The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-17
.RUM0R CAUSED
A SENSATION
Declared Prof. Knight Refused
to Allow Colored Boy
TO GRADUATE WITH CLASS
SAID He Had Become Preju-
diced While in Missouri
PROF. DUNKIN EXPLAINS
Boy Just Failed to Pass Re-
qnired Examination.
TO GRADUATE WITH CLASS
PROF. DUNKIN EXPLAINS

a report that Superintendent Of Public
Instruction Knight in this city had re-
fused to allow a colored boy to graduate
from the High school in this city because
Of his color set many mouths to going
and many heads TO wagging with direful
forebodings yesterday The rumor fur
Their carried on its winged fight the story
TO the effect that superintendent knight
had consented to give the young man.
whose name was Richard Walker. his di-
ploma, but that he absolutely refused 10
10 allow him to graduate with his class,
in which it was declared that he had
taken the highest honors. AS cause Of
this rumored outrageous action Of the
superintendent, it was said that has hav-
ing so recently come from Kansas city,
Mo. where a distinction is made, had
prejudiced him. The boy was an excep-
tionalIy good one, trusted by all he came
in contact with and honored by his
class, who had elected him a graduating
orator, and when they had heard of Mr.
Knights action had sent him a petition
demanding that the boy be given the
same honors as they for he had earned
them in every way and had proved him
self equal in mind to themselves. This
rUmor, with its lying lips, caused great
dealing of hard feeling among the per-
sons IT spread its news.
When superintendent Knight was told
this report by a reporter for the Eagle
he looked up with surprise and said,
vehemently:
It's lie. Why, I know nothing about
It. See Professor Dunkin. He will tell
you how the matter is"
Professor Dunkin, principal of the High
school. when told of the rumor. said:
Mr.. Knight had nothing TO do with the
case at all. 1 am solely responsible. Rich
ard failed in his examination and, of
course, could not graduate this year.
You know there are two chances in high
schools. If you do not fall below 20 in
the monthly report more than twice you
pass without an Examination. Should
you fall below 70 more than twice you
may take an examination. This col
ored boy took the examination but failed.
They sent a petition 10 me. asking that
1 pass him anyway, for he was a good
student and as good boy as was in
school 1t seems he has set his heart on
going down TO be under the instruction
of Booker 7. Washington next year. Wen.
the two chances are as many as we ever
give anybody, SO 1 told the boys that
l could not grant their petition.
They were very anxious that IL be
granted. as they had chosen him as
class orator, so / referred them to Mr..
Knight. but he told them that he could
do nothing for them and took it before
the school board
1t was at their last meeting that the
members of this body took up this case
and. after some discussion, asked me
what was the shortest time in which
Richard Walker could make nm his work
SO that he might receive a diploma. l
told them that by hard study he could
do it in two months. They decided to
let him DO 1t, and there the matter rests.
The boy just failed. as many others DO.
OF course he will not graduate with his
class nor receive a diploma till he passes
the examination"