The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-11-15
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.


the negro educator and leader, who
died yesterday at Tuskegee, Ala,
was undoubtedly one of the most re-
markable men of his time. In an
address before the Philosophical In
stitution of Edinburgh, Andrew Car
negie3 said of him: considering
what he was and what he is and what
he q has already accomplished, the
point he started from and the COM
handing position attained, he GER
tainly is one of the most wonderful
men living or who has ever lived"
Other distinguished men have spoken
OF. him with the same degree of ad-
miration and have honored him as a
friend,
Booker, T., Washington was born,
a slave, at Hale's Ford, Va, in 1857
or 1853. His owners name was John
Burroughs. His mother was the
plantation cook and had several chill
dren, all born in slavery. Booker
never learned with certainty the
name of his father. All he knew was
that: he was, a: white man. At the
close of the war, his mother, Jane
Ferguson, and his stepfather took
him, with the rest, Of the family, to
Maiden, w. Va. where he was put
to- work at a salt furnace: He had
never been to school, but was am
bilious to obtain an education. After
a. awhile he managed to attend night
school for: three. or four months a
year. Then his mother died and he
was compelled to earn his own living.
After working: in. the. mines and
furnaces for some time. he obtained
employment at the house, of Mrs.
Fariss :Ruffner, a lady Of. New Eng
land birth and training, who,, though
very .exactinga regarding all matters
of work, gave him opportunity to con-
tinue his studies Having heard Of
Hampton Institute, in. Virginia, he
determined to go there. With : lbs
small earnings and a. little money
which his brother John H. Wash
ingtens had IgiYen him, Booker was
enabled. to reach Richmond, Va, ar
riyings there penniless. n...,.-., -.
Finding shelter in, a hole under the
sidewalk he slept there all night,
awakening next day to find himself
near dock. where pig iron was UNI
loaded from a vessel, Securing work
from the captain Booker Washing
teag sremainedt there, until he had
enopgh money to pay. his way to
Hampton and So cents over. He en-
tered Hampton Institute and, to pay
f0ri.hisi tuition became assistant
janit0r.sa He graduated with honors
three years later and, then returned
taaWest Virginia, where he taught
school for a. while. Next he entered
Wayland Seminary, Washington, d.
Cs,whereshes remained one year, until
he was offered a professorship at
Hampton Institute He accepted and
remained in thatzposition4 two years.
In 1881 application was, made 10,
Genas S.. C.GaArmstrong, by citizens of
Tuskegeea Ala, for some one to start
anfinstitution, At that, place. on the
order vof. ID thess,e Hampton q Institute.
Becker Washington was recommend
edsfQr the position ndisaccepted with
enthusiasm. Upon aching Tuske-
he found neither land nor build;
iags, only q promise bynthe state to
contribute $4,000 annually toward
the expenses of the school. Booker
Washington started the school in an
old church and shanty, with thirty
students HE was the only teacher.
'issAfteraa short time. Mr.. Washington
haaghta an old plantation for $500,
laYinga down $3.50, which he had Dor
Fewed from Gem J. +. Marshall one
ofs his old teacher at Hampton cInsti7
tgte:ata BIZ Ski yltherculeany efforts he man
agedsstos raise; enough money % rs during
the next five months, to pay off the
dahtss Now, latter thirty, years Of ,ex-
isteneat the. schools plant with its
$500 acres Of land and its forty or
more buildings, is estimated at more
than $1,000, 000.a It's annual income
from all sources Is about l$s25',o 900,
aaseensiderableE1 part OF which comes
fgamx ;benetaetionsa Last year the
e,phen Of students. were. 1,662,s not
counting the $50 echildren in the
training school. There were 1877 Of