The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-25
A REMARKABLE NEGRO
Professor John Smallwood. Claremont
VA Sketch OF His Work and
Labors--Carcer of Usefulness
Csaremont. Va, July q 1897

ia Cmrenont. Va, July 81 1897
Professor John Smallwood. a young
negro. possibly thirty-five years or age,
y oo!nG q most remarkable wo!k in the
Couil''es OF Snrry, Charles City. printe
feorge, and Isle OF Wight among no
negroes. lie came from New 1.,nrInhd
octoper 18th, 1892. ana opened the n,itcd
len ptrancc, Industrial and C0llccriate
Institute for the religious, the moral
industrial and mental education md
training Of the young Virginia and
Sout hern negro. Professor Smallwood
mas demonstrated such will powers aud
working abilities and determination
| ina has never been seen in n negro h.ra
before. possibly nowhere else In Viz
shia. lie came TO Clarcm0ni witiou:
I uoi!a! bought 4 fine farm. mos. beau
tiluiiS situated, seveuty-iivc feet sbovc
gig lsEci or the James river, and in the
ace oil the most trying ana cmb& IRA s,s,-
ing circumstances, he has cst:pbli z.h . a
Tor hlmGelf and his race :. real mona
nchi OF honor. Smailwoc,d is cool, no
l!t", easy i'll his manner, always, know
lng his place as a man Of color. He is
pfou0 OF the South and never falls 10
Sile3k OF 1t III the most eloquent and
pteaSinsS manner. lie Is 4 man tia;
MAKES friends ana ia at home anywhere
"rofeSsc. SlnallwoGd is, Il natural born
orator. and is scholar acknowledged
ne temperance, Industrial and Cole
Slaic Institute IL doing great good here
among the negroes. During the recent
annual commencement Smallwood had
some Of the best White gentlemen in The
South here 10 speak to the ncu!oes,
nose gentlemen Wc:e all iirc-lonS Dem
ocrlis ana eE-slavo owners. I'he effect
OF the speech delivered before the in..ti-
tuition by the Hon w. II. Kitchen, OF
| NQFih Carolina, is most lasting.
lic!c NE negro is taught 10 plnw, 20
COOK. 10 sew, 10 wait. ana they are also
| taught the schemes and The classics. I
am Informed that Smallwoou has 70.
i've Years run the school upon his own
PERSONAL efforts ana intelligence The
negroes are now preparing 10 assist Mr.
Smallwood in his mechanical and indus
i!ial exhibition, which will take place In
Ciarc,nont. Octobc" 26-%0th. Mr. Small
wood told your correspondent just a
Few minutes ago that the coloEcd people
would show their best sewing, horses
cattie, sheep, and farming produce at
| s!iiA exhibition. y big mass MEG ling
viii convene here mex; week, called BY
MI S1Eal!Wo0d, % further the plan of
the Agricultural and Mechanical lcXhibi.
lion. Smallwood is solving the negro
problem in most substantial way. The
whites in this section Of ;llt state know
Sma!woOd We'll: and his work has their
lessor Smalwood maintains that the
South IS the best place for the negro,
and tina. his friends are hare with his
Interest
The now hall is a plain enc upon the
college grounds 90H2O feet one way, 40x
20 feet The other, one and half stories
high
SSmaliwood's Office and the entire farm
IS kept clean, and is an honor TO Glare
mont, Suc:y county, and Virginia, as
we'll as the negro race. The Temper
aACc, Industrial. and Collegiate Institute
- only showing in small wa q little
Of the gyca wnrli hat. must be done III
Gur rural districts among the negroes.
The neg.o III these rural Districts needs
education and good leaders. II orr State
mad tive ;htr,.%nla JUnn J, Smallwoois
We would have no lynChirG.
This negro is a black NapHlaon lie is
q man that loves work agi hates la@l-
ness. Hi: farm - clcnn Of grass, ANA
his team is in iigc order. He is; an hon
Or 70 his IcdiIie, ana is doing g:ea. good
in our State and country.
observation-disclosures