Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-03-09
CORRESPONDENCE
Manual Training School for COIOFed
People al HiIlWOOd

for many years, under the old regime,
W. \. Thomas, unique. colored char
acter from the Tidewater, presided over
the Millwood school The old house. an
eye-sore 10 the public, was rapidly going
20 the "bad, when Mr. Graham F.
Biandy came 20 the rescue, and today
the old house has been replaced by one
Of the most up-to-date buildings Of the
kind in this part OF the State. But be-
fore we give your readers a brief recital
OF the work being done there. we must
refer again 90 that familiar. central
figure, Prot Thomas. in broad cloth.
high collar and big cuffs. who won the
distinction Of Regulator" but who
failed 20 enter the colored aristocratic
circle Of Mil.wood which, IL is said was
due IN part 90 The Professors" de-
feciive pronunciation of "a" in pass.
half, etc. "Millwood darkeys, like Mill
wood white folks, are not Just ike other
people. says our dusky pedagogue. but
let that be as 10 may. Thomas often got
al cross purposes with his patrons and
the scLoO. board but was polite enough
to shift his many burdens 20 the shoulders
Of our genial County Treasurer. who. bv
the way, had the power 20 regulate
The regulator" Thomas was a staunch
advocate Of "l,ss book learning" and
more manual training along lines tend
ing TO make the colored people efficient.
useful citizens The poor old fellows
dream has been realized. except that he
has been swept sside 10y progress-cruel
progress-and a Younger and stronger
principal has ali place such is life.
Thomas learned 20 read after he was
grown, and deserves much credit for
what he has accomplished When he
makes his last turn" may his "colors"
be %. x, lis weights correct.
Principal c. T. Cole and his assistant.
Carrie Robinson. were trained for their
their work at Hampton Institute. and
too much credit cannot be given them
for having brought order and system out
OF chaos. The drawing. carpentery and
sewing departments are we'll equipped
with tools and material Of every kind.
and marked improvement i noticeble
everywhere. Acooking department will
oe Installed next session. Everything
Is kept in perfect order. and the work
we'll done. After work hours carpentery
tools are wiped OF and put away. Thin
oles and scissors are collected and re-
ported. paper removed from the door,
and the desks put In order. The dis
cipline Is good The school IS fayorably
located in the center Of "a wealthy neigh
1orhood where capable help is in de-
mand.
No; long since we visited a school.
not thousand miles from Clarke
county, and TO our surprise some Of the
big girls rushed into the room and landed
into their desks a. Il tred from gun.
BY and by an "o.d boy" came dragging
in and "tel Co pieces" I'm his seat with a
tAud. leading one 20 believe that he
weighed @ ,0n. Wnen school closed for
the day. books We're pitched al the desks
some sues and others fell 20 the
1oor-wastc paper was left strewu over
The room, and The whole school was out
10 the open air in pair ot seconds, 80
much 20 the relief ot the teacher and
/ visitor. Remember that these defects
/ axe traccab.e 90 the home some day.
Mr. Editor, we may visit all The schools
/ OF our bailiwick and write them up." at
the gisN of losing what li,,le popularity
we may have.
\ CuAPEI FO>SIr.