Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-09-01
Friday, September |, 1905.

With an apology for the personal al
lusion and as an Illustration OF his own
appreciation Of the value Of what the
good competent teacher has to give, as
we'll as his appreciation Of the value
Of an education, Prof. Huggins gave
an outline Of his own struggle for an
education about as follows: Eleven
years ago, after having been an inva-
lid for four years, I began attending
the common schools Of the neighbor-
hood, as best / could when I could. At
twenty years, Of age i managed to- get
third grade certificate and began
teaching. i ought not to have been
allowed to teach, but / was and / am
thankful for It, Next assorted tobac-
CO at 40 cents a day. the only work I
could get, and at the best wages.
Spent next winter at house Of his faith
er: but felt that II was an imposition.
Afterward taught five months. Then
took the money he had saved In ten
months and went to college. After two
and a half months met with an acci-
dent that came near making him a
cripple for life. AS he began to re-
cover, walked a mile every day on
crutches to teach school. Got back to
college Didn't have enough money
and served as janitor about the build
Ing, rang the bell, swept the floors,
cut wood and catered for the students
mess. During holidays went back to
teaching. Finally friend lent him a
little money, not much and after a time
he got through. II they had mind
to do as he had done he had an idea
tina. almost anybody could get an edu-
cation. He took occasion to say thai
he had no regrets in the matter and
was ready to do It all over again IL ne
cessary.
Upon the conclusion Of Mr.. Hugginss
talk, which was a very interesting
one, there was an adjournment for
dinner. It seemed as II everybody had
brought baskets and those who neg
lected to do so were invited to share
with those who had provided an abund-
ance. The dinner hour was spent
most pleasantly by all.
In the afternoon there was game
of baseball between the Bethel and
Cotton Belt mines, and the Bethel nine
came out the victor.
From Prof. Huggins the reporter
learned that the prospects for the
Presbyterial High school are better
than they have ever been before
Both dormitories will be filled to theii
capacity. Many applicants have beer
turned away, and the probability II
that there will be q strong demand for
board In the homes Of surrounding
families-if not now certainly later on
unless the dormitory capacity Is great
ly increased In the meantime.
From the Bethany people 1t was
learned that everybody has the highest
respect and admiration for Prof. Hug
gins. He has proved to them that ne
Is a man of the highest worth and
they have unlimited confidence In him
He has begun to talk Of three story
brick building as a home for the
school, and he is meeting with no little
sympathy. There Is feeling that II
he has made so much out Of what he
has had to work with under such dis
advantageous circumstances, he Is cap
able Of almost I.nything and they are
willing to help. a
There may have been some skepti-
cism about the matter a year or tive
ago.! but there is none now. Unless
something happens to Prof. Huggins
the Bethany High school is an estab-
lished institution that Is bound to grow
In prosperity. usefulness and power
with each succeeding future term.