Oakland sunshine., 1915-10-02
THRIFTY ARKANSAS SCHOOL

Walters Institute to Lay Conversions
at Chapel Opening, Sept. 26.
Warren, Ark. Walters institute, lo-
Gated at Warren. Ark. will begin its
eighth annual session with the laying
Of the cornerstone and the opening Of
its new chapel. The exercises begin
Sept. % with a sermon delivered by
Bishop Alexander Walters Of New.
York city, for whom the school is
named, and continue through Wednes-
day, the 29th. The Rev. Thomas w.
Wallace, editor Of the Western Star Of
Zion, East st. Louis, ILL.,. and the Rev.
John G. Temple.
The new chapel is a modern brick
building, affording space In its con-
crete basement for dining room, kitch-
en- and pantries. The building will be
named Blackwell chapel In honor Of
the splendid service which Bishop G..
L. Blackwell has rendered the school
and the southwest during the seven
years he has presided over that dio-
cese. The bishop also will be present
for the event.
The main building of Walters insti-
tute, thirty room frame structure,
with all of its equipment, was destroy
ed by fire April "a, 1914. There was
only $1,000 insurance, $1,000 of which
was used to cancel the mortgaged in
debtedness on the building that was
burned. Notwithstanding this, Profess
sor James W. Eichelberger, principal
of the school, has, with the board OF
trustees, so managed and worked that
money has been raised and two new
buildings large frame building and
the Blackwell chapel. which is to be
opened In October-have been erected
at a cost of more than $4,000. The
frame building has been furnished,
current expenses met with compara-
lively small deficit and the work is
more promising than ever before.
The institution enjoys the distinction
Of having eight very prominent white
men on its advisory board, of which
board the mayor of Warren Is chair
man. These gentlemen have stood 10y
ally by the principal in his efforts to
rebuild. The school represents In a
very large degree what the race Is do
ing for itself in the south. The princi-
pal addressed four conferences presid-
ed over by Bishop Blackwell in June,
where he received more than $500 for
the work. The Woman's Volunteer
movement, an organization which be-
gan Immediately after the fire de-
stroyed the first building, has been help
full In securing money with which to
carry on the work. Now REINFORCED
by a number of prominent women In
several states, the organization Is max
ing the effort to shower the chapel and
dining room with necessary equipment
and furnishings by Sept. 20.
The trustees are also planning to
make a special effort on Sept. 26 to
raise a large sum with which 70 meet
pressing obligations and to carry the
work on throughout the session. The
attempt Is being made by the manage
ment to show how meager are the
school facilities for the Ne6-o youth In
this section. There are fewer colleges
and good high schools in Arkansas
than In any of the southern states.
The illiteracy in the deltas of Arkan-
sas, near where the school is located,
is greatest, while illiteracy in Louisiana,
whence a number Of the students
come, is 4S.4 per cent Walters insti-
tute is doing a fine pioneer work in
the southeastern part of Arkansas, Of
fering the regular high school course
and training in few industries.