Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-11-17
Letter from Yankee School Marin In Dixie
MCNErLI.s, HAMPTON Co,
- NJ, - sSl.y

MCNETLLs, HAMPTON Co,
5. G., Nov. 2, 1892
Editor american
1t is now about one month since left
the kind friends and familiar scenes of the
dear old Pine Tree State and turned my
face toward this Southland, arriving here
safely after pleasant passage uia steam
er Nacoochee, of Savannah Line, from
New York.
school-room, having changed my location
from Early Branch to this place, because
this is more centrally located, also on
higher and drier land. | am still In the
same county and but five miles from where
have been laborlng the past two years.
There are more whites here, but | find
this no special advantage for race preiu-
dice Is so strong that they not only hold
themselves aloof from Northern teachers
Of the negroes, but not infrequently are
guilty of inCivilities which are hard to
bear. A short time since | took peep
into q schoolhou>r relongng TO the whites
In this neighborhood. 1t is as desolate
looking place as you can imagine.
Grasses and weeds grow up to the very
door. 1t has two swinging Windows
but no glass /. es, though light and ven
tilation are partially provided for by the
numerous cracks in the walls which are
of but one thickness of boards. There
are no blackboards, no desks, no anything
to work with. The only seats are rough
benches. There is a school in 1t but two
or three months out of the year. turned
away from 1t with great feeling of thank
fulness that | was brought up in the North
| met at Almeda the other day New
Hampshire woman who was sighing for
the school advantages for her children
which they had left behind them in their
native State.
My school as yet numbers barely thirty
pupils but new ones will be coming in
each week till into January. BY the first
Of December there will be enough for two
schools and expect my assistant at that
time. Last week a new pupil was brought
me from Colleton-eighteen miles from
here. He is boy of fifteen and had
never been to school a day in his life
knew nothing whatever In books. H.
boards with his aunt and walks three
miles to school. We hear of many more
at distance who wish to come. The diff
ticulty is in getting suitable boarding
places Cor them. We hope during the
winter to put up boarding houses, giving
better accommodations and shall if we
can raise the necessary funds. Right here
| wish to thank those friends in Hancock
county who so kindly and generously con
warm, hearty sympathy which came with
it still cheers me.
The tuition of ten cents week for each
| pupil comes sometimes IN money, some
times in work, but in many cases in eggs,
potatoes, Iice and other merchandise.
Last week a boy brought a chicken in pay
ment, so you will see my family has in
| creased.
There is enjoyment IN this work among
this lowly but warm hearted people. They
have quaint ways and odd speech bu,
they are ready to do anything for theil
"whte teachers" About two weeks since
| received an anonymous letter, from some
low white person, threatening my life if
continued to stay here and work among
the negroes. The news of it somehow go
circulated and as soon as my Early Branch
friends heard Of it, six of the men walkeG
up here to assure me "dat ebery man won
an and child down dar" was ready to nigh
for me. had to smile at their eagerues
while l told them that thought it wouldn'
be necessary to fight" at all, and it ha
not been; my anonymous friend(Y still
conceals his identity.
Last Sunday l worshiped in a churcl
named the Jerusalem Church in a plac
called Babylon. 1 rode down there behin'
q horse named Seiah. Among other name
Of colored churches are the Pilgrim Ford
the Annalaurel, the Zion Fair, the Pin
Savannah and the Thankful Fillibranch.
We are having delightful weather witt
mild, pleasant days and cool nights
There have been two frosts up to thi
date. Large patches of cotton only par
TALLY picked and fields Of tall, thrift
looking sugar-cane are still standing. TIL
men cut down at this time what cane the
want to keep for seed. This they bury /
shallow pits in the ground, covering
with earth and keeping it there till spring
The rest remains standing in the fields TO
some weeks, then it is made into syruI
No sugar is manufactured about here.
Very truly yours,
. 81 NJ