The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-20

and Mrs. Richardson. Many of their
pupils from the west followed them
10 their new home and the "Wilson
Schools for both sexes" rose rapidly in
standing and repute. The older peo-
pie of Wilson and the surrounding
country will remember we'll the be-
loved teachers, for Mrs. Richardson
was at the head of the Female Depart
rlent They remained in Wilson
about ten years, the most eventful in
the nations history. The school pros
pered and grew into an institution of
great influence, employing fifteen or
sixteen teachers and having several
hundred students. Mr.. Richardson
edited the Wilson Ledger, and at that
time published the writings of Bill
Arp, and enjoyed them, and until his
death read with pleasure the writings
of Bill Arp as they appeared each
week.
The Civil War came and Mr.. and
Mrs. Richardson found themselves
and their institution engulfed in the
turmoil and passions of the great
strife. They were Northern born, and
naturally their smypathies belonged
with the Union. They We're not Abo-
litionists nor disunionsts, and having
lived so long in the South they found
themselves in earnest sympathy with
much for which the South contended,
and Mr.. Richardson was drafted into
the military service, and Shouldered
q rifle, but Governor Vance ordered
him back to care for his school in
Wilson. Mrs. Richardson ministered
with love to the sick and wounded.
many of them her old pupils. who
were brought back and quartered in
the academy which had been convert
ed into q hospital.
After the school had been taken for
hospital purposes. the school exercises
were held for a while in a hotel and
other buildings. but it could not be
maintained. amid the wreck and chaos
of war and reconstruction. Mr.. Rich
ardson's direct loss was about $4,000
His ten Dianos and other instruments
were sold for 5000. His fine library
and household goods went for moth
in-.
Notes. that before the war were bet
ter than bank securities. were worth
less: the people were bankrupt. and
could not paw.
After the war Mr.. Richardson found
himself like his neighbors. bankrupt.
and deprived of occupation. and as
turpentine was attracting much atten-
ton in the Gulf States. he decided to
venture upon this untried field. Two
wears Of adventure followed. full of ex-
posures and dangers. and after az:
pending $4,000, there was nothing TO
show for it but debts and disaproint-
ment.
To turn to their first love. the schn
room. was the only thing left, SO Mr..
and Mrs Richardson erected school
building at Montrose. Alabama, just
across the bay from Mobile. in 1867.
and here on August the 18th OF the
same year their son. Frank Harper.
their only living child. was born. They
had lost three children in North Caro-
lima.
After a little while IT was decided
to move their school to Mobile and in
1868. Mr. Richardson established the
MOBILE Military Academy" and Mrs.
Richardson opened her School OF
Fine Arts" and for fifteen years the
two educators worked side by side
Among the pupils Of Mrs. Richardson
was the talented Amelie Rives and
Robert Mckenzie. the artist.
In 1888 Mrs. Richardson moved to
California, just across the bay from
San Francisco, and here Mrs. Richard
son opened her studio and her paint