The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-08-30
The First Was Started
in Charlotte With Rev.
J. B. Boone at Head
GREENSBORO IS SECOND

An Interesting Statement by Mr..
Boone. Showing the Beginning OF
the Graded School Movement in
Charlotte and His Connection With
To the Editor: There seems to be a
persistent effort on the part Of some
to rob the late Rev. j. B. Boone and
the town of Charlotte Of the credit due
them in launching the graded schoOl
system in North Carolina.
1t is claimed that the school organi-
zed in Greensboro in 1875 should
stand at the head OF the column from
the fact that it was supported by tax
alton and the one in Charlotte was not.
1t does not occur to his writer that
the taxation question changes the
character of the school. By reading
Mr.. Boone's article you viii see that
Charlotte by an election in 1875 levied
the tax so that credential is not lack
ing. Il is stated that in Wilmington
a graded school was organized prior
to 1S73-1874. Let this be made
clearly known, if it is true.
While L write myself down a per-
sonal friend OF Mr.. Boone | would not
claim an honor not due him. Reau
the article from him published below.
1t is worthy a place in North
Cardinals history OF graded schools.
Yours truly,
NJ. [. KEsLER.
T~homasville, n. c., Aug. rs, 1910.
The origin Of Graded Schools in
North Carolina in Charlotte"
(Ry j. b. Boone. 1882
NJnnro'c History of North Ga rOlin3
gives the credit Of the first graded
school in the State to Raleigh, 1876.
G. L. smith in his History Of Edu-
cation in North Carolina gives it to
Greensboro, both OF which are con-
trary to act. The first public graded
school in his State was organized in
Charlotte, on the 14th day OF Novem-
Der, 1873. j. B. Boone, superintend-
ent. This statement is due to char
lotte, and a number OF her citizens
who participated in the origin Of it.
And l make this statement with the
GO ords before me- 1t originated
iii me following While pastor
of the Baptist church, I was, without
being consulted, or even without any
knowledge, appointed County Exami-
ner for M~ecklenburg county, and at
the same time one of the committee
men for the Charlotte district.
When l received the papers I was
'NA PA SSo vi IN NiHS III
l had conceived a contempt for the
public school system of the State.
While thinking about it, the thought
flashed to my find that / had never
really examined the school system,
SO l at once concluded to get a copy
of the school law and closely examine
1t before l decided the question of
accepting.
My conclusion was that the system
needed some improvements and the
support Of the good people of the
State. I accepted and commenced to
look into the state of affairs in the
district. / found that there was an
accumulated surplus in the district
amounting to $1,70O.
In March. 1878, I attended an edu-
c%ational convention in Raleigh in the
interest Of the endowment of Wake
Forest College. DR.. Barnas Sears
s~uperintenden t Of the Peabody Fund
by invitation, addressed the conyen-
ton, in which address he gave an &C.
count Of graded schools.
While listening to his address thu
idea came to me that we could organ.
lie one in Charlotte.
RenSem bering we had a surplus ant
we could get the aid of the Peabod5
Fund, I concluded that we could rur
1t one year and in hat time we could
procure the necessary legislation t.
make it permanent.
I went home agiow with the ides
sought the other two members 0
the committee; but alas, my az pr wa
quickly chilled by their stotxs tndif
ference. The following Augrs:2 wa
the time to elect new commit1.~ men
SO l went to the chairman OF tn
Board of County Commissioners am
stated my experience with the commit
tee and suggested to him that If h
would nominate two good associate
with me / would try to put my pla1
in operation after election. I went OF
to canvass for Wake Forest EndOw
mant Rut he fnr0nt To do II Th