Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-17
ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC Institute for Girls at Monte vaIlo.
 SYNOPSIS OF THE WORK Done the First Session. 0penedwth Six Weeks
 Notice with One Hundred Pupils
 Two Hundred More Enrolled.

John w Mcqueen will be read with in- terest by every one interested in school work:
 Montevallo. Ala, March 8, 1897. Hon. John Mcqueen, Birmingham, Ala.
 My Dean Sir:-As we have entered upon the second term of our school, Lhe first ending the 22d of January, and knowing your great interest in the same, 1t occurs to me that 1t would not be amiss for me to write, giving you sy- nopsis of lhe work being done.
 In1he first place, I will remind you of the fact that we opened the school with only six weeks notice, with nearly 150 pupils, from various portions of the state. Since then the school has continued to grow in popular favor. until we have en- rolled exactly 220 pupils; and just here allow me to say that l have never yer refused an applicant, that was quahheo' place in the school.
 You will probably recollect in the 1n- struciors given me, it was expected that certain branches of the school should oe abolished as speedily as possible. In pursuance of these directions, l have as fast as I could make necessary arnange- meni.s done this, and We have the Iol- lowing departments in operation at pres ent, viz:
  Simmons. composing classes of arithme- tic, algebra, geometry and trlgenomdry. The pupils in these classes number zoo: You readily see that quite number of these pupils are in two or more Of these studies, which accounts for the barge show in this department. He is very ensrgetdc and thorough instructor, and is doing his work exceedingly well.
 The department of Enghsh ana Ills tory. presided over by Miss Annie Ken nedy, consists of three classes in history, numbering 145 and three in English, numbering 1S4 She has done excellent work, and her pupils are showing it's ef- fects.
 Next we have the department of peda- gogy and assistant in English, presided over by Miss B. M. Mnloy. This con- sists principally of normal pupils, who are progressing finely. The number Of pupils in this school is S6, which includes physical geography, theory and practice and school management; also class in United States history. Her work is quite satisfactory.
 You will no doubt recall the fact that there was no chair of languages provfd- ed for, in arranging our curriculum and as kn2wledge of LaJn is necessary for the equipment of teachers, the three above named teachers each kindly took class in this study, in addition to their ether work, for which they deserve much credf
 Our lady principal, Mrs. M. c. Babb, who presides over the study hall and directs the entipe school has the classes of orthography, writing and besides has one class in arithmetic, one in geology and one in psychology, She has shown superior teaehsr h dh9esty adh9lsty fatsbet fagb ta very
 We have four fine music teachers. Misses Addie Lee, Edna Bush, Laura Dale and Sallie Crumpton. The lasI. named lady teaches both vocal and in- strumental music. Each teacher has about thirty pupils, and they are doing most excellent work, giving perfect satisfaction.
 Then we have a dressmaking depart menc, presided over by Mrs. G. Nelson. She has 125 pupils, divided irto two classes, the plain sewing class and the advanced sewing class. They were en- gagged during the first term largely in making uniforms for the entire school. Since that time they have been doing work for the public, for which they re- ceive pay. lit has been necessary to pro- vide an assistant in this department which was filled by one of the pupils. who has shown such decided talent in this line as to cntitle hsr to The position, ard at the close of the session she is engaged to take charge of an establishment. Mrs Nelson cannot be surpassed in her line of work
 Tn typewriting and stenography we have Miss Susie Fox as teacher. She has total of "A pupils, 36 in stenogra- phy and 38 in typewriting. The work she has done so well is proving itself in the admirable manner in which her pu- pifS are mastering the profession, whose de.ails she is so competent to impart
 In the department of telegraphy, we will have Mrs. Florence Hudson, who is a frst-class operator, having done con- siderable work for the Western Union company. and whose experience of Eng lSh as well as telegraphy renders her well fitted for the situation.
 Our school of telegrap phy will when lRt tld ha ofol, bod @F n outlay on our part, owing to The great interest taken in it by Mir. R. l.. Adams. Of Gadsden, who hearing of our inten- tion to establish this branch, claimed the privilege of making the school present of the entire plant. we furnishing only the poles and digging the holes to put them in. He will place six instruments in the noom for biography; one at the postofiiee, where have son, who is an operator; the other MT. w. M. Green superintendent Southern Railway com pany, kindly allows us to place in the depot. I suppose the entire. plant would have cost us $50 or S900 as all of the instruments are of the finest make and everything will be fitted up in the best manner MT. Adams is a tive of Monte vallo. He was left early in life an or phan, and had but few advantages of education; but being one of the most energetic and industrious boys he has worked his way up in the world until he has become quite eminent in his pro- fession.
 In the department of art. Miss Ella McCombs is teacher. and has sixty pu- pills, consisting of seven classes in draw ing and painting. Her pupils ara making very gratifying showing, rapidly learn ing to do work that reflects greal. credit upon their teacher.
 You will remember the board elected a lady with fine testimonials to take charge of the scientific cooking department, but before could notify her she had accept ed a place with another institution. I was obliged to look elsewhere, and at length secured teacher in the City of Washing.on--Atss Nellie Evans-an ed ucated and refined lady, and a graduate of one of the best schools in the coun- try. She delivers lectures in this depart- ment, and then gives practical lessons in cooking. all of which are highly inter esting and eiifying. I was a loss for material to demonstrate the practical work in this line. but quite number of friends with whom I have been deal ing. kindly rendered me help by sending numerous presents with which to fft up our model kitchen and dining room