Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-10-26
Three HuRdredIh anniversary Of
First Pubic School In
CHILDREN EXPECTED TO ATTEND
Hon John Sharp Williams, of Miss
isslppl; Or. Alderman, President OF
University of Virginia, and Super.
intendcnt of Public instruction Es-
sleston Among the Orators.

With speeches by United States Sen.
ator elect John Sharp Williams of Mis-.
slss!ppi; DR.. Charles w. Nccdham of
George Washington university: Dr. H.
a. Alderman, president OF the Univer-
silly OF virginia, and remarks by j. u.
Egglest0n, ,!r.. superintendent of public
instruction OF Virginia, Free School
day, or the 2G9th anniversary OF the
establishment of the first university IN
america tho University of Henr!cO,
which was founded for the free cdu.
cation OF the natives of Virginia in
1921, viii he nttingly decorated at
the Jamestown Exposition today.
President Tucker of the Exposition
company, has received telegram from
congressman Williams announcing
that he viii arrive in time for the OK.
orcises. Free School day VIII he one
in which the teachers, parents and
children vii take part. The exercises
VIII be devoted TO tho free school
work, Tho ll'ogram follows:
Meeting called to order President II.
st George Tucker
4 Invocation,
Music.
Introductory remarks by presiding of
ficcr.
Address,, b. Eggeston, Jr.. super.
intendent of public instruction of
Notwithstanding of Education
in Virginia
Music
AddroHs Il. l.. Alderman
of the University of Virginia ,lnllu.
ence OF Public Schools
Music.
Address-pYesidcnt Charles ". Need
ham of George Washington univer.
slty. Washington, ID. C.-Growth of
American Universities
Grafton $enator-clcct John sharpe
Z Williams The influence OF the Uni.
vers.ty CT Virginia In the South.
In 1913 In what was then Charles
CITY plantation, una is now Charles
CITY county, set aside 10000 acres Nof
land, and named II College Lands A
year ter In 1919, George Thorpe was
sent over from London us superintcnd-
ent OF this tract which was the vast
wilderness. Superintendent Thorpe
immediately had cleared by emigrants
and friendly Indians several hundred
acres, aud upon which log house md
cabins were erected
u he school or college thiivod for a
time, but great difficulties were en-
countercd In every effort to persuade
the natives TO attend tho school OF the
pa'efaccs Finally after II couple of
years CT toll and hardships. the fall
of 1910 found - natives enrolled as
students. The clements Of English.
geography and notation were taught.
In 1921 the Rev Frederick Copelan.
a member Of the London company, was
elected president of tho university.
Rev Mr.. Copean soon after his cleo.
ton began preparations or trip To
the colony and to the school IN tho
wilderness, and was to sail in May
1922.
In March. 1922. a band of savage
Pamunkey Indians. acting under In,
.struct.ons OF the famous chief. Pow.
hatan, attacked. massacre the ten
ants and burned all the buildings on
the college lcnfs, including the school.
The Indis,s ESQ killed Superlntend-
ent Thorpe anu the II native students.
Some ncirby painters. who escaped
the massacre. carried the news TO Bur,
ton Parisa WILLIAMSBURG, and from
there the news was sent To England.
arriving IN time TO stop the sailing OF
Rev. Mr. Copelan who was the: wait
ing transportation.