Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-01-07
Correspondence.
Dorchester Academy aud Work
MCINTOSH. GA. DEC. 26. $50

work IN dorchester academy, but many
friends have heard otherwise, Judging
from the numbsr of barrels we have re-
ceived. AT present We need money very
much, rs we have SO many to aid in pay
ing tuition.
This summer in my work found many
willing helpers, but so few who knew
about Dorchester academy in Mcintosh
Located geographically, it is in Liberty
county, thirty-one miles southwest from
Savannah. The buildings are three miles
from the railroad station.
We have seven regular school-rooms
two recitation-rooms, a sewing room and
industrial for boys. The industrial
shop was built last year, and is one of the
finest buildings on the grounds. 1t is
two and one half stories high. The lower
floor will be used by the boys and young
men, the second floor for fifth grade
schoo-room and the third floor for
storing lumber.
There are domitories for both boys and
girls. Connected with the girls dormi
tory is the teachers home, a neat build
ing, with dining room, laundry and
kitchen. In the last three mentioned the
girls are trained under an experienced
matron. Here is a very strong point in
favor of the coiored people-they are
willing to work and ready to receive ill.,
struct on.
l will describe our dining room on
Christmas eve. 1t is very large room
and will accommodate comfortably sew
enty persons. Kind friends from Ohio
sent white muslin curtains for the seven
windows. These We hung, topped them
back gracefully with cherry -colored rib
bon, aud on each curtain piuned spray
of bamboo vine. This vine is tropical ;
springing from the earth it climbs, hold
ing itself by slender tendriis, to the tops
of the tallest trees. Its leaves are a dark
glossy green, and from the stems hang
clusters of green berries. On the wall
| holly was artistiealiy fastened, and pretty
notices completed the decoration.
Near the "witching hour of mid
| night the teachers stole stealthily down
to place Their gifts at the various plates.
In the morning the room rang with cries
Of "Christmes gifts from colored stu
dents, and Merry Christmas" from
teac hers.
At O'Clock We went TO the church
which is between the two domitories,
only few rods from eth There fruit
candy and fancy goods were sold.
| 1t was Il cold day, only 81 degrees above
zero III the morning. Many people were
shivering with cold from lack OF clothing.
1t is not an uncommon sight to see md
| dle-aged men and women barefoot in the
roads on cold frosty mornings.
| After the people had bought some
things, Christmas programme was rem
dered, principally by the primary chill
dren. They did their parts we'll, and
showed more especially their desire to
please The teacher, who is a Maine young
lady.
After many pretty songs, the entertain
ment was concluded by distribution OF
gifts, consisting of bundles of clothing, 10
which the children have been previoL sly
! fitted, from barrels sent from northern
friends. Next week our school will be
| better clothed.
| Then it was announced That the Oiym-
plan games would occur. These were both
exciting and interesting. The victors
were crowned wit h artistic wreaths made
from holly leaves.
| A few more words about our buildings
| The boys dormitory consists OF six
rooms, two on the ground floor and four
in the second story. They have no place
to sit except in the halls, which are very
cold and narrow. At present they have
no chimney, and they are suffering much
from cold.
| In addition to this there is a log cabin
which would accommodate four boys
comfortably, but is made to accommodate
five or six uncomfortably. l think some
generous friend may see a need here.
We are quite we'll supplied with
teachers; our faculty numbers eleven
We could, however, find work for at least
two more. Being SO much dependent on
teachers for social and intellectual enter.
tainment makes it hard.
We are sadly in need of good books fol-
our circulating library. This is open
every Friday evening. The books are
|
students. A reading-room is being fitted
up for the girls. We receive many papers
| for this, but no books.
We have enrolled about 400 pupils
They come from many counties. Some
board among families near, paying q
small sum of money, and working. In
the fifth and sixth grades there are three
boys who walk eight miles to and from
school, or sixteen miles a day. They are
bright fine boys, and l wish they might
be in the hall.
Last year in the fourth grade there was
a little girl of twelve years who walked
| five miles a day for 120 days, not missing
or being late. In the eight months she
walked over 900 miles. The last two
weeks she had measles and was obliged tc
| remain at home I wonder how many