The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-02
WILSON GRADED SCHOOL.
The New Building an Honor Both to Wilson
and the State.

The Wilson Graded Schools will soon
take charge of their elegant new build.
ing. Early last spring steps were taken
to erect during the summer a modern
school building A sketch of the first
and second floors, showing the number
Of rooms, dimensions, etc, was sent to
several architects for development, and
plans and dawings wee submitted.
Wheeler and Runge, Charlotte, n. c.,
were the successful architects. and their
plans were adopted. The contract was
let to Contractor j. E. Wilkins, of Will
son, and on May, 23rd, he began the
work of tearing down the old structure
in which so many boys and girls of
| Wilson have obtained all the school
training they wilF ever receive, and on
| June 4th the ground was broken for the
foundation of the new building
The work has been pushed with all the
energy possible, and soon the school will
reassemble. in new and commodious
Quarters. with everything up to date for
the best school work ever done in the
city of Wilson
1t is safe to say that there is no more
handsome school building in the State,
nor one more convenient in the arrange
ment of rooms, etc There are Is large
recitation rooms, % feet by 90 feet inside
measurement; a large auditorium 50 feet
by 66 feet; an office and a library. In
the basement are two large toilet rooms.
and large furnace and coal room. The
heating plant, known as the Direct Indi-
rect Steam Heating Process, is being in
stalled hy the d. A. Tompkins Co. of
Charlotte, n c.. and is one of the most
satisfactory systems of heating that is
known
The work in the High School depart
ment for this year will be greatly en-
HANGED by the addition to the faculty
of Mr.. E. A. Armistead, Of Rockingham,
\. c.. teacher of fine equipment. and of
rroved ability. The sad death of Mrs.
| j.. w. Hart. for many years a true and
| faithful teacher in these schools, made
a vacancy in the Seventh Grade This
| position has been filled by the election
of Miss Martha O.l Harvie, Of Danville,
! Va. city schools. Miss Harvie. also is
a teacher of experience and ability, and
| he work in our schools will be strength
ened b. her labors.
Although the schools are late in open
ing this fall. being forced to wait for the
completion of this new building. the work
has been so planned for the year that
there will be but little lost 10 the pupils
The comforts and conveniences afforded
| by the new building will insure more
regular attendance, and thus much time
viii be saved
Wilson now has 4 public school build
| ing that no one need be ashamed or and
the public should awake to the fact that
| local pride in such thing as it's schools
is one of the very strongest means OF
! securing good work. and making the
! schools a success in every respect. Our
schools already rank with the very best
in the state and we feel that with the
new interest that must come with this
new building. our schools will be sec
opd to none.
This progress is due for the most part
to the untiring efforts of our Superin-
tendent, Prof. f. P. Mangum. He took
charge of the schools in 1897 when the
enrolment was scarcely 400 pupils under
his direction the enrolment has increas-
ed to 621. Out of a total school popula-
ton in the town of Wilson of 642 pupils
MIR. Mangum had enrolled last year 621
of this number. We feel confident that
no town in the State can boast of bet
ter record or one giving better evil
dence of progress. Wilson people are in
hearty accord with Prof. Mangum and
are willing to render him all the assist
ance necessary in his educational under
itakingS