Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-08
MISS NANCE is ENCOURAGED.

From talk tnat the reporter hdu
last Monday with Miss Mary T. Nance,
the Winthrop graduate who has con-
secrated herself to the work Of build
ing up the rural schools of South Car
olina, it appeared that this earnest and
seemingly tireless young woman was
tremendously pleased with the result
of her meeting with the farmers.
Miss Nance has been in every coun-
ty in the state into many OF them sew
eral times and has made hundreds or
talks to both town and country audi
ences: but her audience last Monday
included the largest number Of repre-
sentative farmers assembled especial
ly on her account that she has yet
had the pleasure Of addressing, and
this is what gave her unusual encour-
agement.
II was Just a little bit frightened,
really was" she said. Il did not feel
like I was in as good condition as
would liked to have been. 1 was afraid
I could not deliver my message as l
wanted to; but I was so glad to see so
many people out-so many of the far
mers, the very people who have to DO
this work If it is done, and they did
seem to be interested, don't you think
p" she asked earnestly.
"I feel closer to this county than
ever" Miss Nance continued. There
Is a great deal to do all over the state
and l want to work wherever l can do
good, in one place as we'll as anotner.
But these York county farmers seem
to have given evidence Of the deepest
and most earnest interest that l have
observed yet, mean that big audience
as a whole, and am going to do some
more work here. I want to put In two
weeks or even longer In the homes OF
these good, York county people this
very summer, and I know that some
thing can be accomplished. l feel 1t
I am sure Of It,"
Miss Nance said some things to the
reporter and several other visitors that
she did not feel warranted in saying In
the court house She could have said
them and it would have been all right,
of course, for they are startling, I'M
nortant and true. There is q hint in
what she did say-publicly-that the
negroes are showing more interest IN
education than the whites, and that
the whites must arouse themselves.
She is convinced that whatever Is done
for the advancement Of education must
he done by the fathers and mothers,
and that Is why she wants to talk to
the people in their homes.
1t is worth while for the people 10
thoroughly understand that Miss Nance
is not an ordinary individual She Is not
a freak or a crank either; but or the
highest type of Christian womanhood.
In Columbia not long ago, young man
dressed in greasy overalls, and riding
bicycle. had an accidental collision
with a crowded trolley car. Before the
car could be stopped he was under the
wheels Women screamed and ran
away and men stood about with open
mouthed indecision. Miss Nance hap
pened to be on the spot and was one or
the first to the rescue. The injured
Young man was bleeding profusely;
but without a moments hesitation she
lifted his head on her lap, wiped away
the blood, bathed his face with her own
dainty handkerchief and did not offer
to leave until her services were no
longer needed. She had never seen the
Young man before and did not know
who he was until afterward: but the
incident may very properly be taken
as characteristic Of the work she Is
trying to do for the people in her eff
forts to improve the rural schools.
Miss Nance very we'll understands
that she has a big undertaking on her
hands in awakening proper interest in
the rural schools; but she has already
shown that she knows no discourage
ment, and unless her health gives way
she does not seem to be stronger than
she ought to be-the people of South
Carolina may as we'll begin to cOnsid-
er her as a factor in the rural school
problem. She Is evidently in the fight |
to stay and she is going to accomplish |
,A. My;II C.nl The Eno,,irer