ted to go to school only when there were sufficient seats for them. Belonging to no school district, and with nearly two miles to walk, the chance of securing an education was very small. The course of study in the old school was very comprehensive, it embraced every subject from the Alphabet to the Sixth Reader. All the teachers were exceptionally well equipped for their work and no work was too exacting in their efforts in instructing their pupils. In this one room building, during the winter months, upwards of sixty boys and girls were in attendance. The two outstanding teachers in this era were John A. Ives , who became Rev. John A . Ives and Lucy Maud Montgomery of Island fame. After "graduating" from this open country school Mr. Dystant entered Mount Allison University where he spent two years. He was ordained to the Methodist Ministry in Charlottetown in June i 8g8.... In igoj Dr. Dystant moved to Michigan .... His brother, Mr. Louis Dystant lives in Summerside , and another brother, Mr. W.C. Dystant lives in , Michigan . In 1884 Bideford School District, N 0.6 in was defined as follows: That is to say, On the north by the Middle and Schooner Creek or the farm now in the occupation of Hugh Grant . On the east by Bideford River ; on the south by James Gorman 's farm inclusive. On the west by a lot of land now owned by Robert D. Ellis near being nine chains and four yards east of the railway line, thence from this said lot of land south to James Barclay 's Mill Stream, thence west to east line of John MacDonald 's farm, thence running south the line between Lots 12 and 13, also running north, beginning at said lot of land owned by Robert D. Ellis to the Middle . Registered herein September 1,1884. A strong central Board of Education was set up in 1877. This consisted of a Superintendent of Education, the Principal of Prince of Wales College, and the Executive Council. This Board of Education made regulations for the entire Island, decided on courses of study and authorized textbooks. Ten years later a Public Schools Act was passed. The present public school system, under the direction of a Provincial Board of Education, was established. The School Visitor's report for 1914 included the following: Regretfully, the Bideford School building was destroyed by fire, December 13, 1914. 64 Roots & Branches