The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-06
MISS ABBOTT'S REMOVAL
HOW HANCOCK PROCURED HER
DISCHARGE FROM SCHOOL.
INTERVIEW WITH Mr.. T. A. GREEN
Chairman of School Board, and Mr.. Blades,
Member of the Board Facts that
Give the Public Evidence of
Hancocks Persecution,
Hancock's Persecution.

Newbern, n. c., Feb. 5.-(Special.)-
1t is red not here. The people are al
most unanimous in demanding HancOck's
removal
Mrs. Abbott read the interview print
ed in the News and Observer and
thanked the reporter for its accuracy.
The better class of negroes are against
Hancock and believe him guilty.
When the news reached here that the
Governor and Directors had not removed
Hancock, the Indignation was very
great.
have been looking up THE facts with
reference to the dismissal of Miss Ger
trude Abbott as teacher in the New
bern graded school.
HOW HANCOCK TURNED MISS
Abbott OUT.
Mr.. r. A. Green is chairman of the
public school committee for the Sth
township of Craven county which in
cl1ldes the city of Newborn. The public
school in Newhern is called the graded
school. Mr.. Green says that "some
time before January, LIST 1898, Miss Alb
bott came to him and said her uncle,
Robert Hancock. had threatened to have
her dismissed as n teacher of the graded
school, and asked me to help her to
retain her position. l told her that her
uncle had used his influence to put her
there and l did not see but what the
same influence could be used to dismiss
her. dowever, i would do what
could for her, and further told her that
/ would try and persuade her uncle not
to take per position from her.
''0n Saturday afternoon, January L,
1898, Mr.. Hancock met me on Middle
street and asked me if l could not at
tend n meeting of the school committee
TO be held at my office at O'Clock.
immediately went TO the office with him.
and found only one other member of the
connr5ttee. W. W. Lawrence, colored
who rs secretary of the committee
whereupOn suggested that all the mem
bers of the committee be notified and a
meeting be held some time the next
week Nhereupon Mr. Hancock asked
if | could not meet that night at half
past seven. i consented. provided the
secretary wOuld notify the other two
members.
AT half past seven we met; present,
myself, Robert Hancock, w. w. Law
renee and r. w. Williamson. Mr..
{ Rhodes had not been notified on account
OF his absence from the city.
MIR. Hancock then introduced a reso-
luton with preamble-as follows, as
nearly as / can recollect, not having ac-
cess to the books:
Resolved, That ON account of econ
OmiZing and fer the purpose of running
TIE white graded school as long as pos
sible, Miss Rachel Brookfield,( principal
OF said school, is hereby instructed
from January 1st, 1898, to run said
school with four assistants until flrth-
er instructions from this committee, and
that Miss Il. G. Abbott being the only
second grade teacher in said school her
services be dispensed with for the pres
ent, and that the chairman notify Miss
Brookheld of this order ait once"
This resomtio passed and was order
ed spread upon the minutes, and in COM
pliance with the above order in the
resolution, notified Miss Brookfeld.
Miss BroOkfeld said she was very sor.
ry tIat she had to communicate this to
Miss Abbott; THAT she han been Il very
efficient teacher.
AT this time nothing wateyer was
known of the Hancock-Afbbott scandal.
Miss Abbott when she came to me did
not mention it at al.''
Mr.. Green voluntarily gave the above
facts from his own memory to show
to the public the whole facts in the
case so far as he knows
Mr.. BLADES'S STATEMENT.
1t Wy N T1s1