The Detroit times., 1915-11-15
Booker T. Washington
Passes Away in
Tuskegee, Ala.
HAD BEEN Ill
FOR LONG TIME
Won Fame As Greatest
of All Negro
Educators


or T. Washington, foremost teacher
And leader OF the Negro race, died
4 Early Sunday at his home here near
the Tuskegee institute of which he
VAS founder and president.
Hardening OF the arteries follow
y hlg nervous breakdown caused
) death four hours after Dr.. Wash
ington arrived from New York.
Although he hao been ia failing
health for several months, the Ne
gro lenders condition became seri'
IONS only last week while he was
lin the east.
Booker L. Washington was born.
4 eIave, at Hale's Ford, Virginia, in
& 1887 or 1883. His owners name was
4 John Burroughs. His mother was the
plantation cook and had several Chill
drrn, all born in slavery Booker
never learned with certainty the
name Of his father All he knew
Was that he was white man.
y After working In the mines aud
5 fur1aces for some lime, young Book
Ter obtained employment at the
house OF Mrs. Faris Ruffner, a wo-
man of New England birth and
&training, who, though very exacting
Regarding all matters Of work. gave
him opportunity to continue his
otudies. Having heard OF Hampton
institute, in Virginia, he determined
10 20 there. With his small earn
ings and a little money which his
brother, John II. Washington. had
Efven him. Booker was enabled to
reach Richmond. arriving there pen
ntless.
Finding shelter In hole under
the sidewalk, he slept there all
night, awakening next day to find
\ himseh near q dock, where pig iron
ms unloaded from q vessel. Secur-
\ ifU work from the captain, Booker
Washington remained there until he
had enough money to pay his way to
{x1anpten and so cents over. He en-
&tUrod the Hampton institute and, to
~ for his tuition became assistant
! }anitor. He graduated with honors
/. three years later and then returned
70. West Virginia where he taught
7 school for a while.
Is Next he entered wayland Sem
mary. Washington. d. c., where he
4 remained one year. until he was
o3ered q professionally at Hampton
Institute. He accepted and remained
n that position two years.
In 1881 application was made to
4 General s.. G. Armstrong, by citizens
OF Tuskagee, Ala, for some one to
!. etsrt an institution at that place,
On the order OF the Hampton In
otitute. Booker Washington was
4 fecommended for the position and
accepted with enthusiasm. Upon
lVaching Tuskegee. he found neither
land nor buildings, only a promise
\ by the state to contribute $4,000 an
\ nually toward the expenses Of the
\ school. Booker Washington started
the school In an old church and a
3ohAnty, with 30 students. He was
4 the only teacher.
W The remarkable success OF the in
*1(itvite, which was incorporated In
1892 under the name OF Tuskegee
Normal and Industrial institute. was
4ue entirely to the eminent ability.
II tfomendous energy and unflinching
<6nfarmfnation of Booker Washing
ton. His efforts received universal
4 recognition In all parts c. the coun-
Try and Mr.. Washington was honor
8 - Is one of the greatest men OF
. bic time and especially az the great
- benefactor &c his race.
Harvard university and several
other universities and colleges con-
\ ferred honorary degrees upon him.