The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-11-09
POPLARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL,

aHorutu Tue writer an opportunity
OF looking irto the educa ional in
terests of that healthy, moral, sos
cial, progressive town, and it is
with pleasure that he speaks of his
observations and of the impressions
m ade upon his mind while there.
1t is plain enough that the peo-
pie of the town are proud of their
school. "PoplarvilIe High Schoop
and this scribe joins them IN admi-
ration of that institution.
In the first place it is gratifying
to see such a practical exhibition of
the good sense and progressive
spirit of the citizens of the commu.
nifty as is found IN their school
building. Its location is an ADM.
rabIe one, the building has a hands
some exterior while the interior
reveals a number of we'll arranged
recitation rooms. The writer will
be permitted to pass one adverse
criticism on il, and that is, the au.
dience-roOm or public hall is entire.
~ out of proportion with the rest of
the building-it is too small for
any public exhibition or commence
ment exercise. 1t needs no argu-
ment to convince the public spirited
citizens of the place that suitable
hall is much needed to complete
their excellent school building.
The trustees of the school dis
played much wisdom in their selec.
ton Of a faculty. The principal
of the school, Prof. w. l. Thames,
is a christian gentleman, and im-
pressed me as a man of business
energy aud industry in the pursuit
of his profession as an educator.
Active, watchfuI and kind he moves
among the children and commands
their respect and attention. His
assistants are Prof. j. E. Abney,
Misses Mamie E. Robertson, Laura
A. Fugler, Lon Cooper and Ro-
chelle Chisholm, all of whom I saw
except one, and they impressed me
as being possessed of cheerful dis
positions, love of teaching, coupled
with determination which seemed
to say. "We mean business and aim
at success and If the Judgment of
the patrons of the school is not
at fault, the principal and assist
ants have the stamp Of success al
ready upon their work.
Everybody seemed delighted,
while the children looked and talked
as i f they would not fear a compar
ison of their school with any other
Of the same grade whether in Mis-
sissippi or in Massachusetts.
One Of the most commendable
thiDgs about it is the people are
united, and the school numbers
one hundred and sixty-three.
What other community can make
a better sho wing with a population
no larger?
All honor to the people of Pop-
larville and to the efficient faculty
for their united effort to build up
and make Poplarville High School
one of the very best in our great
State.
Once more: Now that such a
school has been located and built
up IN a section of our State, hith-
erto deprived of snch educational
advantages as the aforesaid school
affords, it therefore behooves the
people all oyer the country sur,
rounding Poplarville to avail them
selves Of such facilities for the eds
ucation of their children as will fiji
and qualify them for discharging
the duties and responsibilities of
every relation of life. Whose is wise
among them will understand.
We mist educate We must
educate Yes, We must educate
or we will fail. yea woefully fail to
discharge our duty to dependent
ones whom Cod has given us. Let
as educate our children If we have
to eat bread and wear rags, for who
wants his children to launch out in
to The world an IGNoRAMUS set
when it Is in his power to prepare
his children for intelligent circles
and for filling positions in life cred
table to them and to the positions
in society they may chance to oc'
cupy? Let the people awake up
all over the country and move along
educational lines, which will give us
citizenship of which with Gods
superior blessing we will be proud,
o. ID. BOWEN.
Ellisville, Miss. =, NOV. l, 1892.
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