The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-10-09
ONE RURAL 7.
NEGRO SCHOOL
That Supports Itself In the In
terror of Mississippi.
BACKwooDs NEGRO CHILDREN


Take Up the work with Eagerness STORY |
Of the Life work of 8. j. Hunter
Among the Children of the
Southern Freedmen.
Macon, Miss. Oct. 5.-The backwoods
negroes who live in the most densely
settled parts Of what is known as the
black belt Of the south are now to re-
ceive attention. A new and notable
movement has been started among them
looking toward their self-support and
self education.
Inspired by such national movements
as those of Booker T. Washington, dis
tinctive effort has arisen. Why should
the backwoods negro be compelled to
wait indefinitely for the benefits which
his more fortunate brothers are receiv-
ing in the many schools and colleges Of
the southern cities is question which,
for long time, weighed upon the mind
of 8. j. Hunter, southern negro who
has not a relative in the world and who
does not remember ever having seen
his father or mother. His reflections
upon the subject resulted in the new
movement which has already worked
wonders.
Amid the beautiful magnolias, the
|,southern pines and the cotton fields
within the next few weeks. as q result
of this new movement, 1000 negroes will
gather at harvest home convention,
bringing their mite from their harvests
to contribute to their own cause. 1t
will be great gathering. Prominent
4 people from distances are expected to
address them, among whom will be
Mayor Sam Jones of Toledo.
Among those interested In the new
movement is the old colored senator, II.
r. Revells who introduced the first bill
in congress which provided for the edu-
cation of the southern negro. He filled
the place Of JEFF Davis when Davis re-
signed to take charge of the confeder.
acy. Revells tells an interesting story
of how he was afraid to present his edu-
cational bill until he had counseled his
friend Charles Sumner. Sumner said
by all means to present 1t, and he did so.
BY the way Revells is now a presiding
elder of the Methodist church and re-
sides at Holly Springs, Miss. He is still
one of the ablest benefactors Of vthe
southern negro, although he Is getting
very old. Revells has never been recog-
nized as he should have been for the
great work he did in the reconstruction
of the south.
HOMES ARE HUMBLE.
The condition Of the backwoods negro
can In no way be better set forth than
by description of typical home in
rural Mississippi. IT entered q cabin
one day." says my informant, "in the
vicinity Of Macon and observed the con-
ditions from which the backwoods
negro must rise. 1t was one home OF
thousands. The low-roofed house con-
tained but a single room, dimensions
8 by u. In the north end was chimney
made of sticks and mud. The sticks
had at some time caught fire and hole
had thus been made through which
smoke poured into the mothers face as
she cooked the food. The Incidence of
the father had resulted in this hole re-
naming open winter and summer. Eight
persons occupied one room, the family
consisting Of father, mother, two sons,
two young women and two small chill
dren. There were also two cats and two
dogs lying about on the floor. In the one
room the family both cooked and slept.
and the dogs helped themselves when
the mothers back was turned. tits not
an uncommon sight to see a snake ly-
ing upon a rafter while the family slum
bers below" Such Is the condition of
the backwoods negro Of the black belt
of Mississippi, and when 1t Is consider
ed that about S5 per cent. of the negroes
OF the south are residents Of the back
n, - At
ment is evidenced.
The state of Mississippi has q colored
population of 100000, thus being second
to Georgia. which has 900. 900 negroes. II
IL claimed that $4,000 negroes over 10
years of age in mississippi can neither
read nor write. The rural negroes live
from hand to mouth. The soil coulu he
) made productive. but the natives have
to be taught how to work It,. Mort
cages are thickly plastered over nearly
all the property they possess.
The franchise law In Mississippi shows
shrewdness and statesmanehip 1t
makes no distinction because of color,
but, nevertheless. requires the voter Ia
be resident of the state for more than
two years. to be 81 years of age. to, pay
all taxes assessed against HIM and to
be able to interpret the constitution as
read to him. 1t is the laEt tlause that
most effectually keeps the colored man
from the polls. Besides taxes on prop
erty every one must pay O poll tax Of 81.
The bhilding shown In the accompany
ing illustration, surrounded by woods
and cotton fields. is situated eight miles
from Macon. In slavery days 1t was
used as a meeting house. Circuit riders
preached to the colored audiences, which
were allowed to meet hero o." the Sah-
bath. When the war broke out the
services were discontinued, except as
slaves gathered thee at night to pray.
Since the war the old meeting house
was unoccupied until the new move
ment for the backwoods negro was in