GRATIOT SCHOOL CLASS OF UNKNOWN EARLY YEAR

I have presented the photo THREE TIMES below. Once is a close up to make identification easier. The second is the whole photo to give the background. The final one is just a close up of the faces of the three teachers. Perhaps they taught there a number of years and may be easier to identify.

This is the first time I have ever gotten a Dogtown-related photograph from e-bay. The person who had the photo and put it up on e-bay then searched Gratiot on the internet and found my web page. He then wrote me to advise me he had put this item up for auction. I bid on it and won. The auction also included another photo which appears to be of the building of the McKinley bridge. It could be an earlier bridge.

If anyone knows any of the people in this photo, please help me with identifications.

This is the whole photo. The small plaque at the bottom of the table simple Says Gratiot No. 1. Anyone have any idea of the date of this photo? What clues would lead you to think of the year or time you suggest?

Anyone recognize any of the three teachers?

There has been considerable interest in the OBJECTS on the table in front of the students. The first boy is holding a black and white cat. The man who sold me the photo thinks the second boy has a dunce cap! What is the can or object in front of the fourth boy from the left? Does the girl next to him have a crucifix? The girl two over has yet another cat

Any other ideas?