The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-05
Dr. Fielder Writes Of Work
 Al Sand Mountain School

of the institution. More than that 1 While travelling through the country l obtained for him a $50 scholarship from an official of the eleventh largest bank in the United States. This scholar ship, if he continues his present course or faithful service, will probably be
 repeated till the end of his high school
 career, and it may not end then The statement that he had never worn shoes I did not make. Nor did I as-
 sert that he had been surrounded all
 his life by people who could neither read nor write. The fact is I do not Know even now from what community
 he came. He presented himself at my door; his story appealed to me; gladly gave him an opportunity and from that day till this l have been personally responsible TOT his school expenses. His work will cover part or them; the scholarship another frac- tlon and the balance I intend to pro- vide from other sources. What have oone for him I have done for others as also has Mrs. Elder, the superinten- oenl or the Rebecca McCleskey school TOT girls. We are giving help now to more than 200 of both sexes.
 Now few words for the special bene- Tt Of the good people of Sand Mountain anu Tor any others who may have read MT otrickiands article, and who, as a iesult, may have formed bias against tne seminary and it's officers and teach CTS The school was opened by Mrs. A D. Elder in her own little three room nome in response to an appeal iron, some poor glrls who wanted somebody to start them on the road to an education. In lS9S 1t was adopted by the Alabama an. nual conference of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Since then it has enjoyed the moral and financial backing of that cnurch. together with the support of llienos or young people in other denolnf- natfons. notably the Baptist and the Methodist Episcopal south. It's growth uurins this period has been very rapid ana most gratifying. The total enrollment last year in all departments was 1.O3I wlth nearly 2o0 turned away for lack of room. The present value of buildings and equipment is about $140,OO0, and when the new administration building, a build- ing which will be the largest and finest of It's kind in northern Alabama and one or the finest in the entire state, is com pleted, it's material assets will be fully doubled.
 among its graduates and former stu dents are hundreds of successful farm CTS, prosperous business men, efficient lawyers, doctors and preachers and popular school teachers. The worth or the institution to Boaz and vicinity can hardly be overestimated. Town property ana farm lands have been enhanced ill value by it's presence and by the oppor- tunities which it offers to ambitious young people and to anxious fathers and mothers. As an institution of learning and as training school for chara cter ana Tor genuine American citizenship 1t commands the admiration and enjoys tho confidence and support of people in nearly every state in the Union.
 leading Alabama banker remarked to the writer in your city few days ago, q believe that your school is do- ing more good than any other school in the state,' and a prominent railroad contractor in distant city wrote a short time since, T believe that my in- Vestment in your institution is one of the very best that make from year to year"
 But enough of this. Permit me say, MT. Editor, that Boaz and Sand Moun- tam have no truer friend than I am, and few, if any, of those who live here have done more to give this section of the state prominence and popularity. I have almost fought and bled and died for it, especially for the spot on which stands the John IT. Snead seminary.
 Again l express my regret that MT. Strickland did not get what said at first hand, and I hereby extend to him a cordial invitation to visit us. The latch string is on the outside and just gentle pull will gain admission for him. He is welcome to our campus, our classrooms and our homes. The same sort of aa invitation is extended to all other citi- zens of Sand Mountain. Come yourselves and bring your sons and daughters and we will give you the best we have and do it with a glad heart and willing hand. Most respectfully,
 WILLIAM FIELDER.
 Boaz, December 2, 1920.