The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-28
NEGRO COLLEGE ISSUE.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS oF
MEETINGS OF CITIZENS.

Is.e steps That Have Been Taken to
Prevent the Location of the Pro-
,eesed Negro College Near the Wa
seeworks-The Whole Matter Laid
Before Chairman Durham of the
College Board.
From the Daily Item, August 20.
Several months ago A. ]. johnson, a
colorea Baptist preacher, obtained
the signatures of some citizens of the
city to a statement, certifying the
kindly feeling existing between the
two races in Sumter. This certificate
he proposed to use as inducement for
his denomination in South Carolina
Co locate a college near Sumter, on
a site south of the city, in section
owned chiefly by negroes Having
decided to build the college near s,ln-
Ger, the board Of trustees in charge OF
tie enterprise, subsequently abandon
ed the original site and purchased
land north of the city and ada
cent to the waterworks.
This change becoming publicly
known, meeting of citizens was
held on July s1st in the council cham
her for the purpose of discussing the
situation. Two committees were ap-
pointed, one OF them composed Of DR..
4. Mood, Messrs. S. II. Edmunds
and D. Lee, to interview Rev. A.
3. johnson and lay before him the OBJ
sections Of the people of Sumter to
the change Of location. The other
committee, composed of Messrs. Il.
G. osteen, c. G. Rowland and r. j.
Bland, was appointed to prepare
protest to be circulated for signatures
of white citizens, for the purpose OF
presenting It to the board of trustees.
second meeting Of citizens was held
August Sd, and the matter was fur
thar discussed without additional ac-
son. On Monday August Is, a third
meeting was held at which the follow
ing citizens we're present: w. B.
Boyle, chairman; c. NJ. Hurst, secre-
sary; S. b Edmunds, ]. A. Mood, R.
D. Lee, j. D. Shira, 81. j. McLaurin,
~ S. Jones, j. J. Kolb, A. c. Durant'
H. D. Noise, r. ]. Bland, J. T. Green,
a. 3. stuckey, D. D. Noise, J. Fl.
Chandler, S. C. Baker, w. r. Baker,
Il s. Carson, C.. G. Rowland, c. l.
sgusfsno, r. F. Haynsworth, R. D.
gEpps. H T. Edens and P. Moses, Jr.
M. Lee reported that his committee
rad interviewed Rev. A j. Johnson.
and had forwarded a letter to the
!. chairman. of the, board Of trustees
bat asd .eceNea no replg. Johnson
ba5 quoted Chairman Durham as say
sae aae q defnite proposition should
zss made 70 the trustees. chairnnsn
Hsoeie state5 hat The repo-s had oerre
Sc him that the trustees would pro-
cge.s with their enterprise gardless
of objections. The letter prepared by
che committee was read and approved
by rising vote.
Following is the letter:
Sumter S. c., Aug. :, 1907
Rev. j. j. Durham, Branchville, . =.
Dear Sir; A public meeting Of the
ca6zens of. Sumter was held on Mon
day last with reference to the propos-
ed, change of location of the Negro
College from the southern to the
northern extremity Of the city OF
Sumter, which meeing appointed
committee Of forty citizens to take up
che matter with your people. and that
gsnsras committee has appointed the.
undersigned subcommittee to IN
yestigate the matter and report the
best course to pursue in the premises
Several months since a number OF
our pro1ninent and influential citi-
gems wsre approached by the Rev. A.
j. Jon nSOQ WItIi Liz ! C} -SS'~-4 ~ 49,
that the colored people desired to
establish negro college upon tract
OF land containing some twelve acres
situated in the southern suburbs OF
ahe city of Sumter, and desired these
gentlemen to sign a testimonial as to
the kindly relations existing between
ehe two races in this community. IN
asyauch as the location was wholly
unoo5ectionable and relying upon the
representations made by Rev. John
sou, these citizens numerously signed
1he said testimonial.
Up 10 that period in our history
The Two races have lived here in entire
accord. and the proposed location for
ene college was eminently fitted OR
ghe same, for the reason that it was
IN chat section of the city which by
oo--or+ Ja6 heey, devoted to