The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-25
/ MOONLIGHT
CHOOL' STAMPS
bur lLLITERACY
Women and Children in
kentucky Mountains Eager
Pupils
s. CORA STEWART
DOING GREAT WORK
1ntaineers Gladly Seize OPP
ortunity to Acquire Mea-
sure of Education

QUISvILI4E. KY, Dec. 252-From
5 sown with farsighted purpose
Atly more than a year ago. by. one
fgctic, kind-hearted and determln,
woman, has blossomed Kentucky's
e-wide Campaign for moonlight
0O8-a move that more than
Misses to stamp out. DIiteracy in
state by 1920.
njs woman Is Mrs. Cora Wilson
MART, formerly superintendent OF
Dols In Rowan county, originator
Ne moonlight schools idea and
)der of the now famous Anti-lllit.
y Campaign Association in Ken
q. Stewards extraordinary work
pet afoot the present campaign,
NJ Is supported enthusiastically by
and municipal officials, edu-
- and the public at large inciud.
1lllterates themselves.
I'm. Stewart began her active cru
~ In 1911, after she had been
lched by the sad condition of the
Dducated In her community, In that
18Th mountain country every school
<Fict was cut by a creek, which,
|Iug the rainy season, became
Ned. Children who attempted to
|ch schooF by fording or crossing
~ atpeans were in danger Of death.
|HNas only one OF many physical
Acies to attending school. Many
q families were poor, A barefooted
with frozen feet being nursed to
nth and strength by his teacher
not an uncommon sight. Bad
b, poverty and the isolated loca-
of the farms made schooling eN-
belly difficult, even for those who
ted all obstacles.
IRE. Stewart observed these condi-
&s and 1t was then she conceived
idea OF moonlight schools, so
cd because they are held at night
only when the moon makes the
kherous mountain roads safe for
~. The first moonlight school
ION she advertised widely, in
y AL the people TO attend. 1t was
built at first, because she had TO
~ the confidence of a people who
] Deem more or less brought up to
|snspicious. But she succeeded be-
her fopdest dreams.
tQEeDapfans, middle-aged men and
IN, Tough mountaineers, youths
MAJ tdens, just passed the age
They should have finished their
affon. with no thought of the diff
ices In their ages or stations,
" assembled for instruction and
PQ themselves with surprising
bnce to their task,
short time Mrs. Stewart had
Ia school In the country conducting
Alight sessions. In addition to the
nary textbooks, other means OF
alton were used. Tools from the
1borhood OF each school were bor-
" The boys learned carpentering
improved the equipment of tho
- houses. The girls were IN
ted in domestic science, mate
and equipment being donated by
Qaver could. The results OF the
were astounding and soon the
~ department. of agriculture and
4uthorities became interested in
Dtewart's activities.
Rough federal aid, boys and girls
and tomato clubs were formed
& once began competing for prizes
ling these products. One boy
NJ Is bushels OF corn from an acre
- top OF cliff and won a hand.
cash prize. Other contests fol
and other prizes were awarded.
proceeds helped the boys anS
and also their elders to pay taxes
pproyed schooling facilities.
state highway commission
~ the spirit Of the work. BY the
the people themselves, so yards
road were constructed In front
Nv school house in the county.
H1ys we're remapped, culyerts
bridges were planned and soon
Iabcrate system OF county high
was being established. ~
the mean time women who could
r1te their own names when the
uent was launched became teach.
their fellow citizens, and farm.
WHO had barely existed are now
ng the harvest OF scientific meth.
harmed as a result OF moonlight
u work. They now are able to
by the federal and state depart.
rec years after Mrs. Stewart In.
oteQ her moonlight schools there
MY 20 illiterates in the county,
900 formerly was the record.
- are either physical or men.
selves. The first year 200
tlc attended the moonlight class.
y 1918 the attendance was 1880.
kIhe night schools exceed the day
- In attendance.