One of the first concerns of the early pioneers coming into this area was for the education of their children. Mr. John W. Hodges, who arrived in Caney on April 3, 1870 became the first member of the school board. A one-room log cabin was provided by Berryman Smith. It was located on East Third Street near the present Methodist Church. The first teachers were Miss Billie Smith and Mrs. Omer M. Smith.

The furniture was 2 long wooden benches without backs, and hickory sticks were inserted for legs. A shelf was placed along one wall for pupils' books. Some of the first students who attended were James Ridgeway, Juni Ridgeway, Mary Hodges, Neil Hobert and Charles Badgley.

The first term of this school paved the way for organizing a school distsrict. There was a great deal of opposition to be met within the way of public opinion and hard times, and it was quite a bitter fight, but the pioneer fathers of Caney had a strong conviction of right and great stability of purpose.

On April 13, 1871 Mr. Nathan Bass, County Superintendent gave the order establishing Caney School District No. 34, Township 34; Range 13 and 14E. Under the direction of Dr. A.M. Taylor the citizens met April 28, 1871, in the small general store of O.M. Smith. The first District No. 34 school board was elected including Dr. A.M. Taylor, treasurer, C.H. Smith, clerk; and Sam Ridgeway, director.

On September 3, 1871 the bonds were sold to a banker at Independence for 90-cents on the dollar and construction began on the small rectangular frame building that would become known as the Little White School House. The land was donated by J. Hardin Smith on condition it should always be used for school purposes. The lumber used was transported by wagon from Chetopa, Kansas with the total building cost being $900.00. The fact that the Little White School House was at that time the only wooden frame building in Caney with a coat of white paint relates the value those fine people placed on their school building.

The Little White School House was ready for occupancy in 1872 with the first teacher being Mrs. Barrington. The sign on the front door was impressive and read:

School District #34 1871
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"

In 1885, a north wing was added to the school building making it appear "T" shaped. Miss Allie Cochrane was the next teacher followed by Miss Pettibone. S.H. Barr was also one of the early teachers.

The Little White School House served all grades until Lincoln School was built in 1891. It was then used as a grade school through 1908 when McKinley School was completed.