^0 SECTION G—PSGE 4
HERTFORD COUNTY HERALD, AHOSKJE, N. C.
1939 HISTORrCAC EDITION
HERTFORD COUNTY NEGRO
RURAL EDUCATION
(Continued from Page 3)
taught at Waters Institute. She served successfully as supervisor for
three years. Most of the rural schools were one-teaoher schools at that
time so Miss Hall started a building program. At the dose of three
years she resigned and Mrs. Mary E. Sills, prominent business woman
of Ahoskie, was appointed. She served one year and during that time
rendered excellent service.
In 1917 Mrs. Mary Haywood was appointd supervisor. She re
mained in the work three years and also rendered excellent service.
She was not a native of Hertford County but came to us from Virginia.
During .those years the supervisor dealt with the industrial work of
■the school only.
For three years Hertford County was without a Jeanes teacher,
then Mrs. Katie M. Hart was recommended to the County Board of
Education by Supt. N. W. Britton as being the best colored teacher
in the county and asked to have her appointed as supervisor of schools.
This was done in 1922. Superintendent Britton asked her not to do in
dustrial work but to observe how the teachers were teaching. On
visiting the schools, the supervisor counted 90 to 95 pupils crowded in
one class room on uncomfortable seats. Realizing that very little good
teaching could be done under such conditions, a building and improve
ment program was launched immediately. Consolidation for Negro
schools at that time was not encouraged.
There were at that time in the county fourteen one-teacher schools,
fifteen two-teacher schools, three three-teacher schools, one five-
teacher school, and one high school. At the close of 1938 there were
three one-teacher schools, eight two-teacher schools, six three-teacher
schools, three four-teacher schools, one seven-teacher school, and two
high schools.
During those years a number of school houses and one teachers’
home were built. Several schools were improved and much equipment
bought. Colored citizens were able to secure busses to transport their
children to school. The bus movement had its origin in Ahoskie imder
the leadership of Prof. C. S. Yeates, successful principal of the Ahos
kie school at that time. Other communities did likewise. Rev. G. T.
Rouson, who brought his school from three to seven teachers, aided
in getting a bus for Murfreesboro. Through Dr. C. S. Brown, Rosen-
wald and State help were secured. All high school and some element
ary pupils are transported to school without cost to the patrons now.
but prior to that the following communities transported their children:
Ahoskie, St. JohnsTownship, Murfreesboro, Pleasant Plains and Co
field.
With Prof. H. D. Cooper’s leadership, Ahoskie school has grown to
a high school with at least 19 teachers. Two new buildings have been
erected. Prof. H. C. Freeland is principal of Waters Training School
and is putting forth every effort to make the work a success. Recent
financial campaigns in both schools netted nearly a thousand dollars
each to aid In standardizing.
In the sixteen years that Mrs. Katie M. Hart served as supervisor
of schools and under her leadership, Negroes of this county raised
?33,975 for rural education. A bookmobile, which is the only one
owned by Negroes in the United-States, was purchased and is being
operated and the only independent registered Negro Public Library
in the United States has been organized and is being operated in this
county. A county Red Cross Chapter was organized with 108 members.
ANNOUNCING A BOOK
“The Ahoskie Era Of Hertford
County”
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Parker Bros.
Ahoskie,
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