The Bussey Library received a new donation Thursday. The family of John Hooten donated the old Bussey elementary school bell for the library to put on display in the library. 

John’s Grandaughter, Becky Stilwell, tells KNIA/KLRS about the bell.

“It’s been in storage for a while, never left the family of course, since its existence, and our family would like to put it in the library so everyone can enjoy it; that’s why we are excited today, it has come home, and anyone that wants to stop by the library during their open hours and see the writeup about it and the history of it, this is a really exciting time for us that its back in our community.”

Hooten is a former custodian at the Bussey school from 1921 until 1951. He was in charge of maintenance and part of his job responsibilities was ringing the school bell. The family has decided it’s time to share the bell with the library and the community.