Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-04-25
BETTIS ACADEMY.
Annual Commencement Exer
cises Held. Work Reviewed
andHighly Commended.
Several Addresses.

One OF the Oldest and most cele-
brated institutions for the education
and developement of the colored
people of Edgefeld county is Bet,
tbs Academy, named for the found
er, Alex Belts, a Baptist preacher
of great influence among his race
and highly respected by the white
people.
From a small beginning with one
hall, this school has grown to large
proportions, and now there are sew
en- commodious buildings on the
grounds and all are filled each ses-
sion with students who come from
all parts of the surrounding country
the number last year reaching six
hundred. Besides the main hall,
dormitories there are work shops
and sewing rooms where practica.
arts, as furniture making, basket
weaving, sewing and cooking are
taught.
Having received invitations from
the president, Alfred Nicholson,
several Of US availed ourselves of
the opportunity to visit Bettis Aoad-
emy on last Friday. The invita-
tions stated that they were anxious
for their white friends to come and
see what they are trying to do and
help the president in his endeavor
to allay the feeling of unrest among
the people, convincing them TO stay
on the farm rather than leave South
Carolina with agents who were not
concerned about their welfare like
the white people among whom they
had always lived.
A great crowd was gathered for
the commencement exercises, many
coming long distance in wagons.
Seats were reserved for the white
people near the rostrum and after
we were seated a chorus of half
hundred voices sarg the opening
number, America, =; keeping time
with United States Hags that they
waved in their hands.
The hall was decorated with flow
ers from the woods, and around the
platform were arranged specimens
of the work in the industrial de-
partment. From trees that grew
around the schools had been made
tables, washstands, side-boards, and
beautiful baskets woven of pine
needles. The teacher said some of
the boys had made wash-boards to
take home as presents to their
mothers.
The class in sewing had an exhi-
biIon shirt waists, aprons and dress
es that would reflect credit on any
teacher.
The program consisted of well
written papers, plantation melodies
and recitations, and in all there was
heard the note of preparedness and
the part the colored race shoald
take in helping our country in the
present crisis. One of the songs,
Stay on the Farm" was a repre-
sentation of two boys with suit
cases ready to leave the farm but
who were persuaded by the group
of friends around them to change
their purpose.
Four girls had finished the pres
cribed course and received diplomas.
Supt. W. W. Faller presenting
them with words Of commentator
for the good work they had done.
Mr.. j. L. Quinby of Graniteville,
who is interested in the betterment
of the colored race and williag to
encourage them in their efforts in
troduced the white people ca the
platform, some responding with
short talks. The president and
faculty were congratulated on their
wise management of the school and
good sound advice was given them
by experts in farming who explain
ed the benefits to be derived from
diversified crops for greater food
supply. The importance of tenn
perance was suggested to them and
it was gratifying to know that pre-
sident Nicholson makes a feature
every year of pledge.signing day in
the school and will not allow whis-
ky or wine on The grounds among
the students.
AT the close of the exercises the
white people were served a delight
full dinner that had been specially
prepared for them by the presi-
dents wife.
The guests were surprised and
delighted with their visit to the
academy, many not having realized It's