The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-23
lard from President Of HARRISON College.

10 the Press and Banner:
/ On the 2ath Of September, 1906, at the re-
&uest Of the Board of Missions for Freed
han, located at Pittsburg, Pa, l took
}harge Of HARRISON College not knowing
hat there would be the least hitch in the
progress Of the work: 1t developed, how
liver, after my arrival that there was doubt
Bs to the ~advisability Of my opening the
School at that time, and later the white
Kittens advised me not to open until ull-
fortunate conditions changed. | acted on
their advice and opened later, thus leaving
flank one year in the history OF the school.
4 I begged to be relieved from the discus
hon touching the explanation OF the I'M
Fortunate conditions referred to, as Able
lille and the general press OF the country
! ave been and are now discussing 1t. 1t Is
hir, however, for me to state to the gener-
public that the white citizens OF Able
lille have been kind and friendly to me
3uring the years the school has been IN
hssioa.
desire to thank the citizens OF Able
tille, both white and colored, for their lib,
bral contributions to our recent financial
rally when $500 was raised for piano,
ehaIrs, lamps, etc. While 1t is true these
we're all burned in the Inflated Harrison
Hall, 50 dear to US; your klndneSs 10 us
and your interest in us as exhibited IN the
real cash you paid, can not be burned.
But my first duty is to thank the white
dtizenS of Abbeville, women and men,
|young and old, for their great kindness TO
ns In our greatest bereavement and disap-
ointment which came to US Thursday. the
18th inst, in the destruction OF HARRISON
HAIL and the precious lives of three OF our
Innocent students. You could not have
hone more for your own race. You came
ON the scene, gave VI your sympathy,
brought us clothes, shoes, provisions,
helped US to rescue the ashes OF our dead,
and begged to be used as assistants IN
knending the breach, as far as possible,
made by fiendish hands.
From the fire, you went to your Court
House in large numbers, denounced the
Heed and the perpetrator or perpetrators
e he or they white or colored, drew up
bsolutions showing the same, n then
lOt only asked the Governor OF the State
br 81, 900 reward for the conviction OF the
)Tdlty party or parties, but gave 500
Ehrouph your council, 5000 through private
citizens, and promised more for the en-
pioyment OF detectives. 1t Is also my firm
Deiief that you are doing what you a to
locate the miscreant who has caused so
much bereavement and disappointment to
rs.
Oure expenses caused by the awful catas-
tophe are very heavy, n Wnue we Snall
ave much to pay ourselves. you have
Eelped US much.
Some individual or individuals have
9ommitted q crime as black as night which
a Blot on this advanced civilization, but
must be remembered that all Abbeville
not guilty. While it is true my college
literally wiped off the map for all my
IEudsnts, panic stricken, are gone and my
bachers, who are able, go today, declaring
boy will never return) it is nevertheless
Fue that we have many friends OF Anglo
5ayon blood, who are faithful and true to
hs. and who are doing what they can to
keep the college here.
Itwould be unfair for me not to say to
~ own people that they too have been
Tue and faithful to US. You came to us
20. shedding tears. offering support, CIV
"a money and rendering whatever assls-
nee you could. I could not expect more
YOU. I have striven to give you the
ost wholesome advice and to be a safe
ader for you. If I have made mistakesI
IA sorry, and beg to be forgiven.
with malice toward none, but good will
all, I thank you, both white and colored,
r interest, sympathy I'M kindness
Rhown us. Respectfully yours,
srbison College, C. NJ. Young.