The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-14
BOARD CHOOSES
EGGLESTON AS
HEADOF V.P.L.
CONTINUED From First Page

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while attending private school and
then the Prince Edward Academy.
where he gathered knowledge until
he was fourteen years old
From 1882 to 1886 he attended Hamp-
den-Sidney College. graduating with
the A. b. degree. Then he put in
another year working on the farm.
Subsequently he taught schools in Vir-
ginia and Georgia, acting as teacher
and principal
In 1891 the destiny that was shaping
Mr.. Eggleston's career took him to
Asheyille. NJ c.. where he taught in
the high school. At that time DIR.
p. p Claxton, now United States Com
missioner OF Education. was superIn-
tendent of the Asheville schools. He
resigned In 1898, going to the Uni
yersity of Tennessee. and Mr.. Eggles-
ton was unanimously elected to sue
coed him. He put In seven years of
his life running the AsheYille public
schools. resigning in 1900 because OF
the III health OF his father. which
brought him back TO Virginia. He then
f. Johnson Publishing Company.
In Publicity Work.
At the request Of DR.. Charles w.
Dabney. then president OF the Univer-
sity OF Tennessee, Mr. Eggleston be-
came associated with that distin-
guished educator and DR.. Claxton in
organizing the Bureau of Publicity and
Information of the Southern .Educa-
ton Board. at Knoxville, and was edi-
tor of that bureau IN 1902. In this
position he wrote editorials. and did
reporting for leading papers in the
South on educational topics
This position he resigned because of
a breakdown from overwork He re-
turned to the farm in Prince Edward
County, where in 1903 he was elected
county superintendent OF schools He
served in this capacity two years.
In 1905 he became candidate for
Superintendent Of Public instruction.
to which position he was nominated
In the Democratic primary and then
elected over his Republican opponent.
He took office February 1, 1905, was
reelected to 1t IN 1903. and held It
until January /. 1918, when he re-
work for the United States Bureau or
Education.
Perhaps not many people know that
he has made good as a farmer. He
took hold of the home place, not in
good condition after his fathers five
years OF illness. and made it blossom
like the rose. He sold it only the other
day for a good price to a man from
the West who knows what a GOOD
farm is.
Work for Agriculture.
AS State superintendent, Mr.. Eggles-
ton backed the farm demonstration
work at a time when this fund was
going begging in Virginia. He adapted
1t to the schools by having the teachers
and division superintendent take hold
so that the boys became interested In
corn clubs and the girls In canning
clubs. At the time when some people
were hostile to the demonstration idea,
Mr.. Eggleston suggested and work
ed out the solution of the problem
by the organization CT the United
Agricultural Board, through whose
agency the Bureau of Plant Industry
is doing such "a work in Virginia.
His record in school work is pretty
we'll known. He sho0k up the public
school system. cutting Off dead timber
until he became unpopular in many
quarters He tried to get more eff
Client supervision by combining small
| counties and cities into divisions and
paying better salaries. He has stood
for a high grade OF teachers and for
general advancement. Sometimes he
has not hesitated to take the bit In
his teeth and ride over ancient predi-
lections. A good many people believe
he will do the same thing If he goes
to Blacksburg.