Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-25
From North Carolina to Taxas.

IOlH NOItu NuTOllud 10 / uNuS.
Mr.. EDITOR: On the 4th of August
went on board of the excursion train at
Charlotte en- route TO Atlanta, Ga. The
cxcursionists were orderly, no drunken
ness, no swearing, no smoking in the
cars in the presence of ladies. We were
provided with ten coaches, nine of which
were for the colorcd and one for the
whites You see we had plenty of room.
The mountain scene stretching along the
Air Line is sublime. As one passed in
sight of these mountains the thought of
the historic deeds of valor that had been
commemorated burst upon his mind; that
many brave and good men of revolution
airy days had dared and even died with
no monument erected to their memories
save these pillars of natural structure.
We reached Atlanta, the "Gatc City,"
at 8 p. M. This city is noted for her
commercial intercourse, railroad connec-
ton, her great and increasing population.
| stopped here nearly three weeks and
had an opportunity of gaining some in
formation concerning the colorcd people.
The colored people, as you know, pos
sess considerable property in Georgia.
They are industrious and economical:
proud of their sons and daughters, while
they spare no means to have them edu-
Gated. They are in splendid condition
in Atlanta, own handsome residences and
other property. Atlanta can boast of
| twenty-one colored churches, five char
tered institutions, namely: The Atlanta
University, Clark University, Spellman
Seminary Qor young ladies, sos were en-
rolled during last session., Atlanta Bap-
fist Theological Institute, and also the
Morris Brown Institute of the A. E. NJ.
church. The city provides good graded
! schools for them. met several of the
teachers among whom were Prof. l.. NJ.
Kershaw and Carter Wilson and their
efficient associate teachers, Miss Georgia
Mitchell, Miss Baker, Miss Rosa More
head, Miss Pope and Mrs. Turner and
several others. Among other refined
ladies met Miss Celia White, Miss
Baxter, Of Jacksonville, Fla, the two
Misses Hall and also Miss Miller, MIR.
and Mrs. Ryan to whom am indebted
for many Inequalities; also met Profs.
Wright and Walker, of Augusta
Atlanta IS called the centre of cduca
ton for the South. In four of the col
leges (colored) were enrolled during the
last session 1 1907 students of all grades.
All Of these institutions have industrial
departments connected with them. The
industrial department of the Atlanta
University has an engine of fifteen horse
power. Here the young men arc taught
the useful trades; also Il domestic de-
partment where young ladies are taught
to cook, &c. The industrial department
at Clark University is doing good
work. A young colored man, Mr.. Nc.
Donald is at the head of the industrial
department there, that Is the harness
department. also attended the Teach
crs' State Institute and met many of the
leading teachers Of the State | wish
especially to mention Mr.. o. A. Combs,
the accomplished penman, and out of the
nine instructors of the institute he was
the only colored.
Sunday, August ~, left Atlanta for
Chattanooga, Tenn. In passing through
the country between these two cities one
has to pass through almost an unbroken
battle field, for here it was that the
mountain campaigns Of Georgia" were
fought. ''But turn the page, let wars
dread name be buried with his dead"
Chattanooga is city built among the
mountains, and is also noted for schools,
railroads and for her war record as the
''bone Of contention" Before reaching
this city the sun is just receding behind
the Western mountains, throwing his
golden rays upon the surrounding coun-
try, the bespaugled heavens, the golden
tint upon the trees the tinctUred noun
tain brow kissing the heavens in their
golden hue, was picturesque and sublime
The sun sets, night pens her sable cur
tains, and behind them ] rush ON TO