The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-23
NEGRO SCHOOL WORK.
Report ON The Years Activities BY
Supervisor of Rural Schools.

y NciNOittlOii, anu IL 1S Will
and much qualification that we note
the marked success Of the past year,
due to the splendid cooperation of the
colored teachers of Sumter county.
1t would be a very difficult matter
TO find a more earnest and loyal set
OF men aad women anywhere. 1t has
peen busy winter. Times have been
hard. The high cost of living has
caused all to make great sacrifice and
we have often wished that our good
friends could have known of the very
great sacrifices by the teachers made
on account Of such small salaries, to
uplift our negro boys and girls of the
rural dstriits
Much lime has been spent i'm the
training of the teachers this year,
made possible by our demonstration
rooms. IN every instance the train
ing has been most acceptable by those
who attended. We have not the fur
nishings we need but all seem rather
to work with a little, and be patient.
waiting for a better time, than to
have no place at all.
A strong County Teachers Associa-
tion has been organized with the fol-
lowing officers: President, Mrs. An
ME Saun@ers; vice president, Miss
Elizabet.. 3rogdon; secretary, Mrs.
Rosa Wilson; treasurer, Dr. Bragg
Anthony. All unanimously agree that
it was better to place the work of the
county schools on exhibition at our
monstratiOn rooms, 220 South Sa-
lem Ave. We have had an institute
this year, teachers meetings every
first Saturday. All have been held at
our demonstration rooms. We cannot
sufficiently thank our county board
and friends, the ladies of the Civic
League, who have helped us and we
ask them and others to help us get
the necessary equipment so that Sum-
ter County colored teachers may con-
! tinue to more thoroughly prepare
| themselves for the work of lifting up.
The teachers have contributed to our
commencement and Field Day expens-
es, the sum OF which will be re-
ported after our next Teachers meet
ing, April 9Th. Nineteen schools from
the extension of the school term, and
a number of Red Cross auxiliaries or
ganized with more than $500 coll
lected. We would feel safe in saying
that the cOlored schools have raised
since the middle of January between
five and six hundred dollars.
! County Commencement March 2S,
Thursday night, at Shiloh baptist
church, corner of Washington and
Dingle streets, at which time we will
render a most interesting program,
Lut we will have short addresses from
DR.. II. S. Wilkinson, president of the
State college at Orangeburg. Hon. j.
Herbert Brannon, State agent for me-
Eio schools and Miss Emma ]. Will
son, president of Mayesville Institute,
a woman born and raised in this State
and through her own untiring efforts
has brought to pass things that any
Z" us ought to feel proud of.
We havt3 a class of six whom we
hope to present as having finished the
three years course of industries, and
the 9Th grade of the rural schools
has taken literary test and made
creditab BILE marks.
| On March 30, we have our usual
march to .he Court House, where we
will sing ,ur spiritual melody, offer
prayer to God for having blessed us.
and then we will be addressed by
Rev. IL. S. Truesdale, d. d., the pas
tor of Trinity Nj. e. Church. We feel
highly honored to have such a rich
treat in store from one who needs no
| introduction in Sumter for his name
suggests learning, wisdom, ana cul-
| ture.
We take this opportunity of thank
! ing all for the hearty cooperation and
support that has been given us. And
we hope each day to grow deeper and
deeper i'm your interest and confidence
that we may fully convince you of our
purpose, TO lift up humanity.
l.. Bragg Anthony, NJ. D.