The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-25

those prepared at the most noted schools Of the
country.
The teachers did not w. at development. but
at training. The pupils we're not expected to dis.
cover facts, but to apply the facts already
! found. Their scholarship not broad, but it
was accurate. The men produced by tins system
were not liberal minded, weil-rounded specimens
! but they were intense and strong. They did not
! always all sides of a question, but they
! stoutly maintained their position. They Were
| thoroughly in earnest and impressed their opin-
/ ion on others.
Some special notice of the leading schools in
| three counties, which were in the very centre
of Presbyterian strength, and which were adioin-
ing them, viii not be out of place.
| Doctor David Caldwells school was probably
most widely known. 1t located on the
teachers farm in that part of Guilford which
was cut off from Rowan. 1t was begun shortly
! after the teacher moved to North Carolina and
was continued until old age forbade. The eN-
ercises interrupted several times, however,
by the British and Tories 10 whom Dr. Cald-
well was obnoXion on accountof his bold stand
for the American cause.
pr Caldwell was Presbyterian by birth, but
came to North Carolina to preach to congTega-
| lions largely composed of those whom he had
known in early life. On this account his politi-
cal influence was considerable. and he served
! as member to both the Halifax ard the Hills
boro Conventions, besides often making speeches
at rallies and musters. In addition 10 his Other
, occupations he licensed physician;
TIL eaverage attendance at this school was
more than fifty and large percentage of his pu-
pills have become distinguished. Five OF his
scholars became Governors OF States, a number
were promoted to the bench, large number,
supposed about fifty, became ministers OF the
gospel; a large number We're physicians and
1awy ers many received their entire classical ed
ucation from him and the ministers OF the Cos
pei in addition, their theological educauoh' 80
that fer a time his log cabin served for many
years to North Carolina as an academy college
ard theological seminary. ID
His method of discipline was peculiar Tor the
dav from the fact that he so rarely used the rod.
Solomons injunction was construed literally in
those days and moral suasion was chiefly ns,i
after good hickory switches had prera""I rr
way ''Dominie'i Caldwell used this lGr Ger means
but seldom. His presence was commanding and
his sarcasm was feared more than the thra'hings
Of others.
His charges for tuition were lov ranging fItm
SO to $12 per annum. and the prices paid 10,
board were in proportion But even this small
tuition fee was often RENTED in cases where
. the pupil was poor and studious. \ calculation
will show that the teacher could levrr bee, me
rich us the receipts rarely reached 50 70 in any
year. While many of the students here entered
the University, the great majority ended t'eir
school life under Dr. Caldwell.
Clos Nursery had another strong man for a
head\ The career of Rev. JAS. Hall, he hight
ing parson'' of lredell, is something IN qc in
American history. He is believed to ne The ., y
minister who combined the two somewnlt dis
similar offices of chaplain and captain. IL" also
refused the commission of brigadier -r'itr&i
when Gen. W. l.. Davidson was slain lake tGs
Caldwell and McCorkle, DR.. Hall was t.EliVe Of
The school was established about she YEAR l11S
ON Snow Creek in Bethany congregation. lredell
county Dr. Hall did little more than supervise
it, as most of his time not given - Bethany
Church was devoted to missionary Work a the
southwest The house was built of logs nd the
prices of tuition slightly higher than at
some other schools.
While at Princeton Mr.. Hall was noted fcr ms
Proficiency in mathematics and such science as
was then taught Feeling the need IF proper
scientific institution, he purchased some phlloso-
phica and chemical apparatus and orened an
s'ACademy of the Sciences at his own house
This was the first attempt to give science place
in The curriculum and up to the establishment
OF the University was the only scientific school
nj the State The students of the other schools
j. e., Clos Nursery received supplementary in
struction from Dir. Hall.
After about ten years service the Clos Nur-
serv building was burned, but a larger one was
erected in its stead. The fanciful name was
dropped but the school was continued, under
charge of one or another of DR.. Halls numer-
Gus nephews UP to about 1850. Nowhere IN
western North Carolinn a school maintained
long.
To supply the lack of proper text books, which
was quite an obstacle in the way of successful
teaching DIR. Hall wrote elementary treatise
on English grammar. He and President Joseph
Caldwell are the first North Carolina authors
of text books.
Though this school did less collegiate work
than some Others many ministers received their
entire training here. About twenty OF DR.. Hail
pupils studied theology. Among them was
Moses Waddell, South Cardinals most famous