The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-17

DCSA ISeANAi4LS III, DCSOOoS L C-iONto--N
the people further out in that commu-
nifty needed more what l might be
able to do for them, little as it was.
Still, l had not found the point OF in
terest. l talked about it to the other
teachers, and to the county superln-
tendents, and somebody suggested
chrysanthemum clubs for the girls.
But that did not seem practical
enough.
u spoke to Mr.. Ira Williams, the
corn club director in our State, and
he suggested plan by which the girls
of the community should be taught to
make good cornbread and mullins.
That was a venture, in way; but 1
felt had been something of sue
cess teaching school, and l questioned
whether 1 could teach them how to
cook good bread or mullins, SO 1 de-
clined the bread proposition.
Finally, said to Mr.. Williams:
why don't you start canning clubs
for the girls like you have corn clubs
for the boys?' His reply was: About
fifteen hundred people have asked me
that, but nobody has done it,
"'Well, if it is just matter of some
body doing it, I'll do it
"He laughed and doubted that I
could; but had always intended get
ting'a a canning outfit for myself, as
like to work with tomatoes, and knew
there would be money in it. But, how
was to start? Where was the money
for the prizes to come from? l knew
the girls would not want to do the
work without some inspiring object.
"The county superintendent, how
ever, was encouraging. He suggested
l begin with a tenth of an acre near
the schoolhouse where l was teaching
and then reach out in the county and
organize the girls. l started, but l did
not seem to be able to get the interest.
Some of the girls were scornful about
work with tomatoes some Of their
parents thought the teacher ought to
stick to her job of teaching school;
and 1 saw I must have money for
prizes, so one day I just put on my
best clothes and went over to Aiken
to see Mr.. John D. Rockefeller to ask
him for the money. He was out riding
once; busy another time (they said),
and after a second fruitless visit, be-
gan to write him notes. I don't think
he ever got any of them, because he
never sent me any money. The secre-
tary wrote polite notes for him.
"Then 1 wrote Mr.. Thomas Hitch
cock, of New York, who lives at AK
en-. 1 failed there, at first; but God
bless Mr. Hitchcock-but 1 have not
come to that part yet.
Ashamed at Thought of Failnre.
"And it looked to me for while as
if was losing out in my plan. But
I shamed myself at the thought OF
failure and 1 determined to make one
grand effort 1 called mass meeting
at the court house one night; 1 sent
word to everybody-men, women and
children-to come; that had some
thing important to tell them; and I
determined to offer prize myself,
and that nothing less than scholar
ship at Winthrop college.
"'You are crazy said the county
superintendent, for he knew 1 had al
ready spent my money saved in the
school improvement work. Where are
you going to get that money"
"I did not know when l offered the
prize, but l made the kind of speech
that got them all; I offered the schol-
arship, and the result was the girls
got interested and the first club was
organized January, 1910.
"Then to every school house in the
county 1 planned to go; the clubs be-
gan organizing, the one-tenth acres
everywhere doing their work, but that
prize money was not coming!
81 went home one night feeling aW-
full sad and doWn-hearted. I was
boarding then with the mother of the
superintendent and after had my
supper l felt could not sit with the
others without signing, and was about
to go, when the superintendent hand
ed me letter. remember every in
cident of that night because it brought
me to the realization of my scheme,