Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-14
COLORED TEACHERS.
WHAT THE STATE WILL D0f0R THEM.
Superintendent Butcher Contracts for the
Education of Seventeen CoIored
Persons at Storer College,
Harper's Ferry.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS OF THE
RACE.

nNSIs
Hon. B. l.. Butcher, State Superin-
tendent OF Schools, returned yesterday
from b visit to Storer College, at Harper's
Ferry, and brings with him many inter-
esting facts connected with the educa.
ton, in this State, OF colored persons
destined to become teachers. The edu.
cational progress Of the colored race is
at all times an interesting study, and
West Virginia may point with pride to
the institution named, which is doing q
good work in fitting the colored brother
TO ably fill his place as an American citi-
zen. Mr.. Butcher speaks Of the College
in the highest terms OF praise. He lls-
tened to the class Rotations and OBJ.
served the methods OF tuition and was
hig My pleased with all.
The buildings and ground at Harper's
Ferry were donated for the purpose by
the genera government in 1867. Mr..
Storer, OF Boston, made starting dona-
ton and was joined by others in New
York and the New England States, who
were DESTROYS OF eleyating the educa.
tional plane Of the colored people, to
which object the College is exclusively
devoted. Since 1867, il has been stead
lily progressing and is to-day in a most
furnishing condition. At its head is
Prof. \. Is. Bracket, who is assisted by
his wife and sister and Miss Morrill,. a
lady from Maine. He has further a
corps Of three colored teachers, educated
and graduated by the college.
The institution is supported entirely
by donations, tuition being furnished
free to the colored people. A farm
which belongs to the College brings in
small revenue to exc out the donations
in the support Of the College. Rooms
are furnished free to pupils and their
only expense is their board. There is
now at the College an enrolment Of 200
and an average attendance OF $50, the
sexes being about equally represented.
Mr.. Butcher was struck with the intel
ligence ofthe students. They ranged in
age from II to % years and formed a
body OF remarkably bright young PEG.
pie. In their recitations they displayed
thorough understanding of their
studies and eyinced a great aptitude at
learning.
Since the institution was founded, it
has turned out $50 teachers, who are
now scattered over the country engaged
in educating their race. Most OF them
went South, where the field was broader
and no doubt their work and influence
will be felt. With pardonable pride,
Prof. Bracket told Mr.. Butcher OF
young colored man he bad fitted for
College and who recently graduated at
Maine University and bore oil the first
honor.
"The colored race, said Mr.. Bracket,
'is exhibiting great progress in educa.
ton, and singular thirst for knowledge
is occasionally developed among them.
Any prejudice which may have existed
is rapidly disappearing and will soon die
or be forced out"
Great improvements are now being
made to the College, the ground having
been broken on Monday for the erection
OF building which will unite the pres
ent wings. One OF these wings
has but recently been completed, and is
known as Myrtle Hall. 1t is devoted to
the females. 1t was begun by Garrett
Smith, OF New York. and when he died.
during the panic of '73, the work was
neglected for several years, but was fin
ally pushed to completion.
At the late session of the Legislature,
the importance OF educating the colored
population was fully recognized, and
provision was made in the school law
for the education OF a certain number
OF teachers annually. The State Super.
intendent OF Schools was instructed
to contract for the education OF a num-
Der of colored persons for teachers, an
nually, proportionatc with the number
OF white normal school students. II was
this business which took Mr.. Butcher to
Harper's Ferry. The number Of white
normal students is i07; the number
which bears the same proportion 10
407, that the colored population bears TO
the white population is IL. For
the education Of this number
Mr.. Butcher contracted. The price is
$3.50 per pupil, per month, which is
satisfactory; it includes tuition and the
use OF books and apparatus. How these
favored II are to be chosen from the
number of aspirants, Mr. Butcher has
not determined.
This is fine opportunity for an ar.
nual number OF colored persons 10 oh.
tain an excellent education and become
OF service to their race and the State.