The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-08
Unanimously Elected to Sue
ceed Late DR.. Powers by
Board Yesterday
FEAGIN APPOINTED
SUPT. OF EDUCATION
Willingham Begins Duties on or About
November Announcement of
Changes in Official Circles
Causes Little Surprise

Montgomery, October 7.--(Special)
Henry j. Wllingham, superintendent OF
education of Alabama, was this afternoon
elected by the State Normal school board
president of the normal school at Flor
ence. to succeed the late DR.. James X.
Powers. Immediately following the cleo
ton. Governor o'Neal announced the ap-
pointment of William F. Feagin. chief
clerk in the department Of education AS
Superintendent Willinghams successor, to
take effect Just as soon as the latter pre-
sents his formal resignation Mr.. Will
lingham will begin his new duties on or
about November /, Just as soon as he can
put the affairs of mis- Office In shape.
The announcement of the two changes
in official circles occasioned little sur
prise at the capitol For several weeks
1t had been known that Mr.. Willingham
would be elected to fill the vacancy at
Florence, and there was never any doubt
that Mr.. Feagin would be named as the
head of the state department OF eduea-
ton. The Florence school had been with
out president since the death OF Or.
Powers, which occurred several weeks
ago Prof. w r. Harrison of the Flor
ence Normal school was named as tenn
porary. president pending the election pr
a permanent head of that institution
Mr.. Wilingham received the unanimous
vote of the normal school board Tor the
presidency OF the school at Florence.
Both in experience and in training Mr..
Willingham was considered an ideal maa
for the place, and DR.. Powers mantle is
believed to have fallen upon worthy
shoulders.
MIR. Willinghams Record
hos hen wit n
educational work for many years. After
graduation from Howard college, where
he received the degrees OF bachelor and
master of arts, he became president of
the Lineville college in Clay county he
remained in that position seven years.
and later became president Of the Firth
District Agricultural school "A Wetumpka,
to which position he was re aieeted six
tiines. He resigned to accept the post
ton. iu 1857. of secretary Of tile state
board of teachers examiness and rs
served III that position until 1911, when
he became state superintendent of eduoa-
tion.
Mr.. Feagin who will succeed Mr. Will
lingham as superintendent of education,
is one of the best known educators in the
south. He was born in Bullock county
and was educated in the common schools
and at the Alabama Polytechnic institute
at Auburn, from which institution lie
graduated with the degrees OF hachelor
and master of science Following his
graduation at Auburn. Mr.. Feagin be-
came president of the Seventh District
Agricultural school at Albertville
The New Superintendent
The position of secretary and member
of the state board Of examiners brought
Mr. Feagin to Montgomery in 1908, He
held it until January. 1907, when he was
appointed chief clerk of the department
of education by Harry C. Gunnels, SUPER
intendent. He was reapponted by Mr.
Willingham in 1911. Three years ago Mr..
Feagin was named secretary of the South
ern Educational association He found
the books and accounts in a deplorabls
condition. He adjusted the associations
affairs anu tried to resign, but II would
not accept his resignation. He is stli
secretary and is now arranging for ths
associations annual meeting at Nasn-
vile, the latter part of the month.
Mr.. Feagin's election as superintendent
at the end of the term is certain. lie
las no opposition and indications are that
he will be unopposed in The democratic
primary In 1914.