The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-21
SHE is A NEGRESS
BUT VASSAR GRADUATES heb,
WITH ITS EYES OPEN,

Beautiful Girl Passes Through the Foul
Years. Ordeal, Hiding the Fatal Africa
Tincturs From Actual Knowledge {
Her Ciassmates-Confess 1t to tn
Faculty But They Allow Her to Grads
ate and Receive Her Diploma. Precs
dent or No Precedent-Ths Girls Loft
Pretentions to "Blue Blood"
| Poughkeepsie. n. Y, Aug. 20.-Societ
nd educational circles in this city ar
profoundly shocked by the announce
ment in local paper today that one o
| the graduating class of Vassar colleg
| this year was negro girl, who, conceal
! ing her race. entered thecollege, took tn
four years course and, finally. confessed
the truth to professor few days be
fore tine commencement.
The facts were communicated to tn
faculty, which body in secret session de
cided to allow the girl to receive her di
p;ona with her class.
Eassar is noted for its exclusiveness
and every official OF the college refuse!
to say aught regarding this girl gradu
ate. She mas been known as one Of the
most beautiful young women who evel
attended the great institution of learn
ing and even now women who receive
her into thier homes as their equal d.
not deny her beauty. At the reception
on Founders day, Philalethian day, and
the other holidays Of the college yeal
none of the fair students was moro Gag.
who attended these events.
THE BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE"
Her fellow students called her "the
those of a person Of gentle birth, and
her intelligence and ability were recog-
nized alike by her classmates and pro-
fessors. Her skin was dark but not
swarthy. Her hair was black, but
straight as an Indians, and she usually
gathered IT in a knot at tne back of her
head. Her eyes were coal black and of
piercing brilliancy. Her appearance was
such that in other environments she
might have been taken for an Indian;
indeed, not a few Of the students whis-
pered that Indian blood flowed in her
veins.
In her third year in the college il was
limited that her ancestors might have
had colored blood mixed with the New
England blue blood Of which she was
fond of talking. She would often speak
OF her brother, of whom seemed to be
proud, and once the young man came to
IL L.
iously. His skin was Of the same dusk
as his sisters.
In her senior year the statements this
beautiful dark young women made about
her relatives-their style of living, the
splendor Of her home, etc.,-prompted
her roommate, who already had her sus-
plcions aroused by gossip, TO repeat them
10 her father. wellk nown business
man.
He cansed inquiries TO be made about
the prettybrunette's family in her ma
tive town. The investigation failed TO
find the culture and wealth and family
name OF which she Boosted. The name
name was the same, but the family was
that of respecta BILE negro who owned a
small estate. The brunette beauty few
days later lost her roommate, upon the
advice of the latter's father.
GOSSIP IN THE COLLEGE.
THhis incident added TO the gossip in
the college, and few days before COM
nencement the whisperings of her cless-
mates reached the colored girls ears.
she was heartbroken to learn that her
secret was suspected, perhaps known
Going to one Of the professors she brave
y told every thing.
As a little girl she said she attracted
he attention of a woman of wealth and
position, woh saw her possibilities OF
noble womanhood. This woman took
he little colored girl into her household.
ave 10 her all the advantages of money
md refinement and as a result. she pass
j the required examinations, entered
curse OF study.
The kind-hearted professor. a woman.
wiped away the girls tears and spoke
words OF encouragement. Then she went
D President Taylor with the story and
'leaded with him not to depr.eve the
'irl OF commencement honors and a d.
iona. The faculty considered the mat
er gravely. Never had a colored girl
een student al aristocratic Vassar,
nd the professors were at loss TO forsee |
he effect upon the future If this one
here is nothing in the college rules that |
rohibits colored women from enter.
ng Vassar.
Commencement was but few days off |
nd the girl would soon be gone and for |
often. So it was decided to conceal the
acts ard allow her 20 be graduated with |
er classmates. On class day and COM |
1encament the young woman took a |
rominent part in the exercises. and Of |
il the hundrel or more girls in the class
9. none looked more attractive or ac-
ID more becomingly than this girl OF