davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-05-23

-Qtero county was well represented
at tho late Worlds Fair. Agricultural
products were on exhibition from mum.
Der Of our farmers and at least four diplo-
mas awarded. Hon. J. H. Crowley had
on exhibition IS varieties of wheat, oats
and barley, and has recently received no.
tice that five awards were made him on
oats and three on wheat. Mr.. Crowley's
exhibit was in excellent shape, showing
not only the threshed grain, but speci-
mems OF each cereal in the sheaf. When
his diplomas arrive he will have them
nicely framed and displayed in connec-
tion with samples Of the grain which won
tho awards. j. G. Kain has also received
notice OF an award to him for corn. The
corn which he had on exhibition Welded
81 bushels and so pounds to the acre.
Awards were made for three varieties
bost corn raised by Emory Robb-Colo-
RADIO White, Golden Beauty and Bloody
Butcher corn. One inward was made for
Excelsior oats raised on the Steele & Ma
lone ranch at Fowler. Theremay be
others Of our farmers who have received
awards, but no notice thereof has
reached us.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-05-23

The recent debate between W. II.
Harvey, author Of "Coin's Financial
School, and Prof. J. L. Laughlin of the
University Of Chicago, has attracted the
attention Of the nation, and the result
cannot but be further accessions to the
free silver ranks. The following extract
from the running debate will show how
brilliantly Mr.. Harvey maintained his
end OF tho controversy: "The bimetal-
list" said Prof. Laughlin, "insist upon
having two bridges across the river whom
only one is necessary" "The distin-
guished professor is right" retorted Mr..
Harvey. "We have only the gold bridge
now; Grover Cleveland is guarding one
end of it, tho Rothschilds hold the other,
and the people must wade or swlm." A
storm OF applause greeted this flooring Of
the goldbug.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-05-23

--.Crowley's fine strawberries are now
in tho market regularly.
The school board Mt a recent meet.
ing engaged the same corps Of teachers
which has given such excellent satissac-
tian during the past two years.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

of trustees of public schools and pupils
of the coloIed schools of the District or
Columbia aS now exists between the Wash
ington Normal School and pupils Of the
white schools of said District"
The agreement also made II obliga-
tory upon the trustees of the Institution
for the Education of Colored Youth to
fix the salaries OF the principal teacher
and the assistant teacher, and to pay the
same and all 9th expenses of said
school, except such as were otherwise
provided for in the contract referred to,
from the Miner trust fund; also, 10 noTni-
nate the principal and the assistant teacher,
but not without right to the board or
trustees OF public schools to confirm or
reject all nominations.
The management OF this school was
vested iii joint committee OF four, COM
posed OF two members from the school COM
mittce of the institution and two memb bers
from the committee on teachers or the
board Of trustees of public schools, TO
have the same authority over the Miner
Normal School as the committee on teachers
of the board of trustees OF public schools
had over the Washington Normal School.
The acts OF this committee were at all
times to be subject to revision and ap-
proval by the board of trustees Of public
schools. The power of removal OF the
teachers was vested Jointly in the board
of trustees of public schools and the ex-
ecutive committee OF tue Institution for
the Education OF Colored Youth.
The agreement could be terminated at
the will OF either board by giving not less
than thirty days notice in writing. 1t
was terminated at the close of the school
year 1SS6-S7.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

r fND ER the direct and independent
slIperntendence of this office are
all the public schools for colored
S children in the cities or washington
aud Georgetown. Theyare embraced
by three divisions of the public schools OF
the District of Columbia-Scventh, Eighth
A, and Eighth B.
Taking the usual local meaning of the
term school, which signifies teacher
in regular charge of fifty pupils, more
or less, there are now in these divisions
231 schools. or these elementary schools,
or those embraced by the first eight grades
or years, there are ten of the highest or
eighth grade and fifty nine of the lowest
or first grade. The number of schools
OF each grade of the six intervening
grades decreases as there is advance from
the lower to the higher, in which respect
they are similar to the public schools of
the average city. In addition 10 the ele-
mentary schools, there are a high and Il
normal school and several schools for
manual training.
These schools are located in twenty-four
school buildings, of which twenty-five
are owned by the District and two are
rented. The aggregate value of the prop
erty belonging to the District represented
by the buildings and the sites on Which
they are located may be roughly estimated
at about $3.50 600
The lines of instruction and its character
are indicated by the course, OF study,
copy OF which is in your editorial hands.
The work indicated is further explained
and emphasized by the usual means OF
conference, grade meet ings, compari
SONS of work done by pupils, both in the
same school, at different stages of the
school year, and with that OF other schools
of same grade. The aim is 10 make the in
struction practical as may he possible
through direct observation OF and ac
quaintance with tine object, or when not
practicable, through the representation OF
it, and IN furtherance OF same there is re-
sort to the field and stream, to the museum,
ard TO What other available sources where
may be found material for Illustration.
The number of teachers employed in the
instruction of all character, both regular
and special, is 2S6.
In the earlier years Of these schools
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

the want OF special fitness for the posi-
tivn of teachers, was seriously felt, aud
it became a subject Of constant and seri-
Uus thought The ad vanta geS to be
gained from the employment of teachers
specially trained for the service was
practically recognized in the beginning of
the year 1876, by the establishment
of normal department in the high school
of these divisions. The pupils who were
in the third or last year of the high school
course were declared eligible to admis-
sion to that department. for the school year
ending in 1876. The course of study
prescribed and the time allowed in the
pursuit of it were the same as for the
Washington normal school The class
consisted of twelve members, ali of whom
We're graduated June 8, 1876. The seven
female graduates Of this class were ap-
pointed to teacherships in the following
school year. Two of the seven are yet
teaching in the schools.
An agreement was entered into August
16, 1877, between the District of Columbia
and the trustees of tue Institution for the
Education Of Colored; Youth, which pro-
vided that 1.-The fem ale graduates of the
Public High School for Colored Children
shall, upon the recommendation of the
principal of said high school, and the
superintendent of the colored schools, pe
entitled to admission to said normal school,
and, upon the successful completion of the
usual course, and passing the required
examination for leadership in the public
schools, shall be given the preference over
all other candidates for position of teachers
in the primary grades of the public schools
for colored children of Washington and
Georgetown and the District of Columbia y
This arrangement was not satisfactory.
Inits want Of harmony with the Washington
normal school, both with respect to the adj
mission of candidates and their status after
graduation, there was recognized suffi-
cient reason at the beginning of the school
year 1880, for the action Indicated by
the following:
THAT there be established normal
school for colored childrer> of the public
schools of the District of Columbia at the
Miner School building, Washington city,
agreeably to the provisions of contract
entered into between the District of CO.
lumbia and the trustees of the Institution
for the Education of Colored Youth, on
the 18th day OF August, 1877, and to
be known as the Miner Normal School, and
shall bear the same relation to the board
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
Briggs School.
Patterson School.

have been graduated from this special
training 364 pupils. Nearly every one
of this number has at some time during this
Observation-Disclosures schools ofthese divisions.
They are now represented in nearly every
department and grade of school work, reg
ular and special. OF the entire number of
regular teachers of primary or grammar
schools, or all schools below the high school,
they represent, in the current school year,
a little more than 80 per cent.
Since the introduction of this specially
trained teaching force the leadership has
become immensely more proficient, and
thereby the efficiency of the schools most
favorably affected.
The high school for these divisions is
situated on NJ street near New Jersey ave
nue.. 1t is a building of large and eX-
cellent proportions, and through its class
rooms, study halls, assembly hall, library
and reading-room, laboratories, armory,
and other arrangements and accommoda--
ton, is admirably adapted to the work eX-
pected from a school of this character. Its
largest enrolment of pupils, which is in the
current school year, is slightly in excess
of 600.
The number of teachers now employed
in this school is twenty-five. The most of
these teachers have had large successful
local experience, and many bring to their
work the scholarship which some OF the
best colleges and universities of the country
confer. The courses of study embrace
academic, scientific, language, technical,
and business-the fret four, after the cur
rent school year, requiring four years for
their completion, and thelastt two years.
The first graduation from the high school
was in the school year of 1676-77. The
class was composed of eleven pupils, of
whom three were boys and eight were
girls. From the first graduation to the
current school year 700 pupils have been
graduated from this school.
Instruction along the line of manual
training was introduced in the school
year 18S6-S7, and though not yet very
extensive nor varied, is very positive in
value to the colored youth directly, and
indirectly to the community. The boys
of the higher grammar grades and of the
high school receive training in wood and
metal work The girls of the seventh and
eighth grades and of the high school re-
ceive instruction in cooking. and those of
third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in
struction in sewing.
There is but one lesson per week in these
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

subjects, varying from one to two hours,
but notwithstanding the very limited time
the results are excellent, showing great
interest in and large aptitude for the work.
The number of boys who received instruc-
tion of this character last year was SOC,
and the number of girls 3, ,416.
There is no training in the schools that
offers more to the future welfare OF the
large body OF this youth. In this field is
presented, in the harvest from more ex-
tended effort, the greatest inducement.
i cannot now better set forth my views
as to its importance than by repeating the
language used in my last report:
The public school in it's purely intel
lectual work may do much, but in the aux
iliary employment OF the hand more for
the promotion of the material and moral
conditions of life. When considered with
respect to its possibilities it is difficult to
have full realization OF the value OF this
subject Though such estimate is general
in its application to all youth, it is i'm
mensely SO, under the existing conditions
of society to the colored youth. Whatever
has. either now or in the near future,
promise Of removing or materially lessenIng
enforced idleness has within 1T principle
destructive of vice and crime and generatlye
OF industry and morality. Human nature
in its tendencies is the same in all peoples,
and under the same conditions and environ
ment will exhibit like phases OF character
What is needed among this youth is the
opportunity or means for the attainment
of that environment and condition Which
will evoke the better impulses OF human
nature, from which viii be reflected the
better phases OF character. Trained in
tellect will light the way, but honorable,
constant, and profitable occupation VIII
make possible the environment, viii lay
the foundation upon which rectitude and
virtue arc erected. To what extent the
public school gives preparation and pos
sibility for honorable pursuit in life, to
that extent il contributes TO the sta
bility OF the foundation on which society
itself rests"
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

At the beginning OF the school year
1Ss7'S8 the board Of trustees of the pub
lie schools opened for these divisions
the present normal school, which is known
as the Washington Normal School OF the
Seventh and Eighth Divisions, and which
sustains To these divisions the same relation
that the Washington Normal School sus-
tains 10 the first six divisions. In requi-
sites for admission to it. course OF study
prescribed for it, and in all other essentials,
the two schooIsarealike.
From the formation OF a normal depart
ment in the high school in the school year
IS75-'76 to the current school year there
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

did not permit the opening of single
school under it until 1864. In that year
a teacher was employed at salary
of S400 per annum. In the
two years next following that of
the passage Of the act less than $500 were
received from the municipal authorities.
BY another act of Congress in June,
1864. which provided that such proper
tiuu Of all school funds raised in Wash
ingtun and Georgetown should be set apart
for colored schools as the nIImbe of colored
children between the ages of q and II
bears to the whole number OF children
in said cities, greater provision was made
The construction placed upon this act by
the municipal authUritie< was however,
adverse to the immediate avaiiment OF
funds by the board, aud required the ~
terposition of Congress in further legls-
latiUn
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

Ont 21stof May, 1862, Congress passed
an act requiring that 10 per cent. of taxes
collected from persons Of color in Washing
ton and Georgetown should be set apart
primary SCHOOLS for the education of col
ured children residing in these cities The
administration OF the trust was given TO
the board OF tT-stees of public schools. In
July of the same year it was transferred
by Congress to special board denominated
the Board of trustees of colored schools
for Washington and Georgetown" The
inadequacy of provision made by the act
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

excellent work among the adult popula-
ton, and those OF the minor, whose employ
ment prevented day attendance.
The amount expended for the support
of these schools, day and evening, during
the period OF their existence, was not less
then $3.50, 0,000-a free-will Offering from
the friends of humanity; the expenditure
OF life's forces by the missionary teacher
admits OF no estimate.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
COME FORTH CHILDREN.

Come forth on Sundays;
Come forth on Mondays;
Come forth on any day;
Children, come forth to play
Worship the G odof Naturein nyourchildhood;
Worship Him at your tasks with best en-
deavor:
Worship Him in your sports; worship Him
ever:
worship Him in the wildwood;
Worship Him amidst the flowers;
In the greenwood bowers;
Pluck the buttercups. and raise
Your voices in His pTaisel
EDWARD You'll
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

1t is seen that there have been schools
in the District for the instruction of colored
children during the last eighty-eight years.
Thistime covers two distinct general periods,
the pay and free school period. The former
embracesmore orethanahalfcentury. Though
its main work in this community has been
finished, and in part recorded, its spirit
still largely controls the present. The cour
age and success evinced by the colored popu-
lation during this period, in it's great and
persistent struggles with poverty and op-
preston, in securing for itself and posterity
the benefits of education, fully tested the
capabilities of the race both to acquire and
to control. The liGsr period, which be-
gan in 1862, is current, and, as has been
shown in the comparisons, writes progress
upon each succeeding year.
G. F. It. COOK,
Superintendent of Public Schools.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
sHAPING THE FTTURE. i.

We shape ourselves the joy-0r fear
or which the coming life is made,
And fiji our future atmosphere
With sunshine or with shade.
The tissue of the life TO be
We weave with cOiOTs all OUT own,
And in the field of destiny
We reap as we have sOwn.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

In no way, perhaps, can the work and
progress of the schools be better shown and
more accurately ascertained than through
the subsequent character and practical
usefulness of those whom they send forth
into the walks of life. But here the colored
youth is confronted with a condition which
in debarring him almost exclusively from
those pursuits in life through which afflu-
ence and progress come, seriously inter
feres with fullest development. This
condition, based upon deep-seated race
prejudice, with its base upon ignorance.
can be removed only by the CleaTest and
most convincing evidence OF its falseneSs
and injustice. Its removal can be aeCel-
Grated by the presence of opportunity to
afford the evidence, and retarded by its
absence.
There have gone forth from these schools,
upon the completion Of the courses, into
those avenues of employment in consonanCe
with their attainments and that are open to
them, hundreds, and the instances of un-
worthiness or weakness have been restricted
to units. These avenues have been almost
wholly confined to clerical positions under
the government and to the teacherships of
these schools. In these positions, both in
the test of attainments or qualifications for
them, and in the discharge of the duties re-
quired by them. they have stood side by side
with the other youth of the country.
The schools may educate and train to a
degree of competency for the discharge of
duties, eactualperformance of whichmay
be necessary to show the character and
value of the training. 1t may thus appear
that the actual work-of the schools in many
instances may never be seen in the lack of
opportunity for its manifestation.
From any we'll ll-directed and ample effort
of public instruction the masses OF a
community must be favorabIy affected,
Those of this community have not been an
exception To what extent its provision
has been sufficient to embrace, to that eX-
tent its uplifting influences have been more
or less felt. The training its public schools
Observation-Disclosures rmeatedandmostfavor
ably affected, intellectually and otherwise,
the home, the church, the social and the
beneficial organization, and the business
enterprise and pursuit.
G.. F. T. COOK.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

and for the same reason but one from that
time until 1866. In 1S6667 there were
schools. with teachers and 450 pupils
From 1S67-6S, the year in which the last
act Of Congress became fully operative,
to 1S91-92, inclusive, the number of
schools and teachers, and the whole num-
ber of pupils enrolled for the respective
years stand as follows:
The Washington times., 1895-06-19
Education in Slave Days
Hnd in Freedoms Era
MIR. c. F. T. Cook Tells the Story of How the Coored
People of Washington Struggled for the Light of
neutrality-suspicious. Before the War.


point Of stability as well as success, of
particular mentiuu: Benjamin McCoy's,
organized in 1898, and taught by him for
sixteen years; Enoch Ambush's, started
in the same year, and taught by him until
1865, almost One-third of a century. 1t
was in this period that the large and eff
cient Culored Sunday School Union had
its birth. Not even the church could
rise above the bitter feelings OF the time,
aud hence the doors which had been
formerly thrown open TO the colored child
10 receive religious instruction in common
with the white were barred against him
The earnestuess of the colored
people Of this District in their ef-
forts to secure for themselves and pos
terity the benefits of education is well
set forth in the number OF schools which the
first half century OF their school period en-
braces. Besides those already named, there
wer emany others of prominence, more or
less, among which Were those organized
and taught for respectable periods of time
by the folio wing named persons: Henry
Potter, Mr.. Shay, Mrs. Mary Wall, Mrs.
George Ford, Mr.. NuthaI, Mr.. Tabbs,
MyTtilla Miner, Mr.. Fletcher, Mrs Louisa
p. Costin, Martha Costin, Maria Becraft,
Mary WorTnley, Nancy Grant, DR.. James H.
Fleet, John I, Johnson, Charles II. Middle
ton, Margaret Thompson, Alexander Hays,
Mrs. Charlotte Gordon, Elizabeth Smith,
Joseph T. Mason, Rev. James Shorter,
Arabella Jones, Eliza A Cook, Alexander
Cornish. Richard Stokes, Thomas H. Ma
son, Mrs. Eliza j. Brooks, Rev. Chauncy
Leonard. Rev. benjamin Tanner Annie
Z. Washington, Matilda Jones, Rev. Will
liam II. Hunter. Charlotte Beams, Margaret
Hill, and Isabella Briscoe. The first eight
named were white teachers and the rest
colored.
There were also several parochial schools.
In the instruction of culored children during
that period no church stood as prominent
as the Catholic.
The Washington times., 1895-06-19

" o every intelligent man, woman and
child. white or colored, Northerncr
orSoutherner, American or European,
H. there canbe no more interesting, fasci-
mating. and even romantic story than
that which relates to the progress Of educa-
lion among the colored race in the District
Of Columbia. How wonderful this progress
has been can only be fully realized by those
who visit the schools devoted to the race,
and who meet and know the sincere, earnest
menand wcmel whoaremakingtheupii
oT their fellows the almost passionate work
OF their lives. This eventful history is here
presented from the pen Of Mr.. G. F. t.
Cook, superintendent of schools, who has
brought il up TO tie beginning Of the pres
enr school year for this souvenir edition.
The John +. Cook mentioned was the father
OF the writer. Superintendent Cookwrites
Contrary to prevalent opinion, the in
struction OF cOlored children in the cities
OF Washington and Georgetown began at
least half century prior 10 the rebellion.
In 1907, short time subsequent 10 the
erection OF the first two school houses for
the public instruction OF white children,
George Bell. Nicholas Franklin, and Moses
Liverpool, three unlettered colored men,
born and reared as slaves and who had just
emerged from slavery, erected the first
schooIhouse for colored children. 1t was
located in the southeastern section of Wash
nugon.nearthesiteon whichthc Providence
Hospital now stands. In ii they opened
school which flourished for several years
under a Mr.. Lowe. a white teacher
In that year the census of Washington
showed a white population of Al las and a
free colored OF 494 persons. 1t was, as is
well known. a criminal offeuse TO instruct
slaves. Besides the two public schools for
whites there We're at that time for the same
class several small private schools.
These facts permit one or two quite inter
esting inferences:
First. That at that time educational en-
terprise Of colored men secured, in point of
accommodation, school provisionfo the free
Col0red children of Washington nearly, if
not quite, equal to that of the white.
Second. That, in proportion to the popu-
lation the public colored-school provision OF
to-day does not embrace one child more than
did that which was created by the energies
of three illiterate representatives the race
more than four-fifths Of q century ago.
in, ton