'
■449.21-
OP^MAL o #
or
The State Normal
and
Industrial School,
NORTCHL. KLHBHMH.
■p
IIP mm
&& ' ■
President W. II. COCNCILL.
PRESIDENT W. H. COUNCILL.
W. H. Councill was born in Fayetteville, N. C., in
1848, and brought to Alabama by the traders 1857,
through the famous Richmond Slave Pen. He is a self-
made man, having had only few school advantages. He
attended one of the first schools opened by kind Northern
friends at Stevenson, Alabama, in 1865. Here he re¬
mained about three years, and this is the basis of his
education. He has been a close and earnest student ever
since, often spending much of the night in study. He
has accumulated quite an excellent library and the best
books of the best masters are his constant companions,
as well as a large supply of the best current literature.
By private instruction and almost incessant study, he
gained a fair knowledge of some of the languages, higher
mathematics and the sciences. He read law and was
admitted to the Supreme Court of Alabama in 1883.
But he has never left the profession of teaching for a day,
although flattering political positions have been held out
to him. He has occupied high positions in church and
other religions, temperance and charitable organizations,
and has no mean standing as a public speaker. And
thus by earnest toil, self-denial, hard study, he has made
himself, built up one of the largest institutions in the
South and educated scores of young people at his own
expense.
NORMAL.
While the State Normal and Industrial School, at Nor¬
mal, Alabama, has made little display through the public
prints, it is a fact that it is doing a great work for Negro
Education, and stands among the best schools of the land.
This institution, like many others in the South, is the
work of sacrifice and charity. The early teachers taught
for a bare living in order to make the school a fixture.
Prof. Councill, the founder and President of the school,
gave his entire earnings for more than ten years to the
work. The documents which the teachers signed, dona¬
ting their salaries to the cause of education of the negro
race, is a part of the records of the institution, and a wit¬
ness of their devotion and consecration to the work.
The school began its existence in the city of Hunts-
ville, Alabama, May 1, 1875. It was first taught in a
Normal Station—Elora Branch of N. C. & St. L. R. R.
NORMAL.
7
little church, and then in rented houses about the city
until September 1, 1882, a beautiful lot consisting of five
acres of land on which stood several buildings, was pur¬
chased and the school permanently located.
Beginning May 1, 1875, with not one dollar in prop¬
erty, only one teacher, nineteen pupils, annual income of
$1000. In 1878, its work was so satisfactory that the an¬
nual appropriation was increased to $2,000, and it then
had four teachers and over two hundred pupils. The
Peabody and Slater funds made liberal contributions to its
support. In 1884, the Alabama Legislature increased the
Only School attended by President Councill,
Stevenson, Ala., lK(!5-8.
annual appropriation to $4,000, the city of Huntsville gave
aid, and warm friends, North and South, contributed liber¬
ally. The old buildings on the grounds were improved,
and by 1890, two large handsome brick buildings, one
large frame dormitory for young men, and a commodious
Industrial building had been erected and fitted up ; the
faculty had been increased to eleven teachers, and more
than three hundred students were receiving instruction in
a thorough Normal Course and in important industries.
The institution had grown to be a great power in shaping
the destinies of the negro race—indeed, the nation.
8
NORMAL.
Thus in 1890, fifteen years after the founding of the
school, it was located on its own grounds, with five beau¬
tiful buildings, eleven teachers, $6,000 annual income,
warm friends at its back, hundreds of students pursuing
well selected literary and industrial courses—propert}^ and
equipment valued at $25,000.
The Legislature of Alabama in further recognition of
the merits of this institution selected it as the recipient of
Old Slave Cabin. President's Office, 1891-4.
that portion of the Congressional grant under Act ap¬
proved August 30, 1890, known as the Morrill Fund "for
the more complete endowment and maintenance of colle¬
ges for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic arts,"
given to Alabama for Negro Education. This action of
the Legislature gave new force and broader scope to the
NORMAL.
9
work. It was seen that larger quarters were necessary,
that the beautiful grounds, handsome buildings supplied
with gas and water must be given up and the
School Moved From Huntsville
to some suitable place near by. A great many locations
were offered, and, after due consideration, the present loca¬
tion was purchased. Palmer Hall and Seay Hall, a barn
and a dairy were erected and the session opened for
1891—2, September 1, in its new quarters—three months
after the closing of the session June 1, 1891. The new
location was commonly known as
Green Bottom Inn,
or Connally Race Track. It has an interesting history,
as old almost as the State itself. There once stood upon
these grounds a famous Inn, a large distillery, grog-shop,
slave cabins, rows of stables in which were kept the great
trotting horses of fifty years ago, while in the beautiful
valle}^, circling at the foot of the hill, was the race-course
where thousands of dollars were lost and won. Stretch¬
ing far away to the south, west and north of the hill (now
Normal) are broad fields wherein worked hundreds of
Africa's dusky sons, filling the air with merry songs ac¬
companying plow or hoe, or with silent prayers to Heaven
for deliverance from bondage. Here men as well as horses
were bought and sold, and often blood was drawn from
human veins by the lash like the red wine from bright
decanters. But what a change! The famous old Inn is
no more. The distillery has crumbled to dust. Not a
vestige of those stables remain. The old grog-shop, too,
has gone forever. However,
"There are still some few remaining
Who remind us of the past."
The beautiful mountains and the same broad fields,
IO
N O R MA L .
made more beautiful by Freedom's touch, still stretch far,
far away ; the race-course is gone, but a little higher up
the hill-side is a road along which thousands of slaves have
passed from the Carolinas and Virginia to the bottoms of
the Mississippi, and the road now is a main street of Nor¬
mal ; four of the old slave cabins remain, one of which for
three years served as the President's office and three re¬
paired and occupied by teachers and their families ; the
great old gin-house, built of logs, where so many slaves
trembled at the reckoning evening hour, now used as
Normal's blacksmith shop, wheelwright shop, broom fac¬
tory, mattress factory ; the old log barn, repaired, and
with addition, serving as Normal's laundry ; the little sad¬
dle house whose frame-work is put together entirely with
pegs instead of nails, now serves as barber shop ; the car¬
riage house, which has served as sewing room and print¬
ing office ; and last the grand old residence of the " lord
President's Office, 1895.
NO RMAL.
13
of the manor," partly of stone, (walls three feet thick)
and partly of wood covered with cedar shingles, under a
heavy coating of moss, containing in all eight rooms.
In this typical, hospitable Southern home, the great An¬
drew Jackson, once President of the United States, was
entertained when he attended the races and bet his eagles
on the trotters. This home is now the residence of the
President of Normal who was himself a slave. The muta¬
tions of time !
INCOME.
The income at present is derived :
State of Alabama $ 4,000
U. S. Government ("Morrill Fund") 9,000
Other Sources 20,000
$33,000
This is steadily increasing every year.
STUDENTS.
The attendance for 1894—5 is over 400, representing
18 States, and nearly every county in Alabama. The
applications for admission have always been twice as
great as the accommodations. As the means for accom¬
modation increase, the attendance will grow.
The department enrollment for 1894-5 is as follows :
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Mechanic Arts
112
0
112
Agriculture
35
1
36
English Language. . . .
199
208
407
Mathematical Science..
...199
208
407
Physical Science
79
99
178
Natural Science
124
149
273
Economic Science. . . .
15
127
142
Business Course
16
9
25
Vocal Music
199
208
407
Instrumental Music. . .
. . . 1
49
50
H
NORMAL.
Graduates, 1894-1895.
MALES. FEMALES.
Normal Course 9
Blacksmithing 1
Carpentry 2
Broom-Making 1
Agriculture 1
Printing 1
Nursing 0
Laundry 0
Sewing 0
Cooking 0
Business Course 1
Instrumental Music 0
13
0
0
0
0
0
6
7
3
7
o
0
1
16
40
Professors and Tutors, 1894-5.
TOTAL.
22
1
2
1
1
1
6
7
3
7
4
1
~56
MA-LE5.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Mechanic Arts,-
5
0
5
Agriculture
1
0
1
English Language. . . .
5
o
o
8
Mathematical Science.
. . 1
3
4
Physical Science. . . .
. . 1
0
1
Natural Science
1
0
1
Economic Science
0
4
4
Business Course
1
0
1
Other Branches
3
2
5
.18
^L2
30
Whole Number of Graduates.
Since organization the Institution has sent forth from
its various departments graduates as follows :
Normal Department 166
Blacksmithing 4
Carpentry 4
Agriculture 3
Printing 2
Nursing 8
Laundering 9
Cutting and Sewing 7
Cooking and General Housekeeping 11
Business Course 4
Total 218
NORMAL.
!5
Besides these graduates, there are hundreds of under¬
graduates doing great work among thousands of the
Negro population of the country. The graduating classes
in all departments increase annually.
FEELING TOWARD THE INSTITUTION.
There is no other community in this whole country
which gives to a school, black or white, warmer encour¬
agement than Normal gets from the white people of this
section. The interest is deep and abiding, manifesting
itself upon all occasions. They constantly visit us, treat
teachers and students in the most considerate manner,
speak encouraging words to us and of us. This good
feeling is further seen in the fact that the Negroes of this
section own thousands of acres of land—productive farms,
beautiful, happy homes—the work of years of thrift and
frugality on their part and encouragement from their
white neighbors.
Ante-bellum Home, now President's Residence.
16
NORMAL.
COURSES OF STUDY.
In the Literary Department of Normal there are six
well organized schools or courses of study, to-wit:
1. Normal or Professional School with a course
of three years.
2. Normal Preparatory School, two years.
3. Model School, four years.
4. Bible Training School, two years.
5. School of Music—Instrumental and Vocal.
6. Business Course, including Book-keeping,
Short-hand, Typewriting, Telegraphy and Commercial
Law.
Normal has, also, a liberal Post-Graduate Course.
The Industrial Department has twenty schools
or courses, from one to three years, in Cooking, Sewing,
Sick Nursing, Laundering, Housekeeping, Network,
Blacksmithing, House Carpentry, Wheelwright, Cabinet
Making, Shoemaking, Painting, Printing, Broom Mak¬
ing, Mattress Making, Plumbing, Agriculture, Hor¬
ticulture, Dairy Farming, Stock Raising.
EXPENSES.
The expenses at Normal are very light. This cheap¬
ness is largely due to the fact that the Institution is situ¬
ated in one of the most fertile, productive and progres¬
sive sections of the entire South. The markets are abun¬
dantly supplied with the necessaries of life at very low
prices. Board (excepting table napkins, towels, pillow¬
cases, sheets, bed covering, to be furnished by the student)
per month, $7.00. This includes tuition in all departments
except Instrumental Music and the Commercial Course.
Tuition in the Commercial Department is only $2 per
month, and Instrumental Music $1.00 to $2.00 per
month, including instruments for practice. No better ad¬
vantages can be had elsewhere at such low rates.
NORMAL.
l7
THE TRUSTEES.
The three Trustees or Commissioners representing
the State of Alabama are all men of superior character,
education and wealth. All of them were slave-holders
and commissioned officers in the Confederate army.
Hon. A. S. Fletcher has been Chairman of the Board
for fifteen years. He is one of the best business men in
A1 abama, serving as Trustee of the Presbyterian Churchy
Oak Lawn—Residence of Assistant FarmManager.
Director of the First National Bank of • Huntsville, di¬
rector in several other corporations, Alderman of the city of
Huntsville and member of the Alabama Legislature. He
is a lawyer.
Hon. S. J. Mayhew, the Executive Committee"of the
Board, is one of the most substantial men of Alabama, in
-every way. He is Superintendent of the schools of
i8
NORMAL.
Huntsville, Vice-President of the Farmers and Mer¬
chants National Bank, Trustee of the Presbyterian
Church, director in several corporations, Alderman of
Huntsville, and started life as architect and teacher.
Hon. Daniel Coleman, Secretary of the Board, is a
lawyer, prominent member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, Director of the First National Bank of Hunts¬
ville. He has held many political positions among which
are District Attorney, Consul to St. Etienne, France, etc.
The following gentlemen have served on the Board : Mr.
J. M. Crowder, Rev. Stephen Johnson, and Capt. John D.
Brandon, the last named, deceased.
PRESIDENTS OF THE SCHOOL.
The school has had only three Presidents, to-wit:
Prof. W. H. Councill, 1875-6.
Mr. J. M. Robinson, 1876-7.
Prof. W. H. Councill, 1877-1887.
Prof. Peter H. Clark, 1887-8.
Prof. W. H. Councill, 1888 .
AN OBJECTION ANSWERED.
It has been said that the graduates from our Industrial
Schools do not follow the trades. This criticism is not
correct, at least so far as Normal is concerned. While
large numbers seek the professions, still it is gratifying
to note a yearly increase in the number who follow trades
taught in the institution. It may be stated also that
graduates, like all other people, follow those occupations
which offer the greatest inducements either in a pecuni¬
ary or charitable way. But in general our graduates follow
those occupations for which they prepared while in
school and many of them to-day are doing well in the
industrial and business walks of life.
NORMAL.
19
WATER SUPPLY.
Normal is fortunate in her water supply. There are
three bored wells from one hundred to one hundred and
seventy feet deep, and two excellent springs. But to
provide an abundance of water for machinery and for
agricultural and horticultural purposes the school has
recently, at great cost, put in four miles of pipe connect¬
ing with the famous Huntsville Spring. This gives an ad¬
ditional supply of fifty to one hundred gallons per minute
of water which can not be excelled in purity.
Pasture, Looking toward Seay Hall.
DISCIPLINE.
Owing to the wise methods adopted, the discipline
of the Institution is very near perfect. We have the
respect and support of all classes of people who come
in contact with our polite, manly and industrious students;
The methods of discipline appeal to the nobler qualities-
and develop an exalted manhood.
20
NORMAL.
THE LABORATORY.
Considerable philosophical and chemical apparatus-
has been added recently to the Laboratory. It is suf¬
ficient for ordinary work, and is being increased as the
interests of the institution demand and its financial ability-
will allow.
LIBRARY AND READING-ROOMS.
The School has a very good library of choice books,,
and the best magazines and journals of the country are
found in the reading-rooms, which are open to students.
The different industrial departments are supplied with
ample and suitable reference and text-books. The liter¬
ary and scientific departments are well provided with
cyclopedias and other reference books, to all of which
the students have free access.
SOCIETIES AND RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES.
The Institution is strictly undenominational, as all
religious faiths are represented in the Faculty and among
the students. But the Christian influence and sentiment
are fixed, and form the basis of our excellent discipline.
The Christian Endeavor, Social Purity, Y. M. C. A., Y.
W. C. A., Haygood Temperance, Peabody Literary,.
Debating Club, Juvenile Literary, and class organizations
constitute the societies and organizations in the Institu¬
tion. Preaching in the chapel every Sunday morning,
and Sunday-school in the evening and Wednesday even¬
ing Prayer Meeting are the main features of worship.
METHODS.
"It is cruel as well as stupid to attempt to scold a
child into learning a lesson. It weakens all the forces
that need to be strong. Put the mind in its best, and.
NORMAL.
21
Tiot its worst mood, when you want anything from it."
Instruction is thorough in all the departments of the
School. Only experienced teachers, whose hearts are in
-the great work, are employed.
HOME INFLUENCES.
People can not rise above their homes. That the
homes of our people need elevation is clear to all.
Therefore this Institution throws around its students such
influences as will contribute to this great need. This is
-an indispensable part of their education.
OUR BUILDINGS.
There are twenty buildings of various sizes and uses
upon the grounds, including Palmer Hall, the Main
School Building, three stories, first story, library and
Tecitation-rrooms ; second story, chapel, and third, dor-
Barn Yard.
22
NORMAL.
mitory for girls ; Turner Hall (named in honor of Bishop
Henry M. Turner), three story dormitory for girls;
Langston Hall (named in honor of Hon. John Mercer
Langston), three stories; first story, kitchen and store¬
room ; second story, dining-room, and third, dormitory
for girls ; Seay Hall, three-story dormitory for young
men ; Teachers' Home, two stories, teachers and stu¬
dents ; New Mechanic Arts Building—shoe shop, car¬
penter shop, printing office, and mechanical drawing;;
Old Mechanic Arts Building—blacksmith and wheel¬
wright departments, broom and mattress factory, and
painting; Laundry, Dairy, Barn, and several cottages.
The dormitories for girls are fitted up with bath-rooms
and sewer connections. In addition to these there are
two large two-story buildings recently erected for hos¬
pitals—one for girls, the other for boys.
OUR POST-OFFICE.
A post-office has been established on the Elora branch
of the N. C. & St. L. R. R., right at the school, and
jthe station has been named Normal, Alabama, in honor
!of the school. A nice waiting-room and a first-class store
|have been erected, and Normal will soon become a vil¬
lage of people who wish the advantages of education.
Neighboring lands may be purchased at prices
ranging from $20 to $100 per acre.
Fearns is the name of the station on the M. & C. R.
R., situated also on the school grounds.
Normal does registry and money-order business.
ADMISSION.
To be admitted into the Normal Department, pupils
must present satisfactory evidence of good moral char¬
acter, and be not less than fifteen years of age. Younger
NOR MA L .
23
persons are received into the Normal Preparatory. The
Model School admits a very limited number of children
■of any age. Experience shows that the Model School is
not only beneficial as a means for normal students to gain
practical knowledge of the profession, but it is a nursery
bringing into the Normal Preparatory better trained
pupils than are often found in that department, except
through such influences. All normal students are required
to sign an obligation to teach two years in the State
schools as soon as they become qualified to do so, -pi'o-
-vided they receive pay for their services. This obliga¬
tion is restricted to those students who pursue only the
regular professional course, according to the public school
laws of Alabama.
Normal Swine.
STUDENT LABOR.
All work, including building, repairing, blacksmith-
ing, wheelwrighting, painting, broom-making, printing,
shoe-making, mattress-making, farming, cooking, dining-
room and general house-work, is performed by the
students. From four to fifteen cents per hour is allowed,
24
FORMAL.
according to the skill and faithfulness of the student. It
can be easily seen that great advantages are offered by
this institution to young men and women seeking an
industrial and literary education.
Class in Mechanical Drawing.
THE AIM OF NORMAL.
The aim of the Institution is to give both practical
and theoretical "instruction in Agriculture, the Mechanic
Arts, the English Language and the various branches of
Mathematical, Physical, Natural and Economic Science,
with special reference to their application in the indus¬
tries of life"—thus giving to the State an intelligent,
industrious citizen, with proper ideas of life and the
relations of'education and labor. The object is to have
the student begin practical life right in the school-room,
receiving here some useful trade or profession, or laying
the foundation for the same. The results of the efforts
NOR MA L.
25
•of this Institution in this direction, in past years, plainly
indicate the correctness of these methods. The head, the
heart and the hand are harmoniously and conjointly
developed and trained.
Further, the aim is to turn all labor, and all articles
produced by labor, to advantage and utility. Therefore
all of these industrial departments contribute in some
way to the equipment of the Institution, and are, in most
cases, a source of income to the student as well as a
means of instruction.
Wood-working Department—Superintendent's Office in rear.
The shops are well supplied with ordinary machin¬
ery and tools. The manufactures include furniture of all
kinds, tools and implements, shoes, brooms, wagons,
buggies, hammocks, clothing, all kinds of fancy needle¬
work, etc., etc.
26
NOR MA L .
THE FARM.
The farm comprises about two hundred acres of land,
on which are cultivated for general and experimental
purposes many varieties of cotton, grain, and all kinds
of vegetables. The farm is well stocked with mules,
horses, Devon, Holstein and Jersey cows, best breeds of
hogs and poultry ; vehicles and implements of every kind.
The various fruits of this section are found in the
orchards of the farm.
The Institution does its own butchering.
SCHEDULE.
Rising Taps 5.00 a.m.
.Dressing and arranging rooms 5 to 5.40 a.m.
Study Hour 5.40 to 6.40 a.m.
Devotions 6.40 to 6.50 a.m.
Breakfast 6.50 to 7.50 a.m.
School 7.50 a.m. to 1.20 p.m.
Dinner 1.30 to '2.30 p.m.
General Work 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.
Recreation 4.30 to 6.00 p.m.
Tea 6.00 to 7.00 p.m.
Devotions 7.00 to 7.15 p.m.
Study 7.15 to 9.00 p.m.
Retiring Taps 9.00 p.m.
Preaching (Sundays) 10.30 to 11.30 a.m.
Sunday-school 3.30 to 4.30 p.m;.
STUDENT AID.
While students are willing to work, still the applica¬
tions for permission to do so far exceed the ability of the
Institution. Work can not be given to all. Meritorious
young people who would willingly exchange their labor
for their board are turned away daily. Wages are small,
NORMA L .
27
and their parents cannot support them in school. This is
a serious matter for the consideration of the friends of
this struggling people. The educational work among
the Negroes is peculiar, and must be carried on by
peculiar methods. A cotton factory or some other in¬
dustry established near institutions of this kind could
utilize every extra hour of students, and by some humane
Scene in Shoe Factory.
arrangement keep running every hour in the day, a
source of income to the projectors and aid to poor
students. Here is a thought worthy of the considei ation
of philanthropists.
HEALTH.
The healthfulness of this entire section is generally
known. But this school is particularly favored in this
28
NORMAL.
regard on account of its excellent location and surround¬
ings. Normal is twelve hundred feet above sea level,
with a natural drainage unsurpassed in the United States.
The atmosphere is pure and bracing at all times.
A Class in Cooking.
HELPING OURSELVES.
Very few of the students of Normal receive other
help than a chance to work out their destinies. There
is a "Student Aid Fund," but it is quite small. "A
Chance to Work"—"Work is the Measure of Worth,"
are mottoes written in the heart of every Normal student.
The teachers contribute a portion of their salaries to
our "Student Aid Fund" and other causes for the pro¬
motion of the work.
PLANTATION WORK.
The work of elevating the plantation life of the
Negro is one of the most important connected with the
work of education in the South. It is hard for the schools
N O R MA L .
29.
to reach these people. Hence the importance of special
effort in this direction. Normal has organized to meet
the demand. Young women are trained especially for
this work. Those who will dedicate their lives to this
work on the plantation, to work regardless of pay, have
all of their expenses paid in school while they are in
preparation. Normal hopes to do much in this line.
Section of Dining Room.
The young men are also organized for Sunday-
school Mission Work. Many of them walk five to ten
miles every Sabbath to organize and conduct Sunday-
schools. Everywhere they go school-houses are built
and repaired, homes are refined and general intelligence
scattered among the people. The ingenuity displayed
by these young men to overcome the poverty which con¬
fronts them in their work is quite remarkable. One of
them bought Sunday-school literature and started a
3°
.V O RMAL.
library on a collection of one egg each Sunday from
those who could afford such a contribution. The eggs
were sold and the money used as needed in the work.
Library and Reading Room.
OUR NEEDS.
Normal has many pressing needs, and the friends of
education are invited to provide for them. Among the
things needed are :—
Money for the erection of a chapel.
Money for the purchase of machinery.
Money for our "Student Aid Fund."
Money for our Plantation Work.
Apparatus, tools, implements, etc., for all of our de¬
partments.
NORMAL.
3i
Books, pamphlets, newspapers, &c., for our Library
and Reading Room.
Anything which will help us in this work will be
most gratefully received.
Donations of land or any other kind of property in
any part of the country would be of great help to
Normal.
Reception Room in Palmer Hall,
The Press on Normal.
[.From Birmingham Age- Herald. ]
EDUCATING THE NEGRO.
THE STATE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL*.
SCHOOL FOR COLORED STUDENTS.
Progress and Advancement. Interesting Facts Con¬
nected With the Management of This
Worthy Institution.
To the Age-Herald:
All Alabamians are aware that there is near Hunts-
ville a state normal and industrial school for colored
students, but how few are aware of what it has accom¬
plished, of the progre-ss it has made and the advancement
it is still making.
It was inaugurated some years ago by William H.
Councill, a colored Alabamian of much culture, a man
whose administrative abilities have been thoroughly
tested, and whose conspicuous success in the manage¬
ment, enlargement and solidifying of this school is not
only creditable to him, but it has added honor to his
state. His work shows for itself and emphasizes his
worth. Already the school is entitled to a place side by
side with the great educational enterprises of the south.
At first the school was located in the city of Hunts--
ville, but it took only a few years to demonstrate to the-
NORMAL.
33
president and his board of trustees that the school must
have more elbow room if it was to do the work that
seemed to open before it.
The school property in the city ] was sold and some
two or three miles away 182 acres were purchased, and
as soon as practicable the school removed thereto. The
location seems to be all that could be ! desired, with the
single exception of water supply, this being dependent
for a portion of the year upon wells of considerable depth,
Laboratory.
but of excellent quality. The site of the school is
among the foot-hills of the Cumberland mountains, 1200
feet above the sea level, and one of the loveliest of land¬
scapes stretches out far and wide, pleasing and pictur¬
esque as a poet's dream.
The grounds are situated between two railroads, with
a depot hard by on either side.
It was the pleasure of the writer recently to visit
34
NORMAL.
this school. He was not simply surprised, he was
pleased—pleased beyond description by what he wit¬
nessed within and without. Of the buildings there are
several three-storied—two of which are handsome and
even imposing in appearance. One thing is worthy of
note just here: These two elegant structures were not
only designed, but were built by those connected with
the school, all the work having been done by the pupils
themselves. But any one can see that the school is still
at no little disadvantage for the lack of adequate accom¬
modations and appliances. Quite a number of old build¬
ings that were on the grounds when purchased are util¬
ized for different schools in the industrial department.
An old stable, for instance, strong and broad, has been
cleaned and repaired for the school of blacksmithing.
Fifty thousand dollars would not be too much to expend
to make the industrial and literary departments what
they should be. And some benevolent soul who has the
money could hardly do a more blessed thing than to do¬
nate that amount, to be expended by President Councill
and his trustees. There is not a steam engine on the
grounds and nearly all the work has to be done by hand.
In the industrial department are taught agriculture
and what pertains thereto, the raising and treatment of
live stock. The visitors were shown a drove of hogs be¬
longing to the school, and finer swine are not to be seen
anywhere. The cattle, too, are first-class. Besides
agriculture there are schools of carpentry, printing,
painting, blacksmithing, plumbing, shoemaking, mat¬
tress-making, cutting and sewing, laundering, etc. In
the carpentry school we found the pupils engaged in
making out bills of lumber. In the school of black¬
smithing the old-time music of the ringing anvil and the
flying sparks reminded the writer of the days long ago,
when it was his delight to visit the village blacksmith.
The shoemaking school seems to be one of President
NORMAL.
35
Councill's pets, and he is looking forward to a day not
distant when drummers will take the road for the sale of
the "Normal shoe." Professor Lowrey, who is at the
head of this school, showed by his brief lecture on the
science of shoe-cutting and the structure of foot-gear, as
well as the manipulation of some of his machines, that
he is an expert and glories in his business.
One thing a visitor cannot fail to observe is the ex¬
treme neatness throughout all the buildings. This is es¬
pecially observable in the sleeping apartments, in the
cooking school, in the hospital—in fact, everywhere, you
are pleased with the perfect cleanliness of the place. And
so far as seen there was a marked absence of any sloven¬
liness in the apparel of the pupils. The lunch prepared
by pupils in the cooking school evoked hearty compli¬
ments from those who enjoyed the pleasant repast.
There is a religious influence exerted in the institu¬
tion which cannot fail to have a hallowing effect on the
pupils now and in after life. There is preaching by the
chaplain at 11 o'clock every Sunday, and every pupil is
required to attend. After this service comes the " hour
of silence," which every pupil is urged to observe. The
hour is spent in silent prayer and meditation, in reading
the Bible and religious conversation. There are other
religious services beside the Sunday preaching.
Music is by no means ignored. A brass band be¬
longs to the institution, and the school of music is taught
by competent teachers. Pupils and teachers know how
to sing. The writer has rarely listened to so grand a con¬
cord of human voices. It was inspiring.
The literary and scientific departments are under the
tuition of highly educated and experienced teachers, all
of them having been graduated by first-class universities
or colleges of the United States or Canada, one being a
graduate of Hartford.
The wonder is that so much has already been done
Section of Campus.
NORMAL.
37
In building and enlarging this most deserving institution.
That there has been much liberality and self-sacrifice for
its benefit on the part of the president and his teachers
the writer has from good authority. The institution is now
full to overflowing; there are more than 400 pupils.
More room is greatly needed. There are representatives
from eighteen States and one from Africa.
"And how is it," said the writer to President Coun-
cill," u that you have this little African?" (He is about
16 and small of stature.)
He was slow to say. " But," said he at length, " I
will tell you just as the boy tells it; he says he belonged
to the Golah tribe and lived nearly five hundred miles
from the coast. He dreamed that if he would go to the
coast he would meet a 'big God man '—a man who would
tell him of the ' big God'—the God of all gods. He sat
out and traveled 500 miles to reach the Liberian coast.
It so happened that a White Missionary was there and
he was directed to him, but his heart sank within him
when he saw the man, for he was not the ' big God
man ' he had seen in his dream. Shortly thereafter Bishop
Turner arrived and this little light-seeker was directed
to him, and the moment his eyes fell on the bishop he
recognized the ' big God man ' he had seen in his dream,
and he ran and fell at his feet for joy. The bishop left
him in charge of the president of Liberia during his tem¬
porary absence, and it was during his absence that the
president, finding a ship ready to sail for New York, put
the boy aboard. The cargo consisted of monkeys, snakes
and the like for a New York museum. When it had
landed in New York a Times reporter having come aboard
noticed the little truth-seeker and interviewed him. Next
morning his story was in print. Bethel African Metho¬
dist Episcopal church investigated, took charge of him,
provided for him and shipped him to me to be educated.
That church is paying half of his expenses and Normal
the other half.
Commancement 1894. Hon. John M. Langston, Delivering Annual Address.
NORMAL.
39
u This much," added President Councill, "I have to
say, whether that vision be true or false, I have never be¬
fore known a boy to make such progress during the few
weeks he has been here. It is wonderful, and his con¬
duct has been most exemplary."
u Your young men shall see visions and your old men
shall dream dreams." G. P. Keyes.
Col. Geo. P. Keyes is one of the most distinguished
sons of Alabama.
SABBATH AT NORMAL.
[From Indianapolis Freeman.]
Sunday at Normal, Ala., is one of the most enjoyable
occasions of one's life. The school campus occupies the
whole of a knoll twelve hundred feet above sea level, and
four hundred feet above the beautiful city of Huntsville.
It has a gradual slope toward the cardinal points of the
compass. Sunrise and sunset at any time are beautiful,
but on Sabbath mornings and evenings the scene seems
to grow sublime beyond description. Only the pen of an
angel could paint such a scene. Indeed, throughout the
campus is one flood of golden sunshine, with now and then
a cloud shadow to remind us of the imperfections of this
transient life.
Within easy distance on our pastures graze in beau¬
tiful composure, horses, mules, cows of several breeds and
a large flock of sheep. The squirrel within a hundred
yards of the halls, chatters in glee, and mocking-birds
from hundreds of trees, warble and sing undisturbed, for
they are all safe at Normal. The beautiful, prosperous
farms stretching far, far away, the mountains in the hori¬
zon kissing the blue skies that bow to the earth on this
holy day, all make the scenes and harmonies of nature
transporting. But the most glorious of all. the students
and teachers themselves, happy, smiling, singing, read-
Evening Street Scene—Langston Hall and President's Residence in Distance.
NORMAL.
4i
lng> j°y and gladness everywhere—in the great halls, in
the library, on the white graveled walks, on the grassy
lawns, under stately and majestic oaks, every wind loaded
with the perfumed breath of spring. Sunday at Normal!
•Glorious day! Rising bell calls from slumber at 5 a. m.
The Chapel bell calls to morning prayer at 6 a. m. ; break¬
fast at 7 o'clock. Y. M. C. A. at 8. Church at 10 : 30 ; a
sermon by the chaplain—sweetest music ; 12 to 1 the old
"silent hour." Dinner at 1:30, Sunday-school at
S, supper at 6. Devotions at 7 ; meeting of Christian En¬
deavor and other societies, or talks by the President,
Prof. W. H. Councill or others. Retiring bell at 9 p. m.
So ends a Sabbath at Normal, beautiful, healthful, musi¬
cal, cultured Normal.
Thj£ closing exercises at the State Normal and In¬
dustrial School, for colored students, was the most im¬
portant and interesting this year in its history, commencing
last Sabbath and closing Thursday. The commencement
sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Alexander Crummell,
of Washington, D. C. The annual address on Tuesday
afternoon was delivered by Governor Wm. C. Oates, of
Alabama, who made an excellent talk, and was highly
pleased at the remarkable progress this school is making
under the very able, wise and successful management of
its first president, Prof. Wm. H. Councill.—Montgomery
Daily Advertiser, June 2, 1895.
Gov. Oates has been up to the Colored Normal
School at Normal. He was there by invitation, to speak
to the school. We venture to say the Governor adminis¬
tered some very wholesome advice and uttered some very
kindly and appropriate sentiments. No doubt, too, he was
42
NORMAL.
impressed with the beneficent work President Councill and
his coadjutors have done and are doing for the colored
youth intrusted to their training. There is no similar in¬
stitution anywhere more deserving of encouragement from
white people, South or North. It is an honor to Alabama.
—Sheffield Times.
Similar mention was made in the leading journals,,
such as Atlanta Constitution, Birmingham States, Birming¬
ham Age-Herald, Mobile 'Register, New Orleans Times-
Democrat, Nashville American, Nashville Banner, Hunts-
ville Argus, and Daily Mercury, Evening Tribune and
Huntsville Democrat and other leading journals.
NORMAL ENDORSED.
Hon. Frederick Douglass: I take pleasure in com¬
mending Mr. W. H. Councill, and his work, to the good
will and support of all. I have the fullest confidence in
him.
Bishop D. A. Payne: Prof. Councill is doing a noble
work for the race in the South.
Bishop Henry M. Turner: I commend Normal to the
generosity of all lovers of Education and friends of an
oppressed race. It is the grandest work in the South.
Mr. William Still: The Educational work among the
Freedmen in which Prof. Councill is engaged, deserves
great credit and encouragement.
Hon. John M. Langston: The School is worthy of
every contribution which can be made to it. It deserves
the support of every friend of the Negro.
Palmer Hall—Students Assembling for Morning Devotions.
44
NOR MA L .
Hon. W. T. Harris, U.S. Commissioner of Education:
It gives me pleasure to say, that I considei* this a most
worthy object, and one of the best and most satisfactory
ways of giving efficient aid to the advancement of the
colored race.
Dr. Alexander Crummell: You have gone on for years
so quietly, neither sending up sky-rockets nor firing off
cannons. And thus your work burst upon me with the
force of both beauty and power ; for I had no idea of so
much maturity, strength and excellence as I saw there.
Governor W. C. Oates, of Alabama: No man, white
or black, could have done more at Normal with the same
amount of money than Prof. Councill has done. There
are few men of his race like him.
WEATHER SERVICE.
The U. S. Government has made Normal a Signal
Station, and the signals more than five hundred feet above
Huntsville are read by the farmers in the prosperous
valleys below for miles and miles away.
THE FIRST DRUMMER.
Normal is the first institution to send out a drummer.
A competent young man has been engaged, and will soon
be put on the road to place Normal shoes, brooms, plows,
etc., in the market.
BRASS AND STRING MUSIC.
Normal has a first-class Brass Band and an excellent
String Band. The Orchestra is quite an important aid
at service.
At the Spring—Class 1895
46
NORMAL.
A successful effort has been made at music composi¬
tion. Songs have been written and set to music, and
brass band, piano, and organ music composed and pub¬
lished by Normal's teachers and students.
A NEGRO TOWN.
Prof. W. H. Councill owns a farm adjoining
Normal, and occupying a portion of the triangle be¬
tween the two great railroad lines approaching each
other after passing on either side of Normal. He
has laid a portion of this land off in lots, streets,
avenues, alleys, and gives the odd numbers to bona fide
settlers, who wiU build a specified house, and sub¬
scribe to certain other conditions, such as keeping up
fences, streets, sidewalks, etc. Men who can turn their
brains and muscles into things of use are encouraged to
settle here. Also efforts are being made to induce rich
philanthropists to locate a cotton factory and other
enterprises on this land. The land and water power will
be given for this purpose.