The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-06
Dr.. Nelson. Who Led the Fight.
Writes for The Virginian
How 1t Was Won -
SCHOOL UNPOPULAR;
PUBLIC MEN OPPOSED
Even People Of Farmville Felt
That He Was Leading a
Hopeless Cause--Struggle
Before Two Legislatures
BY REV. JAMES NELSON. d. ID.
President Of the Woman's College.
Richmond, Va.

by REV. JAlMhS NElISONs ~. -.
President Of the Woman's College.
Richmond. Va.
Dr. j. L. M. Curry. orator. states
man and diplomat. was greatly inter-
ested In public instruction. He had
Cor some years previous to 1883 en-
deavored to get the legislature OF
Virginia to establish a normal school,
but SO unpopular was public tnstruc-
ton at that time that they paid very
little or no attention to his presen-
ton of the matter. In 1888 he pre-
pared a DILL which was presented to
the legislature then in session In
1t he named certain trustees and
places which he considered most de-
sirable for It's Observation-Disclosures
Lynchburg. Roanoke and Stanton
surprising that the legislature would
establish the school In the place Of
ferlng the greatest inducements In
site and money. AS soon as the Dill
was offered, some prominent citizens
of Farmville where l was pastor.
Knowing that / knew DR.. Curry and
had friends in the legislature, asked
me to try TO secure the school for
Farmville.
consented, with the understand
ing that several citizens should be as
ISOLATED with me, namely; Judge
Watkins and Col. Fitzgerald, and that
the town Of Farmvilie should buy
he Farmville Female college and deed
It in fee simple to the State of Viz
gin.a- got the mayor. DR.. Thack-
ston, to call special meeting OF the
town council. After no little effort
Mr.. p w Mckinney and DR.. Irving
urged me to attend this called meet
ing and advocate the expenditure OF
sufficient money to buy the college.
On my way to this meeting I called
at the office OF Capt Mckinney. VINO
was afterwards governor warm
personal friend and one OF the nooiese
men I aver knew. He said to me.
"rll go with you. but you are on
wild goose chase"
I said: IT think not; II Is certainly
worthy OF a trial. There aresthirty or
forty Republicans and Readiusters still
In the legislature. The former legis-
lature. which was controlled by them,
esta bished a colored school in Peters,
burg. and ] am sure they will vote for
it."
After some discussion the council
voted to buy the college and deed 1t to
the, state There was some opposi-
ton on the part Of the citizens to this
becaaase they did not want the control
Of the property to he taken away from
the Methodists. To this / replied: The
Baptists. Presbyterians and Methodists
have all tried to establish school in
Farmville and failed. but think the
state will establish a school in this
cultured town that will prove to be q
success"
Came to Legislature.
The next afternoon at O'Clock we
were on our way to Richmond. Upon
my arrival in the city. without even
waiting to get my supper. / went to
see Mr. H. r. Pollard. whom / had
known during his college days, at CO.
lumbar College, Washington, d. c.,
and for whom ! had great admiration.
asked him to become the active adj
vocate Of the bill in the house OF dele
gates IA negro then represented Prince
Edward county in that body). After
some consideration he consented to
act as friend and advocate spf the
| measure. Mr.. Pollard at that time
was chairman of the finance COM
mittee OF the body to which he be-
longed and welded a large influence
cheered and encouraged when he con-
scented to become the friend Of the bill
I then went to see DR.. Curry. who
| was living at Mr.. James Thomas. on
Franklin Street. We talked until IL
o'clock-that Is, DR.. Curry talked. l
do not think that in this long inter
view l expressed any views, as I soon
saw that did not want what Dr.
Curry wanted. He was an earnest and
eloquent talker, especially on the sub
| ject Of education. and I remember full
well the impression made on me. I
returned to Ford's hotel. where I
tried to sleep. but could not. as felt
that / would have to advocate things
which would not meet with his ap-
prevail. DR.. Curry favored co-educa-
| ton and desired the school to be To-
Gated in one OF the several places
named by him. l did not favor CO.
education in any form and was deter
I mined. X possible. to place the school
In Farmville.
| According to agreement he met the
committee from Farmvtlle and my
I seif promptly at twgfv1 O'Clock IN
tCcntinued on Fifth Page.)