The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1912-05-11
THRIFTY Center
OF EDUCATION
Story Of Palmer Memorial In
Stitute In Sedala.
BENEFITS OF RURAL LIFE.

Signs Of Real Progress Noted In Atti-
tuds Of the People Toward orsaniza-
tions For Civic Bettermsnt-Work Of
a Noble Woman and How II Was
Accomplished.
By GEORGE FRANCIS KING.
Sedalia, N. C.-In this particular Sec
don Of North Carolina there is an en-
couraging sign Of the Afro o-Americans
taking advantage Of the economic op-
portunities afforded them. The ener-
getic youth Of the race are realizing
the fact that they must make good use
of their time. Therefore they are be-
coming more content with rural life in
order to become highly efficient factors
In the realm Of industry. Our people
are buying excellent farms and build
ing comfortable homes just as other
thrifty Americans are doing. The
moral tone of the community among
Afro Americans is high, and there is
spirit pervading each home that is up
lifting.
The people have learned the value of
q dollar, and they make safe invest
ments, and some have snug bank ac-
counts. That selfish spirit too often
manifested by some who are In the po-
sition to contribute much to the ma
terial progress Of the race do not find
an abiding place here. There is
peculiar interest manifested by them
In educational, civic and religious ac-
tvities, and they always endeavor to
conserve the best interest of such need
ed organizations. The farmers are
prosperous and have modern imple.
ments, with plenty Of live stock. They
are training their children to become
energetic and useful.
ut was in q car between Salem and
Boston, while student In the State
Normal school, that God directed q
woman filed with the missionary spirit
to me to encourage the already burn
ing desire to return to the land Of my
birth and help my people. I cannot tell
in detail, but step by step was led
directly to do what I had dreamed Of
since childhood. I couldn't get away
from the idea that God wanted me for
this kind of work." said Mrs. Charlotte
q. Hawkins-Brown. the little woman
who came to this community some
years ago and established the Palmer
Memorial institute at this place, which
has brought to pass the remarkable
progress of the race in this section OF
the Old North State. When she landed
here she had to walk four miles alone
through thick woodland. Here she
worked for two years with the pastor
Of the Congregational church and ad-
ministered to the many needs Of our
people in this community. The condi-
ton Of the people can be appreciated
by this statement made by Mrs. Brown:
MANY Of the children came to school
during the winter poorly clothed, Oft
times chilled with the cold" After the
second year Of the school work the pas
tor became discouraged and gave up
the work. She remained, as she had
worked persistently, often without re-
ceiving compensation. The strong char
acter Of the woman is found in the
following statement by Mrs. Brown:
'"The pastor gave fifteen acres Of land,
as he had collected help for the work.
This he did because Of the years labor
I had given to help him establish the
school.
With money raised the previous sum-
mer was enabled to repair and fix up
a rude old shanty, in which had an
other teacher, whom I had asked to
join me, and which a few girls could
call home. We continued to conduct
school In the church. The news was
soon spread that we had an industrial
school for boys and girls. Many were
the applications that came to us. We
were unprepared to take care of many,
but we put the boys in the old house
we had repaired. The people of the
community became enthused at the
idea of having an institute, or college.
as they called 1t, In their midst. I be-
gan to tell them how they could help.
Those who didn't have money brought
meal, peas, corn, molasses. potatoes, to
help board the teachers. During the
year there were many times we were
without a dollar. All Of us ofttimes
ate for our meals molasses and bread
three times daily, but we felt that God
was leading, follow we must" This
little woman. hardly tipping the scales
at hundred pounds, today has reared
up an institution with over 300 acres Of
farm land, valued at over 5000; four
wooden buildings-boys' and girls dor
mitories, domestic science cottage, me-
chanical shop-valued at $4,000; also
q new teachers home.
Among other things to this plant will