Professor Samuel Vaster, Educator & Principal, Vaster School, Moscow, Lincoln County, Arkansas

Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Sr. left and Mr. Samuel Vaster, right

By Gladys Turner Finney

Since 2002 I had hoped to obtain enough documented material to write an article
on the esteemed Principal of Vaster School, Professor Samuel Vaster, without
success. Each time I visited my Aunt Earnestine Bluford Johnson who lived on
Bitely Road at Moscow, across from the crumbling school, and whose children
had attended Vaster, the urgency was rekindled.

Professor Vaster was a respected teacher of African-Americans growing up
in the vicinity of Tamo and Moscow.  My earliest recollection of him is
before school age when I walked one day with my maternal aunts Earnestine
and Savannah Bluford and their brother Jerry Bluford to school. It was a long
trek from my maternal grandparents' country farm home. That particular day the
older kids at recess were playing "pop whip" which did not hold and a number of
the students collided with me who was on the side line. I remember Professor
Vaster disciplining them.  My mom always said the school was five miles distance
as she had walked it as a child.

I recalled that every obituary or funeral program mentioned Professor Vaster
including my parents. And so did just about everyone who died from the two
communities of Tamo and Moscow who had attended school under him.

I do not know the chronology of Vaster School. I believe its precursor may have
been Union School where I started first grade in 1941.

The school which became known as Vaster High School during racial segregation
was built on Bitely Road at Moscow and had its demise after the desegregation of
public schools in Arkansas stood there exposed to the elements and crumbling.
The cornerstone and name were gone. The Jefferson County School District said
it did not know what became of the records. Others surmised that the last principal
Professor Peter Daniels may have known. I was never able to access Professor
Daniels prior to his death.

Professor Vaster and the dedicated teachers of Vaster School should not be lost
to history. Thus, it is my intent to preserve the oral history information I have
obtained through interviews and other research.

Telephone Interview: Dr. Charles O. Davidson, December 30, 2017.
Dr. Davidson was at Vaster High School, 1955-56; 156-57 School Years.

Dr. Davidson graduated from AM&N College (now the University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff) After Professor Vaster retired, Davidson became
Assistant Vice-Principal to the new Principal, Professor Peter Daniels
School Superintendent was Mr. Dial.

Primary Grade Teachers:
Miss Mamie Johnson, Miss Johnnie Johnson (sisters)
Mrs. Dorothy Jeters
Miss Evangeline Crawford, 4th & 5th Grades
Mrs. Ruby Daniels (wife of Principal)
Miss Rennie Bea, 1st Grade
Dorothy Kelley, 2nd Grade

High School Teachers
Mrs. Carrie Gilbert. English
Mrs. Marinda Henderson Buckner, 58-59; 59-60, English
Mr. Charles O. Davidson, Mathematics & Science, Boys Coach
Orange Freeman, Coach
Professor Peter Daniels, Mathematics & Science
DeArthur Grice, Assistant Principal

Bus Drivers
Roy Collins, Jr.
Otto Hall
Rev. Willie Nolton
Stanley Scott

Dietitian & Food Service, Ms. Mary Brown
Lunch Program started?
1956 Gymnasium was built

School operated on a split session, Summer Session
& October to April Session.

Source: Charles O. Davidson, 12/30/17
              James Dade, 5/22/20

Professor Vaster Masonic & Community Affiliation
"Republican Mass Meeting"
Negro Republicans endorsed R.M. Galbraith for appointment as postmaster
of the Pine Bluff Post Office.
Samuel Vaster, Secretary of meeting.
Daily Graphic, Pine Bluff, April 3, 1921.

"Leading and distinguished masons 50th Anniversary"
50 years ago the first grand lodge of Colored Masons in the state of Arkansas
was organized in the city of Little Rock. Fourth Grand Master M.A. Clark is the only
still donating his time. He is in attendance. John H. Johnson was the second. Professor
Joseph Corbin was the third grand master, 23,000 members. Owns 200,000 real estate
in Little Rock. Samuel Vaster of Moscow in attendance.
Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, 11 August 1922, p.6.

"650 Visitors Will Be in City of Ceremonies"
Samuel Vaster of Moscow in attendance.
Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, August 6, 1922, p.7.

Negro Republicans Endorse Captain R.M. Galbraith for city appointment as postmaster of Pine Bluff Post Office. The mass meeting was held at the Miller Theater Building on State Street. Rev. A.W. Winston in attendance. H.M. Thomas, Chairman; Samuel Vaster was Secretary of Meeting Source: Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, 03 April, 1921, p. 2. -------------------------------------
World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918, Jefferson County Arkansas, 17December, 1880, Black, FHL, Roll Number 1530467 Draft Board 2