The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-09-07
NEGRO COLLEGE CLOSED.
President Advised BY Citizens of Alb
bevillo to Resign to Prevent
Trouble.

To prevent actual bloodshed and
the possible dynamiting Of school pro-
perty some of the best citizens Of
Abbeville took hand in what they
feared was a grave situation and as a
result HARRISON College at Abbeville
is closed and the president Of the in
stitution has gone to other climcs.
From what little can be learned in
Columbia, says dispatch to the News
and Courier, the notice Of the actual
resignation Of the president was re-
ceived Monday. 1t is somewhat long
story, the details Of which are not all
relevant.
HARRISON College has been in
flourishing condition in Abheville for
some time. Tt gets its money largely
| through the Northern Presbyterian
| Church and all Of its money comes
from the North for the education Of
the colorcd youth. 1t is so-education-
al. or rather it was. Boys and girls
have been going to the so-callcd col
| lc1c for some time.
Thomas II. Amos. the president, is
Northern c"lnrcd man. lie Is ap-
parcntly a man Of education and was
picked up from the North by the
friends Of the college from The ranks
Of the coorcd people to be placed at
the head Of HARRISON. He was there
for some time. Amos seems to have
been talking too much, Or at least he
is given credit for too much talk.
The trouble which has just culmi-
mated in his enforced resignation was
a statement he is alleged TO have made
to the graduating class at the close of
the college last spring. He is then al
legged to have told the classes that the
conduct of the colored race so TAR
had brought the white women to the
kitchen and if they kept up the good
work of independence that it would
bring them to the wash tub also. He
hoped that none Of his graduates
would work for white people in sub
ordinate or mcnial capacities.
This seems to have started the trou-
Bile and feeling against President
Amos and the college have been grow
ing. The report is that there was a
clash. or almost one, on the occasion
Of the mvciliug of the Confederate
monument at Abbcvillc, which appears
TO have brought matters to somewhat
of crisis. Mr.. George White, well
known livery stable man, and substan-
tial citizen, was attacked and this was
followed by many of the white citiz-
ems getting themselves ready for trou-
bic.
1t is said that many of the best cit
liens purchased supplies Of rifles and
ammunition. In these circumstances
and in order to prevent bloodshed and
the dynamiting Of the College pro-
perty, which had been threatened,
about a score Of the cooler heads got
together and appointed committee Of
three, which waited on Amos and told
him that while they came to him with
no threats, they wanted to strongly
i advise him that it. would be best for
him, the College, and the community
if he would resign and leave the state;
otherwise they could not assume re-
sponsibility for his safety or the pro-
! lection Of the College property.
lie denied the statements accredited
to him, but thanked the committee for
coming to him and advising him. He
said he did not want to precipitate
any trouble and was glad to get away.
lie left Abbcvillc for Baltimore and
is supposed to be there now.
The notice Of his resignation was re-
ceivcd and request was made that
one of the board Of directors Of the
College be given hearing in the hope
of establishing better feeling.
It is understood that the sentiment
of many Of the people Of Abbeville is
that Northern aid should be with
drawn from HARRISON College, because
it is believed if this is done and the
Northern Presbyterian Church with
draws its aid, that the College will go
into decadence and close it's doors for
the class Of work it has been doing.
Amos telegraphed from Baltimore
Monday that one of the dirhotora