North Carolina Newspapers

weiMlitli PAGE 4—THE HERALD, Ahoskie. N. C.—MILESTONE YEAR 1S59 "STUDENT VOLUNTEER BAND" "DINING ROOM" "TENNIS CLUB" The Story of Chowan College: Continued Austerity Was Necessary in Days After War; Stock Company Formed Dedicated Men Come to Rescue (Continued from Page 1) $45 in provisions, at these prices: Corn per barrel, $3; wheat per bushel, $1.25; bacon per pound, 1214c; pork per pound, 8 cents. In cash, board fired by the Yankees from the gunboat down on the Meherrin River. They thought that they were firing into Confederates marching to the college. The shell exploded over the arch just in five months. Confederate money. Tuition was fixed at $50 for the collegiate department, $40 for academic, and $30 for music. A blow to the treasury was the fact that a 81.000 bond, held by the State of North Carolina, was called and had to be paid in 1864. Tuition for the 1864-5 coUego ses sion jumped alarmingly, to $150 collegiate, $112.50 academic, and $90 music. Board was decreased to $9 monthly, but was to be paid in provisions, valued at the same price as the previous year, except for a one-cent rise in the value of bacon and pork. “Each young lady is to furnish three boxes of candles to be de posited with the Steward,” the ruling read. “Those who cannot furnish provisions as they live at too great distance to deliver them, will be allowed to pay their equiv alent in money -by special con tract with the steward.” Food was more important than money, in that last year of the to be $225 for j front of the Yankees, who were The following Civil War story was printed in the “Columns,” the college magazine published in January, 1917. “Chowan in Olden Times” Ruth Lineberry, ’23 The following is a trde story re lated to the writer by a Murfrees boro citizen. One cold, windy afternoon in March, 1864, Mrs. B. A. Spiers, who was housekeeper at Chowan College, sent her little son, Julian, and a little Negro, to carry some nourishment to the sick Confeder ate soldiers in the Methodist col lege, which had been turned into a hospital. As the little boys were closing the large gate, on their way to the college, they were suddenly attracted by a crowd of people coming up the street, which proved to be the Yankee cavalry from Boykins, Va. “Dey shore is Yankees dis time,” cried the little Negro, “an’ dere’s millions of ’em.” The children did not hesitate, but ran swiftly down the walk and in a few minutes dashed into the college. “They’re coming! They’re coming! Quick, brother,” exclaim ed little Julian excitedly to his brother Genie and cousin Douglas who had that afternoon left their camp on the other side of Me herrin Church, and come home to see aR the family and get a good supper. “Who?” asked Douglas Spiers. “The Yankees,” was the quick response, which the soldiers dreaded to hear. The supper had just been spread before them, but they left it un touched and were soon hidden among the bushes on the hill west of the college. The news of the Yankees’ ar rival quickly spread, and in a few minutes all was confusion. The Negroes, were as happy as the white people were sad, and they gave vent to their feelings by throwing their hats into the air and singing at the top of their voices. “Thank God, the Yankees are coming! Thank God, the Yankees are coming!” The college girls chased old colored “Liz” with brick bats aU around the grounds. Little Norma Spiers was only one who did not seem to be excited. She sat at the top of the steps leading to the third floor, calmly watching, with a disdain ful look, the approach of the Yankees, who had just captured the sick Confederates. She was not thinking of the jewelry the teachers and girls had carefully concealed under her clothes, nor of her five glass marbles which she had hidden in the ground for fear she should be robbed. She was wondering if her brother and cousin had escaped, when “boom!” went off the shell badly frightened that they dashed helter skelter to the budd ing. They tied their horses on the hill whore the Confederate boys were hiding, and had hardly re covered from their fright when Captain Flusher arrived with his men from the gunboat. ‘President, I have orders to search this college,” said the cap tain as he stepped upon the porch. You have certainly come to a queer place to search for soldiers female institute—but as I cannot prevent you, go ahead,” answered Dr. McDowell, in a cool manner. At this moment little Willie Mc Dowell appeared. ‘This,” said the president’s wife, putting her hand on her son’s head, “is the oldest soldier we have here and I only wish he were old enough to fight you.” As she said this, Tyrone Spiers, a lad of fifteen years, came for ward and the captain cried, “He’s the one we want to capture.” The little girl could stand it no longer. She sprang up and with two leaps was standing among the soldiers, crying bitterly. “Don’t cry, sissy, I didn’t mean . We’re not going to take your brother,” began Captain Flusher, trying to make amends for causing such a scene. “I’m no sister of yours,” cried the enraged child, and with this she went out on the back porch, put her head against a post, and covering her face with her hands, continued to cry. The captain fol lowed and kissed her on the fore head. Then the child turned and looked at the man with a face pale with anger. ‘How dare you kiss me!” she cried. ‘My child, my child,” said her father in a surprised, sorrowful voice. “Jim, bring me some water and sand—a rag, too,” she told a little colored boy standing near, who replied with a grin, “Lawsey, I thought all dem Yankees had horns.” When the boy returned she scrubbed until she took the skin from her forehead and today white spot denotes the place where she was kissed by the Yankee captain. “I’ve a little girl about your size at home,” began the captain again, trying to make peace, “You ought to be there with her now!” exclaimed Norma. “Can you play, sissy?” “Yes.” “Play some for me then.” “I don’t play anything but Southern songs,” she answered. “You sure are a Southerner,” said the captain. “Yes, I’m a Southerner from the crown of my head to the sole of my foot!” she rejoined, “Well, play anything you want to,” said Captain Flusher. The little girl did as she was told, and in a few minutes the Yankees stopped talking to listen to “Dixie,” “The South,” “Bonnie Blue Flag,” and many other beau tiful Southern songs. While this was going on in the college, the two Confederate sol diers, Genie and Douglas Spiers, had stolen two Federal horses which were tied on the hill. They had hardly done this before the Yankees who had eaten their supper in the college dining room, started to stroll down the hill, and seeing the Confederate guards, started after them. Mrs. Spiers, who was standing on the veranda, saw a black cape fall. Her first thought was, “sup pose it’s my boy.” Mother-like, she did not wait, but with her hus band she ran down the hill, then up the other side, and at Wise’s graveyard they caught up with the Yankee regiment. They followed them as they went around the town, continually begging that they might see the prisoners. When their camp was reached, which was situated where the Boyette Hotel now stands, the Yankees agreed that Mrs. Spiers might see the prisoners, and her heart leaped for joy when she found that her boy was not among them. After Captain Flusher left the college, he sent a little book and a box of candy to Norma, but she would not touch them, and wrathfuUy exclaimed “I don’t want any of your Yankee trash!” Late in the afternoon as Captain Flusher was returning to the boat, he was mistaken for a private soldier and told to give the pass word. He hesitated, and his own men, thinking then that he was a Confederate, fired and killed him. The news quickly spread through the town, and when little Ruth McDowell heard it, she ran to her mother saying, “Mama, our dood- est Yankee’s dead.” It was probably on this occasion that the Hon. W. N. H. Smith, a Confederate Congressman and aft erwards Chief Justice of North Carolina, hid undiscovered under a small bridge on the west side of the Columns, while Federal officers seeking him passed overhead. Dr. McDowell Dr. William Hooper’s resignation as president, offered three years before, was, accepted with regret in July. 1865, when the Rev. Arch ibald McDowell succeeded to the presidency. In the first postwar year, 1865- 66. the Chowan faculty included A. McDowell, President, at a salary of $1,250; Mrs. McDowell, $650; Prof. James A. Delk, $1,000; a music professor, $800; and Miss Annie B. Taylor, $450. They Y'ere to be paid these sums under a complicated agreement which guaranteed the trustees 12% per cent of gross receipts. From any thing over the set salaries and the 12% per cent for the trustees, the faculty was to get another 12% per cent. The steward refused to furnish board for $9 per month, but B. A. Spiers accepted the proposition made by W. W. Mitchell, Dr. John Mitchell and Dr. McDowell. Under this, he agreed to furnish board for $9 per month, paid in coin or currency; to pay trustees 4 per cent rent, on gross income for 30 Ixiarders or less (8 per cent for from 30-40 boarders): to fur nish a manservant to make fires, attend to the public part of the buildings, and cultivate the grounds. In return, the trustees agreed to furnish lights for hall and pub lic rooms, and give free tuition to Mr. Spiers’ daughters. At the annual board meeting in July. 1866, Dr. McDowell suggest ed that trustees might wish to ap point another man as president, but he was reelected, and formal ly accented. Dr. McDowell, with the Rev. R. R. Overby and Dr. John Mitchell, was appointed to resolve the acute question of what to do about Negro members of churches in the Chowan Association at the meeting at Ballards Bridge i n 1866. The following sensible and Chris tian resolution was recommended and adopted, giving a clear view of relations of white and Negro Baptists in this area: “Your committee to whom was referred the relation of the colored mem bers of our churches, recommend that those who choose to retain their membership in our churches be permitted to do so with the same status as heretofore: and those who wish to join us be re ceived on the same terms. To those who wish to withdraw in order to form churches of their own, we advise our churches to grant letters of dismission and to give them sympathy and assist ance so far as practical in organ izing regular churches for them selves.” After the war, tuition fees were lowered to prewar equals esti mated in gold. But the going was rough, for R. B. Jones reported to the Association in May, 1867, at Ahoskie, that the Institute was $25,000 in debt. Stock Co. A new day had begun to dawn, however, at the board meeting in February, 1867. William Riddick of Gates County, holder of the largest claim against the Institute, agreed to cut it in half, if other creditors would do the same. It was agreed to form a stock com pany, which would own the in stitution and pay its debts. Al though the school would be pri vately owned, it was agreed' that the Baptist denomination would continue to have control of poli cies, and ownership would return to A-'^sociation- _whep—.. -the stockholders could be repaid in the future. By the May meeting, the Com mittee on Compromise reported that John 0. Askew. WiUie Rid dick, Miss Mary White, Langley Tayloe and the executors of Jesse Barnes’s estate had agreed to half payment on their claims. The stock-raising committee also reported the following subscribers: Hertford County—W. W. Mitchell, $6,000; William L. Tayloe, $1,000; Lewis T. Spiers, 8500; Camden County — Edwin Ferebee, $1,000; M. R. Gregory, $1,000; Bertie County—John Mitchell, $500; Dr. A. J. Askew', $500; Gates County- William Riddick, $3,500 (later re duced to $500). This brought the total stock sub scribed to $14,500. Dr. McDowell, William Dunning and L. T. Spiers were appointed to complete or ganization of the Joint-Stock Com pany under the direction of W. N. H. Smith, attorney. The Columns with one acre of land was advertised for sale, , and W. W. MitcheU bought it for $3,000 for the Stock Company, and then remaining land in the campus was deeded to the company. With the transfer of the Chowan Female Collegiate Institute to the Joint- Stock Company complete, and indebtedness again reduced, opera tion went on more smoothly. Despite the vicissitudes of the war years, the college managed to graduate 49 girls between 1860- 61 and 1867-68. out of a total en rollment for the seven years of 162. Dropping down to only 20 in school in 1862-3, the number climb ed back to 102 enrolled in 1866-7 and 1867-8. These few men came to the rescue of Chowan Baptist Female Collegiate Institute when the future was dark with burdening debts. The friends of the Institute and now Chowan College and the Bap tist denomination will ever be indebted to them for their heroic efforts in saving the institution. The year 1868-69 was a hard year financially for the steward, who boarded the young ladies and he was relieved of part of the obliga tion for that year and the next. At the meeting of the stockholders in May, 1870, it was voted, and this resolution was to be put in the catalog, that beginning the next school year the stock company would take over the Boarding Department and employ the steward and pay him a salary. Then at the meeting in July this resolution was adopted: “Resolv ed, that this company will never declare a dividend of more than 8 per cent on stock, and that the excess shall be devoted to the Institution.” The record shows that they never received any interest and all earnings were devoted to the school. At this annual meeting the resignation of Prof. James A. Delk was reported. He had served the Institute for many years, and was an able and valuable instructor. Resolutions of appreciation were then passed and recorded in the minutes: “1. That we sincerely regret the loss to the Institute of the valuable services of Prof. Delk. 2. That our thanks are due and hereby tendered to him for his faithful and efficient services. - 3. That we regret that we have not been able to pay his salary promptly, and especially that we are not now able to pay him all that is due him. 4. That the disbursing agent be instructed to settle with him at the earliest practicable period.” Prof. James A. Delk was the son of the Rev. James A. Delk, who moved from Surry County, Virginia, and settled in Murfreesboro in 1824; his mother was Mrs. Susan Batts Kerr, nee Holowell. He was never married. He attended Wake Forest Institute in the years 1834-35 and grad uated at the University of North Carolina. He “devoted his life to teaching and became a great educator in Murfreesboro in this state and in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Leaving Tennessee he returned to his native town and for over twenty years was professor in the CBF Institute. He was a ripe scholar and a most excellent man.” When Reynoldson Academy was opened in 1855 he was the first principal and remained with the school for three years. It was soon after this that he became again a member of the faculty of CBF Institute where he taught “Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Belles Letters.” This was the story of Prof. Delk as told by B. B. Winborne on his history of Hertford County. This was a very encouraging record for the year; however, the amounts due the Institute from students was still too large, $5,581.58, or one-fourth of the total amount for the year. At the stockholders’ meeting in July, 16(5, Dr. John Mitchell was given permission to erect an office on the campus at his own expense and the board was to take it at the valuation at that time whenever he wished to resign the use of it to the Institute. This two-room cottage was known as “Hope Cottage” because one of the faculty spinsters hoped to reside in that building as the wife of Dr. Mitchell, who was a bachelor and never married. This build ing was razed in 1957 making room for another and better building. J. W. Deans was elected to succeed B. A. Spiers as steward. The salary was to be $500, board for himself, wife and three children, the same as the year before. “In February, 1875, Dr. A. McDowell informed tlie stockholders that he had admitted into the Institute Miss Anne Caswell, an orphan from the Oxford Asylum (Orphanage), promising to give her free tuition and hoping that the benevolent will give enough to pay her board. His action was endorsed by the stockholders and he was au thorized to retain .her to the end of the session on the same terms.” One year later the stockholders voted to receive an orphan girl from the Asylum at Oxford each year on the same terms as the last one, and it v/as left with the superintendent to make the selection. Dr. John Ivlitchell was authorized to keep one young lady at a time the Institute until the expenses charged to him shall equal the amount exp'ended by him in building his office, which he then oc cupied. Dr. G. C. Moore communicated with the CoUegiate Institute about his granddaughter, Julia W. Moore, daughter of Maj. John W. Moore, to know if she might be admitted in consideration of money advanc ed to the Chowan Female Collegiate Institute more than fifteen years before. The Stockholders declined to accept her on that basis, but the following resolution was adopted: “In view of the many and valuable services rendered by Dr. G. C. Moore to the Baptist denomination, and especially in con nection with Chowan Female Collegiate Institute; Resolved, that we offer to his granddaughter, Julia W. Moore, daughter of Maj. J. W. Moore, tuition and board in the CBF Institute, free of charge, for three years, provided the charges for books, station ery and materials furnished her, be paid when due.” At the next meeting, July, 1875, “a letter was read from Dr. Moore, thanking the board for the courtesy extended to his granddaughter on his account.” College Duties Put in the Record Stock Company Signals New Day . . . Authors of Chowan Story (This definitive history of Chowan College was written by the Rev. Oscar Creech, associate to the president of the college, and a distinguished historian. He is the author of the history of First Baptist Church in Ahoskie and an authority on Baptist history in the Roanoke-Chowan. Revision and condensation work was done by Mary Ellen Albares of the Milestone Edition staff.) Period of the Joint-Stock Company, 1888-1879 The Civil War was over, but the Period of Reconstruction was on in full force. The operation of the Institute was about as difficult as during the war. For the next ten years, stockholders managed the Collegiate Insti tute. At the first meeting on January 8, 1868, W. W. Mitchell was elected chairman, Elder John Mitchell, treasurer and A. McDowell was elected secretary. Elder John Mitchell, known as “the beloved disciple,” offered prayer asking for the direction and blessings of God in conducting the Institute for the object for which the company was formed. A new charter had been secured, dated December 8, 1867. The company proceeded to fix terms of board and tuition for the next session. The total cost ran about $250 for the session with extra cost for music, art, etc. Salaries ranged from $400 to $1,000; the principal and his wife received $2,000. At the meeting of stockholders in June, 1868, they again passed a resolution pledging themselves to reconvey this property to the representatives of the Chowan and Portsmouth Associations when ever the money advanced in the purchase and improvement by them shall be refunded. An Executive Committee was appointed as follows: W. W. Mitchell, William Dunning and L. T. Spiers. L. T. Spiers and Principal Mc Dowell were asked to prepare certificates of stock and the secretary. Elder John Mitchell, was authorized to issue the certificates to the stockholders, W. W. Mitchell, Dr. John Mitchell, James L. Mitchell, Edwin Ferebee, William L. Tayloe, Louis T. Spiers, William Riddick, Dr. A. Jack Askew and M. R. Gregory. Money Troubles Begin to Mount . The Executive Committee met in July, 1870, and outlined the duties of all connected with the Institute:—President, Teachers, Steward and Matron. It s^id: “1. It shall be the duty of the president of the Institute, in addition to giving instruction in his own department, to exercise such general supervision over all the other departments as to assure himself that each department is filled by a competent teacher and that all perform their duties faithfully and efficient ly; and should the interest of the Institution, in his judgment at any time, demand a change or an improvement in any depart ment, it shall be his duty in consultation and concert with the officer in that department to effept; such change or improvement. “2. It shall be the duty of the teachers to labor faithfully to promote the efficiency of their respective departments, and to share in all miscellaneous duties of the school. “3. It shall be the duty of the steward to have charge of the entire premises; to employ the necessary servants and to see that they perform their respective duties faithfully; to superin tend the cultivation of the farm and garden; to keep fences in repair; to superintend the heating, lighting, cleaning and repair ing the buildings; all repairs involving expense to be made with the advice of the president. It shall be the duty of the .steward also to procure all necessary supplies and with the assistance of the stewardess to superintend the cooking and serving of food; also aided by the stewardess and matron to see that the dormi tories (rooms) are kept in good order and that their washing is properly done and their clothing preserved. “It shall be the duty of the steward also to keep the books and collect the accounts of the Institute, to return the money received for board to be used in supplying the boarding department and ■to pay over all other moneys to the president and to render an exact and specific account of all receipts and disbursements to the stockholders at each annual meeting or oftener if called upon to do so. “4. It shall be 'the duty of the matron to nurse the sick, ad minister medicine, see that they are provided with suitable nourishment, to see their rooms and the halls adjacent are kept clean and neat and that their beds are furnished with sufficient clothing and that the bed clothing is regularly changed, to examine the list of each young ladies’ clothing before it goes to the wash and again when returned and promptly inform the steward when any articles are missing. To attend the young ladies to the stores when necessary and assist them in shopping and when not employed in other duties to assist in the sewing belonging to her department.” B. A. Spiers and Lady (wife) were appointed stewards at a salary of $400 and board for them and their children. Financial Record Shows Struggle . . . At the meeting of the Executive Committee in July, 1871, this was found to be the financial record for the past year: Receipts for the year $12,377.76 Paid out —- 11,980.56 Charged to B. A. Spiers Left in hands of B. A. Spiers.... 297.20 100,00 TOTAL.., They also found debts due: A. McDowell salary on former years J. A. Delk salary on former years Mrs. L. J. Myrick salary on former years... To sundry persons by Stewards Dept._. To sundry literary.... Amount received in advance on next year ....$ 3,857.79 Amount due on reliable accounts.. Amount due on doubtful accounts... ...$ 4,086.15 555.56 These uncollected accounts were sufficient to pay what was due the faculty members. This item makes the operation at any college more difficult. Report for the next year, 1871-72, was much better, except the accounts due the school. Compare the totals: Received for the year. $15,413.38 Paid out 14,877.27 Cash in hands of B. A. Spiers 536.11 TOTAL,., .,..$15,413.38 During the year the amount, $3,857.79, due the faculty members was reduced to $1,982.99, or more than 50 per cent had been paid. At the Executive Committee meeting in July, 1876, when the books were examined for the past year, it was found that unpaid bills were mounting, now $10,371.47. This amount included past years unpaid bills; but the amount for the past year was $4,325.32. From year to year the bills not collected at commencement ran from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the total amount of student income, At this meeting the president was instructed to secure real estate mortgages where possible for amounts due the Collegiate Institute; and a few accounts were placed in the hands of attorneys. At a called meeting on February 15, 1878, the president was in structed to withdraw all claims in the hands of attorneys, not now in process of collection, and place them in the hands of some other collectors. The president reported the names of several students, upon whose accounts nothing had been paid during the current year. “Where upon he was instructed to insist on satisfactory settlement, or the withdrawal of such pupils from the school. He was further instructed to reduce the expenes of the Institute as far as 'consistent with efficiency.” “The chairman (W. W. Mitchell), called the attention of the board to the propriety of tendering their stock to the Association (Chowan) and of urging the Association to redeem it as soon as practicable. Whereupon, A. McDowell was requested to prepare a statement to submit to the Association, to report to a called meeting of the stock holders, to be held sometime previous to the next meeting of the Chowan Association.” The called meeting was held two months later on April 20, 1878, and two items were passed befor'e the main business was conducted: No young lady shall be entitled to receive a diploma from the Institution until her bills are paid or satisfactorily arranged. That calisthenics be introduced in the school as regular exercise. That a fee of $5 per annum be charged for it and that all boarding pupils, not excused for a sufficient reason, be required to engage in the exercise, and that a part of the charge go to the teacher and the other to the Institute.” The main item of business before this meeting was the statement prepared by Dr. A. McDowell at the request of the stockholders, the original founders and the proper owners and guardians of the Institute, submitting a proposition to the Chowan and Portsmouth Associations about returning the Chowan Female Collegiate Insti tute back to them. Here is the statement as read by Dr. McDowell: “The trustees of Chowan Female Collegiate Institute, at their semiannual meeting, February 15, 1867, finding themselves em barrassed by a large debt, created in the founding of the Insti tution, and increased by interest to an amount which precluded the hope of being able at that time to pay it by voluntary con tributions, and being pressed by some of the creditors for im mediate payment, resolved to transfer the Institute, with all its appurtenances, to a Joint-Stock Company, if such a company could be formed, upon condition for their assuming the debts, and binding themselves to restore the Institute to the two As sociations, whenever the money expended by them in paying debts and adding improvements should be refunded to them. “Mr. Willie Riddick, the largest creditor being present, gen erously proposed, if the money could be raised in short time, to compromise his claims at a discount of 50 per cent, provided the other creditors would do the same. Whereupon a committee was appointed to ascertain if the other creditors would consent to the same terms of compromise. “Both committees were successful and the company was or ganized on the 8th day of January, 1868, under charter bearing date of 28th of December, 1867. The property was transferred to the company, and they paid, in accordance with the terms of the proposed compromise, all the debts acknowledged to be valid, amounting in stock to $10,500. Cash advance by W. W. Mitchell, for which he holds the note of the company, $1,000. “The company has received nothing in the form of dividends or interest on their stock, but have ddvoted the entire income of the Institute to repairs and improvements. From this source they have made large additions to the appliances of instruction, thoroughly repaired the entire premises, which had greatly de preciated during the war, conducted ten years for the benefit of the denomination, with more than the former efficiency, and adding buildings and other permanent improvements to the value of $4,900. “They think the denomination should share this benevolent work with them, and especially that the denomination ought to own and control the Institution. They, therefore propose that an earnest effort be made as soon as practicable, to raise the sum necessary to redeem it, and to restore it to its original and appropriate owners. All they ask is the money expended by them in the payment of debts, with simple interest thereon and to raise this sura they promise to contribute liberally them selves. “Their reasons for submitting this proposition are: 1. The Institute needs all its income to keep the premises in See PICTURE, Page 6