just days after learning that daughter Doris' husband was captured inside North Korea and declared a prisoner of war. Despite the heartache, Skoogie needed to return to work. Skoogie wrote to the repository to obtain a copy of her teaching certificate, to find out the repository had burned down. The state of NM required her to return to university to reinstate her teaching certificate. She moved into a dorm at New Mexico Highlands University and attended class for an entire school year.} Skoogie returned to teaching music at James Bickley Elementary School, which proved to be another rewarding experience. She retired in 1963, having taught music for nearly 46 years.
Her other main interest was her church. She and Byrle were charter members of the Cntral Baptist Church, which was organized in 1931. She was the first choir director and served from 1933 to 1946.
{Skoogie was known as "Nonnie" to her seven grandchildren. She loved unconditionally and went out of her way to spend time with us. While she offered sage advice, she never judged.}

Elsie is the daughter of Swedish emigrants, Charles Edward Skoog and Hilma Louise Osterberg Skoog.

Column appeared in the Clovis NM newspaper by local columnist Don McAlavy, date unknown. Bracketed { }content added by granddaughter, Joyce Louise McCallister
'Skoogie' Headed West Despite Parents' Fears
A young lady nicknamed "Skoogie," just out of the Columbia School of Music in Chicago, caused her parents a great deal of consternation when she announced she was coming to Clovis to teach music in the public schools. This was August 1917.
"Why Clovis?" asked her parents, who had a home in Chicago. Because, she said, "It is a chance to travel and I'd like to see the mountains, the cowboys, and the Indians."
The Columbia School of Music recommended Skoogie for a position as a public elementary and high school music teacher when she graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Skoog had only one daughter, and four sons. Her parents were not really surprised at their daughter's wanderlust. They themselves had come from Sweden at an early age and settled in Chicago. They met later and married.
Mr. Skoog was a jeweler. He knew E. P. Ripley, then president of the Santa Fe Railroad. Mr. Ripley and his son-in-law had ridden their private car on official business to Clovis and recommended Clovis as a town in which Skoogie might teach. After an exchange of letters with Clovis Superintendent Bowyer. Skoogie's mother still had qualms. When the time came for her daughter to depart on the Santa Fe train, she placed money in two small chamois bags and pinned one to Elsie's undergarments (her real name Elsie Louise) and put the other one in her suitcase – ready for an emergency if needed.
When she arrived in Clovis, Bowyer met her at the Harvey House near the depot. He had arranged for room and board for her with three other teachers at the home of Judge and Mrs. R. E. Rowells. It was so wonderful, she thought, to be nicely situated.
The school buildings in Clovis were scattered all over town. Several grades were in church buildings. To reach the south-side school (near present West Brady and what later became the Center School Road) a fence had to be crossed – a new experience for a city girl. Skoogie walked to each school observing a regular schedule. When the wind blew, the sand would sting her face as she dodged cardboard boxes and tumbleweeds.
Her teaching experiences were most rewarding. A progressive music program was set up in the elementary schools. High school choruses and glee clubs (girls and boys) were organized. Music history was taught. Operettas were performed at the high school and the Lyceum Theater.
Byrle Johnson, once a star football player who also played clarinet in the Johnson Brother Band, met Skoogie at a football game. They fell in love and were married in May of 1918.
They had three children: Dale, Doris and Joyce.
In 1948, Byrle Johnson sold his mortuary business. After a short stay in West Plains, MO , and in Pampa, TX, he and Skoogie returned to Clovis. He died of a heart attack in June of 1951. {Bryle died just days after learning that daughter Doris' husband was captured inside North Korea and declared a prisoner of war. Despite the heartache, Skoogie needed to return to work. Skoogie wrote to the repository to obtain a copy of her teaching certificate, to find out the repository had burned down. The state of NM required her to return to university to reinstate her teaching certificate. She moved into a dorm at New Mexico Highlands University and attended class for an entire school year.} Skoogie returned to teaching music at James Bickley Elementary School, which proved to be another rewarding experience. She retired in 1963, having taught music for nearly 46 years.
Her other main interest was her church. She and Byrle were charter members of the Cntral Baptist Church, which was organized in 1931. She was the first choir director and served from 1933 to 1946.
{Skoogie was known as "Nonnie" to her seven grandchildren. She loved unconditionally and went out of her way to spend time with us. While she offered sage advice, she never judged.}

Elsie is the daughter of Swedish emigrants, Charles Edward Skoog and Hilma Louise Osterberg Skoog.