New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-01
A CENTURY OLD SCHOOL,
BRATES ANNIVERSARY- HIS
TORY AND WORK

| A century and half ago small band of Mo-
| ravians purchased a tract Of land about ten by
| fifteen miles In extent in North Carolina. This
| tract located about two hundred miles from
the ocean, and fifty miles south of the Virginia
| line. They were a thrifty, wel!-to-do company
! and the colony grew and prospered. They went
through the horrors of the French and Indian
| War and suffered great deal but by bravery
and precauton they succeeded in resisting the red
| men, In the War OF the Revolution the Southern
campaign under the direction Of CORVALLIS. surged
| about them, and they were brought into contact
| with nearly all the battles in North and South
Carolina: and, although their experiences were
, thrilling and dangerous. they were again spared
| After the close cf the Revolution they expert
enced a generation of uninterrupted prosperity.
| their business enterprises grew and hourished
| They gave the name Wachovia to the tract of
| land on which had been founded the towns and
villages Hundreds of visitors from all parts of
the South passed through the settlements Of this
thriving colony. and these visitors were Impressed
with the educational advantages enjoyed by the
young people of Wachovia. Request Was made
that they should establish larger school ana
receive pupils from distance. At the beginning
of the nineteenth century everything seemed to
point to the advisab ility Of establishing school
for the higher education OF girls and young women
In the year 1902 after having carefully consid-
cred the plans for the founding OF academy
and college for girls and young women the first
principal called and the work begun. Since
that time the school has never been closed for a
winter.
that In that there not a single school
for the higher education of young women in the
South and the schools Of this class in the entire
United States numbered at that time two in the
State of Pennsy lvania.
For the fifty years following the fame OF the
school spread. The ante-belum aristocracy In the
South was at the height OF its glory. The plant
efs drove in their private coaches from virginia
from South Carolina and Georgia. from Florida
from the Gulf States. and crossing the noun
tains they came from Tennessee and Kentucky
and even from more distant points. The story as
related in the old records Is exceedingly inter-
esting one. When the daughters of these oldtime
Southern families arrived at the famous school
the horses upon which they had ridden across
the mountains were sold. and the saddles hung in
The saddle ROOM to remain until the young women
HAD completed their course OF study
At the commencement time this quaint little
North Carolina town presented wonderful spec
tacle The great old family coaches with Everied
servants brought prominent men and women who
leading figures In the affairs OF the nation
History tells of the visits of of note from
the earliest days. Tryon. with his army. encamped
in Wachovia The North Carolina Governors all
visited this aourishng portion OF their common
wealth. Washington turned aside on his Southern
tour and spent several pleasant days in Wachovia.
Then too the old school has been Intimately
identified with the history of the South. because
its pupils came the very flower of the land,
and the mothers and wives of many prominent
men-Goyernors statesmen, generals foreign min
listers, prominent hnanciers and others-weFe
sided in the White House, as was the case IN the
Of James , P&s q b And5ew
panion a Salem girl The mother of eX-Mayor
Van Wyck of New-York City was also a Salem
girl.
At the time of the Civil War 1t if |
the work of the school would come to an end |