The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-06
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Senator Lodge, in which he was show ing up some of the old Homeric heroe! in not very heroic light.
 
 But as this is not to be a story about Helen of Troy or the Trojan war, but a mere epitome of short visit recently made to our own hustllng little city of Troy I will cut out the Greek stuff and talk plain American.
 ] Troy of old belongs to the dead past. It's memory is but dream of the infancy of the race, while modern Troy is alive and it's citizens awake and about their daily affairs.
 It seems strange that as many times ! as I had been in Troy that I had not visited the Normal school, for President l Shackelford is an old and esteemed friend of long standing. Time and again in passing through I had looked out on the buildings and watched the group of young men and women on the grounds, for the school is in the heart of the city facing the railroads and just across from the depot.
 The wisdom of the legislature was shown in selecting Troy as the place for one of the four Normals True, it is in south Alabama, but Troy is situated on a ridge of sand hills about 600 feet aboy the sea level. This will be news to some Birmingham people, but was reared in an adjoining county to Pike and am fla miliar with the topography. By the way, there is one long view from near Troy which is well worth trip to see. l always watch out for it when passing through on the train.
 I hold that the community has much to do in the formation of the character of those who attend school in it's midst Troy has long been noted for the liber- ality, refinement, and hospitality of it's citizens. Boarding students who are not in the dormitory find hearty welcome and ready sympathy in the homes of the town. The city stands by the school. The moral fife of the city is scrupu- lously guarded. The Trojans are God fearing and church going people.
 I dropped in on Dr. Shackelford with out notice. I saw him in his office and watched him as he handled members of his faculty, the teachers in attendance, and patrons. He was always courteous, sympathetic, and business like. He struck me as a man who was on to his job and who knew the type of people among whom he was working
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 It would be strange if he didn't, for on leaving the University of Ala bama after graduation in 1885 he made a bee Trojan of the Trojans. In him is won- derfully well exempiified the expression, he works like a Trojan" for Shackel- ford is man of energy who does things himself and also makes others do their part.
 pr. Shackelford has taken deep root in Trojan soil. He has built for himself monument in the school The school is largely what he has made it. But he has not let it swallow him and while building for others he has wisely builded for himself one of the most attractive homes in the city where he can find place of rest from his daily cares I am always glad to find teacher or preacher who owns a livable home and has a bit of independence.
 While the grounds are rather cramped the buildings make an imposing appear ance. I went into one of the older build- iO0 w t,ai, and was particularly pleased with the effort being made to use things easily accessible to the teachers and students. For example many things were being made out of pine straw and other na- tive grasses, twigs and wood. This is as it shouldd be. The teachers going forth can find material all around the neigh borhoods in which they teach without ordering it from far away. It's great idea and ought to have development in all our schools.
 I went through the main building, the dormitory, and the library. The buid- ings, in so far as they go, meet the re- quirements, but the state when 1t gets in funds could well afford to spend more money at Troy. I hope the states finances will get in such shape before Governor Henderson's term is out as to permit him to materially help the school in his home town.
 
 The Troy normal nas an excellent H. brary building. It is well built and standing by itself makes a fine show. found, however that the amount of money available for the purchase Of books was small. Here is a great chance for some wealthy Trojan to do his city good turn. I could call the names of several who I believe if the proper rep resentations of the needs were put be- fore them would respond handsomely. Here is chance for some committee to get busy.
 I went into several classes. I got into kindergarten study. A half dozen or more boys and girls from to were being used by an expert teacher to show the budding teachers how to handle the little ones. I meant to stay a few min utes and remained an hour. Children always get me. It was a story about the care of the body. The body was the castle. This idea ran through the story When the question was put, Why do you want to keep your castle clean?" up sprang little man with shining face who said, <" Cause if you don't you'll get sick and then you'll have to take castor oil" He broke up the class. He