The Omaha guide., 1932-12-17

lot of talk in Sunday school about
putting ones light under a bushel.
I just found out the meaning of
that expression upon visiting St.
Paul Normal and Industrial School,
located here at the county seat Of
Brunswick County.
Here, indeed, is a shining light OF
Negro education, hiding its light
under a bushel of ~obscurity, con-
structed largely out of the physical
isolation of this Episcopal institu-
ton of learning in the heart of
Virginia's- black belt-so situated
that while it is within a stones
throw. SO to speak, of several of
this states largest cities, it is about
as hard to find as the needle in the
~proverbial haystack.
Located half way between Dan
vile and Norfolk, the school must
depend upon a tWo-tra1n-a-day
service or upon a bus line which
only passes within seven miles OF
it. While the school is only SO
miles from Richmond, the traveller
must go from Richmond to Dan
vile or to Norfolk, more than twice
the distance, IN order to reach it by
train. But that's another story.
Founded on Faith
st. Paul was founded in the sum
mer of 1888 out of the faith of
Archdeacon James S. Russell, now
principal emeritus, and his wife.
The price of the land was $1,000
for which the pair gave notes. Three
days after the deal was made, five
dollars was received from a white
friend in Duluth, Mimi. Other do
nations followed. That was how St.
Paul was started. In 1890 it was
incorporated.
Today there is a campus of 1,60G
acres, all paid for, 40 buildings, an
enrolment of 674 students, more
than 1000 graduates and 10000 un-
dergraduates.
While the present enrolment is
674, the school has had more than
800 regularly enrolled students and
with its summer school, has had an
annual attendance of more than
1000. Every building on the cam
puS has been constructed by student
4nhO4 b11C ldSC0b ootAAb1OA4 Willis ~
Julia C.. Emery Hall. a new five
story dormitory, which houses 166
girls. Work on the new administra-
ton building is expected to be COM
pleted in April.
The present building program
calls for a home economics build
ing, money for which is already
available, science building, library
and gymnasium. The day begins
early at ST. Paul. Starting with
the rising bell at 6 am, and break
fast at $50, there is a beehive Of
activity going on uEtil taps at 9:45.
Practice VS.. Theory
Theory is subordinated to practice
at this school, where everybody
Courses are offered from the pri-
mary department thru the first two
years of college. Seven trades are
offered to the young men, namely,
auto mechanics. masonry, carpen-
try, electrical work. plumbing and
steam-ftting, printing and tailoring.
Examples of the practical work in
tailoring may be found hanging IN
the wardrobe of nearly every teach
er and student on the campus.
Girls may learn plain sewing,
dressmaking, domestic science and
beauty culture. The last-named
course, put in two years ago, has
proved to be one of the most popu-
lar at the school. There is always
4 large enrolment at The normal
school.
st. Paul has an ideal location to
Erender service. In Brunswick Coun-
ty there is the heaviest preponder-
ance of Negro over white popula-
ton in the state, there being 10000
Negroes to 5000 whites. Criminal
expenditures in Brunswick County
rank among the lowest in the state
and the county Jail has been known
to be empty for six months at a
time. There has never been any
racial friction.
Hospital Serves Thousands
While the school has rendered a
great service in supplying the coun-
lty and state with competent school
J, teachers and artisans, probably its
most effective service IS rendered IN
the field of health.
THE Louie Tavlor Letcher Mem
, orial Hospital, located on the cam
pus. is the only hospital for Ne
lgroeS within an area Of 5000 square
miles and serves a population of 75,-
700 persons. In this ares there is
not more than one physician to U.s.
600 persons, and were it not for the
school hospital, the 1900 inhabi-
tants of Brunswick County would be
without the services of a physician.
At present, DIR. Clifton +. Nelson, a
graduate Of Howard University, is
) the school physician.
Meats and foodstuffs in abund-
ance are raised by the school, acc
acres of, land being under cultiva-