The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1918-03-08
OBITUARY OF DR.. H. T, KEAL-
ING, A. M.
BY Shelton French, Vice President
Of Western University.

of Western University.
Hightower Y. Healing, A. M, d. D.,
LII. D., was born in Austin, Texas,
April l. 1859, and departed this life
Feb. 20, 1918, aged So years, 10
months, "a days.
While youth Of fourteen years he
was circuit rider with Presiding FL
der Haywood, whose district consti.
tuted the whole state of Texas. H.
was secretary and recorded the
minutes Of all the quarterly confer
enceS.
After completing the work of the
public schools of his native city, he
graduated from Straight University
at New Orleans, La, and still hay
Ing an Unsuitable desire for more
knowledge went to Tabor College,
Tabor, Iowa, where he finished his
collegiate course with great credit
He was ever especially a student Of
philosophy, science, languages, soci-
ology and the Holy Bible Thus he
had thoroughly prepared himself for
a great career.
Though born slave, his life
achievements prove that Negro
can conJugate Greek verbs, master
higher mathematics, and withal be
man among men.
His first work afr leaving college
was to establish Paul Quinn College
ut Waco, Texas, and then he became
vice president of the State Normal
School at Prairie View, Texas
From there he became supervising
principal of the colored schools Of
Austin, Texas, and later established
and became principal of the Negro
High School of the same city. Later
he became president Of Paul Quinn
College at Waco, Texas.
In 1896 the General Conference in
session at Wilmington, N. c., elect
ed him editor of the A. M. f. Church
Review, which position he filled with
credit to himself, the church and the
race, most splendidly and accepta,
bly,. Here Is where he so brilliantly
displayed ripe scholarship a profun-
dity of information that can only be
secured by wide and careful reading,
keen analytical mind Of philo-
sophical poise, and a complete mas
terry Of forensic expression.
In 1901 he was delegate to the
Ecumenical Conference in London
England. He participated in the
deliberations Of this meeting and
had an important part in all of its
constructive policies.
While abroad he visited through
out England, France and Switzer-
land.
On October /, 1910, at the call OF
Governor Stubs of Kansas and on
the recommendation of Booker r
Washington, Gishop A. Grant and DR..
]. R. Ransom, he resigned the edi-
torship of the Review to become
president OF Western University.
November 1, 1870 he was indicted
into this new position in the middle
west How well he succeeded is
attested by the status of the school.
the character and efficiency Of It's
graduates and this multitude OF
faithful, admiring, mourning friends
In 1911, he became a member OF
the Jeanes Fund Board, taking the
place of the lamented Bishop Grant
DR.. Healing was distinctively an
educator and lover of aspiring
youth. His life was characterized by
simplicity, efficiency and quality.
He placed character above achieve
ment, and honesty Of purpose above
attainment. He was not a radical,
but a practical reformer. AS a
thinker and pnblicist, he ranks not
only among the foremost Of his race,
but among the ablest of his day.
With ease he could hold, and lead,
and sway his audiences. His wit
was spicy, ever quick at repartee,
enjoyed a good story, and was most
successful in telling a good story,
telling 1t well and driving it home
to its logical and moral conclusion.
His last public utterance was de-
livered from this sacred rostrnm, in
a sitting posture to q large, magni-
hcent audience on the afternoon Of
January s, 1918, from the subject, "A
Man Without Eyelids." 1t proved to
be his "Swan Song" IN closing that
address he told this apt,
inimitable story of little boot-black
who was over-awed by the brilliant,
gsudy attire of the Negro dandy
whose shoes he had just shined.
The little gamin said, Excuse me,
Boss, butte want to ak you a Ques-
ton. Is you anybody in Particular"
And then, DR.. Healing rising from
his chair to his full stature made
his last stirring public appeal of his
life to his people, for them always
to try to be Somebody in particu-
lar" In peroration that was as
dramatic as 1t was inspiring and i'm
pressive. he told how easy and how
important 1t is for everybody TO be
Somebody in particular" bv being
intelligent, Industrious, frugal, patri-
otto, Christian citizens, Peace be to
his ashes. He leaves a faithful, low
Ing. devoted wife and five children.
Goldie, Frances, CAROLYN, Cecilia and
Hightower j., Jr, and an innumera-
BILE host Of admiring friends to
mourn his departure.
His life Is carved in imperishable
granite. and indelibly written on
the hearts Of men.
Though gone, he will never ne
forgotten. And children. yet to be
born. will rise to call him blessed.
Truly was he an ideal college
president whose life is an inspira-
tional monument to the youth who