The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-24

institution is co-educational, and
domestic science and agriculture are
the principal studies pursued. The
boarding pupils pay tuition of IS
month, and do the work. of the school.
The tuition fee is rarely paid in money,
but wood, poultry, eggs, butter, etc.,
are quite as acceptable. Practically
all the food-stuf consumed is raised by
the pupils. The pupils have also made
nearly all the furniture in the scohols.
The farm is not stocked as it should
be, and the students tables are with
out milk and almost without butter.
This is not the hardship it would be
in the North, but the school manage
ment is aware of the dietary value of
such food and is making a strong
effort to buy COWS. Farm equipments
of various kinds is greatly needed.
One large building and four small
ones have been erected, and are owned
clear Of encumbrance, with the ex-
ception of the main building. As soon
as the necessary funds are forUhcom-
ing, the schcsol will become an indus
trail institution. A carpenter's shop
and. furnishings have been promised by
New York woman, and teachers al
ready at the school are prepared to
open classes in shoemaking aud other
trades as soon as the tools can be
obtained. The blacksmiths' and wheel
wright's trades are much needed in the
neighborhood.
For the little children Miss Wilson
is now in the North studying the kind
ergarten system, and basket weaving.
The old time industries of the loom
and the dye pot are to be revived for
the girls, who besides being instruct
ed in housekeeping and needlework
will be taught to weave homespuns,
and rugs Of carpet ravelings, and to
make rag carpets. There is a good
market for such articles.
One of the most pressing need is a
printing press. The town has not even
a small one, and the school would be
able to earn a considerable sum with
a press, besides saving the cost of its
own printing IN Sumter.
Mayesville, where this colored wo-
mans life has been dedicated to the
advancement of race, is village in
Sumter County, S. G. 1t is the center
of large country population OF ne
groes, number of whom own their
little farms of five or six acres, but are
very poor. There is no public school
of colored children in the village, and
the small sum set apart by the county
school commission for the education Of
negroes is given to Miss Wilson'S
school. This enables her to receive
free all children who can rot afford to
pay the monthly fee of 10 cents asked
of day scholars.
The eagerEess Of the children and
the young men and women of the
neighborhood to go to school is pathetic
in its intensity. One little tot came
through bowling storm and stood in
the school door dripping vet, chilled
through and weeping bitterly. Being
comforted, she sobbed out, 81 amt
cryn' 'out bein' col, but de rain done
wetted my books
The influence which the school ex-
ercises over the older people of the
settlement is gratefully acknowledged
by the white people of the town and
neighboring plantations. This infu-
ence is strongest with the mothers of
the chilrden attending. These ask to
be admitted to the cooking and sew
ing classes, and and are entertained
very often with mothers meetings and
social afternoons.