Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-05

LOCAL.
The Miller Manual Labor School,
4 SKETCH OF ITS ORIGIN AMI
PROGRESS.
AN INSIDE vIEW-WHAT AUGUSTA Is
DOING FOR THE sCHOOL-HoW THE
BOYS AND GIRLS LIVE-THEIR WORE
AND THEIR Playa GREAT WORK
THE LIvEsT MAN IN VIRGINIA.
&C., &C., sc.
| Reported for the Staunton INDICATOR
Having recently paid visit to this in
stitutlon, one of Virginia's greatest ben.
efactions, and been the witness of so much
that is novel and interesting, feel thai
the school, though fast making it's foot
prints on the sands of time," ought to be
better known. AS O. Virginian, wac
made to feel very proud of the school, and
L want other Virginians to know of the
great work that Is being done there and
to share IN the sentiment that has so
completely captured your correspondent.
1t is doubtful if any institution in the
State has ever advanced so rapidly on it's
great mission. The reasons for this are
evident; an ample fund was provided by
the will of Samuel Miller, the founder,
amounting to over one and quarter mil
lion OF dollars, and the management of
that large fund fell at the outset in the
hands of such judicious and practical men
as Judge John l.. Cochran Of Charlottes-
vile. and Professors Chas. S. Venable
and Francis Fl. Smith of the University
of Virglnia-the first Board of Visitors
succeeded afterwards by Judge II. Taylor
and Rev. J. T. Randolph, all of Abe
marie.
THE START.
Building was commenced in the sum-
mer of 1876, and by the fall Of 1878, it
was ready for the accommodation of 100
pupils, and by the LIST Nov. 'S4, all the
buildings we're completed, including main
building, two wings, work shops, in6rma-
ry, superintendent residence, laundry.
stables, outhouses, &c., all furnished, fit.
ted up and supplied with electric light, at
the total cost in round numbers of $780,
900.
The Board were extremely happy in
their selection June, 1878, of a Superin-
tendent, Prof. G. E. Vawter, of Emory
and Henry College, who at once com
menced with characteristic energy, tact
and rare executive ability, to organize the
school.
PROGRESS.
At the first. the school was an expert
ment and though orphans of small or no
means and the children of parents who
who we're unable 60 educate them, we're
alone offered the privileges of the institu-
t1on which are free board, tuition, clothes,
medical attendance. in word everything
that good home means, there were but
few who appreciated the boon that was
within their reach. The first year there
were only 40 or SO pupils. But one year of
Capt. Vawter's administration assisted
by Prof. J. Roy. Baylor, Jr., the first
teacher elected, opened the eyes of the AL
bemarle people, who alone under the pro-
visions of the Miller's will could partici-
pate in it's benefits. Afterwards the pupils
came pouring in until now, seven years
after the school opened, the building is
full to its utmost capacity-157 boys and
50 girls, and though only Albemarle chill
dren are admitted, about three times as
many apply as can be accommodated.
THE CORPS OF INSTRUCTORS.
AS the school filled up, additional teach
ers were elected, and there being no search
ty of money, for the income from the en-
dowment fund is about $4,000, the best
instructors were procured. give them in
the order of their appointment: R. b.
Shepherd of Fredericksburg, drawing and
music; E. G.. Taylor, Albemarle, Princl-
pal of primary department; W. H. Sea-
mon, Wheeling, WA, chemistry, W. o.
Whitescarver, Augusta, assistant teacher;
T. U. Taylor, Texas, physics and civil en-
gineering, W. B. Richards, Warren Co.,
assistant teacher; A. II. Davis, French
and English; J. W. Calhoun, Augusta
Co., assistant in intermediate department;
G.. A. Beck, AIbermarle, assistant in pri-
mary; Mrs. Isabella Coleman, Principal
of girls school; Mrs. M. E. Calhoun, Au.
gusta, teacher; Miss Pinnie Coleman,
teacher; Mrs. V. T. Means, matron. In
the workshop, T. U, Taylor is instructor
in technical drawing; q. l.. Higgins, in
iron and brass work; W. N. Fuller in
tool.room work and steam, and T. W,
Alexander of Waynesboro, in the wood
room. The farm is large and valuable
one and .cost about Sis, 900. It consists of
about 1000 acres and is in charge of Mr..
F. H. Gentry of Albemarle.
THE INCEPTION OF THE SCHEME.
The buildings are upon the land where
Mr.. Miller was born and spent his earlier
days and owned at the time of his death.
1t is not generally known that the idea of
a great industrial and educational estab-
lishment was lifelong scheme of Mr..
Miller. in bitter memory of his
with poverty, he conceived the
idea of such a school when young man,
and his brother John, who was his partner
in business until he died IN 1S41, shared
the idea with him and left him the bulk
of his property amounting to about
$4,000. With this addition to his own
means, he was then worth about 800, 900,
he rapidly and steadily accumulated and
saved, until at his death he was worth
nearly 50 100000, the bulk of which he
devised to this institution, and Samuel
Miller though dead, is to-day the Invest
man in Virginia. if doing good to humani-
ty is the measure of ones usefulness