The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1921-03-31
MRS. CHRISMAN WRITES
OF HISTORIC COLLEGE
Entered Port Gibson Female College
1855. Items of Special Interest.


Mrs. Chrisman, who is the mother
tof Miss Anna Clara Chrisman who
started to Brazil as a missionary and
lost her life in the Johnstown Flood
writes from LuflSin, Texas, as follows:
I'm December, 1856, I, timid girl
Of twelve years was entered as pu-
Pill in Port Gibson Collegiate Acad-
emy, where / remained four years ex-
eept the vacation days spent on NV
happy plantation home in Copiah coun-
ty. My parents were Mr.. and Mrs.
John Harvey Thompson and my only
brother was Judge Robert H. Thomp-
son Of jackson, Mississippi.
DIR Thomas Capers, a nephew of
Bishop Capers, was the president of
the school, which had previously been
presided over by Mr.. Harvey and Mr.
Eggerton. DR.. Capers was young in
spirit and knew how to cheer homesick
girls, as well as how to teach them.
The faculty in 1S55-'56 consisted
OF Prof. Hicks, Miss Mary Ross, a
niece Of Mrs. John G. Jones Of the
Mississippi Conference; Mrs. Emily
Miller, a niece of Gen. Earl Van Dorm
of Claiborne county; Mrs. Brashear
and Miss Charlotte Davis of Port
Gibson.
At the close of that term DR.. Cap
ers was succeeded by Rev. BENJAMIN
Jones. His wife was daughter Of
DR.. Nathan Bangs, distinguished
Of Brooklyn, New York. She /
was brilliant and highly cultured
woman. Among her assistants was
her sister, Miss Sarah j. Bangs, and
their cousin, Mrs. Mary M. Barlow.
MY class graduated in 1859 They
we're: Laura Bridgers, Eulora Collins.
Eva Garrison, Kate Jeffries, Mary
Morris, and Julia Thompson. Laura
md Kate long since passed over the
liver. Kate died of yellow fever in
1878 near Port Gibson and Laura died
Vt Terrell, Texas, some years later.
Dear Alma Mater, how have al
ways loved you'll One bright scene
which fingers is of the MAY Party in
o5f when beautiful Emma Lipscomb .
vas the Queen. One "chilly" incident {
vas when the buildings caught fire
nd all rushed out on the sleet-covered I
round, thinly clad and barefoot. We
we're greeted by the fire company who .
Don extinguished the flames. One 7
'irl carried her small trunk down
tairs in her arms We never decided
'hether she had more presence of
lind than the rest of us or appreciat- 4
d more her wardrobe.
And Port Gibson as / knew tia
eautiful town Of wealth and culture.
Alma Mater, ] will never forget
oul Your history would fill volumes
charming reading. You still stand :,
S golden link between the old South
nd the new May your usefulness n
lcrease with the years. Would that v
could aid you in a substantial way, b
inclose an accurate list of students b
'r 1886, copied from my auto Il
raph album. / make out from men, il
~ and other sources a list of some il
,r other years. Mrs. Matilda Hollo- N
ian and Mrs. Charles D. Galloway il
ere later pupils and can furnish you a
her names and history.
4 am the widow Of Capt. Thos. J Of
hrisman who gave his life for 'the "
ause that was Lost, and / am the ii
other of Anna Clara Chrisman, our "A
visionary to Brazil, who lost her life ct
/ route in the Johnstown Flood Of m
lay, 1889. ] have been an itinerant M
Texas the last fifteen years, living
ith my daughter, Mrs. G. F. Smith,
ho is a member Of the Texas Con-
renee
! am sure there will be many in u
rested in this charming letter Of the =
yous saint, Mrs. Chrisman, who is .,
Nv eighty eight years old and still e.
,aring fruit. =
ROLFE HUNT, President. =