The colored American., 1900-09-15
Negro Boys Junior Republic.
(Continued from first page }

those call he ts always ready to re
snond. 1t was in his study Of the sub
isct Of the university extension that his
nrasent project began to take shape.
9e saw hundreds of colored boys,
gto 19 years of age, in the streets OF
Washington. They were idle, unem
Moved, likely to become criminals.
Whist could Howard Univ ersity do for
tbsmo The trustees saw no way in
which they could reach the difficulty.
Meantime Mr. Hart, whose anxiety was
urgent. laid the subject before the board
OF children's guardians, especially be
fore the superintendent of tharities of
the District of Columbia Offering bis
farm snd his services to them, as they
had been offered to the university.
Here be was successful"
Mr.. Hsrt's farm is down on the
Msr,lsnd shore Of the Potomac,
some Il LniIes below Washington City.
Side by side with this farm is one
owned by William VI. Evarts, to whom
Mr.. Hart was three years private secre'
tsry OF this second farm, making in
all a tract of land extending mile up
and down the river and a mile and a
half into the state of NJ Maryland. Mr..
Hart secured from Mr.. Evarts a gratul-
tOus grant 81 long as used for the pur-
pose then contempt plated. There were
but two dwellings on the place; one
which had been used by the farmer
and the other an elegant cabin used by
Mr.. Evarts and household for summer
outings. In this latter the school was
opened in 1897. Mr. Hart has solicited
money enough since to erect wooden
structure, two stori.s high, which 1s
used for chool room and sleeping room.
Mr.. Hart has great fondness for horses
sud cattle, Of which he has several
notable representatives on the farm
Tho pupils are superintendent by Robert
j. Evans, a graduate of Hampton In"
stitute, who has four or more assis-
tants. Among the pupils is Korean;
aso Porto Rican, who followed the
United States troops home from that
island to Cleveland, Ohio. and there
met President Rankin There are now
42 boys on the farm. All Of them are
happy, healthy, and we'll, and easily
9 verned. Indeed, the personality Of
Mr. Hart seems to act as restraining
4 influence. TO show this, last Christmas,
n y1
spent in Washington, the understand
/ ing being that they should report at
4 the steamboat dock at given hour. AT
s the time specified all were there. =
For SlS5 per year, which is appropri
4 ated by Congress, Mr.. Hart boards and
. clothes them and gives item instruc-
+ lions in agriculture, blacksmith1pg and
n wheeIwrightiug. This is less than it
{ costs to care for the inmates OF the re
81 form school Hundreds of thousands OF
dollars are contributed by the bepevo
lent for other branches Of education and
& sociological work. Here is branch
81 that combines both. 1t prevents crlml-
8 nality: it cures it. 1t is well worth solid
= encouragement, Mr.. Hart needs gifts OF
& money, clothing, books. new buildings
4 and cheering word from all GODS
81 people who are anxious to hear the
word, "Inasmuch as we did unto the
least Of one of these ye did unto me. !"
Mr.. II B. Mcfarland, one OF the com
mEsloners of the District OF Column bia,
81 who takes great interest IN the enter
prise, said of the Hart farm school:
The boys live in an unpretentlous
frame building Of ger erous proportions,
Il 60 feeting by about so feet wide, and
two stories high The fret floor con
t8iuS the school room large, comfort
able ard honey apart ment- a dining
loom, pantry snd two large bed rooms
one OF them used as hospital Tor
tie sick, but as 1t seldom has an oc'
cupart, sickness being almost I'M
Known, 1t is crdinsrily used as a bed
loom, The second floor. which is light
and AIRY, is filed with iron beds and
c}ts, one for each boy, and each Kept
'crupulously neat and clean. A huge
stove nsed for burning wood heats