The age-herald., 1898-08-21
THE INDUSTRIAL
 SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Three years ago sleepy old Montevallo. nestling among the picturesque mountains, was a place scarcely known beyond the borders of Shelby county Fifty years ago it had been the home of the State univer- sty, and this fact had left it still fitted as place to build an educational institu- tion, and when the agitation of Girls Industrial School was begun, some of the citzens awoke from their Rip Van Wrinkle slumber and went to work to secure the institution They made an attempt and won the battle. The rest is known.
 Today there stands in that now busy and bustling little city an institution which has attracted the attention of all Alabama, as well as her sister states. It's fame has gone abroad. It's pupils are making it's rep utation.
 The second annual catalogue of the Girls Industrial School of Alabama was issued August 1st. 1t tells of the most remarkable school that Alabama has ever known. The first session opened two years ago with an enrolment of 145 pupils and closed with 226. The second session just closed showed an enrolment of 36S@he largest of any state school Of this number, only 39 were local pupils, showing attedance of 329 from the fifty counties of the state that were represented. The school has received an appropriation of $15.o0o year. most of which has been put in permanent improve ments the grounds
 The law makes provision that each coun- ty in the state may be represented in the school Applicants for scholarships are made tate of $S7 for the entire sessions expenses. This covers board, ituition, laun- dry, lights, fuel and the free use of all the -f 11s,a at+ttV n where can there be found a handsomer or happier set of girls than in Montevallo. There you find the daughters of merchants farmers judges, lawyers, bankers, ministers physicians, and. in fact, every class of Ala bamas citizens. The poor seem not to be known from the rich in this democratic institution. All fare alike, all dress alike, and all are alike-pretty, contented and happy.
 This is a splendid testimonial of the wis., dom ofHhe board of trustees in the selection of a president. in the person of Captain H. c. Reynolds He says he is determined that Alabama shall have a school for the train- ing and education of her girls that will give greater benefits for less cost than any school in the south
 The president has already applications from over forty counties for scholarships for the approaching session. Anticipating
 
 tory of the school, preparations are being accordingly made. Sixteen new pianos are being arranged for and new sewing ma chimes will be added. A kiln for fine china in the art department will be put in oper- ation. A finishing or artistic department will be added to the dressmaking. A first class milliner from Baltimore has been se-
 cured. Additional teachers in the literary departments have been provided for. More room in the town for the accommodation of pupils is being made. Water works for the school and pure water from one of the gushing mountain springs will be pumped on the grounds. President Reynolds whole soul Is in the work of perfecting this college for the betterment of the state 8 daughters.
 The members of the faculty are spending
 the summer in the study of their different departments Mrs. Nelson of the dress making department goes to New York to
 remain until the 1st of October, studying the new styles for the coming season
 Mrs Rabb, the presiding teacher. is spend- ing the summer at the educational assem- plies in the north. Miss McCombs of the art department is in New York studying in the best galleries. Miss Crumpton. the yo- calist, is also in New York.
 The graduates of the school readily se- cure good positions. The school of type writing and stenography and telegraphy have furnished several experts. The art department has furnished teachers. HaX- ing visited the school when 1t was in op- eration I am convinced that 1t is the place for our girls desiring more than literary education. The four words in the ocrner of the catalogue express the sum total of what is being done-"Education for real life" Here at this school the education of the mind and hand is conducted together.
 Many whose talents do not lie in the lit- erary department find themselves skilled in the use of the needle the artists brush, the artistic skill of the millinery, the man. ipulation of the telegraph key, the use of the typewriter, the soft touch of the musi- elan and last. but greatest as the lamented Rufus Sanders would say, '"To us men folks, the fixin' of the vittels."
 It is a great school, and is growing great er President Reynolds should count him. self a happy man that he has been able to contribute his ability and wisdom to the upbuilding of what promises to be the greatest institution in the land. The Ala bama Industrial School for White Girls will one day be the model for schools in the other states and will be >the jewel in the crown of Alabama's educational insti- tutionS.