The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-11-17
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DEAD,
AS Educator, Lecturer and Author He
won Respect of Southern White
People.

/
washington, negro educator, lecturer,
author and recognized leader of his
race in America, died at his home
here early today, four hours after his
arrival from New York.
DR.. Washington had not been in
good health for several months and
suffered nervous breakdown in New
YORK last week. He had gone there
to attend the annual meeting of the
American Missionary association and
the National Conference Of Congrega-
tional Churches.
He did not respond to treatment at
hospital in New York and decided
to come back here. He had often
said that his work had been among
southern negroes, that he was a
southern negro and that it was his
wish to live, die and be buried in the
South. He left New York Friday af
ternoon. The trip seemed to sap his
remaining energy and he died quietly
soon after reaching his home.
BY his writings, lectures and activi-
ties IN building up Tuskegee institute,
Dr. Washington for the past rs years
had commanded the attention and
confidence Of leading men in many
walks Of life in the South and North.
1t has been said that his work of bet
tering the negro race more nearly fit
sentiment expressed in different parts
OF the country than any other man in
tercsted in such work.
He came to Tuskegee in 1891, hav-
ing been selected for the work by
State authorities. This was six years
after he had been graduated from
Hampton institute in Virginia. After
graduation he taught at Hampton for
some time. His natural executive and
constructive ability resulted in the
Tuskegee institution becoming one of
the leading negro schools in the coun-
try.
Much of his work was given over to
efforts to impress upon negroes their
moral responsibilities. In many of his
lectures he pointed out, in no un-
Certain terms, weaknesses common to
the race along with his admonitions
to correct certain evils.
washington won the sympathy and
support Of leading Southerners by a
speech in behalf of his race at the
Cotton States exposition in Atlanta in
1895. OF undoubted ability and
breadth of vision his sane leadership
enabled him to accomplish more for
and among the negroes Of the United
States than any negro Of his time.
In addition to his prominence as an
educator, Washington gained consid-
cradle fame as an author. He re-
ceived an honorary degre Of master
Of arts from Harvard university in
1896 and was given an honorary de-
gree Of doctor Of laws by Dartmouth
college in 1901.
An incident of Washington's career
made him a figure of national promi-
nence during the administration of
President Roosevelt. He sat down to
lunch with the president at the White
House either by formal or informal
invitation. There was a storm of pro-
test. particularly from the South, but
in spite Of the resulting hostility
shown toward him by many white
persons, Washington continued to
exert a widespread influence toward
the betterment Of his people.
Like many older negroes Washing
ton did not exactly know how old he
was He was born near Hale's Ford,
Virginia, in 1859, he believed. This
never had been determined, however.
Physicians who had attended him re-
older than Sc years.
He is survived by his brother, John
III. Washington, general superintend-
ent OF Tuskegee, a widow, three chill
dren and four grandchildren. The
funeral will take place at the insti-
tute November II.