The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-03


lington, save the country is more open.
The man who takes this "trip and does
not stop on the way at Blie's Creek
Academy has missed the best part OF
his visit to Harnett county To be driy-
ing somberly through this unromantic
scenery and to suddenly burst upon Il
large opening in the midst of which
stands these large, handsome and impos-
ipg buildings makes one rub his eyes
again and wonder where he is. The
buildings, grounds ana everything are
attractive One of the first things to
catch the eye is the immense alIdito-
RUM in one CORNER of the grounds and
somewhat to the rear of the main build
ings. lit is said that the acoustic prop
critics of this building are wonderful. 1t
has an easily seating capacity of two
Thousand hut that is not half enough to
accommodate the crowds which attend
the annual commencement exercises.
\ We alighted at the door of the chapel
Just as the devotional exercises of
Thanksgiving day We're being concluded,
And here, at first glance we see the
principal secret of the crowning success
of the school. The faculty make etluca-
ton of the heart co-equal with educa-
ton of the head. Am air of reverence for
things sacred pervadcs everything.
The large audience of students anu
citizens poured out and we crowded in
and found Rev j. A. Campbell, the prill-
cipal, at his desk counting over the col
lection, thanks Offering to the Orphan
age.
Mr.. Campbell appreciates the calls of
all visitors who are interested and takes
pleasure in showing Them around. THE
visitor will be interested in everything
from the primary department, principal
recitation rooms, cloak rooms, halls, etc,
on the first floor through the attractive
society halls, library and reading room
OH the second floor, to the Commercial
and Art department on the third floor.
Tho whole building is neatly painted out
side and fir;shed within III native pine
with oil. W0rkmGm are putting in sky
lights to the art room. The department
of Art and Execution is under the charge
Of Miss Zula Tomlinson. of the New
York Schol of Art. Miss Toml:nson won
first prize fer the finest piece of art at
the last State Fair.
The library contains twelve hundred
useful volumes This library has been
made the depository Of public documents
for the Third Congressional district, and
these are deposited here from time to
time and the students have access to
them A museum has also been stared.
Two well regulated debating societies
meet weekly III their halls.
A little over twelve years ago Mr..
| Campbell. them just from college, opened
a country school here hoping to be able
to teach five months The school was
a success. and grew so rapidly that the
building had to be enlarged. As the
school continued to grow other build
| ings We're added and finally the present
MAIN building was erected. Later the
large auditorium already referred to was
built
Now we see one of the finest schools
i'm the South. Tie faculty now consists
| of eleven--eight gentlemen and three
ladies of high attaimments. All the
| branches OF a high grade academy are
taught-Entslish and Mathematics. Class
les. full business course with short
hand. telegIaphy. etc. Music and Art.
The boys are under military discipline,
and their uniforms are Pretty. Last year
the enrolment was go. This year the
school has already reached those figures
and viii no doubt number 300, IN all,
before the session closes next May.
TWenty-eight counties and several States
are represented. General ]. S. Carr
will deliver the literary address at the
next commencement, May 20-24.
Pref Carlyle has bought lot and
erected a large boarding house ON it.
Many others are demonstrating their
faith in the school by investing in land
and erecting houses. The people of
Harnett county are proud of this school
and they have a right to be. 1t has
changed the darkest section of the county
! into one Of the best neighborhoods in
North Carolina. Through the influence
of this school there is NOW not a single
bar room in Harnett county. The good
it has done and will do in the future
cannot he estimated
The road from Buie's Greek to Dunn
lies a large part OF the way along Il
railroad track built out from Dunn for
hauling timber. This road, built by Mr..
Hall, has now been purchased by Mr..
John G. Angler.
Dunn is am example OF a large town
srTinging up almost in a day where
a railroad brings an undeveloped country
to market. Twelve or fourteen years ago
there was 10 such place as Dunn. 1t
was not even "a spot an the road" Now
it is one Of the lrislSest towns in the
State. Its growth now is even more
rapid than ever. Last August the first
pound of tobacco was sold in Dunn; since
then about a million pounds has been
sold This is the way they do things
in Dunn--everythin in hurry. Some
Of the people are getting rich iii a hurry
too. Some of the finest residences to be
found anywhere, costing away up IN the
thousands, are being built in this modern
| little town.
But space will not permit anything like
| justice to Dunn this time.
IL. A. CHAPPELL.