The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-11

! M1GNo you happen to know who
" gave the first money to the
Alabama Boys Industrial
sehool?"
The question was asked yesterday
by D. NJ. Weakley, the beloved super
irtendent of this beloved institution,
who has for the past IL years given
his best efforts. his time and his
rove to the training of the waywaru
! boys of Alabama, and whose pIsce In
the hearts Of these boys couldn't be
filled 50 dearly do they love him in
return
No. l answered. "of course Mrs.
X D. Johnston's name always comes
TO mind whenever the Alabama Boys
industrial school is mentioned. a
name which means everything which
is beautiful and sweet, and IL carries
"reminiscences of the pioneer work
she did in founding and organizlng
the institution to every loving heart
in Alabama
"Of course Mrs. Johnston's name
comes first, always, and ii was in her
| hands the first contribution for the
rounding and the organization of the
school was placed The first contri-
/ R1S maui ny VEiSOnGE dl
Fiat Top when Mrs. Johnston was
teaching and doing prison work For
l6 years Mrs. Johnston had been en-
/ gagged in this worthy work, going
among the prisoners, teaching the
doctrines of reform and a better and
sweeter life, and one day as she
was talking to a certain prisoner
at Flat Top, he said:
Mrs. Johnston, why don't you
turn your teachings and your love
and your sweet spirit of helping
others TO lead better lives to our
boys instead of us prisoners? IL you
viii. I'll be the first to give you $50
to start such an institution where
the boys of our state may be taught
to keep in the straight and narrow
path, and not meet the fate that
some of us have met. I've saved that
much here by overtime work."
In the dark, dark walls of prison.
cell these beautiful words, this
happy thought, originated; and
that noble-hearted woman, Mrs.
r. D. Johnston, with J heart
of gold and a hand of mercy, reached
out into the byways and hedges. and
eorraled her forces, and founded the
Alabama Boys Industrial school.
Today the institution prospers, pro-
gressive, an honor to the fair name
of Mrs. r. d. Johnston, It's sponsor
and to D. M Weakley, its efficient
superintendent, is making another
step forward, and with the cere-
monies next Thursday. November II,
of the laying of the corner stone of
the first unit of the new buildings,
an epoch is again made in the history
of this now famous institution.
THE new building will be called
"Kilby hall" said Mr.. Weakley. IN
honor of Governor Kilby, under
whose administration we and all
other similar institutions have been
so generously and kindly remem-
bered. Governor Kilby has shown
us every consideration, and has
given us his cordial support, and we
are heep1y indebted to him for many
Innovations and examples of real as
sistance.
Our new buildings will be mod
ern in every way, and we expect to
be able to care for our boys In
more sanitary and wholesome way in
every respect. Three boys to a room
will be the arrangement in the new
building, and besides the excellent
dormitory environments, a splendid
gymnasium Will be built. A swim
ming pool and all things pertaining
to well regulated play will be in
stalled, under a capable supervisor
The re-equipment of our shops, the
tailor shop, the shoe snop, the print