The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-23
A FRIEND TO THE NEGRO.
MR.. PETER HowEs GENEROUS GIFT
FOR A HIGH GRADE SCHOOL.
1t Was Gratefully Accepted. the Corner
Stone VIII Be Laid Next Thursday.
and Then for the Result--speciai At
tention for the Industrial Feature.

The generous offer OF Mr. Peter Howe, the
wealthy banker Of winona, H., to the col
ored people Of Memphis has been accepted
and turned to account.
In pursuance Of an invitation from the
board Of trustees, the Legislative Council
will conduct the ceremonies of corner stone
laying at O. clock next Thursday afternoon,
the 2Sth inst
Readers OF THE ArrEAL will recall the fact
Of several meetings held by colored peo-
pie last winter to take action on the
proposition OF Mr.. Howe. II was, In brief,
to contribute So, 900 toward the erection and
maintenance OF university and industrial
training school for coorcd people After the
meeting OF interested parties, March q, last,
ut which the offer was definitely accepted
and an organization effected, nothing further
was made public. Few outside of the quiet
and patient workers knew what had been
done or was contemplated until the invi-
tation reached the council last Thursday
afternoon, through the Rev. X. N. Countee.
An APPEAL reporter met Mr., Countee in
President Hadden's Office yesterday after
noon. Mr.. Countce was exhibiting the
drawings of the proposed school building.
full and profile views, 10 Mr.. Hadden. He
fact that everything pertaining TO the
ceremonies was rclegated to him
and the council. Mr.. MADDEN was
TO preside and deliver an address, brief or
otherwise, outsiders were TO take no part,
possibly except 10 place the stone In
position. After Mr.. MADDEN had accepted
tho delicate trust for both himself and the
council, and other points were fully under
stood between him and his visitor
tho reporter sought TO learn some
thing OF the institution from Mr..
Countee, who Is prominently and earn
esily identified with the enterprise Said
Mr.. Counteo, In answer 10 leading ques-
ton:
'Mr. Howe came 10 Memphis In person
| and purchased the lot corner Wellington
and Frayser street. ON which the institute Is
located. II Is large OF fine physical appear
ancc. well suited TO the purpose, and
was purchased at a satisfactory figure.
Plans were ut once solicited. Mr.. @.
o. Burke furnished them, and the work
began. The building is now far enough nd.
vanccd 10 receive the cornerstone and after
II IL laid we will lose no time from active
construction work. The cost, complete, will
be Sii,T70. We now have something over
5000 on hand from the $40, 900 gift Of Mr..
| Howe, and will raise the balance ourselves. y
"What Is 10 be taught In the institution
Especial attention will be given the In.
dustrial feature. II Is deplorable fact
universally conceded, that there are TOO many
Of our women who cannot perform domestic
duties. They will pay 80 cents for calico
dress and give somebody $3.50 20 make II
for them. Place them In the kitchen. II
they know how 10 cook at all the probability
Is that as much -four or meal will
DO spilled rs Is put In the bread
| nan III married tho huSband's gar
ments must remain In n ragged condition be
cause Of the willing wifes' inability to re
pair them. All these and other shortcom
ings are 10 be corrected. besides giving regu
lar academic and collegiate COURSES w,
also expect TO establish sort OF suppl,
school for household assistants. For exam
pie, family desires domestic, comes 90 IA
| for her. and we eau conscientiously accom-
mediate thcm with one who will faithful,
meet every requirement."
"How many teachers will you have nns
from whence do they conner
Eight, all colorcd, aud six OF them ar
selected from our midst Mr.. Howe fur
nishes two himself, sending them from Sar
Diego. Cal. The president Mr.. J. II. Davis
q white man, also comes from San Diego
/ The board Of trustees Is composed Of som,
Of our most intelligent Daptlsts, a few o
thom being from distance
| When Mr.. Countee had gone, the rcporte
turned TO Mr.. Iladden Tor bird's-ey'
view Of what he proposed 10 say on th,
occasion. This business II altogether new
10 me, he replied, but I'll plant that sion'
In good style II they'll give me ccmen
enough. As 20 what shall say. give mo a.
easier one. | went 10 Barney Hughes thi
morning. requested his assistance aud Il {
possible he will write me asperch. But yol
| mustn't give this away"